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Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting SEPTEMBER 2022 Minutes
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With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

Downtown / Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13

September 2022 Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

6:00 P.M. HYBRID

Kapalama Hale & WebEx

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ernest Caravalho called the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Quorum was established with eight (8) members present. Note: This nine-member Board requires five (5) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action.

Members Present: Robert Armstrong, Ernest Caravalho, Sean Fitzsimmons, Ara Laylo, Kevin Lye, Kevin McDonald, Lori McCarney, Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, and Laura Sturges (6:19 p.m.).

Members Absent: None.

Guests: Mayor Rick Blangiardi; Governor Neil Abercrombie; Captain Keahi Palaualelo (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Arnold Sagucio (Honolulu Police Department); Dean Sakamoto, Alan Ong, John Davenport, Mike McCormack (Live Learn Downtown); Lee Nagano, Edward Tiedje, Shelly Kunishige (Hawaii Department of Transportation); Mark Tarone (Hallowbaloo 2022); Iris Oda (Board of Water Supply); Deputy Director Ian Santee (Mayor Blangiardi's Representative); Lynell Yuu (Councilmember Fukunaga's Office); Max Kibbe (Senator Karl Rhoads's Office); Greg Payton (Mental Health Kokua); Patrick Watson (Honua Consulting Company); Theresa Schubert, Michael Galmiche, Liana Benn, Robin Markle, Jonny Mack, Alicia Salta, Lee Stack, Traci Toguchi, Lloyd White (Residents); Executive Secretary Lloyd Yonenaka, and Dylan Buck (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included in not legible. There were 48 total attendees.

Little League Parade/Event: Mayor Blangiardi provided a brief announcement to the community regarding the parade scheduled for Thursday, September 8, 2022, to honor the 2022 Little League World Series Championship team, in addition to other championship teams from recent years. The parade will start at A'ala Park at 12:00 p.m. and end at Honolulu Hale at 1:00 p.m. with rolling street closures along King Street. A public event will be held at Honolulu Hale from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. with multiple vendors and performers.

Motion to Amend Agenda: Lye MOVED, and Armstrong SECONDED to amend the agenda to: correct the duplicated "XII." agenda item and replace with "XIII.", insert "Board Member Concerns" to "VIII. Board Business (Continued), and to insert the Neighborhood Citizen Patrol announcement to "IX. Announcements". Discussion followed. The motion WAS NOT passed; 5-4-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Laylo, Lye, McDonald, Sturges; Nay: Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, McCarney, Shubert-Kwock; Abstain: None). Note - Motions to amend the agenda require a 2/3's majority vote to pass, which is six (6) votes for this board of nine (9) members.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Captain Palaualelo reported the following.

• August 2022 Statistics: There were three (3) nuisance fires, two (2) activated alarms (no fire), 98 medical emergencies, one (1) motor vehicle collision with pedestrian, and six (6) motor vehicle collision.

• Safety Tip: Fire safety is important for everyone. Visit https://fire.honolulu.gov/ to learn more.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed.

1. Inspections & Fog Machines: Lye asked, and Captain Palaualelo responded that annual inspections are performed of all businesses in the area to comply with current Fire Safety requirements, and he will forward the questions regarding fog machines to HFD's Fire Prevention Bureau.

2. New Fire Chief: Armstrong asked, and Captain Palaualelo responded that he will forward the request to Fire Chief Hao regarding an introduction of himself to this board and the community.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Lieutenant Sagucio reported the following.

• August 2022 Statistics: There were eight (8) motor vehicle thefts, four (4) burglaries, 42 thefts, 22 unauthorized entry into motor vehicle (UEMV), 35 assaults, two (2) sexual assaults, 0 graffiti cases, seven (7) drug offense cases, and 2,251 total calls for service.

• Safety Tip: To report illegal game rooms, call HPD's Narcotics/Vice Division 24-hour Hotline (808) 723-3933

Questions, comments, and concerns followed.

