Waikiki Neighborhood Board Meeting MAY 2024 Minutes

TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.

WAIKĪKĪ COMMUNITY CENTER -- 310 PAOAKALANI AVENUE, HONOLULU, HI 96815

AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL_GzAa_vfs

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1U5LqhO7cjTWUAsZeSiesn99MJa87ouZE

I. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:41]: 6:01 p.m.

Chair Robert Finley called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Quorum was established with 13 members present. Note -- This 17-member Board requires nine (9) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action. Board members must be in-person or have video access.

Board Members Present: Jillian Anderson, Michael Brown, Lisa Cabanero, Shotaro Dabbs, Louis Erteschik, Melissa Filek, Robert Finley, Daniel Jacob, Ken Jacob, Jeff Merz, Greg Misakian, Mark Howard, Sarah Worth, and Stephanie Easley (appointed 6:38 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: Robert Boyack, Kathryn Henski, and Chad Snater.

Guests: Lieutenant Arita (Honolulu Police Department); Tracey Bender (Special Olympics Hawaiʻi); Domonic Dias (Board of Water Supply); Director Nola Miyasaki (Mayor Rick Blangiardi); April Coloretti (Councilman Chair Tommy Waters); Senator Sharon Moriwaki; Representative Adrian Tam; Rick Egged (Waikīkī Improvement Association); Jacob Wiencek; Rand Berke; Franklin Chung; Katherine Li; Shari McClellan and Yusuke Komoriya (Pan-Pacific Festival Foundation); Sally Manglicmot; Bonnie Fraser; Caroline Brimblecombe; Helen Slaughter; David Millwood; Laura Ruby; and Anson Wu (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 36 total participants.

II. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS -- [0:00:43]:

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) -- [0:00:43]: Chair Finley provided the statistic for April 2024 and the safety tip for May 2024 in regards to wildland fire awareness: prevention and preparedness. For any questions, please email the Honolulu Fire Department Community Relations Office at hfdnhb@honolulu.gov.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/150cj5cFeLEA6QhkVm5todzExBRLfnu1C/view?usp=drive_link

• For more information: https://fire.honolulu.gov/

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 6 -- [0:02:27]: Lieutenant Arita provided the statistics for April 2024 and the safety tips regarding burglary prevention. Lieutenant Arita announced the Troy Barbossa Run is on Friday, June 7, 2024. Tracey Bender announced the Special Olympics Hawaiʻi Summer Games is on Friday, June 7, 2024 through Sunday, June 9, 2024.

• Crime statistics: the statistics can be found here: https://www.honolulupd.org/information/crime-mapping/

• For more information¬: https://www.honolulupd.org/

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:06:29]

Board of Water Supply (BWS) -- [0:21:35]: Dominic Dias reported 1 main break on Monday, April 15, 2024 fronting 1833 Kalākaua Avenue and no construction for Waikīkī. For any updates regarding BWS operational actions in response to the Red Hill crisis, please visit: https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/protectoahuwater. A copy of the report can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lYtlJ9NOIjiaCiz3hllxhQjFEEHZxDT3/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:23:07]

New Board Member for Sub District 3 Vacancy -- [0:29:49]: Filek suggested Rolf Nordahl, but he was not present at the meeting. Stephanie Easley volunteered to fill-in Subdistrict 3 vacancy and provided information about herself.

[0:34:08] -- Worth nominates Stephanie Easley to fill-in Subdistrict 3 vacancy. The board conducted a role call vote. Stephanie Easley was appointed to subdistrict 3. 10-0-3 (AYE: Anderson, Brown, Erteschik, Finley, D. Jacob, K. Jacob, Merz, Misakian, Howard, and Worth; NO: None; ABSTAIN: Cabanero, Dabbs, and Filek) -- [0:34:24].

[0:37:08] -- Chair Finley called for a recess to allow the Neighborhood Assistant (NA) to administer the Oath of Office to Easley. Easley entered the meeting, 14 members present.

[0:38:49] -- Chair Finley called the meeting back to order.

III. CITIZENS CONCERNS NOT COVERED IN REGULAR AGENDA -- [0:38:53]:

[0:39:13] -- Motorized Bikes and Scooters: Resident Chung raised concerns regarding motorized vehicles. He claimed that he was almost hit by a motorized vehicles while walking on the sidewalk. He asked what are the laws for motorized vehicles such as electric bikes and scooters in regards to pedestrian sidewalk?

[0:40:24] -- Underwhelming Legislative Session: Resident Wiencek commented on this year's legislative session as underwhelming and that the bills passed do not fully benefit or help the residents of Hawaiʻi.

[0:43:26] Garbage trucks: Resident Berke addressed the early and loud garbage pickup in Waikīkī and wants to see a solution.

[0:45:34] Noise Complaint: Resident Li raised concerns of houseless people camping on a patch of land between the Ala Wai golf course and the Waikīkī-Kapahulu Public Library. Every night, she constantly hears screaming coming from the area.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:46:24]

IV. PUBLIC EVENTS -- [0:47:49]:

• Monday, May 27, 2024, 6:30 p.m. -- 9:30 p.m. Shinnyo Lantern Floating Festival

• Friday, May 31, 2024, Troy Barboza Torch Run

• Friday, June 7, 2024, 5:30 p.m. -- Midnight, 41st Annual Pan-Pacific Matsuri Hoolaulea

• Saturday, June 8, 2024, 8:30 a.m. -- 1:00 p.m., King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade

• Sunday, June 9, 2024, 4:15 p.m. -- 7:30 p.m., 41st Annual Pan-Pacific Matsuri Waikīkī Parade

• Sunday, July 13, 2024, 9:00 a.m. --11:00 a.m., Family Day Parade (God's Ohana Parade)

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:49:58]

V. APPLICATIONS FOR LIQUOR LICENSES -- [0:50:17]:

• Tim Ho Wan Restaurant expansion on existing floor plan.

