April 12 Town Hall Summary - Archived

This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant

The April town hall focused on safety and aesthetics issues both created and revealed by the cutting of the schefflera hedge. The hedge had served as a sturdy green fence to prevent cars from driving over the property’s retaining wall. Once cut down, it revealed the precarious tilt of the stone monument caused by the large Schefflera trunks.

The town hall started with a discussion of signage. The existing sign’s supports have rotted out. The sign itself is leaning, which applies more force and may contribute to the monument’s tilt.

Various sign suggestions were made, some short-term and long-term:

• Print a new sign and mount on a board that can be attached to the front of the monument where the Black Lives Matter banner was located.
• Restore the sign’s back supports or remount the existing two boards that spell out the church name and address to the front of the monument.
• (via email) Remount either the existing signage or new signage to a metal post after the monument has been demolished.
• Hang a banner with the church’s name and address where the Black Lives Matter banner was.

No decision was made at the meeting, but the lean of the monument and uncertainty of what might happen during settling as the roots of the schefflera are killed, increases the likelihood of demolishing the monument. In all of the above scenarios, the question of who will do the work – whether a group of volunteers or hired help – has yet to be decided.

The next issue discussed was some sort of wall or fencing to increase car and child security. At the start of the meeting, it was announced that Sof Ma’arav suggested that green plastic safety netting be attached to the back side of the caution tape’s support to create a visual barrier. Because it is a low-cost safety measure, it will be acted upon.

Long-term wall ideas generated were:

No permit required:

• Erect a 30” high rock wall along the line of the caution tape. Plant naupaka in the area behind the wall.

Permit required:

• Erect a 4’ high chain link fence and plant naupaka against the chainlink.
• Erect a 16” rock wall and mount wrought-iron on top of the rock wall.

The question that concerned everyone was the importance of car driver safety as well as child safety. The Building and Grounds committee will need to meet and make recommendations to the Board based on the ideas presented. A big mahalo to members and friends who stayed for the 65 minute discussion!