Downtown Neighborhood Board No. 13 Meeting Minutes Posted <font color="red"><b>July 7, 2016</b></font>

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Downtown Neighborhood Board No. 13 Meeting Minutes Posted July 7, 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, JULY 7, 2016
ALOHA TOWERS

CALL TO ORDER -- Chair Pro Tem Alvin Au called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m., with a quorum of 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, Anthony Chang, Dolores Mollring, Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, Thomas Smyth, and Stanford Yuen.

Board Members Absent -- Jasmine Mancos, Jonathan Saupe, and Bob Tom.

Guests -- Lieutenant Baron Lee and Sergeant Clinton Corpuz (Honolulu Police Department); Captain Keith Marrero and Firefighter I Jonathan Waltz (Honolulu Fire Department); George Atta (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative); Peter Hirai (Deputy Director, Department of Emergency Management); Liz Char, Sandy Pfund, and Jun Yang (City and County of Honolulu); Pat Lee (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation); Councilmember Carol Fukunaga; Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland; Representative Karl Rhoads; Kendys Min (Hawaiian Electric); Sam Moku (Hawaii Pacific University); Lee Stack (Chinatown Improvement District); Greg Payton (Mental Health Kokua/Safe Haven); Allan Silva (Kamaina Kids); Sandra Pohl (Creative Arts Experience); Daniel Kaaialii (Cantina LLC); Patrick Wilson and Miki Lee (Honolulu Culture and Arts District); Hyrum Nihipali; James Love; Ronald Higa; Daniel Holt; Valerie Dionne; Keone Nakoa; Kalanai'a Goo; and Sharon Baillie (Neighborhood Commission Office).

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

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Chair -- Mollring nominated Au for Chair. There were no other nominations. Au was voted Chair UNANIMOUSLY by a show of hands, 6-0-0 (AYE: Au, Chang, Mollring, Shubert-Kwock, Smyth, and Yuen; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None).

Vice Chair -- Yuen nominated Shubert-Kwock for Vice Chair. There were no other nominations. Shubert-Kwock was not voted Vice Chair by a show of hands, 4-0-2. (AYE: Au, Mollring, Shubert-Kwock, and Yuen; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: Chang and Smyth). The election of vice chair will take place at the next board meeting.

Secretary -- Mollring nominated Chang for Secretary. There were no other nominations. Chang was voted Secretary by a show of hands, 5-0-1 (AYE: Au, Mollring, Shubert-Kwock, Smyth, and Yuen; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: Chang).

Treasurer -- Shubert-Kwock nominated Mollring for Treasurer. There were no other nominations. Mollring was voted Treasurer UNANIMOUSLY by a show of hands, 6-0-0 (AYE: Au, Chang, Mollring, Shubert-Kwock, Smyth, and Yuen; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None).

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Departments (HFD) -- Firefighter Captain Keith Marrero reported the following:
• June 2016 Statistics -- There was 1 structure fire, 3 nuisance fires, and 1 cooking fire, with 6 activated alarms. There were 169 medical emergencies, 2 motor vehicle collisions with pedestrians, 3 motor vehicle crashes/collisions, 1 ocean rescue, and 1 hazardous materials incident.
• Fire Safety Tip -- Summer Home Safety:
o With island keiki on summer break, please review your home surrounds for potentially hazardous situations and child proof your home.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) -- Lieutenant Baron Lee reported the following:
• June 2016 Crime Statistics -- There were 4 motor vehicle thefts, 9 burglaries, 64 thefts, 14 unauthorized entries into a motor vehicle (UEMV), 25 assaults, 1 sex assault, and 9 drug offenses. A total of 2,182 calls were placed for service.
• Safety Tips -- Pedestrian Safety:
o Please be aware of your surroundings. Pedestrians need to look both ways before entering into a crosswalk or crossing the street. Drivers need to be aware of other cars and pedestrians that may be crossing the street.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed:
1. Status -- Shubert-Kwock noted her pleasure in seeing the number of drug arrests go up. Shubert-Kwock requested if the status of the 26 cameras around Chinatown can be included on the monthly police reports.
2. Liquor -- Smyth noted a letter sent to the liquor commission by the Executive Secretary of the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) for the Downtown Neighborhood Board and inquired if the police have any knowledge on this. Lee stated that the liquor commission is a separate entity.
3. Kamali'i Park -- Nihipali voiced concerns over the conditions of Kamali'i Park. Lee noted that there are different ways to get involved such as joining a neighborhood watch.