• Thursday, June 6, 2024 Liquor Commission Meeting, Waikīkī House by Romer, 415 Nahua, Hotel General.

• Makana Lani A Dining Experience: Thursday, June 27, 2024 Public Hearing at the Office of the Commission 711 Kapiʻolani Boulevard.

• Waikīkī Ambassador Hotel by Romer filed a Special Liquor License and to be effective from Sunday, June 16, 2024 through Friday, September 20, 2024.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:51:34]

VI. ELECTED OFFICIALS OR OFFICIALS' REPRESENTATIVES -- [0:52:19]:

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [0:52:19]: Director Nola Miyasaki provided the Mayor's report and answers from questions asked in the previous meeting. Director Miyasaki highlighted the following: updates on major improvements at the Department of Planning and Permitting; the releasing of the 2024 Annual Sustainability Report; Wildfire Awareness Month; Mayor went to Capitol Hill to obtain more funding for homelessness and affordable housing; the City is hiring for the Summer Fun Programs, and updates on the Mayor's Town Hall. A copy of the Mayor's newsletter can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jYyzcsBBfsKYRCacRfsEOw2TpKvgC-4i/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:00:27]

Council Chair Tommy Waters -- [1:19:19]: April Coloretti provided the report and highlighted the following: legislative updates; the Primary Urban Center (PUC) Development Plan's bills have been referred to the planning committee; the committee draft 2 budget and its final reading is on Wednesday, June 5, 2024; and did site visit for the district. A copy of the report can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MvjbvTgev3uj2ns6XGpA0i60ikELO2LM/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:21:45]

Senator Sharon Moriwaki -- [1:25:26]: Senator Sharon Moriwaki provided her report and highlighted the following: Senator Moriwaki is focusing on helping residents with the cost of living; bills regarding a feral chicken control program; the Department of Agriculture receiving 20 million dollars for biosecurity against invasive species; the creation of the Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Center; and general excise tax exemptions to medical and dental health care providers. A copy of the report can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HraF3cWiT-BrOzN3pk92skXe7zv2pBeQ/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:31:11]

Representative Adrian Tam -- [1:36:17]: Representative Adrian Tam provided his report and highlighted the following: obtaining Capital Improvement funding for McKinley High School, Ala Wai Elementary School, Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, and all state libraries; Grants and Aids for Alzheimer's care, Mōʻiliʻili Community Center, Waikīkī Community Center, and the Waikīkī Business Improvement District Association; House Bill (HB) 1577 which requires towing companies to accept credit and debit cards; HB 2686 regarding Condominium insurance stabilization did not pass; and contacted the Department of Planning and Permitting regarding the abandon building on 1701 Ala Wai. A copy of the report can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wnrxam5XHs_mHhbdMuP1dDInX5orrCRf/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:42:06]

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [1:45:33]: No representative present.

VII. WAIKĪKĪ IMPOVEMENTS ASSOCIATION -- [1:45:37]:

[1:45:55] -- Rick Egged provided background information of the Ala Wai Collaboration and answers to questions asked in the meeting. The Ala Wai Collaboration organization was formed abut 30 years ago to communicate and provide input to the Army Core of Engineers flood control projects. Their goal is dealing with flood control and environmental issues for the Ala Wai Canal. The organization is opened to the public and anyone can join their meetings. Their current major initiative is to form a special improvement district for the Ala Wai Watershed.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:53:18]

VIII. BOARD BUSINESS -- [2:02:16]:

Final Legislation Update -- [2:02:16]: Vice Chair Erteschik provided the legislative updates and announced the passing of Senate Bill (SB) 2350 regarding an increase in penalties for noise and SB 2347 regarding increases penalties for repeat violent misdemeanors. Erteschik supports forming a committee or a Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) for next year. Some condominium bills had passed such as SB 2726, which requires the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) to conduct a study regarding condominiums in other states. A copy of the report can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m2Ze2FzLWkt4L56IlqMYjzvBmE0Zm63A/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:05:12]

Proposed Formation of a Police Relations Standing Committee -- [2:08:09]:

[2:08:16] -- D. Jacob MOVED and K. Jacob SECONDED to create a police relation standing committee with the following members: Melissa Filek, Jillian Anderson, Tim Gary, Jacob Wiencek, and Daniel Jacob as Chair. Discussion followed. The board conducted a roll call vote. The motion WAS NOT Adopted. 6-3-5 (AYE: Anderson Brown, Dabbs, D. Jacobs, K. Jacobs, and Merz; NO: Misakian, Howard, and Worth; ABSTAIN: Cabanero, Easley, Erteschik, Filek, and Finely) -- [2:30:40].

IX. REPORTS:

Chair's Report: Due to time this was postponed to the next agenda.

Sub District 1: Due to time this was postponed to the next agenda

Sub District 2: Due to time this was postponed to the next agenda

Sub District 3: Due to time this was postponed to the next agenda

X. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

The approval of the Tuesday, March 12, 2024 and Tuesday, April 9, 2024 Minutes: Due to time this was postponed to the next agenda.

XI. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [2:32:28]:

The next regular meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at the Waikīkī Community Center, 310 Paoakalani Avenue.

XII. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:32:34]: The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m.

Submitted by: Anson Wu, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Lindon Valenciano, Public Relation Assistant.

Finalized by: