Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting MARCH 2023 Minutes

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

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.

PRINCESS RUTH KE‘ELIKŌLANI MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY -- 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=8Acc3FbWpqg

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu

I. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:01]: 6:02 p.m.

Chair Ernest Caravalho called the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Quorum was established with 8 members present. Note: This 9-member Board requires 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, and Kevin McDonald (6:17 p.m.).

Members Absent: None.

Guests: Lieutenant Arnold Sagucio (Honolulu Police Department); John Mizuno (State Homeless Coordinator); Sam Moku (City & County of Honolulu Homeless Coordinator); Executive Director Kimo Carvalho (HomeAid Hawaii); Heather Lusk (Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center); Peter Soares Jr. (DRI-ONE); Stephen Downes (Governor Josh Green); Richmond Luzar (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam); Iris Oda (Honolulu Board of Water Supply); Greg Payton (Maunakea Villages); Harry Cho (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation); Patrick Watson (Honua Consulting); Ronald Higa, Candice Kraughto, Jim Besinger, Joe Bob, Nicole Reid, Robert Quartero, Rick Keene, Laura Sturges (Residents); Dylan Buck (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 42 total attendees.

II. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS -- [0:00:55]

Honolulu Fire Department -- [0:00:55]: No representative present. A report was submitted.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o96JcyNozdf9mccz2ZAfMzB8IkDu3YaF/view?usp=drive_link

Honolulu Police Department -- [0:01:13]: Lieutenant Arnold Sagucio provided the report and highlighted the following: monthly statistics for May 2024; safety tips regarding unattended alcoholic beverages; traffic reminders this weekend during the King Kamehameha Day Parade; HPD has increased patrols in the Downtown-Chinatown community; and reported responses to questions raised at the previous meeting.

• Crime Mapping Statistics: https://www.honolulupd.org/information/crime-mapping/

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:03:58]

Shubert-Kwock left at 6:07 p.m.; 7 members present.

III. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:06:08]

Potential Kauhale Development in the Iwilei Area -- [0:06:08]: John Mizuno (State Homeless Coordinator), Sam Moku (City Homeless Coordinator) and Kimo Carvalho (Kauhale Developer -- HomeAid Hawaii) announced plans for a new ʻKauhaleʻ to be constructed in Iwilei that will consist of 75 communal living psaces, with modest hosuing units for individual households, and shared space for cooking and eating, recreation, growing food or engaging in industrious activities together. The site is located on State property at the intersection of Iwilei Road/ Kaaahi Street. The project is expected to begin in August or September 2024. Unlike a typical shelter, navigation, or transitional programs, the role of a ‘service provider' in a Kauhale will be to provide supportive services and to foster communal ownership, roles, and responsibilities among residents -- equipping them to take care of their place and each other over time, and reducing dependence on formal programs. Mizuno highlgihted that the City and State have been combining forces, and Moku noted various other projects/inititatves that the Blangiardi Admsintiration is working on to address the homeless situation on Oʻahu.

• Handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jZ0WJf4_GgCUoZLdbdbLrCMW-oMO3DKp?usp=drive_link

McDonald joined the meeting at 6:17 p.m.; 8 members present.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:16:37]

Establishing Vending Machines with Narcan in Chinatown -- [1:01:09]: Heather Lusk (Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center -- HHHRC) presented information on HHHRC's intent to utilize vending machines in Chinatown to increase access to Naloxone (Narcan). Lusk highlighted the following facts about Naloxone: it reverses opioid-induced sedation and respiratory depression; it is not psychoactive and no potential for abuse; it may cause withdrawal symptoms; it acts within 30 seconds to 2 minutes; it lasts 30 to 90 minutes; and use may be repeated. As of January 1, 2024, all bars and restaurants on Oʻahu are required to have Naloxone. The HHHRC, in collaboration with various other departments/organizations, currently has 30 vending machines across the state. The existing vending machines offer Naloxone kits free of charge. The HHHRC is currently seeking funding as each vending machine incurrs the following costs: $4,250 for the vending machine, $750 for the wrap around the machine, and $1,500 for freight, deliver, and installation. There are currently 3 machines operating in the Downtown-Chinatown community, and the intent is to add more.

• Website: https://www.hhhrc.org/

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:06:53]

DRI-ONE Fire Retardant Product Presentation -- [1:23:03]: Peter Soares Jr. (DRI-ONE) presented information on DRI-ONE, an all-in-one Class A Flame Retardant for fabric, wood, thatch and more. DRI-ONE is formulated to protect, penetrate and bond to cellular structure of absorbent materials such as foam, fabric, wood, plant-based products and more. DRI-ONE is a company based in Arizona and has been operating for about 68 years. Soares noted the recent wildfires in Hawaiʻi and the ongoing discussion of insufficient fire protection in condominiums, and highlighted the following information about DRI-ONE: it is clear, odorless, and water-based; it retards fire by limiting flame spread and toxic smoke; it is easy to use and can be applied by spray, brush, roll and/or submerge; once treated and dried, apply finishes such as sealers, stains, undercoats, primers and paint.

• Handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nPH60FK6sVc2mSeETTqwRfZfeS4PywY0?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:30:40]

IV. PUBLIC CONCERNS -- [1:35:44]

Resolution Relating to Condominium Owner Protections -- [1:35:58]: Kim Coco Iwamoto and Natalie Farinas announced that the Ala Moana Neighborhood Board No. 11 (NB11) recently adopted a resolution relating to protections for condominium owners. Coco Iwamoto and Farinas noted that they are both members of NB11, but they are speaking tonight as individual residents.

