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

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Downtown Neighborhood Board No. 13 Minutes Posted for Thursday, October 5th, 2016 Meeting
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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
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016
ALOHA TOWERS, MULTI PURPOSE ROOM 3

CALL TO ORDER -- Chair Alvin Au called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., with a quorum of eight (8) 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, Jasmine Mancos (departed at 8:42 p.m.), Dolores Mollring, Jonathan Saupe, Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, Bob Tom (departed at 7:37 p.m.), and Stanford Yuen.

Board Members Absent -- Thomas Smyth.

Guests -- Lieutenant Baron Lee and Sergeant Harold Chi (Honolulu Police Department); Pat Lee (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation); Representative Karl Rhoads; Councilmember Carol Fukunaga; Sam Moku (Hawaii Pacific University); Darrin Sato (Kalihi Palama Health Center); April Bautista (Office of Elections); Noelle Wright (Office of Economic Development); Natanya Friedheim (Civil Beat); Mark Tarone (Hallowbaloo); Daniel Holt; and 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 Departments (HFD) -- No representative was present; a report was not provided.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) -- Lieutenant Baron Lee reported the following:
• September 2016 Crime Statistics -- There was 1 motor vehicle theft, 3 burglaries, 67 thefts, 22 unauthorized entries into a motor vehicle (UEMV's), 23 assaults, 3 sexual assaults, 1 graffiti incident, and 8 drug offenses. A total of 2,321 calls were placed for service.
• Safety Tip -- Car Protection:
o To prevent a UEMV; lock car doors, do not leave valuables out in car, do not use car as a storage unit, put items in the trunk of vehicle or out of sight before parking, park where there is high visibility, do not park where there may be any obstructions, and have a car alarm. A flyer was made available for pedestrian and car safety.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed:
1. Observation -- Au noticed that car drivers are very impatient towards pedestrians on Kukui Street and Nuuanu Avenue during rush hour traffic. Lieutenant Lee asked that all drivers be mindful, patient, and slow down for pedestrians crossing the intersection.
2. Cuties Café -- Saupe mentioned that the board had received an email from a concerned citizen about the recent shooting at Cuties Café, adding that the individual had called HPD previously to raise complaints about this location. Saupe asked if any follow-up had been done in response to the complaints. Lieutenant Lee noted that he would have to look into any complaints and see what steps had been taken previously, however adding that the event seems to be an isolated incident and HPD is continuing to monitor the establishment. Saupe inquired if Cuties Café was a gambling establishment and Lieutenant Lee answered that it was.
3. Illegal Gambling -- Mollring expressed her surprise that an establishment such as Cuties Café has continued to operate when there is known illegal gambling taking place, adding that Cuties Café has been a problem for many years.
4. Kamali'i Park -- Mollring stated her displeasure and frustration of Kamali'i Park. Two (2) residents of Kukui Plaza have been attacked robbed and there was a stabbing of another individual. Mollring requests that there is more enforcement and patrol of the park because the citizens should feel safe and be allowed to use the park at their leasure. Lieutenant Lee understood Mollring's frustrations, adding that these types of situation are happening all the time and seem to be increasing. Lieutenant Lee suggested that individuals stay away from the park until the safety and security increases in the area.
5. Gambling Establishments -- Shubert-Kwock stated that Cutie's Café is not the only gambling establishment in Downtown-Chinatown, noting that a Vietnamese lady in a wheelchair/scooter runs several known gambling establishments without getting in trouble, adding that HPD is aware of these storefronts. Shubert-Kwock added that a storefront across from the café still has a broken window from the shooting, residents are not pleased with what is happening in Chinatown.
6. Drug Arrests -- Shubert-Kwock is pleased to see the number of drug arrests increase in the monthly statistics, but would like to know which of the drug arrests are from drug users and which are from the drug dealers.
7. Homeless -- Shubert-Kwock stated that many more homeless are pitching their tents in Smith Beretania Park and on side streets and would like a joint effort to clean up the area.
8. Smith-Beretania Park -- Yuen noted that homeless are pitching their tents at the basketball court side of the Smith-Beretania Park and would like HPD to ask these individuals to move their tents to the opposite side of the courts, adding that the elderly take their grandchildren to the park and are scared to use the facilities because of the homeless occupancy.
9. Staffing -- Saupe inquired and Lieutenant Lee answered that at any one (1) shift there are two (2) police officers, and that one (1) police officer has to man the police substation at all times, and the other police officer is on patrol in the area. Lieutenant Lee added that for 20 years the downtown area has been operating with the same amount of patrolmen, despite all of the tremendous population growth in the area.
10. Safety -- Mollring voiced that Downtown-Chinatown is a safe place, there are great restaurants and establishments to occupy. Please do not let what you may hear stop you from discovering the wonderful area.

