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Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting SEPTEMBER 2023 Minutes
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With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

DOWNTOWN - CHINATOWN NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 13

September 2023 Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 at 6:00 P.M.

PRINCESS RUTH KE‘ELIKOLANI MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA - 1302 QUEEN EMMA STREET, HONOLULU, HI 96813

AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Sa2H4B1f-k

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu

I. CALL TO ORDER - [0:00:04]: 6:05 p.m.

Chair Ernest Caravalho called the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 meeting to order at 6:05 p.m., and asked for a moment of silence to pay respects to Maui residents in regards to the wildfires. Quorum was established with seven (7) 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, Ross Isokane, Kevin Lye, Lori McCarney, Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, Travis Thompson (6:11 p.m.), and Kevin McDonald (6:11 p.m.).

Members Absent: None.

Guests: Firefighter Johnathan Waltz (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Arnold Sagucio (Honolulu Police Department); Dan Mestas, Chester Carson, Zz Reila (Hawaii Energy); Deputy Director Ian Santee (Mayor Rick Blangiardi - Honolulu Emergency Services Department); Richmond Luzar (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam); Senator Karl Rhoads; Iris Oda (Honolulu Board of Water Supply); Lee Stack (Chinatown Improvement District); Sandra Pohl (Downtown Art Center); Mark Tarone (Hallowbaloo 2023); Leonard Kam (Chinese Chamber of Commerce); Gregory Dunn (Hawaii Theatre); Ronald Higa, Patrick Smith, Cathy Lowenberg, Laura Sturges, Willis Moore, Michael Gray, Gary Toba, Mike Galmiche, Theresa Schubert (Residents); Dylan Buck (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 46 total attendees.

II. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS - [0:04:20]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - [0:04:22]: Firefighter Waltz reported the following, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QnfRpknAcVUNhbzuJLAvwUYBkv4MfWtH/view?usp=drive_link

• August 2023 Statistics: There were three (3) nuisance fires, seven (7) activated alarms (no fire), 106 medical emergencies, four (4) motor vehicle crash/collisions with pedestrians, three (3) motor vehicle crash/collisions, and one (1) ocean rescue.

• Safety Tip: Evacuation Planning - Create an evacuation plan with all members of your family/household. For more tips and information, visit: https://fire.honolulu.gov/

Thompson & McDonald joined the meeting at 6:11 p.m.; nine (9) members present.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) - [0:06:33]: Lieutenant Sagucio reported the following:

• August 2023 Statistics: There were four (4) motor vehicle thefts, four (4) burglaries, 37 thefts, eight (8) unauthorized entry into motor vehicles (UEMV), 21 assaults, two (2) sexual assaults, and eight (8) drug offenses. More crime mapping statistic can be found at: https://www.honolulupd.org/information/crime-mapping/

• Safety Tip: Pedestrian Safety - As Summer Vacation is over and schools are back in-session, please be aware of the increased pedestrian traffic around schools and bus transit areas.

Questions, comments and concerns followed - [0:08:48].

III. PRESENTATIONS �- [0:24:50]

Hawaii Energy's �Energy Advantage Program' - [0:24:53]: Dan Mestas (Principal Development Engineer) and Chester Carson (Public Policy Manager) provided a presentation on Hawaii Energy's mission to empower island families and businesses to make smarter energy choices to reduce energy consumption, save money, and pursue a 100% clean energy future. Mestas presented information on the �Energy Advantage' lighting direct installation program with enhanced incentives for qualifying small business and non-profits. Carson presented information on the Empower Grant application process which reimburses the applicant up to a few thousand dollars for the project expenses. A copy of the presentation can be found at: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1nSXtnsVkailO8DSf6jhto_f-wfAtwC4h/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=112972764551395013814&rtpof=true&sd=true

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:38:01].

Autumn Moon & Lantern Festival - [0:43:57]: Lee Stack (Chinatown Improvement District) announced that the Autumn Moon & Lantern Festival 2023 is scheduled for Friday, September 29, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Smith Beretania Park. Stack invited the public to join the event for lantern making, mooncakes, a raffle, music, free keiki activities and more. The lanterns will be hung outside businesses throughout the Chinatown district. Stack also provided a flyer of the information, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MelQCN0yfJla2-NYYwi9kvcPzSXlKmDj/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:46:29].