1. Recording Crime: McDonald asked, and Lieutenant Sagucio responded that bystanders who record criminal related activities should contact HPD and provide them with the footage to build stronger cases against criminals. A resident reported that a suspected illegal game room is located on Nu'uanu Avenue between Hound & Quail and Native Books at Arts & Letters.

2. Legislative Liaison: McDonald asked, and Lieutenant Sagucio responded that Captain Brandon Ogata is HPD's Legislative Liaison, and he will forward the request for him to attend a future meeting.

3. Late Night Bar Crowds: Lye asked, and Lieutenant Sagucio responded that HPD does not have enough staff to patrol every liquor establishment in the area at closing time and HPD asks that residents call 911 immediately to report any disturbances.

4. Dangers of River Street: Benn raised concerns with the dangers of walking along River Street and how it is affecting her employees. Lieutenant Sagucio responded that many residentially challenged people congregate at this location and HPD encourages businesses along River Street to implement tactics that deter people from congregating outside. Benn asked and Lieutenant Sagucio responded that HPD does patrol the area, but they also have to patrol all of Chinatown to enforce the sit-lie ordinance.

BOARD BUSINESS

Election of Officers - Vice Chair: Caravalho nominated Fitzsimmons for Vice Chair. Hearing no other nominations, the board took a roll-call vote. Fitzsimmons was ELECTED Vice Chair; 6-0-3 (Aye: Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Laylo, McCarney, Shubert-Kwock, Sturges; Nay: None; Abstain: Armstrong, Lye, McDonald).

Election of Officers - Secretary: Hearing no nominations, this item was deferred to the next meeting.

Determination of Board Recess Schedule: Sturges MOVED and McCarney SECONDED to recess in January 2023. The motion PASSED; 5-3-0 (Aye: Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Laylo, McCarney, Sturges; Nay: Armstrong, Lye, McDonald; Abstain: None).

NEW BUSINESS / PRESENTATIONS

Live Learn Downtown development project with HPU facility and future 201H workforce housing on Fort Street Mall, Hotel & Bethel Streets: Dean Sakamoto presented the following, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu. Live Learn Downtown (LLD) partnered with Shark Campus LLC and Downtown Partners LLC (John Davenport, Alan Ong, Mike McCormack) to make this project possible. The project consists of two (2) phases: Phase 1 - HPU Academic Sciences Building; Phase 2 - Affordable Housing & Commercial Development. Phase 1 has completed 99% of the interior demolition and is scheduled for completion in December 2023. Phase 2 is in the 201-H application process and aims to provide at least 260 units to university students, young professionals/vocational workers, and active elders. Phase 2 construction timeline is anticipated for 2024-2028.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed.

1. Challenges of 201-H: Armstrong asked, and Ong responded that the challenge with building workforce housing is that they usually do not qualify for subsidies that make the project profitable.

2. Target Market: Laylo asked, and Sakamoto responded that the project is targeting university students at HPU, young professionals such as entry level teachers, and active elders who do not want to live in the suburbs.

3. Increase to the Tax Base: Lye asked, and Davenport responded that there needs to be more than just low-income housing opportunities in Downtown-Chinatown, so this project is here to serve a purpose for the people that will spend time and money in the area. Abercrombie commented in strong support of the workforce housing phase of this project and is confident that it will increase the limited tax base from the area.

4. Application Process: Tarone asked, and Ong responded that it is a regulated application process where the property management company must follow documentation requirements and will qualify the applicants based on their income level.

5. Affordability: McCarney commented that this project is even more affordable if you factor in the savings from not owning a vehicle and using public transportation or bicycles to get around the neighborhood. Sakamoto responded that it cannot be guaranteed at this time, but the developers are interested in not providing any parking spaces.

Armstrong MOVED and McCarney SECONDED to offer the board's support of the LLD development project. Hearing no objections, the motion PASSED by Unanimous Consent.

Downtown/Chinatown Red Light Presentation: Lee Nagano, Ed Tiedje and Shelly Kunishige presented the following, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu. Statewide, between 2015 and 2020, there have been 1,879 crashes as a result of red-light and other traffic signal violations; some involved serious injuries or death. Between 2015 and 2019, county police throughout Hawaii issued 20,885 violations to motorists for disregarding red-light traffic signals. The State's Department of Transportation (HDOT) is narrowing down the list to 10 locations where this red-light pilot program will be enforced at. For more information you can visit: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/red-light-safety-program

Questions, comments, and concerns followed.

