DIAMOND HEAD – KAPAHULU – ST. LOUIS HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 5

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025 AT 6:00 P.M.
ALA WAI GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE BALLROOM
404 KAPAHULU AVENUE, HONOLULU, HI 96815
AND ONLINE VIA WEBEX

Meeting Link: https://cchnl.webex.com/cchnl/j.php?MTID=mb13f8313d6f10cb7bd7ce47fff590437
Meeting Number / Access Code: 2488 909 1135
Password: NB05 (6205 from phones and video systems)
Join by Phone: +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll

Board Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WKnOJqdvqoRuGhJ7E9rg5u7AtruuZZZn
Board Meeting Recordings: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfqRwVpRroolsFSNpDzklm59N89al2XyQ

Meeting Decorum: Anyone wishing to speak is asked to raise their hand in person or by using “raise hand” feature online. When recognized by the Chair, address comments to the Chair. All dialogue at the meeting will be conducted by use of the microphone. Public concerns and comments are limited to 2 minutes each. For those joining the meeting on Webex, please mute your microphone unless actively speaking. Demonstrate courtesy and respect to all attendees and presenters, including refraining from personal comments, using civility in the chat box feature, and keeping decorum at all times. Kindly silence all electronic devices if meeting in person. Out of respect for everyone, please keep questions/comments brief, succinct and avoid unnecessary repetition so that all may have opportunities to speak.

Public Announcements, Reports, & Presentations to the Board: Before the meeting, please email all materials for posting online to Neighborhood Assistant Curtis Hayashi (curtis.hayashi@honolulu.gov). Presenters may use PowerPoint, should be succinct, and mindful of time. If presenting in person, please provide handouts for the Board and the community.

Note: The Board may take action on any agenda item. As required by the State Sunshine Law (HRS 92), specific issues not noted on this agenda cannot be voted on unless allowed for under HRS 92. A majority (8 members) of this 15-member Board is required to meet quorum requirements. Board members must be in person or have video access on Webex.

Description of Board Boundaries: https://www8.honolulu.gov/nco/boards-and-sub-district-boundary-descriptions/

1. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Winston Welch (winstonwelch@gmail.com)

2. PUBLIC SAFETY MONTHLY REPORTS (3 minutes each)
With additional open public comments, concerns, questions and answers for the Board record. Note: While some specific agenda items are listed under Public Safety Monthly Reports, any normal range of questions, concerns, comments, discussion, recommendations for follow up, and any Board motions regarding Public Safety may be presented by the general public and Board members at this meeting.

A. Honolulu Fire Department (HFD), Waikīkī Station (www.fire.honolulu.gov)
HFD’s Public Affairs & Media Liaison Email: HFDNHB@honolulu.gov
1. Notice: Continuing Board Request for HFD Location Chart Report on Diamond Head Incendiary
Brushfires, Open Fires and Wildfires from April 2024 through December 2024
2. Fire incidents and statistics report
3. Community updates and safety tips
B. Honolulu Police Department (HPD) (www.honolulupd.org/contact-us/)
HPD’s Info & Resources: https://www.honolulupd.org/information/
Police incidents/statistics, traffic and parking enforcement, community events and updates, and safety tips
1. District 6 – Waikīkī/Kapiʻolani Park/Diamond Head
2. District 7 – Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights/East Honolulu

3. FILLING OF VACANT BOARD SEAT – Diamond Head Subdistrict 3 (Diamond Head, Ft. Ruger, Kapiʻolani Park, Monsarrat). Any Subdistrict 3 Resident interested in filling this open board seat must attend the Board meeting and provide proof of residency, or contact Neighborhood Assistant Curtis Hayashi (curtis.hayashi@honolulu.gov) to verify residency in advance.

4. PUBLIC INTEREST REPORTS AND EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS (2 minutes each)
With additional open public comments, concerns, questions and answers for the Board record. Note: While some specific items are listed under this Agenda section, any normal range of comments, questions, discussion and/or recommendations for follow up may be presented by the general public and Board members at this meeting.

