Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting June 2020 Minutes

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Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting June 2020 Minutes
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With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

DRAFT: REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY 4 JUNE 2020
HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM 2

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kevin McDonald called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. A quorum was established with seven members present. (Note: This nine-member Board requires five members to establish quorum and to take official Board action).

Members Present: Robert Armstrong, Roxie-Anne Kamoshida, James Logue, Kevin Lye, Sandy Ma (arrived at 6:10 p.m.), Kevin McDonald, Dolores Mollring, and Chu Lan Shubert-Kwok.

Members Absent: Willis Moore.

Guests: Damien Elefante (Governor David Ige's Representative); Captain Russell Youth (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Pamela Liu (Honolulu Police Department); Marc Alexander (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative); Senator Karl Rhoads; Representative Daniel Holt; Councilmember Carol Fukunaga and Kim Ribellia; Lee Stack (Chinatown Improvement District); Isaiah Sato and Keith Kurahashi (R.M. Towill Corp.); Connie Mitchell (Institute for Human Services); Dean Sakamoto and Jake Morris (SHADE); Greg Payton (Mental Health Kokua), Fran Butera (Chinatown Watch), Ave Kwok, James Brown, Martin Trevino, Brandi Terrera, Bill Cummerford, Ernest Caravalho, Laura Sturges, Dave Moskowitz, Ronald Higa, Rebecca Friedman, Laurence Friedman, Rebecca Ho, Michelle Choy, Mona Choy, Jon Cook, Russell Lau, Keith Ueshiro, Robert Greenberg, Leina Ijacic, Christina Kaolt, Janna Yuen, Tina Au, Leonard Kam, and Todd Boulanger (Residents); Jackson Coley (Neighborhood Commission Office). Name was not included if not recognized or legible on the sign-in sheet.

INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS
Chair McDonald went over the rules of speaking and social distancing. Chair McDonald disclosed that he is a small-business owner in the Board's district.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): There was no representative at this time.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): There was no representative at this time.

Neighborhood Citizen Patrol: Mollring reported that they have not been patrolling due to Covid-19.

ELECTED OFFICIALS
Governor David Ige's Representative: Damien Elefante noted that the Governor's Capitol Connection newsletter is available online.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Small Business Fund: Lye inquired if more funding will be released for the Small Business Relief and Rescue Fund. Elefante was unsure and agreed to check.

Chair McDonald passed the gavel to Logue at 6:07 p.m.

2. Economic Shutdown: McDonald voiced concerns regarding the economic shutdown due to COVID-19 and its effect on blue-collar workers and local business owners. McDonald advocated for rent and mortgage forgiveness to assist residents experiencing financial difficulties. Elefante agreed to refer the concerns.

Logue returned the gavel to Chair McDonald 6:10 p.m.

Sandy Ma arrived at 6:10 p.m. Eight members present.

3. Visitor Quarantine: Resident James Brown inquired when the quarantine for trans-Pacific visitors will be lifted and voiced concerns regarding the uncertainty. Elefante agreed to refer the concern.

The Board returned to agenda item 3.B Honolulu Police Department by unanimous consent.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Lieutenant Pamela Liu reported the following:
• May 2020 Crime Statistics: There were 8 motor vehicle thefts, 3 burglaries, 22 thefts, 14 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV), 30 assaults, 1 sex assault, and 8 drug incidents.
• Anti-Robbery Tips: Tips were provided to discourage robberies by making homes appear occupied.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Homeless: Shubert-Kwok voiced safety concerns regarding homeless in Chinatown and the effect of suspending the sit-lie ban. Shubert-Kwok voiced concerns regarding homeless obstructing businesses. Lieutenant Liu recommended contacting 911 and letting the police talk to said individuals. Resident Brown voiced concerns regarding homeless near the Nu�uanu-Beretania parking lot. Lieutenant Liu recommended reporting all incidents to HPD. Resident Martin Trevino voiced concerns regarding an incident where HPD did not collect evidence he was willing to provide of public drug use. Lieutenant Liu agreed to investigate the incident.
2. Intersection: Lye inquired regarding what entity would track a series of recent mauka-bound left-hand turn vehicle collisions at the intersection of Nu�uanu Avenue and S. Kukui Street to ascertain if safety improvements were warranted. Lieutenant Liu responded that incidents documented by HPD are tallied by the State Department of Transportation (HDOT) or City Department of Transportation Services (DTS).