Downtown Art Center (DAC) Mural Painting of a Rabbit at Smith Beretania Park - [0:52:30]: Sandra Pohl (DAC) announced that artist, Bonhui Uy, will be painting multiple murals of a rabbit at the following locations of Smith Beretania Park: wall of the park (adjacent to the basketball court), as well as both backboards of the basketball court. The City will power wash the wall on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Bonhui Uy will paint the murals on Thursday, September 28, 2023. The DAC will organize a community celebration and get volunteers to paint anti-graffiti paint on the mural from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 30, 2023. A team from the Special Olympics will be shooting baskets and possibly running drills on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Pohl also provided a flyer of the information, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VH9j9V6K0mn8NyGl9c3EiXaUEJWT-2my/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:54:11].

Hallowbaloo 2023 - [1:03:40]: Mark Tarone (Co-Director of Hallowbaloo) announced that Hallowbaloo 2023 Music & Arts Festival block party is scheduled for Saturday, October 28, 2023 in Chinatown (near Hawaii Theatre), from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tarone provided a flyer with detailed information, and the exact location of the event, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eYNkWXanU_4L7zu46M7sjxIfAvWKkSfw/view?usp=drive_link. Tarone reported the following: basic overview of the event; details of the program and their footprint in Chinatown; safety, security and monitoring plan; and benefits that have been realized by this event in Chinatown. Tarone highlighted that the annual Hallowbaloo event brings a quality audience, valuable attention, and major revenue to Chinatown. Tarone also reported on the previous year's track record of things that went well and areas that need improvement. The following streets will be closed from 3:00 p.m. to approximately 11:59 p.m.: Nu'uanu Avenue (between Chaplain Lane and King Street); Pauahi Street (between Bethel and Smith Street, except for parking entrance/exit lanes); Hotel Street (between Bethel and Smith Street); Smith Street (between parking lot mauka of Po'ai Potions & parking lot Makai of Livestock Tavern).

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [1:17:20].

[1:48:53] - McDonald MOVED and Isokane SECONDED to support the Hallowbaloo 2023 Music & Arts Festival. Discussion followed. Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a roll call vote. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 8-1-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McDonald, McCarney, Lye, Thompson, Caravalho; Nay: Shubert-Kwock; Abstain: None) - [1:52:26].

IV. PUBLIC CONCERNS - [1:53:20]

Treatment of a Homeless Resident at the Meeting - [1:53:37]: Cathy Lowenberg expressed her disappointment in Chair Caravalho for mistakenly referring to a homeless resident as a "sir" on multiple occasions. Lowenberg also expressed her disappointment in member Armstrong's treatment of the same homeless resident, as she witnessed Armstrong tell the resident to "shut up".

Various Concerns Related to Deaths, Sidewalks, Bathrooms, and Phones - [1:55:30]: A resident, Nessa, raised the following concerns: (1) there have been an increase in deaths in Chinatown in the last few months; (2) there are many broken sidewalks in Chinatown that need to be repaired; (3) there are not enough public bathrooms in Downtown-Chinatown; (4) request that the City fix the public phones in the Chinatown area.

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival - [1:57:45]: Leonard Kam announced that the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival 2023 (hosted by Chinatown808 & the Chinese Chamber of Commerce) is a two-day event scheduled for Friday, September 29, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza. Admission to the event is free, and includes food & craft vendors, keiki activities, live entertainment, and more. Kam also provided a flyer of the information, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mo5-3yZPCD20BDovDSd-5E5ospoKaCar/view?usp=drive_link

Board Concerns - [1:58:59]: Kevin Lye requested clarification from Chair Caravalho regarding his statements about board members misusing a portion of the meeting, which is reserved for the public to raise concerns that are not listed on the agenda, to raise their concerns about board related business. Chair Caravalho responded that he will add the item "Board Concerns�" to future agendas if a board member requests that of him, but the topic of discussion must be specifically stated on the agenda to satisfy the spirit of HRS 92 - Public Agency Meetings and Records. Lye responded that the Office of Information Practices (OIP) grossly misunderstood the board's intentions. Neighborhood Assistant Buck further clarified that board members are not restricted from speaking during this agenda item, but instead are encouraged to communicate their board related concerns to the Chair so they can be properly noticed on the agenda. Kevin McDonald supported Lye's request for the agenda to include an item specific to board member concerns.