Neighborhood Citizen's Patrol (NCP) -- Dolores Mollring reported the following: Patrols -- Mollring stated that the neighborhood has been quiet and has not seen any prostitution or drug dealing going on, however the rain has impeded the availability to patrol for three (3) of the four (4) Tuesdays in the past month.

Public Concerns
• Holidaze Chinatown Market -- Noelle Wright from the Mayor's Office of Economic Development (OED) reported that OED will be requesting street closures from the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) at the Nuuanu Avenue and Pauahi Street intersection from Chaplain Lane and Hotel Street to Bethel Street and Smith Street. The 2nd Annual Holidaze Chinatown Event will be taking place Saturday, December 17, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in partnership with Art + Flea.

NEW BUSINESS

Update on River of Life Mission Organization Activities and Operation -- Bob Marchand, CEO of the River of Life Mission was unable to attend the meeting due to an illness and will be scheduled for next month's meeting.

Kalihi-Palama Health Center -- Darrin Sato, COO of the Kalihi-Palama Health Center reported the following: Health Center -- The Kalihi-Palama Health Center is a private non-profit health clinic located at 89 South King Street across from Walmart, occupying the top three (3) floors of the Aloha State Credit Union Building. The clinic is a primary care facility and provides care to adults, pediatrics, behavior health, dental, etcetera and has a small pharmacy. The clinic cannot deny service to anyone regardless of availability to pay. Kalihi-Palama Health Center has a working relationship with Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) and goes to their student orientation every year to help administer TB tests. The staff at the clinic can speak different languages to help communicate with the clientele.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed:
1. Expansion -- Au noted the importance of the clinic, and asked about the new branch partnering with St. Elizabeth's Episcopalian Church. Sato stated that the new clinic is across from the church at North King Street and Pua Lane, the first phase of the clinic is open, offering WIC services and Dental, primarily catering to children and women at this time. Sato thanked Councilmember Fukunaga and Representative Rhodes for helping with funding to get the clinic operating.
2. Fees and Services -- Shubert-Kwock inquired and Sato answered that the clinic welcomes anyone that may be in need of services, and what they pay is determined on a sliding scale on level of income, and that the clinic is able to test for sexually transmitted diseases.
3. Walk-Ins -- Tom asked and Sato answered that the health center prefers appointments, but will take walk-in clients.
4. Pharmacy -- Au voiced the importance of having a facility like this in the community and of all the great services it provides, including a pharmacy on location. Sato noted, however the pharmacy does not provide controlled substances, but does provide other basic pharmaceutical needs.
5. Tours -- Sato welcomes anyone to come down to the facility to take a tour and to see how the health center operates.

Chair Au recessed the meeting at 7:35 p.m.

The Neighborhood Assistant took a new Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board picture.

Vice Chair Tom left the meeting at 7:37 p.m.; Seven (7) board members present.

Chair Au called the meeting back in session at 7:37 p.m.

