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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, AUGUST 1, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.

PRINCESS RUTH KE‘ELIKŌLANI 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=13qgkGLlLQ8

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at:

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

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

Chair Ernest Caravalho called the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was established with 7 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, and Kevin McDonald (6:10 p.m.)

Members Absent: Travis Thompson.

Guests: Lieutenant Arnold Sagucio (Honolulu Police Department); Richmond Luzar (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam); Deputy Director Ian Santee (Mayor Blangiardi); Iris Oda (Honolulu Board of Water Supply); Brendan Bailey (Hawaiian Electric Company); Cat Langan (AFSP); Leonard Kam (Chinatown 808 & Chinese Chamber of Commerce); Greg Payton (Maunakea Villages); Steve Downes (Governor Josh Green); Patrick Watson (Frank V. Coluccio Construction); Island News; Julie Ode, Ronald Higa, Nicole Reid, Chris Holleran, Linda Blomquist, Dorothy Aiwohi, Greg Payton (Residents); Camilia Epa Gomes (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 42 total attendees.

II. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS -- [0:01:00]

Due to technical difficulties, the microphone was muted in the introduction portion of HFD's report and was immediately resolved thereafter.

Honolulu Fire Department -- [0:01:23]: Firefighter Nihipali provided the report and highlighted the following: follow-up response for the inquiry of the status of Kamali'i Mini Park; incident statistics for July 2024; and relayed safety tips for back-to-school fire safety.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uWMlHTV6JrgrZk3Ljghie22dLH0IzPm-/view?usp=drive_link

Honolulu Police Department -- [0:05:08]: Lieutenant Arnold Sagucio provided the report and highlighted the following: monthly statistics for July 2024; relayed there will be a Korean Festival on Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; starting this Monday, August 5, 2024 schools are back in session; advisory for the community to expect heavier traffic during peak traffic times during the entire month of August and to plan their commutes to leave early to avoid major traffic; shared the safety tip for the month regarding traffic and pedestrian safety.

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

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:07:05]

McDonald arrived at 6:10 p.m.; 8 members present.

III. UNFINISHED BOARD BUSINESS -- [0:11:45]

Elections of Officers -- Treasurer -- [0:11:50]: [0:11:00] -- McDonald nominated Lye for Treasurer. [0:12:09] -- Shubert-Kwock nominated McCarney for treasurer. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. McCarney was elected Treasurer; 5-3-0 (McCarney: Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McCarney, Shubert-Kwock, Caravalho; Lye: Armstrong, Lye, McDonald; Abstain: None) -- [0:13:41]

Adoption of Oral Testimony Rules -- [0:13:48]: Chair Caravalho drafted the adoption of testimony rules which was read out loud by Secretary Isokane. Chair Caravalho shared a legal opinion he obtained from the State of Hawaii Office of Information Practices.

[1:20:25] -- McCarney MOVED and Shubert-Kwock SECONDED to adopt the Oral Testimony Rules as written from Office of Information Practices. Discussion followed. Hearing no further discussion, the Board conducted a roll call vote. The motion was ADOPTED; 5-2-1 (Aye: Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McCarney, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: Armstrong, McDonald; Abstain: Lye) -- [0:21:06]

