Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting DECEMBER 2024 Minutes

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 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=jrXhv17oSXk

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at:

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

I. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:03]: 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 five (5) 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, Ross Isokane, Kevin Lye, Laura Sturges, Lori McCarney (arrived 6:02 p.m.) and Kevin McDonald (arrived 6:02 p.m.)

Members Absent: Sean Fitzsimmons, and Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock.

Guests: Fire Captain Mark Bates (Honolulu Fire Department); Ian Santee (Mayor Rick Blangiardi); Director Roger Babcock (City Department of Environmental Services); Stephen Downes (Governor Josh Green); Brendan Bailey (Hawaiian Electric Company); Timmy Chinn, Alex Sunquis (The Wrecking Crew Film Production Team); Jack Truesdale (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam); Brayden Cheung (Senator Karl Rhoads); Kim Coco Iwamoto (House District 25 Representative); Marissa Gonzales (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation); Casey Abe (Hawai'i Department of Transportation -- Highways Division); Greg Payton (Maunakea Villages); Fanny Queloz (Oceanside Bakery Owner); Ronald Higa (Liliha Neighborhood Board No.14); Mattheo Cadiz, Angie Rain (Residents); Camilia Epa Gomes (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 24 total attendees.

Chair's Announcements -- [0:01:00]: Chair Caravalho issued an apology for last month's canceled regular Board meeting to all presenters and members of the public. Last month's meeting was canceled due to confusion surrounding communication and postal notification as required by Sunshine Law.

Member McDonald joined the meeting at 6:02 p.m.; 6 members present.

Member McCarney joined the meeting at 6:02 p.m.; 7 members present.

II. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS -- [0:02:25]

Honolulu Fire Department -- [0:02:35]: Fire Captain Bates provided the report and shared the monthly statistics for November 2024. The safety tip for the month is in regards to cooking safety.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pyAzaKYeHWCahxxBxH8xQua-0Ls9FEEQ/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:04:12]

Honolulu Police Department -- [0:10:12]: No representative present.

III. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION -- [0:10:50]: Chair Caravalho shared that Principal Joe Passantino for Keʻelikōlani Middle School is unable to attend the meeting due to school's open house he needs to attend. Chair Caravalho shared if he is unable to attend the meeting, he will meet with Principal Joe to give him his certificate.

IV. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:11:16]

Hawaiian Electric follow up on June 2024 power outages -- [0:11:20]: Brendan Bailey (Vice President of Customer Service for HECO) shared an independent investigator looked into the cause of the Downtown-Chinatown power outage and confirmed it was a failed splice underground that caused a massive fire burning several sections of circuits that impacted a wide area in Downtown-Chinatown. HECO offered to pay 50 percent of each residential or commercial claim. HECO sent out letters to customers early November. HECO is continuing to work with the remaining customers who are still in the process of filing their claims. HECO made the decision that if a commercial claim is less than $5000 or a residential claim is less than $500, HECO would pay the claim out without any additional supporting documentation required from the customer. HECO has been working with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to notify customers of the letters that were sent out to customers who filed claims.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:14:50]

Honolulu Department of Environmental Services (ENV) Presentation on results of sewer rate study, adjustments to fees/structure, and customer affordability assistance programs -- [0:26:15]: Roger Babcock (Director of City Department of Environmental Services) presented information on the proposed adjustments for sewer fees that are required for wastewater operations and maintenance (O&M) and the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP includes many other projects to repair and upgrade facilities to meet regulatory requirements and to continue preparing the island's critical infrastructure for climate change/sea level rise. The sewer utility function is under ENV jurisdiction and is completely funded by sewer fees. ENV's efficient spending allowed the island to keep sewer fees unchanged since 2016. It is proposed for total sewer fee revenues to increase 9& per year for six years beginning July 1, 2025, and will then increase by 8%, 7%, and 5% each year from July 1, 2031. Mr. Babcock reviewed the table provided on the flyer. ENV will be adding a new program to help with affordability and equity called the Customer Assistance for Residential Environmental Services (CARES). Customers can qualify based on their area median income, and will be eligible for a $20 to $25 credit on their monthly fixed fee.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:33:20]

ProPark, Inc. announcement of price increases in neighborhood garages -- [0:49:05]: No representative present.

Feature film shooting in Chinatown -- [0:49:30]: Timmy Chinn (Film Location Manager) and Alex Sunquis (Film Manager Assistant) provided information on production of the upcoming film "The Wrecking Crew" starring Jason Momoa and David Bautista, and featuring Hawaiian actors Branscombe Richman and Brian Keaulana. The film production team for "The Wrecking Crew" plans to shoot movie scenes in Chinatown, specifically in King Kekaulike Mall and hire over 200 local individuals in January 2025. Filming will take place in the evening.

