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  • Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9 Meeting Minutes For Tuesday, July 12, 2016 Posted

With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

WAIKIKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO 9

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2016
WAIKIKI COMMUNITY CENTER

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Pro Tem Robert Finley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with 13 members present, a quorum was established. Note: This 17-member Board requires nine (9) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Jermel Anderson (arrived 7:02 p.m.), Jo-Ann Adams, Jeff Apaka, David Benson, Helen Carroll, Paul Ciliano, Louis Erteschik, Robert Finley, Walt Flood, Jeff Geck, Jeff Merz, John Nigro (arrived 7:05 p.m.), Patricia Shields, Mary Simpson, and Mark Smith.

Board Members Absent: Jim Poole.

Guests: Sergeant Stacey Christensen (Honolulu Police Department); Keola Young (Honolulu Fire Department); Dominic Dias (Board of Water Supply); Mark Garrity (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative); Lynn Fallin (Governor David Ige's Office); Rick Egged (Waikiki Improvement Association); Representative Tom Brower; Raytan Vares (Senator Brickwood Galuteria's Office); Kurt Tsuneyoshi (Councilmember Trevor Ozawa's Office); Kathryn and Robin Henski; Dave Moskowitz; Franklin Chung; Jan Bappe; John Williams; Michelle Foit; D. Boisveit; M. Kealoha-Lindsey (Creations of Hawaii); Dennis Miller; Nicola Perez-Garreaud; and Amanda Ehe (Neighborhood Commission Office).

Moment of Silence: A moment of silence was observed to honor the police officers and civilians wounded in Dallas, Texas.

Vacancies: Chair Finley asked if there were any interested volunteers or nominations to fill subdistrict 2 vacancy; there were none and the vacancy was deferred to the next Board meeting.

At 7:02 p.m. Jermel Anderson arrived; there were 14 members present.

Three (3) Absences: Chair Finley explained that Adams always notified Chair Finley in advance of her absences. There was no motion to vacate the seat, Adams will remain a member of the Board.

ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
Chair: Flood nominated Finley, Apaka seconded. There were no other nominations. Finley was confirmed as Chair unanimously by voice vote, 14-0-0, (Aye: Anderson, Adams, Apaka, Benson, Carroll, Ciliano, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Geck, Merz, Shields, Simpson, and Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Vice Chair: Apaka nominated Erteschik, Merz seconded. There were no other nominations. Erteschik was confirmed as Vice Chair unanimously by voice vote, 14-0-0, (Aye: Anderson, Adams, Apaka, Benson, Carroll, Ciliano, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Geck, Merz, Shields, Simpson, and Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Subdistrict 1 Vice Chair: Flood nominated Merz, Apaka seconded. There were no other nominations. Merz was confirmed as Subdistrict 1 Vice Chair unanimously by voice vote, 14-0-0, (Aye: Anderson, Adams, Apaka, Benson, Carroll, Ciliano, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Geck, Merz, Shields, Simpson, and Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Subdistrict 2 Vice Chair: Erteschik nominated Flood, Shields seconded. There were no other nominations. Flood was confirmed as Subdistrict 2 Vice Chair unanimously by voice vote, 14-0-0, (Aye: Anderson, Adams, Apaka, Benson, Carroll, Ciliano, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Geck, Merz, Shields, Simpson, and Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Subdistrict 3 Vice Chair: Adams nominated Smith, Merz seconded. There were no other nominations. Smith was confirmed as Subdistrict 3 Vice Chair unanimously by voice vote, 14-0-0, (Aye: Anderson, Adams, Apaka, Benson, Carroll, Ciliano, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Geck, Merz, Shields, Simpson, and Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Secretary: Apaka nominated Adams, Erteschik seconded. There were no other nominations. Adams was confirmed as Secretary unanimously by voice vote, 14-0-0, (Aye: Anderson, Adams, Apaka, Benson, Carroll, Ciliano, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Geck, Merz, Shields, Simpson, and Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Treasurer: Erteschik nominated Shields, Adams seconded. There were no other nominations. Shields was confirmed as Treasurer unanimously by voice vote, 14-0-0, (Aye: Anderson, Adams, Apaka, Benson, Carroll, Ciliano, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Geck, Merz, Shields, Simpson, and Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

At 7:05 p.m. John Nigro arrived; 15 members were present.