IV. PRESENTATION -- [0:21:15]

Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) Follow-up -- [0:21:21]: Brendan Bailey (Vice President of Customer Service for HECO) returned for the second time to provide a follow-up report on the recent power outages in Downtown-Chinatown that occurred in June 2024. Mr. Bailey provided printed presentations slides that he said was also presented in front of the City Council last week. HECO has also submitted an update to their regulator, the public utilities commission regarding the root cause analysis that is still underway for the June 2024 power outage in the district. Mr. Bailey shared that HECO is projecting mid-August to have the root cause analysis finalized and submitted to the Public Utilities Commission. The docket filing number is 2024-06-28 to keep track of the progress of the root cause analysis report. The docket file number is available for the public to have access to. Mr. Bailey shared 271 commercial claims were submitted and 139 residential claims were submitted. HECO is working closely with claimants to ensure that they have the ability to support their claims and is allowing claimants more time to submit their documentation if needed. Mr. Bailey shared the support package that HECO has provided: HECO has placed a moratorium on all disconnections for non-payment till January 15, 2025; HECO is waiving any late payment fees that are incurred from the date of the outage through January 2025; HECO is offering extended payment plans for anyone who needs assistance making their bill payments; HECO has donated $25,000 to the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Chinatown Improvement District to support the Downtown-Chinatown community; HECO has been supporting the Downtown-Chinatown business thru HECO's social media pages to help drive traffic back to business in the district; HECO will be issuing $500 courtesy payments to each commercial claimants and $50 courtesy payments to each residential claimant regardless of the outcomes of the investigation. Mr. Bailey highlighted on the PowerPoint slide 5 and 6 showing what HECO has completed in terms of replacing old equipment and what outdated equipment and networks they plan on replacing starting in 2025 in the Downtown-Chinatown district. Due to schedule availability, Mr. Bailey will try to have a HECO representative at the next regular Board meeting to provide another follow-up report if he is not available.

• HECO PowerPoint Slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t77XAzbcFCcNOzcAiSp6psnsONihUb9w/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:26:23]

Upcoming Chinatown Events -- Mid Autumn Festival on Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. -- [0:45:02]: Leonard Kam (representative for Chinatown808 and Chinese Chamber of Commerce) shared an announcement of public family friendly events in the district. The mid-Autumn festival will be at the Chinatown cultural plaza. This event is held within the plaza and will not affect the streets or have any lane closures. The festival will have live entertainments, food and craft booths. There will be a lantern parade at 6:30 p.m. for the public to participate in. There will be lantern making activities for families and stargazer telescopes for the public to view the moon. This event is sponsored by Chinatown808 organization.

Upcoming Chinatown Events -- Chinatown Open House on Friday, January 24, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. -- [0:46:36]: This event will be held in honor of celebrating Chinese New Year. There will be lion dances going throughout Chinatown to visit businesses and organizations. There will be approximately nine lion dance groups traversing the streets of Chinatown starting at 6:00 p.m. and ending about 9:00 p.m. There will be concurrently a traditional cultural celebration in the Chinatown Cultural Plaza that will also take place on Saturday January 25, 2025. There will be street closures for this event which was coordinated with City Department of Transportation and the Honolulu Police Department. This event is sponsored by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Upcoming Chinatown Events -- Night in Chinatown Festival on Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. -- [0:47:51]:

This event is in the process of renaming it to ‘Chinatown Festival and Parade'. This event is sponsored by the Chinatown808 organization with the title sponsor as American Savings Bank. There will be road closures of the street between Aala Street and Maunakea Street along North Beretania Street. A'ala Park will be utilized and have a keiki fun zone in the park. There will be food and craft booths as well as three stages of live entertainment. Street closures should commence before the start time of the event.

Upcoming Chinatown Events -- Night in Chinatown Parade on Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. -- [0:48:53]:

The annual parade will start at the Hawaii State Capitol along Richard Street and go through Hotel Street and disperse pass Maunakea Street. This event is sponsored by the Chinatown808 organization with the tile sponsor as American Savings Bank.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:49:35]

[0:52:11] -- Shubert-Kwock MOVED and Isokane SECONDED for Neighborhood Board No. 13 to support the four upcoming Chinatown events as listed. Discussion followed. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 8-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, Lye, McCarney, McDonald, Shubert-Kwock, Caravalho; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:52:45]

Request for Temporary Road Closure for Children and Youth Day on Sunday, October 6, 2024 -- [0:53:00]: No representative was present. No report was submitted.

Out of the Darkness Walk on Saturday, September 14, 2024 -- [0:53:45]: Cat Langan (Chair for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention AFSP Walk - Hawaii Chapter) provided details on the upcoming annual walk at Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds around the Sky Gate Sculpture. The walk is a community driven event that aims to raise awareness about suicide prevention, honor loved ones lost to suicide, and support survivors. There will be various activities for participants such as: a remembrance wall, mental health themed activities; and resource tents with many local organizations and agencies that are aligned with mental health. Check-in time will start at 8:00 a.m. and the program will start at 9:00 a.m. The walk will officially begin around 9:30 a.m. and end 11:00 a.m. It will be a 1.2 mile walk down South King Street, take a right onto Richard Street, take a right onto South Beretania Street heading back to Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds. There will be no road closures in the area of the walk. Online registered participants are encouraged to join regardless of their location. There is no registration fee for the walk, but fundraising is encouraged.

