Downtown Neighborhood Board No. 13 Meeting Minutes Posted <font color="red"><b>Thursday, May 5, 2016</b></font>

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Downtown Neighborhood Board No. 13 Meeting Minutes Posted Thursday, May 5, 2016
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With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO 13

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

PAUAHI COMMUNITY CENTER

CALL TO ORDER -- Chair Alvin Au called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. A quorum was established with six (6) members present. Note: This nine (9) member Board requires five (5) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present -- Alvin Au, Dolores Mollring, Jonathan Saupe, Thomas Smyth, Robert Tom, and Stanford Yuen.

Board Members Absent -- Anthony Chang, Jasmine Mancos and Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock.

Guests -- Lauren Johnston (Governor Ige's representative); Director George Atta (Mayor Caldwell's representative); Councilmember Carol Fukunaga; Lieutenant Darin Evangelista (Honolulu Police Department); Captain Corey Silva and Firefighter Jonathon Waltz (Honolulu Fire Department); Representative Karl Rhoads; Greg Payton (Mental Health Kokua/Safe Haven); Allen Stack Jr. (Chinatown Improvement District); Paul Mallory (Michel's Pipe Services); Harrison Rue, Wesley Fong, Jacob Chung, Gwen Abella, Kalawai'a Goo, and Wanda Akers; Sharon Baillie (Neighborhood Commission Office).

INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS -- Chair Au and the board members introduced themselves at this time.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) -- Firefighter Jonathon Waltz reported the following:

• April 2016 Statistics -- There were 6 structure fires, 6 nuisance fires, and 7 activated alarms. There were 190 medical emergencies, 1 motor vehicle collision with pedestrian, 6 motor vehicle crash/collisions, 2 ocean rescues, and 1 hazardous material incident.

• Fire Safety Tip -- Wildland/Brush Fires:

o Wildland/Brush fires can cause extensive damage to the community.

o The National Fire Protection Association suggests taking the following preventative steps around the home.

o Remove flammable materials, such as dead vegetation and wood piles, from within 30 feet of the home.

o Keep lawns hydrated and maintained. If a lawn is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for brush fires.

o Clear leaves and other vegetative debris from roofs, gutters, porches, and decks. This helps prevent embers from igniting your home.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Activated Alarms -- Mollring asked and Waltz replied that the number of activated alarms average around the same each month and the alarms are not activated on purpose.

2. Loud Sirens -- Tom inquired and Waltz noted that there is a post by the fire station near Capital Plaza that sounds off to prevent incoming traffic from coming through when the fire station trucks are trying to pull out. Silva added that using sirens is the law and that the front of the fire stations is dangerous.

3. Curb Painting -- A resident noted that he lives at 1060 Manakea Street and the curb outside his residence which has a fire hydrant is not painted red and would like to know if this curb should be painted red. Silva replied that he is unsure but will get an answer back for the next meeting.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) -- Lieutenant Darin Evangelista reported the following:

• April 2016 Crime Statistics -- There were 4 motor vehicle thefts, 7 burglaries, 81 thefts, 8 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV), 23 assaults, 3 graffitti, and 8 drug offenses. A total of 2,315 calls were placed for service.

• Safety Tip -- The Move Over law:

o HRS 291C-27 Emergency vehicle stopped for emergencies; duty of approaching vehicle

o A driver of a vehicle that is approaching an emergency vehicle (police, fire, ambulance, ocean safety vehicle, freeway service patrol, or a tow truck) that is stopped with flashing emergency lights shall:

o Slow down to a reasonable speed and;

o Make a lane change into the adjacent lane if necessary and it is safe to do so, or if possible, to two (2) lanes over which leaves one lane between the driver and the emergency vehicle.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Assaults -- Tom asked and Evangelista answered that assaults are anything that causes bodily injury.

2. Called -- Akers stated that she had to call HPD earlier that day because of a homeless person who had said vulgar things towards her, the police were able to help apprehend the man. Evangelista stated he sympathizes with her and is happy that HPD was able to help.

Neighborhood Citizen's Patrol (NCP) -- Mollring reported that the group has not been walking due to the rain and would like to see more volunteer efforts from the board and community.

COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) -- No representative was present; a report was not provided.

Safe Haven -- Greg Payton reported the following:

• What it is -- Safe Haven provides residential services to the homeless, with 25 beds.

