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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, APRIL 9, 2019
WAIKIKI COMMUNITY CENTER

CALL TO ORDER - Chair Robert Finley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A quorum was established with 14 members present. Note: This 17-member Board requires nine (9) members to establish quorum and to take official board action. 

Board Members Present - Robert Finley, Jeff Apaka, Brian Bagnall, Jerome Bautista, Robert Boyack, Helen Carroll (arrived at 7:05 p.m.), Louis Erteschik, Walt Flood, Mark Garrity, Grant Giventer, Kathryn Henski, Jeffrey Merz, John Nigro, Patricia Shields, Kenneth Wilder, and Jordan Ford (appointed). 

Board Members Absent - Mark Smith.

Guests - Adam Doo (Councilmember Mike Formby's Office); Ladder 7 (Honolulu Fire Department-HFD); Dominic Dias (Board of Water Supply); Rick Egged (Waikiki Improvement Association); Senator Sharon Moriwaki; Renette Carpio and Jennifer Batara (Aqua-Aston Hotel); Chelsie Arashiro (Milwood Ohana Productions); Bill Brizee and Denise Boisvert (Architects Hawaii Limited); Jennifer Tucker (Queens Medical Center); Peggy Warner, Rick Wagner, Yuri, Midori, Sybil Stevenson, Rommel Marcelino, Franklin Chung, Dave Moskowitz, Kendra Blaws and Tommy Waters (Residents); Harry Cho and Casey Ishitani (Neighborhood Commission Office). Name was not included if not legible on the attendance sheet.

Carroll arrived at 7:05 p.m. 15 members present.

FILLING OF VACANCY - There is one (1) vacancy in Sub District One (1). Garrity nominated resident Jordan Ford.

Henski MOVED and Shields SECONDED to appoint Ford to the Board. Discussion followed. The Motion PASSED by unanimous consent 15-0-0 (Aye: Finley, Apaka, Bagnall, Bautista, Boyack, Carroll, Estischik, Flood, Garrity, Giventer, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Shields, and Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - Lieutenant Jacob Brower reported the following:
• March 2019 Statistics: There were no structure fires, one (1) nuisance fire, and nine (9) activated alarms, 145 medical emergencies, four (4) motor vehicle collisions with pedestrian, three (3) motor vehicle crash/collisions, no mountain rescues, no ocean rescues and one (1) hazardous material incidents.
• Fire Safety Tip for March 2019: Escape Planning: 
o General Information: Lieutenant Brower emphasized the importance of escape plans in case of an emergency. Residents may have only a few minutes to get our safely one a smoke alarm sounds.
o Making An Escape Plan: Lieutenant Brower gave tips on how to make a home escape plan, including knowing at least two ways out of every room, having an outside meeting place, practicing your home fire drill twice a year during both day and night, teaching children how to escape on their own, and closing doors behind oneself.
o Smoke Alarm: Lieutenant Brower added that if a smoke alarm sounds, residents should get out and stay out - never go back inside for people or pets, stay low and under smoke to escape and call 911 from outside the residence. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Arson: Flood inquired about penalties for arson. Lieutenant Brower responded that issue is a police matter.
2. Older Buildings: Shields inquired about residents out of older buildings in an emergency. Lieutenant Brower responded that residents can inform neighbors about facilitated escape plans as well as checking with building managers regarding their escape plans.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) - HPD Lieutenant Chi Hun So reported the following: 
• March 2019 Crime Statistics: There were 11 robberies, 16 burglaries, 205 thefts, 32 unlawful entries of motion vehicle (UEMV), 40 assaults, no sex crimes, 28 citations for biking on the sidewalk, 17 citations for skating on the sidewalk, 68 speeding citations, 565 parking violations, four (4) loud muffler citations, 56 park closure warnings, 71 park closure citations and 16 park closure arrests. Total calls for HPD service were 3,962. Additional statistics are available online at www.honolulupd.org. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Assaults: The Board inquired about the number of assaults doubling. Lieutenant So responded that www.honolulupd.org has a system available to monitor the crime statistics in Waikiki.
2. Speeding: The Board inquired about the increase in speeding citations. Lieutenant So responded that the increase is a situational statistic.
3. Unintended Death: Henski inquired about an unintended death. Lieutenant So responded that there are no current reports with HPD.
4. Theft: The Board raised a concern regarding car and home theft. Lieutenant So encouraged residents to always lock their doors.
5. Residentially Challenged Individuals: Merz raised concerns about residentially challenged individuals occupying a bus stop on Paoakalani Street and Kuhio Avenue. Henski added that the individuals litter around the area. A resident inquired about HPD enforcing the sit-lie ordinance. Lieutenant So responded that HPD attempts to verbally persuade individuals to move to shelters.
6. Inquiries Regarding Officer Service: A resident raised concerns about an HPD officer being helpful during a trespassing call, but requiring the resident to produce her own forms. Lieutenant So responded that any concerns regarding HPD officer service can be brought up to their supervisor.

