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Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board Meeting APRIL 2022 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 5/24/2022.

With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

Ala Moana / Kakaako Neighborhood Board No. 11

April 2022 Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022, 6:00 P.M.

KAPALAMA HALE AND ON WEBEX

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ryan Tam called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Quorum was established with nine (9) members present. (Note: This 11-member Board requires six (6) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action. Chair Tam welcomed attendees to the Tuesday, April 26, 2022 regular monthly meeting of the Ala Moana/Kaka ako Neighborhood Board No. 11 at Kapalama Hale and on WebEx.

Board Members Present: Rodney Chang, Kim Coco Iwamoto, Ryan Tam, Melissa Wong, Michael Zehner, Joshua Nam, Lori Farinas, Jason Wong, and Kathleen Lee.

Board Members Absent: Dyson Chee, and Ron Komine Jr.

Guests: Captain David Yoshita (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Sagucio (Honolulu Police Department); Traci Toguchi (Councilmember Fukunaga's Office); Melvia Kawashima (Council Member Say's Office); Francine Murray (HCDA); State Representative Adrian Tam; David Ho (Uraku Tower); Dylan Leigh (State House Speaker Saiki's Office); Director Makalani Sala, Office of Culture and the Arts (Mayor Blangiardi's Representative); Cindy McMillan (Governor Ige's Representative); Brittney Fitzgerald, Jaylean Cassada, Ka Hong Cheung, Katie N, Precious Aquino, Kyri Sanoi (PEAHU), Shalani Dante, Patrick Watson, Samantha Schroeder, Vanessa Llagan Faletusi, Tiffany Thomas, Shane Kayhart, Skyy Aquino, Jim Miller, Princess Mae, Hunnie Vaa, Jarin Colburn, Kelly San Nicolas, Genai Robinson, Traci K Toguchi, Jim Freeman, Matthias Winkler, Pohaikealoha Thomas, Ash Augustiro, Keola Villanueva, Olivia Phommachanh, Jackie Ngo, Melvia Kawashima, Lynn Anne Aquino, Amalia Haupu, Nickala Fields, William Roehl, Andrew Ogata, Hela Tamanaha, Francine Beppu, Peter Malbog, Keola Fisher, Wei Shen, William Ammons, Raechel Saragosa, Harrison Rue, Chris Lahey, Sierra Williams, Amanda Lenhart, Petra Paunovic, Dennis Dumale, Ishan Mons, Eli Mac, Gale Tagashira, Bruce Colburn, Ikaika San Nicolas, Dianne Ige, Matt Zimmerman (Residents and Guests); and Spencer Johnson (Neighborhood Commission Office). There were 113 total attendees. Note: Names are not included if not legible on guest sheet or is a phone number on zoom.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Captain Yoshita reported the fire statistics. Evacuation planning safety tips can be found at: https://fire.honolulu.gov/.

Questions comments and concerns followed. Hazardous Materials: Farinas inquired about the hazardous materials incident.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Lieutenant Sagucio reported the crime statistics. For more information, visit: https://www.honolulupd.org.

PRESENTATIONS

1719 Kalauokalani Way - Katie Yoza, Ace Enterprise Group, presented the following. Yoza and her team is pursuing the installation of a cocktail bar and lounge at 1719 Kalauokalani Way for the LGBT+ community. There are currently limited options for LGBT+ nightlife and entertainment. The plans are to turn the entire second floor of the building into a cocktail bar/lounge. Renovations such as soundproofing will be completed, and the expected opening date is October 2022. Maps and photos were provided. Security personnel will be hire and trained to protect patrons and passerby.

Questions comments and concerns followed.

1. Security: Lee commented on the safety and security of the area and shared support of the project.

2. In Favor: A large number of participants shared messages of support through the WebEx Chat feature. Residents Dolce and Beppu were recognized by Chair Tam and expressed additional support.

3. Security: Resident Roehl asked how the establishment would remain inclusive, while maintaining the LGBT+ integrity and feeling of security.