Neighborhood Citizen's Patrol (NCP) -- Mollring noted that the NCP meets at Kukui Plaza, Diamond Head side every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.

COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) -- Sam Moku reported the following:
• Purchase -- HPU has just completed a purchase sale agreement with Castle Medical Center regarding its Hawaii Loa campus.

Questions, comments, and concerns that followed:
1. 2nd Floor -- Smyth asked and Moku answered that the second floor of Aloha Towers is accessible until a certain time at night, however the student dorm rooms are fully secure.
2. Students -- Mollring noted that the student bring a lot of business to the downtown area.
3. Population Dionne inquired and Moku noted that if the purchase goes through the student population should stay steady at around 6,000.

Safe Haven -- Greg Payton reported the following:
• Safe Haven -- Safe Haven is Mental Health Kokua's (MHK) 25-bed permanent housing program. Safe Haven includes a day program where people can drop in to receive supportive health services.
• First Half of Year -- In the first six (6) months of the year Safe Haven has placed 45 people into permanent supportive housing or they have been able to go back to the mainland. There is an additional 25 people in the 25 bed program. Safe Haven plans to make its goal of putting 70 people into permanent supportive housing by the end of 2016.
• Pauahi Hale -- The Pauahi Hale Hygiene Center serves around 60 people a day. Pauahi Hale will start construction on a new roof in July 2016. 10 rooms are water damaged by the current roof. Once the roof is fixed, the Safe Haven program will be locating to this new location by the end of 2016, where the once water damaged rooms will be utilized.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed: Restrooms -- Shubert-Kwock noted that she went by Pauahi Hale and saw that the gates to the restrooms were locked, Payton stated he would find out the reasoning.

Honolulu Authority on Rapid Transit (HART) -- Pat Lee reported the following:
• News -- Lee noted that there has been a lot in the news about the rail and budget short falls. HARTs position is that the rail continues on all the way to Ala Moana Center like intended. The other options like stopping at Middle Street or changing alignment to Nimitz Highway have pros and cons.
• Success -- The guideway is completed on the west side of the alignment from the Kroc Center through Waipahu, more than eight (8) miles. The Rail Operations Center is also finished.
• Information -- For general project information please visit the website www.honolulutransit.org, call the project hotline at 566-2299, or email a question at info@honolulutransit.org.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed: Thoughts -- Shubert-Kwock noted the importance of having a rail station in Chinatown and hopes the rail continues on. Lee noted that the general consensus is that people would like to see the 20-mile guideway completed.

Chinatown Business and Community Association (CBCA) -- Shubert-Kwock reported the following:
• CBCA -- CBCA is a nonprofit grassroots organization that aims to improve the infrastructure for Chinatown, such as roads, toilets, homeless, etc.
• Concerns There are many concerns on the reports that the rail will stop at Middle Street and not come through the Chinatown Area. The issue of homeless remains a problem in Chinatown.
• Meeting -- The next meeting of CBCA will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 starting at 8:30 a.m. at Empress Restaurant.

Chinatown Improvement District (CID) -- Lee Stack reported the following:
• CID -- CID is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit.
• Upstairs Tours -- The tours of Chinatown's second floor spaces in partnership with Historic Hawaii have been completed and were a success.
• Clean Parks -- CID participated in a cleanup of Smith Beretania Park on Saturday, June 26, 2016 with the Vibrant Chinatown group.
• Preservation -- There will be a Sustaining Chinatown Summer Preservation session, Wednesday, June 13, 2016 at the offices of Lyon Associates at the Hawaii National Bank Building.

