HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-22 Water Board Minutes
MINUTES
DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY
COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
WATER BOARD MEETING
October 22, 2013
Department of Water Supply, Operations Center Conference Room, 889 Leilani Street, Hilo, HI
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Kenneth Kaneshiro, Vice-Chairperson
Mr. Russell Arikawa
Mr. David Greenwell
Ms. Brenda Iokepa-Moses
Mr. Delan Perry (arrived at 10:13 a.m.)
Mr. Rick Robinson
Mr. Jay Uyeda
Mr. Quirino Antonio, Jr., Manager-Chief Engineer, Department of Water
Supply (ex-officio member)
ABSENT:
Mr. Art Taniguchi, Chairperson
Ms. Susan Lee Loy, Water Board Member
Mr. Duane Kanuha, Director, Planning Department (ex-officio member)
Mr. Warren Lee, Director, Department of Public Works (ex-officio member)
OTHERS PRESENT: Ms. Kathy Garson, Assistant Corporation Counsel
Mr. Chris Brown
Ms. Billie Brown
Mr. Shiro Takata
Ms. Felicia Rosario
Mr. Jeff Zimpfer, National Parks Service
Dr. Tim Ambrose
Mr. Hamish Ewart
Mr. David Clark
Mr. Keith Kato
Department of Water Supply Staff
Mr. Keith Okamoto, Deputy
Mr. Kurt Inaba, Engineering Division Head
Mr. Richard Sumada, Waterworks Controller
Mr. Daryl Ikeda, Chief of Operations
Ms. Kanani Aton, Public Information and Education Specialist
Ms. Julie Myhre, Energy Management Analyst
Mr. Calvin Uemura, Customer Service Supervisor
Mr. Clyde Young, Operations
Mr. Eric Takamoto, Operations
1) CALL TO ORDER – Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
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2) STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
(Dr. Tim Ambrose testified regarding amendments to DWS’s rule regarding water leak adjustments.)
DR. AMBROSE
: Good morning, Mr. Kaneshiro. Thank you. I live in Kalapana. I live on a County road
about 450 feet from the highway, and I had a water leak in August, which was an extraordinary level of
leak… There were 713 gallons that came out… There was no evidence of it, of course, because of our soil
here; it just kind of absorbed. Um, I have provided materials to show the work I’ve done…to have it done.
It’s cost me in excess of $5,000.00 so far just to get it fixed. The water bill was $4,400.00, and that was, I
suspect…it’s actually going to be larger than that, because it took several times to find, actually, the leak,
and I ended up replacing the entire line. Um, of couple of thoughts… One, I’m on a County road, and I
cannot control who parks or drives, or does anything, over that line. So the easement under which my line
is situated…I have no control of that. And because of that, I believe damage has been happening to the
line over the years. I’m responsible for the line, because that’s the agreement that I made when, you know,
I put the line in. But I did not know a number of things that I know now. I’ve been in Hawai‘i a number
of years now. Among the things that I’d like to ask for… One, I’d like to ask to be considered for some
relief on this, because it’s a massive bill. This is the second leak I’ve had. The last one occurred…starting
in August three years ago. So this has been about three years. It took a number of months for a leak
adjustment to come through. That was a much smaller leak; it took a longer time to find it…a number of
months to find that leak. We did find it. At that time, I got about a $600.00 relief. The bill cost me
$1,000.00, and over $700.00 in plumbing. So right now, I’m up to $7,000.00 on my waterline, not
including the initial installation, which was about $5,000.00… So I’m about $12,000.00 right now on this
particular waterline, which is a great deal of money. Among the things that I’d like to ask for, along with
some relief on this bill, I’d like to encourage the Water Department to provide some guidelines about
practices about installing lines. You don’t have to be liable for it, but I think it would be helpful. And I
know that I, as a homeowner and as a builder, you know, having built the home, would have been happy to
have had good recommendations, saying: “You’re in a seismic area; the soil can be very rocky, can be very
difficult. You know, your best…the best thing you can do is put in a Schedule AD PVC, you know, sleeve
it into another piece of PVC… -- which I’ve done this time -- situate it in sand and in cinder.” I did situate
it in sand and cinder; I used the Driscoll pipe which was recommended to me at the time. The best
recommendation at the time that I could get… I now know better, because I’ve been through this a couple
of times. And I feel like the Water Department, when I…when you apply for your permit, um, to put in a
line…I think it would be helpful to provide some guidelines explaining what happens underground here,
and why people…to protect the consumer… Because these leaks happen a lot. They’re not just happening
to me; they’re happening to a lot of people. I hear about it a lot, um, at this point, because I have a leak.
It’s come to my attention that many people have had this problem. Um…the other thing that I would like
to recommend…um, that following any seismic activity, that you recommend to your customers that they
check their water meters after seismic activity. There was a 5.3 earthquake off the cost of Kalapana, close
to where I live, in June. This may have been responsible for what happened with these leaks. I’m not sure.
The leaks happened under an illegal access over my line, and where people park their cars. That’s where
the two major leaks were found. Um…because the Water Department needs to…uh, checks your
line…checks your meter, every two months. I think it would be a good recommendation to explain to
customers to check it every month to make sure. The other recommendation I would have would be to
introduce water meter signaling units, which I’ve been researching, and they are available, and not super-
high cost. That cost would be passed on to the consumers. Um, it could be sent out, and then, we could
have an idea of what’s going on. I’d also like to ask that you consider amending the leak adjustment rule,
to help customers who exhibit due diligence, such as I have, in repairing these (inaudible)…professionals
(?) spending a good deal of money, and providing evidence of the repair. So those are the
recommendations I have, and I’d like to ask… Thank you for your attention today.
VICE-CHAIRPERSON KANESHIRO
: Okay, the next person we have is Jeff Zimpfer.
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(Mr. Jeff Zimpfer of the National Park Service (NPS) testified regarding NPS’s petition for designating the
Keauhou Aquifer System as a Ground Water Management Area.)
MR. ZIMPFER:
Aloha, Chairperson Kaneshiro and members of the Board. My name is Jeff Zimpfer,
and I am an Environmental Protection Specialist for Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park. As you
are aware, on September 13, 2013, the National Park Service filed a petition to designate the Keauhou
Aquifer System as a Water Management Area for groundwater. On October 16, 2013, the Commission on
Water Resource Management extended the review period for the petition until December 2014. I appear
before you today to request that the Water Board also defer comment on this petition until after the
National Park Service has had the opportunity to share additional information with you on this matter.