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Captain Keola Young reported the following:
• June 2016 Statistics: There was 1 structure fire, 1 nuisance fire, 6 activated alarms, 116 medical emergencies, 1 motor vehicle crash with a pedestrian, 1 motor vehicle collision, 1 mountain rescue, 1 ocean rescue, and 4 hazardous materials incidents.
• Summer Home Safety: Keep matches and lighters in a safe, secured place away from children.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: Brush Fires: Finley asked and Captain Young confirmed that during the summer month's brush fires are common on the West side of Oahu.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Sergeant Stacey Christensen reported the following: June 2016 Statistics: There were 204 thefts, 21 speeding citations, 148 citations for park closures, and 3,435 total calls for service.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Recognition: Merz thanked Officer Antonio Perry for his responsiveness. Resident Dave Moskowitz commended HPD and Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) for their responsiveness to the Fourth of July Floatilla.
2. Noise: Smith, Erteschik, and residents expressed concern for the lack of noise citations issued. Carroll stated she lives at Kalia and hears loud mufflers every night between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): Dominic Dias reported the following:
• Water Main Breaks: There were no main breaks in Waikiki in June 2016.
• General Water Announcement: The 28th Annual Halawa Xeriscape Garden Open House and Unthirsty Plant Sale event will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Questions, comments, and concerns:
1. Water Testing: Flood asked and Dias confirmed that BWS tests the water for lead and more.
2. Thanks: Smith noted good response time from BWS for a recent water break.

RESIDENTS/COMMUNITY CONCERNS:
1. Moped: A resident stated that a fine should be given to those who alter their mopeds.
2. Zoning: Moskowitz commented that Councilmember Ozawa is the new Chair of the Zoning Committee and is interested to see what happens as a building permit has never been denied in his district of Waikiki.
3. Testimony: Merz encouraged the community to submit testimony on projects they oppose.

PUBLIC EVENTS 2016: The Duke's festival runs from Wednesday, July 20, 2016 through Thursday, July 28, 2016.
APPLICATIONS FOR LIQUOR LICENSES: A Liquor license hearing for Okonomiyaki Chibo Restaurant at 280 Beach Walk will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2016.

ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative: Deputy Director of the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) Mark Garrity reported the following:
• Request: DTS will be investigating and responding to a request for a removal of a stop sign and changing of the direction of Keoniana Street.
• Bridge: The City does not currently have funding to study a potential bridge over the Ala Wai Canal.
• HPD: Officers assigned to the Waikiki district have been addressing the peddling problems through enforcement and there were 22 arrests for peddling violations from July 2015 to May 2016. Segways and three (3)-wheeled standup trikes may be operated at a speed no greater than eight (8) miles per hour on the sidewalks and in bicycle lanes. Religious groups observed by HPD in Waikiki were practicing their right to free speech and religious freedom. From July 2015 to May 2016 there were 14 warnings and 177 citations for skateboards on the sidewalks issued in the Waikiki district. The small rental vehicles with two (2) seats, no roof, and a flag mounted on the body are considered as mopeds and allowed to be operated on the public roadways.
• Drain Inlet: The drain inlet at Ala Moana Boulevard and Ena Road has been repaired and DFM is thankful to those who report the damage.
• Mopeds: It is illegal to park a moped on the sidewalk.
• Violation: DPP issued a Notice of Violation to the Makittii Restaurant property for litter.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Regulations: Shields asked what regulations are in place for pop-up kiosks and the pop-up garlic shrimp place on Liliuokalani Avenue. Resident M. Kealoha-Lindsey asked about rules on private roads. Resident Kathryn Henski was concerned about the increased vendors on Cartwright Road.
2. Enforcement: Moskowitz showed data of millions made by illegal peddlers with no enforcement.

Governor David Ige's Representative: Newsletters were available and Lynn Fallin reported the following:
• Food Truck: The Cuban food truck on Cartwright Road has a green Department of Health (DOH) placard.
• Newsletter: On the back of the newsletter were articles on clean energy and hiking trails.

Questions, comments, and concerns: Honey Bee: Chair Finley asked about the Honey Bee project; Fallin will follow up.

Representative Tom Brower: Representative Brower distributed a newsletter in which he referenced the effort to amend Senate Bill (SB) 2077 to minimize the economic hardship associated with layoffs due to the transfer of management and operations of the Maui Regional System.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: Homeless: Merz asked and Representative Brower affirmed that the homeless encampment at Ala Moana Boulevard and Atkinson Drive should be removed. Kealoha-Lindsey expressed concern and Representative Brower encouraged her and all homeless advocates to help him find solutions to the homeless issues.