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

Public Concerns -- There were none at this time.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative -- Director George Atta of the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) reported the following:
• Dragon Decal -- The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) is working with the manufacturer to have the dragon decal on Keakaulike Street replaced. The decal is still under warranty.
• Crosswalks -- The crosswalks and stop bar at Hotel Street and Kekaulike Street and Hotel Street and Maunakea Street have all been repainted
• Sidewalk -- Work will be scheduled to replace the smashed sidewalk fronting Honolulu Towers on Beretania Street and Smith Street.
• Uplifted -- The uplifted sidewalk on Beretania Street fronting Safe Haven will be scheduled for work once resources become available. A temporary patch will be applied to minimize the trip hazards.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed:
1. Sidewalk - Mollring noted an uprooted portion of sidewalk on Kukui Street between Fort Street and Nuuanu Avenue by Kukui Plaza and the Mortuary.
2. Sidewalk Safety -- Resident Dionne noted a lifted sidewalk near Honolulu Towers on North Beretania Street between Smith Street and Maunakea Street. Mollring added that vehicles could possibly tip over due to the lifted sidewalk extending into the street.
3. Moon Garden -- Shubert-Kwock would like an update on Moon Garden at 520 Vineyard Boulevard.

Winston Hale Micro Unit Project Sandy Pfund reported the following: Winston Hale -- Winston Hale is a six (6) micro unit studios project, set to be completed at the end of the 4th quarter of 2016. One (1) of the units will be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. The existing building has been vacant and unused, the project offers a perfect opportunity to promote a walkable community and encourage public transit use.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed: Updates -- Shubert-Kwock inquired on updates to the River Street project, Pfund noted that the project is still in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) period and it may be a few more months until the next plans are in place for development, but will update the board. Au noted his approval of the Winston Hale project.

Councilmember Carol Fukunaga -- Councilmember Fukunaga reported the following:
1. Homeless Solutions -- Councilmember Fukunaga noted her recent trip to Seattle to visit their Crisis Solutions Center. Councilmember Fukunaga expressed that this trip has given her ideas and that herself and others will be able to explore more options and come up with solutions to help combat the homeless issues.
2. Community Improvement Projects (CIPs) -- Councilmember Fukunaga highlighter a handout with Council District 6 CIPs for the Fiscal Year (FY) 17.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed:
1. Results -- Au stated that the recent trip Councilmember Fukunaga took to Seattle to see how they deal with homelessness, is needed for the community to make the right steps towards improving the quality of lives for residents and businesses.
2. Police Kiosks -- Shubert-Kwock voiced her pleasure in seeing over $550,000 in CIP funding for the Sun Yat-Sen Park and College Walk Malls. Shubert-Kwock would like to see police kiosks at one end of the mall to help with crime and homeless issues. Fukunaga added that they can work with the DPP and the HPD to see if something like this can come to reality. Fukunaga added that her office has received complaints about many parks including the Kamali'i Park mentioned early and is in touch with the HPD and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).

Governor David Ige's Representative -- Laurel Johnston informed Chair Au that she was unable to attend the meeting; a report was provided.

Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland -- Senator Chun Oakland reported the following: Allocation of Money -- Senator Chun Oakland highlighted her newsletter and noted money in the FY budget and CIP budget for homeless, preschool care, kupuna care, housing, school improvements, and transportation.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed: Aloha Towers -- Smyth asked and Moku answered that the money allocated for improvements to Aloha Towers and Marketplace is not necessarily for HPU related improvements, but for things such as lighting that all public need and for the Harbor side of the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT). Chang thanked Chun Oakland for her many years of service to the community.