Representatives of the National Park Service have attended all meetings of the Kona Water Roundtable,
and we greatly appreciate the beneficial exchange of information that this forum continues to provide. We
are also aware of the importance and the impact of the proposed action on County agencies. As the
petitioner in this matter, the National Park Service respectfully requests that the Board recognize the
essential value of the petitioner’s input, and provide the National Park Service the opportunity to share
with the Board its own summary of the petition and its views on the staff submittal and accompanying
materials. Thank you for your consideration of this request.
VICE-CHAIRPERSON KANESHIRO
: Okay, thank you very much. Okay, next I’ll call Chris Brown.
(Mr. Chris Brown testified to request a water meter.)
MR. BROWN:
Good morning. I’m Chris Brown. I’ve been a teacher at Kohala High School; I was a
teacher for 38 years, retired seven years ago. My wife just recently retired, after teaching 40 years at
Kohala. We own a three-acre parcel in Kohala, which is zoned A-3. Right next door to it is an eight-acre
parcel that is zoned A-20 that is owned by my wife, myself and my brother, who by the way is principal at
the Kohala Middle School, and his wife, who is a retired doctor. We have the eight-acre parcel that we
own jointly, the four of us together, and what we’d like to do is get it divided so that each (couple) has four
acres. But right now, because it’s zoned A-20, we cannot do that. So what we’d like to do is get a
commitment for a second water meter for this eight-acre parcel. So we’ve talked to, or my brother talked
to, Sidney Fuke, who felt that the only way we could get the subdivision, or the rezoning, done, was if we
had a second water meter for this eight-acre parcel. So what I’m doing is I’m requesting that we could
have the second water meter put into these eight acres. We’re right on a County road; the waterline runs
right along the road, so you know, to me, it doesn’t seem like it would be much of a problem to put this
second meter in, because the waterline is right there. So I’m hoping that you will consider my request.
Thank you.
VICE-CHAIRPERSON KANESHIRO
: Thank you very much. Okay, do we have any other…?
SECRETARY
: We have one more, sir… Mr. Shiro Takata.
(Mr. Shiro Takata testified regarding water in Kohala.)
MR. TAKATA:
Hi, good morning to all of you. I’m here, concerned about water in Kohala. About 20
or 35 years ago, I heard that they wanted to bring Kohala water down to Kawaihae(?), and the community
was concerned about it. Hearing that, I really thought…I’m very confident…that Kohala has plenty water,
but today, I find out that we do not have enough water to make a subdivision or whatever. There is
wells…, and I talked to Mr. Pavao some eight years ago, and he told me that oh no, already…two years
we’re gonna have the Hala‘ula Well started, and you folks gonna get the water. Eight years has passed,
and we still don’t have enough water. And I don’t wanna see people like Chris Brown or the
community… And then, the community on the Big Island… The Big Island has grown maybe 40 percent
in population. They said the Big Island is the fastest-growing island in the whole state. But Kohala never
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had grown yet. Kohala…when I graduate from Kohala High School, it was 6,000 population. Today, still
6,000 population. And yet, Kohala is very fortunate place. We have Surety Corporation; we have
ownership like the rest of…like Ernest Moody owns it, and if anything… you would like them to work
with them in making subdivision. They would be the easiest way to make a development work, and that is
Kohala. But we need water. The Kohala High School also… When you talk about education, two years
ago, the Department of Education wanted to close the Middle School, to consolidate it, to compact Kohala
High School campus. But because of some community wanted it…because it wasn’t economically
feasible, they dropped the case. But Kohala High School…not too long ago, in Kohala, there was a group
trying to make a charter school. It was frustrating(?)…so what was the reason why they wanted a charter
school? They said, ‘cos Kohala High School cannot provide the students with the subjects because they
don’t have enough students. And Kohala High School, or all of the public school…has…is funded by the
amount of pupils in the student body. So now, I consider say hey, what is going to happen to Kohala? Is
Kohala gonna be like Laupāhoehoe with its population dropping? And with the population drop, the
student body drop, the school get less funded, less subject. And then, we have newcomers coming to
Kohala. And the newcomers are usually, they say, they are the haoles, come. And the haoles, by the way,
don’t have too many kids, or whatever kids they have, they send ‘em to Waimea. So actually, we have a
fantastic principal at Kohala High School, Jeannette Sperry(?) She’s a Kohala girl; she is gonna be one of
the best, better principals you can ever can find. To me, what Kohala needs, first of all, is to have
subdivision, to have the population of new people that coming… The newcomers who’s wealthy; they’re
haoles; they don’t have kids. If they have kids, they send ‘em to Waimea to get educated. And the point
is, we need…we need to push up our population. Surety is willing; I’m sure Surety… I’ve talked to
Surety. Surety is willing to do whatever it takes to make subdivision. But we need water. So I’m asking
you folks to look into the Hala‘ula Well, and try to acquire the water so that we can have water. I talked to
Surety people. They said if the well in Hala‘ula can add at least 1,500 more homelots… So please
consider that. I thank you.
VICE-CHAIRPERSON KANESHIRO
: Okay, next we have David Clark (inaudible).
(Mr. David Clark testified regarding Mr. Ambrose’s water leak.)
MR. CLARK:
Thank you. I would just like to make a correction, I believe, to Dr. Ambrose’s testimony.
I think he said that the amount of water loss was 713 gallons. But in fact, it was 713,000 gallons. That’s
all. Thank you.
3) APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Vice-Chairperson entertained a Motion to approve the Minutes of the September 24, 2013, Water
Board meeting.
MOTION: Mr. Arikawa moved to approve; seconded by Mr. Greenwell.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro asked if there was any discussion.
Mr. Uyeda moved to amend the Minutes, because the Roll Call Vote on Item 5(A) appears on Page 13 of
the Minutes, whereas the discussion on the Item takes place on Page 2. He said the Roll Call Vote should
be coupled with the discussion on Page 2.
Ms. Garson explained that if the Board recalled when it took up Item 5(A), i.e., the condemnation
resolution, Ms. Garson erroneously said the Board should take a voice vote. A Roll Call Vote is actually
required for a resolution, and later in the meeting, Ms. Garson directed the Board to return to Item 5(A) to
take a Roll Call Vote. That is why it is disjointed. She suggested today that the Board just amend the
Minutes with a notation that links the discussion portion with the Roll Call Vote that took place later in the
meeting.
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Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro asked if the original Motion needed to be withdrawn.