The Board returned to 3.A Honolulu Fire Department by unanimous consent.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Captain Russell Youth reported the following:
• May 2020 Fire Statistics: There was 1 structure fire, 6 nuisance fires, 4 activated alarms, 114 medical emergencies, 2 vehicle collisions with pedestrians, and 2 vehicle crashes.
• Fire Safety Tip Smoke Alarms: Tips regarding smoke alarms were provided.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Vehicle Collisions: Ma inquired about the vehicle collisions with pedestrians; Captain Youth responded that he was unsure of the causes.
2. COVID-19 Statistics: Shubert-Kwok inquired about COVID-19 cases. Captain Youth responded that in May 2020 HFD had 4,080 responses with 964 suspected Covid-19 cases, 2 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 1,500 calls that were not COVID-19, and 1,600 unknown. Shubert-Kwok requested statistics specifically for Chinatown. Chair McDonald inquired and Captain Youth responded that HFD cannot administer COVID-19 tests.

ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative: Marc Alexander, Office of Housing (HOU) Executive Director, circulated handouts and reported the following:
• River of Life (ROL): Responding to previous inquiries, the HOU responded that no official dates have been made for ROL's relocation.
• Power Washing: Responding to previous inquiries, the Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) responded that there is currently no set location schedule for power-washing in Downtown-Chinatown.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Power Washing: Shubert-Kwok advocated for more power washing and voiced concerns regarding two power washers not being allowed to access City water lines.
2. ROL: Ma inquired and Executive Director Alexander responded that a specific timeline for ROL's relocation has not been made yet as they are looking for a relocation site. Shubert-Kwok inquired about a rumor that ROL made demands of the City which Executive Director Alexander rebuked and debunked.
3. Trash: Resident Brandi Terrera voiced approval of the new locking trash bins and advocated having the City pickup all trash present when emptying the bins. Resident Terrera voiced concerns regarding ROL feeding homeless individuals and creating trash. Executive Director Alexander responded that ROL provides food to people in need and tries to discourage littering. Resident Terrera reiterated her concerns and voiced concerns that most of ROL's clientele are mentally ill. Executive Director Alexander responded that having another facility which specializes in helping those who are mentally ill and homeless may alleviate the issue. Shubert-Kwok advocated using locking trash bins and having the City pick up all trash during pickups.

State Senator Karl Rhoads: Senator Rhoads reported the following:
• Scams: Residents should beware various COVID-19 scams.
• Bills and Funds: Senator Rhoads outlined multiple bills and Capital Improvement Projects (CIP):
o Senate Bill (SB) 26365: Regarding gender diversity in public boards.
o SB 2793: Regarding making drug possession a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
o SB 2241: Regarding requiring the Liquor Commission to accept all noise complaints regardless of when they are filed.
o Young Woman's Christian Association: Receiving $401,000 dollars.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Quiet Zones: Armstrong inquired about quiet zones. Senator Rhoads responded the State does not have such zones; however, the County has quiet zones around hospitals.
2. Assisted Community Treatment (ACT): Shubert-Kwok inquired about ACT. Senator Rhoads explained the procedures of ACT and noted that there are cases going through the court process to receive treatment.
3. Liquor Commission: Shubert-Kwok requested that the Legislature send a letter to the Liquor Commission regarding alcohol licenses. Shubert-Kwok voiced concerns regarding Maunakea Liquor and advocated non-renewal of their license.
4. Second Amendment: Chair McDonald voiced concerns regarding a committee hearing he attended regarding the second amendment. Chair McDonald voiced concerns regarding a lack of public testimony. Senator Rhoads responded that written testimony was received and testimony is not usually taken from the floor during hearings.
5. Disclosure: Shubert-Kwok stated that members had to disclose their businesses and political candidacies. Senator Rhoads noted that candidates are not supposed to campaign during Board meetings.
6. Contract-Funding Bills: Logue disclosed that he works for the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA). Logue requested that Senator Rhoads support the contract-funding bills. Senator Rhoads stated that he wants to avoid budget cuts.
7. Changing Bills: Resident Bill Cummerford voiced concerns regarding bills changing throughout the legislative session, making it difficult for residents to track their most recent form and submit testimony. Senator Rhoads admitted it can become confusing and stated that there are efforts to minimize this confusion.
8. Sit-Lie Ban: A resident inquired why there is a time window on the sit-lie ban. The resident voiced concerns regarding homeless on sidewalks. Senator Rhoads clarified that sit-lie is a City ordinance and clarified that a time window was necessary for the ordinance to comply with other regulations and laws.