4. Operating Days: Farinas inquired about the days of operation. Yusa responded Wednesday through Saturday, possibly Sunday.

5. Staffing: Resident Lahey inquired about the possibility of providing jobs to the LGBT+ community this bar is looking to serve.

Iwamoto MOVED and Farinas SECONDED the Motion to support the establishment located at 1719 Kalauokalani Way. The Motion PASSED by Unanimous Consent (9-0-0); (AYE: Chang, Iwamoto, Tam, J. Wong, Zehner, Nam, Farinas, M. Wong, Lee; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None.).

Ala Moana Home Project (1370 Kapiolani Boulevard) - James Freeman, FSC Architects, reported the following. Formerly known as the Hawaii Ocean Project, the Ala Moana Home Project was planned a few years ago, and delayed by Covid-19. Since the pandemic, some changes have been made to the project. The hotel component has been removed, allowing more residential units, and more affordable housing units. The project location is on Kapiolani Boulevard and Konaiki Street. Maps and renderings were provided. There will be 320 condominium units, with 25% of them being offered as affordable for sale units.

Questions comments and concerns followed.

1. Maintenance Fees: Iwamoto inquired about maintenance fees relating to affordable units. Freeman responded calculations have not been completed, this detail will be kept in mind.

2. Flood Zone: Iwamoto commented on the flood zone relating to climate change.

3. Affordable Child Care: Iwamoto suggested offering a location in the building to support affordable child care.

4. Rendering: Chang requested a rendering from the Makaloa Street side. Resident Ammons commented on the renderings.

5. Parking: Resident Miller inquired about the parking stalls per unit, and charging stations for electric vehicles. Freeman responded that buyers can choose to purchase a parking stall.

Ala Moana Transit Oriented Development Update - Harrison Rue, Department of Planning and Permitting was available for questions.

Questions comments and concerns followed. High Density: J. Wong raised concerns with the Transit Oriented Development process, relating to large structures continuously being built, and more residents living in a small area. Rue responded that development must remain in the urban core, and the focus is on alternative transportation for residents in the area. J. Wong commented that City Buses are failing to ease the congestion in the Ala Moana area.

BOARD BUSINESS

Approval of the Tuesday, March 22, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes.

The Board approved the March 22, 2022 regular meeting minutes as written by UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Attendance at other meetings: Iwamoto reported attending the Homeless Services Resources Fair. Chair Tam reported attending the Ala Wai Flood Risk Management Study on Thursday, April 14, 2022.

Neighborhood Subdistrict Updates: None.

Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC): No report.

Chair's Report: Chair Tam gave a description of the Ala Wai Flood Risk Management Study: https://www.honolulu.gov/alawai. Chair Tam provided the current Covid-19 deaths and infection rate.

Treasurer's Report: Iwamoto reported the March expenditures were about $8.00. The remaining balance was $370.00. Iwamoto inquired about the decrease in mailing expenditures. NA responded the NCO sent an opt-in letter.

Selection of Secretary: None.

Selection of future meeting location/venues to comply with Act 220: Chair Tam reported securing the Makiki Christian Church for the March 2022 meeting, and reported remaining hybrid with WebEx options available.

Report of the Permitted Interaction Group to plan a Candidate Forum: First Vice Chair Lee reported a meeting to plan a Candidate Forum. The plan is to have 12 candidates, with 3-5 minutes per candidate, and time for questions.

OLD BUSINESS (DISCUSSION/ACTION)

Discuss houseless issues in Ala Moana-Kaka ako area: No further discussion.

Discuss rapid transit project: No further discussion.

NEW BUSINESS (DISCUSSION/ACTION)

Discuss/consider actions to increase community outreach: M. Wong presented an idea to set up a table at the Blaisdell Farmers Market to encourage community participation in the Neighborhood Board system. Lee commented on the Farmers Market on both Wednesday and Saturday, along with the possibility of setting up a social media account.

RESIDENTS' AND COMMUINITY CONCERNS: None.

ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS

Mayor Rick Blangiardi: Director Makalani Sala, Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA) reported the following.

• Newsletter: https://www.oneoahu.org/newsletter.

• Funds: The City will receive $20 million in funds directed by congress for specific projects.

• Pending Issues: Director Sala commented on outstanding issues awaiting a response.

Questions comments and concerns followed. Bulky Item Pick-Up: Iwamoto inquired about business being able to receive bulk pick-up services.

Councilmember Carol Fukunaga: Traci Toguchi reported the following.

• Fire Safety: Bill 37 relating to fire safety was signed into law on April 5, 2022, as Ordinance 22-2.

• Recognition: Susan Tamura was recognized for retiring after 33 years of dedicated service with the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA).

Councilmember Calvin Say: Melvia Kawashima provided a link to Councilmember Say's newsletter.

• Newsletter:_https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6098c5bb75e480679bd2fab3/t/624cc413a2337516ded8d3d6/1649198117187/APRIL+2022+Newsletter+%28FINAL%29v2..pdf.

• Commercial Refuse: Business operations may have their own commercial refuse.

• Rodents: The Department of Health Vector Control assisted with the rodent complaints.

Questions comments and concerns followed. Rodent Activity: Chang commented the rodent issue has been resolved.

Council Chair Tommy Waters: No representative present.

State Representative Adrian Tam: Representative Tam reported the following.

• Crime: Continuing to monitor crime in Waikiki, a letter was sent to the prosecutor's office to expedite �Weed n Seed' for the district.

• Land Use: House Resolution 93 was passed to acquire a vacant lot at Liliuokalani Avenue.

Questions comments and concerns followed. Vacant Lot: Chair Tam inquired about the status of the vacant lot on the Makai-Waikiki side of the Ala Moana Boulevard Bridge.

State House Speaker Scott Saiki: Dylan Leigh distributed a report and was available for questions.

Senator Sharon Moriwaki: No representative present.

Governor David Ige: Cindy McMillan reported the following.

• Newsletter: https://governor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/FINAL-APRIL-2022-Capitol-Connection.pdf.

• Red Hill: The Navy has announced dropping lawsuits challenging the state in the executive order for Red Hill.

U.S. Congressman Ed Case: No representative present.

AGENCY REPORTS

Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA): Francine Murray reported the following.

• Dry Park: After receiving a complaint regarding Kolowalu Park being dry, the irrigation system was found to be damaged. Repairs have been completed.

• Pop-Up: HCDA will be at the Farmers Market on Ward and Ala Moana Boulevard on Saturday May 14, 2022 to gather input on improving Kakaako while they update the Kakaako Mauka Area Rules.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART): No representative present.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS): No representative present, Chair Tam provided water announcements.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Covid-19 Vaccines: Find a vaccine provider near you at https://www.oneoahu.org/find-vaccine.

• Permit Reviews: Development proposals that require neighborhood board input are posted at: http://www.honoluludpp.org/ApplicationsForms/ZoningandLandUsePermits/NeighborhoodBoardMaterials.aspx.

• Next Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Ala Moana/Kaka ako Neighborhood Board No. 11 is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. via WebEx and at the Makiki Christian Church.

• lelo Broadcasts: Broadcasts of the Ala Moana-Kaka ako Neighborhood Board No. 11 meetings are on lelo 49 on the first and third Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., and every second Sunday at 6:00 p.m. The full schedule is at https://olelo.org/tv-schedule/) or full archive at https://www.honolulu.gov/cms-nco-menu/site-nco-sitearticles/1657-board-meeting-video-archive.html.

ADJOURNMENT - As there was no further business before the Board, Chair Tam adjourned the meeting at 7:57 p.m.

Submitted by: Spencer Johnson, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy

Finalized by:

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Kakaako - Honolulu, Hawaii News Item

Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board Meeting APRIL 2022 Minutes

Ala Moana / Kakaako Neighborhood Board No. 11

Kakaako - Honolulu, Hawaii
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