Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes
January 22, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chairman Robert Ward called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Robert Ward, Amos Meyers, Liz Hultman-Salfen, Doug Espejo,
Benjamin Watai, John Fernandez, Billie Keawekane, Duane Hosaka
Absent and excused: Myles Miyasato
Introduction of New Commissioner: Duane Hosaka will be representing District #2-Hilo.
A quorum was established.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Espejo moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Fernandez seconded the
motion, and it carried unanimously.
STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Fernandez moved to approve the minutes of September 29, 2008, Commissioner
Espejo seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Hermingildo Rafaol was not present at the last meeting and his application was deferred. Mr.
Rafaol was not present at this meeting also, and Ms. Alcover stated that he had called the transit
office yesterday and told her he would not attend the meeting, and he is no longer interested in
applying for a certificate.
Commissioner Espejo moved to rescind Mr. Rafaol?s application, seconded by Commissioner
Fernandez. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Applications for New Certificates of Public Convenience
1. Remedios Labiano, dba Maile Taxi applied for one certificate. Ms. Labiano was not
present, however, she submitted a letter naming her brother, Winston Labiano, as her
representative. Mr. Labiano explained that she had received approval of certificates
previously, but due to insurance issues, she did not submit her paperwork in time, and they
were now up for revocation. Due to economic reasons, she is only applying for one
certificate.
Motion to approved by Commissioner Fernandez, second by Commissioner Espejo. Motion
carried.
2.
Pedro & Norma Dela Rosa, dba Josiah Taxi, applied for one certificate. Commissioner
Ward noted that they were not present and asked counsel if they can defer the application
until the end of the meeting. Mr. Brilhante stated the commissioners can if they made a
motion and it was approved.
Commissioner Ward moved to defer the application to the end of the meeting, Commissioner
Espejo seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.
3. Victor A. Quiros applied for one certificate. Commissioner Ward noted that Mr. Quiros
was not present.
Commissioner Ward motion to defer the application to the end of the meeting, Commissioner
Espejo seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.
4.
Robert W. Brigoli applied for one certificate. Mr. Brown stated that Mr. Brigoli is
present and participates as a shared-ride provider. Mr. Brigoli was asked by the
commissioners why he felt the need for another taxicab. Mr. Brigoli explained that he
services senior citizens and he currently has to refer them to another taxi company because
he is too busy.
Commissioner Meyers moved to approve the certificate, Commissioner Fernandez seconded
the motion, and it was carried unanimously.
B. Hearing on Revocation of the following Certificates of Public Convenience
1. CH009, CH022, CH249 ? Golden Taxi. Mr. Brown stated Jonathan Isidro is present and
wishes to retain CH009. Mr. Brown stated that his office received complaints that Golden
Taxi was running illegally. Ms. Alcover called Mr. Isidro regarding the complaints, who
stated he was picking up his mother from work. Ms. Alcover reminded Mr. Isidro he cannot
operate his car with a dome on, and Mr. Isidiro said he would remove it.
After receiving another call, Mr. Brown stated he had an investigation conducted. He
received a written report that Golden Taxi was observed on several occasions parked outside
of Hugo?s Restaurant. On one occasion, Mr. Isidro was observed speaking to two Caucasian
females, with leis around their necks, coming out of Huggo?s. After briefly speaking to
them, opened his door and the females got in. Mr. Isidro stated they were his friends.
Commissioner Meyers asked Mr. Isidro if it was your mother or friends, why wasn?t
the dome removed since he did not receive his certificates. Mr. Isidro stated that he cannot
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remove the dome because it is bolted on. Commissioner Ward asked if it could be covered.
Mr. Isidro said no.
Commissioner Fernandez moved to revoke all three certificates CH009, CH022, and CH249,
and stated that Mr. Isidro can reapply for a new certificate if he chooses to do so.
Commissioner Keawekane seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
2. CH 047, CH066 ? Paradise Taxi & Tours. Mr. Brown stated that he received a letter from
Paradise Taxi asking that CH047 and CH066 be revoked as Mr. Hollister no longer wishes to
operate the taxis.
