Meeting Minutes 2016
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HWEA will be the organization of dedicated and knowledgeable professionals
recognized for preserving and enhancing the water environment in the Pacific Island Region.

HWEA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

General Meeting
Thursday, February 4th, 2016, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Hawaii Convention Center, Room 311
Pacific Water Conference

ATTENDANCE:  
Board of Directors  
Emily Dong President
Staci Taniguchi Vice-President
Audrey Haerle Secretary-Treasurer
Shannon Holman Past President
Lance Manabe Delegate
Wayne Salas PWO Representative
Jon Baker PWO Vice Representative
   
Committee – Representatives  
John Katahira Ad-Hoc Committee
Greg Arakaki Biosolids/Co-Generation Committee Co-Chairperson
Tina Ono Collection Committee Chairperson
Scott McAdam Conference Committee Co-Chairperson 2015/16 Safety Co-Chairperson
Dorreann Kaehuaea Pretreatment/On-Site Treatment Committee 
Lori Morikami Public Education Co-Chairperson
Audrey Haerle Public Education Co-Chairperson, Rebrand Co-Chairperson
Trudy Hamic Registration Committee
Roger Babcock, Jr. Research Chairperson
Eassie Miller Water Reuse Co-Chairperson
Ed McCormick WEF Immediate Past President
   
General Membership  
Bruce Zhang Chad Morrow
Gary Hutchinson James Honke
Jason Nikaido Joan Corrigan
Joe Kwan Kyle Okino
Linda Uchima Martin Roush
Spencer Yiu Wynn Miyamoto
   
NOT ABLE TO ATTEND:  
Puna Kaneakua Conference Committee Co-Chairperson 2016/2017 
Roy Abe Ad-Hoc Committee
Wayne White Biosolids/Co-Generation Committee Co-Chairperson 
June Nakamura Board Advisory/Constitution & Bylaws Co-Chairperson 
Lee Mansfield, Board Advisory/Constitution & Bylaws Co-Chairperson
Kristie Ching Board Advisory/Constitution & Bylaws Co-Chairperson
Jon Nishimura Collection Committee Chairperson
Leland Lee Communications Vice-Chairperson
Mark Goodrowe Communications Chairperson
Lori Kahikina Conference Committee Co-Chairperson 2015
Tim Steinberger Government Affairs Chairperson
Walter Billingsley Government Affairs Vice-Chairperson
Merlita Alimagno Laboratory Co-Chairperson
Layne Otomo Laboratory Co-Chairperson
Joni Tanimoto Membership Chairperson
Edie Alipio Pretreatment/On-Site Treatment Chairperson
Quintin Beltran Pretreatment/On-Site Treatment Co-Chairperson
Melissa Carmichael PWO Committee
Pat Markham PWO Committee
Jason Nakata Rebrand Co-Chairperson
Jack Tano Registration Committee
Rebrand Co-Chairperson
Carol Zuerndorfer Registration Committee
Carly Kaneko Safety Co-Chairperson
Mindy Yoneshige Student Affairs Co-Chairperson
Keith Miyashiro Student Affairs Co-Chairperson
Brad Takenaka Water Quality Co-Chairperson
Jay Stone Water Quality Co-Chairperson
Elson Gushiken Water Reuse Co-Chairperson
Jessica Agsalda Young Professionals Co-Chair
Susan Mukai Young Professional Co-Chairperson

 

 

PRESIDING: Emily Dong
RECORDER: Audrey Haerle

Call to Order

  • The meeting was called to order at 4:17 pm.

Approval of January Meeting Minutes

  • The Quarterly Luncheon was held last week. Meeting minutes from the January 28 meeting will be sent by email.

Committee Reports

 

  • A.Ad-Hoc Committee – John Katahira & Roy Abe
    • Working with regulators regarding the Sand Island Treatment Plant permit requirements and upgrades.
    • Planning to lead a public education effort to explain the requirements and financial burden to policy makers and environmental groups.

    B.Board Advisory/Constitution & Bylaws Committee – Lee Mansfield, Kristie Ching & June Nakamura

    • Unable to attend. No report.

    C.Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Facilities – Vacant

    • Chair position is vacant. Please contact Emily if you are interested in filling it.

    D.Biosolids/Co-Generation Committee – Greg Arakaki & Wayne White

    • Held a Biosolids/Stormwater workshop in conjunction with the Water Quality Committee in May. There were 80 attendees and 20 vendors.
    • Considering another workshop in 2016.
    • Melissa Carmichael (Synagro) is interested in taking over for Wayne White.

    E.Collection Systems Committee – Jon Nishimura/Tina Ono

    • CSM Conference was held Dec 4, 2015 at Ala Moana Hotel.
    • Dual track format.
    • Ken Greenberg (EPA Region 9) and Mayor Kirk Caldwell spoke about Consent Decree compliance.
    • Expecting $3,000 - $4,000 net income.
    • Received good feedback regarding the venue, except that the room was cold

    F.Communications committee – Mark Goodrowe & Leland Lee

    • Unable to attend. No report.

    G.Conference Committee 2016/17 – Scott McAdam & Puna Kaneakua

    • The PWC had over 500 attendees and 125 exhibitors.

    H.Government Affairs Committee – Tim Steinberger & Walter Billingsley

    • Unable to attend. No report.

    I.Laboratory Committee – Merlita Alimagno & Layne Otomo

    • Unable to attend. No report.

    J.Membership Committee – Joni Tanimoto

    • Unable to attend. No report.

    K.Pretreatment Committee – Dorreann Kaehuaea

    • Working on public education efforts.
    • Created a radio PSA and a video with Rep. Tupola and Lori Kahikina regarding the maintenance issues caused by flushable wipes.
    • Developing lesson plans and working with Olelo to create an after school program.
    • Focusing on industry specific outreach.

    L.Public Education Committee – Lori Morikami & Audrey Haerle

    • January 15, 2016: Mini WET Make-a-Splash event with CCH at Enchanted Lake Elementary. Audrey and Carrie Esaki (NAVFAC) attended and helped run activities for several classes in the morning. The activities were very fun and some were located outside.
    • We will keep in contact with CCH and hopefully plan another WET event.
    • Registered for Waikiki Aquarium’s Mauka to Makai Expo on April 23, 2016.
    • Considering another beach clean-up in March.

    M.Research Committee - Roger Babcock, Jr.

    • In attendance. Roger is looking for someone to fill his position as Committee Chair.

    N.Safety Committee – Scott McAdam &Carly Kaneko

    • Looking into co-sponsoring a safety training workshop.

    O.Student Affairs Committee – Mindy Yoneshige/Keith Miyashiro

    • Five applicants for the HWEA Scholarship. Awarded two $2,000 scholarships to UH students.
    • Two students submitted posters for the conference poster contest.
    • Stockholm Junior Water Prize: Judging for the regional science fairs has commenced. Attended the Windward Science Fair but none qualified.
    • April 15th is the deadline for SJWP applications. This year the national competition will be held at the University of North Carolina.

    B.Water Reuse Committee – Eassie Miller & Elson Gushiken

    • This past year various members supported DOH on updating the Water Reuse Guidelines for Hawaii.
    • The biannual joint Water Reuse Conference w/ AWWA will be on Kauai in November or December.
    • Martin Roush will be stepping in for Eassie as Committee Co-Chair.

    C.Water Quality Committee – Jay Stone & Brad Takenaka

    • Unable to attend. No report.

    D.Young Professionals Committee – Susan Mukai & Jessica Agsalda

    • Unable to attend. No report.

    Board of Directors Items

    Secretary/Treasurer's Report: Audrey Haerle  
    Account Balances as of 01/28/2016  
    ML Conference Checking $430,185.01
    Bank of Hawaii $2,785.59
    Petty Cash $50.00
    CD Investments $100,000.00
    TOTAL: 533,020.60
       
    Total Income $254,099.50
    Total Expenses $124,396.22
    Rolling Balance $129,703.28
    • Revising the reimbursement form to help speed up the process and improve tracking process for budgeting.
    • Susan Lambert of AECOM will be taking over bookkeeping duties for Taryn in March.