State Office of Elections Recruiting Precinct Officials for the 2016 General Election -- April Bautista reported the following: Volunteering Opportunity -- April Bautista, Elections Specialist reported that The State Office of Elections would like to extend a volunteer and fundraising opportunity to the neighborhood. The 2016 General Election is approaching and hundreds of volunteers are needed to provide a smooth election day for the voters of the State of Hawaii. Volunteers earn a stipend of up to $85. Volunteers must be 16 years of age by Thursday, June 30, 2016, a registered or pre-registered Hawai'i voter, and attend one (1), one (1) -- hour training session starting in October 2016. The one closest to the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board will be on Saturday, October 22, 2016, starting at 9:00 a.m. at Lanakila Elementary School. The General Election is on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. Positions that need to be filled are precinct officials, delivery and collecting teams, and counting center officials. To learn more, please visit www.elections.hawaii.gov or call 453-VOTE (8683). Bautista added that it is good to register to vote online, so that voting information is current. This is the first year that same day registration was offered, which started on primary election day. The deadline to register to vote for the general election is Monday, October 10, 2016, however if you miss the deadline, you are able to go to either Kapolei Hale or Honolulu Hale and register to vote and vote on the same day, Tuesday, October 25, 2016 through Saturday, November 5, 2016.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed:
1. Difficulty -- Mollring noted that the 20 charter amendments on the ballots will hold up the voting lines, because most people either do not know they will be on the ballot and will have a hard time understanding what they are voting on because the language used. Bautista thanked Mollring for her comments and will take these concerns back to the office.
2. Publicity -- Shubert-Kwock stated that more publicity is needed for the same day walk-in voter registration and voting to create a larger voter turnout on general election day. Bautista will take these suggestions back.
3. Thanks -- Mancos thanked Bautista for coming to the meeting and providing this information to the community, repeating the sentiment to do what can be done to get the word out on same day registration and voting.

9th Annual Hallowbaloo Music and Art Festival Event -- Au stated that the Hallowbaloo Event will be taking place on Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. and will require some street closures. Mancos asked to hold off on this new business until the presenter showed up.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed: Noise -- Shubert-Kwock voiced concerns over people making loud noises and causing disturbances while riding the trolley during the event at night. Saupe stated that a complaint came from one (1) individual who always complains, and that noise decibel (dB) from TheBus are louder than the noises that come from the trolleys and people riding on them during the event.

Proposed City Charter Amendment 12 -- Chair Au reported the following:
• What It Is -- Councilmember Fukunaga brought Charter Amendment Pamphlets and passed them out. The proposed City Charter Amendment 12 raises the question: "Should all board and commissions, except for the Board of Water Supply (BWS), the board for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) and any board or commission mandated by state or federal law, be reviewed periodically to determine whether they should be retained, amended or repealed?"
• Presently -- Board and all commissions are not evaluated to determine if they are fulfilling their purpose to serve a public interest or goal.
• If Proposal Passes -- The City Council would periodically evaluate all boards and commissions, except BWS, HART and those boards and commissions mandated by state or federal law, to determine whether they should be retained, amended, or repealed.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed: Stance -- Mancos supports the amendment, and believes that every board should be under periodic review to make sure that they are serving the community, but had questions on why HART was not included. Shubert-Kwock agrees and thinks the Charter Amendment is a good idea.

Shubert-Kwock moved, and Saupe seconded that the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 support City Charter Amendment 12 on the Tuesday, November 8, 2016 General Election Ballot. The motion passed by a show of hands, 7-0-0. (AYE: Au, Chang, Mancos, Mollring, Saupe, Shubert-Kwock, and Yuen; Nay: none; Abstain: none).

COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) -- Sam Moku reported the following: Boat Day -- There is a boat day tomorrow, Thursday, October 6, 2016 at Pier 10, parking will be very limited and traffic, with tour buses, vans, and taxis will be hectic. There are no other foreseeable Boat Days on the first Thursday of the month in the next calendar year, but will inform the board of any changes.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed:
1. Kamali'i Park -- Au asked if HPU has had any dialogue with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) in consideration of Adopting the Park and using it for student activities. Moku reported that there has been a lot of dialogue and they are still in discussion to see what kind of positive results can come of it.
2. No Adoption -- Mollring stated that Kamali'i Park cannot be adopted, the City and County of Honolulu would need to lease the park and HPU could make it private.
3. Student Discounts -- Saupe noted that businesses in Chinatown appreciate seeing the influx of students come into town and patronize their establishments, asking if there is a way that HPU can set up discount cards for the students to use at these businesses. Moku stated that HPU is always looking for ways to get their students discounts and to get in contact with the Dean of Student Services at mmckee@hpu.edu for further information.
4. Greetings -- Yuen asked, and Moku answered that the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT) Harbors Division would be the people to contact in regards to getting flyers and pamphlets placed by the piers, notifying the tourists of all of the great things available in Chinatown.
5. Lighting -- Shubert-Kwock stated that lighting was poor by the piers at Aloha Towers, Moku noted that a request was sent to DOT Harbors, which was then sent to the State Attorney General and is pending approval to brighten the lighting at Pier five (5) and six (6).

Hearing no objections, Au moved the Hallowbaloo Presentation as the presenter had arrived.

9th Annual Hallowbaloo Music and Art Festival Event -- Mark Tarone reported the following:
• Hallowbaloo -- The 9th annual Hallowbaloo Music and Arts Festival will be taking place on Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. There will be street closures from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on Richards Street, from Beretania Street to the parking lot exit Makai of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) building and on Hotel Street from Richards Street to Smith Street. All lanes on Smith Street, Nuuanu Avenue, Bethel Street, Bishop Street, and Alakea Street to remain open at all times preventing traffic congestion. Two (2) packets of information were made available highlighting the event, feedback from last year's event, outline the event plan, and other information.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed:
1. Bus Stop Closures -- Mollring suggested that signs are put up at bus stops informing people that the bus stop location is closed and where to catch the nearest bus, noting that last year she saw tourist waiting at bus stops which had already been closed due to the event. Tarone will take back these suggestions.
2. Event -- Shubert-Kwock inquired and Tarone answered that the entertainment of the event ends at 10:00 p.m. and that the trolley's transporting people will end their service at 11:00 p.m. There will be a security present, which tends to help keep the noise down amongst event-goers.
3. Support -- Mancos voiced her support for the event and the amount of people in brings to the area, adding that the board supported this event last year.

Mancos moved and Mollring seconded to support the Hallowbaloo Event with Street closures.

Discussion Followed:
4. Street Closures -- Shubert-Kwock inquired and Tarone answered that there would be no major street closures, and cross streets would remain open.
5. Difficulty -- Mancos noted that she had more difficulty coming from her work, heading home during events such as the Honolulu Marathon and Honolulu City Light's Parade with street closures versus the street closures with Hallowbaloo.

Chair Au called for the vote. The motion to support the Hallowbaloo Event with Street closures passed by a show of hands, 7-0-0. (AYE: Au, Chang, Mancos, Mollring, Saupe, Shubert-Kwock, and Yuen; Nay: none; Abstain: none).

