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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN HSSSC 2017/01/24 2016-2018 COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SERVICES 1St Session West Hawai`i Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i January 24, 2017 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Human Services and Social ORDER: Services was called to order at 1:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Kailua-Kona, by Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Chair Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Vice Chair(via video conference from Hilo) Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member(via video conference from Hilo) Ms. Karen Eoff, Vice Chair Mr. Dru Mamo Kanuha, Member Ms. Eileen O'Hara, Member Ms. Valerie T. Poindexter, Member Mr. Herbert M. "Tim"Richards, III, Member Ms. Jennifer Ruggles, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: (There were none.) COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next Order of Business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 61: REQUESTS A PRESENTATION BY CAROL IGNACIO TO DESCRIBE THE PROGRESS AND PURPOSE OF THE BLUE ZONES PROJECT AND TO PROVIDE AND UPDATE REGARDING THE STATUS OF THE SELECTION AND DESIGNATION OF BLUE ZONES ON HAWAII ISLAND TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF HAWAII COUNTY CITIZENS From Council Member Maile David, dated December 28, 2016. Motion to Close File: Ms. Poindexter moved to close file on Comm. 61. Seconded by Ms. O'Hara. HS S S C-1 January 24, 2017 CHR. DAVID: Before we take this presentation I just want to say—allow me to say a short introduction. If you're all aware West Hawai`i has joined other— two other Blue Zones projects, demonstration projects, on our island. So, we are now the first County-wide Blue Zones project in the nation and I thought that would be this would be an appropriate time to have these two ladies tell us a lot about what benefits this will give to our island community. So I've asked Heidi Kim who's our State-wide Vice President for Blue Zones and Ms. Carol Ignacio. Everyone knows Carol, she's our Governmental Community Affairs Manager for Hawai`i Island. And they are going to provide this Council and our constituents updates on their great work. So, it's my pleasure to introduce to Heidi Kim and Carol Ignacio. Go ahead ladies. (Note: At this time, Blue Zones Project Vice President Heidi Kim, and Blue Zones Governmental Community Affairs Manager Carol Ignacio came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. IGNACIO: First of all, Chair Maile, thank you for allowing us to be on the docket today and all of you, Happy New Year. Some of you are new and wish you the best next two years. We're really kind of excited to be here today and very, very grateful because there is a lot to share and to have you folks all in one room is exciting. So I want to turn it over to Heidi but before I do, I want to remind you folks,there are little bags in the back. I know some of you run and walk; there's a poncho in case it rains, especially in Hilo, and if you're like, Council Chair Val, she's always with her fan, there's a fan in there as well. So enjoy. MS. KIM: Mahalo, Carol. Aloha, Chair Poindexter, Human Services Committee Chair, Maile David and Hawai`i County Council Members. Mahalo again for this opportunity to present this overview and status of Blue Zones project today. I'd also like to say a very heartfelt mahalo for your support of Blue Zones Project through Council Resolution 552-16 that was passed last year. And with the announcement of West Hawai`i as a Blue Zones Project demonstration community as Chair Woman David had just mentioned, congratulations on becoming the first County in the nation to be selected for Blue Zones Project implementation. (Note: At this time, Ms. Kim and Ms. Ignacio provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. Additionally, a DVD film presentation was shown featuring Theresa Asciende's Blue Zone achievements. For viewing of these presentations, see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is made a part of the record, see Comm. 61.1.) Additionally, a DVD film presentation was shown featuring Theresa Asciende's Blue Zone achievements. Page 2 HSSSC-1 January 24, 2017 CHR. DAVID: Thank you so much. Both of you for that presentation and for opening our eyes as far as the healthy living and how like Aunty Theresa said how easy it is. It's just up to us, right? So I'm going to the Council Members for discussions or questions, if you have any. MS. LEE LOY: Chairman, I do have a question. CHR. DAVID: Hilo. Oh yes, Ms. Lee Loy, go