Representative Karl Rhoads -- Representative Karl Rhoads reported the followed: Bills of Interest -- Representative Rhoads highlighted Bills of Interest that recently became law; House Bill (HB) 27 -- allows a voter to distribute or share an image of the voters own marked ballot, HB 2559 -- is designed to get more effective help for the mentally ill homeless by making it easier to keep the mentally ill on their medications for a longer period of time, HB 1517 -- increases penalties for those who commit crimes against parents while their children are present.

NEW BUSINESS

Tsunami Evacuation Map and Hurricane Preparedness Planning -- Peter Hirai, Deputy Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) reported the following:
• Tsunami Evacuation Map -- Hirai noted changes to the tsunami evacuation map and made available reports of the presentation and maps. The red area is the tsunami evacuation zone that everyone needs to get out of in a tsunami. The yellow area is an extreme tsunami evacuation zone in which further lies inland, and the green area is the safe zone that would be safe in a tsunami strike. Hirai noted that the lines for all of these zones have a 200 foot additional buffer and then the next closest street or landmark in order to make the tsunami evacuation map easier to read.
• How to Get Prepared
o Make a plan
• Communications plan
• Reunification plan
• Shelter-In-Place
• Evacuation Plan
• Engage Family www.ready.gov
o Make a kit
• Seven (7) day basic supplies kit
o Stay Informed
• Sign up for Nixle emergency alerts: Text zip code to 888777 or http://www.nixle.com/dem
• Have a NOAA weather radio
o Get Involved
• Take a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course through the City and County of Honolulu, a course through the American Red Cross, or a course through the Hawaii Heart Foundation.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed:
1. Water Height -- Yuen asked and Hirai answered that the different zones of evacuation do not correlate with the height of water but how far inland it is possible for the water to reach.
2. Inform -- Au inquired and Hirai noted that anyone can get these maps and find out more information at www.OahuDEM.org.
3. Additional Training -- Fukunaga added that the Honolulu Community Development Authority (HCDA) will be putting on training for the Kaka'ako and community residents in their meeting space next week.

Kama'aina Kids Event -- Allan Silva reported the following: The 23rd Annual Children and Youth Day -- Silva reported that the 23rd Annual Children and Youth Day will be held on Sunday, October 2, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the State Capitol and the surrounding capitol district. This event requires street closures on Punchbowl Street between King Street and Beretania Street from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for different activities. There will be over 20,000 people in attendance to celebrate children.

Shubert-Kwock moved, and Mollring seconded to support the street closures for the 23rd annual children and youth day. The Board approved the motion UNANIMOUSLY, 6-0-0 (AYE: Au, Chang, Mollring, Shubert-Kwock, Smyth, and Yuen; Nay: none; Abstain: none).

Taste of Chinatown Event -- Lee Stack reported the following: Taste of Chinatown -- The Taste of Chinatown Event will be taking place, Saturday, August 13, 2016 at Smith Berertania Park, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be different tasting events, artisans, keiki activities, special offers, and cultural activities. Lee noted that they may request reserved parking stalls for the day of the event for loading and unloading purposes on Smith Street, between North Pauahi Street and Beretania Street.

Shubert-Kwock moved, and Mollring seconded to support the Taste of Chinatown Event. The Board approved the motion UNANIMOUSLY, 6-0-0 (AYE: Au, Chang, Mollring, Shubert-Kwock, Smyth, and Yuen; Nay: none; Abstain: none).

DiscoverArt 2nd Saturday Street Closures -- Sandra Pohl and Miki Lee reported the following: Amendment -- Through a collaboration with the Creative Arts Experience and the Honolulu Culture and Arts District, there are monthly DiscoverArt events on every 2nd Saturday of the month. There is a request for five (5) parking spaces on Nuuanu Avenue fronting the Arts at Marks Garage, plus an additional tow away zone on Pauahi Street outside of Restaurant Epic and three (3) parking spaces on Pauahi Street outside of Hawaii Theatre. If the events are successful, there may be an additional street closure of Nuuanu Avenue to exit the Marks Garage, or a street closure of Nuuanu Avenue to Bethel Street, which would be coordinated with Hawaii Theatre when there are no performances on the 2nd Saturday and to work with Marks Garage and ProPark to divert garage traffic to exit on Chaplain Lane.