• 2019 Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run: Special Olympics Director of Development Tracey Bender announced that the Final Leg of the Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run will take place on Friday, May 24, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The event will start at Fort DeRussy, go through Waikiki and end at the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics in Les Murakami Stadium at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The Torch Run will feature approximately 800 law enforcement officers. Lane closures will be announced and roads will be re-opened as the runners pass.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) - Dominic Dias reported the following: 
• Main Breaks: There was a main break on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 2244 Kalakua Avenue. 
• Public Outreach Events: Dias reported that BWS employees will be participating in several public events to meet with residents to discuss water conservation, water emergency preparedness, and share valuable information with customers. Events include:
o Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo at the Honolulu Aquarium on Saturday, April 20, 2019.
o Ellison Onizuka Day of Exploration at Neal Blaisdell Center on Saturday, April 27, 2019.
o Eastside Disaster Preparedness Fair at Kahala Mall on Saturday, May 11, 2019.
o Mililani Emergency Preparedness Fair at Mililani Town Center on Saturday, May 11, 2019.
o Windward Coast Emergency Preparedness Fair at Windward Mall on Saturday, May 11, 2019.
o Hawaii Hotel and Restaurant Show at the Hawaii Convention Center from Wednesday, May 29, 2019 to Thursday, May 30, 2019.
• Additional Information: Dias reported that BWS also offers facility tours, xeriscape workshops, and guest speakers for schools and community organizations. For more information, email tours@hbws.org or call 748-5041. Three (3) weeks' notice is required for booking. More information can be found at www.boardofwatersupply.com .

Questions, comments and concerns followed: Construction Update: Merz requested an update on BWS construction on Kalakaua Avenue. Dias responded that proposed designs are currently pending and BWS would get back to the Board regarding projects on Kalakaua Avenue. 

RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS
• Candidate: Resident Tae Kim announced that he is running for Prosecuting Attorney.
• Former Wailana Coffee House Site: A resident raised concerns regarding the repurposing of the former Wailana Coffee House space.

PUBLIC EVENTS: Chair Finley read the following public events:
• Hapalua Honolulu Half Marathon, Sunday, April 14, 2019 from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• Salute to Youth Parade, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30p.m.
• Spring Street Jam, Saturday, April 20, 2019 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Waikiki Spam Jam, Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 1:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
• Leahi Festival, Saturday, May 2, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
• Honolulu Triathlon (Ala Moana Area), Sunday, May 12, 2019 from 3:45 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
• 41st Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 6:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run, Friday, May 24, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Memorial Day Parade, Saturday, May 25, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Shinnyo-En Lantern Floating Ceremony (Ala Moana Park), Monday starting at 6:30 p.m.
• 45th Annual Pan-Pacific Matruri Hoolaulea, Friday, June 7, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
• 45th Annual Pan-Pacific Matsuri Parade, June 9, 2019 from 4:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

APPLICATIONS FOR LIQUOR LICENSES
• Jungle Bar: Category No. 2, Thursday, May 2, 2019. 
• Rock Island LLC: Category No. 1, Thursday, May 9, 2019.

