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

ALA MOANA - KAKA AKO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 11

 

January 2024 Minutes

 

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024, 6:00 P.M.

MAKIKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND ON WEBEX

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75phriK8118&t=5005s

Meeting materials are available online at: https://tinyurl.com/nb11home

I. CALL TO ORDER [0:00:39]: Chair Lee called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Quorum was established with seven (7) members present. Note: This 11-member Board requires six (6) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action. Board members must be in-person or have video access.

Board Members Present: Kim Coco Iwamoto, Kathleen Lee, Richard Webb, Lynn Mariano, Rodney Chang, Lori Farinas, Emma Davis, Dyson Chee (arrived at 6:05 p.m.); Jeanne Rice (arrived at 6:06 p.m.); Caroline Faringer (arrived at 6:10 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: None.

Guests: Lieutenant Arnold Sagucio (Honolulu Police Department); Ben Sullivan (Mayor Blangiardi's Representative); Janel Denny, Pua Smith Kauhane, and Councilmember Calvin Say, Robin Henski (Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam); Flora Samis (Representative Adrian Tam); Speaker Scott Saiki, Charles (Senator Moriwaki); Ronald Higa (Liliha Neighborhood Board No. 14); Franklin Chang (Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4); Johnny Reid (HART); Francine Murray (HCDA); Ashton Stallings, William Nhieu, and Josh Koh (Governor Green's Representatives); Tony Chen, Alaina Lamring, Taylor Date (Representative Nishimoto); Megan Chinn (Our Kakaako); Ryan Tam, Daniel Dong, Nikos Leverenz, Ikaika Olds, Summer (Residents and Guests); and Spencer Johnson (Neighborhood Commission Office - NCO). There were 32 total attendees. Note: Names are not included if not legible on the guest sheet.

[0:01:42] Hearing no objections, Chair Lee moved Public Safety Reports before Board Business.

II. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS [0:01:53]

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): There was no representative at this time.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) [0:02:27]: A firefighter reported the fire statistics and safety tips. The full report can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/nb11home or the HFD website: https://fire.honolulu.gov.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed. [0:04:30]

III. BOARD BUSINESS [0:06:27]

Filling of Vacancies - One Vacancy - Subdistrict 1: There were no volunteers or nominations.

Approval of the Tuesday, November 28, 2023 meeting minutes [0:06:51]:

Chee arrived at 6:05 p.m., eight (8) members present.

Rice arrived at 6:06 p.m., nine (9) members present.

[0:06:59] Chang Moved and Mariano Seconded the Motion to approve the November 2023 regular meeting minutes as written. Hearing no objections, one abstention, the Motion WAS ADOPTED 8-0-1 (AYE: Lee, Webb, Mariano, Chang, Farinas, Davis, Chee, Rice; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: Iwamoto.) [0:08:22]

Report From Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Action Committee Meeting [0:08:49]: Chair Lee announced Davis as Chair, Chee as Vice Chair, and Rice as Secretary. Davis reported discussion on drafting a potential resolution.

Faringer arrived at 6:10 p.m., 10 members present.

Discussion And Consideration of Resolution Regarding the Taxation and Regulation of Responsible Adult Use of Cannabis [0:20:43]: Iwamoto introduced the resolution. This item was deferred.

Attendance at other meetings [0:37:30]:

• Point in Time Count: Iwamoto reported attending the point in time count.

• Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO): Mariano reported attending the OMPO meeting.

IV. PRESENTATIONS [0:42:34]

Keiki Street Festival: Summer Caster, Event Specialist, Olomana Loomis, presented on the Keiki Street Festival occurring on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Road closures are planned on Auahu Street (between Keawe and Coral Street), Keawe (between Auahi and Pohukaina Street) and Coral Street (from Ala Moana Blvd to Auahi Street).

Hawaii Kai Jaycees [0:49:04]: No representative present.

V. SUBDISTRICT REPORTS [0:49:19]

• Member Rodney Chang: Chang provided updates on items raised at previous meetings; sinkhole, termite/dead tree, parking meters, and work orders for Nan Inc.

• Member Mariano: Mariano commented on speed humps on Pensacola, and bike lanes on Cooke Street.

VI. RESIDENTS' AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS [1:07:23]

• Real Property Tax Program: Resident Franklin Chang announced the real property tax program.

• Grass Maintenance [1:09:44]: Resident Franklin Chang raised concerns with the H1 West-Bound onramp from Waialae Avenue. Chang reported the grass obstructs the view of traffic.

• Bus Stop Drug Use [1:11:44]: Chee raised concerns regarding an event when a resident observed individuals using drugs in the bus stop.

• ADA Compliance [1:14:30]: Davis raised concerns about the homeless encampment blocking the sidewalk on Keawe Street, between Halekauwila and Pohukaina Street has returned.

VII. ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS [1:15:37]:

Mayor Rick Blangiardi [1:16:40]: Deputy Director Ben Sullivan, Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency reported the following.