• Online Registration: https://afsp.org/chapter/hawaii

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:59:11]

[1:00:15] -- McDonald MOVED and Isokane SECONDED for Neighborhood Board No. 13 to give general support. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 8-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, Lye, McCarney, McDonald, Shubert-Kwock, Caravalho; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [1:00:36]

Hallowbaloo 2024 on Saturday, October 26, 2024 -- [1:01:17]: Rick Schneider (President and CEO of Events International, Inc.) provided information about the event and would like to get the Board's input and stance of possibly having the Hallowbaloo event this year in Downtown-Chinatown. Mr. Schneider reiterated that Events International Inc., is just the service providers and not the promoters of the event. Mr. Schneider shared that there were mistakes from the last Hallowbaloo, that they kept note of to make sure it doesn't happen again for this popular event.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:02:58]

[1:16:55] -- McDonald MOVED and Shubert-Kwock SECONDED for Neighborhood Board No. 13 to give general support for Hallowbaloo 2024 on Saturday, October 26, 2024 contingent to the organizer returning in September with the full details of the event. Dicussion followed. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 6-0-2 (Aye: Armstrong, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McCarney, McDonald, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: None; Abstain: Lye, Caravalho) -- [1:23:09]

Addressing Rules of Speaking to Chair Caravalho -- [1:23:17]: Member McDonald asked for clarification on rules of speaking which Chair Caravalho responded and requested everyone to continue respecting the speaking rules that were adopted by the Board.

V. PUBLIC CONCERNS -- [1:25:29]: No public concerns.

VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- [1:25:45]

Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Regular Meeting Written Summary of the Video Record -- [1:25:55]: Member Lye presented his own version of the written summary for video record with his suggested changes to the NCO draft. Secretary Isokane advocated for adoption of the unedited NCO draft.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:28:55]

[1:32:39] -- Armstrong MOVED and Isokane SECONDED to defer the approval of the draft July 2024 minutes to next month. Discussion followed. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 8-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, Lye, McCarney, McDonald, Shubert-Kwock, Caravalho; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [1:36:50]

VII. ELECTED OFFICIALS -- [1:37:00]

Congressman Ed Case's Representative -- [1:37:08]: No representative present.

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [1:37:13]: Stephen Downes was present to take any questions and shared his email if anyone has any questions to follow-up at the next Board meeting.

• Email: Stephen.downes@doh.hawaii.gov

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:38:06]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [1:43:07]: Deputy Director Ian Santee (Emergency Services Department) provided the report and highlighted the following: Mayor's monthly newsletter for August 2024; update on property ownership for Kamali'i Mini Park; and used the remaining time to provide responses to questions.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:44:40]

City Council (District 6) -- Tyler Dos Santos-Tam -- [1:54:04]: Richmond Luzar provided the report and highlighted the following: shared the Empty Homes Tax Bill was recently proposed and will be heard at the full council meeting Wednesday, August 7, 2024 and encouraged if the public would like to testify; Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam will propose a resolution asking the administration to transfer Fort Street Mall from Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to Department of Transportation Services (DTS) in the next few weeks and figure out what they will need to do; shared city council is mandated by State law to take action on adaptive reuse and the office is expecting to work on comprehensive legislation around adaptive reuse to address empty spaces and activate the Downtown-Chinatown area; the office has met with a lot of Downtown-Chinatown stakeholders to discuss what can be done to improve cleanliness and safety in the district to start brainstorming legislation ideas; Upcoming City Council Hearings on Primary Urban Center are near and the office would like input from the Board since it ultimately determines how development changes in the next 20 years.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mu-m19DdFvyEWQwOq2zz_XboWksXo4jK/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:56:50]

State Senate (District 26) -- Karl Rhoads -- [2:02:41]: No representative present.