A. Board of Water Supply (BWS) Report – Kathleen Pahinui (kelliott-pahinui@hbws.org)
Main break reports, projects, and general BWS announcements
B. Kapiʻolani Community College (KCC) Updates – Carol Hoshiko (hoshiko@hawaii.edu)
KCC projects, college matters, events and general announcements
C. Resident participation needed for the Honolulu Annual Community Survey carried out by Office of City Auditor – Link to survey here:
https://polco.us/n/res/vote/honolulu-county-hi/the-city-and-county-of-honolulu-2024-community-survey-open-to-all-residents?pn-method=open

5. PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS & EVENT ANNOUNCMENTS OPEN FORUM
2 minutes for each public open testimony regarding topics/issues not listed elsewhere on this agenda in order to enable open public comments, concerns, and questions for the Board record. Note: Any normal range of comments, questions, discussion and/or recommendations for follow up may be presented by the general public and Board members at this meeting, with due consideration of substantive items for future Board Agendas.

6. RESOLUTIONS FOR BOARD ACTION (none scheduled)
Past and proposed resolutions can be viewed at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1n91oD0y54wosZdEV-mTRrUfZ7qhXMDxU?usp=drive_link and https://www8.honolulu.gov/nco/nb05/.

7. PRESENTATIONS (10 minutes each)
With additional open public comments, concerns, questions and answers for the Board record. Note: While there may be specific Presentations listed on the Agenda, the Board members and the public and may express any normal range of questions, concerns, comments, discussion, requests for follow up, Board discussion and Board motions regarding any relevant issue related to the respective Presentation listed on the agenda.

A. Wahi Pana (Storied Places) Art Project at Makalei Beach Park and Lē‘ahi Beach Park –
Marion Cadora, Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts

8. CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU REPORTS (3 minutes each)
Constituent concerns, city projects and services, and newsletter updates, with additional open public and board comments, concerns, questions and answers for the Board record. Note: While there may be specific agenda items listed for City & County of Honolulu Elected Official Reports, any normal range of questions, concerns, comments, discussion, requests and recommendations for follow-up regarding City & County of Honolulu Elected Official Reports may be presented by Board members and the general public at this meeting.

A. Mayor’s Representative – Anton Krucky, Department of Community Services (DCS) Director
Constituent Concerns & Follow-up Reports including but not limited to:
1. Department of Design and Construction (DDC) – Director Dominic ‘Haku’ Milles
a. Update on Collapsed Sidewalk Repair at Queen’s Beach
b. Update on Proposed Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium Restoration
B. Request for Department Directors to Attend Upcoming Board Committee Meetings
1. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and Department of Transportation Services (DTS) Relating to Makalei Beach Park and Diamond Head Road
2. DTS Relating to Alohea Avenue Bus Route 200
3. DTS Relating to:
a. Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety plans within new guidelines for school vicinities in Neighborhood Board No. 5
b. Diamond Head Road Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety Improvements Update
c. Kapahulu Avenue Pedestrian Safety Improvements Update
d. Requests for Improved Pedestrian Safety at 4th Avenue to cross Waiʻalae, and 7th Avenue to cross Waiʻalae Avenue
e. Updates on Proposed Ala Wai Bridge Project Alternatives and Environmental Impact Statement Status
C. City Council Chair Tommy Waters, City Council District 4 (tommy.waters@honolulu.gov)
Constituent Concerns and Legislative Updates (https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov/hnldoc/)
D. Councilmember Scott Nishimoto, City Council District 5 (scott.nishimoto@honolulu.gov)
Constituent Concerns and Legislative Updates

9. FEDERAL & STATE ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS (3 minutes each)
Constituent concerns, city projects and services, and newsletter updates, with additional open public and board comments, concerns, questions and answers for the Board record. Note: While there may be specific agenda items listed for City & County of Honolulu Elected Official Reports, any normal range of questions, concerns, comments, discussion, requests and recommendations for follow-up regarding City & County of Honolulu Elected Official Reports may be presented by Board members and the general public at this meeting.