State House Representative Scott Saiki: No representative was present. No report was given.

State House Representative Daniel Holt: Representative Holt reported the following:
• Reopening: A wide variety of businesses will begin reopening on Friday, 19 June 2020.
• COVID-19: Representative Holt outlined funds that were distributed for COVID-19 response.
• HB 117: Defers further implementation of the executive and judicial branch salary increases that are scheduled for July 1, 2020, as well as planned raises for members of the legislature scheduled for January 1, 2021.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Contract-Funding Bills: Logue disclosed that he works for the HGEA. Logue requested that Representative Holt support the contract-funding bills.
2. Arrested Protestors: Chair McDonald voiced concerns regarding Re-Open Hawaii protestors being arrested outside the Capitol on Friday 1 May 2020. Representative Holt recommended discussing the matter with HPD. Shubert-Kwok stated that Chair McDonald was arrested during the protest.
3. 2020 Legislature: Resident Cummerford inquired about the 2020 Legislature reconvening. Representative Holt responded that they had their first session for immediate COVID-19 response and the situation is currently fluid. Representative Holt stated that some bills will be taken up again.

City Councilmember Carol Fukunaga: Councilmember Fukunaga circulated handouts and reported the following:
• River of Life (ROL): The current ROL site will be repurposed into affordable housing and a homeless resource center.
• P n wai Rest Stop: The Hawaii Homeless Healthcare Hui's (H4) urgent care center will commence operations at the P n wai Rest Stop soon.
• Sand Island Drug Treatment Center (SITC): The SITC is relocating to 524 Kaaahi Street in Iwilei. SITC provides treatments to those who suffer from substance abuse, along with other services.
• Parking Lot: Sanitation and crime concerns have been voiced regarding the Hale Pauahi Towers parking lot. A broken security gate was discovered and a request for replacement was submitted.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Surveillance Systems: Armstrong noted that the Board passed a resolution asking for security system upgrades in Chinatown. Councilmember Fukunaga responded that funds were budgeted to replace the security system.
2. Police: Shubert-Kwok advocated for increasing police officers in Chinatown to reduce crime. Shubert-Kwok voiced concerns regarding the sit-lie violations. Councilmember Fukunaga responded that Bill 37 passed first reading; Bill 37 would expand the sit-lie prohibition hours.
3. Institute for Human Services (IHS) Facility: Lye asked how the announcement about the IHS facility could have possibly been a surprise to the members of the City Council, as was reported in the local press. Councilmember Fukunaga noted that she learned about the project from a newspaper article and voiced opposition without adequate public testimony.
4. Mayor Caldwell: Logue voiced concerns regarding Mayor Caldwell and his administration not listening to the public.
5. Liquor License Abatement: Chair McDonald inquired if there will be an abatement for the liquor licenses that are due for renewal in June 2020. Councilmember Fukunaga stated that she supports abatement and other measures to support businesses that have closed due to COVID-19.
6. Homeless Services: Shubert-Kwok inquired about oversight for federal agencies and voiced concerns regarding homeless services in Chinatown, stating that many are ineffective and redundant. Resident Ernest Caravalho voiced opposition to undesirable services being located in Chinatown and advocated relocation of services to other parts of O�ahu. Another resident requested continuation of security guard services. Councilmember Fukunaga clarified that they are trying to increase services for Chinatown.

United States Congressman Ed Case: No representative was present. No report was given.