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- [1:40:43]

Thursday, May 2, 2024, Regular Meeting Written Summary for Video Record -- [1:40:43]: [1:40:57] -- Lye MOVED and McDonald SECONDED to postpone this item to the next meeting. Hearing no objections or abstentions, the motion was ADOPTED as amended; 8-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, Lye, McCarney, McDonald, Thompson, Caravalho; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [1:41:24]

McCarney left at 7:43 p.m.; 7 members present.

VI. NEW BUSINESS -- [1:41:36]

Chair's Report -- [1:41:36]: Chair Caravalho provided his report and highlighted the following: reminded the Board to consider upcoming date(s) for a cleanup project; reminder of the King Kamehameha Day Parade on Saturday, June 8, 2024; presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Dylan Buck for his years of service to this Board; reminder that another Community Walk is being coordinated by Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.; and reminded everyone of the date change for the next meeting in July 2024.

Discussion on presenting Oʻahu Market with a certificate for their 120th Anniversary -- [1:46:38]: [1:47:08] -- Isokane MOVED and Armstrong SECONDED to present a Certificate of Appreciation to Oʻahu Market. Discussion followed. Hearing no objections or abstentions, the motion was ADOPTED as amended; 7-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, Lye, McDonald, Thompson, Caravalho; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [1:49:30]

VII. ELECTED OFFICIALS -- [1:50:00]

Congressman Ed Case's Representative -- [1:50:06]: No representative present.

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [1:50:13]: Stephen Downes provided the report and responses to questions raised at the previous meeting.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p93ByvESnYel7ITtze7qOLcTzljbEvMg/view?usp=drive_link

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1otwwUzb9VyIgEKAZQ3YiyiEehwdNIDp7/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=112972764551395013814&rtpof=true&sd=true

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:51:01]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [1:57:29]: No representative present. Two reports were submitted.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zBv4fVLxTTfMAJFTDuUiTVRNcGZPCECX/view?usp=drive_link

• Memo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G_cMrf4aZft8eJAPFVecGol9j4Fz1i_i/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:57:58]

City Council (District 6) -- Tyler Dos Santos-Tam -- [1:59:52]: Richmond Luzar provided the report and highlighted the following: updates on homeless encampments as they relate to Bill 20 (2024) (relating to fines, fees, and other revenues of the Department of Planning and Permitting); efforts to transfer ownership of Fort Street Mall from the Department of Parks and Recreation to the Department of Transportation Services in order to increase events and foot traffic in the area; HB2090 (relating to housing); Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam is working to propose a speed limits bill to reduce speed limits in specific areas; and announced a pilot program for outdoor dining.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:03:38]

State Senate (District 13) -- Karl Rhoads -- [2:12:02]: No representative present. A report was submitted.

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n2hlVJfcrw8HjF1xb9J_YtAX0FjtjOur/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=112972764551395013814&rtpof=true&sd=true

State House (District 26) -- Scott Saiki -- [2:12:36]: No representative present. A report was submitted.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pa0BV3edKr_DekqoSNhmWNVj0AcZXoM3/view?usp=drive_link

State House (District 28) -- Daniel Holt -- [2:12:53]: No representative present.

VIII. MONTHLY REPORTS -- [2:13:05]

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) -- [2:13:05]: Iris Oda reported that the annual BWS Water Quality Report has been published on their website and can be found at: https://boardofwatersupply.com/water-quality/water-quality-report. Oda also provided responses to questions raised at the previous meeting.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:15:44]

Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Highways Division -- [2:17:48]: No representative present.

Safe Haven -- Mental Health Kokua -- [2:18:05]: Greg Payton provided the report and highlighted the following: Maunkea Villages (formerly known as Safe Haven) has placed 33 formerly homeless residents in permanent housing in Maunakea Villages; Mental Health Kokua (MHK) has placed a total of 50 individuals into permanent housing since January 2024; and the Pūnāwai Rest Step provides free services to an average of 240 daily visitors.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/181kYLV8hhFpb9Z2qoQG9yOWnRP7iF9r6/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:19:20]

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) -- [2:21:11]: Harry Cho provided updates on the Downtown Utilities Relocation Project.

• Nimitz Hwy Notice: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l0FoilQDU_PE8hydzhLokS1yOttHtQJI/view?usp=drive_link

• Halekauwila Street Notice: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CkQT32NypHKLM05fR_Ptj1o3z4bs0I0s/view?usp=drive_link

• Updates on HART's Downtown Utilities Relocation (CCUR III) project: https://eepurl.com/h1g2W5

• Contact for Questions/Assistance: ccur3@honuaconsulting.com

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:21:45]

Chinatown Improvement District -- [2:25:15]: No representative present.

Chinatown Business Community Association (CBCA) -- [2:26:17]: No representative present at this time.

Neighborhood Citizen Patrol -- [2:26:34]: Kevin Lye noted that the patrol conducted a site visit at 215 North King Street to witness the ongoing issues related to homeless activity. Lye invited the public to join the patrol, on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Diamond Head Tower lobby of Kukui Plaza, and help identify areas of concern within the Downtown-Chinatown community.

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [2:58:13]

The Downtown--Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13 is scheduled for Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at Ke'elikolani Middle School and virtually via Webex.

YouTube -- An archive of video recordings of Neighborhood Board meetings can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/@cityandcountyneighborhoodc2559

Rebroadcasts of Downtown--Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13 meetings are scheduled on ʻŌlelo channel 49 for every third Thursday at 9:00 p.m., as well as 9:00 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month. An archive of past meetings may be found on http://olelo.org/olelonet/ by searching on <Downtown Chinatown>.

X. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:33:02]: The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

Submitted by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, NCO

Reviewed by: Camilia Epa Gomes, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO

Finalized by:

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First Friday Hawaii News Item

Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting MARCH 2023 Minutes

First Friday Hawaii
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