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Waikiki Neighborhood Board Meeting JULY 2021 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 8/10/2021.

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

Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 09

July 2021 Minutes

WAIKIKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 9

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021

WAIKIKI COMMUNITY CENTER

WEBEX

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Pro Tem Robert Finley called the meeting to order at 6:00 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. Chair Finley presented former Board member Walt Flood with a Certificate of Service.

Board Members Present: Robert Boyack, Lisa Cabanero, Tommy Penrose, Robert Donaldson, Louis Erteschik, Robert Finley, Raiyan Rafid, Jacob Wiencek, Kathryn Henski, John Nigro, Mark Smith.

Board Members Absent: Jerome Bautista, Helen Carroll, Jeffrey Merz, Bowe Souza, Michael Brown, Melissa Filek.

Guests: Major Mark Cricchio and Lieutenant Troy Komoda (Honolulu Police Department); Dominic Dias (Board of Water Supply); Nola Miyasaki (Mayor Rick Blangiardi's office); Council Chair Tommy Waters; Senator Sharon Moriwaki and Charles Izumoto; Representative Adrian Tam; Scott Glenn (Governor David Ige's office); Rick Egged (Waikiki Improvement Association); Vicki Hartman, Stephanie Auchinleck, Denise Boisvert, Pam Walker, John Deutzman, Dave Moskowitz, Paul Alderete, Don Carmody, Joan Davis, Allison Schaefers, Bruce Lenkeit, Patricia Shields, Midori Trent, John Montalbano, Daniel Jacob, Johnnie Mae Perry, Jean Cox (Residents); Casey Ishitani (Neighborhood Assistant). Name was not included if not legible on the attendance sheet.

SWEAR IN CEREMONY FOR MEMBERS NOT ALREADY SWORN IN

Neighborhood Assistant swore in Board members in attendance.

ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Chair: Erteschik nominated Finley. There were no other nominations.

Hearing no objections, Finley was elected Chair by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Boyack, Cabanero, Penrose, Donaldson, Erteschik, Finley, Rafid, Wiencek, Henski, Nigro, Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Vice Chair: Henski nominated Erteschik. There were no other nominations.

Hearing no objections, Erteschik was elected Vice Chair by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Boyack, Cabanero, Penrose, Donaldson, Erteschik, Finley, Rafid, Wiencek, Henski, Nigro, Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Secretary: Henski nominated Cabanero. There were no other nominations.

Hearing no objections, Cabanero was elected Secretary by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Boyack, Cabanero, Penrose, Donaldson, Erteschik, Finley, Rafid, Wiencek, Henski, Nigro, Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Treasurer: Cabareo nominated Bautista. There were no other nominations.

Hearing no objections, Bautista was elected Treasurer by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Boyack, Cabanero, Penrose, Donaldson, Erteschik, Finley, Rafid, Wiencek, Henski, Nigro, Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Sub-District 1 Vice Chair: Henski nominated Penrose. Chair Finley nominated Merz.

At a roll call vote, Penrose received six (6) votes (Cabanero, Penrose, Donaldson, Rafid, Wiencek, Henski) and Merz received five (5) votes (Boyack, Erteschik, Finley, Nigro, Smith). The item was deferred.

Sub-District 2 Vice Chair: Chair Finley nominated Rafid. There were no other nominations.

Hearing no objections, Rafid was elected as Sub-District 2 Vice Chair UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Boyack, Cabanero, Penrose, Donaldson, Erteschik, Finley, Rafid, Wiencek, Henski, Nigro, Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Sub-District 3 Vice Chair: Chair Finley nominated Henski. There were no other nominations.

Hearing no objections, Henski was elected as Sub-District 3 Vice Chair UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Boyack, Cabanero, Penrose, Donaldson, Erteschik, Finley, Rafid, Wiencek, Henski, Nigro, Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Meeting Date / Time / Place, Rules of Speaking and Olelo Broadcast: Chair Finley inquired if there were any amendments.

Hearing no objections, meeting date / time / place, rules of speaking and Olelo Broadcast were retained, UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 11-0-0 (Aye: Boyack, Cabanero, Penrose, Donaldson, Erteschik, Finley, Rafid, Wiencek, Henski, Nigro, Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): There were no representatives.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): HPD Major Mark Cricchio presented the Waikiki HPD Enforcement Plan.

