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With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY 3 OCTOBER 2019
ONE ALOHA TOWER, MULTI PURPOSE ROOM 2

CALL TO ORDER - Secretary Kamoshida called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was established with eight members present. Note: This nine-member Board requires five members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present - Robert Armstrong, Roxie-Anne Kamoshida, James Logue, Kevin Lye, Sandy Ma, Kevin McDonald (arrived 6:03 p.m.), Dolores Mollring, Willis Moore, and Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock

Board Members Absent - None

Guests - Major Ryan Nishibun, Captain Glenn Hayashi, and Lieutenant Brian Taniguchi (Honolulu Police Department); Captain Russell Youth (Honolulu Fire Department); Alexander Zannes (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's representative); Damien Elefante (Governor David Ige's representative); Councilmember Carol Fukunaga and Kimberly Ribellia (Councilmember Carol Fukunaga's office); Senator Karl Rhoads; Damien Elefante (Governor David Ige's representative); Randy Chu (Department of Land Management); Lee Stack and Kainoa Adolpho (Chinatown Improvement District); Nicole Reid (Arts, Culture, Merchants, Etc.); Ronald Higa, Steve Lohse, Keith Kurahashi, Theresa Schubert, Mike Galmiche (community members); Harry Cho (Neighborhood Commission Office). Name not included if not known or if illegible on the sign-in sheet.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) - Lieutenant Taniguchi reported the following:
• September 2019 Statistics: There were 7 motor vehicle thefts, 9 burglaries, 54 thefts, 23 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV), 15 assaults, 1 sex assault, 5 drug offenses, 1 graffiti incident, and 2,435 total calls for service.
• Safety Tip: Safety tips were given on Halloween safety.

McDonald arrived at 6:03 p.m. and assumed the Chair. Nine members present.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Fourth Watch: Shubert-Kwock commended HPD's Fourth Watch for patrolling the area.
2. Bicycles: Ma raised concerns with bicyclists riding on the sidewalk.
3. Illegal Parking: Shubert-Kwock raised concerns with vehicles illegally parking and blocking sidewalks.
4. Citing: McDonald raised concerns that HPD cannot issue citations if the violation is not witnessed.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - Captain Youth reported the following:
• September 2019 Statistics: There was 1 structure fire, 4 nuisance fires, 1 cooking fire, 11 activated alarms (no fire), 135 medical emergencies, 1 motor vehicle collision with a pedestrian, and 5 motor vehicle crash/collisions.
• Safety Tip: Safety tips were given on Halloween Safety.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Fire Trucks: Shubert-Kwock raised concerns that fire trucks may have difficulties turning at Maunakea and Pauahi Streets. 
2. Fire Hydrants: Mollring raised concerns with placing the steel poles in front of fire hydrants.

Neighborhood Citizens Patrol (NCP) - Mollring reported that the NCP had not been walking due to the rain.

Logue moved and Shubert-Kwock seconded to add election of Vice Chair to the agenda. The motion was adopted, 8-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Kamoshida, Logue, Ma, McDonald, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR

Shubert-Kwock nominated Logue and McDonald nominated Lye. Logue was elected Vice Chair, 7-1-0 (Logue: Armstrong, Kamoshida, Logue, Ma, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; Lye: McDonald; Abstain: None).