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHERS
Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative - Mark Yonamine reported the following:
• Waikiki Sidewalk Improvement Project: Haron Construction is contracted to work on irrigation and landscape improvements at the Outrigger Hotel and Foster Tower. Sidewalk improvements fronting Aston Resorts, Park Shore Hotel, `Alohilani Resort and Macy's will follow with an anticipated completion by late 2019.
• Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Light Project: As of Sunday, March 17, 2019, over 44,500 or 84% of total street lights have been converted to LED. Approximately 900 lights were converted to LED in the Waikiki area. The replacement of the decorative street lights along Kalakaua Avenue, Kuhio Avenue and Ala Wai Boulevard will begin within three (3) weeks from Tuesday, April 9, 2019, with an anticipated completion by the end of June 2019. More information can be found at www.myoahustreetlight.com .
• Proposed Park: Yonamine responded to a Board inquiry that Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is not aware of any future park development on the private property on Liliuokalani Avenue and Tusitala Street.
• Food Vendors: Yonamine responded to a Board inquiry regarding food carts on the private road Cartwright Road. HPD reported that the food carts have the proper permits and permission to operate. The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) found that vehicular access was not restricted on Cartwright Road.
• Kaiulani Street Light: Yonamine reported that repairs to a wooded pole on Kaiulani Street will be completed no later than Monday, April 8, 2019.
• Trash Pickup: A Refuse Inspector from the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Environmental Services (ENV), Refuse Division, inspected 420 Olohana Street on Thursday, March 21, 2019, and issued a citation to the property owner for violating the City's bulky item rules. Refuse Inspectors will continue to monitor this area for compliance. For future questions or concerns, the City's Refuse Inspection Office number is (808) 768-5220.
• Wall Removal: Regarding the Board's request to remove the wall adjacent to the bus stop at Kuhio Avenue and Paoakalani Avenue, the Department of Facility Management (DFM) found that the wall retains soil in the planter behind the bus stop and mitigates runoff. DTS is researching the owner of the property that the wall sits on and will report back to the Board.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Wall Removal: Henksi inquired if the City and County of Honolulu can make the wall impossible to sit on as HPD has been ineffective at mitigating the issues with residentially challenged individuals occupying the wall space. Yonamine responded that he will get back to the Board.
2. LED Street Lights: Bagnall raised concerns about the glare from the LED street lights.
3. Sidewalk Construction: Giventer inquired about status of construction. Yonamine responded that the contractor is currently behind schedule but working on multiple locations.
4. Mental Health: Shields inquired if Mayor Caldwell has considered a comprehensive mental health program for the residentially challenged. Yonamine responded that he can ask Executive Director of Housing Marc Alexander to meet with the Board. Chair Finley responded that he will add Alexander to the Agenda for the next Board meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. Boyack added that Lieutenant Governor Josh Green has proposed a program to provide mental health care to the residentially challenged. 
5. Lights Along Ala Wai: Resident Moskowitz inquired about the status of LED light replacement along the Ala Wai Canal. Yonamine responded that DPR will need to respond that inquiry.

Ford departed at 8:00 p.m.

Bulky Item Pick-Up Pilot Program: Lori Kahikina from ENV reported the following:
??? Pilot Program: ENV will be implementing a six (6) month pilot program to help improve the bulky item pick-up for single family units, starting in June 2019. Commercial and residential addresses will not be included in the pilot program. Residents will be able to schedule a pick-up of bulky items by going to www.opala.org or calling (808) 768-3200 with an address, specificity of item and the item's dimensions.
• Current System: The current pick-up system covers only a three (3) to four (4) day period every month with degrading vehicles, in spite of an 80% increase in solid bulky item waste.
• Citations: Kahikina reported that citations will be handed out for residents who practice excessive dumping.

Questions, comments, concerns followed: 
1. Resident Diligence: The Board raised concerns about Waikiki residents not following current pick-up procedures. Kahikina responded that the new plan is replacing a pick-up plan that has not produced positive results. 
2. Citations: A resident raised concerns about citations and fees being paid to property owners for items dropped off from other individuals. Kahikina responded that residents are already being cited and fined for excessive dumping. 

Governor David Ige's Representative: Scott Glenn reported the following from Governor Ige's newsletter:
• Housing First: Glenn referred to Boyack's earlier statement regarding Lieutenant Governor Green's work with Scott Morishige on a Housing First initiative for the chronically homeless.
• Ala Wai Boat Harbor: Glenn mentioned that Governor Ige has taken the Waikiki community's concerns about the changes in leases at Ala Wai Boat Harbor.
• Tax Deadline: Glenn reminded the community that the deadline to file taxes is Monday, April 22, 2019.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Housing First: Shields inquired if the Housing First initiative offers on-the-job-training. Glenn responded that he believes so.
2. Ala Wai Boat Harbor: Chair Finley raised concerns regarding the conclusions gathered by the State on the Ala Wai Boat Harbor, citing pages of conflicts and a need for a comprehensive request for proposal.

City Councilmember Michael Formby: Councilmember Formby reported the following:
• Bill 3 (2019) - Relating to Real Property Tax: Bill reported out of committee for passage on third reading, Wednesday, February 27, 2019. Bill re-referred to committee on Budget, Friday, March 8, 2019. Bill reported out of committee for passage on third reading, Wednesday, April 3, 2019.
• Bill 8 (2019) - Relating to Parades and Activities on Streets: Bill reported out of committee for passage on second reading and scheduling of a public hearing as amended in Conference Draft (CD) 1 form on Tuesday, March 19, 2019.
• Bill 77 (2019) - Relating to Public Transit: Bill was amended to CD1 and postponed in advisory committee on Wednesday, February 6, 2019.

Questions, comments, concerns followed:
1. Bill 77: Shields inquired about the postponement of Bill 77. Councilmember Formby responded that the postponement is due to the Honolulu City Council having disparate input.
2. Vacation Rentals: A resident inquired about vacation rentals causing rental spikes in Waikiki. Councilmember Formby responded that he would be willing to speak to the Board after the meeting.

State Senator Sharon Moriwaki: Senator Moriwaki reported the following:
• House Bills: Senator Moriwaki reported that the reading and conference of House Bills has reached the halfway mark. Senator Moriwaki emphasized that Bills include affordable housing and senior issues.
??? Ala Wai Watershed: The funding Bill for the Ala Wai Watershed was stalled due to lack of a sponsor.
• House Bill (HB) 765: HB 765 was proposed to update current State plans to rising sea levels is currently being amended due to House and Senate disagreements.

State House Representative Tom Brower: Representative Brower was not present.

Waikiki Improvement Association: Rick Egged reported the following:
• Hapalua Half Marathon: Scheduled for Sunday, April 14, 2019 from 4:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
• Sunset on the Beach: Schedules for Saturday, May 11, 2019.
• Vacation Rentals: Egged referred to the Council on Bills regarding vacation bills being a high priority. Egged cited reports that of the 4,000 known vacation rentals, 700 are legal.

Questions, comments and concerns followed: Vacation Rentals: Erteschik inquired if the demand for transient vacation rentals was a result of exorbitant hotel room prices. Egged responded that transient vacation rentals do not employ local workforce nor do they stimulate economy, on top of a large number being illegal. Egged also raised that hotel room prices fluctuate with the demands of market.

APPROVAL OF THE TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2019 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
• Henski raised that she was not the Board member in the following passage on Page 2: "Board member Henski shared a recent incident that she saw EMS personnel making a patient walk downstairs during a call and wondered if that was the normal procedure. Henski noted that this woman was in bad shape." Henski requested that mentions of "Henski" in the passage be changed to "Board member." 
• Merz also raised that his name was misspelled on Page 7 in the following passage: "Mertz also noted that this project could provide more public parking if HGV does not require owners to purchase a parking stall." Merz requested that all mentions of "Mertz" be changed to "Merz".

Hearing no objection, the Tuesday, March 12, 2019 regular meeting minutes were approved as amended by Unanimous Consent, 15-0-0 (Aye: Finley, Apaka, Bagnall, Bautista, Boyack, Carroll, Ertischik, Flood, Garrity, Giventer, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Shields and Kenneth Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

NEW BOARD BUSINESS
Ala Wai Watershed Project Update: Julius Fischer handed out a newsletter and reported the following on Hawaii Green Growth (HGG):
• Project Details: HGG is a United Nations Local2030 hub that brings together diverse stakeholders committed to economic, social and environmental priorities. It looks to advance HawaiÔi's statewide Aloha+ Challenge sustainability and climate goals; open-data impact Dashboard with agreed indicators; joint policy priorities, innovative financing, and resilient infrastructure solutions
• Ala Wai Watershed Collaboration: The Ala Wai Watershed Collaboration is a network of government, business, and community partners committed to a more resilient and prosperous Ala Wai Watershed.
• Upcoming Events: Fischer informed the Board of the following upcoming events - Malama Ala Wai Community Fair on Friday, April 19, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Mamala Aloha `Aina stream cleanup on Saturday, April 20, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Questions, comments, concerns followed:
1. Status of Funding: Erteschik inquired about the status of the Federal funding the Ala Wai Watershed Project. Fischer responded that 345 million dollars has been approved but the project requires a sponsor to move forward.
2. Retention Ponds: Henski requested clarity on the identity of government entity responsible for the Ala Wai Watershed retention ponds, citing possible dangers posed with standing water.
3. Ala Wai Watershed: Bagnall expressed concerns about the structural integrity, aesthetics, and logistics of the Ala Wai Watershed Project.

Bagnall Moved and Erteschik Seconded to pass a Resolution to put a hold on the Ala Wai Watershed Project. 

Board Discussion: Several Board members raised a concern that they have not perused the Resolution enough to vote on it. Chair Finley inquired if the Board would consider Tabling the Motion to Pass the Resolution at the Waikiki Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 2019.

Erteschik Moved and Henski Seconded to Table the Motion to Pass the Resolution. The Motion to Table the Motion to Pass the Resolution Passed by unanimous consent, 15-0-0 (Aye: Finley, Apaka, Bagnall, Bautista, Boyack, Carroll, Estischik, Flood, Garrity, Giventer, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Shields, and Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None). As the Motion to Pass the Resolution was Seconded, it is still pending a Vote by the Board.

Rotary Park Update: Bill Brizee reported the following:
• Centennial Park: The Centennial Park was proposed to occupy an empty lot in Central Waikiki, across Manukai Street from Royal Kuhio.
• Current Uses: The empty lot has been used by Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) as a switching station.

Questions, comments, concerns followed: Rotary Club Plans: Henski raised concerns regarding a change in Rotary Club plans, as she serves on the Rotary Club. Further concern was raised regarding park usage.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
• The next Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9 meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, 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 9:44 p.m.

Submitted by: Casey Ishitani, Neighborhood Assistant 
Reviewed by: Harry Cho, Neighborhood Assistant
Final Review: Chair Robert Finley

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