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

WAIKĪKĪ NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 9

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2025 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=bmGOmkeG3ok

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at:

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

I. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:01:21]: Chair Robert Finley called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.

Quorum was established with 16 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: Renee Ah Moo, Jillian Anderson, Lisa Cabanero, Shotaro Dabbs, Cory D'Orazio, Louis Erteschik, Melissa Filek, Robert Finley, Kathryn Henski, Tim Hucke, Daniel Jacob, Ken Jacob, Jeffrey Merz, Nate Serota, Shannon Smith, Sarah Worth, and Rolf Nordahl (6:55 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: None.

Guests: Fire Fighter 3 Everett Vasconcellos (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Stephen Keogh, Lieutenant Steve Ono, and Major Brandon Ogata (Honolulu Police Department); Dominic Dias (Board of Water Supply); Adam Doo (Council Chair Tommy Waters); Alexander Ozawa (Senator Sharon Moriwaki); Flora (Representative Adrian Tam); Renee Espiau (Department of Transportation Services); Trevor Abarzua (Waikīkī Business Improvement District); Geisa Adachi, Tommy Penrose, Claire Elveram, Scott Larimer, Dianne Deauna, Jacob Wiencek, Valerie Wong, Everette Vasconcellos, Richard Byron, Katherine Li, Vincent lee, Mark Duering, Mike Buck, Caroline Brimblecombe, Gary Bowles, Michelle Matson, Midori Trent, Laura Ruby; John Deutzman; Margaret Murchie; Scott Lurmer; Dominic Ostroski; Mark Duering; Valerie Wong; Rolf Nordahl; Gloria Steiner; Greg Mistaken; and Anson Wu (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 54 total participants.

II. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS -- [0:01:25]

Honolulu Fire Department -- [0:01:25]: Fire Fighter 3 Everett Vasconcellos provided the June 2025 statistics and highlighted the following: 2 structure fires; 13 activated alarms with no fires; 211 medical calls; 2 motor vehicle collisions with pedestrians; 3 motor vehicle crash collisions; and 3 ocean rescues. Safety tips for July 2025 focused on wild land fire awareness and prevention.

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

· Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PAJHIC3Qc0iyhbIkR1h0zqp_7yLOxrEX/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:03:16]: Member Filek asked about propane tanks at food trucks on Cartwright Road. Captain Marquez indicated that the Fire Prevention Code Bureau had been informed and would follow up.

Honolulu Police Department -- [0:05:21]: Lieutenant Stephen Keogh, with Lieutenant Steve Ono and Major Brandon Ogata provided the June 2025 statistics and highlighted the following: 7 robberies; 10 burglaries; 122 thefts; 9 unauthorized entry of motor vehicles; 30 assaults; 4 sex crimes; 4 bicycle/skateboard on sidewalk citations; 2 speeding citations; 1,808 parking citations; 14 loud muffler violations; 87 park closure citations with 14 arrests; and 4,419 total calls for service. 36 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests for the Month of May, with 23 individuals refusing testing and 2 arrests being motor vehicle collision related.

· Crime statistics: https://www.crimemapping.com/map/agency/165#

· For more information: https://www.honolulupd.org/

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:08:26]: Discussions included questions regarding the refusal of testing; appreciation for police work; concerns about shootings and stabbings in the broader area; enforcement on electric bicycles and motorized vehicles; moped violations; questions about a police substation in Kaimuki; shoplifting; the new bus lane on Kūhio Avenue; jurisdiction in the zoo parking lot; homeless encampments; speeding on Paoakalani Avenue; and DUI enforcement statistics.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) -- [0:40:41]: Dominic Dias reported and highlighted the following no main breaks for the month of June 2025; noted that July is Smart Irrigation Month and encouraged checking irrigation systems; BWS is offering rebates on rain barrel water catchment systems and weather-based irrigation controllers; and will provide a water quality report for Waikīkī at possibly the next meeting.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:41:39]: No concerns.

Kūhiō Bus Lane issue [0:41:53]: Chair Finley informed the residents and board members that he had contacted Director Roger Morton and Renee Espiau regarding the Bus Lane issue on Kūhiō and requested to provide a report in an upcoming meeting.

III. FILL VACANT SEAT IN SUB DISTRICT 3 -- [0:44:01]

[0:44:07] -- Henski nominated Rolf Nordahl. [0:44:18] -- Worth nominated Valerie Wong. Both candidates provided brief introductions. The board conducted a roll call vote, Rolf Nordahl is voted onto the board; 14-2-0 (NORDAHL: Ah Moo, Anderson, Cabanero, Dabbs, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Henski, Huycke, D. Jacob, K. Jacob, Merz, Serota, and Smith; WONG: Finley and Worth; ABSTAIN: None) -- [0:47:18]

[0:49:57] -- The Neighborhood Assistant conducted the Oath of Office for Rolf Nordahl. 17 members present.

[0:49:58] -- Board Member Henski recognized Allison Schaefer for her successful advocacy of "Sharky's Bill," which was recently signed into law by Governor Green. Discussion followed.

IV. ELECTION OF OFFICERS -- [0:54:12]

Chair -- [0:54:17]: Henski nominated Finley. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Finley was elected as Chair; 16-0-1 (Finley: Ah Moo, Anderson, Cabanero, Dabbs, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Henski, Huycke, D. Jacob, K. Jacob, Merz, Serota, Smith, Nordahl, and Finley; ABSTAIN: Worth) -- [0:54:44]

Vice Chair -- [0:56:30]: Henski nominated Erteschik. Ah Moo nominated Smith. Hearing no further nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Louis Erteschik was elected Vice Chair; 13-3-1 (Erteschik: Anderson, Nordahl, Cabanero, Dabbs, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Finley, Henski, Huycke, D. Jacob, K. Jacob, Merz, and Worth; Smith: Ah Moo, Serota, and Smith; ABSTAIN: Filek) -- [0:58:25]

Sub District 1 Chair -- [1:00:13]: Merz self-nominated. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Jeffrey Merz was elected Sub District 1 Chair; 15-0-1 (Merz: Ah Moo, Anderson, Cabanero, Dabbs, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Henski, Huycke, D. Jacob, K. Jacob, Merz, Serota, and Smith; ABSTAIN: Worth) -- [1:01:59]

Sub District 2 Chair -- [1:03:06]: Filek nominated Anderson. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Anderson was elected Sub District 2 Chair; 15-0-1 (Anderson: Ah Moo, Anderson, Cabanero, Dabbs, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Henski, Huycke, D. Jacob, K. Jacob, Merz, Serota, and Smith; ABSTAIN: Worth) -- [1:03:25]

Sub District 3 Chair -- [1:04:27]: Cabanero nominated Henski. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Henski was elected Sub District 3 Chair; 16-0-1 (Henski: Ah Moo, Anderson, Cabanero, Dabbs, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Henski, Huycke, D. Jacob, K. Jacob, Merz, Serota, Smith, and Nordahl; ABSTAIN: Worth) -- [1:04:49]

Secretary -- [1:05:44]: Henski nominated Filek. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Filek was elected Secretary; 16-0-1 (Filek: Ah Moo, Nordahl, Anderson, Cabanero, Dabbs, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Henski, Huycke, D. Jacob, K. Jacob, Merz, Serota, and Worth; ABSTAIN: Smith) -- [1:06:03]

Treasurer -- [1:07:02]: Henski nominated Cabanero. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Cabanero was elected Treasurer; 17-0-0 (Cabanero: Ah Moo, Anderson, Cabanero, Nordahl, Dabbs, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Henski, Huycke, D. Jacob, K. Jacob, Merz, Serota, Smith and Worth; ABSTAIN: None) -- [1:08:23]

V. MEETING TIME AND PLACE/RULES OF SPEAKING -- [1:09:21]

Meeting Place and Time -- [1:09:26]: [1:09:49] -- Finley MOVED and Henski SECONDED TO holding meetings on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Waikīkī Community Center. Hearing no discussion, the board conducted a show of hands. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 17-0-0 (AYE: Ah Moo, Anderson, Cabanero, Nordahl, Dabbs, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Henski, Huycke, D. Jacob, K. Jacob, Merz, Serota, Smith and Worth; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None) -- [1:10:05]

Planned Meetings to Recess -- [1:10:25]: [1:11:11] -- Finley MOVED and Carbenaro SECONDED to reschedual Novemberʻs meeting as it falls on Veterans Day and recess in December 2025. Hearing no discussion, the board conducted a show of hands. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 17-0-0 (AYE: Ah Moo, Anderson, Cabanero, Nordahl, Dabbs, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Henski, Huycke, D. Jacob, K. Jacob, Merz, Serota, Smith and Worth; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None) -- [1:11:39]

