ALA MOANA – KAKA‘AKO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 11
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2024 6:00 P.M.
Physical Location: Makiki Christian Church, 829 Pensacola Street
Virtual Meeting Link: https://cchnl.webex.com/cchnl/j.php?MTID=mfeed1827c1a523f100d68fcf484a35fc
Meeting number / Access code: 249 870 45676
Password: NB11 (6211 from phones and video systems)
Join by Phone: +1-408-418-9388
Video-Teleconference: The Board will be making a good faith effort to provide the public with the opportunity to observe the meeting as it happens and an opportunity to provide oral testimony without a physical presence in the physical meeting room. Please ensure that your computer or phone is muted unless you are speaking.
Rules of Speaking: Please indicate a desire to speak by (1) using the “Raise Hand” button at the bottom of the control panel; (2) placing a comment in the chatbox; (3) activating your video camera and physically raising your hand; or (4) making a verbal request. When recognized by the Chair, please keep your comments relevant and under three (3) minutes.
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 added to the agenda. A two-thirds (2/3) vote (8) of this eleven (11)-member Board is needed to add an item to the agenda. Adding an item to the agenda, however, is not permitted if (1) the item to be added is of reasonably major importance and (2) action on the item by the board will affect a significant number of persons. Determination of whether a specific matter may be added to an agenda must be done on a case-by-case basis.
Meeting materials are available online at: https://tinyurl.com/nb11home
1. Call to Order: Chair Kathleen Lee (6:00 p.m.)
1.1 Roll call
2. Public Safety Reports
2.1 Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – submitted report via email
2.2 Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – Lt. Arnold Sagucio
3. Board Business
3.1 Nominations and election to fill current vacancy
a. Subdistrict 1
3.2 Approval of the February 27, 2024 meeting minutes
3.3 Reports from March 14, 2024 and April 16, 2024 Action committee meetings
a. Committee Vice-Chair Dyson Chee
3.4 Attendance at other meetings
3.5 Social Event idea – Member Lynn Mariano
4. Presentations (6:30 p.m.)
4.1 Biki Updates – Todd Boulanger, Executive Director, Bikeshare Hawaii/Biki
4.2 The Honolulu Night Market at Our Kakaʻako – Saturday, June 8, 2024, 5:00PM – 10:00PM, Our Kakaʻako / Olomana Loomis ISC, Megan Chinn – Director of Marketing Communications or Summer Caster – Event Specialist
4.3 Update on 1500 Kapiolani Project (last update to NB11 on October 2023) – Isaiah Sato, R. M. Towill Corporation
4.4 Affordable Rental Project – Piikoi and Beretania Street, Chris Fong, Tradewind Capital
4.5 Homeless/houseless Discussion – Anton Krucky, Director, City & County of Honolulu Department of Community Services
5. Subdistrict Reports
6. Residents’ and Community Concerns (3 minutes per speaker) (7:30 p.m.)
7. Elected Official Reports (3 minutes each)
7.1 Mayor Rick Blangiardi or office representative Ben Sullivan
7.2 City Councilmember Calvin Say (District 5) or office representative Pualani Smith-Kauhane
7.3 City Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam (District 6) or office representative Robin Henski
7.4 State Representative Scott Nishimoto (District 21) or office representative Taylor Date
7.5 State Representative Adrian Tam (District 22)
7.6 State House Speaker Scott Saiki (District 26) or office representative Frank Rogozienski
7.7 State Senator Sharon Moriwaki (District 12) or office representative Charles Izumoto
7.8 Governor Josh Green’s Representative – DCCA Team
7.9 U.S. Congressman Ed Case’s representative
8. Agency Reports (3 minutes each)
8.1 Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) – Francine Murray
8.2 Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) – Marissa Gonzales
8.3 Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS)
9. Announcements
9.1 45th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk on Saturday, May 4, 2024, starting at 7:00 a.m. (https://www.charitywalkhawaii.org)
9.2 Police Week March on May 13, 2024 – presentation by HPD in February 2024 meeting
9.3 Liquor Commission public hearing: Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. ( https://www.honolulu.gov/liq/hearingsagenda.html )
a. Egghead Café, 1210 Dillingham Blvd.
b. Remixx Bar & Grill, 1345 South King St.
c. Waikiki House by Romer, 415 Nahua St.
9.4 NB11 social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlaMoanaKakaakoNB11; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alamoanakakaakonb11/
9.5 The Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Makiki Christian Church and online via WebEx.
The next Action Committee Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 9, 2024.