ahead. MS. LEE LOY: Hi,thank you folks so much for coming and presenting today. I did have one quick question. You gave information about our children and the idea that we will outlive our children based on some of the choices that they have in front of themselves today, and I just was wondering—heard you say obesity being the driver behind that, but I was wondering is it like the type one, type two diabetes, or you know, what's that real health piece besides the obesity? MS. KIM: Really there are a number of different factors that are contributing to that, obesity just being one of them. It is diabetes but also,the different, the other things that obesity eventually leads to. And so anything from, you know, higher risks of heart disease or cancer, as well as you know just social challenges that come with being overweight or obese, or morbidly obese. So it really is a combination of many, many things. MS. IGNACIO: I just kind a want to add to that, but thank you for your question. The good news is you know we have 41 public schools on this island in East Hawaii, well in the Pahoa, Kea'au, Ka`u, Pahoa area, every school is registered with Blue Zones and working on becoming a Blue Zones approved school. And what that means is their making the commitment to making sure their lots more physical activity, nutrition, all kinds, you know, looking at what are they selling at fund raisers. Hilo High is not selling any sweet drinks, only water. So it's just, you know, those kinds of thins so that's the good news, things, that schools realize that there's a very definite correlation between academics and their health and wellness. And every caste on this island has committed their schools to work on healthier and happier kids. MS. LEE LOY: I have one other follow up question. We're doing a project down in Keaukaha near the port of Hilo, which is kind of a redesign project which includes curb, gutter, sidewalks and I understand that Blue Zones is somewhat of a sponsor, or I think I'm choosing the wrong word, but I understand that Blue Zones has tagged on to that one particular project. Is that accurate? MS. KIM: Is that Kalanianaole Avenue? Page 3 HSSSC-1 January 24, 2017 MS. LEE LOY: That is. From the Port of Hilo all the way— MS. KIM: To ice pond. MS. LEE LOY: Yeah,to ice pond. That's that one. MS. KIM: Okay, yeah actually so that I believe and I wouldn't particularly say a sponsor but perhaps a champion of that project. I would say I mean,the County of Hawai`i in the past two years that Blue Zones Project has been on the ground was really a champion and in particular the departments there was a mobile study tour that was done in the Pacific Northwest that a number of different counties sent folks to, and it really helped to show what was possible in the Built Environment space. As a result of that kind of experience, a lot of folks came back, planners and engineers, and said hey let's try some of this stuff and so I believe that's where the Kalanianaole avenue enhancements and improvements came from and so it's terrific, absolutely terrific to see that some of that is actually being built and on the ground. MS. LEE LOY: Yeah, I can appreciate that as a planner,that was the Complete Streets Program that the State has adopted. And every time we do these types of infrastructure improvements, when we're looking at lighted intersections, designing for curb, gutter, sidewalks and bike paths, this is a perfect opportunity for Blue Zones and you folks to really, again, champion the CIP monies that go to that because than it does improve our communities when you bring in that piece. We're asking for these monies not only to help with traffic control, but there's kind of a ripple effect that occurs when we start improving our sidewalks,providing bike paths for our kids to get to school which dovetails into our Complete Streets Program. It's all connected, and so I appreciate that. Thank you so much. CHR. DAVID: Mahalo, Ms. Lee Loy. Anyone else? Ms. O'Hara. MS. O'HARA: Thank you, Chair. I believe I'll be seeing you soon at the meeting on the Paradise Park, Hawaiian Paradise Park, park plan. Am I correct? And that's for the exact same reasons as Sue just pointed out,to make sure that there are sufficient walking trails and that sort of thing. Did the Blue Zones get it all involved in the design of the Puna Regional Park that just opened in December—or November I believe? MS. IGNACIO: No, we weren't. I think the design and everything was done way before we came on to the picture. MS. KIM: That's right. Page 4 HSSSC-1 January 24, 2017 MS. IGNACIO: Because I've heard, you know, there are no walking spaces for the kupuna. I know I've been hearing that a lot. MS. O'HARA: Okay. MS. IGNACIO: So we're on top of it now that we're in the picture, and raising those questions. Yeah. MS. O'HARA: Okay, I think we have another phase coming. MS. IGNACIO: Just so you know, when Dan Burden was here right, I think the week after the new administration came on, we met with the administration and insuring that he'll be providing whatever expertise he can for any of the new plan development and that sort of thing. MS. O'HARA: Okay, thank you. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. O'Hara. Mr. Kanuha. MR. KANUHA: Thank you, not really any questions just want to mahalo you guys for continuing the efforts of healthy living. You know, that's what we strive to, public health and safety. S so it's one of our key foundations, or mine at least. I'm not going to speak for everybody else, but I'm just glad you guys are part of it,partnering it—partnering with us and our community to make to help us live a healthier, longer life. So I just want to appreciate everything that you guys do. CHR. DAVID: Mahalo, Mr. Kanuha. Anyone else? No? Oh, Ms. Eoff, go right ahead. MS. EOFF: I don't have a question right now but I just wanted to thank both of you for all of the work that you've done and that you're going to continue to do here, because I think at the very beginning you mentioned something about Hawai`i and Hawai`i Island being the first in several things, and we were earlier today kind of remarking on how Hawai`i Island is the first in a lot of initiatives and so I think we know what we need to do, and you guys are going to help us a lot. MS. IGNACIO: Hawaii Preparatory Academy became a Blue Zone approved school and it was only the second time in their history of their school that they brought all the students to the gym for the ceremony and had a group picture, but it was just—they had the cheerleaders and everything and we did the formal presentation. But they continue to do amazing work. So it keeps coming on board and we're just very grateful for your support. Page 5 HSSSC-1 January 24, 2017 MR. KANUHA: So HPA's color is changing from red to blue? CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Eoff. MS. EOFF: Thank you. CHR. DAVID: Ms. Poindexter. MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah, I just wanted to say thank you, too, for the commitment. Heidi you first came to the island I remember years ago, and worked very, very hard along with Elisa and HMSA. So big mahalo to you and then a big mahalo for bringing, you know,this wonderful woman on board who had done so many great things on this island and now for her to have retired and just grabbing her out of retirement so that she could continue to share all of her wisdom and expertise of grass roots, community building and healthy lifestyles. So thank you, Carol for your commitment. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter. Any other Council Members? Mr. Chung,thank you, I see you. Do you have any questions or comments? No. Thanks. Anyone else? No? Alright, I just want to say before we take the vote that I really want to mahalo both of you, Carol and Heidi, for your efforts and your teams efforts in making Hawai`i Island a healthy place to be, to grow up and live. And I think it's coming full circle, because what you talk about is things that, you know, if you're as old as us,that's how we lived before. So I find it I know, so it's kind of ironic that, you know, we come closer that way. But thank you very much for your presentation. MS. IGNACIO: (inaudible) CHR. DAVID: Thank you very much. We'll keep that in mind. Alright and that being said, all in favor of filing Communication 61, please say"aye." Page 6 HSSSC-1 January 24, 2017 Vote on Comm. 61: The motion to close file on Comm. 61 was carried by the (Filed) following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David- 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. DAVID: Thank you very much ladies. ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions. (There were none.) BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, ORDINANCES: Bills for Ordinances. (There were none.) ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 2:08 p.m., Mr. Kanuha moved to adjourn MENT: the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Poindexter and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, Eoff, Kanuha, Lee Loy, O'Hara, Poindexter, Richards, Ruggles, and Chair David- 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. DAVID: We are adjourned. Mahalo. Approved: 411111Pip 44.111 4 / %// Ms. Maile"Medeiros" David, Chair (Date) Human Services and Social Services Committee MD/vc Page 7