A. U.S. Congressman Ed Case (https://case.house.gov/contact/)
1. Immigration Detention Facilities in Hawai‘i
B. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (https://www.schatz.senate.gov/contact)
1. Immigration Detention Facilities in Hawai‘i
C. U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (https://www.hirono.senate.gov/contact)
1. Immigration Detention Facilities in Hawai‘i
D. Governor Josh Green’s Representative – Ryan Aguilar (https://governor.hawaii.gov/contact-us/)
1. Erosion Along Diamond Head Coastline (Seawall Between Mākālei and Lē‘ahi Beach Parks)
2. Immigration detention facilities in Hawai‘i
E. State Senator Stanley Chang (senchang@capitol.hawaii.gov)
F. State Senator Les Ihara, Jr. (senihara@capitol.hawaii.gov)
G. State Senator Carol Fukunaga (senfukunaga@capitol.hawaii.gov)
H. State House Representative Tina Nakada Grandinetti (repgrandinetti@capitol.hawaii.gov)
I. State House Representative Jackson Sayama (repsayama@capitol.hawaii.gov)
J. State House Representative Andrew Garrett (repgarrett@capitol.hawaii.gov)
K. State House Representative Ikaika Olds (repolds@capitol.hawaii.gov)

10. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Chair’s Reminder for those interested in continuing serving on Neighborhood Board No. 5 to submit candidacy (see page 4 for details)
B. Board Committee Reports (5 minutes each)
1. Environment – Velasco
2. Parks & Recreation – Murchie & Decker
3. Planning & Zoning – Matson
4. Traffic & Public Safety – Murchie
C. Board Subdistrict Reports – (5 minutes each)
1. St. Louis Heights Subdistrict 1 – J. Allen
2. Kapahulu Subdistrict 2
3. Diamond Head Subdistrict 3 – L. Wong
D. Reports of Board Members Attending Other Board and Public Meetings
E. Approval of Board Meeting Complete Written Minutes and Written Summaries of Board Meeting Videos with Meeting Recording Timestamps in accordance with HRS 92-3.7 (b)(6) and 92-9 (a) and (b)
1. Thursday, March 14, 2024
2. Thursday, September 12, 2024
3. Thursday, October 10, 2024
4. Thursday, November 14, 2024
5. Thursday, December 12, 2024

11. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Chair’s Report – Forthcoming meeting agendas and general announcements. To request a meeting agenda item, please contact Chair Welch (winstonwelch@gmail.com) at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled meeting.
B. Next Meeting – The next Neighborhood Board No. 5 regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse Ballroom, and online via Webex.
C. ‘Olelo Broadcast (https://olelo.org/tune-in/) – The Board meetings can be viewed on Channel 49 at 9:00 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of the month and at 2:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month.
D. Reporting Neighborhood Issues – Visit https://www.honolulu.gov/csd/concern or use the Honolulu 311 App (https://honoluluhi.citysourced.com/) to report neighborhood issues.
E. Candidate Registration for 2025 Neighborhood Board Elections Now Open at https://web5.hnl.info/nbe
All current board members of the 2023-2025 Board term will need to register for the new term. Registration and candidate profile forms will not roll over from the previous Neighborhood Elections.
Important Dates:
Friday, February 21, 2025 – Candidate Filing and Voter Registration Deadline
Friday, April 25, 2025 – Voting Begins
Friday, May 16, 2025 – Voting Ends
Please visit https://www8.honolulu.gov/nco/ for more details or contact the Neighborhood Commission Office at NCO@honolulu.gov or call (808) 768-3710.

12. ADJOURNMENT

A mailing list is maintained for interested persons and agencies to receive this board’s agenda and minutes. Additions, corrections, and deletions to the mailing list may be directed to the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) at Kapālama Hale, 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Suite 160, Honolulu, HI 96817, by telephone on (808) 768-3710, fax (808) 768-3711, or emailing nco@honolulu.gov. Agenda documents and minutes are also available online at http://www.honolulu.gov/nco/boards.html.

All written testimony must be received in the Neighborhood Commission Office 48 hours prior to the meeting. If within 48 hours of the meeting, written and/or oral testimony may be submitted directly to the Board at the meeting. If submitting written testimony, please note the Board and agenda item(s) your testimony concerns. Send to: Neighborhood Commission Office, 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Suite 160, Honolulu, HI 96817, fax (808) 768-3711, email nbtestimony@honolulu.gov, or complete the form on https://www8.honolulu.gov/nco/testimony/.