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

• Homeless Encampment: On December 20, 2023, the Department of Facility Maintenance conducted a Stored Property Ordinance/Sidewalk Nuisance Ordinance (SPO/SNO) enforcement operation on Keawe Street with officer's present to provide security for the workers and the public. During the operation, the sidewalk was cleared of any obstructions blocking pedestrians from walking through. Officers will continue to make checks in the area and take appropriate enforcement action for any violations they observe.

• Drug Distribution: On December 27 and 28, 2023, and January 2, 2024, the Narcotics/Vice Division conducted surveillance at the Imperial Plaza and no illegal activity was observed with the building, surrounding the building, and at the intersections of Kapi'olani Boulevard and Cooke Street, Kapi'olani Boulevard and Dreier Street, and Cooke Street and Kawaiha'o Street.

• Traffic Light Timing: The Department of Transportation Services checked and monitored the signal timing at S. King Street / Kapiolani Boulevard and South Street, and found the South Street and Kapiolani Boulevard turns red before the King Street light. The signal timing is set appropriately, and if you enter the intersection of South Street and Kapiolani Boulevard just before the light turns red, you may not make it through the King Street intersection (red light). In this situation, the vehicles should stop at King and South Street intersection, or else you run the risk of running the red light.

• Temporary Housing Shelters: The City is committed to continuing its endeavor in creating more permanent housing opportunities in addition to emergency shelter accommodations, however, the City has funded many of the emergency shelters currently in operation such as I.H.S., Family Promise, Hale Kipa, and PACT. Also, RYSE was able to increase its available bed space when they opened a six bedroom, four bath home in Kalihi for young adults 18-24. In addition, I.H.S. has opened Imi Ola Piha, its homeless transfer and triage program for those needing detox services in Iwilei. For more information on Homeless Shelter programs, we recommend reaching out to the Department of Community Services which fund these vital, all-important services for our community members experiencing homelessness.

• Illegal Dumping: An Environmental Services (ENV) Inspector visited the Elm Street area and all illegally dumped items were cleared.

• Sinkhole: An inspection of the gutter area indicated that the reported sinkhole may actually be an uplift by the street tree roots. Work order number 32205 was initiated and work is scheduled to be performed around the end of January 2024 dependent of the weather and resources.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed. [1:24:45]

Councilmember Calvin Say [1:36:04]: Pua Smith Kauhane submitted a report and was available for questions.

• Newsletter: https://www.honolulucitycouncil.org/district-5-say

• Complete Streets: Annual Report link: https://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/dts/FY23_CS_Annual Report_FINAL.pdf

• US Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District Civil Works Link: https://www.poh.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Civil-Works-Projects/Ala-Wai-Flood-Risk-Management-Project/

Questions, comments, and concerns followed. [1:41:43]

City Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam [1:42:25]: Robin Henski reported the following.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14XT0AUtj0936QmZI_9Cq8ynKVhFWOlQf/view?usp=sharing

• E Waste: https://www.honolulu.gov/opala/recycling/ewaste-recycling.html

Questions, comments, and concerns followed. [1:43:14]

State Representative Scott Nishimoto [1:44:40]: Taylor Date was available for questions.

State Representative Adrian Tam [1:45:07]: Flora Samis was available for questions.

State House Speaker Scott Saiki [1:45:30]: Speaker Saiki reported the following.

• Newsletter: https://saiki.house/JanNeighborhoodBoard

• HCDA Rules: Governor Green signed a new rule preventing residential development at Kakaako makai.

• Commercial Roads: Roadways in Kakaako wrongfully-privately owned, have been signed over to the City and County.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed. [1:49:00]

Senator Sharon Moriwaki [1:54:20]: Charles reported the following.

• Keawe Street: Concerns were recently raised about the houseless individuals on Keawe Street.

• Newsletter: https://senatormoriwaki.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/01-Ala-Moana.pdf

Questions, comments, and concerns followed. [1:55:49]

Governor Josh Green [1:57:30]: Ashton Stallings, William Nhieu, and Josh Koh, Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA), introduced themselves and reported the following.

• Newsletter: https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsletter/

• State of the State: Governor Green provided his State of the State, addressing topics seen during his first year in office. https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/office-of-the-governor-news-release-governor-green-delivers-second-state-of-the-state-address/

Questions, comments, and concerns followed. [2:05:50]

U.S. Congressman Ed Case [2:14:07]: No representative was present.

VIII. AGENCY REPORTS [2:14:13]

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

• Newsletter: https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/hcda/files/2024/01/January-2024-Community-Connection.pdf

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) [2:16:53]: Johnny Reid provided a brief report. For additional information on construction of the Honolulu Rail Transit Project, please visit HART's website at www.HonoluluTransit.org or call HART's 24-Hour Project Hotline at (808) 566-2299 or email us at info@honolulutransit.org.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) [2:21:20]: No representative was present; a report was submitted.

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS [2:21:27]

• NB11 social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlaMoanaKakaakoNB11; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alamoanakakaakonb11/

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

• The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27, 2024 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. Upcoming broadcast will be on at 8:30 a.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

X. ADJOURNMENT [2:22:07]: As there was no further business, Chair Lee adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m.

Submitted by: Spencer Johnson, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy

Finalized by: Kathleen Lee, Chair

Last Updated: 21 February 2024
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