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Governor David Ige's Representative - Damien Elefante reported the following: 
• Capitol Connections: This month's Capitol Connections highlight Governor Ige's vision for sustainability in Hawaii, affordable housing, and local agriculture.
• Hawaii Annual Code Challenge: Kick-off for the event will take place on Saturday 19 October 2019.
• Aloha Stadium: The public is invited to participate in the comment period of the Aloha Stadium project until Thursday 7 November 2019.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Ohana Zones: Logue raised concerns regarding Ohana Zones and their funding. McDonald also raised concerns with homelessness and asked for an update regarding Governor Ige's plans to end homelessness.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's representative - Alexander Zannes reported the following:
• Follow-Up on Concerns: 
o Street Lights on Chaplain Lane: Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) stated that the burnt out lights were replaced on Wednesday 11 September 2019.
o Sidewalks: DFM stated that inspection of the traffic island/median at Pali Highway and South Beretania Street was unable to detect any residual fecal matter. Please call (808) 768-4381 to report such concerns with specific location details so timely investigations can be conducted.
o Bus Stop Seating: Department of Transportation Services (DTS) stated that they have previously explained to NB 13 the health and safety reasons that prompted the removal of the bus stop benches at Smith and Hotel Streets. DTS may be willing to replace the benches at this location if NB 13 agrees to adopt and maintain the bus stops at which the replacement benches will be installed. Interested Neighborhood Board members may contact Coreen Blanco of DTS at (808) 768-8375 for more information on DTS' Bus Stop Volunteer Program.
o TheBus Safety: DTS appreciates and shares the Neighborhood Board's interest in promoting safety on TheBus. DTS is working with Oahu Transit Services, Inc., the City bus operations contractor, to develop a rider awareness safety campaign for implementation later this year. Currently, TheBus promotes safety onboard all vehicles through a bus placard that encourages riders to be aware, take action, and report any suspicious activity by calling 911 or notifying the driver. The placard is translated into 18 different languages, and supports Transit Watch, the nationwide safety and security awareness campaign. Additionally, all buses are equipped with interior announcement systems that announce safety messages while a vehicle is in service. Announcements include safety tips, such as: stand clear of doors, keep aisles and seats clear, hold on when standing, hold on when the bus is departing, use caution when exiting, crosswalk safety, and pickpocket warnings.
o Chinatown Trash: Department of Environmental Services (ENV) stated that they are looking at self-locking carts for businesses in Chinatown. They are not suggesting earlier nighttime collection as there are many businesses open 24-hours and some closing after midnight, which is why they go with a 4 a.m. route.
o River Street Homeless: HPD stated that District 1 (Central Honolulu) patrol and Fourth Watch officers have been addressing homeless issues along River Street, as well as accompanying the Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) in conducting their Stored Property Ordinance (SPO)/Sidewalk Nuisance Ordinance (SNO). The District 1 Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) and patrol have been patrolling and surveying the area for illegal activity. Residents in the area, the public, and shop owners are encouraged to call 911 when they see suspicious activities.
o River of Life Relocation: Office of Housing stated that negotiations between the City and River of Life are progressing well and further details will be provided upon completion. Updates may be available by the next neighborhood board meeting.
o Sidewalk Repairs: DFM requested to please provide the locations of the sidewalk that is needing repairs. DFM will make temporary repairs and schedule the permanent repairs by contract.
o Magnum P.I.: Office of Economic Development stated that there are no dates mentioned, but if it involves Dillingham, it may be the shoot that occurred on 14 July 2019. Public notice was provided in several different ways: notification letters were sent to affected area businesses, signage was posted including variable message boards, no parking signage, and a widely disseminated Traffic Advisory sent to the media by the city communication team that was broadcasted on television news outlets. Information would usually be brought to the neighborhood board, but in this instance the show was on hiatus until mid-June and the sequence was developed after that. NB 13 was on recess in July, so there was no option to come to the board.
o Bulb-outs: DTS stated that the painted planters will be put back after the bulb-out reconstruction; anticipated completion 2020.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: 
1. Magnum P.I.: Shubert-Kwock requested for prior notice of any street closures that will occur in the Downtown-Chinatown area. 
2. Trash Pick-Up: Shubert-Kwock raised concerns that trash pick-up is difficult in Chinatown due to the bulb-outs and barricades.
3. Loading Zone: Ma asked why DTS does not recommend a freight-loading zone.
4. Attendance at Neighborhood Board Meetings: Shubert-Kwock asked if a representative from DTS and Honolulu Liquor Commission can attend the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board meetings every other month to provide updates. 
5. Public Bathrooms: Ma stated that she is aware that there are bathrooms at the Safe Haven Hygiene Center, and asked if there are plans to have public restrooms available for visitors and tourists.
6. Homeless: McDonald requested for monthly updates on any solutions to address homelessness in Chinatown.

Senator Karl Rhoads - Senator Rhoads reported the following:
• 26th Annual Children's Day: Hawaii's 26th Annual Children and Youth Day will take place on Sunday 6 October 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the State Capitol grounds and surrounding areas. Children and Youth Day honors and celebrates our children and youth in Hawaii. There will be over 300 interactive, educational, fun activities for infants, toddlers, children, youth, and the entire family. Free parking will be available at neighboring State parking lots, Central Middle School, and Central Pacific Bank at the corner of King and Alakea Streets. For more information, please call Kama'aina Kids at (808) 262-3651 or visit www.HawaiiCYD.org.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Homelessness: Shubert-Kwock asked for an update regarding the Institute of Human Services (HIS) petitioning the first 10 cases.
2. Senate Bill (SB) 1124: Armstrong commended Senator Rhoads for SB 1124, which requires a licensed psychiatrist or advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority and psychiatric specialization to determine, prior to a person's discharge from a psychiatric facility, whether an assisted community treatment plan is indicated and to make certain arrangements if so indicated and amends the criteria for assisted community treatment.

Councilmember Carol Fukunaga - Kimberly Ribellia reported the following:
• Kamali i Mini Park Changes: As a follow-up to Councilmember Fukunaga's September 2019 report on complaints about Kamali i Mini Park, a copy of Resolution 19-250 was provided, requesting adoption of alternative uses for Kamali i Mini Park and removal of this site from the city parks inventory. A hearing for this resolution is being requested for the Tuesday 22 October 2019 Parks, Community Services and Intergovernmental Agreements (PCSI) Committee meeting. Councilmember Fukunaga welcomes a resolution of support from Downtown-Chinatown NB 13. As reported previously, the Councilmember believes that a change in the designation of uses of the Kamali i Mini Park would improve public safety and security in the downtown/Pali Highway gateway to Honolulu considerably, and it would save city taxpayers in reduced enforcement or clean-up expenditures. The Councilmember and her staff met with Chief Ballard and her team on Ordinance 18-14 (Bill 52, 2018 sidewalk and public space restrictions island-wide) to address HPD concerns over enforceability, and will be seeking further assistance from Senator Rhoads and Representative Holt as they harmonize state/county legislation involving public sanitation, vagrancy and related criminal activity.
• Nighttime Noise Complaints on Nimitz Highway: On 18 September 2019, HART's public affairs team and its contractors conducted a community forum at the request of Councilmember Fukunaga, to discuss the noise complaints raised about the nighttime pre-transit construction utility and grading work along Nimitz Highway. During September and October 2019, pre-construction utility and grading work resulted in several noise complaints from Mann Tower and Harbor Court residents. Councilmember Fukunaga was able to work with the NAN Inc. project managers to address some of the Mann Tower complaints. However, with respect to complaints from other properties along Nimitz Highway, the Councilmember is working with the State Department of Health's Noise and Radiation Branch to determine whether alternative daytime work may be a better alternative. HART's noise variance permits authorizing nighttime and weekend work were issued early in the process for a 3-year time frame. As the utility and grading construction work enters urban Honolulu, where multiple high-rise structures are located along the Nimitz Highway/Ala Moana Boulevard corridor, it may be more practical to allow for daytime construction along portions of Nimitz Highway to be shifted to daytime hours to address neighbors' concerns.
• Nighttime Noise Variance Permit Meeting: In addition to nighttime utility and grading pre-transit construction work entering the urban Honolulu area, the City's Department of Design and Construction scheduled a nighttime noise variance permit meeting for its Downtown-Chinatown repaving projects on Thursday 3 October 2019 at 6:30 p.m. in the Central Middle School cafeteria. Councilmember Fukunaga received a notice of this community meeting on Thursday 26 September and immediately notified AECOM of the schedule conflict with tonight's neighborhood board meeting. DDC reported it was unable to reschedule the meeting, and area legislators Holt, Rhoads and Councilmember Fukunaga requested the following corrective actions: Providing two additional weeks for public feedback and comment on the proposed noise variance permit beyond the Thursday 3 October 2019 community meeting date, and providing a list of the addresses to whom the notice of the community variance permit meeting were sent. The Councilmember received complaints that residents of Honolulu Tower, one of the larger condo properties in downtown Honolulu, had not been notified of this meeting. Information about the noise permit request will be shared with constituents for other properties that may not have received notice about tonight's community meeting.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Noise Variance Meeting: Ma asked that DDC present to the Neighborhood Board regarding the nighttime noise variance and requested a more legible map of the rehabilitation of streets. 
2. Bulb-outs: Shubert-Kwock raised concerns that no community meeting was held by DTS for the permanent bulb-outs.
3. Trash: Shubert-Kwock requested late-night pick-ups and lockable refuse bins.
4. Homeless: McDonald raised concerns with homeless in the area.

Resident and Community Concerns:
• Public Bathrooms: A community member stated that although bathrooms in Chinatown would be good, it would invite more illegal activity from the homeless. A community member suggested private bathrooms for visitors and tourists.