Ms. Garson said no. There is a Motion to amend the Minutes just to make sure that the discussion is
connected in some way to the Roll Call Vote that is noted on Page 13 of the Minutes.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro asked Mr. Uyeda if he made a Motion to Amend the Minutes.
ACTION TO AMEND THE MINUTES: Mr. Uyeda moved to amend the Minutes; seconded by
Mr. Perry; and carried unanimously by voice vote.
ACTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED MINUTES: Mr. Robinson moved to approve the Amended
Minutes; seconded by Mr. Arikawa; and carried unanimously by voice vote.
4) APPROVAL OF ADDENDUM AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
None.
5) SOUTH KOHALA:
REQUEST FOR RIGHT OF ENTRY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND
A.
RESPONSE OF FORMERLY USED DEFENSE SITE (FUDS) WAIKOLOA MANEUVER,
TAX MAP KEY (3)6-6-001:064:
The Department of the Army has requested a right-of-entry onto the Department’s Lālāmilo Reservoir
(310’) site to perform an environmental investigation and response. The area was used by the military
as stated, and they have been “combing” the area for ordnance. According to their records, they have
not covered our reservoir site. Coordination of the entry to our site will be with the District Supervisor.
The Manager-Chief Engineer recommended that the Board approve the Right-of-Entry request and
authorize the Board Chair to execute the document.
MOTION: Mr. Greenwell moved to approve; seconded by Mr. Perry.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said the whole area was used by the military at one time.
Mr. Greenwell asked if there was anything special about this Item; he asked if it was just an approval
request.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said that was correct; there is nothing special about it.
Mr. Inaba noted that in the past, DWS just routinely let the military in to comb for ordnance. However,
in this case, a contractor was involved, and the contractor asked for the right-of-entry.
ACTION: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
6) NORTH KONA:
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PETITION TO DESIGNATE KEAUHOU AQUIFER SYSTEM
A.
AREA AS A GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AREA:
On September 13, 2013, the National Park Service (NPS), through the Superintendent of the Kaloko-
Honokōkau National Park, filed a Petition with the Commission on Water Resource Management
(CWRM) to designate the Keauhou Aquifer System Area (North Kona) as a Ground Water Management
area.
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The Hawai‘i State Water Code, Haw. Rev. Statute Chapter 174C, Park IV, Regulation of Water Use,
§§174C-41 to 467, and the Commission’s Administrative Rules, HAR §13-171-3 to 9, provide that the
Commission consult with the Mayor, County Council, and County Board of Water Supply about the
petition.
Under Haw. Rev. Stat. §174C-41, the Chairperson of CWRM was to make a recommendation whether
or not to pursue the designation process within 60 days of receipt of the Petition or such additional time
as may be reasonably necessary to determine that there is factual data to warrant the proposed
designation. The 60-day deadline is November 12, 2013.
The Department had submitted a request to the Commission to extend the consultation period. The
County Council, the Mayor’s Office and Planning Department made similar written requests.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said that he and the Deputy had attended a CWRM meeting on Oahu,
where the Commission granted the time extension for review and comments on the petition, from the
initial 60-day period which would have ended in November of this year, to December 2014. Based on
that, DWS will be gathering information, but as NPS requested, DWS will not be submitting anything
formally anytime soon. CWRM noted as they granted the time extension, that there were four studies
still pending, which are expected to be completed sometime in September 2014. CWRM wants to see
what the study results are, and meanwhile, the comment period on the petition moves forward, the
Manager-Chief Engineer said.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro asked for confirmation that today’s Item is for information purposes only;
no action is to be taken today.
The Manager-Chief Engineer confirmed this.
Mr. Uyeda noted that CWRM Resource Management Office staff had provided some background
information to DWS; he asked that this information be made available to the Water Board.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said yes, the information will be supplied to the Board.
The Deputy noted that at the meeting, CWRM staff had told him and the Manager-Chief Engineer that
they were willing to appear before the Board to further explain what a ground water management area
designation really means, and what the implications were.
Mr. Robinson expressed concern, recalling that he had written letters in support of the creation of the
National Park at Kaloko-Honokōhau. The expectation had been that the park would be a great thing,
but the National Park has instead proved at every turn to be difficult or in opposition to things. He cited
the long-delayed Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway Widening project. NPS’s attempt to designate the
ground water management area would prevent creating more water, he said. Mr. Robinson said he had
been to the park twice, and both times he was asked to move because he was picnicking in the wrong
location. While expressing deep disappointment, Mr. Robinson said he believed the Board needed
outside legal counsel to represent the Board in the action before CWRM; he was very concerned that
DWS might not be able to create more water for the people of Kona. He said he could not understand
why NPS was so concerned about water, when they have a passive-use park at Kaloko-Honokōhau.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said that was a good comment. He said that NPS was concerned about the
ground water flow into the area’s aquiline ponds. He noted that several years ago, DWS partnered with
stakeholders in the area, and provided a venue to submit data/information regarding ground water in the
area. This was done through the ongoing Kona Water Roundtable. DWS will probably be convening
additional Roundtable meetings to bring forth more information regarding the ground water flow in the
area. Noting that CWRM staff are willing to appear before the Board, the Manager-Chief Engineer said
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that CWRM staff have been invited by the County Council to a community meeting in Kona on
November 19. That meeting will deal with concerns regarding the designation. He suggested that
interested Board members might want to attend that meeting.
Mr. Uyeda recommended that CWRM staff be invited to the Water Board’s next meeting, which will be
in Kona, where the CWRM staff can educate the Board. The location would be good because it is close
to the National Park, he added.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said DWS could invite both CWRM and NPS to appear before the Board
at the November meeting.
Mr. Greenwell asked if there were any projects that would be put on hold if the designation issue drags
on.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said no, DWS’s projects at this point in time are proceeding as normal.
The only project that might be affected by this designation is a project by a private developer. He said
that DWS’s current projects in Kona such as the Kona Ocean View Improvement District are
proceeding as normal. As for the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway Widening project, he did not know
when the construction Notice to Proceed will be granted by the State Department of Transportation
(DOT). DWS has gotten the design Notice to Proceed, and DWS is still waiting to coordinate with the
project’s consultant. The Waiaha/Dan Bolton/Kohanaiki project in Kona, whose agreement was struck
earlier this year with DWS, is in progress, he added. However, there is concern over what effect the
designation will have on future projects, the Manager-Chief Engineer said.