Safe Haven -- No representative was present; a report was not provided.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) -- Pat Lee reported the following:
• The Rail -- The construction on Honolulu's 20-mile, 21 station rail project is proceeding. The section from East Kapolei to Pearl Highlands, referred to as the West Oahu Farrington Highway Guideway (WOFH) is completed, with finish work on the track, roadway and traffic signals at the intersections on Farrington Highway scheduled to be finished by the end of the year. This section includes the first balanced cantilever near the H1-H2 merge.
• Construction -- Work continues on the Kamehameha Highway Guideway section, which stretches to Aloha Stadium. Construction work on the Kamehameha Highway Guideway (KHG) structure and track should be completed by next spring, and roadway repaving and civil work should be finished by the fall of next year.
• Stations -- The nine (9) stations between East Kapolei and Aloha Stadium are underway, and construction should be starting soon.
• Ramp -- A ramp connecting the Pearl Highlands station to the H-2 freeway, called H2R2 is about half way completed. This will allow buses and cars direct access to the Pearl Highlands station and a future 1,600 stall parking garage.
• Testing -- The Rail Operations Center (ROC) in Waipahu is finished and testing of the rail cars are currently underway. Test tracks at the ROC will be energized for train car testing.
• Airport Guideway -- The 5.2 miles of guideway and stations from Aloha Stadium to Middle Street station, called the Airport Guideway and Stations contract (AGS), was awarded in July 2016 to STG Joint Venture and work should be starting soon.
• Pending -- The City Center Guideway and Stations contract, which is the final portion of guideway through Kalihi to the Ala Moana station, is pending additional funding.
• Milestone -- The final concrete pour on the second balanced cantilever near the Waiau Power Plant and the Sears Distribution Center is completed. Additionally, the final drilled shaft for the entire ten mile west alignment, from Aloha Stadium to East Kapolei is finished.
• So Far To date, we have completed 494 drilled shafts, 443 columns, cast 5238 guideway segments, and completed 403 guideway spans, which are the sections between rail columns. HART has now built over 10 miles of guideway, from East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium.
• 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.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed:
1. Parking Fees -- Saupe inquired and Lee answered that as of right now there are no plans to charge parking fees for riders of the rail. Mollring added that if someone rides the bus, they are able to park their car free of charge at the Middle Street Bus Depot.
2. Completion -- Au asked for clarification and Lee stated that the rail is estimated to be completed by 2025, with the first 10 miles of guideway from East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium up and running by 2019 to 2020. There is a shortfall in funding for the City Center portion of guideway from Middle Street to Ala Moana Center, but HART is working on ways to get the funding to complete the project.
3. Charter Amendment 12 -- Mancos inquired and Lee answered although he could not speak for the Charter Commission, he assumed that because BWS and HART are two (2) semi-autonomous entities, their boards govern those agencies. They may not have been included in the City Charter Amendment 12, because they were created semi-autonomous by Charter, rather than legislatively, like many other boards and commissions.
4. Shortfall -- Saupe asked and Lee answered that the shortfall to complete the rail is around $1.5 billion, adding that the construction money comes only from the general excise tax (GET) surcharge, and the federal grant. The operation and maintenance money would come from the City and County of Honolulu general funds, which cannot be used towards construction.
5. Transportation -- Au noted that in Japan there is one (1) card to ride the bus, rail, and subway making for a seamless transition for commuters. Lee stated that HART is working with DTS and Oahu Transit Services (OTS) on creating a smart card system for users of the rail and bus.

Chinatown Business and Community Association (CBCA) -- Shubert-Kwock reported the following:
• Downtown-Chinatown -- CBCA congratulates the Neighborhood Board on the all-encompassing name change.
• Outstanding Alumni -- Board member Yuen will be honored Thursday, October 6, 2016 at the Sheraton Waikiki as Outstanding Alumni of St. Louis School.
• Chinatown Heroes -- The 7th annual Chinatown Heroes Award Dinner will be on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Empress Restaurant. Tickets to attend will be $35. The dinner will recognize five (5) heroes to the Chinatown Community.
• Celebrations -- There were two (2) separate celebrations for the 67th Birthday for the People's Republic of China organized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the United Chinese Society. There were over 1,000 attendees, including CBCA.
• Opera -- CBCA donated to the upcoming Cantonese Opera which will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at the Mission Memorial Building from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Support -- CBCA attended meetings, lent support, and/or donated money to various groups and events around the community in the month of September 2016.
• Cuties Café -- CBCA is troubled by the recent death at Cuties Café in Chinatown and hopes HPD will help monitor the area for the safety of the community.
• Next Meeting -- The next CBCA meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Empress Restaurant.

