Contact Us Subscribe
  1. Back
  2. Current News
  3. News Archive
With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

ALA MOANA - KAKA‘AKO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 11

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.

MAKIKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 829 PENSACOLA STREET, HONOLULU, HI 96814

AND VIA WEBEX

Video Recording of Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7SQeHJH0GQ

Google Drive Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JHxLyEI1wm7cUgm9ayIl2Q6OLWSbPBCV

1. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:08]: Chair Kathleen Lee called the Ala Moana-Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Quorum was established with 6 members present. Note: This 11-member Board requires six (6) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Kathleen Lee, Dyson Chee, Jeanne Rice, Emma Davis, Lynn Mariano (6:05 p.m.), Rodney Chang, Karen Cheung (appointed 7:13 p.m.), Lori Farinas, Dale Vanderbrink (appointed 7:13 p.m.).

Board Member(s) Absent: Caroline Faringer.

Guests: Fire Fighter Shanon Sison (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Arnold Sagucio (Honolulu Police Department); Kaʻiulani Sodaro (Howard Hughes Holdings/Ward Village); Ross Isokane (Empty Homes Tax Coalition); Marissa Gonzales, Maribell Pabalan (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART); Robin Henski (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam); Councilmember Calvin Say, Janel Denny, Ashley Perreira (Councilmember Calvin Say); Ben Sullivan (Mayor Rick Blangiardi); Representative Ikaika Olds (House District 23); Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto (House District 25); Ashton Stallings, Ilihia Gionson (Governor Josh Green); Patrick Watson (HART contractor Frank Coluccio Construction Company, Inc.); Cecilia Piper, Mel, Myoung Oh, Ronald Higa, Tom Heinrich (Residents); Camilia Epa (Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 29 total participants.

1.1 Roll Call -- [0:00:30]: Chair Lee called for a roll call, which was conducted by Neighborhood Assistant Camilia Epa.

2. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS -- [0:01:16]

2.1 Honolulu Fire Department -- [0:01:42]: Fire Fighter Shanon Sison provided the October 2024 monthly statistics and safety tip for the month concerning kitchen and cooking safety. For more information and resources: https://fire.honolulu.gov/.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SHFCDFneM0Zf_wQumOjcLvAJwI0cX_Jx/view?usp=drive_link

2.2 Honolulu Police Department -- [0:04:03]: Lieutenant Arnold Sagucio provided the October 2024 monthly statistics with respective updates of HPD actions taken and actions that will be taken to maintain the downward statistical trend. Lieutenant Sagucio provided information about a highlighted case from Wednesday, October 2, 2024 that was part of an ongoing HPD initiative, and the safety tip that relates to vehicle break ins, as he said there is usually a spike of these crimes during the holiday shopping season.

Member Mariano joined at 6:05 p.m., 7 members present.

3. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:07:51]

3.1 Ward Village Community Update -- [0:08:56]: Kaʻiulani Sodaro, Senior Vice President, Planning and Development of Howard Hughes Holdings/Ward Village presented information, including the following: construction update on parks and open space in the center of Ward Village; street improvements, including restriping and repaving in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu; upgrading regional sewer, electrical and water infrastructure; Ulana construction milestone activities and other community partnerships and events; and Ward Village events calendar and newsletters, including with construction project updates.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:20:40]

3.2 Empty Homes Tax Resolution -- [0:28:47]: Ross Isokane, who is part of a grassroots coalition that is supporting the empty homes tax (and a member of the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13), provided information relating to Honolulu City Council Bill 46 (2024), CD1 Relating to Real Property Taxation, including the intent and background, status and other updates.

• Summary: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17AEvcw7MXMyGmjKUfDHJRnjt99gAYFDz/view?usp=drive_link

• Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 Resolution:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Iy9Ih3IpVqvCuHJpBUpvWe5JPxB76dqT/view?usp=drive_link

• Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board No. 34 Resolution: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zzqBbakbNoPMAEwXRgohTM2X0wVdZdRr/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed that included Councilmember Calvin Say -- [0:31:51]

4. BOARD BUSINESS -- [1:03:46]

4.1.a. Filling of Board Vacancies -- Subdistrict 1 -- Two Vacancies -- [1:04:14]: Dale Vanderbrink volunteered to serve as a member of the Board for Subdistrict 1 and provided information about himself.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:05:20]

[1:06:16] Chair Lee nominated Dale Vanderbrink to serve as a member of the Board for Subdistrict 1. Discussion followed. A roll call vote was taken. Dale Vanderbrink was appointed to the Board; 7-0-0 (Aye: Chang, Chee, Davis, Farinas, Lee, Mariano, Rice; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [1:08:08]

4.1.b. Filling of Board Vacancies -- Subdistrict 3 -- One Vacancy -- [1:08:49]: Karen Cheung volunteered to serve as a member of the Board for Subdistrict 3 and provided information about herself.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:10:02]

[1:10:51] Secretary Davis nominated Karen Cheung to serve as a member of the Board for Subdistrict 3. Discussion followed. A roll call vote was taken. Karen Cheung was appointed to the Board; 7-0-0 (Aye: Chang, Chee, Davis, Farinas, Lee, Mariano, Rice; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [1:13:04]

[1:13:23] Chair Lee called for a recess for Dale Vanderbrink and Karen Cheung to be sworn in as Board members.