If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability or an interpreter for a language other than English, please call the Neighborhood Commission Office at (808) 768-3710 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or send an email to nco@honolulu.gov at least 3 business days before the scheduled meeting. It may not be possible to fulfill requests received after this date.

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024 AT 6:00 P.M.
PAKI HALE MEETING ROOM (MAIN FLOOR) – 3840 PAKI AVENUE, HONOLULU, HI 96815
AND ONLINE VIA WEBEX

Video Recording of Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNadGOfjuds

Google Drive Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WKnOJqdvqoRuGhJ7E9rg5u7AtruuZZZn

1. CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:37]: Chair Welch called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was NOT established with 6 members present. This 15-member board requires 8 members to establish a quorum and to take official board action.

Board Members Present: Winston Welch, David Beutel, Julia Allen, Rafia Hasina (arrived at 6:03 p.m.), Alex Kahn, Angie Knight, Michelle Matson (arrived at 6:25 p.m.), Margaret Murchie, Dylan Whitsell (arrived at 6:29 p.m.), Linda Wong (arrived at 7:13 p.m.), and Bruce Wong (arrived at 8:19 p.m.).

Board Member(s) Absent: Arleen Velasco, Dan Decker, and Laura St. Denis.

Guests: Lieutenant Leonard Nishimura (Honolulu Police Department District 7); Lieutenant Steven Ono (Honolulu Police Department District 6); Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui (Honolulu Board of Water Supply); Dean Carol Hoshiko (Kapiʻolani Community College); Anton Krucky (Mayor Blangiardi); Ryan Aguilar (Governor Green); Amanda Zepeda (City Council Chair Waters); Reuben Sierra (Senator Chang); Representative Ikaika Olds; Alexi Drouin, Allison Guard, Audrey Abe, Catherine Conrad, Cheryl Severn, Chris Cooper, Daisy Murai, Grace Benson, Heidi Hirsa, Juanita Liu, Kimo Cameron, Laura Ruby, Leolani Iwaki, Louise Hiatt, Noela, Sharlene Chun (Residents/Guests); Commissioner Larry Veray (Neighborhood Commission); Curtis Hayashi (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name not included if not legible or stated for the record. There were 39 total participants.

2. PUBLIC SAFETY MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:01:10]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD), Waikīkī Station – [0:01:12]: No representative present.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 6 – Waikīkī/Kapiolani Park/Diamond Head – [0:01:27]: Chair Welch called this agenda item at this time.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 7 – Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights/East Honolulu – [0:01:42]:
Lieutenant Nishimura provided the statistics for November 2024 and holiday precautionary safety tips.

Rafia Hasina joined at 6:03 p.m.; 7 members present.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:03:34]

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 6 – Waikīkī/Kapiolani Park/Diamond Head (Continued) – [0:08:13]: Lieutenant Ono provided the statistics for November 2024 and holiday precautionary safety tips.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:09:56]

[3]. FILLING OF ONE (1) OPEN BOARD SEAT – [0:10:56]: Chair Welch called for any interest in filling the Diamond Head Sub-District 3 seat. There were no interested residents or nominations.

[4]. PUBLIC INTEREST REPORTS AND EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS – [0:11:26]: Chair Welch mentioned the length of the agenda and provided an explanation relating to a ruling by the State Office of Information Practices (OIP).

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [0:12:34]: Kathleen Elliot-Pahinui reported there were no water main breaks in the community over the last month, provided advisory reminders concerning utility payment scams, and reported that BWS’ water system and fencing projects are continuing to progress.

Questions, comments and concerns followed – [0:13:51]

Kapiʻolani Community College (KCC) Updates – Carol Hoshiko – [0:19:07]: Dean Carol Hoshiko provided information regarding the following announcements: KCC Fall Commencement on Friday, December 20, 2024 at the Diamond Head Theatre; community interest classes; and tuition paid for by Good Jobs Hawaiʻi for both a court interpreter training course for those who are bilingual through continuing education, and a sustainability and resiliency class beginning in late March 2025.

Questions, comments and concerns followed – [0:21:43]

Michelle Matson joined at 6:25 p.m. Quorum was established with 8 members present.

Honolulu City Charter Article XIV: Neighborhood Boards Commission Update – Larry Veray, Neighborhood Commissioner – [0:26:35]: Chair Welch called this agenda item and there was no representative at this time.

[5]. PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS & EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS OPEN FORUM – [0:28:04]

Proposed Bridge Over the Ala Wai Canal and University Avenue and Kalaimoku Street Residential Neighborhoods Site – [0:28:06]: Chai Welch called on Mōʻiliʻili resident, Laura Ruby, who acknowledged the board for passing the resolution requesting a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed bridge over the Ala Wai Canal, and provided updates and further information.

Dylan Whitsell joined at 6:29 p.m.; 9 members present.

Questions, comments and concerns followed – [0:30:57]

Concerns Relating to Mākālei Beach Park and Lē‘ahi Beach Park – [0:32:00]: Resident Allison Guard shared concerns regarding Mākālei Beach Park and Lē‘ahi Beach Park, including the sidewalk with a lot of activity from walkers, dog walkers and runners, a narrow section of Diamond Head Road that is not a designated lane, but there are bicyclists and drivers, relating to the environment with respect to oil and gas running over reefs because of vehicular parking in parks close to the beach, and adding parking inside the park changes the use and aesthetics of the park.

Questions, comments and concerns followed – [0:33:37]

A roll call was conducted at 6:36 p.m. Quorum remained, now with 9 members present.

[6]. RESOLUTIONS FOR BOARD ACTION – [0:37:33]

Resolution Urging the Department of Transportation Services (DTS), and the City & County of Honolulu to Address the Safety Concerns/Routing of the Newly Installed TheBus Route 200 – [0:37:33]: Chair Welch provided background information regarding this resolution.

[4]. PUBLIC INTEREST REPORTS AND EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS (CONTINUED) – [0:11:26]:

Honolulu City Charter Article XIV: Neighborhood Boards Commission Update – Larry Veray, Neighborhood Commissioner – [0:39:21]: Chair Welch revisited this agenda item with Neighborhood Commissioner Larry Veray present. Commissioner Veray presented information relating to the work of the Neighborhood Commission, including the following: election process monitoring; Neighborhood Commission Survey; and Neighborhood Plan. Commissioner Veray provided recommendations to have a well-balanced and cohesive Neighborhood Board.

Questions, comments and concerns followed – [0:49:05]

[0:49:56] – The Webex connection for in-person participants was lost at 6:52 p.m. and was restored at 6:53 p.m.

Resolution Urging the Department of Transportation Services (DTS), and the City & County of Honolulu to Address the Safety Concerns/Routing of the Newly Installed TheBus Route 200 (Continued) – [0:57:22]: Chair Welch provided background information regarding this resolution titled “Resolution Urging the Department of Transportation Services DTS, and the City & County of Honolulu to Address the Safety Concerns of the Newly Installed Bus Route 200.”
• Resolution:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-aU9hGzm-d_HDtA1_1irJ_aAJZYNNgj8mvXs1gw6Fjk/edit?usp=drive_link
• Resolution Addendum:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aO3xqzOw8KRlUCRW_g8lIc70rxcXdsVL0er7bPV-950/edit?usp=drive_link
• Honolulu Complete Streets Design Manual Excerpts:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UZwQPC-MV8HkVb95mEsLwx8lPD38gWRtMhjVSKH07RE/edit?usp=drive_link
• DTS Response Letter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m_wobuKkCqDn42l3DHpUCMaSL9A56oUK/view?usp=drive_link

[0:58:29] – Knight MOVED and Murchie SECONDED to adopt the Resolution Urging the Department of Transportation Services DTS, and the City and County of Honolulu to Address the Safety Concerns of the Newly Installed Bus Route 200. Discussion followed. A roll call vote was conducted. The Resolution Urging the Department of Transportation Services DTS, and the City and County of Honolulu to Address the Safety Concerns of the Newly Installed Bus Route 200 was ADOPTED; 9–1–0 (Aye: Allen, Hasina, Kahn, Knight, Matson, Murchie, Welch, Whitsell, L. Wong; Nay: Beutel; Abstain: None) – [1:20:37]

Questions, comments and concerns followed – [1:20:53]

Resolution Urging the City and County of Honolulu to Prohibit Motorized Vehicle Parking Within Mākālei Beach Park – [1:22:26]: Chair Welch provided background information on the resolution.
• Resolution:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WdpVNV0-tyBA4BR5HyFLbvc3IHeBxyr5/view?usp=drive_link

[01:24:44] – Knight MOVED and Matson SECONDED to adopt the Resolution Strongly Opposing Construction of a Parking Lot within Mākālei Beach Park as written. Discussion followed and a roll call vote was conducted. The Resolution Strongly Opposing Construction of a Parking Lot within Mākālei Beach Park as written was ADOPTED; 8–0–1 (Aye: Allen, Hasina, Kahn, Knight, Matson, Murchie, Welch, L. Wong; Nay: None; Abstain: Beutel) – [1:52:32].

Dylan Whitsell left at 7:37 p.m., 8 members present.

Questions, comments and concerns followed – [1:52:40]

[7]. PRESENTATIONS – [1:56:30]: Chair Welch announced there were no presentations.

[8]. CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU MONTHLY REPORTS – [1:56:34]

Mayor’s Representative – Anton Krucky, Department of Community Services Director – [1:57:58]: Anton Krucky, Department of Community Services Director, provided an acknowledgment regarding the Board’s two Resolutions to DTS and the City Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and responses to resident Laura Ruby’s shared concerns. Director Krucky highlighted the following: City’s proposal of a potential new landfill site; and the new DPR Director, new Chief Information Officer, and new Housing Director who was previously the Deputy Director. Director Krucky provided responses to concerns regarding the following from the agenda: relating to mopeds and collapsing seawalls; wall collapse at Queen’s Beach; and TheBus Route 200. He provided responses to other DTS-related and street repaving concerns.
• Newsletter: https://www8.honolulu.gov/mayor/newsletter/

Questions, comments and concerns followed – [2:02:45]

Department of Transportation Services (DTS) – Director Roger Morton: Chair Welch stated earlier in the meeting that DTS was unable to attend the meeting and that the listed items will remain on the agenda – [0:27:34].

City Council Chair Tommy Waters, City Council District 4 – [2:19:23]: Amanda Zepeda highlighted the following: Bill 24 Primary Urban Center Development Plan is still being worked on; Bill 53 Special Management Area (SMA) Regulation Exemptions was adopted and approved by the Mayor (Ordinance 24-14); Bill 64 (2023), FD1, CD2 Land Use Ordinance amendment relating to use regulations was adopted; Bill 46, CD2 relating to real property taxation for the empty homes tax was postponed by Council Chair Waters to further discuss and await the study findings by Ernst & Young; Resolution 24-176, CD1 requesting the City Administration to take the steps necessary to acquire the Queen Theater property was adopted; Bill 59 single use plastics was not adopted; and Bill 61 [prohibiting] wheelies passed first reading.
• Chair Waters: tommy.waters@honolulu.gov or (808) 768-5004
• Amanda Zepeda (Constituent Services): amanda.zepeda@honolulu.gov or (808) 768-5043
• Webpage: https://www.honolulucitycouncil.org/district4

Questions, comments and concerns followed – [2:23:57]

Councilmember Calvin Say, City Council District 5 – [2:35:07]: No representative present.

9. FEDERAL & STATE ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS – [2:35:28]

U.S. Congressman Ed Case – [2:35:30]: No representative present.

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz – [2:35:49]: No representative present.

U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono – [2:35:52]: No representative present.

Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [2:35:54]: No representative was present at the time Chair Welch called this agenda item. Ryan Aguilar had made the following three areas of information available during the meeting:
• Newsletter: https://governor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ke-Ala-Hou-Newsletter-December-2024-v3-FINAL.pdf
• Detention Center Inquiry Response: Immigration is a federal matter, handled by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. According to the ICE website the only detention center in Hawai‘i is the Federal Detention Center in the airport area. https://www.ice.gov/detain/detention-facilities/federal-detention-center-honolulu-fdc-honolulu Statewide, facilities operated by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation houses pre-trial suspects accused of violating Hawai‘i law and post-trial convicts found guilty violating Hawai‘i law. At the county level, police departments have holding cells for arrestees, but they generally don’t stay long. To our knowledge, no new centers are being constructed in the state to temporarily house undocumented immigrants who may face deportation once the new administration is seated in Washington, D.C.
• Ala Moana Pedestrian Bridge Inquiry Response: Completion will be pushed back from the end of 2024 to 2025. Clearance will be adequate for most vehicles and trucks that use Ala Moana Boulevard.

State Senator Stanley Chang – [2:36:22]: Reuben Sierra provided the report and responded to a prior board inquiry relating to climate change.

Questions, comments and concerns followed – [2:37:59]

State Senator Les Ihara, Jr. – [2:38:50]: No representative present.

State Senator Carol Fukunaga – [2:38:58]: No representative present.

State House Representative Tina Nakada Grandinetti – [2:39:57]: No representative present.

State House Representative Jackson Sayama – [2:40:08]: No representative present.

State House Representative Andrew Garrett – [2:40:17]: No representative present.

State House Representative Ikaika Olds – [2:41:05]: Representative Olds provided legislative office information, including that he is Vice Chair of the Committee on Human Services and Homelessness, and a member of the Committees on Health, Education, and Higher Education, and Vice Chair of the Keiki Caucus.

Questions, comments and concerns followed – [2:42:04]

10. BOARD BUSINESS – [2:46:48]

Chair’s Report on the Monday, November 4, 2024, Meeting for Neighborhood Board Chairs and Vice Chairs called by the Neighborhood Commission Executive Secretary – [2:46:51]: Chair Welch announced this agenda item would not be covered in this meeting, and provided remarks relating to the board’s meeting minutes.

Board Committee Reports – [2:48:01]: No reports.

Board Subdistrict Reports – [2:48:26]

St. Louis Heights Subdistrict 1 – [2:48:30]: Member Allen reported the next St. Louis Heights Community Association meeting will be on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at Hokulani Elementary School.

Kapahulu Subdistrict 2 – [2:48:42]: Chair Welch announced there is no representative for Kapahulu Subdistrict 2 and asked to inform him of such interest.

Diamond Head Subdistrict 3 – [2:48:50]: No report.

Reports of Board Members Attending Other Board and Public Meetings – [2:49:08]: Chair Welch provided information relating to his attendance at the Ala Wai Bridge meeting that was hosted by the Department of Transportation Services.

Approval of Board Meeting Complete Written Minutes and Written Summaries of Board Meeting Videos with Meeting Recording Timestamps in accordance with HRS 92-3.7 (b)(6) and 92-9 (a) and (b) – [2:50:22]: Chair Welch announced approving the following four meeting minutes: (1) Thursday, March 14, 2024; (2) Thursday, September 12, 2024; (3) Thursday, October 10, 2024; and (4) Thursday, November 14, 2024.

[2:50:53] – Beutel MOVED to approve the Thursday, March 14, 2024, Thursday, September 12, 2024, Thursday, October 10, 2024 and Thursday, November 14, 2024 meeting minutes as written. Discussion followed. There was NO SECOND, the motion was NOT CONSIDERED – [2:59:43].

Chair Welch announced this agenda item will be considered in January 2025.

11. ANNOUNCEMENTS – [2:59:48]

Next Meeting – [2:59:48]: Chair Welch announced the next Diamond Head / Kapahulu / St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board No. 5 regular meeting will be at the Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse [on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.].

12. ADJOURNMENT – [3:00:21]: Chair Welch adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by: Curtis Hayashi, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, NCO
Finalized by:

To view agenda and minutes, visit our board website.

Event shows physical location; however, other options of participation may also include WebEx and phone.  If available, instructions for WebEx and phone can be found at the top of the agenda.