• Last Month -- Two (2) people moved out into more independent living, with one (1) discharged into other permanent housing and one (1) bypassing Safe Haven and went directly to permanent housing. Three (3) people from the streets were able to be placed directly into permanent housing.

• This Year -- From January 2016 through April 2016 Safe Haven has been able to place 17 individuals, with hopes of placing 70 individuals into housing this year.

• Hygiene Center -- One (1) of the bathrooms at the hygiene center at Pauahi Hale is closed because of a faulty shower mechanism, steps are being taken to repair this issue.

• Renovations -- Payton mentions Councilmember Fukunaga is organizing a group of people to come out to Pauahi Hale on Saturday, June 25, 2016 to help paint the building. The roof of Pauahi Hale needs to be replaced, bids are currently out for replacement of the roof, and estimated construction to replace the roof is June 2015.

Honolulu Rail Transit -- Chair Alvin Au read a report provided by Pat Lee and reported the following:

• Rail Operating Center (ROC) -- The ROC in Waipahu is nearing completion of construction. The 43 acre site is located off of Farrington Highway between Leeward Community College (LCC) and Waipahu High School. The site includes four major facilities:

o Operations and Servicing Building

o Maintenance of Way Building

o Train Wash Facility

o Wheel Truing Building

• Maintenance -- The ROC will provide maintenance, inspections, and repairs of the rail vehicles and will be testing ground prior to operations and storage for trains when they are not in operation.

• Trains -- Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) will have 80 train cars for the rail system, and operate trains in a four (4) car configurations with an 800 passenger capacity. Trains will operate between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m.

• Shop and Dine on the Line -- Shop and Dine is designated to assist businesses along the rail alignment during construction by encouraging the public to patronize these store and restaurants and use the discounts and promotions these businesses are offering. Please visit: www.shopanddineontheline.com for more information.

• Information -- For general project information, traffic updates, meeting notices and more information, please visit the website www.honolulutransit.org, call the project hotline at 566-2299 or email a question at info@honolulutransit.org.

Chinatown Business & Community Association (CBCA) -- Mollring reported the following:

• Dragon -- CBCA is requesting that the Department of Transportation (DOT) orders parts to fix the chipping on the Chinatown Happy Dragon on King Street and Kekaulike Street.

• Next Meeting -- The next meeting of the CBCA will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Empress Restaurant, and is open to all interested individuals.

Chinatown Improvement District (CID) -- Allen Stack Jr. reported the following:

• Upstairs -- The Chinatown Upstairs event exploring second floor spaces of Chinatown is sold out and will be taking place Thursday, June 23, 2016.

• Sustaining -- The first Sustaining Chinatown Building Summer Seminar series will be taking place on Wednesday, June 8, 2016.

Arts Culture Merchant Etcetera (ACME) -- No representative was present; a report was not provided.

City Sewer Rehabilitation Project, Michel's Pipe Services -- Paul Mallory reported the following: Completion -- The sewer rehabilitation project is 100% completed. Mallory thanks the board and members of the community for being understanding of the work that was done in the area.

Public Concerns -- There were none at this time.

CITY REPORTS

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative -- Director George Atta reported the following:

• Fencing -- The Department of Facilities and Maintenance (DFM) does not have a project to install fencing at Sun Yat Sen Park. Fukunaga added that the fencing project received funding in last year's budget and they are working on releasing the funds for the fence, this project is with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).

• Power Washing -- Power washing in Chinatown was curtailed to lack of staff due to injuries. Staff has returned so power washing will resume.

• Restroom -- The Chinatown substation restroom closes due to clogging of the toiler or sink. The DFM treats this repair as a priority due to high usage.

• Tents -- The DFM performs stored property and sidewalk nuisance ordinance enforcement every other week in the Aala Park and downtown area based on resources, complaints are received island wide that require attention.

• Traffic Signal -- The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) confirmed the pedestrian count down at Hotel Street and Nuuanu Avenue was malfunctioning and replaced it.

• Crosswalk -- The DFM will restripe the crosswalk on Hotel Street and Maunakea Street next time they are in the area.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: Blocked Parking Stalls -- Yuen stated that Smith Beretania Park had tree trimming from Monday, April 18, 2016 to Friday, April 29, 2016. During this time ten (10) parking stalls were blocked off for crew/equipment. The crew finished completing the work after three (3) days, however the signs to block off parking for crew/equipment stayed up for the whole ten (10) days. Yuen would like to know who is in charge of putting up/taking down signs and why the parking stalls remained blocked off.