V. ELECTED OFFICIALS - [2:05:23]

Governor Josh Green's Representative - [2:05:27]: No representative present. A report was submitted, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BtZmC43wek_rQlFcehj_GTqkADNlCaoK/view?usp=drive_link. To sign up to receive Governor Green's newsletters, contact: (808) 586-0034 or gov.communications@hawaii.gov.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative - [2:05:54]: Deputy Santee (Honolulu Emergency Services Department) provided the report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L8XOW13lgGIO8mFpBmvXJNxkAU4-jvCT/view?usp=drive_link. Deputy Santee highlighted the devasting Maui wildfires, lifeguards on watch at Kahe Point, the retention of Sal Petilos (Honolulu Liquor Commission), and the revamping of Varona Village. Deputy Santee also provided follow-up responses to questions raised at the previous meeting.

Question, comments, and concerns followed - [2:08:44].

Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam (District 6) - [2:18:59]: Richmond Luzar provided the report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lS6JAcrrJoSr6LWkqiiXerKZ6_RTJJVU/view?usp=drive_link. Luzar highlighted that the City partnered with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to clean up Chinatown and Kamali'i Mini Park, a RISR was submitted for Pauahi Street in regards to homelessness and safety concerns, and provided a brief legislative update focused on game rooms and monster homes.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [2:21:27].

Senator Karl Rhoads (District 13) - [2:36:26]: Senator Rhoads provided his report, which can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wn7lzU1jDAAU_kmwTu4zTIUxi6KjfCPW/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=112972764551395013814&rtpof=true&sd=true. Senator Rhoads highlighted: that $1 million in Capital Improvement Project funds were released to the Hawaii State Archives for general expansion, creation of new collections, and community engagement; the Red-Light safety program is now in full effect at 10 locations; and Covid-19 cases are increasing again.

Chair Caravalho passed the gavel to Vice Chair Fitzsimmons at 8:41 p.m.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [2:38:26]. Chair Caravalho reclaimed the gavel at 8:43 p.m.

Representative Scott Saiki (District 26) - [2:49:19]: No representative present, no report submitted.

Representative Daniel Holt (District 28) - [2:49:42]: No representative present, no report submitted.

VI. MONTHLY REPORTS - [2:49:57]

Board of Water Supply (BWS) - [2:49:59]: Iris Oda reported that it is �Source Protection Week' from Sunday, September 24, 2023 through Saturday, September 30, 2023. The goal is to bring awareness about the importance of protecting our precious drinking water resources. More information can be found at: https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/source

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [2:51:41].

Safe Haven: Postponed to the next meeting. A report was submitted, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z_qY_7JMLr6kgDhKB0e-H76fK5aedLDI/view?usp=drive_link

Chinatown Business Community Association (CBCA): Postponed to the next meeting. A report was submitted, which can be found at:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NNPCl2-ahwT_yICbkJwHaAZ1tWwNh_v5/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=112972764551395013814&rtpof=true&sd=true

Chinatown Improvement District (CID): Postponed to the next meeting.

Neighborhood Citizen Patrol: Postponed to the next meeting.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART): Postponed to the next meeting.

VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Resolution 2023-006 - Regarding Preliminary Social Media Tenets for the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13 - [0:22:05]: Postponed to the next meeting. The draft resolution can be found at:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z5CFR0GKcIS1kXKyX3WLfGl5d0zydPXD/view?usp=drive_link

VIII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Thursday, August 3, 2023 Regular Meeting: Postponed to the next meeting.

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS - [2:54:19]

Next Regular Meeting - [2:54:27]: The next meeting of the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13 is scheduled for Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at Princess Ruth Ke�elik lani Middle School Cafeteria and via Webex.

Rebroadcast - [2:54:44]: 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 9:00 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month. An archive of past meetings may be found on https://olelo.org/olelonet/ upon searching on .

X. ADJOURNMENT - [2:55:05]: The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m.

Submitted by: Dylan Buck, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Naomi Hanohano, Community Relations Specialist

Finalized by:

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First Friday Hawaii News Item

Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting SEPTEMBER 2023 Minutes

DOWNTOWN - CHINATOWN NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 13

First Friday Hawaii
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