The Deputy said that the implications/consequences of a ground water management designation are not
entirely clear – even to DWS. DWS would welcome CWRM staff to come and provide information so
that DWS has a better understanding of what may happen if the designation goes through.
Mr. Robinson said that the concern is that it may stop projects from happening. The creation of the
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Park was seen as a job creator for local people, and the anticipation was
that the park would remove invasive species and replace them with native plants, etc. He said he has
seen none of that. It has become a park that is looking to stop development, and Mr. Robinson said this
frustrates him.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro asked whether impact studies are done when wells are drilled, to see what
effect the wells have downstream.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said yes, an Environmental Assessment (EA) is done as part of the process
of drilling wells and developing water sources. Once the EA is done, the construction process can
begin. There is a period during which the well must be pump-tested, to see whether or not the pump test
will affect the ground water. If there is a well close by, the pump test will also monitor the effects of the
pump test on the neighboring well.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro asked if such testing is done on near-shore waters such as aquiline ponds,
to see how they are affected by well drilling.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said no, DWS has not done any monitoring as far as pump testing of the
wells up mauka. He also did not recall any monitoring by DWS of the aquiline ponds or off-shore
waters.
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CORRESPONDENCE RE: ACCESS TO KALAOA WELL SITE FROM REV. NORMAN
B.
KEANA‘AINA:
The Manager-Chief Engineer said the Department had received correspondence from
Rev. Norman Keana‘aina demanding certain things from DWS for accessing the well site. DWS
responded by saying that DWS had every right to be there, and left it at that; DWS is operating at the
well site as normal.
Ms. Garson said that the correspondence was received just prior to the September Board meeting, and so
the Item could not be agendized for that meeting. The reason that this Item appears on the October
Agenda is to show that the correspondence was distributed to the Board, and to enable the Board to
discuss the matter if it wishes to do so. This Item is for information to the Board, she added.
MOTION: Mr. Robinson moved to go into Executive Session; seconded by Mr. Perry, and carried
unanimously by voice vote.
EXECUTIVE SESSION RE: CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING ACCESS TO KALAOA
C.
WELL SITE FROM REV. NORMAN KEANA‘AINA:
The Water Board was expected to convene an executive meeting, closed to the public, pursuant to
Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, Sections 92-4 and 92-5(a)(4), for the purpose of consulting with the Water
Board’s attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the Water Board’s powers, duties, privileges,
immunities and liabilities. A two-thirds vote pursuant to HRS Section 92-4 is necessary to hold an
executive meeting.
(Executive Session began at 10:33 a.m. and ended at 10:47 a.m.)
JOB NO. 2012-985, HUALĀLAI DEEPWELL REPAIR – TIME EXTENSION REQUEST:
D.
The Department of Water Supply requested a contract time extension on behalf of the contractor, Beylik
Drilling and Pump Service, Inc., to January 31, 2014. This is due to unforeseen events involving failure
of the existing step-up transformer. Well installation was completed on July 23, 2013. During start-up
and testing, the well continuously tripped on high amps. Testing conducted in conjunction with the
Contractor and motor manufacturer concluded that the existing transformer has degraded to a point that
it no longer can support the motor load and requires replacement. This event was beyond the control of
the Contractor and the original scope of the repair.
Note: There are additional costs associated with this time extension. Material and labor cost for
replacement transformer to be conducted by Change Order request (see below).
st
1 time extension – 123 calendar days
The Manager-Chief Engineer recommended that the Board approve a contract time extension to Beylik
Drilling and Pump Service, Inc., of 123 calendar days for JOB NO. 2012-985, HUALĀLAI
DEEPWELL REPAIR. Upon approval, the contract completion date will be revised from
September 30, 2013, to January 31, 2013.
MOTION: Mr. Greenwell moved to approve; seconded by Mr. Perry.
The Manager-Chief Engineer made a correction to the Recommendation; the end date should be
2014
January 31, . He noted that the contractor detected a problem with the transformer during the
process of getting the well on-line. This time extension is aimed at getting a new transformer to the site;
it will take some time to get it there. DWS was unable to find on the island a similar transformer that fit
the specifications.
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Mr. Uyeda asked if the original contract work has been completed.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said that it will not be completed until DWS can start up the well with the
new transformer.
Mr. Uyeda asked when DWS discovered that the transformer was not good.
Mr. Young said that it was discovered when the pump was installed. After the pump testing, DWS got
high amps; DWS started trouble-shooting as a result, he said.
Mr. Uyeda asked whether the original contract work was fulfilled within the allotted timeframe.
Mr. Young confirmed that it was.
The Manager-Chief Engineer noted that the next Item on the Agenda references this matter as well;
DWS in the next Item is requesting additional funds because of the high cost of the transformer.
ACTION: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
JOB NO. 2012-985, HUALĀLAI DEEPWELL REPAIR – CHANGE ORDER:
E.
The contractor, Beylik Drilling and Pump Service, Inc., requested a contract change order to replace the
existing step-up transformer for Hualālai Deepwell. Due to age and degradation of the existing
transformer, it can no longer support the electrical load of the motor and requires replacement. Total
project costs shall not exceed $181,645.00. The description of additional materials and associated fees
are as follows:
ITEMDESCRIPTIONAMOUNT
1.Additional funds required for replacement 750kVA step-up $ 94,500.00
transformer, installation, disposal and freight costs.
TOTAL $ 94,500.00
Original Contract Amount: $ 79,223.00
Original Contingency amount: $ 7,922.00
Additional Contingency request: $ 94,500.00
The Manager-Chief Engineer recommended that the Board approve an increase in contingency of
$94,500.00 to Beylik Drilling and Pump Service, Inc., for JOB NO. 2012-985, HUALĀLAI
DEEPWELL REPAIR.
MOTION: Mr. Perry moved to approve; seconded by Ms. Iokepa-Moses.
Mr. Greenwell observed that the Board did not have much choice regarding the change order, since the
Board had already approved the 123-day time extension to replace the transformer.
The Manager-Chief Engineer acknowledged that the two Hualālai items could have been combined.
Ms. Iokepa-Moses quipped that the Board should have approved the price before the time extension.
Mr. Uyeda asked whether the transformer was being shipped by air or by barge.
Mr. Young said it will be shipped by boat and cross-country.
Mr. Uyeda asked how much more it would cost to fly in the transformer.
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Mr. Young said it would probably add another $30-40,000.00 to ship by air.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said that would be a safe assumption.
Mr. Uyeda said that in that case, it would be more feasible to grant the time extension versus flying in
the transformer.