Chinatown Improvement District (CID) -- No representative was present; a report was not provided.

Arts Culture Merchants Etcetera (ACME) -- Saupe reported the following: Basketball Court Fixes -- The DPR will allow ACME to make fixes to the Smith-Beretainia Basketball Court, however the process of getting the repairs made would be smoother with support from the neighborhood board.

Mancos moved and Yuen seconded to add a request of support for ACME to help revitalize the DPR Smith-Beretania Park Basketball Court. The motion passed by a voice vote, 7-0-0. (AYE: Au, Chang, Mancos, Mollring, Saupe, Shubert-Kwock, and Yuen; Nay: none; Abstain: none).

Downtown-Chinatown Support for ACME to DPR

Saupe moved and Yuen seconded that the No. 13 Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board support ACME in their endeavors to revitalize the basketball court at the DPR Smith-Beretania Park. The motion passed by a voice vote, 7-0-0. (AYE: Au, Chang, Mancos, Mollring, Saupe, Shubert-Kwock, and Yuen; Nay: none; Abstain: none).

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative -- Megan Muramatsu of the Managing Directors Office was unable to attend the meeting. Chair Au read a memorandum for the record and reported the following:
• Repairs -- The Department of Facilities Maintenance (DFM), Director Sasamura is available to meet with merchants and residents to identify all potholes, damaged sidewalks, overgrown trees, etcetera in the area which require attention. Please contact Clair Kodama at 768-3343 to schedule the site visit and walk-through. The DPR is willing to participate in the walk through of the Downtown-Chinatown area. Please contact Shane Kane, Acting Arborist of the Division of Urban Forestry (DUF), at 768-7151, and the District two (2) Maintenance Superintendent, Stan Malama at 768-9281, to coordinate meeting, date, time, and place.

Board member Mancos departed the meeting at 8:42 p.m.; Six (6) board members present.

• Sidewalk Fixes -- Au reported that the DFM and Lion's Club will be preforming temporary fixes to the sidewalk at Maunakea Street and Pauahi Street on Saturday, October 15, 2016.

Shubert-Kwock moved and Mollring seconded to send a get well card to Director George Atta of the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP). The motion passed by a voice vote, 6-0-0. (AYE: Au, Chang, Mollring, Saupe, Shubert-Kwock, and Yuen; Nay: none; Abstain: none).

Councilmember Carol Fukunaga -- Councilmember Fukunaga reported the following: Charter Amendments -- Councilmember Fukunaga referenced her handout and made available an attachment that listed all of the proposed Charter Amendment questions which will be on the general election ballot. Councilmember Fukunaga thanked everyone for their feedback on the charter amendments and ballots, noting that this will help the different agencies improve in the future.

Questions, comments and concerns that followed:
1. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen -- Shubert-Kwock asked and Councilmember Fukunaga answered that there is no sponsored celebration of the 150th Birthday of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen with the City, however the City and County of Honolulu is still trying to work with Hawaii Theatre in making improvements to the fencing and surrounding area to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park.
2. Celebration -- Shubert-Kwock announced that there will be a 150th Birthday Celebration for Dr. Sun Yat-Sen on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Chinese Cultural Plaza.
3. Ordinances -- Saupe asked about ordinances or regulations placed on the landlords/landowners for renting to people who are running illegal businesses, such as gambling. Councilmember Fukunaga noted that if tenants are involved in things such as drug dealing or other illegal activities, it can become a federal issue and the federal government can seize the property. However if the landowners' become aware of such illegal activities and the potential consequences, usually the illegal activity gets cleaned up.
4. Graffiti -- Shubert-Kwock asked and Councilmember Fukunaga answered that proposals have come up before in regards to having landowners paint over graffiti on their buildings, however they did not go over too well. Councilmember Fukunaga noted that if there was a particular building with graffiti issues, then local area legislatures may be able to talk to the owner to get the graffiti removed.
5. Charter Amendments -- Chang inquired as to why there were so many charter amendments of this year's election ballot, to which Councilmember Fukunaga answered that there was a lot of discussion and recommendations to what is important to the people of Honolulu in considering what should be voted on at the General Election 2016.