Adoption of Rules of Speaking -- [1:11:52]: [1:11:56] -- Finley MOVED and Henski SECONDED proposed changing the speaking time limit to two minutes. Discussion followed regarding timekeeping procedures and enforcement. The board conducted a show of hands. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 17-0-0 (AYE: Ah Moo, Anderson, Cabanero, Nordahl, Dabbs, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Henski, Huycke, D. Jacob, K. Jacob, Merz, Serota, Smith and Worth; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None) -- [1:16:58]

[1:17:18] -- Daniel Jacob MOVED and Ah Moo SECONDED requiring that question for elected officials and presenters be submitted before the meeting. Discussion followed, the motion was withdrawn.

VI. CITIZENS CONCERNS NOT COVERED IN REGULAR AGENDA -- [1:23:36]

Zoo Parking Lot -- [1:23:49]: Resident John Deutzman expressed concerns about the zoo parking lot night noise and suggested it be added to a future agenda. He also commented on meeting time management.

Board Engagement -- [1:25:17]: Resident Jacob Wiencek congratulated board members on their elections and noted increased civic engagement in Waikīkī. He suggested leveraging this engagement through committees and permitted interaction groups.

Ala Wai Bridge Project -- [1:27:07]: Resident Laura Ruby raised concerns about the Ala Wai pedestrian bridge project, particularly regarding ADA compliance and maintenance issues. She requested that Roger Morton be invited to a future meeting to provide specifics.

Meeting Rules -- [1:29:26]: Resident Greg Mistaken commented on adherence to the neighborhood plan and sunshine law requirements.

Amount of Board Members -- [1:31:38]: Resident Tim Garry commented that the board has too many members to be effective.

Water Fountains and Park Benches -- [1:32:34]: Resident Gloria Steiner raised concerns about non-functioning water fountains and the removal of benches at the beach park. She also questioned having multiple family members on the board.

Kūhiō Bus Lane -- [1:35:08]: Resident Mark Duering commented on the bus lane on Kūhiō Avenue and the traffic problems it has created.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:38:13]: Member Filek and Smith provided more information regarding the bus lane on Kūhiō Avenue. Renee Espiau will take the feedback back to the office and will provide a report in a future agenda.

VII. OʻAHU SCHEDULE OF MAJOR PARADES AND STREET EVENTS -- [1:42:41]

· Saturday, July 12, 2025, 9:00 a.m. -- 11:00 a.m., Family Day Parade (lane closures start at 7:30 a.m.)

· Saturday, July 19, 2025, 2:00 p.m. -- midnight, Summer by the Ocean Festival (lane closures start at 12:30 p.m.)

· Sunday, July 27, 2025, 5:00 a.m. -- 10:00 a.m., Na Wahine Sprint Triathlon (Kapiʻolani Park Area)

· Saturday, August 9, 2025, 6:30 a.m. -- 10:00 a.m., 2025 Heart Walk (Kapiʻolani Park Area)

· Sunday, August 10, 2025, 5:30 a.m. -- 10:00 a.m., Norman Tamanahana 15K (Kapiʻolani Park Area)

· Sunday, August 24, 2025, 9:45 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m., Dick Evans Memorial Bike Ride (Kalama Valley to Kapiʻolani Park Area)

· Saturday, September 6, 2025, 2:00 p.m. -- midnight, Waikīkī Street Jam (lane closures start at 12:30 p.m.)

[1:44:05] -- Chair Finley also noted that Kalia Road (Ft. DeRussy) will be closed for repaving for the next several months.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:38:13]: Member Worth informed residents that the Family Day Parade Lane closure starts at 7:30 a.m. and the Waikīkī Street Jam and the Summer by the Ocean Festival Lane closure starts at 12:30 p.m.

VIII. ELECTED OFFICIALS OR OFFICIALS' REPRESENTATIVES -- [1:45:21]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [1:45:22]: Melissa Filek read the report and highlighted the following: updates on the proposed town hall regarding early trash pickup; information on how to be appointed to the Honolulu Police Commission; responses regarding 436 Ena Road; graffiti removal; street sweeping; portable toilets for events; left turn arrows on Kūhiō` Avenue; and bus route extension requests.

· Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EHfvkEFUZFK6RK2M41SzFtOK9mX1ja_t/view?usp=drive_link

Council Chair Tommy Waters -- [1:52:22]: Adam Doo was having technical difficulties, was revisited at a later time.