PUBLIC CONCERNS
Chinatown Improvement District (CID): Lee Stack circulated a handout and reported the following:
• Community Patrols: Hawaii Theater recently joined the CID's community patrol program. CID adjusted the patrol schedule due to COVID-19.
• City Patrols Outside of City Properties: CID works with the Department of Land Management (DLM) and the community to coordinate input to improve this project.
• Bill 37: CID submitted testimony supporting Bill 37.
• Proposed IHS Triage Center: CID opposed the proposed center and advocates IHS to use or partner with City facilities in Iwilei.

COVID-19 Scams: Resident Laura Sturges warned the assembly of scams where money is deposited into people's accounts, masked as payments for unemployment, which gives scammers access to the account. Resident Sturges recommended that residents contact their financial institutions if they receive unexpected deposits.

Vote-by-Mail: Resident Caravalho noted that the 2020 elections will be mail-in and voiced concerns with the lack of physical voting centers.

Board Chairperson: Resident Caravalho encouraged the Board to elect a new Chairperson in July 2020 and voiced criticism regarding Chair McDonald.

NEW BUSINESS
Residence at Bishop Place: Isaiah Sato and Keith Kurahashi, R.M. Towill Corp., provided a presentation and reported the following:
• Converting Office Building: The Bishop Place office building is being converted into rental housing, including affordable housing. Sato outlined the amenities and the different types of units. Construction will primarily be interior work and work will be done in phases. Work will include walkway and landscape improvements to the Union Mall. The project is privately funded.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Parking: Kamoshida inquired about parking. Sato responded that the current underground parking lot will still be used and that the number of spaces permitted to each unit is under discussion.
2. Pets and Square Footage: Armstrong inquired about pets and the square footage for single-bedroom and two-bedroom units. Kurahashi responded that he was unsure about pets and that single-bedroom units are approximately 500 square feet. He will provide more information on the size and square footage for each unit later.
3. Public Notice: Shubert-Kwok requested additional information and voiced concerns regarding the lack of public discussion. Kurahashi noted that the permitting process has just begun and will include public notice and testimony.

Cancelled IHS Medical Respite Facility: Connie Mitchell, IHS Executive Director, reported the following:
• Cancelled Project: IHS received pushback from the community and chose to relocate their medical respite facility away from Beretania Street. IHS has other services in Chinatown and is working to get more homeless people off the street.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Concerns: Logue voiced concerns regarding the number of homeless people and services in Chinatown and advocated relocating services to other areas. Logue stated he appreciates work by IHS. Armstrong echoed Logue's comments. Shubert-Kwok voiced concerns regarding homeless people and services in Chinatown.
2. Suggested Resolution: Shubert-Kwok advocated the Board to draft and pass a resolution to request a pause on new homeless providers and homeless services in Chinatown until certain current services relocate.
3. IHS Facilities: Resident Caravalho stated that homeless individuals choose to avoid IHS facilities due to robberies and assault at the facilities. Resident Caravalho advocated addressing these issues. Director Mitchell stated that IHS is working to address these issues.
4. Suggested Resolution (Continued): It was clarified that the Board would wait until the next meeting to discuss a resolution. Shubert-Kwok requested that the Board make clear an intent to write a resolution before the next meeting. Chair McDonald stated that this is not necessary. Shubert-Kwok stated that a Board member had to be designated to write the draft resolution. Multiple Board members recommended that Shubert-Kwok draft the resolution. Chair McDonald agreed to include the topic on the next agenda if Shubert-Kwok prepares the draft resolution.