• Schedule: Major Cricchio gave the schedule of HPD patrol watches in District 6. First watch is 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., second watch is 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., third watch is 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. A bicycle detail assists the second and third watch near the beaches. ATVs have been used to prevent homeless individuals from loitering.

• Endeavors: HPD has focused on violent crime response, including unauthorized entries of motor vehicles. Current issues in the HPD misdemeanor follow-up detail include homelessness, peddling and shoplifting.

• Special Focus: HPD will focus on loading zone and street performer concerns. Regarding homeless individuals, outreach will be offered prior to strict enforcement.

• Information: More information can be found at https://www.honolulupd.org/organization/patrol-districts/district-6/.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Homeless Individuals: Penrose raised concerns regarding HPD officers bypassing sleeping homeless individuals. Major Cricchio responded that officers should inquire if individuals require service. Wiencek inquired how HPD efforts will play into Mayor Rick Blangiardi's homeless mitigation strategy. Major Cricchio responded that a pilot "weed and seed" program being used in Downtown and Chinatown will be the template for further homeless mitigation programs.

2. Violence Against Visitors: Smith requested statistics for violence against visitors.

3. Noise and Trespassing: Resident Don Carmody raised concerns regarding excessive noise coming from 2584 Lemon Road. Erteschik requested decibel limits for noise from street performers. A resident raised concerns regarding continued issues with trespassers on private properties near 7-11 at 1901 Kalakaua Avenue.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): There was no representative. A report was submitted

• Main Break Report: There were no main breaks or active construction.

• Water Conservation: encouraging residents to conserve water. More information can be found at https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/conservation.

RESIDENTS' / COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Scooters: A resident raised concerns regarding scooter rentals, requesting new docking stations.

Mid-Pac Road Runner's Club (MPRRC): Joan David of MPRRC reported that the Boca Hawaii Norman Tamanaha 15K race was scheduled for Sunday, August 8, 2021.

PUBLIC EVENTS

Saturday, August 7, 2021, 2:00 p.m. to midnight, Ohana Festival (Street Event) - event has been canceled

Sunday, August 8, 2021 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., MPRRC/MRS 15K Run, mostly impacts Kapiolani Park

APPLICATIONS FOR LIQUOR LICENSES

Thursday, August 19, 2021, Skybox Taphouse, 2324 Kalakaua Avenue, Store 302, Category 2

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHERS

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative: Director of Customer Services (CSD) Nola Miyasaki reported the following.

• Repeat Offenders: A resident inquired if the Prosecutor's Office had any policies on convicting repeat offenders. The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney has a Career Criminal Unit specifically dedicated to prosecuting repeat offenders. The members of the Career Criminal Unit have extensive experience prosecuting felony cases.

• Cartwright Road: Residents reported food trucks and tour buses on or near the street. Department of Transportation Services (DTS) responded that Cartwright Road is a private roadway.

• Storm Water Utility Fee: Board requested the presence of Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) and Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) to further discuss the Storm Water Utility Fee. DFM and DPP have been made aware of this request and will get back to the Board.

• Satellite City Halls: Director Miyasaki reported that the reopened satellite city hall hours will be incumbent on whether Governor David Ige extends the Emergency Proclamation.

Rafid left at 7:20 p.m. There were 10 Board members present.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Kahalulu Avenue: Smith requested that parking spaces be reduced or removed on Kapahulu Avenue between Ala Wai Boulevard and Kuhio Avenue.

2. Complete Streets: Wiencek requested DTS follow-up on the Ala Wai Boulevard Complete Street proposal.

Council Chair Tommy Waters: Council Chair Waters reported the following.

• Waikiki Safety: Council Chair Waters met with HPD Major Cricchio and Representative Adriam Tam to discuss safety in Waikiki.

• 1615 Ala Wai Boulevard: Resolution 21-140 is scheduled to go before executive reading, regarding public purpose for condemned structures on properties.