NEW BUSINESS

Halewaiolu Senior Residence - Keith Kurahashi reported that the land owner is the City and County of Honolulu. The height limit for the project is 350 feet and the tower height will be 173 feet. It will be a BMX-4, business mixed use zoning. There will be 155 affordable senior dwelling units.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Community Center: Shubert-Kwock asked about the community center and its use. Kurahashi stated that it will be around 4,000 square feet and its use will be determined by the association.
2. Ground Breaking: Armstrong asked when the ground breaking will take place. Kurahashi stated that it will take place in 2020.
3. Parking: Armstrong asked how many parking stalls there will be and Ma asked if there is visitor parking. Kurahashi stated that there will be 51 parking stalls and all stalls will be first come first serve.

Hallowbaloo Music and Arts Festival - Mark Tarone was present.

Shubert-Kwock moved and Logue seconded to defer discussion of this agenda item due to the lack of clarity of street closures on the agenda. The motion was adopted by majority vote, 5-3-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Kamoshida, Logue, Mollring, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: Ma, McDonald, Moore; Abstain: None).

Resolution 2019-006 Urging the City DTS to Prohibit DJ Booths During Non-Construction Street Closures in Chinatown:

Logue moved and Shubert-Kwock seconded to adopt the resolution. After discussion, the motion was not adopted, 0-8-0 (Aye: None; Nay: Armstrong, Kamoshida, Logue, Ma, McDonald, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; Abstain: None).

Resolution 2019-007 Urging the City Administration and City Council and the State of Hawaii the Enforce HRS 281-78 to Control Public Liquor Consumption:

Logue moved and Shubert-Kwock seconded to adopt the resolution. After discussion, the motion failed, 4-4-0 (Aye: Kamoshida, Logue, Mollring, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: Armstrong, Ma, McDonald, Moore; Abstain: None).

Resolution 2019-009 Requesting Rescission of the Yellow Bag Mandate:

Logue moved and Shubert-Kwock seconded to adopt the resolution. After discussion, the motion failed, 2-6-0 (Aye: Logue, McDonald; Nay: Armstrong, Kamoshida, Ma, Moore, Mollring, Shubert-Kwock; Abstain: None).

COMMUNITY REPORTS

Safe Haven - Greg Payton reported the following from September 2019: 5 Safe Haven discharges/intakes, 2 activity center placements, 2 MHK - Oahu Case Management Housings, and 9 permanent housing placements. The grand total for 2019 is 74 placements through September.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) - Pat Lee was not present but provided a traffic update and report to the board. HART's weekly traffic notice for work in the area, which is described by intersections on Nimitz Highway and various streets in Downtown and Chinatown, is available and updated weekly at: http://hartdocs.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-1470. For more information on the rail project, the public may visit the HART website at www.honolulutransit.org, call the project hotline at (808) 566-2299, or email a question to info@honolulutransit.org.

Chinatown Business and Community Association (CBCA) - The CBCA met on Tuesday 10 September 2019 at Golden Palace for the monthly dim sum meeting. Agenda items consisted of ongoing issues in Chinatown including illegal trash, sidewalk encroachment by merchants and homeless, burglaries and assaults, Kekaulike Mall, repairs of trip hazards, and liquor issues from open drinking and smoking along sidewalks and Kekaulike Mall. HPD has been cooperative resulting in the arrest and citation of illegal vendors. Mayor Caldwell had a press conference on using yellow bags to reduce illegal trash and breaking into trash by folks looking for valuables to recycle. Harry continues to be a problem, especially when he is high on either alcohol or drugs. He creates trash by turning over trash receptacles and dragging trash to various locations. Department of Opala has increased enforcement of illegal trash dumping, up to $2,500 fine. City continues to work on possible locked bins and night trash pickups for merchants and residents which might resolve these problems. CBCA's next Meeting is Tuesday 8 October 2019 at Golden Palace, 10:00 a.m. All are welcome. CBCA's 10th annual banquet to celebrate Chinatown Heroes is on Saturday 19 October 2019 at Golden Palace, with a ten-course dinner for $34 per person.