Sustainable Humanitarian Architecture and Design for the Earth (SHADE) Institute: Dean Sakamoto, SHADE, and Ave Kwok provided a presentation and reported the following:
• SHADE: SHADE is a public-interest design institution comprised of architects and engineers. They are a nonprofit that focuses on improving public spaces. SHADE works with the public, government officials, and other organizations and is currently seeking potential projects for the Chinatown community. They are looking at improving the intersection at Hotel Street and Maunakea Street.
• Wo Fat Building: Kwok voiced concerns regarding homeless and illegal activity near the Wo Fat building.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Purpose: Armstrong voiced confusion about the presentation and SHADE's purpose for coming to the Board. Sakamoto clarified that he was introducing SHADE Institute to the Board. Armstrong inquired and Sakamoto responded that the Wo Fat building will be rehabilitated, but this is not a SHADE project.
2. Suggestions: Armstrong suggested increasing sidewalk size to enable a walking community. Armstrong suggested projects to decorate and stylize Chinatown, such as Chinese lamp designs and signage.
3. Funding: Chair McDonald inquired about SHADE's funding. Sakamoto responded that SHADE might use public funds and partnerships for projects; however, they are not currently seeking public funds.
4. Wo Fat Building: Shubert-Kwok voiced concerns regarding homeless and illegal activity near the Wo Fat building. Shubert-Kwok advocated beautifying and improving the area. Kwok encouraged more residents to get involved with addressing these issues.

Mail in Voting Presentation: Sandy Ma provided a presentation and reported the following:
• Details: The 2020 election will be performed through physical mail. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters and signatures will be used to determine the validity of ballots. Voters may update their signatures prior to the election. There will be two voter service centers, at Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale. The primary election is Saturday 8 August 2020, and the general election is Tuesday 3 November 2020.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Grace Period: Armstrong inquired if the five-day grace period at the end of the election window will still be in place. Ma responded that there will be a five-day grace period.
2. Service Centers: Armstrong inquired and Ma clarified that voters can drop their ballots off at either of the two voter service centers. Chair McDonald inquired if voters can physically vote at the centers and Ma confirmed that centers will have electronic voting machines.
3. Reason: Chair McDonald inquired why the system changed to mail-in voting. Chair McDonald voiced concerns regarding possible voter fraud. Ma responded that Hawaii has the lowest voter participation rate in the nation, and vote-by-mail in other states has increased participation and reduced costs.
4. Signatures and Security: Resident Caravalho inquired how signatures will be verified. Ma clarified that signatures do not have to be a complete match; a computer compares signatures and any ballots which are rejected are then reviewed by trained humans. Voters with unmatched signatures will be contacted to resubmit their ballots. Resident Caravalho reiterated his concerns. Ma stated that ballots can be tracked by unique barcodes. Resident Dave Moskowitz inquired who will pick up the boxes at voter centers. Ma responded that the Clerk's Office will collect ballots.

Mollring departed at 8:54 p.m. Seven members present.

COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND REPORTS
Safe Haven: Greg Payton, Mental Health Kokua CEO, circulated a handout and outlined monthly statistics. Safe Haven had 64 total housing placements from the start of 2020 through May 2020. For more information, please email gpayton@mhkhawaii.org.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Security Guards: Shubert-Kwok voiced concerns regarding illegal activity in the area and Payton responded that two restrooms have been shut down intermittently during the day to discourage congregating. Shubert-Kwok advocated hiring better guards and voiced concerns regarding guard inactivity.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART): No representative was present. No report was given.

Chinatown Business and Community Association (CBCA): Shubert-Kwok submitted an electronic report to NB 13 and reported the following:
• Upcoming Meeting: CBCA did not meet in April and May. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 9 June 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in the Golden Palace Seafood restaurant.
• Conditions in Chinatown: Due to COVID-19, there has been an increase in sightings of homeless individuals in Chinatown, many of which are not social distancing. There was also a stabbing that occurred outside of River of Life. HPD arrested the assailant.
• IHS Medical Respite Facility: A petition expressing opposition in establishing a medical respite facility at 65 N. Beretania Street was circulated and signed by various community organizations, merchants, and residents in Chinatown. Shubert-Kwock recommended a unification of support from all organizations within the district to ensure placement of this facility is not within the Downtown-Chinatown area.

For more information, please email clskwock@gmail.com.

Chinatown Watch: Fran Butera provided a report presented as an Annex. For more information, please email chinatownwatch@gmail.com.

Shubert-Kwock departed at 9:08 p.m. Six members present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
McDonald moved to approve the March 2020 minutes. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, 6-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Kamoshida, Logue, Lye, Ma, McDonald; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

BOARD BUSINESS
Chair's report - The dates for hearings appurtenant to prior complaints filed apropos to NB 13 will be heard at the next NCO meeting.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. NCO Meeting: Chair McDonald inquired of the date of the next NCO meeting. Public Relations Assistant Coley stated that the date of the next NCO meeting has yet to be determined.