Councilmember Carol Fukunaga -- Councilmember Fukunaga reported the following:

• Needles -- There have been numerous complaints about needles in parks and on school grounds. Fukunaga is working closely and having discussions with different entities to try and help alleviate the issue.

• Funding -- Amendments to Bill 14, CD1 (Fiscal Year (FY) Operating Budget) and Bill 15, CD1 (FY Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget) would include:

o $500,000 for funding to help maintain outreach, housing placement, and other mental health services.

o $180,000 to continue Mental Health Kokua's Safe Haven activity center services.

o $2 million towards the Iwelei Hygiene Center with public restrooms, showers and laundry facilities to serve the homeless and general public.

• Thanks -- Fukunaga thanked all the volunteers who helped in the "Vibrant Chinatown" clean-up on Saturday, April 30, 2016.

• Haleiwai'olu -- Resolution 16-70, CD1, FD1 Haleiwai'olu Project Development Agreement and Lease for Senior Housing was unanimously adopted by the Council and will now move on to the next required steps.

Governor David Ige's Representative -- Laurel Johnston reported the following:

• Air Conditioning -- A bill was signed today, Thursday, May 5, 2016 that would put $100 million towards heat abatement/air conditioners in schools.

• Mother's Day -- The Governor launched a message about his mother for Mother's Day.

• Preschool -- Legislature expanded the preschool open doors program with another $10 million in funding.

Representative Karl Rhoads -- Representative Rhoads reported the following:

• Capital Improvement Projects -- CIP's of interest:

o $200,000 for Central Middle School restroom improvements.

o $750,000 in funding for legal services for those who cannot afford an attorney.

o $160 million for improvements at the State psychiatric hospital to enable more mentally ill homeless to receive treatment.

• Updates -- Bills of Interest:

o Rhoads introduced House Bill (HB) 2559 which is designed to get more effective help for the mentally homeless people in the district.

o Rhoads introduced HB 1517 which would increase penalties for those who commit crimes against parents while their children are present.

o HB 1753 would strengthen moped regulation by requiring license plates, safety inspections, and registration.

Hearing no objections Chair Au took the agenda out of order back to public concerns.

Public Concerns -- Senior Housing -- Wesley Fong, president of the Chinatown Community Center Association (CCCA) wants to thank the board and Councilmember Fukunaga in their support in getting the Haleiwai'olu senior housing to fruition. He added that CCCA originated the idea of the senior center/housing. He stated there is still a few contingencies about the health and safety hazards of the project but it is a positive move forward.

NEW BUSINESS

Discussion to Amend the Posted Operating Hours 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. for Smith Beretania Park

• Information -- Au shared an email response from DPR stating that the board can send a letter requesting consideration in changing of the park hours.

• City -- Harrison Rue stated that he has been in contact with different department's discussing what needs to happen in order for parks hours to change. The letter to DPR would go to the parks advisory board who would make a decision on park closure hours. Rue stated that the neighborhood board is best suited to voice needs and concerns the community may have with park closure hours.

Yuen moved and Mollring seconded to send a letter to the DPR requesting the park closure hours at Smith Beretania Park be from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Discussion Followed:

• Park Hours -- Stack mentioned CID has adopted Smith Beretania Park and does clean ups there a few times a year. As an individual Stack would support earlier hours for the park, but not quite as late closing hours since lighting may be an issue.

• More Homeless -- Saupe raised a question wondering if later park closure hours would attract more homeless to the park. Au added that it is possible later hours would invite other unwanted activities. In addition Yuen and Tom want to take back the park for families and individuals to use in a productive manner.

Yuen moved and Mollring seconded to send a letter to the DPR requesting the park closure hours at Smith Beretania Park be from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. The motion was adopted by UNANIMOUS CONCENT 6-0-0. (AYE: Au, Mollring, Saupe, Smyth, Tom, and Yuen; Nay: none; Abstain: none.)

Presentation on the 5th Chinatown Family Fair Event at Smith Beretania Park, Saturday, June 4, 2016 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. -- Jacob Chung Jr. presented the following: Family Fair -- The Chinatown Family Fair sponsored by New Life Church Honolulu will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Smith Beretania Park. There will be entertainment, games, food, and arts and crafts. The Mayor will be attending to say a few words.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: Use -- Saupe commented that utilizing the park for events such as these is very productive and one way in which we can take back our parks.

