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

Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board No. 11

 

August 2022 Minutes

 



DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2022, 6:00 P.M.

MAKIKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND ON WEBEX

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ryan Tam called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Quorum was established with 11 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, August 23, 2022 regular monthly meeting of the Ala Moana/Kaka ako Neighborhood Board No. 11 at Makiki Christian Church and on WebEx.

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

Board Members Absent: None.

Guests: Casey Ferreira (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Sagucio (Honolulu Police Department); Councilmember Calvin Say; Francine Murray (HCDA); David Ho (Uraku Tower); Cindy McMillan (Governor Ige's Representative); Kimberly Ribellia-Collins (Councilmember Fukunaga's Office); Jason Lee, Scott Bradley, Harry Cho, Maheshi Kae, Julie Meier, Brad Anderson, Janel Denny, Nicholas Wachi, Michael Imanaka, Michael Kujubu, Kendra Okihiro, Patrick Watson, Daniel Alexander (Department of Transportation Services), William Ammons, Laurie Lee, Wes Deguchi, David Ho, Robin Markle, Myoung Oh, Renee Espaiu, Earl Lee, Ronald Higa, Bishop Reyn Yoriotsuru, Rev. Quinn Hashimoto, Frank Floyd (Honolulu Front Runners), Gene Corpuz, Fetu Kolio, and Mr. Toba (Residents and Guests); and Spencer Johnson (Neighborhood Commission Office). There were 42 total attendees. Note: Names are not included if not legible on the guest sheet or is a phone number on WebEx.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Casey Ferreira reported the fire statistics. Safety tips can be found at: https://fire.honolulu.gov/.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed. Fireworks: Farinas raised concerns with illegal fireworks in the Thomas Square area.

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

Questions, comments, and concerns followed.

1. Noise Issue: Rice raised concerns about a night club on the second floor of Ward Center called B-side Lounge playing loud music until 2:00 a.m.

2. Ghost Guns: Farinas requested updates regarding unregistered guns on Oahu.

3. Wagon Round-ups: Iwamoto inquired about social workers assisting with wagon round-ups to collect shopping carts from the streets.

4. Liquor Commission: Lee inquired about communication between HPD and the Liquor Commission.

5. Liquor Laws: Resident Fetu Kolio inquired about liquor laws relating to persons under the age of 21 entering Foodland which serves alcohol at the indoor bar.

6. 1867 Kahakai Drive: A resident of Kahakai Drive raised concerns about illegal activities at a property on Kahakai Drive. The property (1867) is zoned for three (3) unrelated individuals, and there are currently 8-10. Since December 2019, the owner is accruing a fine of $250 dollars, currently over $215,000. The property is known for drug deals, prostitution, and recently, an AR-15 sale.

7. Houseless: Chair Tam notified HPD about the Loitering concerns around the McDonalds across from Elm Street. Bishop Reyn Yoriotsuru, Shinyon Mission, raised concerns with illegal drug activity near the McDonalds.

PRESENTATIONS

9/11 Remembrance Walk: No representative present. There will be a Mayor's Remembrance Walk on Sunday, September 11, 2022. The walk is in observance of the anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on America. The walk will start at HPD Headquarters (front entrance on Beretania Street), and continue up Punchbowl Street to King Street and end at Honolulu Hale, Eternal Flame for a brief ceremony.

Kahuina Kaka ako Block C Project (Located Ewa of Cooke Street between Pohukaina and Auahi): Nicholas Wachi, Stanford Carr Development, presented the following. Kahuina Block C, is a new mixed-use condominium development in Kaka'akao located at the city block bounded by Cooke, Auahi, Coral, and Pohukaina Streets. It is one of the nine (9) block Kaiauluo Kaka'ako Master Plan by Kamehameha Schools. The Block will consist of two (2) residential towers, a nine (9) level parking garage and residential apartments, and ground level live-work units and retail commercial spaces. Tower A will be 400 feet tall, 43 levels, with 120 affordable units and 329 market units. Tower B will be 297 feet tall, 32 levels, with 276 affordable units, and 123 affordable rental units. Maps, renderings, and site/floor plans were provided. Project completion is expected in June of 2026.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed.

1. Animals: Chang inquired about being pet friendly. Wachi responded yes, with a weight limit of about 45 lbs.

2. Parking: Lieutenant Sagucio inquired about the amount of commercial parking.

3. Child Care: Iwamoto suggested daycare service located in the commercial space.

4. Infrastructure: A resident inquired about the impacts of sewer infrastructure. Wachi responded the sewer infrastructure was capable of handling this development and more.

5. Mother Waldron: A resident inquired about plans for improving Mother Waldron Park.

BOARD BUSINESS

Approval of the July 26, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes

The Board approved the July 26, 2022 regular meeting minutes as written, by UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Attendance at other meetings: None.

Neighborhood Subdistrict Updates: None.

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

Chair's Report: No report.

Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Iwamoto reported the financial statements will no longer be distributed. The NCO will ensure the printing and postage of meeting mail-outs.

OLD BUSINESS (DISCUSSION/ACTION)

Discuss houseless issues in Ala Moana-Kaka ako area: No additional discussion/action.

Discuss measures to prevent gun violence: No additional discussion/action.

Discuss and make recommendations on the Pensacola Complete Streets Project: Daniel Alexander, Department of Transportation Services, provided updates on the plans for Pensacola. For more information, visit: www.honolulu.gov/completestreets

Questions, comments, and concerns followed.

1. Kuhio Lanes: Rice raised concerns with the plans to create a bus only lane on Kuhio Avenue.

2. Developments: M. Wong inquired about considerations of future developments and their impacts on traffic.

3. Traffic: Resident David Ho commented on the current traffic issues on Pensacola Street and how removing a lane would create a bigger traffic problem.

4. Timeline: Chair Tam inquired about the expected timeframe of this project. Alexander responded about five (5) years.

NEW BUSINESS

Discuss Safety concerns along Kahakai Drive: A resident inquired about enforcing the three (3) year old fines. Councilmember Say suggested a non-judicial foreclosure.

Consider resolution regarding intentionally generated noise pollution: Chair Tam introduced the resolution adopted by the Pearl City Neighborhood Board No. 21. This item was deferred until the next regular meeting.

Discuss and consider resolution regarding noise from Private Refuse Collection Vehicles (Bill 23): Councilmember Say commented on Bill 23. No additional action/discussion.

Discuss Elm Street development: No additional action/discussion.

RESIDENTS' AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS:

Loitering and houseless around the McDonald's across Elm Street: Rice commented that the solution starts with McDonald's. HPD must have point of contact or individual to enforce unwanted loitering. Iwamoto suggested inviting McDonald's representative to the next meeting.

Alcohol Permitting: Resident Fetu reiterated concerns about minors entering Foodland and being exposed to a bar setting.

Pride Run: Resident Frank Floyd announced the upcoming 5K pride run at Ala Moana Park, on Saturday, October 8, 2022 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Neighborhood Changes: Iwamoto commented on changes within the district.

ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS

Mayor Rick Blangiardi: NA Johnson reported the following.

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

Parking Meters (Ahana Kaheka): The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) has completed their investigation into the Board's request to re-install missing parking meter heads on Ahana and Kaheka streets. DTS contacted the Honolulu Police Department's Parking Enforcement Collections and Services Section (PECS) since they are the appropriate agency responsible for installing parking meter heads. According to PECS' supervisor, Pamela Mitsumura, they are aware of five parking meter heads missing in total: two (2) on Ahana; and three (3) on Kaheka streets. PECS has previously issued a work order to the Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) to install parking meter posts. Once DFM has installed the meter posts, PECS will re-install the parking meter heads. For updates regarding the installation of the parking meter posts, contact the DFM at 768-8321 or 768-8322. For updates regarding the parking meter heads, contact the PECS at 832-7834.

Traffic Light Timing (Pensacola Kapiolani): DTS is monitoring the intersection and will make additional timing changes if required. Current observations indicate traffic along Pensacola increased due to McKinley High School starting up.

Pensacola ÔNo Parking' Peak Hours: DTS will be conducting an investigation into the board's request to install additional Tow-Away Zone signs on Pensacola Street, which may require research, traffic study, site inspection, and an analysis of the traffic collision history. DTS will apprise the board of the results of their findings by the end of the year.

Councilmember Carol Fukunaga: Kimberly Ribellia-Collins reported the following.

• Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/CMFukunagaAlaMoanaNB11AugRpt

Councilmember Calvin Say: Councilmember Say reported the following.

• Newsletter: https://honolulucitycouncil.squarespace.com/s/AUGUST-2022-Newsletter-1-2c9t.pdf

• Council Connect Newsletter: https://conta.cc/3QvwgIU

Council Chair Tommy Waters: No representative present.

State Representative Adrian Tam: Representative Tam provided a brief update and shared his newsletter.

Newsletter: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/memberfiles/House/Tam/Newsletters/2022AugNewsletter.pdf

State House Speaker Scott Saiki: No representative present.

Senator Sharon Moriwaki: No representative present.

Governor David Ige: Cindy McMillan reported the following.

Newsletter: The July 2022 issue of the governor's Capitol Connection newsletter is posted online at https://governor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/FINAL-AUGUST-2022-Capitol-Connection.pdf

Link to the Honolulu Liquor Commission meeting in which Foodland Ala Moana submited Application No. 16-5596 for a liquor license (Dispenser General Category No. 3): https://www.honolulu.gov/rep//site/bfsliq/agendas/2016/5-26-16_reg_agenda_-_FINAL.pdf

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

AGENCY REPORTS

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

Newsletter: https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/hcda/files/2022/08/August-2022-Community-Connection.pdf

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART): Harry Cho announced the following.

• Dillingham Construction: HART recently awarded the Dillingham Boulevard utility relocation contract to Nan INC.

• E-Blast: To sign up for the weekly HART/Frank V. Coluccio CCUR III eblast updates: http://eepurl.com/h1g2W5

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 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Makiki Christian Church and online via WebEx.

• lelo Broadcasts: Recordings of the meetings are broadcast 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/). Recordings may also be viewed 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 8:26 p.m.

Submitted by: Spencer Johnson, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy

Finalized by:

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