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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, JULY 14, 2020
WAIKIKI COMMUNITY CENTER

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Robert Finley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A 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: Jerome Bautista, Robert Boyack (arrived at 6:44 p.m.), Helen Carroll, Louis Erteschik, Robert Finley, Walt Flood, Mark Garrity, Kathryn Henski, Jeffrey Merz, John Nigro, Mark Smith, Kenneth Wilder, Michael Brown (arrived at 6:30 p.m.) and Jacob Wiencek (appointed at 6:10 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: Lisa Cabanero and Patricia Shields.

Guests: Meredith Soniat (Department of Transportation); Lieutenant Pamela Liu (Honolulu Police Department); Rick Egged (Waikiki Improvement Association); Senator Sharon Moriwaki; Captain Lee Marquez (Honolulu Fire Department); Kelsey Colpitts (Bikishare); Pat Moore, Joe Thomas, Rodney Chieu, Grace Chieu, Franklin Chung, Tim Garry, Kyle Baxter, Dave Moskowitz, James Browne and Dawn Ward (Residents); Casey Ishitani (Neighborhood Assistant). Name was not included if not legible on the attendance sheet.

ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Chair: Chair Pro Tem Finley deferred to Erteschik regarding this Agenda Item. Erteschik inquired if there were any nominees for Chair. Flood nominated Finley. There were no other nominations.

Flood Moved and Henski Seconded to Appoint Finley as Chair. The Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Bautista, Carroll, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Garrity, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Smith and Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Vice Chair: Chair Finley inquired if there were nominees for Vice Chair. Flood nominated Erteschik. There were no other nominations.

Flood Moved and Henski Seconded to Appoint Erteschik as Vice Chair. The Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Bautista, Carroll, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Garrity, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Smith and Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Sub District Vice Chairs: Chair Finley inquired if the Board would nominate Vice Chairs for Sub-Districts.
• Sub District 1: Flood nominated Merz. There were no other nominations.
• Sub District 2: Finley nominated Flood. There were no other nominations.
• Sub District 3: Smith nominated Henski. There were no other nominations.

Flood Moved and Erteschik Seconded to Appoint Merz to Sub-District 1. Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Bautista, Carroll, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Garrity, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Smith and Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Finley Moved and Erteschik Seconded to Appoint Flood to Sub-District 2. Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Bautista, Carroll, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Garrity, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Smith and Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Smith Moved and Nigro Seconded to Appoint Henski to Sub-District 3. Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Bautista, Carroll, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Garrity, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Smith and Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Secretary: Chair Finley inquired if there were any nominees for Secretary. Finley nominated Shields. There were no other nominations.

Finley Moved and Henski Seconded to Appoint Shields as Secretary. Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Bautista, Carroll, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Garrity, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Smith and Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Treasurer: Chair Finley inquired if there were any appointees for Treasurer. Henski nominated Cabanero. There were no other nominations.

Henski Moved and Smith Seconded to Appoint Cabanero as Treasurer. Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Bautista, Carroll, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Garrity, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Smith and Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None)

Hearing no objection, Chair Finley inquired if the Board would switch Shields for Treasurer and Cabanero as Secretary.

Henski Moved and Smith Seconded to have Shields be Treasurer and Cabanero as Secretary. Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Bautista, Carroll, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Garrity, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Smith and Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Meeting Date/Time/Place, Rules of Speaking and Olelo Broadcast: Chair Finley inquired if the Board would retain the Meeting Date/Time/Place, Rules of Speaking and Olelo Broadcast, with regards to flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Henski Moved and Smith Seconded to retain the Meeting Date/Time/Place, Rules of Speaking and Olelo Broadcast. Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Bautista, Carroll, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Garrity, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Smith and Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

FILLING OF VACANCIES:
Two (2) Vacancies Sub District 2: Resident Jacob Wiencek volunteered to fill a vacancy in Sub District 2. There were no other appointees or volunteers.

Henski Moved and Smith Seconded to Appoint Jacob Wiencek to the Board for Sub District 2. Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Bautista, Carroll, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Garrity, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Smith and Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

The Neighborhood Assistant swore Wiencek in at 6:10 p.m. There were 12 Board members present.

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): HFD Captain Lee Marquez reported the following.
• June 2020 Statistics: There was one (1) structure fire, one (1) wildland fire, one (1) nuisance fire, five (5) activated alarms, 73 medical emergencies, one (1) motor vehicle collisions with pedestrians, six (6) motor vehicle crashes and one (1) ocean rescue.
• Fire Safety Tip: Residents can find emergency preparedness information at the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Emergency Management's website at www.honolulu.gov/dem.