Commissioner Fernandez moved to revoke certificates CH047 and CH066, Commissioner
Espejo seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
3. CH072, CH220 ? Air Taxi & Tours. Commissioner Ward noted that no one is present
from Air Taxi & Tours. Ms. Alcover stated they were notified that due to non-submittal of
paperwork, their certificates were up for revocation.
Commissioner Keawekane moved to revoke certificates CH072 and CH220, Commissioner
Fernandez seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
4. CH087 ? Mel?s Taxi. Commissioner Ward noted that no on is present for Mel?s Taxi.
Ms. Alcover explained that Mr. Carlos was notified that due to non-submittal of paperwork,
CH087 will be placed on the agenda for revocation.
Commissioner Espejo moved to revoke certificate CH087, Commissioner Fernandez
seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
5. CH145, CH193, CH195 ? Al?s Taxi. Commissioner Ward noted that no one is present
representing Al?s Taxi. Ms. Alcover stated Al?s Taxi was notified that due to non-submittal
of paperwork, CH145, CH193 and CH195 will be placed on the agenda for revocation
Commissioner Fernandez moved to revoke certificates CH145, CH193, and CH195,
Commissioner Keawekane seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
6. CH208 ? B-Lee-Jo?s Taxi. Commissioner Ward noted that no one is present from B-
Lee-Jo?s Taxi. Ms. Alcover stated B-Lee-Jo?s Taxi was notified that due to non-submittal of
paperwork, CH208 will be placed on the agenda for revocation.
Commissioner Meyers moved to revoke certificate CH208, Commissioner Espejo seconded
the motion, and it carried unanimously.
7. CH333 ? Saplan Taxi. Commissioner Ward noted that no one is present from Saplan
Taxi. Ms. Alcover stated that she received a letter from Mr. Saplan asking that CH333 be
revoked as he no longer wishes to operate the taxi.
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Commissioner Espejo moved to revoke certificate CH333, Commissioner Fernandez
seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
8.
CH352 ? Hilo Harry?s Taxi. Commissioner Ward noted that no one is present to
Represent Hilo Harry?s Taxi. Ms. Alcover stated Hilo Harry?s Taxi was notified that due to
non-submittal of paperwork, CH352 will be placed on the agenda for revocation
Commissioner Espejo moved to revoke certificate CH352, Commissioner Fernandez
seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Meyers to address the two applications that were
deferred earlier, Commissioner Keawekane seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
A.
Pedro & Norma Dela Rosa dba Josiah Taxi ? Commissioner Fernandez moved to deny
a certificate to Pedro & Normal Dela Rosa, Commissioner Meyers seconded the motion, and
it carried unanimously.
B. Victor Quiros ? Commissioner Meyers moved to defer the application to the next
meeting, Commissioner Keawekane seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
TAXI INVESTIGATIONS
The transit office received complaints again Robert Portus and his father in regards to Cruzn?
Taxi flat rating. Vic Vierra, our taxi investigator, will be submitting a written report and a cd,
confirming the flat rating by the two. There is a new harbor master for the State as Ian Birnie
has retired.
TRANSIT ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Mr. Brown reported that additional bus routes on the Intra Hilo, Intra Kona, Pahoa/Hilo,
Kau/South Kohala, and Hilo/Waimea bus schedules will be implemented on February 17, 2009.
Along with the additional bus routes addition, Saturday service will be added to our existing bus
routes. The Mass Transit office will also be manned six (6) days a week. On February 9, 2009,
bid will open for five (5) - 49 passenger coach buses, and Transit also plans to buy an additional
four (4) ? 33 passenger buses.
Vehicle Location Systems will be installed in all our buses this year. The location system will
enable us to locate where the buses are and what time they passed at any given point, and will
allow us to text messages to the buses.
The transit office will also receive 20 satellite phones within 20 days. Should there be a major
emergency and phone lines are not working, these phones will be activated. Phones will be on
loan to Civil Defense, Fire, Police and Public Works, in addition to transit.
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SSFM has a contract to develop bus stops and shelters at various locations around the island. We
will be holding public meetings to get public input on where they feel bus stops and shelters
should be in their areas.
The official website for Hele-On will commence on February 17, 2009. The website address
will be Heleonbus.org The website will include our bus schedules, maps, and other information
regarding the Hele-On buses.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be in March with the date to be determined.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned by Commissioner Ward at 12:03 p.m.
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