    ·President Report: Emily Dong

    • The website was updated over the past year, we are still working out some small kinks.
    • Working to streamline the new email system but may need to switch back to old system if we cannot send larger batches.
    • Jack Tano will get involved with website updates.
    • Will continue Operator Training classes in the Spring 2016.
    • Call for nominations
      • Secretary-Treasurer: Roger Babcock was elected with a unanimous vote.
      • PWO Rep, Jon Baker (not present): was elected with a unanimous vote.
    • Announced Golf Tournament for Friday, Feb 5th at Hawaii Prince Golf Course.
    • Announced Community Service Event on Saturday, Feb 6th  with Malama Maunalua.

    ·Vice-President Report: Staci Taniguchi

    • Quarterly Luncheon Brad Wong from the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Office of Hawaiian Affairs (Program Specialist) and Polynesian Voyaging Society, presented “He wa’a he moku, he moku he wa’a (a canoe is an island, and an island a canoe), a discussion on the importance of water in Hawai”. He provided the Hawaiian perspective to water issues in Hawaii.
      • See January Meeting Minutes for a summary of his presentation.
    • Hale Ikena was under construction so Pagoda was used as the venue, pleased with their flexibility and the room held up to 120 people.
    • Joint dinner with ASCE/AWWA is tentatively planned for April or May.

    ·Federation Matters: Delegate, Lance Manabe

    • Working on Awards Committee proposal.
    • Member of the WEFMAX Planning Committee.
    • Member of WEF Stormwater Committee.
    • Looking to other MAs to share guidelines.
    • WEF is very supportive so we should take advantage of the resources they offer.
    • Working on creating an HWEA Awards Committee to help with recordkeeping and officer recruitment.
    • Considering creating a mentorship program to match younger members with members that can help them understand processes so we can ensure continuity. This can keep the Past-Presidents more involved.
    • HWEA will consider starting standalone Stormwater Committee although it is currently included under the Water Quality Committee.
    • Ed McCormick (WEF Immediate Past President) spoke briefly about recent changes at WEF.
    • WEF has increased amount of representatives available in order to provide better customer service to the MAs.
    • WEF reps will attend events more regularly.
    • WEFTEC may expand to 4 cities to include 2 more cities in the east and west (possibly San Diego or Washington).
    • Offering a recognition program from utilities.
    • Encouraging the transformation of the water sector from wastewater treatment to water resource recovery.

    ·PWO Matters: Jon Baker and Wayne Salas

    • Held several tours and one classroom presentation.
    • Ops Challenge needs more support to recruit more participants.
    • Skills Challenge (individual events) helped offset costs and encourage interest.
    • It is difficult to break even financially if there is only two Ops Teams.
    • There are a lot of resources available but information needs to get disseminated.
    • There is a gap between the generations so succession is important. HWEA needs to help get more people informed and involved.

    ·Past President: Shannon Holman

    • No report.

    Old Business

    • None.

    New/Miscellaneous Business

    • None.

    Internet Inquiries

    • None.

    Next Meeting:

    TBD by incoming board (sometime in March)

    Up-Coming Events:

    • Annual Golf Tournament – Feb 5, 2016
    • PWC Community Service event – Feb 6, 2016
    • Mauka to Makai Expo – April 23, 2016

    Up-Coming Webcasts

    Corrosion: Causes and Controls 2016-02-10

    The Future of Environmental Sustainability – Recycling for a Healthier Planet 2016-03-02

    Alternative Nitrogen Removal Technologies 2016-03-16

    Private Property I/I Reduction – Policy, Funding, Public Outreach 2016-03-30

    UV Disinfection for Wastewater: Low Dose Applications 2016-04-13

    LIFT: Getting Involved 101 LIFT: Getting Involved 101 – Featuring a Biosolids to Energy Project Example 2016-04-20

    Creative Solutions for the Recovery of Commodities from Wastewater 2016-05-25

     Meeting adjourned at 4:43 PM.

     

    Audrey

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    Contact Info

    Hawai‘i Water Environment Association
    PO Box 2422
    Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96804
    General Inquiries: info@hwea.org