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Waikiki Neighborhood Board Meeting FEBRUARY 2022 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 3/8/2022.

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

Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9

February 2022 Minutes

WAIKIKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 9

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022

VIA ZOOM

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Robert Finley called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. There were difficulties with the meeting link via Zoom, which delayed members to join the meeting. A quorum was established with thirteen (13) 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 Boyak, Jeffrey Merz, Louis Erteschik, Robert Finley, Robert Donaldson, Raiyan Rafid, Bowe Souza, Jacob Wiencek, Michael Brown, Kathryn Henski, Melissa Filek ( 6:04 p.m.), Mark Smith (6:04 p.m.) and Mark Garrity (Newly Appointed).

Board Members Absent: Lisa Cabanero, Helen Carroll, and John Nigro.

Guests: Captain L. Marquez (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Ono (Honolulu Police Department); Dominic Dias (Board of Water Supply); Director Department of Community Services (DCS) Anton Krucky (CORE); Director Department of Human Services (DHR) Nola Miyasaki (Mayor Rick Blangiardi's office); Keola Fisher (Council Chair Water's office); Representative Adrian Tam; Scott Glen (Governor's Representative); Rick Egged (Waikiki Improvement Association); Mark Garrity (OMPO); Dolan Eversol (WBSIDA); Heather Saenz, Tim Gary, Sarah Worth, Lloyd White, Katherine Li, Jean Cox, Robert Franco, Cuong Tran, Miku Lementine, Anthony Nagatani, David Lopaka Millwood, Hector Euredjian, Carol Hoshiko, Midori Trent, John Deutzman, and Denise Boisvert, (Residents), and Judi-Ann Smith-Kauhane (Neighborhood Assistant). 40 participants present.

Announcement: Chair Finley announced Former Member Jeff Apaka passed away.

Election of Candidate to fill Vacancy Sub District 1: Mark Garrity was nominated for sub district 1.

Brown Nominated Mark Garrity to fill the vacancy for Sub District 1 at 6:10 p.m. by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 13-0-0. 14 members present.

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): HPD Captain Marquez reported the following:

Statistics for January 2022: one (1) structure fires; one (1) nuisance; one (1) cooking fire; 12 activated alarms; 185 Medical emergencies; zero (0) motor vehicle collusion with pedestrian; two (2) motor vehicle crash/collisions; zero (0) mountain rescues; two (2) ocean rescues; and three (3) Hazardous Materials Incidents.

Fire Safety tip: Captain Marquez reported about Visible House Numbers. More statistics found at http://www.honolulu.gov/hfd.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Lieutenant Ono reported the following:

Statistics for the month of December 2021: Six (6) robberies; five (5) burglaries; 52 thefts; 30 UEMV; 17 assaults; and two (2) sex crime; 20 bike and 21 skateboard; 19 speeding; 2597 parking; one (1) loud muffler; and 157 park closure citations, HPD made seven (7) arrests; and 5914 total calls for service. More statistics found at https://www.honolulupd.org/.

Questions, comments, and concerns following:

1. Car Shooting on Ohua Street: Member Rafid asked and Lieutenant Ono responded it was an attempted murder, which has gone to the Investigative Department. He will give an update at next month's meeting.

2. Gratitude: Member Weincek thanked HPD for having a positive impact on the community and keeping the streets safe.

3. Updated Statistics: Resident Deutzman commented on HPD about proactive citations and arrests.

4. Queen's Park Homeless: Resident White asked and Lieutenant Ono responded that person should have been cited for after hours in the park. Will speak with the third watch and give an update at next month's meeting.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): BWS representative Dominic Dias reported the following: No Main breaks for the month of January 2022.

• Bank of Hawai'i: General announcement: February 28, 2022 will be the last day to pay water bill at Bank of Hawai'i.

• Any new projects for (BWS) will be available online www.boardofwatersupply.com.

RESIDENTS' / COMMUNITY CONCERNS:

• Meeting: Resident Gary met with the Mayor for an hour regarding Waikiki's concerns.

• Vacancies: Resident Nagatani announced vacancies of various positions for the Democratic Party in the Waikiki Area. If interested email anthony.nagatani@gmail.com.

• Action 15 Community Resilience Hub Update: Dr. Franco and Tran updated the board regarding island-wide survey for a resilience hub in Waikiki and introduced Dr. Miku Lementine, coordinator for resilience hubs for Natural Disasters.

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHERS

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative: Director of Human Resources Nola Miyasaki reported the following:

• Festivals:

o Lokahi Festival cancelled February 12, 2022.

o O'ahu Festival March 12, 2022 currently still on.

o St. Patrick's Day Parade March 17, 2022 is currently still on.

o Vietnam Veterans Day Parade March 29, 2022 is currently still on.

• Mayor's Report: Director Miyasaki gave the follow up report for January 2022.

• Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement Program (CORE) Presentation: Director Anton Krucky presented the CORE Program to the Waikiki Board. This program is in coordination with the Governor's Office, Behavior Health Service Administration, and Partners in Care, to respond to crisis calls from and within the community, which does not require law enforcement intervention.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Next Step Facility Closing: Member Henski asked and Director Krucky responded that due to the reduction of covid numbers, the shelters are slowly opening. Putting out bids for different locations to use as potential facilities.

2. CORE Funding Source: Member Henski asked and Director Krucky responded America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Federal Funding and potentially converting to City and County of Honolulu budget.

3. Kahauiki Program: Member Henski commented and Director Krucky responded what will be designed is very similar to Kahauiki Village with two locations: Middle Street and Waimanalo.

4. Illegal Sleeping in the Park/Double Standard: Member Weineck commented and Director Krucky responded working with Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Department of Parks and Recreations (DPR), and American Civil Liberties Union (ALCU) to not "target" a particular community of people but have all people follow the same laws and standards. Weed and Seed is more suited in this situation.

5. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Count for Homeless in Waikiki: Resident Deutzman asked and Director Krucky responded the Waikiki Business District Association did survey in June 2021. He will get results back to the board next month.

6. Push Weed and Seed Program in Waikiki: Member Merz asked and Director Krucky responded the plan is to move it to Waikiki and the board should keeping pushing for it.

7. CORE Program: Vice Chair Erteschik commented the CORE Program is one of the best programs that has come around in a while. The "traditional" approach (sending HPD out) is not working. CORE sends a team out to help with the needs of the homeless. Board and Community should support program.

8. Weed and Seed Program: Chair Finley commented to get program started a survey will be implemented into the Waikiki community.

9. Applied Pressure for Beds at Various Facilities: Resident Gary asked and Director Krucky noted he will get more information on various facilities. Will follow up and relay information to Director Miyasaki for next month's meeting.

10. Biki Cycling/Complete Streets Program: Member Weineck asked and Director Miyasaki responded she will ask Department of Transportation Services (DTS) for an update and give the information at next month's meeting.

Council Chair Tommy Waters: Keola Fisher reported the following:

• Bill 40: Updated information in newly fiscal accommodation tax.

• Bill 41: Updated information short-term rentals.

• Bill 43: Updated information on Proposed Noise Ordinance Regulation.

• Bill 48: Updated information Red Hill storage tanks and on storing fuel over an aquifer would require a permit from the City and County.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1. Bill 41 Fee Affect Bookings Prior to February 2022: Member Filek asked and Fisher responded will research that information and get a respond back from Chair Waters.

2. Police Overtime Audit/Chief of Police: Resident Gary asked and Fisher noted he will get a response for next month's meeting.

3. Amendments to Bill 41: Resident Euredjian asked and Fisher responded amendments are currently being made and bill is a work in progress. Member Filek and Egged also responded to Euredjian's comment.

4. Removal of Shopping Carts: Resident White commented and Fisher responded will get a response for next month's meeting. Chair Finley responded carts have to be reported stolen by the company that owns it. Most of the time the store abandon carts and make a monthly claim with insurance as reported stolen.