Questions, comment and concerns followed. Elevators: Smith inquired if there were any calls for elevator service and Captain Marquez reported that there was one (1) at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): HPD representatives Lieutenant Pamela Liu reported the following.
• June 2020 Statistics: There were two (2) robberies, 12 burglaries, 76 thefts, 27 unauthorized entries of vehicles, 22 assaults, three (3) sex crimes, nine (9) bicycle citations, one (1) skateboard citations, 112 speeding citations, 489 parking citations, five (5) park closure warning, 60 park closure citations, 3,019 total calls for service


Questions, comments and concerns followed.
1. Speeding: Merz inquired about the increase in speeding citations and Lieutenant Liu responded that it was due to more drivers.
2. Homeless: Henski raised concerns regarding homeless individuals sitting along Kalakaua Avenue near the pavilions and Lieutenant Liu responded that HPD officers cannot stop individuals from sitting in public areas but will look into it. A resident raised concerns regarding an encampment near the Ala Wai Promenade.
3. Gatherings: Smith raised concerns regarding the number for residents gathering under tents at beaches and parks. Wilder raised concerns regarding the number of gatherings in Waikiki. Lieutenant Liu responded that if residents observe large gatherings they may call 911 HPD non-emergency.
4. Arrests: Flood inquired what stipulates an arrest from HPD and Lieutenant Liu responded that it would be dependent on the violation.
5. Open Streets: A resident raised concerns regarding expenditures on HPD officers for open street events and Lieutenant Liu responded that the Fourth Watch HPD officers were all on-duty and not overtime.
6. Face Masks: A resident raised concerns regarding HPD officers without face masks and Lieutenant Liu responded that officers are not required to wear face masks if it impedes their duty.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): There were no BWS representatives. Chair Finley reported that a main break on Paokalani Street had been fixed.

RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Waikiki Aquarium: Chair Finley reported that the Waikiki Aquarium is open and visitors may visit https://www.waikikiaquarium.org/ for more information.

Red Cross: Resident Mary Finley raised that the American Red Cross is looking for volunteers.

Street Projects: Nigro reported that all street projects near Kuhio Avenue, Lewers Street and Seaside Street will be completed by the end of August 2020.

Crime Increased: A resident raised concerns regarding an increase in crimes in the Waikiki area.

1615 Ala Wai Boulevard: A resident raised concerns regarding minutes reflecting an abandoned building at 1615 Ala Wai Boulevard, which the resident claimed was not abandoned.

Open Streets: A resident reiterated concerns regarding the Kalakaua Boulevard Open Streets event.

MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 22
Chair Finley reported that the Neighborhood Commission Office advised the Board that candidates should not campaign, per instructions in the Neighborhood Plan. Candidates were instructed to introduce themselves to the public.
• Tom Brower: Representative Tom Brower is running for reelection as a Democrat.
• Nick Ochs: Resident Nick Ochs is running as a Republican.
• Adrian Tam: Resident Adrian Tam is running as a Democrat.

PUBLIC EVENTS: Chair Finley reported the following public events in Waikiki.
• No Waikiki street events were scheduled for July 2020
• Saturday, August 8, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. to Midnight, Waikiki Ohana Festival. Pending approval by the Department of Transportation Services (DTS)

APPLICATIONS FOR LIQUOR LICENSES: Chair Finley reported the following liquor license hearings.
• Thursday, July 30, 2020, Thai Issan Waikiki, 339 Royal Hawaiian Avenue, Cat 2
• Thursday, July 30, 2020. Hawaiian Vintage Organic Wine Bar, 2301 Kalakaua Avenue, Cat 2

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHERS
Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative: Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Deputy Director Mark Yonamine reported the following.
• Homelessness: The Board inquired about measures to mitigate homeless individuals in Waikiki. They reported that there are several encampments and that they have increased during the shelter at home period. The Office of Housing responded that due to COVID-19 and guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the City and County of Honolulu and State of Hawaii suspended enforcements for almost one month. While the enforcements restarted the week of Sunday, April 20, 2020 and a Provisional Outdoor Screening and Triage (POST) facility for unsheltered homeless persons was also launched.
• Black Lives Matter (BLM) March: Board raised concerns regarding BLM protesters littering at the Hawaii Republican Party Headquarters. Residents also inquired how much City and County of Honolulu funds were used to police the march.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.
1. Masks: Henski raised concerns regarding residents not wearing masks at the Kalakaua Boulevard Open Streets events. A resident inquired if businesses that do not enforce masks will be cited.
2. Ala Wai Watershed Project: Merz requested updates regarding the Ala Wai Watershed Project.
3. HPD Appointments: Wiencek inquired if HPD can set up appointments or field online reports and Deputy Director Yonamine responded that he can connect Wiencek with HPD contacts offline.
4. Bars: Chair Finley raised concerns regarding bars receiving unfair emphasis for violations when other businesses are confirmed super-spreaders.