• Amplified Noise Issues: Council Chair Waters reported that noise complaints are dependent on whether an incident is considered disorderly conduct with complainant available to make a report.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Noise Issues: Chair Finley raised concerns regarding the lack of specific range for noise issues. Erteschik requested updates regarding permits and noise limitations for venues. Henski raised concerns regarding continued excessive noise from the Queen Kapiolani Hotel. Wakiki Improvement Association President Rick Egged raised that street noise legislation was proposed under the Mufi Hanneman administration, cleared by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) but not supported by property owners.

2. Cartwright Road: A resident inquired about the status of Cartwright Road and Council Chair Waters responded that the City and County of Honolulu would need to be convinced to purchase the roadway in order to enact jurisdiction.

Senator Sharon Moriwaki: Senator Moriwaki reported the following.

• Legislative Session: There were 28 vetoes prior to the end of the Legislative Session and six (6) Senate overrides. There will be a Special Session for Judicial appointees.

• Police and Safety: Senator Moriwaki raised that community policing has addressed issues of crime and safety in Waikiki. There will be increased patrols at Ala Wai Small Board Harbor.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Tourism: Smith raised concerns regarding Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) funding and Senator Moriwaki responded that illegal vacation rentals may have interfered with HTA findings. A resident raised concerns regarding the dissonance between the amount of hotel workers and guests.

Representative Adrian Tam: Representative Tam reported the following.

• Vetoes: A Special Session will be scheduled to override Governor Ige's Vetoes, including the Federal Infrastructure Bill.

• Tourism: The Local 5 Union has not taken a position on a tourism-focused Bill, which would require American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

• Public Safety Meeting: Representative Tam, Council Chair Waters and Senator Moriwaki met to discuss public safety issues for the next Legislative Session.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Hotels: Smith inquired how many hotel workers have returned and Representative Tam responded 50 percent.

Governor David Ige: State of Hawaii Chief Energy Officer Scott Glenn reported the following.

• Noise Issues: Glenn reported that he will consult with the Department of Health (DOH) regarding noise levels in Waikiki.

• Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR): There was an audit by the Attorney General (AG) to investigate dispersal of CARES Act and unemployment benefits.

• Covid-19: Residents may visit http://higotvaccinated.com/ for incentives. The Emergency Proclamation will likely be extended. Glenn raised that if the Emergency Proclamation is rescinded the eviction moratorium will likely cease. Residents would need to contact their landlords to discuss mediation.

Questions, comments and concerns. Covid-19: Wiencek raised concerns regarding the Delta Variant of Covid-19, noting that mask mandates do not match the amount of tourists visiting Hawaii. Penrose requested more detailed statistics of infected residents, specifically if they include children 12 years old and younger. Smith requested updates regarding herd immunity achievements in comparison with Oregon.

Waikiki Improvement Association (WIA): WIA President Rick Egged reported that he is currently working with Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) to help enforce vacation rental law to combat illegal rental units. Hotels have reported increased occupancy. Ala Wai Canal dredging have begun. The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has closed public access near the Halekulani Hotel to mitigate the Fort DeRussy groin.

Federal Representative Ed Case: There was no representative.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Tuesday, June 8, 2021: Erteschik raised that he reported street performers on Kalakaua Avenue, not Ala Wai Boulevard.

Hearing no objection, the minutes as amended were adopted by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 10-0-0 (Aye: Boyack, Cabanero, Penrose, Donaldson, Erteschik, Finley, Wiencek, Henski, John, Smith; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

NEW BOARD BUSINESS

AT&T Small Cell Presentation: There was no representative.

REPORTS

Treasurer's Report: There was no budget report available.

Sub District 1 Report: No report was given.

Sub District 2 Report: No report was given.

Sub District 3 Report: Nigro reported that a repaving project fronting the Luana Waikiki Hotel will create traffic issue on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.

Chair Report: Chair Finley reported that discriminatory language is not to be used at meetings. Keith Kurahashi has retired from RM Towill. Upcoming vaccinations at the International Market Place will validate parking for participants.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9 meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 6:00 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 8:08 p.m.

Submitted by: Casey Ishitani, Public Relations

Reviewed by: Lindon Valenciano, Neighborhood Assistant

Final Review: Chair Robert Finley

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Waikiki Neighborhood Board Meeting JULY 2021 Minutes

Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 09

Waikiki Get Down - Honolulu, Hawaii
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