9.6 ʻŌlelo Broadcasts: Recordings of the meetings are broadcast on ʻŌlelo 49 on the first and third Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., and every second Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Upcoming broadcast will be on at 8:30 a.m. The full schedule is at https://olelo.org/tv-schedule/). Recordings may also be viewed at https://www.honolulu.gov/cms-nco-menu/site-nco-sitearticles/1657-board-meeting-video-archive.html
10. Adjournment (8:00 p.m.)
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, Hawaii 96817, by telephone on (808) 768-3710, fax (808) 768-3711, or e-mailing 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, or email nbtestimony@honolulu.gov.
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 three (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
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024, 6:00 P.M.
MAKIKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND ON WEBEX
Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvu2JWWCl7U
Meeting materials are available online at: https://tinyurl.com/nb11home
I. CALL TO ORDER [0:01:18]: Chair Lee called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Quorum was established with seven (7) members present. Note: This 11-member Board requires six (6) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action. Board members must be in-person or have video access.
Board Members Present: Kim Coco Iwamoto, Kathleen Lee, Lori Farinas, Emma Davis, Dyson Chee, Jeanne Rice, and Caroline Faringer.
Board Members Absent: Richard Webb, Lynn Mariano, and Rodney Chang.
Guests: Firefighter Jake Esteban (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Arnold Sagucio, Darryl Jones, Joyce Saniatan, Jaylen Isaacs-Kamakele, Bronson Matsuura, Glenn Hayashi, Rary Tong, Emily Ogasawara, and Keoni Chan (Honolulu Police Department); Ben Sullivan (Mayor Blangiardi’s Representative); Pua Smith Kauhane (Councilmember Say); Robin Henski (Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam); Representative Adrian Tam, Frank Rogozienski and Speaker Scott Saiki, Ronald Higa (Liliha Neighborhood Board No. 14); Ian Ross (Makiki Neighborhood Board No. 10); Marissa Gonzales (HART); Ashton Stallings (Governor Green’s Representatives); Taylor Date and Representative Scott Nishimoto, Myoung Oh, Elton Fukumoto, David Yamamoto, Dave Watase, Karen Cheung (Ward Village Moms); Pat Stolfa, Michelle Nguyen, Karen, John Buchitea (Residents and Guests); and Logan Hutchinson (Neighborhood Commission Office – NCO). There were 32 total attendees. Note: Names are not included if not legible on the guest sheet.
II. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS [0:02:33]
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) [0:02:33]: Firefighter Jake Esteban reported the fire statistics and safety tips. The full report can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/nb11home or the HFD website: https://fire.honolulu.gov.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) [0:04:55]: Lieutenant Arnold Sagucio reported the the crime statistics and HPD updates. For more information, visit: https://www.honolulupd.org.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed. [0:08:25]
III. BOARD BUSINESS [0:16:36]
Filling of Vacancies – One Vacancy – Subdistrict 1: There were no volunteers or nominations.
Approval of the Tuesday, January 23, 2024 meeting minutes [0:16:47]:
[0:17:10] Rice Moved and Davis Seconded the Motion to approve the January 2024 regular meeting minutes as written. Hearing no objections, the Motion WAS ADOPTED 7-0-0 (AYE: Iwamoto, Lee, Farinas, Davis, Chee, Rice, Faringer; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None.) [0:17:19]
Report From Action Committee Meeting [0:17:27]: Davis reported information from the Action Committee meeting held on Wednesday, February 8, 2024; including houseless concerns, legalizing recreational cannabis, and HPD/911 calls. The next Action Committee Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
Discussion and consideration of resolution regarding the taxation and regulation of responsible adult use of cannabis [0:22:00]: Iwamoto introduced the resolution. Discussion followed.
[0:31:41] Iwamoto Moved and Chee Seconded the Motion to adopt the resolution supporting the legalization of recreational marijuana. The Resolution WAS ADOPTED 7-0-0 (AYE: Iwamoto, Lee, Farinas, Davis, Chee, Rice, Faringer; NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None.) [0:32:10]
Discussion and consideration of resolution regarding Honolulu’s public access and safety, health and sanitation measures [0:33:00]: Rice introduced the resolution. Discussion followed.
[0:46:47] Rice Moved and Farinas Seconded the Motion to postpone this item to the next Action Committee Meeting, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Hearing no objection, the Motion WAS ADOPTED 7-0-0 (AYE: Iwamoto, Lee, Farinas, Davis, Chee, Rice, Faringer; NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None.) [0:47:10]
Attendance at other meetings [0:47:37]: No report.