Chinatown Improvement District (CID) - Lee Stack reported that with grant funds received in July, CID rolled out a new patrol schedule for the community patrol project. The patrols now cover seven days per week and a have a new daytime walk-around patrol for certain streets in response to concerns and suggestions from small businesses in the area. We are working on setting up a meeting so that we can coordinate community patrol efforts with the City funded guard services on City properties. We have spoken with HPD about a new initiative where an HPD officer will sometimes accompany the daytime patrol guard. Approximately 200 to 300 people attended the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival on 13 September 2019. At the event, there were moon cakes, lantern viewing, a raffle, and free lantern making activities (very popular with the children and some adults). Students had made a number of lanterns which were displayed and then given away at the end of the evening. We have posted photos from the event on our Facebook page. We have a suggestion regarding Sit-Lie Legislation in Chinatown. Given the concerns raised at various Neighborhood Board meetings about health and safety issues in the Chinatown District, NB members might be interested in talking with our Councilmember Fukunaga or the Administration about extending the hours of the sit-lie law to when nighttime businesses in the area closeÑaround 2:00 a.m. In Waikiki, sit-lie legislation is in effect 24/7 while in Chinatown the sit-lie law is not enforceable between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Yet, there are businesses in Chinatown which close around 2:00 a.m. and whose businesses are blocked and impacted. Perhaps the legislation could be extended to 24/7 in the Chinatown District, similar to the commercial district of WaikikiÑor to at least match the hours of nighttime businesses which close at 2:00 a.m. Lastly, we suggest that the heading for this portion of the agenda be changed back to Community Reports from the new title "Community Concerns" because we participate in this portion of the agenda primarily to report on our projects and activities in the area.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The June 2019 meeting minutes, as presented by the Chair for review by the Board and not those originally circulated by the Neighborhood Assistant, were adopted, 6-0-2 (Aye: Kamoshida, Logue, McDonald, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: None; Abstain: Armstrong, Ma).

Armstrong moved and Moore seconded to approve the August 2019 meeting minutes. Kamoshida moved and Logue seconded to amend the minutes on page 2 of 8, as printed, from "Shubert-Kwock then verbally announced her resignation from NB 13, made some inappropriate remarks out of turn and without being recognized by the chair towards several board members, and left the meeting at 6:45 p.m." to "Shubert-Kwock then verbally announced her resignation from NB 13 and immediately left the meeting at 6:45 p.m." The motion to amend the minutes was adopted, 7-1-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Kamoshida, Logue, Ma, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: McDonald; Abstain: None). The motion to adopt the amended minutes was adopted, 7-1-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Kamoshida, Logue, Ma, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: McDonald; Abstain: None).

Logue moved and Mollring seconded to adopt the September 2019 minutes as amended to replace the extant CBCA report and to add a report from Chinatown Watch. The motion passed, 7-0-1 (Aye: Armstrong, Kamoshida, Logue, McDonald, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: None; Abstain: Ma).

BOARD BUSINESS

Lye spoke through the interactive conference technology to the Board and noted that he had been in attendance of the entirety of the meeting from a remote location, duly noticed to the public as per the 2017 Oahu's Neighborhood Board System Member Guidebook, and had attempted to participate in the meeting as specified on page 38 of the Guidebook and ¤2-14-115(a) of the Neighborhood Plan, which collectively specify that presence at a Board meeting has been conferred since 1 July 2012 through remote participation using interactive conference technology, and hence voting on actions before the Board by Members participating thusly is permissible. Lye further noted that he was disenfranchised by not being permitted to be heard or vote on matters before the Board during the meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Next Meeting - The next meeting of Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board 13 is scheduled for Thursday 7 November 2019 at Hawaii Pacific University, One Aloha Tower Drive, Multi-Purpose Room 2 at 6:00 p.m.
• Neighborhood Citizen Patrol - The Neighborhood Citizen Patrol meets each Tuesday on the Diamond Head side of Kukui Plaza at 8:00 p.m. Please join the patrol and support its efforts to express service and pride in our Downtown-Chinatown community.
• Ô lelo - Rebroadcasts of Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board 13 meetings are scheduled on Ô lelo channel 49 for every third Thursday at 9:00 p.m., as well as 6:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. An archive of past meetings may be found on http://olelo.org/olelonet/; select and expand from the list of On Demand categories on this page and then manually scroll to find listings for playback of meetings.

ADJOURNMENT - McDonald adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.

Initial draft by Harry Cho, Neighborhood Assistant
Edited by NB 13 Secretary Roxie-Anne Kamoshida and Kevin Lye

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