Councilmember Trevor Ozawa: No representative was present and no report was available.

Senator Brickwood Galuteria: Raytan Vares circulated handouts and informed the community that the homeless encampment at Ala Moana Boulevard and Atkinson Drive was bad and upon his visit to the site his moped was stolen.

Waikiki Improvement Association (WIA): Rick Egged reported the following:
• Premiere: Sunset on the Beach will present the Hawaii Five-0 Premiere.
• Street Events: There is an ongoing effort to limit the street events in Waikiki by defining "public purpose."

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Sand: Smith asked and Egged responded that there are strict sand requirements by DOH and DLNR.
2. Kalia Project: Erteschik asked and Egged said that the zoning variance across the street from the project is 300 feet, which was considered more appropriate for the area.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The June 14, 2016 regular meeting minutes were ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT as amended, 15-0-0, (Aye: Anderson, Adams, Apaka, Benson, Carroll, Ciliano, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Geck, Merz, Nigro, Shields, Simpson, and Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None). The correction was to delete "by Segway and trike guides" from 3. Guides, on page two (2).

NEW BOARD BUSINESS
Pacific Beach Hotel Redevelopment Update: Rob Robinson was not available for an update.

Letter of Support for Alfred Apaka Stamp: Chair Finley shared that Alfred Apaka, Jeff Apaka's father, was a wonderful Ambassador of Aloha for all of Hawaii in the era following World War II and at the beginning of the airplane transportation that created the huge growth for the visitor industry. Chair Finley prepared a letter to that effect for the Board's approval to ask that Alfred Apaka's face be on the United States Stamp.

Erteschik moved for the Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9 to approve requesting Alfred Apaka's face on a United States stamp. Shields and Apaka seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a SHOW OF HANDS UNANIMOUSLY, 15-0-0, (Aye: Anderson, Adams, Apaka, Benson, Carroll, Ciliano, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Geck, Merz, Nigro, Shields, Simpson, and Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Candidates for House District 22 Introductions:
• Representative Tom Brower: He was honored and humbled to serve the Waikiki community where he was once an eight (8) year Board member and lived as a small kid, returning in 1983.
• Kathryn Henski: Henski moved to Hawaii in 1975 and ran for office in 1978 for Waikiki Council District 5. Henski is a Republican with experience with homeless as she ran a homeless shelter in Alaska. Henski believes politics should be taken out of the campaign and urges the community to let her represent them. Henski acknowledged the presence of her daughter Robin.
• Dennis Miller: Miller is a business owner at Beach Walk Massage Center for 15 years and is a Bernie Sanders supporter. Miller wants to raise the minimum wage to $18 an hour and help businesses to afford the pay, stating if people can afford housing, they would not be homeless. Miller referenced Colorado Care as a good idea and the single payer system.
• Nicola Perez-Garreaud: Perez-Garreaud is a 23 year old democrat, originally from Peru. Perez-Garreaud's grandfather was a career diplomat and when his grandfather passed, that is when Perez-Garreaud became interested in politics. Perez-Garreaud believes environment is the most important issue and is a big supporter of education and fixing the homeless problem.

REPORTS
Treasurer's Report: Shields reported a remaining balance of $160.29. The report was filed.

Subdistrict 1 Report: Merz shared that the Outrigger revised plan is available as well as the sustainability's report.

Subdistrict 2 Report: Flood reported there is a lack of restrooms in Waikiki which will get worse with the Fort DeRussy restrooms being closed. Chair Finley requested Flood compose a formal request for the issue that the Board could support.

Subdistrict 3 Report: No report. Chair Finley thanked Smith for his efforts on the Moped Bill.

Chair Report: Chair Finley reported there will be no abolishment of the Neighborhood Boards and thanked Benson for his work with the Aloha Drive Rotary Park project and the progress that is being made.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The next Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9 regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. at the Waikiki Community Center. The date of the November Board meeting will have to be moved, possibly to Tuesday, November 15, 2016.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.

Submitted by: Amanda Ehe, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Sharon Baillie, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed and finalized by: Robert Finley, Chair; Louis Erteschik, Vice Chair; Jo-Ann Adams, Secretary

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