IV. PRESENTATIONS [0:47:44]
[0:47:51] Hearing no objection, Chair Lee arranged the HPD presentations to be heard first.
Police Week March [0:48:20]: Sgt. Darryl Jones, HPD, presented this year’s Police Week March will be held on Monday, May 13, 2024 on Beretania Street.
Chee left at 6:50 p.m., six (6) members present.
HPD Acquiring Property at 819 South Beretania Street [0:49:30]: Emily Ogasawara, HPD, presented the following. The Police Department is proposing to purchase the property at 819 South Beretania Street. The property has been unused since 2016, although there are existing buildings. HPD plans to demolish the existing structures, to be used as parking. Eventually, HPD intends to install office space along with a parking structure.
DSEIS Ala Wai Flood Risk Management Project [0:55:41]: Dave Watase presented the following. A brief background was provided. The proposal is to install flood walls along the Ala Wai Canal, and it’s connected waterways. Photos, maps, and diagrams were shared.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed. [1:04:57]
Discussion And Consideration of Ala Wai Flood Risk Management Resolution [1:10:05]: No further discussion.
[1:10:10] Iwamoto Moved and Davis Seconded the Motion to adopt the Ala Wai Flood Risk Management Resolution. The Resolution WAS ADOPTED by Roll Call Vote 6-0-0 (AYE: Iwamoto, Lee, Farinas, Davis, Rice, Faringer; NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None.) [1:10:53]
Letter in support of illegal game room package {Bill 57 (2023), Bill 58 (2023), and Resolution 23-228} [1:11:30]: Ian Ross, Makiki Neighborhood Board Chair, presented the following. There are an estimated 100 illegal game rooms in Honolulu. The proposed solution in these Bills would allow legal action on landlords, including fines up to $150,000.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed. [1:18:41]
Discussion And Consideration of Letter of Support of Illegal Game Room Package [1:31:42]:
[1:31:51] Rice Moved and Davis Seconded the Motion to Support of a Letter Relating to Illegal Game Rooms. The Motion WAS ADOPTED 6-0-0 (AYE: Iwamoto, Lee, Farinas, Davis, Rice, Faringer; NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None.) [1:31:56]
V. SUBDISTRICT REPORTS [1:32:18]
Sara Yara Rally/One Year Anniversary on February 17, 2024 [1:33:09]: Karen Cheung reported the following. HB1562 is flawed due to the gap in time between drivers pulled over without a license, and the court hearing. Increasing the penalty upon conviction does not prevent the unlicensed driver from driving the next day. Concerns were raised regarding the safety of the right turn from Kamakee Street onto Queen Street. Concerns were raised regarding the Auto Perfection shop on Kawaiaho Street.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed. [1:40:00]
VI. RESIDENTS’ AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS [1:48:50]: No concerns.
VII. ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS [1:48:54]:
Mayor Rick Blangiardi [1:49:18]: Deputy Director Ben Sullivan, Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency reported the following.
• Newsletter: https://www.oneoahu.org/newsletter.
• Lithium Batteries: The convenience centers and transfer stations accept lithium batteries along with other rechargeable batteries. Vehicle type lithium batteries are not accepted at the disposal sites. Car owner must work with their manufacturer to recycle vehicle type lithium batteries.
• City Bus Operator: The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) respectfully reminds the source person that it is not the responsibility of transit personnel to file police reports on behalf of witnesses to the conduct of illegal activities at bus stops. Persons witnessing illegal activities should contact HPD directly.
• Homeless Encampment: From February 2-14, 2024, District 1 officers made checks in the area of Halekauwila Street near Keawe Street to address the concerns about the homeless encampment. During the checks, officers documented that they had warned the homeless individuals of further enforcement action for the unpermitted structures upon the sidewalk. Subsequent checks resulted in 13 citations being issued to the homeless individuals for the structures upon the sidewalk. Officers have also checked for ADA compliance, and any violations observed were immediately corrected. Most of the homeless individuals stated they were in the process of obtaining housing through social services. Others declined any outreach services.
• Parking Meters: Per discussion with DTS, they upgraded the majority of the meters on Kaheka Street on August 28 and 29, 2023, with a few more done in early September. There are three (3) more meter poles that are missing, pole #3131 (between Kanunu and Makaloa Streets), #3157 (between Liona and South King Streets) and #3166 (between Rycroft and Liona Streets). DTS will be contracting out this work as soon as possible and anticipate the poles and upgraded meters to be installed by mid- February.