The Manager-Chief Engineer noted that DWS went out to bid on the repair of the QLT Well in the same
area, just south of the Hualālai Well. DWS went through the normal process of bidding that repair
project out, thinking that the Hualālai Well would be back on-line. The QLT Well is showing signs of
deterioration, and if something happens with that well, DWS may have to change course by expediting
things, i.e., going through emergency procurement procedures. Right now, DWS is going through the
normal process, crossing its fingers that nothing happens to the QLT Well.
ACTION: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
7) MISCELLANEOUS:
DEDICATION OF WATER SYSTEMS
A. :
The Department received the following documents for action by the Water Board. The water systems
have been constructed in accordance with the Department’s standards and are in acceptable condition
for dedication.
1. GRANT OF EASEMENT AND BILL OF SALE*
Subdivision Name: Kona Vistas Subdivision, Unit 4
Subd. Appl. No. 2005-000227
Grantor: Kona Vistas, LLC
Tax Map Key: (3) 7-6-027: 105 portion
Zoning: Not Available
No. of Lots: 26
Facilities Charge: $25,145.00
Final Inspection Date: 08/13/13
Water System Cost: $319,946.00
*Corporation Counsel to provide details.
2. BILL OF SALE
Subdivision Name: Kamakana Village, Phase 1-A
Subd. Appl. No. 2011-001105
Seller: FHT Kamakana, LLC
Tax Map Key: (3) 7-4-021:026, 035-040 and 044
Zoning: A-5a and RS-15
No. of Lots: 6
Facilities Charge: $93,500.00 Date Paid: 12/08/2011
Final Inspection Date: 07/02/2013
Water System Cost: $411,900.00
3. GRANT OF EASEMENT AND BILL OF SALE / BILL OF SALE
Subdivision Name: Mohouli Heights Senior Neighborhood Project, Phase 1
Subd. Appl. No. 2011-001115
Grantor / Seller: HICDC / County of Hawaii
Tax Map Key: (3) 2-4-177 and 178
Zoning: RM-4
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No. of Lots: 1
Facilities Charge: $253,000.00 Date Paid: 7/26/2012
Final Inspection Date: 10/10/2013
Water System Cost: $155,331.00
4. GRANT OF EASEMENT AND BILL OF SALE
Subdivision Name: Kapua II Mahi‘ai Subdivision
Subd. Appl. No. 2011-001045
Grantor / Seller: EWM Enterprises, LP
Tax Map Key: (3) 5-4-008:001 Portion and 5-4-010:029 Portion
Zoning: FA-2A
No. of Lots: 10 and Roadway Lot 11
Facilities Charge: $1,190.00 Date Paid: 8/12/13
Final Inspection Date: 10/04/13
Water System Cost: $76,041.00
The Manager-Chief Engineer recommended that the Water Board accepts these documents subject to
the approval of the Corporation Counsel and that either the Chairperson or the Vice-Chairperson be
authorized to sign the documents.
MOTION: Mr. Robinson moved to approve all four items; seconded by Mr. Perry.
Ms. Garson gave details on the first item, regarding the Kona Vistas Grant of Easement and Bill of Sale.
Ms. Garson noted that in the past, she had told the Board that she would notify them in the event that
any potential grantor changed DWS’s typical form on grants of easement/bills of sale. Kona Vistas
added language to the Grant of Easement/Bill of Sale document, that would allow Kona Vistas to put a
building or possibly a gate on the access to the subdivision, so long as it did not interfere with the
facilities and so long as DWS was provided with a lock (in case Kona Vistas installs a gate). That kind
of language is typically contained in DWS’s gate agreements; Ms. Garson had provided a gate
agreement to Kona Vistas, and they lifted that language from the gate agreement and inserted it into the
Grant of Easement/Bill of Sale. Ms. Garson said that the last time she spoke to Kona Vistas’ attorney,
there was not going to be a gate, but Kona Vistas wanted the option to have a gate if they wanted to, so
that gate language was included. She also noted a minor change regarding counterpart language. This
is not an issue, she said. Ms. Garson said she just wanted to point out that Item 1 is different from the
other dedications that the Board has in front of it today.
ACTION: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Ms. Garson noted that the Board was approving all four of the water systems listed here.
DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY PROPOSED TABLE OF ORGANIZATION:
B.
The Department recognizes the need to revise its current table of organization to align with current and
future needs as identified in the Strategic Plan. As such, the Department proposes the following:
REVISED POSITION ORGANIZATION CHART -- ADMINISTRATION DIVISION – PUBLIC
RELATIONS BRANCH
(This Item was deferred at the September 24, 2013, Water Board meeting.)
The Department proposes to amend its Table of Organization, Position Organization Chart, Public
Relations Branch by creating a Public Relations Section, a Strategic & Business Plan Section, and a
Support Section. The proposed amended branch will allow the Department to better administer and
execute public information, education, and strategic planning programs. The existing Public
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Information Education Specialist position is proposed to change to an Information and Education
Manager (SR-26) that will supervise the proposed subordinate positions: Public Relations
Technician I (SR-14), Public Relations Technician II (SR-16), Information and Education Specialist
I (SR-18), Information and Education Specialist II (SR-20), Information and Education Specialist
III (SR-22), and a Clerk III (SR-10).
The proposed changes will provide the Department the ability to meet its goals of improved efficiency,
through the appropriate separation and distribution of workload. Please note that although numerous
positions appear on the proposed organization chart, positions will only be filled as needed.
This matter was deferred by the Board at the previous meeting to allow the Manager-Chief Engineer to
consult with Vice-Chairperson Kenneth Kaneshiro.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said that after much discussion, he recommended that this matter be
tabled, i.e., removed from the Agenda.
Ms. Garson said the Manager-Chief Engineer was withdrawing this Item, so no action was called for.
AD HOC COMMITTEE PURSUANT TO HRS SECTION 92-2.5(B) TO PRESENT, DISCUSS
C.
AND/OR NEGOTIATE FOR LEGISLATION REGARDING THE PLACEMENT OF SUCH
LIENS ON REAL PROPERTY FOR NON-PAYMENT OF WATER BILLS:
The Ad Hoc Committee is exploring legislation pursuant to HRS Section 92-2.5(B) which would allow
the placement of an automatic lien on property for non-payment of water bills. The Ad Hoc Committee
will present, discuss, and/or negotiate for such legislation with any necessary person including, but not
limited to, any water or wastewater department or division of any county, and/or with any legislators in
the State of Hawai`i.