• Filming Notice: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16wJmxHpZz505mfzpmHdGanhQkMvCpI0J/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:52:40]

Parklet installation project in front of Oceanside Bakery (1176 Smith St. opposite side of Smith-Beretania Park) -- [0:59:00]: Fanny Queloz (Owner of Oceanside Bakery) provided information on a proposed parklet project in Chinatown on Smith St. to enhance the street and support small local businesses in the vicinity. Miss Queloz has submitted an application for the proposed parklet through the Department of Transportation. The purpose of the parklet project is to create an outdoor dining space on Smith St. which will promote more business activity in the area.

• Parklet Installation Information: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13HuXvDKV914B_iDTLSgMGr3noBBnPZMe?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:04:00]

V. PUBLIC CONCERNS -- [1:19:03]: No concerns at this time.

VI. ELECTED OFFICIALS -- [1:21:10]

Congressman Ed Case's Representative -- [1:21:35]: No representative present.

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [1:21:45]: Stephen Downes was present to take questions.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1km4Dru7zGYclN5mVQFGt7wX58JjDFTZH/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:22:00]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [1:24:50]: Ian Santee (Deputy Director of City Department of Emergency Services) provided a follow-up response to a question raised at last month's meeting.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:26:00]

City Council (District 6) -- Tyler Dos Santos-Tam -- [1:35:36]: Jack Truesdale provided the report and highlighted legislative updates on Bill 50 (relating to parades, street festivals, and other activities) and Bill 56 (relating to the use of malls). Mr. Truesdale provided information on the alleged game room that was reported on the 1100 block of Nuʻuanu Avenue. The office is still in the drafting stage for sidewalk dining legislation and will provide updates in the upcoming months.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:38:00]

State Senate (District 13) -- Karl Rhoads -- [1:42:30]: Brayden Cheung provided the report and highlighted the following: introducing Bills that address public funding for polititcal candidates; follow-up response on a question regarding emotional support animals in food service areas; Senator Rhoadʻs stance on the Supreme Court decision on HRS 661B (relating to wrongful conviction and imprisonment).

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

State House (District 25) -- Kim Coco Iwamoto -- [1:47:38]: Representative Iwamoto provided an introduction and commended the Board regarding its resolutions, including with respect to its reach, as well as its efforts in the community.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:50:40]

State House (District 28) -- Daniel Holt -- [2:04:09]: No representative present.

VII. QUARTERLY REPORTS -- [2:04:25]

Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Highways Division -- [2:04:55]: Casey Abe was present to take questions.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dZ3Iv4yJw4aAD1oORaWsCcscqkALLqu7/view?usp=drive_link

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) -- [2:06:21]: Marissa Gonzales (HART's Public Involvement Team) provided updates of ongoing utility relocation. Construction for the rail guideway is scheduled for Summer 2025 and is expected to finish in 2030. Updates on the City Center Guideway stations construction will be available soon.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:08:40]

Maunakea Villages -- [2:10:50]: Greg Payton (CEO for Mental Health Kokua Hawaii) shared Maunakea Villages serves 33 formerly homeless single adults in permanent supported housing. Mr. Payton shared the program's new location has been operating for a year and three months without any incidents. Mental Health Kokua Hawaii has housed 65 homeless adults since the beginning of this year between the organization's three programs: Maunakea Villages, Punuwai Rest Stop, and MHK Oahu Case Management.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12nh69E_fV-FfAw2pJWAZxVTZbPhKxd8J/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:11:50]

Chinatown Business Community Association (CBCA) -- [2:18:36]: No representative present. A report was submitted.

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1id9XIJfg6Dvl9U0xKPiGXV3138AlZEjy/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

VIII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- [2:18:46]

Thursday, October 3, 2024, Regular Meeting Written Summary for Video Record -- [2:18:50]: Chair Caravalho informed the Board that he was notified in advance from Secretary Isokane that he needs additional time. Therefore, the approval of the minutes is deferred to the next Board meeting.

IX. BOARD BUSINESS -- [2:19:18]

Update on City Council Bill 50 (2024) Relating to Parades, Street Festivals, and Other Activities -- [2:19:20]: Board member Isokane provided a quick summary of Bill 50 and shared that he has been attending City Council hearings. Member Isokane states the Bill is moving in the right direction and credits the advocacy the community and support received from City Council members put forth on the Bill.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:20:08]

X. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [2:28:05]

The next Downtown--Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13 regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2025, 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: http://www.youtube.com/@NeighborhoodCommissionOffice

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 -- [2:29:00]: The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 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