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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, FEBRUARY 12, 2019
WAIKIKI COMMUNITY CENTER

CALL TO ORDER - Chair Robert Finley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.; quorum was established with 11 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, Robert Boyack, Helen Carroll (arrived 7:06 p.m.), Louis Erteschik, Robert Finley, Mark Garrity, Grant Giventer, Kathryn Henski, Jeffrey Merz (arrived 7:04 p.m.), John Nigro, Patricia Shields, Mark Smith, and Kenneth Wilder. 

Board Members Absent - Jerome Bautista, Brian Bagnall, Walt Flood, and Laura McIntyre (resigned)

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: 
• January 2019 Crime Statistics - There were 7 robberies, 23 burglaries, 148 thefts, 18 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV), 47 assaults, 4 sex crime, 29 bicycle and 75 skateboarding incidents, 12 speeding citations, 686 parking citations, 9 loud muffler citations, 87 park closure warnings, 73 park closure citations, 34 park closure arrests, and 3,981 total calls for service. Additional statistics are available online at www.honolulupd.org. 

Merz arrived at 7:04 p.m. 12 members present. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Speeding: Merz raised concerns with speeding cars turning on to Ala Wai Boulevard from Kapahulu Avenue.
2. Homeless: Henski thanked HPD for contacting her regarding the homeless woman at the Kuhio Avenue/Paoakalani Avenue bus stop. 
3. Noise: A community member raised concerns with the noise pollution in Waikiki and would like HPD to enforce loud noises more. 

Carroll arrived at 7:06 p.m. 13 members present. 

Board of Water Supply (BWS) - Dominic Dias reported the following: 
• Detect-a-Leak Week: Preserving and protecting our most essential resource, our water, is everyone's responsibility. BWS encourages all residents to check for property leaks and to fix them promptly during Detect-A-Leak Week which is being observed from Monday, March 18, 2019 to Sunday, March 24, 2019. Checking for and repairing property leaks helps save water, lowers your water bill, and prevents potential damage to your home. During Detect-A-Leak Week free toilet leak detection dye tablets will be available to the public during that week at the BWS Public Service Building at 630 South Beretania Street, at all Satellite City Halls, and City Mill locations. For more leak detection information visit www.boardofwatersurply.com or call 748-5041.
• Reminders: Deadline for the Water Conservation Week Poster and Poetry contests is Thursday, February 28, 2019. Student's grades kindergarten through I2 are invited to participate and submit a poster or poem expressing the contest theme, "Do Your Part Be Water Smart." For more information, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com/wcwcontests. Last year, after an extensive public outreach program, the BWS Board of Directors approved a new water rate schedule which will help BWS to gradually ramp up pipeline replacement and aims to significantly reduce main breaks. The rate increase will take effect on Monday, July 1, 2019. Full details on the new rate schedule is available at www.boardofwatersupply.com/waterrates.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - Water Leaks: Shields asked who to contact when there is a water leak on private or public property. Dias stated that they can try to find someone on-site such as the property manager or the public may contact BWS at any time and BWS will try to get in touch with the property and let them know.

RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS
• Planter Box: A community member gave an update regarding planter boxes. 
• Ala Wai Canal: A community member requested to be on the agenda next month to discuss the Ala Wai Canal project and provided an update to the board and public. 

PUBLIC EVENTS - Chair Finley noted that all events were submitted and awaiting City approval/denial.
a. Saturday, February 2, 2019, 2:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Lokahi Festival
b. Saturday, March 2, 2019, 2:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Oahu Festival
c. Sunday, March 10, 2019, 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Honolulu Festivals Parade
d. Sunday, March 17, 2019, 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., St Patrick's Day Parade
e. Saturday, March 23, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Prince Kuhio Parade

APPLICATIONS FOR LIQUOR LICENSES
a. Thursday, March 14, 2019, Shorefyre, Category 2, International Market Place