Governor David Ige's Representative -- Laurel Johnston, Governor Ige's Chief of Staff was unable to attend the meeting, as she is on Maui with Governor Ige for a previously scheduled community meeting. Chair Au reported the following:
• Signage -- In response to a question about wayfinding signage placed at the September 2016 neighborhood board meeting, the Hawaii DOT Harbors Division responded that as a self-sufficient enterprise, revenues for the operation, maintenance and capital improvement programs are derived from fees and charges collected from harbor users. With that in mind, DOT Harbors Division is currently exploring ways in which it can place "way finding" information in all of its cruise terminals, statewide, as a means od supporting the local community and to provide opportunities for additional visitor experiences.
• Website -- The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) website has update the Chinatown Page to include the requested www.chinatownnow.com link.

Representative Karl Rhoads -- Representative Rhoads reported the following:
• Smoking -- A complaint was received regarding youths smoking marijuana and harassing people in the ProPark parking lot at 1171 Maunakea Street. The issue has been forwarded to HPD.
• Beautification -- There is a Vibrant Chinatown Beautification Project on Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Please meet at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza.
• Mentally Ill -- Representative Rhoads met with Councilmember Fukunaga and other area legislators to discuss how to help the most seriously mentally ill. There may be some legal avenues such as Adult Protective Services (APS) or Senator Chun Oakland's bill the Assisted Community Treatment Act, in order to better serve the individuals in need.
• Landowners -- In reference to Saupe's question earlier about avenues to hold the landlords accountable for illegal activities that may be taking place by their tenants, Representative Rhoads mentioned that he has written letters to landowners before listing certain codes that possible could be in violation and sometimes this helps with the cleaning up of activities. Representative Rhoads also mentioned that "nuisance" is another route, such as if water is on one (1) properly and flows to another property or noise issues may be subjected to a third party suing the landlord.

APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES -- The Board approved the September 1, 2016 regular meeting minutes by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 6-0-0. (AYE: Au, Chang, Mollring, Saupe, Shubert-Kwock, and Yuen; Nay: none; Abstain: none).

BOARD BUISNESS AND REPORTS

Liquor License Applications -- There are two (2) pending liquor license applications. Yakatori Hachibei, Category One (1) -- Standard Bar, Consumption on Premises License, Two (2) North Hotel Street, Space One (1), the hearing before the liquor commission will be on Thursday, November 3, 2016. Katsu Midori Sushi, Category Two (2) -- Restaurant, live entertainment, recorded music, and dancing, 100 Holomoana Street, this hearing before the liquor commission will be on Thursday, November 17, 2016.

Future Agenda Items -- There will be two (2) presentations on street closure events at next month's meeting. The Holidaze Chinatown Market Event taking place, Saturday, December 17, 2016 and the Chinese New Year Festival Events taking place Friday, January 20, 2017 and Saturday, January 21, 2017. Saupe encouraged everyone to come to next month's meeting to listen to the River of Life presentation as it effects the community at large.

Treasurer's Report -- Treasurer Mollring reported a remaining balance of $300.78. The report was filed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next Meeting -- The next Downtown Neighborhood Board No. 13 meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 3, 2016, at the Hawaii Pacific University, One Aloha Tower Drive, Multi-Purpose Room 2 at 7:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT -- The meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.

Submitted by: Sharon Baillie, Neighborhood Assistant I
Reviewed by: Neil Baarde, Neighborhood Assistant II
Final Review by: Chair Alvin Au

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Downtown Neighborhood Board No. 13 Minutes Posted for Thursday, October 5th, 2016 Meeting

First Friday Hawaii
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