State House (District 26) -- Scott Saiki -- [2:03:00]: No representative present.

State House (District 28) -- Daniel Holt -- [2:03:14]: No representative present.

VIII. MONTHLY REPORTS -- [2:03:24]

Monthly Report Schedule Change -- [2:03:28]: Chair Caravalho clarified to the Board that the agenda is at the discretion of the Chair and will be modifying monthly reports to be quarterly reports starting next month in September 2024. The Chair will allow anyone to submit their reports to him and take it for consideration to be shared monthly.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) -- [2:05:27]: Iris Oda provided the report and highlighted the following: on Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Halawa Xeriscape Garden's will be the BWS Annual Unthirsty Plant Sale. The plant sale is open to the public and admission is free.

• Plant Sale Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yVux92feliLOTQsL7OB-hU7W7QiGrlqQ/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:06:38]

Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Highways Division -- [2:09:17]: No representative present.

Maunakea Villages -- [2:09:42]: Greg Payton (CEO for Mental Health Kokua) provided the report and highlighted the following: 33 formerly homeless residents are in permanent supported housing; since January 2024 between Maunakea Village and Punuwai Rest Stop thru their case management program, they were able to house a total of 50 homeless adults and more than ninety percent have remained housed; the hygiene center in Iwilei has three case managers who served more than 200 homeless adults in July; 65 individuals signed up for benefits with the Department of Human Services.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n5v8A9m_IFQuLZrDRvi2D2LAumplifcx/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:10:40]

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation -- [2:12:23]: Chair Caravalho shared that Harry Cho (former HART representative) is resigning from HART and HART has not notified him of who would be replacing Mr. Cho. Chair Caravalho asked the Board if they would like to allow Patrick Watson a third-party representative to speak on behalf of HART. Patrick Watson (Honua Consulting representative on behalf of Frank V. Coluccio Construction) gave a brief update on the utility construction in Downtown: there will be plans to have night work to take place Monday, August 5, 2024 at the Alakea Street and Nimitz Highway intersection which will continue for approximately two to three weeks between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.; in addition, there will be night work Monday, August 12, 2024 at the Bishop Street and Nimitz Highway intersection; stakeholders will be notified immediately of the upcoming nightwork in the immediate area.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:15:40]

Chinatown Improvement District -- [2:18:37]: No representative present.

Chinatown Business Community Association (CBCA) -- [2:18:40]: Member Shubert-Kwock provided the report and highlighted the following: the Hawaii Buddha Peace Festival will be on Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The festival will have food, entertainment, and peace messages for the public to enjoy.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XXZBmxXQ4GM44okBpkmKSAeRdgr4LtYR/view?usp=drive_link

Shubert-Kwock left at 8:22 p.m.; seven members present.

Neighborhood Citizen Board -- [2:19:25]: Kevin Lye shared a story from his patrol of a mentally ill homeless individual they were trying to get help for in Downtown-Chinatown. Mr. Lye shared that they called for help from CORE services and HPD. HPD was able to catch up with the individual but he was then released by the next day. Mr. Lye shared that he would like to see more funds and resources allocated to help treat mentally ill homeless individuals. The next Citizen Patrol is scheduled to meet every second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the lobby area of the Diamond Head Tower of Kukui Plaza. The patrol will continue to take photographs to share with public officials the concerns they have in the Downtown-Chinatown district.

IX. CHAIRS REPORT -- [2:22:19]

Parliamentarian Discussion -- [2:22:24]: Chair Caravalho wanted to have an open discussion with the Board and receive input from Board members of whether he should have a parliamentarian for the Board if he decides to do so.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:22:59]

X. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [2:33:36]

The next Downtown--Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13 is scheduled for Thursday, September 5, 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>.

XI. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:34:07]: The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.

Submitted by: Camilia Epa Gomes, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO

Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, NCO

Finalized by: Ross Isokane, Secretary, Neighborhood Board No. 13

To view agenda and minutes, visit our board website.

Event shows physical location; however, other options of participation may also include WebEx and phone. If available, instructions for WebEx and phone can be found at the top of the agenda.

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