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHERS

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative - Mark Yonamine reported the following: 
• Follow Up on Concerns: 
o Ritz Carlton Lighting: Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) stated that the Building Division stated that measures have been taken to reduce the lighting illumination to the minimum required by the Building Code. Verification that the reduction in the illumination of both buildings' fire stairwells have been met without compromising safety concerns. There were no violations for this investigation.
o Queen Kapiolani Hotel: DPP stated that on Monday, January 18, 2019, an investigation by the DPP's Building Division revealed the hotel is still under construction under Building Permit No. 817574. The kitchen scrubber is installed according to the approved drawing. The screen to hide equipment has not yet been installed. There was no building code violation at the time of the investigation. Copies of the building permit and plans can be obtained by contacting our Data Access and Imaging Branch at 768-8277. Please note that there is a cost for reproduction. 
o Graffiti: DPP stated that a graffiti letter was sent to the property owner requesting removal of the graffiti. The building is secured, and there was no trash or broken windows observed on the day of inspection.
o Jersey Barriers: Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) stated that investigation of the ongoing construction on Hobron Lane/Lipeepee Street indicated that there are no DFM projects in the area. The jersey barriers surrounding the utility pole appears to be related to a Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) project. Please refer to Department of Transportation Services (DTS) for Street Usage permit that should have information on the HECO project that is allowing HECO to utilize jersey barriers and perform work in the City's street.
o Planter Boxes: DFM stated that Stored Property/Sidewalk Nuisance Ordinance enforcement team supports HPD with checking bus stops and other public areas in Waikiki twice a week. DTS Public Transit division that manages the bus shelters for the bus will be asked to consider improvements to the bus shelter to address homeless sleeping at their shelter. Experience with planter boxes have not always been positive. In most cases where high pedestrian traffic exists, the planters end up as alternate trash receptacles. For areas where City staff are not regularly assigned, the vegetation have died unless volunteers assist in regular watering and upkeep of the vegetation.
o Homeless: HPD stated that officers from the Community Outreach Unit are aware of the female and have offered services numerous times to which she has declined. The female has not been observed violating any criminal code for enforcement. Efforts will continue when outreach operations are conducted, and the community is encouraged to reach out to the area social service providers for additional assistance.
o Kuhio Beach Park: Department of Parks and Recreations (DPR) stated that closure hours of 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. are usually for park properties within residential areas. Kuhio Beach Park is in a commercial/resort zone area. However, the Neighborhood Board and other organizations or community members can always submit a letter to the Board of Parks and Recreation, DPR's advisory board, requesting a change of park closure hours. The letter can be addressed to the Board of Parks and Recreation, DPR, Kapolei Hale 1000, Uluohia Street, Suite 309, Kapolei, Hawaii 96707.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. HECO Project: Apaka asked when the next overnight maintenance is scheduled on Kaiolu Street. 
2. Parking: A community member raised concerns with the condominium on 1717 Ala Wai Boulevard constantly reserving public street parking. 
3. Telephone Poll: A community member raised concerns that with a defective street light on Kaiulani Avenue/Tusitala Street. 
4. Tour Company: Henski raised concerns with tour companies selling tour packages illegally along Cartwright Road. 

Governor David Ige's Representative - Scott Glen reported the following: 
• State of the State: In Governor Ige's State of the State address, he highlighted a new system of public preschool education, affordable leasehold condos on state lands, and adjusting the transient accommodation taxes to restore beaches and parks. 
• Small Boat Harbors: The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will be holding public hearings across the state from Saturdays, March 2, 2019 and March 9, 2019. The Oahu meeting will be on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Aiea Elementary School from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 
• Queen Kapiolani Hotel: The kitchen scrubber silencer is currently being shipped here and has been delayed until Friday, March 8, 2019. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - Queen Kapiolani Hotel: Henski and a community member raised concerns with the delay of the kitchen scrubber silencer.

Councilmember Mike Formby - Councilmember Formby reported the following: 
• Council District Four (4): Councilmember Formby will be representing district four (4) pending the special election. 
• Bills Update: A handout was provided to the Board and public with a legislative update on current Bills.
• Vehicle Registration Kiosks: The City has launched a new method for the public to register their vehicles at kiosks. 
• Ala Wai Boat Harbor: Councilmember Formby recently provided testimony to DLNR to add two (2) surveillance cameras at the Ala Wai Small Board Harbor. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed ??? Illegal Vacation Rentals: A community member raised concerns with illegal vacation rentals in Waikiki. 

House Representative Tom Brower - Representative Brower reported the following:
• Housing Bills Advance: As Chair of the Housing Committee, Representative Brower has passed various measures to expand housing opportunities in Hawaii including House Bill (HB) 817, HB 649, HB 1244, and HB 1142.
• Security Cameras at Ala Wai Boat Harbor: Last week, Representative Brower submitted a letter of support for the City's installation of two (2) surveillance cameras in the harbor parking lot, which would be monitored by HPD. Over the years, Representative Brower's office has received numerous complaints unauthorized people loitering, selling abusing drugs, living in their vehicles or in makeshift dwellings in common areas, vandalizing property, and operating a "chop shop", among other public safety concerns. As most of this activity occurs outside normal business hours, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) enforcement officers have not been available to address them. Representative Brower believe that the cameras would increase the safety and wellbeing of harbor liveaboards, recreational users, and the surrounding businesses and residences.
• Neighborhood Concerns: An update was provided to the Board and public regarding illegal dumping, illegal vacation rentals, and BIKI stations. 