1. Project Start Date: Armstrong asked, and Nagano responded that the cameras are not ready for operation just yet and HDOT will issue public notices once the final 10 intersections have been identified.

2. Audio Capturing: Lye asked, and Tiedje responded that the technology is able to track loud noise disturbances from modified vehicles or loud music, but that would have to be passed by the legislature.

3. FAQs: Lye asked, and Tiedje responded that this is a two (2) year pilot program, and the State will decide after the data has been analyzed if they wish to move forward with this program. Tiedje responded that if the license plate does not match the vehicle's description, the information will be forward to law enforcement for further investigation. Tiedje responded that if a driver received a red-light ticket in a borrowed vehicle, the ticket will be the responsibility of the registered owner of the vehicle and a statement form can be filed.

4. Opposed: McDonald commented in opposition to this project because the resources being used could be put to better use to combat crime and homelessness in the community.

McDonald MOVED and Lye SECONDED that this board does not support the Red Light Pilot Program. Discussion followed. The motion WAS NOT passed; 1-6-1 (Aye: McDonald; Nay: Armstrong, Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Laylo, McCarney, Sturges; Abstain: Lye).

Hallowbaloo 2022: Mark Tarone presented the following, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu. The Hallowbaloo 2022 Music & Arts Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This is a free street festival open to the public of all ages, and food/beverage service will be available for purchase. The following streets will be closed on Saturday, October 29, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.: Nu�uanu Ave (between Chaplain Ln and King St.), Pauahi St (between Bethel and Smith St. (except for parking entrance/exit lanes), Hotel St. (between Bethel and Smith St.), Smith St. (between parking lot mauka of Little Village & parking lot makai of Livestock Tavern).

Laylo MOVED and Armstrong SECONDED to offer the board's support of the Hallowbaloo 2022 event. Discussion followed. Hearing no objections, the motion PASSED by Unanimous Consent.

PUBLIC CONCERNS

Board Member Concerns: Lye commented that the agenda should include an item for board member concerns because there are several issues to address.

Gratitude: Armstrong thanked the public for their support regarding his campaign for District 28 House of Representatives.

MONTHLY REPORTS

Board of Water Supply (BWS): Iris Oda provided the report and announced that BWS is hosting their Source Protection Week from Monday, September 26, 2022, to Saturday, October 1, 2022. The goal is to bring awareness about the importance of protecting our precious drinking water sources. For more information visit: https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/

Safe Haven: Greg Payton [gpayton@mhkhawaii.org] provided the report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu. Payton highlighted that a total of 52 homeless individuals have been placed into permanent supportive housing facilities from January-August 2022, Mental Health Kokua (MHK) no longer operates a homeless daily drop-in center, and MHK's Safe Haven facility is still working to identify a new location outside of Pauahi Hale.

Chinatown Business Community Association (CBCA): No representative present.

Chinatown Improvement District (CID): No representative present.

Neighborhood Citizen Patrol: Lye presented images and reported observations by the patrol during the prior month, including Lye inviting the public to walk with the patrol on the second Tuesday of every month, departing at 7:00 p.m. from the Diamond Head Tower lobby of Kukui Plaza. Please bring a friend, join the patrol, and help identify areas of concern within the community.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed. Pigeon Problem: Armstrong requested that Chair Caravalho make efforts to secure a presentation on feral pigeons from the Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR).