HOLO Cards: Department of Transportation Service Representative CJ Johnson reported that HOLO Cards have been introduced to provide convenience on public transportation. The HOLO Card is being used to phase out paper. Cash payment will still be accepted on TheBus.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.
1. Senior Pass: Erteschik inquired if the senior pass will be the same and Johnson replied that it will be.
2. Rate Cap: A resident inquired if the rate cap of 70 dollars will be maintained and Johnson responded that public feedback and proposals are currently being collected.

Governor David Ige's Representative: Director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) Scott Glenn was not present. A report was not given.

Councilmember Tommy Waters: A Representative of Councilmember Waters Office reported the following.
• 1615 Ala Wai Boulevard: Councilmember Waters will follow-up regarding issues associated with the property at 1615 Ala Wai Boulevard.
• Bill 42: Councilmember Waters and Honolulu City Council Chair Ikaika Anderson introduced Bill 42, which would require applicants for building permits for residential structures to attest that the construction complies with all restrictive covenants for the land on which the proposed work is to be done.
• Bill 47: Councilmember Waters introduced Bill 47, which seeks to empower the Neighborhood Boards by requiring City Administration to provide a presentation when removing or relocating an established crosswalk.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. 
1. Bill 42: Merz inquired how an applicant could attest in accordance to Bill 42 and Councilmember Waters' Representative responded that construction will just need to be in compliance.
2. Bill 47: Chair Finley raised concerns regarding elderly resident safety after sidewalks and crosswalks have been removed.
3. Transfer Box: Brown raised concerns regarding a pile of refuse at the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) transfer box on Hobron Lane.
4. Erosion Control: Brown raised concerns regarding the lack of erosion control at 2344 Ala Wai Boulevard.

Senator Sharon Moriwaki: Senator Moriwaki reported the following.
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and. Economic Security (CARES) Act: PUA will allot up to 600 dollars in funding for applicants. CARES funding will go through the end of 2021.
• Open Streets: Regarding concerns over Kalakaua Boulevard Open Streets, residents may field concerns to senmoriwaki@capitol.hawaii.gov and http://senatormoriwaki.com/.
• Census: Residents were encouraged to take part in the 2020 Census.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. COVID-19: Smith raised concerns regarding the delay on reopening Hawaii to tourists and Senator Woriwaki responded Hawaii Senators have been trying to uphold PUA funds and eviction moratoriums.

Representative Tom Brower: Representative Brower reported the following.
• Government: Representative Brower raised concerns regarding hypocrisy in government.
• Bicycling: Representative Brower will introduce a Bill to further enforce bicycle citations on sidewalks.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Construction: Finley inquired if the Legislature has a plan to increase construction and improvement while tourism numbers are low and Representative Brower responded that he will get back to the Board.

Waikiki Improvement Association (WIA): WIA President Rick Egged reported the following.
• Royal Hawaiian Hotel: The new store opening at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel is on schedule.
• Off Street Parking: A Bill has been introduced to exempt commercial parking for buildings in order for them to avoid developing unnecessary parking stalls.

Federal Representative Ed Case: A representative was not present. A report was not given.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 9, 2020: Chair Finley inquired if there was a Motion to Adopt the Minutes.

Flood Moved and Henski Seconded to Adopt the Regular Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, June 9, 2020. The Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Bautista, Carroll, Erteschik, Finley, Flood, Garrity, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Smith and Wilder; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

NEW BOARD BUSINESS
Ala Wai Bridge Project Update: Chelley Fraticelli of the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) reported the following.
• Structure: The proposed bridge over the Ala Wai Canal will be a concrete and cable-stayed bridge.
• Current Process: The bridge is currently in the environmental assessment process.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.
1. Bridge Size: Erteschik raised concerns regarding the proposed bridge size and Fraticelli responded that it was designed to match Waikiki's environment. 
2. Funding: Wiencek inquired about the bridge's funding and Fraticelli responded that it will be 80 percent federally funded with coordination by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).\
3. Location: A resident requested that the bridge be constructed nearer to the Ala Wai Golf Course.

REPORTS
Treasurer's Report: The remaining budget for the Waikiki Neighborhood Board was $49.91 for the last Fiscal Year and $476.55 starting in July 2020.

Sub District 1 Report: No report was given.

Sub District 2 Report: There will be construction in the area for solar panel installation.

Sub District 3 Report: No report was given.

Chair Report: Chair Finley reported that Top Golf has been put on hold due to the pandemic. Residents were encouraged to follow distancing rules, to register for the 2020 Census and to read the new Neighborhood Plan.


ANNOUNCEMENTS
• The next Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9 meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, 2020 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 8:20 p.m.

Submitted by: Casey Ishitani, Neighborhood Assistant 
Reviewed by: James Skizewski, Executive Secretary
Final Review: Chair Robert Finley; Vice Chair Louis Erteschik

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