Shubert-Kwock moved, and Mollring seconded to support the DiscoverArt 2nd Saturday parking space permit requests. The Board approved the motion UNANIMOUSLY, 6-0-0 (AYE: Au, Chang, Mollring, Shubert-Kwock, Smyth, and Yuen; Nay: none; Abstain: none).

Hawaiian Electric (HECO) Major Facilities Upgrade in Downtown Chinatown Area -- Kendys Min reported the following:
• Project Updates -- The project was originally slated to take place starting at the beginning of August 2016. However, after HECO consulted with an archeologist, there will be an EIS done before work can start for the upgrade and replacement of poles and transformers. The project should start in the next six (6) months to one (1) year and upgrade service to areas bordered by Maunakea Street, Nuuanu Avenue, Beretania Street, and Pauahi Street.
• Schedule -- Phase One (1) of the project will take place over a four (4) day period and effect different areas on different days, but no one (1) area will be affected multiple days. The hours of construction should be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekdays. The work would be to replace poles, transformers, and existing power lines. Phase two (2) will take place a few months after the first phase and will take one (1) night to complete, switching over to the new equipment. HECO will do outreach and inform the board, community, and businesses when the project will begin for people to adjust.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed:
1. Power -- Au asked and Min answered that the big towers will still have electricity and will not lose power.
2. Cameras -- Shubert-Kwock inquired if it is possible to put cameras on these utility poles for the safety of the area. Shubert-Kwock noted that in the past she was told that the power and poles were not compatible with the camera equipment. Min replied that she will find out about compatibility of cameras being used on HECO power and equipment, but that the actual installation is with a different entity.

Honolulu Charter Commission Proposals Affecting the Neighborhood Board -- Chair Au reported the following: Changes -- Au noted the proposed changes by the Honolulu Charter Commission on if there should be established term limits for Neighborhood Board members and if boards and commissions should continue to exist. Several board members voiced their opposition of these proposals. Au noted that he will help Chang write a letter to the Honolulu Charter Commission in opposition of these proposals on behalf of the board.

APPROVAL OF JUNE 2, 2016 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES -- The Board approved the June 2, 2016 regular meeting minutes by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, as amended 6-0-0. (AYE: Au, Chang, Mollring, Shubert-Kwock, Smyth, and Yuen; Nay: none; Abstain: none).

Page 1: Seven burglaries
Page 5: Shubert-Kwock

Shubert-Kwock noted that there were many other grammatical errors in the minute this month and noted that they should be checked more carefully.

Liquor License -- Daniel Kaailii reported the following: Restaurant -- Kaailii, the owner of Cantina LLC will be opening up a restaurant on 10 North School Street which will serve Mexican food. He is applying for a liquor license and understand, respects, and looks forward to being park of the Chinatown community. He is aware and cognizant of what loud noise does to other businesses and residents. Members of the board express their gratitude for Kaailii to show up and introduce himself and the business and support his endeavors.

BOARD BUISNESS AND REPORTS

Chair's Report --
• Future Agenda Items -- Shubert-Kwock requests an update from the Neighborhood Commission on the process of adding Chinatown to the Neighborhood Board No. 13 Downtown's name.

Treasurer's Report -- Treasurer Mollring reported a remaining balance of $360.00. The report was filed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next Meeting -- The next Downtown Neighborhood Board No. 13 meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 4, 2016, at the Hawaii Pacific University, One Aloha Tower Drive, Multi-Purpose Room 2 at 7:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT -- The meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.

Submitted by: Sharon Baillie, Neighborhood Assistant I
Reviewed by: Stephen Saito, Neighborhood Assistant I
Final Review by: Chair Alvin Au

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Downtown Neighborhood Board No. 13 Meeting Minutes Posted July 7, 2016

First Friday Hawaii
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