5. Timeline on Amendments for Bill 41: Member Filek asked and Fisher responded Councilmember Elefante is working on it in March 2022. No set deadline but will respond with an update for next month's meeting.

Senator Sharon Moriwaki: Heather Saenz reported the following: SB 2126, 2127, and 2124: Regarding Noise pollution to submit testimony regarding these bills.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1. Erosion at Waikiki Beach: Member Weineck gave gratitude to Senator Moriwaki for participation in the current erosion at Waikiki Beach. Also commented on any potential bill currently in Legislature regarding corruption scandals. Saenz responded will report with a response. Vice Chair Erteschik responded need to look at overall campaign funding; fine line between a bribe and excessive funding of campaign contributions.

2. Capitol Opening: Chair Finley asked and Saenez responded there is no set date to reopen Capitol to the public.

3. Jefferson Elementary Basketball Court: Resident Gary asked and Saenez responded she will give an update for next month's meeting.

Representative Adrian Tam: Representative Tam reported the following: Monthly newsletter is available in the chat.

• HB 1502: Safe Neighborhoods Bill regarding repeat offenders in the community.

• HB 1545: House Companion to Senate Noise Bill.

• HB 1580: Visitors to testify for crimes via video.

Governor David Ige: No Representative available, No report given.

Waikiki Improvement Association: Rick Egged reported the following:

• Bill 41: Currently there is no deadline for Bill 41.

• Sleeping on Beaches: Egged noted concerns of people sleeping in front of various beachfront hotels creating a potential safety issue.

• HB 1669 and HB 1672: Addressing Environmental Restorations and Resource Management.

• Presentation: Dolan Eversol from the Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association (WBSIDA) regarding Urban Adaptation in the Face of Climate Change. Addresses homeless encampments on the beach by enforcing a beachfront closing time for cleaning and maintaining the beaches. Eversol also addressed the Kawehewehe beachfront project.

Questions, comments and concerns followed: Enforcement of Homeless during Beach Front Closures: Member Henski commented concerns Eversol and Egged responded HPD and DLNR would enforce as park closures hours. Chair Finley, commented this emergency order and agreement between DLNR and HPD will prevent people from getting hurt during the cleaning and maintaining of the beaches.

Chair Finley asked board members for a motion regarding resolution of Beach closing hours. Discussion followed.

Henski Motioned and Donaldson Seconded to Support Resolution regarding Enactment of Beach Closures from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. was passed by UNANIMOUS CONSENT 14-0-0.

Discussion followed regarding Emergency Construction of the "T Head build out" of the Kawehewehe Beach Front Project.

Merz Motioned and Henski Seconded to Support Resolution regarding Emergency Proclamation Construction of the "T Head Build out" of the Kawehewehe Beach Front Project was passed by UNANIMOUS CONSENT 14-0-0.

NEW BOARD BUSINESS

Initial Legislature Update - Lou Erteschik: Vice Chair Erteschik gave a report regarding potential Bill for the Waikiki community. Discussion Followed.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Tuesday, November 9, 2021 and January 11, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes: Hearing no objections, the board approved both November 9, 2021 and January 11, 2022 Set of Minutes by UNANIMOUS CONSENT 14-0-0.

REPORTS

Treasurer's Report: Member Bautista reported January 2022 treasurer's report - approved and recorded.

Sub district 1 Report: Member Merz had nothing to report.

Sub district 2 Report: Member Rafid had nothing to report.

Sub district 3 Report: Member Henski had nothing to report.

Chair Report: Chair Finley reported the following:

• Plan to find a location for next month's meeting.

• Saddened by former member Jeff Apaka's passing.

• Member Nigro had heart surgery and is in recovery.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday March 8, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Submitted by: Judi-Ann Smith-Kauhane Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Naomi Hanohano Community Relations Specialist

Final Review: Chair Robert Finley, Vice Chair Louis Erteschik, and Secretary Lisa Cabanero

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Waikiki Get Down - Honolulu, Hawaii News Item

Waikiki Neighborhood Board Meeting FEBRUARY 2022 Minutes

Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9

Waikiki Get Down - Honolulu, Hawaii
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