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With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office
WAIKIKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO.9
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019
WAIKIKI COMMUNITY CENTER

CALL TO ORDER - Chair Robert Finley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.; quorum was established with 15 members present. Note: This 17-member Board requires nine (9) members to establish quorum and to take official board action. 

Board Members Present - Jeff Apaka, Brian Bagnall (appointed), Jerome Bautista, Robert Boyack, Helen Carrol, Louis Erteschik, Robert Finley, Walt Flood, Mark Garrity, Grant Giventer, Kathryn Henski, Jeffrey Merz, John Nigro, Patricia Shields, Mark Smith, and Kenneth Wilder. 

Board Members Absent - Laura McIntyre.

Guests - Police Lieutenant (Honolulu Police Department); Captain Lee Marquez (Honolulu Fire Department); Mark Yonamine (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative); Scott Glenn (Governor David Ige's Representative); Kenny Amazaki (Councilmember Ozawa's Office); Senator Sharon Moriwaki and Charles Izumoto (Senator Moriwaki's Office); Representative Tom Brower; Steve Thompson, Sue Thompson, Brian Bagnall, Lisa Bishop, Ralph Bishop, Chelsie Arashiro, Craig Henderson, Scott Riga (Community Members); and Harry Cho (Neighborhood Commission Office). (Name was not included if not legible on the attendance sheet)

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) - Sergeant King reported the following: 
• December 2018 Crime Statistics - There were 8 robberies, 18 burglaries, 161 thefts, 24 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV), 42 assaults, 1 sex crime, 8 bicycle and 7 incidents, 3 speeding citations, 633 parking citations, 2 loud muffler citations, 229 park closure warnings, 71 park closure citations, 23 park closure arrests, and 4,065 total calls for service. Additional statistics are available online at www.honolulupd.org. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Security: Flood raised concerns with the property with Oahu Mexican Grill not locking the entrances to the building. 
2. Driving and Pedestrian Safety: Smith raised concerns with motorists speeding onto Ala Wai Boulevard from Kapahulu Avenue. Request to enforce speeding in the area. Garrity raised concerns with motorists not stopping before turning at a red light. Henski raised concerns with tourists not crossing at marked crosswalks. Carroll raised concerns with skateboarders riding on sidewalks and on the street in Waikiki when skateboarding is illegal in Waikiki. 
3. Homeless: Merz and Henski again raised concerns with the homeless female at the Kuhio Avenue/Paoakalani Avenue bus stop. She has been there for over a year requested that HPD to remove her from the area. A community member requested placing planter boxes around the bus stop to prevent people from sleeping there. 

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - Captain Marquez reported the following:
• December 2018 Fire Statistics - There was 1 structure fire, 1 wild land/brush fire, 2 nuisance fires, 9 activated alarms with no fire, 116 medical emergencies, 1 motor vehicle collision with a pedestrian, 2 motor vehicle crash/collisions, and 2 hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incidents. 
• Fire Safety Tip - Electrical Safety: Plug one (1) heat producing appliance into a wall receptacle outlet at a time. Major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Extension cords and power taps or strips should not be used. Check cords to ensure they are not running across doorways or under carpets. Extensions cords are intended for temporary use. Have a licensed electrician install additional receptacle outlets so you do not have to use extension cords. Ensure that electrical work is performed by a licensed electrician. 
Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. HAZMAT Incident: Smith asked about the HAZMAT incidents. Captain Marquez stated that even with minor incidents, HAZMAT procedures may be followed for precautionary reasons. There have been no major incidents recently in Waikiki. 
2. Kitchen Fires: Flood asked how many fires are started in the kitchen. Captain Marquez stated that the majority of fires begin in the kitchen. However, fires may be caused by a dryer as well. 

THREE (3) ABSENCES OF LAURA MCINTYRE - No action was taken. 

FILLING OF VACANCY - There is one (1) vacancy in Sub district 2. There was one volunteer to fill the vacancy. Brian Bagnall introduced himself to the Board and public. 

Merz nominated Brian Bagnall to be elected to the Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9. Bagnall was voted on the Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9 by Unanimous Consent, 15-0-0. (Aye: Apaka, Bautista, Boyack, Carrol, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Garrity, Giventer, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Shields, Smith, Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Bagnall was appointed at 7:34 p.m. 16 members present.

RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS
• City Council: A community member raised concerns with the City Council only operating with eight (8) members. 
• Neighborhood Boards: A Diamond Head Neighborhood Board member suggested multiple Boards working together to address recurring issues that affect multiple Board districts. 

PUBLIC EVENTS - Chair Finley noted that all events were submitted and awaiting City approval/denial.
a. Monday, January 21, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

APPLICATIONS FOR LIQUOR LICENSES
a. Thursday, January 24, 2019, 
Waikiki Yokocho, 2250 Kalakaua Avenue
Billow Hawaii (Kushikatsu Tanaka) Cat 2
Baikohken Hawaii, Cat 2
Shark Hawaii, Cat 2 

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHERS

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative - Mark Yonamine reported the following: 
• Follow Up on Concerns: 
o Ritz Carlton Lights: Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) stated that the Land Use Ordinance regulates exterior lighting in Waikiki while the International Building Code requires light levels for stairways used as means of egress. The lighting level in the exit stairwells are set at the minimum lighting levels, as required by building code. Motion sensors have been installed at each floor to increase lighting level to full illumination when someone enters the exit stairwells and remain at full illumination for approximately 5 to 15 minutes. During the event of a fire, the lights will remain at full illumination for at least an hour. There may be instances where hotel personnel may be utilizing the exit stairwells to access other floors in the towers and may be keeping the lighting at full illumination for a period of time. 
o Queen Kapiolani Hotel Scrubber: DPP stated that the Queen Kapiolani Hotel is an 18-story hotel located in the Resort Mixed Use Precinct of the Waikiki Special District. The existing pool deck, bar and restaurant are located on the fourth floor. The Land Use Ordinance does not regulate the location of the kitchen scrubber. We have verified that Building Permit No. 817574 documents show a scrubber on the fourth floor lower roof, which was also approved by the Department of Health.
o Biki Station: Department of Transportation Services stated that DTS records show that Cartwright Road is a private roadway and is not under the City and County of Honolulu's jurisdiction. As such, DTS did not approve any street usage permits for Biki along this roadway.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Queen Kapiolani Hotel Scrubber: Henski and Erteschik raised concerns that the kitchen scrubber was not designed to be on the fourth floor in the initial permit and blueprint. The Board requested for a copy of their initial permit/design. 
2. Ritz Carlton Lighting: Erteschik again raised concerns that the lights are too bright and affects the neighboring residents. If it is a fire exit, the stairway should not be in use unless there is an emergency. Even when the lights are at the minimum levels, they are still negatively affecting the neighboring residents. 
3. Jersey Barriers: Merz asked what the status of the construction on Hobron Lane/Lipeepiee Street is. There are jersey barriers surrounding a utility pole.
4. Graffiti: Merz raised concerns with a complex at 1615 Ala Wai Boulevard with graffiti, broken windows, trash, and being an "eye sore" to the community. He asked what can be done to enforce/improve the quality of the building. 

Governor David Ige's Representative - Scott Glen reported the following: 
• State Legislature: Opening day for the 2019 session is Wednesday, January 16, 2019. Governor Ige will give his State of the State address on Tuesday, January 27, 2019 at the State Capitol. 
• Capitol Connections: This month's Capitol Connections was distributed to the Board and public. The homeless count went down for the second year in a row. It decreased by almost 10% statewide from 7,220 in 2-17 to 6,530 in 2018. The Point in Time Count will take place on soon and the public may learn more at www.partnersincareoahu.org. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Queen Kapiolani Hotel Scrubber: Henski again raised concerns with the noise of the kitchen scrubber and it remaining on after the scheduled shut-off time and being turned on before the scheduled turn-on time. 
2. Kuhio Beach Park: Flood raised concerns with the continued drug and crime activity at Kuhio Beach Park and requested that it be shut down from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. 
3. Issues in Waikiki: Garrity raised concerns with the multiple ongoing issues in Waikiki and stated that the community must work together. 

Councilmember Trevor Ozawa - Kenny Amazaki reported that Councilmember Ozawa's office is still working and was available for any questions. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - Ainahau Vista II: Henski raised concerns with a tenant who was recently evicted and asked for Councilmember Ozawa's support. 

Apaka departed at 8:08 p.m. 15 members present.

Senator Sharon Moriwaki - Senator Moriwaki reported the following: 
• Legislative Session: With the upcoming session beginning on Wednesday, January 16, 2019, Senator Moriwaki has been looking into Bills to provide more affordable housing, and to provide more kupuna care. If the public has any ideas for bills or resolutions they are welcome to contact Senator Moriwaki. Senator Moriwaki sits on three (3) committees including Housing, Technology, and Ways and Means. The Waikiki Community Newsletter was distributed to the Board and public. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Ala Wai Pedestrian Bridge: Smith raised concerns that people will use Segways and other modes of transportation on the proposed Ala Wai pedestrian bridge.
2. Homeless: Henski raised concerns with the homelessness. A community member raised concerns with the high cost of living in Hawaii and the difficulty with accessing affordable housing. 

House Representative Tom Brower - Representative Brower reported the following:
• Legislative Session: The Bill introduction cutoff is Thursday, January 24, 2019. For this session, Representative Brower is considering introducing bills for private road maintenance, universal helmet law, emergency vehicle noise, regulating AirBnbs, and others. A handout was distributed to the Board and public which included information on Neighborhood Concerns, the Kalakaua Avenue road concerns, Biki bicycles are Kapiolani Park, and condo disputes. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Misdemeanor Laws: Chair Finley asked for another constituent if there can be legislation to prohibit those with multiple misdemeanor charges from entering Waikiki, especially pan-handlers. 
2. Bicycle Racks: A community member asked if public bicycle racks are being removed to install Biki stations. She noticed that the number of bicycle racks are decreasing. 
3. Vacation Rentals: A community member raised concerns with the increase in illegal vacation rentals. 

APPROVAL OF THE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
As there were no objections, the Tuesday, November 13, 2018 regular meeting minutes were approved by Unanimous Consent, 15-0-0. (Aye: Apaka, Bautista, Boyack, Carrol, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Garrity, Giventer, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Shields, Smith, Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Henski departed at 8:45 p.m. 14 members present.

NEW BOARD BUSINESS

Livability in Waikiki - Brian Bagnall and Ralph Bishop reported the following: 
• Noise Pollution: Noise pollution is human-created sound that has the effect of being annoying, distracting, painful, or physically harmful. People continuously exposed to noise experience elevated stress levels, mood swings, lost sleep, diminished productivity, hypertension, depression, and hearing loss. In children, it results in slowed learning. 
• World Health Organization (WHO): WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) published a report titled, Guidelines for Community Noise that addressed noise pollution as having profound public health implications. The report found that noise pollution causes direct and cumulative adverse health effects by degrading residential, social, working, and learning environments. The report was intended to provide guidance to environmental health authorities to protect society from the harmful effects of urban noise pollution. The WHO documented seven (7) categories of adverse health effects of noise pollution on humans including hearing impairment, interference with spoken communication, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular disturbances, disturbances in mental health, impaired task performance, and negative social behavior and annoyance reactions. A handout was distributed to the Board and public with more information on noise pollution. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Board Action: A member from the Diamond Head Neighborhood Board stated that if all the Neighborhood Boards work together, noise enforcement can be implemented.
2. Noise: A community member stated that she noticed other areas around the island being quieter and raised concerns that noise is very prevalent in Waikiki. 

Community Benefits from Hilton Timeshare - The Board has a discussion on community benefits from Hilton Timeshare.

Bagnall departed at 9:05 p.m. 13 members present. 

REPORTS

Treasurers Report - The Board retains a balance of $260.95.

Sub-District Reports - Merz, Flood, and Smith gave updates on sub-districts 1, 2, and 3. 

Chair's Report - Chair Finley stated that this year is shaping up to be busy. The legislature is opening next week so if there are bills that the public would like to support or oppose, let Louis Erteschik know so they can be placed on the agenda. There are three (3) major Waikiki construction projects that should happen this year, the 133 Kaiulani (King's Village) project that the Board supported will be on the agenda next month for project updates, the apartment building on Kuhio (Food Pantry) will soon begin, and the long delayed Princess Kaiulani renovations will probably begin mid-year. Chair Finley plans to work with Rick Egged on revisions to the street usage and will ask Jeff Merz to represent the Waikiki Neighborhood Board when the WIA begins plans to revise the Waikiki Special District Plan. Ongoing is the Board's participation in several Waikiki Special District planning. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
• The next Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9 meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
• View this meeting on Olelo Channel 49 at 9:00 p.m. on the 4th Tuesday each month, and at 6:00 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. View online at: http://olelo.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=30

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m.

Submitted by: Harry Cho, Neighborhood Assistant 
Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Public Relations
Final Review: Chair Robert Finley

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