Mollring moved and Saupe seconded to support the 5th Chinatown Family Fair Event. The motion was adopted by UNANIMOUS CONCENT 6-0-0. (AYE: Au, Mollring, Saupe, Smyth, Tom, and Yuen; Nay: none; Abstain: none.)

Discussion to Request the City Department of Transportation Services to consider the placement at the Bus Stop located on 50 North Hotel Street a Bench with bars to prevent lying on the bench

• Requested -- Saupe informed the board he has received requests from two (2) different merchants in Chinatown to change the bus stop bench to a bus stop bench with bars in order to prevent lying and sleeping on the bench. The specific bus stop is on the opposite corner of the police substation at Smith Street and Hotel Street.

Saupe moved and Mollring seconded to send a letter to DTS in consideration of adding bars to the bus stop bench at 50 North Hotel Street. The motion was adopted by UNANIMOUS CONCENT 6-0-0. (AYE: Au, Mollring, Saupe, Smyth, Tom, and Yuen; Nay: none; Abstain: none.)

Traffic Alerts --

• Honolulu Triathlon, Sunday, May 15, 2016, Partial Makai Lane Closure, Nimitz Highway from Aloha Tower to Honolulu Airport, 4:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

• 100th Anniversary King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade, Saturday, June 11, 2016, Street Closures, Bishop Street (Partial), Richard Street, King Street, Punchbowl Street, and Ala Moana Boulevard, 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

APPROVAL OF APRIL 7, 2016 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES -- The board approved the April 7, 2016 regular meeting minutes by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, as amended 6-0-0 (AYE: Au, Mollring, Saupe, Smyth, Tom, and Yuen; NAY: none; ABSTAIN: none).

Page 5: There is a need for funding aging and disability resource centers in each county in order to have a place people can go to get support as a one stop shop.

Page 5: Senate budget amendments were passed for HB 1700, which includes more money for various homeless services and programs. There is also a bill that encourages helping people who are homeless with jobs.

Page 5: Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) has signed a contract with Hunt Development to redevelop the 4 acre parcel of land. There may potentially be about 1,500 mixed units as well as mixed uses. Hunt Development will have a community listing process that everyone is invited to attend and share their suggestions about why they would like to see be considered as part of the proposed housing project and to receive updated information on the Mayor Wright development over the next year.

Page 5: On Friday, April 30, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. there will be a beautification day sponsored by American Savings Bank to beautify Aala Park, Dr. Sun Yat Sen Mall, College Walk and other areas in Chinatown. The group will meet in the middle of the Chinese Cultural Center.

Page 5: On Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. there will be an emergency preparedness workshop in conference room 329 at the State Capitol by Lisa Shozuya. She is contracted by Lyon Associates and the training is funded through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Page 5: People who are homeless stay close to the place that they may work or where their children go to school, so homeless people may not want to live in shelters far away from their place of work and school. Some of the shelters may be empty due to not having showers or other basic amenities.

BOARD BUSINESS

Chair's Report -- Au stated pending confirmation next month's meeting should be held at Aloha Towers

Other Liquor License Applications or Street Closure Events -- Au noted the following:

• Liquor -- Two (2) liquor applications, one (1) for Regal Bakery and one (1) for Brick Fire Tavern, public hearings will be held Thursday, June 16, 2016.

• Events -- Murphy's Bar and Grill is requesting three (3) separate street closures and liquor license extensions.

o Saturday, June 25, 2016 for their 11th fundraiser in supporting Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation.

o Thursday, August 18, 2016 for their 21st Annual Pigskin Pigout to benefit the University of Hawaii Football Program.

o Thursday, September 8, 2016 for their 7th Annual Fundraiser for Hawaii Literacy.

Mollring moved and Saupe seconded support all three (3) street closure events being held by Murphy's Bar & Grill. The motion was adopted by UNANIMOUS CONCENT 6-0-0. (AYE: Au, Mollring, Saupe, Smyth, Tom, and Yuen; Nay: none; Abstain: none.)

Treasurer's Report -- Treasurer Mollring reported a remaining balance of $115.24. The report was filed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next Meeting -- The next Downtown Neighborhood Board No. 13 meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pauahi Community Center or Aloha Towers.

ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.

Submitted by: Sharon Baillie, Neighborhood Assistant I

Reviewed by: Neil Baarde, Neighborhood Assistant II

Finalized by: Chair Alvin Au

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First Friday Hawaii News Item

Downtown Neighborhood Board No. 13 Meeting Minutes Posted Thursday, May 5, 2016

First Friday Hawaii
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