Senator Sharon Moriwaki - Senator Moriwaki reported the following: 
• Kupuna Caucus: Senator Moriwaki was appointed Senate co-covernor of the Kupuna Caucus to lead the group of legislators and community stakeholders alongside House covernor Representative Greg Takayama. The Legislature's Kupuna Caucus is proposing a package of 10 Bills to assist with Hawaii's senior community, which is the most rapidly growing segment of the state's population. 
• Rent Supplement Program: An update was given regarding the Rent Supplement Program to help Hawaii families pay a portion of their monthly rent. 
• Other Updates: An update was given regarding unlicensed sale of alcohol and the three (3) offenses in Waikiki Bill. Also the request to increase the height limit of condos in Hawaii is dead. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - Ala Wai Canal: Merz and a community member raised concerns with the risk of flooding with the Ala Wai Canal. 

Waikiki Improvement Association (WIA) - Rick Egged reported the following: 
• Waikiki Improvements: An update was given on improvement projects in Waikiki between the WIA and State agencies including the Waikiki Beach master plan. 
• Vacation Rentals: There are currently around 700 legal vacation rentals in Waikiki. 

Apaka departed at 8:30 p.m. 12 members present.

Congressman Ed Case - Asami Kobayashi reported the following: 
• District Office: Staff from Congressman Ed Case's office have been attending all Neighborhood Boards and will be reporting to the Boards on a quarterly basis. The district office is located in Downtown Honolulu and handles constituent issues including social security, Medicare, Medicaid, and veteran benefits. 
• Updates: Congressman Case was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee. The government shut down ended Friday, January 25, 2019. 

APPROVAL OF THE TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
As there were no objections, the Tuesday, January 8, 2019 regular meeting minutes were approved by Unanimous Consent, 12-0-0. (Aye: Bautista, Boyack, Carrol, Erteschik, Finley, Garrity, Giventer, Henski, Merz, Shields, Smith, Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

NEW BOARD BUSINESS

Princess Kaiulani Hotel Project Update - Representatives from Kyoya provided an update to the Board and public on their project. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Parking: Henski raised concerns with where employees will park during operating hours. The representative stated the employees currently have on-site parking. During construction, they will be looking into off-site parking at other locations such as International Market Place, Kapiolani Community College, or Jefferson Elementary.
2. Construction: Smith raised concerns with how construction vehicles will access the work site. A community member raised concerns with the noise that will be made during construction. The representative stated that they will be following all noise ordinances to ensure the neighboring residents are not affected. A community member asked if the hotel will remain open. The representative stated that the hotel will be closed during the duration of the project. 
3. Traffic: A community member raised concerns with the potential traffic problem that this may cause. 

Garrity departed at 9:20 p.m. 11 members present.

Henski moved and Merz seconded that the Waikiki Neighborhood Board No.9 support the updated Princess Kaiulani Hotel project. The motion was supported by Unanimous Consent, 11-0-0. (Aye: Bautista, Boyack, Carrol, Erteschik, Finley, Giventer, Henski, Merz, Shields, Smith, Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Oliver McMillan Apartment Building Update ??? Chair Finley stated that the Oliver McMillan project has been updated to include more sidewalk space and dates for the project to proceed. On May 31, 2019, Food Pantry is scheduled to close and on July 1, 2019, the demolition of the property is scheduled to start. All large vehicles will enter from Wailana and exit on Kaiulani. This will reduce back up beeper noises. The walk up buildings on Kaiulani will be renovated at the same time. 

Legislative Update - Erteschik provided the Board with a handout of current legislative Bills. This item was deferred to the next meeting. 

REPORTS

Treasurers Report - The Board retains a balance of $164.03.

Sub-District Reports - Updates were given on sub-districts 1, 2, and 3. 

Chair's Report - Chair Finley stated that the Honolulu Hazard Mitigation Workshop will take place on Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Baisdell Center Hawaii Suites. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
• The next Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9 meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 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: Jackson Coley, Public Relations
Final Review: Chair Robert Finley

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