[1:13:31] Chair Lee called the meeting back to order.

Dale Vanderbrink and Karen Cheung were appointed as Board members at 7:13 p.m., 9 members present.

4.2 Approval of October 22, 2024 Meeting Minutes -- [1:14:10]

[1:14:23] Rice MOVED and Chang SECONDED approval of the October 22, 2024 meeting minutes as written. Hearing no objections, the motion to approve the October 22, 2024 meeting minutes as written was ADOPTED; 9-0-0 (Aye: Chang; Chee, Cheung, Davis, Farinas, Lee, Mariano, Rice, Vanderbrink; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [1:14:28]

4.3 Action Committee Report -- [1:14:33]: Member Davis, Action Committee Chair, provided an update, which included the following: cancellation of the November meeting; special December meeting on Monday, December 16, 2024 to discuss pickleball courts and tennis courts in the Ala Moana-Kakaʻako area--the Committee is working to publicize the meeting to ensure those interested have adequate time to attend or provide input; and regular meeting on Thursday, December 12, 2024 during which will be discussion on a matter that was proposed to the Board by a community member with a draft resolution.

4.4 Consideration of Resolution(s) -- [1:16:49]

4.4.a. Consideration of Resolution Supporting Bill 46 (2024) to Establish an Empty Homes Tax in Honolulu -- [1:16:55]: Chair Lee began discussion relating to Agenda item 3.2. Empty Homes Tax Resolution, including different versions of the resolution.

• Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board No. 34 Resolution: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zzqBbakbNoPMAEwXRgohTM2X0wVdZdRr/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed that included Councilmember Say -- [1:17:31]

The Ala Moana / Kakaako Neighborhood Board No. 11 approved and adopted this resolution at its Tuesday, November 26, 2024 Regular Board meeting. Chee Moved and Davis Seconded the Motion to adopt the Resolution as written; The Resolution was adopted 9-0-0 (AYE: Chang, Chee, Davis, Farinas, Cheung, Mariano, Rice, Vanderbrink, Lee; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None)

4.4.b. Consideration to Support Resolution Regarding Dedicated Pickleball Courts at Ala Moana Regional Park -- [1:44:05]: Chair Lee provided background for this matter, including acknowledging resident Roy Howard, who proposed a resolution, and Secretary Davis, who has been drafting a resolution on behalf of the Board. With respect to the upcoming special meeting on December 16, Chair Lee spoke about the Board not being ready to vote on this resolution and opened the floor to discussion.

• Resolution: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V6ABIo0QC-kOW9xojqBg1oLwKHOxRy3A/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:45:34]

4.5 Attendance at other meetings -- [1:51:55]: There were no reports at this time.

4.6 Board Members' Gratitude Statements -- [1:52:08]: Chair Lee acknowledged Member Chang regarding this Board tradition.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:52:31]

5. SUBDISTRICT REPORTS -- [2:05:18]

Subdistrict 1 Report -- [2:05:23]: Member Chang reported on the forthcoming removal of a tree stump.

Subdistrict 3 Report -- [2:06:04]: Second (2nd) Vice Chair Rice acknowledged recently-installed crosswalk beacons and the opening of the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority's Kolowalu Park for Thanksgiving, which she said will be followed by a grand opening and blessing in early February.

6. RESIDENTS' AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS -- [2:07:37]: There were no concerns raised at this time.

7. AGENCY REPORTS -- [2:07:44]

7.1 Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) -- [2:07:46]: Chair Lee stated Francine Murray would not be in attendance.

7.2 Honolulu Authority for Rapid [Transportation] (HART) -- [2:08:07]: Marissa Gonzales of HART's Public Involvement team introduced Maribell Pabalan, who she said worked on the airport segment of the project and will be providing HART's updates to the Board. Ms. Gonzales also acknowledged Patrick Watson [of Frank Coluccio Construction Company] who she said was also online for support. Ms. Pabalan provided updates of ongoing and utility relocation work.

• Downtown Utilities Relocation (CCUR III) Project Questions or Assistance: email ccur3@honuaconsulting.com

• Frank Coluccio Construction Company weekly e-blast: https://eepurl.com/h1g2W5.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:09:46]

7.3 Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) -- [2:11:11]: No representative present.

8. ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS -- [2:11:17]

8.1 City Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam (District 6) -- [2:11:20]: Chair Lee stated Robin Henski was present earlier, but needed to leave and provided Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam's monthly newsletter for November 2024: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6098c5bb75e480679bd2fab3/t/6733cba01ca8183c52125bd4/1731447735912/2024.11+Newsletter.pdf.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZvAotloLDXv_9leJacdz9y5hp0imZNdH/view?usp=drive_link

8.2 City Councilmember Calvin Say (District 5) -- [2:11:35]: Chair Lee acknowledged Councilmember Say was present [in-person] earlier in the meeting, and thanked him for his service. Janel Denny and Ashley Perreira were present [online] to answer any questions. There were no questions at this time.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r4AKW5-fq_v3_8v6Z4dvXpZcaROdJw65/view?usp=drive_link

The following links were shared by Councilmember Say's office:

• Newsletter: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6098c5bb75e480679bd2fab3/t/672c2121bfedb5226effc367/1730945322479/November+2024+Newsletter.pdf

• Ala Moana Beach Park practice court re-stripped on September 21, 2024 for pickleball play. Article: https://www.khon2.com/local-news/new-pickleball-courts-at-ala-moana-dont-mean-tennis-is-out/

• Real Property Tax timeline and important dates: https://www.realpropertyhonolulu.com/

• The Bus routes modifications starting August 18, 2024: https://www.thebus.org/RiderAlerts.asp

• Ala Wai Watershed/Flood Control Project: https://www.honolulu.gov/alawai

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

• Complete Streets Newsletter sign up for updates and new projects (sent every 2-3 months; newsletter archives below the sign-up fields): https://www8.honolulu.gov/completestreets/

• Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6098c5bb75e480679bd2fab3/t/65c2805b6b1c566fa66df36e/1707245668491/Hawaii-Homeowners-Handbook-Fourth-Ed.-final-web.pdf

• Feral Chicken Flyer: https://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/csd/Feral_Chicken_Info_Sheet.pdf

8.3 Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [2:12:17]: Ben Sullivan, Chief Resilience Officer and Executive Director of the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency (CCSR), highlighted the following: Department of Environmental Services' wastewater work and implications relating to the need to raise more funds; Mayor Blangiardi led the October 19, 2024 Pride Month Parade; and CCSR and the City Department of Planning and Permitting provided an update to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maps (flood risk analysis of areas). Director Sullivan provided responses to prior inquiries.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vAdSrTiT0BrhIs85PKiw6l_OONu64S75/view?usp=drive_link

8.4 State Senator Sharon Moriwaki (District 12) -- [2:15:39]: No representative present.

8.5 State Representative Scott Nishimoto (District 23) -- [2:15:48]: Chair Lee stated the Agenda needs to be updated to reflect the new Representative Ikaika Olds.

8.6 State Representative Adrian Tam (District 24) -- [2:16:21]: Chair Lee reported Representative Adrian Tam nor his staff could attend the meeting, but stated he thanked the Board for trusting his office.

8.7 State Representative Scott Saiki (District 25) -- [2:16:33]: No representative present.

8.8 Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [2:16:39]: Ashton Stallings of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), announced DCCA's LifeSmarts program registration for 6th to 12th graders that ends on Friday, December 6, 2024 and introduced Ilihia Gionson from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Ms. Stallings highlighted the following: Kauaʻi's power grid with respect to the focus on renewable energy; University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center received a five-year designation from the National Cancer Institute; and the Department of the Attorney General resource webpage for mental health and substance abuse support, including with filing assisted community treatment petitions in family court.

https://governor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ke-Ala-Hou-Newsletter-November-2024-FINAL.pdf.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BYk0ckycZGPYyhCRHYJ7DV0xYBGrRLAB/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:18:42]

8.5 State Representative [Ikaika Olds] (District 23) -- Continued [2:20:17]: Representative Ikaika Olds provided an introduction.

8.7 State Representative [Kim Coco Iwamoto] (District 25) -- Continued [2:20:56]: Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto provided an introduction and additional information relating to the House of Representatives, and commended the Board regarding its resolutions, including with respect to its reach, as well as its efforts in the community.

8.8 Governor Josh Green's Representative -- Continued [2:23:19]: Mr. Gionson provided a presentation in response to the Board request for additional information following Governor Josh Green's trip to Japan to strengthen ties between Japan and Hawaiʻi.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:29:05]

8.9 U.S. Congressman Ed Case's Representative -- [2:36:05]: No representative present.

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [2:36:10]

9.1 2025 Neighborhood Board Elections Timeline -- [2:36:12]: Chair Lee referred to online information for the 2025 Neighborhood Board Elections timeline.

9.2 NB11 Social Media Accounts -- [2:36:17]: Chair Lee acknowledged the Board's social media accounts.

Ala Moana-Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board Meetings -- [2:36:20]: Chair Lee announced the Board's next Action Committee Meeting on December 12, and the Board's December recess and next regular meeting on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

ʻŌlelo Broadcasts -- [2:36:32]: Chair Lee announced the Board meetings are broadcast on ʻŌlelo Channel 49.

XI. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:36:40]: Chair Lee adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m.

Submitted by: Camilia Epa, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO

Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, NCO

Finalized by: Emma Davis, Secretary, Neighborhood Board No.11

  1. Back
  2. Current News
  3. News Archive

Like Our Facebook

  • RELATED LINKS
    Please send questions about this website to
    Copyright© 2014 - 2025 KakaakoHawaii.com. All rights reserved.
    Terms of Use / Legal Disclaimer / Privacy Statement
    Site Designed and Managed by MacBusiness Consulting