Senator Sharon Moriwaki -- [1:52:37]: Alexander Ozawa provided the report and highlighted the following: the governor had completed his vetoes and signed the last remaining bills; the Senate had considered going into special session, but determined it was not necessary; and Senator Moriwaki's is working on new bills for the next legislative session.

Questions, comments, and concerns Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative (Continue) -- [1:53:53]: Member Ah Moo noted that the 436 Ena Road belongs to the City and County and the tax bill goes to 530 South King Street.

Representative Adrian Tam -- [1:54:59]: Flora provided the report and highlighted the following: Representative Tam is attending a fellowship at Harvard; Flora confirmed that 436 Ena Road is owned by the city and county, and a riser had been submitted; and Representative Tam's office is drafting legislation for 2026, including bills on short-term rentals and environmental protections.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:56:25]: Chair Finley asked for clarification on what a riser is. Flora explained it is a request for investigative services report used when addressing city and county issues.

Council Chair Tommy Waters -- [1:58:20]: Adam Doo provided the report and highlighted the following a dead tree near the Ala Wai Canal had been removed; "Don't Feed Feral Chicken" signs had been requested for Centennial Park; DTS had been asked to evaluate the Kūhiō and Kapahulu Avenue intersection light timing; the mayor would hold a press conference on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 regarding the demolition of 1615 Ala Wai Boulevard; Bill 4625 passed its first reading and will be heard in committee; and Chair Waters conducted a walking tour in Waikīkī with various officials to address issues such as illegal peddling, safety, and upkeep.

· Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ELL8CkAbyLxHczEC4tEs0ZQHXaeDTJZA/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:03:38]: Discussion focused on the plans for 1615 Ala Wai Boulevard. Resident Jacob Wiencek expressed support for Bills 49 and 50 regarding property tax relief and Bill 51 establishing a downtown business improvement district.

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [2:12:54]: No representative present.

IX. WAIKĪKĪ IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION -- [2:12:59]

Presentation to update Waikīkī Neighborhood on Commercial Events that impact the community. The board will not vote on the presentation -- [2:12:59]: No representative present.

X. NEW BOARD BUSINESS -- [2:13:02]

Waikīkī Business Improvement District (WBID) Update -- [2:13:02]: Trevor Abazura, President and Executive Director of the Waikīkī Business Improvement District, provided a presentation of the annual report of the Waikīkī Business Improvement Association and highlighted the following:crime statistics from the Safe and Sound initiative from June 2024 to June 2025; the impact of the Waikīkī Health Street Medicine Partnership; a decrease in the homeless population from 251 individuals in September 2022 to 159 individuals in June 2025; information on a proposed Safety Response Team (SRKT); enforcement on illegal vending; WBID is partnering with the State Department of Law Enforcement on a real-time crime center for Waikīkī; 100 new rubbish cans installed along Kalakaua and Kūhiō Avenue; and new program equipment for power washing and sidewalk sweeping.

· Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xoYuXJXqyi53HrM5UpuHIAkowacQzvHo/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:34:19]: Discussion included camera monitoring and effectiveness, entertainment options in Waikīkī, addressing illegal kiosks, and trash can distribution.

State of Hawaii Proposed Waikīkī Safety Project -- [2:49:58]: No representative present. Chair Finley indicated he would contact Mr. Lambert from the state for a presentation at the next meeting.

XI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- [2:50:10]

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Regular Meeting Written Summary for Video Recording -- [2:50:10]: Anson Wu noted corrections to the board member attendance list and the motion regarding the Ala Wai bridge resolution, which should have stated the motion was "Not adopted" rather than "Adopted."

[2:51:00] -- D. Jacob MOVED and Erteschik SECONDED to approve the minutes as amended. Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a show of hands. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 16-0-1 (AYE: Ah Moo, Anderson, Cabanero, Nordahl, Dabbs, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Henski, Huycke, D. Jacob, K. Jacob, Merz, Serota, and Smith; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: Worth) -- [2:51:05]

XII. REPORTS -- [2:51:17]

Sub District 1 Report: No report.

Sub District 2 Report: No report.

Sub District 3 Report: No report.

Chair Report: No report.

XIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Waikīkī Community Center, 310 Paoakalani Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.

Submitted by: Anson Wu, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO

Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relation Specialist, NCO

Finalized by: Melissa Filek, Secretary Waikiki Neighborhood Board

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