• Street Sign Replacements: Beretania Street does not intersect with Kapiolani Blvd. Street name signs along Beretania Street were inspected at the major intersections and the signs at Beretania Street and Kalakaua Blvd. appear to be faded so DFMʻs sign shop is fabricating new signs. Installation will be scheduled upon completion of the new signs. Please confirm this was the correct location.
• Traffic Light Timing: DTS checked and monitored the signal timing at S. King Street / Kapiolani Boulevard and South Street, and found the South Street and Kapiolani Boulevard turns red before the King Street light. The signal timing is set appropriately, and if you enter the intersection of South Street and Kapiolani Boulevard just before the light turns red, you may not make it through the King Street intersection (red light). In this situation, the vehicles should stop at King and South Street intersection, or else you run the risk of running the red light.
• Landscaping: DTS also identified two more poles on Ahana Street that are missing in front of the Pagoda Restaurant parking; pole #3109 and #3119 that will be installed by mid- February as well.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed. [1:55:21]
Councilmember Calvin Say [2:04:06]: Pua Smith Kauhane submitted a report and was available for questions.
• Newsletter: https://www.honolulucitycouncil.org/district-5-say
• Honolulu Zoo: Vote for the Honolulu Zoo as the best Zoo in America!
• Parking Meters: A request was submitted regarding members Chang’s parking meter concern.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed. [2:07:22]
City Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam [2:15:02]: Robin Henski reported the following.
• Newsletter:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6098c5bb75e480679bd2fab3/t/65c19576d546017619039f4d/1707185537782/2024.02+Newsletter.pdf
State Representative Scott Nishimoto [2:17:02]: Representative Nishimoto reported the following.
• Tax Clinic: The annual free tax preparation clinic at the State Capitol will be held on Saturday, March 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
State Representative Adrian Tam [2:18:00]: Representative Tam reported the following.
• Updates: Updates were provided on chronic graffiti locations, and an unpermitted paid parking operation.
Iwamoto left at 8:20 p.m., Quorum was lost with five (5) members present.
State House Speaker Scott Saiki [2:21:01]: Speaker Saiki reported the following.
• Newsletter: https://saiki.house/Feb2024NeighborhoodBoard
• McKinley Crosswalk: A statement was provided regarding the dangerous crosswalk on Kapiolani Boulevard.
Senator Sharon Moriwaki [2:27:02]: No representative present.
Governor Josh Green [2:27:26]: Ashton Stallings, Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA), reported the following.
• Newsletter: https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsletter/
• Teachers: As of October 2023, 95% of teachers were certified through partnerships such as the Grow Our Own Program with the University of Hawaii.
• State of the State: Governor Green provided his State of the State, addressing topics seen during his first year in office. https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/office-of-the-governor-news-release-governor-green-delivers-second-state-of-the-state-address/
Questions, comments, and concerns followed. [2:05:50]
U.S. Congressman Ed Case [2:32:39]: No representative was present.
VIII. AGENCY REPORTS [2:32:47]
Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA): No representative present.
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) [2:33:00]: Marissa Gonzales provided an update, which can be found at: https://conta.cc/49pg6uv. Visit HART’s website at: https://honolulutransit.org/#gsc.tab=0
Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) [2:37:03]: No representative was present; a report was submitted.
IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS [2:37:10]
• Keiki Street Festival: March 16, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (https://ourkakaako.com/events/keiki-street-festival/); presented to the board in January.
• NB11 social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlaMoanaKakaakoNB11; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alamoanakakaakonb11/
• Next Meeting: The Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board will be in recess on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in observance of Kuhio Day. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Makiki Christian Church and online via WebEx. The next Action Committee Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 14 at Makiki Christian Church – Upper Social Hall
• ʻŌlelo Broadcasts: Recordings of the meetings are broadcast on ʻŌlelo 49 on the first and third Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., and every second Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Upcoming broadcast will be on at 8:30 a.m. The full schedule is at https://olelo.org/tv-schedule/ . Recordings may also be viewed at https://www.honolulu.gov/cms-nco-menu/site-nco-sitearticles/1657-board-meeting-video-archive.html
X. ADJOURNMENT [2:37:43]: As there was no further business, Chair Lee adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m.
Submitted by: Spencer Johnson, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy
Finalized by: Kathleen Lee, Chair
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.