The Ad Hoc Committee is also exploring a revision of the Department of Water Supply Rules and
Regulations to hold a property owner responsible for any water bill for water service to such property,
whether or not the property owner resides on the property; and that no water service will be granted to
such property until all such delinquencies are paid or other agreement is reached.
Mr. Robinson said that the Board would be speaking with the other water departments at the Maui
conference the next three days, and will see if there is consensus with the other water departments on
this initiative.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said that if there is consensus with the other water departments, he is
assuming that Ms. Lee Loy, a member of this Ad Hoc Committee, will be taking the lead as far as
having a bill drafted with one of the state legislators representing the Big Island.
Ms. Garson suggested putting this Item and the Ad Hoc Finance Committee Report item on the Agenda
only when there is something to report.
Mr. Robinson said that this Item will definitely be on next month’s Agenda, because there will be a
report.
AD HOC FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT:
D.
No report.
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MANAGER-CHIEF ENGINEER’S QUARTERLY UPDATE:
E.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said the Department had completed the two initiatives on the 2013
Strategic and Business Plan. DWS is now working on following up on the 2014 Strategic and Business
Plan with the division heads and team members; a meeting is being scheduled on that, he said.
MANAGER-CHIEF ENGINEER’S EVALUATION:
F.
The Board received in their packets copies of an evaluation form for the Manager-Chief Engineer, used
by the Water Board for the yearly evaluation of the Manager.
Mr. Robinson asked for confirmation whether the evaluation is to be conducted by the Chairperson, to
be reviewed with the Manager-Chief Engineer on a quarterly basis.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro said he believed it had been reviewed a couple of times, but it had not been
signed off on.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said the Department is really confused about how the evaluation process is
supposed to be taking place. What had normally taken place, with the evaluation of the previous
Manager-Chief Engineer, was that the entire Board did the evaluation of the Manager-Chief Engineer.
However, the process is different now, whereby the Chairperson will be doing the evaluation. He asked
if after that evaluation, there would be a report to the entire Board or something like that. He said he
was not clear as to the new process.
Mr. Arikawa asked whether this process was something new; he is new on the Board. He asked how the
evaluation was done in the past.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said that the evaluation of the Manager-Chief Engineer had been done at
the end of the year by the entire Board; the evaluation form would be passed out to each Board member
to fill out. The evaluation forms would be submitted to an Evaluation Committee chair, who would
compile the results of each Board member’s evaluation form.
Mr. Arikawa asked if, then, this was something new that the Board wants to implement.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro said it had been implemented already. The reason that a quarterly review
is done is to make sure that the Manager-Chief Engineer is progressing according to the Strategic and
Business Plan’s goals and objectives.
The Manager-Chief Engineer confirmed that through Ms. Aton, the Department has provided the
quarterly reviews.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro said that he was pretty sure that all of the instructions were in the last
report; in the last report the Manager-Chief Engineer would state whether he had completed each goal
and objective, and if not, he would explain why it had not been completed. After that, the entire Board
would review the last report, to check progress.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said there will be one more quarterly report, in December.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro confirmed that the evaluation was on a calendar basis, i.e., January to
December -- not based on fiscal year.
Ms. Garson said that the question was whether the Board was going to do its evaluation in January, after
the December quarterly report comes out. She asked if that was what the Board intended.
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Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro said the report should come out a month before the end of the year, or
sometime in between, to make sure that the Board has an opportunity to review everything. He said that
the Board may want to take a look at the instructions. There is going to be another Strategic and
Business Plan coming up in a few months, for next calendar year. He invited the Manager-Chief
Engineer to sit down and discuss any questions or concerns about how the evaluation process is being
done.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said he was not clear on whether Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro would be
spearheading an Evaluation Committee, so that the Manager-Chief Engineer could discuss the
evaluation and then sign off on the evaluation form. He asked whether that was the process that Vice-
Chairperson Kaneshiro was looking at right now.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro said that when the first quarterly review came up, and it was agreed upon,
the Manager-Chief Engineer was supposed to have signed it to show that he agreed with all of the goals
and objectives. After that, it was supposed to proceed on a quarterly basis, with a timeline on when the
various activities were to be completed. That is the reason for the quarterly reviews – to make sure that
the Manager-Chief Engineer completes all of his goals and objectives.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said that the Department had provided the Quarterly Report, and so the
next Quarterly Report will enable the Board to evaluate his progress. He said he assumed that he could
expect some kind of evaluation in December or January.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro said he would have to talk to Chairperson Taniguchi, and get the
Evaluation Committee together, etc.
The Manager-Chief Engineer noted that Chairperson Taniguchi’s term ends in December.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro acknowledged that this first time around is a bit difficult, but next year and
in following years, the evaluation process will be much easier.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said yes, it is a bit different from the way the evaluation process was
handled before.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro said yes, that it because this evaluation is more detailed and specific than
in the past.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT ANALYST UPDATE:
G.
Ms. Myhre said the Lālāmilo Power Purchase Agreement was signed, with all of the requests that the
Board had made at last month’s meeting included, without negotiations. She noted that among the
things included was an example of liquidated damages, as suggested by the Board. Preparations for the
EA have started; the bird radar studies are finishing up, and things look promising. Ms. Myhre expects
to provide a schedule for the Board next month.
DWS has applied for a grant, with support from State Civil Defense, for money to get some more
emergency generators, and to connect DWS’s existing generators more permanently. With the partial
government shutdown, it is not clear what the status is; things are backed up a bit, Ms. Myhre said.
Ms. Myhre said she will have a Quarterly Report, providing a full snapshot on the Department’s energy
use, etc.
Mr. Greenwell asked if there were any grants or federal or state monies to assist District 9 amid its
drought situation. He noted that DWS’s energy consumption is going to spike over the next few
months, as the pumps in Waimea run full-time.
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Ms. Myhre said she was not sure if there are grants to pay the electric bill.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said that Mr. Greenwell probably knows more as far as grants; he was not
sure if the Department of Agriculture or other agencies have grants to help farmers. Normally, there are
grants for improvements to water facilities. DWS is always on the lookout for such grants. The only
improvement project that DWS currently has in Waimea is the Reservoir repair project. DWS is
working closely with FEMA for reimbursements for those improvements. At this point, he did not think
there were any grants like what Mr. Greenwell is seeking.
Mr. Greenwell said that maybe he framed his question wrongly; he was asking for some kind of
assistance for District 9 because of the drought situation that it faces. He suggested seeking help with
the electricity needs for pumping water, because so much pumping is being done now amid the drought.