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART): Patrick Watson (Public Information Manager at Honua Consulting Company - HCC) is representing Frank V. Coluccio Construction Company (FVCCC) on the work that they are about to commence on the City's Center Utilities Relocation (CCUR) Phase III contract. Watson announced several construction locations outside of the district that impede traffic. Watson invited the public to join HCC's next monthly CCUR Phase III Business and Community Meeting on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. You can register at: https://bit.ly/HARTPhase3. Sign up for the CCUR III eBlast: http://eepurl.com/h1g2W5. You can also email ccur3@honuaconsulting.com for more information.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Governor David Ige's Representative: No representative present.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative: Deputy Director Ian Santee (Honolulu Emergency Services Department) provided the report on the Mayor's monthly newsletter, which can be found at: https://www.oneoahu.org/newsletter. Santee also reported follow up responses to questions raised at the last meeting and was available to take questions.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed.

1. Response from Managing Director Formby: Lye commented that he expected to receive a public response during this meeting from Managing Director Formby regarding Lye's concerns about the Neighborhood Commission and the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO). Neighborhood Assistant Buck informed Lye that a public response during the meeting was not necessary because Managing Director Formby already provided responses to Lye's concerns via email.

2. HOLO Cards: Lye raised concerns that approved vendors of the HOLO Cards (bus pass) were wrongfully charging people $2.00 to receive the cards during the Free HOLO Card promotion period (Monday, August 15, 2022, to Friday, August 26, 2022) hosted by the Department of Transportation Services (DTS).

Councilmember Carol Fukunaga (District 6): Lynell Yuu provided the report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed.

1. Crosswalk: Lye asked if Councilmember Fukunaga could investigate the demand for a crosswalk to be implemented at the intersection of Miller Street/Punchbowl Street, as many residents and Queen's Hospital staff/patients have a difficult time crossing at this location. Yuu responded that they did receive some requests and will add this request to the file.

2. Leaf Blowers: Lye asked, and Yuu responded that she will check to see if the City Council is interested in revisiting the concept of the use of electric leaf blowers within the city limits.

3. Adopt-A-Park: Chair Caravalho asked, and Yuu responded that Neighborhood Boards are allowed to adopt public parks and encouraged the board to research the correct process to follow.

Senator Karl Rhoads (District 13): Max Kibbe provided the report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu. Kibbe highlighted several updated Covid-19 statistics. To contact Senator Rhoads's Office call 808-586-6130 or email senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Scott Saiki (District 26): No representative present.

Representative Daniel Holt (District 28): No representative present.

BOARD BUSINESS (CONTINUED)

Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes - Thursday, July 7, 2022 & Thursday, August 4, 2022: Armstrong MOVED and Lye SECONDED to approve both minutes as amended by Lye. Hearing no objections, the motion PASSED by Unanimous Consent.

Treasurer's Report: None

Future Items for Board Consideration

Presentation Requests: Lye commented that he's received requests from multiple organizations to provide presentations to the board and Chair Caravalho responded that he will aim to add them to the October 2022 agenda. Armstrong commented that the public needs to hear from new Chief of HFD, Suzanne Case (Director of DLNR), and from TheBus or DTS to learn about the results of the recent "Free Bus Rides" promotion. Lye commented that he's received requests for updates from the Complete Streets program regarding additional bike lanes in Downtown-Chinatown.

Amended Meeting Minutes: Lye commented that the board needs to find a way to communicate all the amended minutes over recent months to the public.

Olelo Recording of July 2022 Meeting: Lye noted that the board's recording of their July 2022 regular meeting is not posted to Olelo's website and Neighborhood Assistant Buck responded that he will reach out to Olelo.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next Regular Meeting: The next Downtown - Chinatown Neighborhood Board meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at a location to be determined.

Rebroadcast: Rebroadcasts of Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board 13 meetings are scheduled on � lelo channel 49 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 https://olelo.org/olelonet/ upon searching on .

Neighborhood Citizen Patrol: The Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Citizen Patrol departs on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. from the Diamond Head tower lobby of Kukui Plaza. Please wear a mask, bring a friend, join the patrol, and help identify areas of concern within our Downtown-Chinatown community.

Archive: Find an archive of handouts and referenced materials apropos to Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board 13 at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Submitted by: Dylan Buck, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy

Finalized by: Ernest Caravalho, Chair

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First Friday Hawaii News Item

Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting SEPTEMBER 2022 Minutes

Downtown / Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13

First Friday Hawaii
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