Treasurer's report - The remaining balance as of June 2020 is $49.64.

Board concerns
• Online meetings: Lye lamented that the Board had forgone an opportunity to convene, in light of Sunshine Law suspension protecting against the need to terminate such meetings upon loss of the audio connection to any participant, virtual web-based meetings during April and May 2020, which could have demonstrated to our constituents that we were still able to function in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis and would have set NB 13 apart as the only neighborhood board which maintained activities throughout this period.
• Upcoming resolution: Armstrong shared Resolution 2020-007 (Requesting Honolulu Police Commission members be comprised exclusively of elected representatives).
• Complaints: Lye asked if there had been any new complaints filed against NB 13. McDonald stated there were currently no additional complaints filed against NB 13.

Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) - No representative was present. No report was given.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Next Meeting - The next meeting of the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board 13 is scheduled for Thursday 2 July 2020 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.
• � lelo - Rebroadcasts of Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board 13 meetings are scheduled on � 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/ and searching on .

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.

The Neighborhood Commission Office departed at 9:00 p.m. Minutes completed by Roxie Kamoshida.

Submitted by Jackson Coley, Public Relations Assistant
Reviewed by Travis Saito, Neighborhood Assistant
Finalized by Kevin McDonald, Board Chair

ANNEXES

Chinatown Watch -

• Community-Wide Protest Keeps Homeless Facility Out of Chinatown: Chinatown citizens learned from a Star Advertiser article dated 14 May that the City had granted IHS $2.6 million in CARES funding to buy the 3-story building at 65 No. Beretania and turn it into a homeless service center. The response from lawmakers, merchants, residents, property owners, and cultural societies was immediate and 100% opposed. Today, 2 June, the City and IHS announced that they were shelving the project. We thank both entities for truly hearing the community this time. We feel that while IHS's homeless outreach services are badly needed, Chinatown is the wrong site for yet another homeless facility, especially another one that stresses engagement overenforcement. These past years, the influx of homeless people, attracted and enabled by River of Life, Safe Haven, Housing First, liquor stores and the drug trade, has caused immeasurable harm to Chinatown. We cannot keep waiting patiently for service-resistant mentally ill addicts to decide to change their lives. Bringing them to our densely populated, culturally significant live/work neighborhood was, is and always will be a bad idea. The City has invested tens of millions of dollars to create a homeless navigation hub in Iwilei. At P n wai, the 3 upper floors are planned for coordinated homeless services but are still not operational. We urge the City to finish P n wai and other Iwilei projects so Chinatown homeless can receive needed services in a far more appropriate setting.
• Bulb-out Barricades Installed During Shutdown, Then Removed: Shop owners at Maunakea & Pauahi returned to work on May 6 to find that the City had installed new bulb-out barricades on all 4 corners of the intersection. This eliminated the grab-n-go parking that vendors needed to comply with City orders for takeout-only business. By contrast, restaurants on Bethel St. and Nuuanu Ave had been allowed to RESERVE street parking for their grab-n-go customers, while our restaurants & shops saw their parked REMOVED. Councilmember Carol Fukunaga filed a complaint with the City Department of Transportation Services on Thursday 7 May. DTS removed the barricades on Saturday 9 May with the following message: "Please share our apologies with the business community as many of the new delineators at the Pauahi/Maunakea Street bulb-out were installed in error. These delineators were removed....and loading for the area businesses resumed immediately." We appreciate CM Fukunaga's and DTS's fast action to correct the error.