Ms. Myhre said the Department can look into that.
The Deputy said that the Department can also talk to Mr. Neal Fujii at CWRM, to ask if there are any
options available regarding drought-related funding sources.
Mr. Robinson complimented Ms. Myhre for her hard work in reaching agreement on the PPA for the
Lālāmilo Windfarm, which he considered a very big deal.
The Manager-Chief Engineer thanked Ms. Myhre for taking the lead on the PPA. He noted that
Ms. Myhre worked very closely with the County Research and Development Department’s
Mr. Will Rolston and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to hammer out the PPA. The
Manager-Chief Engineer said that without Ms. Myhre, the PPA would not have happened.
MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT
H. :
Mr. Greenwell asked about the Waimea Well Development Phase II project. According to the C.I.P.
spreadsheet, the project is waiting on the completion of repairs of Waikoloa Reservoir No. 1. He noted
that the date for the Waimea Well project is 2005. He asked whether the Reservoir repair was still
going to hold up the Waimea Well project; he asked if DWS could step ahead and start the Waimea
Well project. He also asked about the Puakō Waterline Replacement project, dated 2004; he asked if
that project needs to be attended to amid deterioration of the pipe.
Mr. Inaba said regarding the Waimea Well project, DWS needs to wait until the repairs of Reservoir No.
1 are completed because to do the Waimea Well project means taking the Waimea Well out of service.
Right now, the Waimea Well is providing the lion’s share of the water in the area, and it is pumping
24/7, Mr. Inaba said. Regarding the Puakō Waterline Replacement, the project is back on the C.I.P. list,
but funding is an issue. DWS has an array of projects but currently, there are not enough funds in the
C.I.P. or Facilities Charge Account to do all of the projects. DWS has been proceeding with projects
that are up on the priority list; the Puakō project is back on the list and DWS intends to do it. It is slated
for Fiscal Year 2015, but DWS may bump it up, Mr. Inaba said.
Mr. Greenwell said that sounds good. The only reason he was asking is because there is a lot of
deterioration because of salt intrusion on the pipe, and because of the clientele that is being serviced by
that waterline. He said he would hate to see DWS get into a situation such as the one facing Oahu.
Mr. Inaba said that he is aware that residents really want it taken care of.
Mr. Greenwell said he wants the Water Board to remain semi-autonomous.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro asked about the Āhualoa-Honoka‘a Transmission Line project, which is
almost completed. People have been asking him when they can apply for water meters, he said.
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Mr. Inaba said that Phase I of this project is completed, and DWS hopes to put Phase II out to bid by the
end of the year. The consultant has virtually all of the approvals in hand, but is arranging to meet with
State Highways Division on minor issues like traffic control. The Use and Occupancy Agreement is
being submitted to the Rights of Way branch of State Highways; with that approval DWS will be able to
put the project out to bid by the end of the year, he said. DWS is providing additional water through the
transmission line to the upper portion above the highway.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro said people are asking him when they can apply for meters on the makai
side of the highway.
Mr. Inaba said DWS has about a couple million dollars’ worth of work to do to bring the water down
across the highway.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro said that will be some time; he asked if it would be done sometime in the
latter part of next year.
Mr. Inaba said yes, hopefully it would be sometime in the latter part of next year.
Mr. Robinson asked whether CTS (the contractor for the Palani Road Transmission Line project) was
done.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said yes, they are done. All that remains is finalizing the paperwork.
Mr. Inaba said yes, the construction is all done, and everything is operational.
REVIEW OF MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
I.
Mr. Sumada drew the Board’s attention to the Notice to Customers he had attached to the Monthly
Financial Statements. The Notice will be going out to customers this month and next month, to show
what the new bill looks like, what changes were made, etc. Meanwhile, the lock box system has been in
place for about two weeks, and things are going pretty smoothly, he said. The volume that Customer
Service has seen go through the lock box is still quite low, but it is expected to pick up in the next
month.
The annual audit has just finished, Mr. Sumada said. The auditors came in for field work last month,
and they issued their final report this week. The auditors will appear before the Board to present their
findings, probably in December or January.
The Manager-Chief Engineer asked if copies of the report can already be provided to the Board.
Mr. Sumada said as soon as the copies of the report come in, he will distribute them.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro suggested providing customers with definitions of terms such as “standby
charge” and “power cost charge,” and explanations of how the power cost charge is determined, etc. He
noted that the state’s boards of water supply are under lots of public scrutiny these days.
Mr. Sumada said that information is included in DWS’s rate schedules, which are not necessarily sent to
every customer. Those rate schedules are available for customers who are curious as to what the rates
are, etc. The rate schedules contain the definitions that Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro is suggesting.
Ms. Garson noted that the rate schedules are online.
The Manager-Chief Engineer asked Mr. Sumada if, on occasion, such definitions could be included on
the customers’ bills. He suggested making space for perhaps one definition per bill.
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Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro noted a front-page story in the newspaper recently regarding the Honolulu
Board of Water Supply (BWS), adding that the Honolulu water department was getting a lot of press
lately.
The Manager-Chief Engineer said he was thankful that DWS did not join up with Oahu to do DWS’s
billing. DWS is not ready to do monthly billing, and plans to stick with bimonthly billing for the time
being.
Mr. Greenwell said the article in the paper was on Saturday, and involved with the Honolulu BWS and
how its Manager-Chief Engineer, Mr. Ernie Lau, is taking a lot of heat from the City Council and the
public.
MANAGER-CHIEF ENGINEER’S REPORT:
J.
The Manager-Chief Engineer will provide an update or status on the following:
1)Pu‘ukala/Kona Ocean View Properties Subdivision Improvement District Update – DWS is in
the process of executing the contract. Upon execution, DWS will send out the construction
Notice to Proceed, probably in mid-November. The Manager-Chief Engineer said he was not
clear whether there would be a formal ground-breaking ceremony. Vice-
Chairperson Kaneshiro asked if this was the first such Improvement District. The Manager-
Chief Engineer said no, there have been several, including the Kona Coastview/Wonderview
Improvement District.
2)Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway Widening Project Update – DWS continues to work on this with
State Highways. DWS has not yet seen the redesign drawing; the Department is waiting to see
them. Mr. Uyeda asked if the State or Department of Transportation (DOT) had given the
Notice to Proceed to Goodfellow Brothers yet. The Manager-Chief Engineer said that DOT
has given Goodfellow Brothers the Notice to Proceed for the re-design, but not construction.
As soon as DWS gets the redesign drawings, it will get right down to reviewing them.
Mr. Uyeda noted that based on DOT’s request letter several months ago, DWS should be able
to get started on infrastructure. The Manager-Chief Engineer said in reply that the stockpile of
pipes continues to sit at the bottom of Kealakehe Parkway; he suggested possibly removing
this Item from the Agenda until the construction Notice to Proceed comes through.
3)Kawailani Tank Update – The Manager-Chief Engineer said the materials for the interior of the
tank have come in, but the contractor needs to ensure that whoever does the interior work is
trained in the procedures for confined-space work. That training is scheduled for next week.
Mr. Inaba said that DWS will be meeting on Friday with the contractor; equipment rentals
should be obtained on the tank site, and the equipment will be set up. DWS will go inside the
tank with the people doing the interior work, to make sure everybody is on the same page.
Work on the interior can commence next week. DWS hopes to chlorinate the tank in about
three weeks. Mr. Inaba said the curing time for the sealant is about two weeks, but that could
be sped up a bit with some ventilation. The Manager-Chief Engineer said that, based on what
Mr. Inaba is saying, the optimistic expectation is that the tank can be in service in a month.
Mr. Inaba said maybe in a little over a month. The Manager-Chief Engineer said that once the
tank is in service, DWS can start dismantling the old tank, and hopefully meet the December
31 deadline. The important thing is to get the new tank in service. He noted that Mr. Inaba
will still have to come before the Board regarding the additional costs for the interior work and
the tank removal; Mr. Inaba will probably be ready to do so at next month’s Board meeting.
4)Waikoloa Reservoir No. 1 Update – DWS must do an additional EA for this project, and has
found an environmentalist who specializes in this kind of work. The main issue is just getting
the EA done, Mr. Inaba said. The Manager-Chief Engineer asked when DWS can go out to
bid on this project. Mr. Inaba said hopefully at the end of this year, contingent on FEMA’s
approval of the EA.
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5)Parker Well Repairs Update – DWS is expected to run the pump test this Thursday; if the
pump test goes okay, the well may be online as early as Thursday. In the meantime, DWS has
issued conservation reminders to customers in Waimea through Kawaihae. The dry weather
continues, and only a trickle is going into DWS’s reservoirs in the area. The Manager-Chief
Engineer said that if the Parker Well does not come online on Thursday, and if the dry weather
continues, DWS will look for alternative sources of water. Mr. Greenwell said that a lot of
people in Waimea are unaware of the conservation situation, and the number of people who
read the newspaper nowadays is dwindling. The Manager-Chief Engineer said DWS started
radio announcements yesterday. Mr. Greenwell said he is very pleased to hear that the Parker
Well could be back online soon, because he feared that the drought would drag on for some
time. The area is heading for a desperate situation, Mr. Greenwell said, adding that he knows
that the Waimea staff is aggressively looking for water sources at this point.
6)Public Information and Education Specialist Update – Ms. Aton noted that she distributed
several articles involving the current woes of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, i.e., its
billing issues, meters, main breaks, water quality, its audit and the question of its semi-
autonomy. She said that DWS needs to be proactive in providing information to the public,
making room on its bills for explanations of fees, etc. She mentioned a new telephone scam,
with people posing as DWS staff phishing for customers’ personal information. The Police
Department has been alerted, and warnings about the scam have been issued to the public, she
said. DWS has received some inquiries from the public about water storage in Waimea; DWS
has been running radio ads during peak drive times the past two days urging conservation in
the Waimea/Kawaihae area. DWS is scheduling meetings to enhance understanding of cultural
resources, based on what the Kona Water Roundtable is bringing forward and in light of the
National Park Service’s petition, Ms. Aton said.
7)Recognition of Service Retirement – Mr. Ikeda said that Mr. Glenn Kohara, Lead Pipefitter in
Ka‘u District, is retiring at the end of the month. Mr. Kohara joined DWS in 1998 as an
electrician at the Kona Baseyard. In 1999, he moved back home to Ka‘u, where he has been
for the past 14 years. Mr. Ikeda said that Mr. Kohara’s background as an electrician has been a
tremendous help to Ka‘u District, where he will be greatly missed.
8)Employee of the Quarter Recognition – Mr. Sumada introduced Customer Service Supervisor
Mr. Calvin Uemura, who joined DWS 12 years ago. He rose from the position of Customer
Service Representative to running the entire Customer Service Section. Mr. Uemura took over
after the retirement of Ms. Cris Hudman at the end of last year. He has been doing a great job
keeping everything under control. Mr. Sumada said he greatly appreciates Mr. Uemura.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT:
K.
No report.
8) ANNOUNCEMENTS:
American Water Works Association (AWWA) Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE)
– Boston,
Massachusetts, June 8 to 12, 2014. Interested Water Board Members, please contact Doreen Jollimore at
961-8050. The Manager-Chief Engineer said that the conference organizers have opened their website, and
the Private Secretary has booked some rooms in Boston already. Members can start thinking of who on the
Board might be interested in attending in the Boston conference.
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Next Regular Meeting:
1.
The next meeting of the Water Board will be held at 10:00 a.m. on November 26, 2013, at the West
nd
Liquor Control Conference Room, Bldg. B, 2 Floor,
Hawai‘i Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane
Keohokalole Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI.
Following Meeting:
2.
The following meeting of the Water Board will be held at 10:00 a.m. on December 17, 2013, at the
Department of Water Supply, Operations Center Conference Room, 889 Leilani Street, Hilo, HI.
9) ADJOURNMENT
ACTION: Mr. Robinson moved to adjourn; seconded by Mr. Arikawa, and carried unanimously by voice
vote.
Vice-Chairperson Kaneshiro adjourned the meeting at 11:45 a.m.
________________________
Secretary
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in this Water Board
Meeting should contact Janet Snyder, Secretary, at 961-8050 as soon as possible, but no later than five days before the scheduled meeting.
The Department of Water Supply is an Equal Opportunity provider and employer.
Notice to Lobbyists: If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawai‘i County Clerk within five days of becoming a lobbyist. {Article 15,
Section 2-91.3(b), Hawai‘i County Code} A lobbyist means “any individual engaged for pay or other consideration who spends more than five
hours in any month or $275 in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action by
communicating or urging others to communicate with public officials.” {Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a)(6), Hawai‘i County Code} Registration
forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Office of the County Clerk-Council, Hilo, Hawai‘i.
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