• Council Appropriation Expands City Guards Funding for FY21: Many thanks to CM Fukunaga for amending the City's FY21 budget to include at least $250,000 for City Guard service in this expanded service area: "City-owned properties and sidewalks that abut River St., Pauahi St., Maunakea St., Smith St., Hotel St., Nuuanu Avenue and Nimitz Highway." We urge the full Council to approve this funding and the City Administration to release immediately on July 1. As they've done on No. Pauahi and No. Hotel, City Guards can support HPD with more eyes, ears and uniforms at trouble spots like the sidewalks abutting Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park. Whereas HPD officers do not stay on site once they've cleared an incident, the City Guards are posted for hours-long shifts. This kind of continuity is needed to break the cycle of illegal activity and to prevent new problems. This program is a win for our community. We look forward to working with Director Sandy Pfund's team, CID, CBCA and HPD to further improve the program in the new fiscal year.
• City Switches from Yellow Trash Bags to Locking Bins During COVID Emergency: In April, Businesses who pay for City trash service got letters from the Dept. of Environmental Services with this subject: "Temporary Refuse Collection Services with Locking-Lid Wheeled Carts Due to COVID-19 Emergency." "Starting May 4, due to the ongoing COVID -19 pandemic emergency, the City is implementing, on a temporary basis, refuse collection service with locking-lid wheeled carts to decrease the exposure to pathogenic waste". Businesses need to store the carts inside their shops or common areas. Businesses unable to store the carts inside will need to contract with a private company for trash service. DES mailed the letter while businesses were closed per the Mayor's orders. The new system started before most businesses were allowed to reopen. This caused more confusion than normal. City refuse collectors will not pick up trash that is not in the required format, so bags of trash lie on the sidewalk uncollected for many days. This defeats the DES's stated goal of decreasing exposure to COVID vectors. If reducing COVID exposure is truly the goal, we urge DES to: 1) Pick up ALL rubbish regardless of format during this trial period, 2) Work with businesses and residents to increase compliance, and 3) Require River of Life to collect all meal trash left on our streets & sidewalks daily by their guests.
• Ongoing Issues with Blight & Crime, March/April/May 2020: The COVID shutdown has been hard for Chinatown. In the absence of normal daily activity, homeless / mentally ill / addicts converged here to take advantage of services and reduced enforcement. Re-opening businesses are contending with even more vagrancy, vandalism, drinking, etc. than before the shutdown.
• Actions that City Administrators Can Take Now: Do not continue to let homeless / mentally ill / substance abusers live like animals on the streets. Fund stabilization beds, psychiatric facilities, treatment centers and supportive housing AWAY FROM CHINATOWN. Mobilize sanitation crews to thoroughly clean Chinatown's public spaces daily. Provide all additional funding needed to support HPD in protecting Chinatown's citizens. Move River of Life Mission's feeding operation to Iwilei this year. Relocate Safe Haven out of Chinatown. Revoke the licenses of liquor stores that sell alcohol to homeless & mentally ill substance abusers. Clean graffiti off City properties as soon as it's discovered. Be an active, present landlord at your Chinatown properties. Find and vet responsible tenants for your vacant spaces. Lease to tenants who support a healthy neighborhood, not diminish it. Actively manage the properties. Be on site at least weekly. Fix the broken things. Keep it clean. Make it safe. Listen to tenants and community concerns and act on them. Work WITH the Chinatown community to truly understand and collaboratively solve our district's problems.
• Actions that Concerned Citizens Can Take Now: 1) Call 911 to report violations. 2) Talk to your neighbors about the problems. Encourage them to call 911, too. 3) Post incidents anonymously to ChinatownWatch.com. Please note that posting to ChinatownWatch.com is NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR CALLING 911. 4) Urge the City Council and Mayor Caldwell to fund private security patrols for ALL Downtown-Chinatown's public spaces. Contact Councilmember Fukunaga's office to report incidents in your area. Email cafukunaga@honolulu.gov or call (808) 768-5006. 5) Support HPD deploying police foot & bike patrols 24/7 throughout Downtown-Chinatown. 6) Get some neighbors together to meet with the HPD's Community Policing team. Call the CPT office at (808) 732-3927. A strong community partnership with HPD is good for everyone. 7) Merchants & property owners, please join the Chinatown Improvement District's neighborhood security patrol. Call Lee Stack at (808) 589-9927, email chinatownimprovementdistrict@gmail.com, or visit the website cidchinatownhawaii.org. 8) To order Chinatown Watch window signs for your business, email ChinatownWatch@gmail.com.

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Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting June 2020 Minutes

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