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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, MAY 27, 2025 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=sKiXHNidCrg

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

1. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:15]: Chair Kathleen Lee called the Ala Moana-Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Quorum was established with nine (9) members present. Note: This 11-member Board requires six (6) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Rodney Chang, Dyson Chee, Emma Davis, Lori Farinas, Caroline Faringer, Kathleen Lee, Lynn Mariano, Jeanne Rice, and Dale Vanderbrink.

Board Member(s) Absent: Karen Cheung.

Guests: Firefighter Yoshimura (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant G. Mochizuki (Honolulu Police Department); Ben Sullivan (Mayor Blangiardi); Roxanne Adams (City Department of Urban Forestry); Marissa Gonzales (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART); Patrick Watson (Public Relations Consultant for Frank V. Coluccio Construction); Robin Henski (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam); Summer Caster (Honolulu Night Market at Our Kakaako); Cyrus Howe (Hawaiʻi Green Growth); Isaiah Sato (R.M. Towill Corporation); Greg Waibel (YMCA); Councilmember Nishimoto and Sophia Anderson (City Council District 5); Joseph Kopshy (Senator Moriwaki); Representative Adrian Tam (House District 24); Representative Ikaika Olds (House District 23); Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto (House District 25); Ashton Stallings (Governor Josh Green); James Gieschen (Sugar Sugar Hawaiʻi); Reyn Tsurn, Ronald Higa, Sam Mita, Daniel Simonich; Bruce Lum, Marguerita Koster, Myoung Oh, Michele Opitek (Residents); Camilia Epa Gomes (Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 29 total participants.

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

Decorum Reminder -- [0:01:18]: Board members received reminders about best practices for efficient meetings from Chair Lee.

2. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS -- [0:02:20]

Honolulu Fire Department -- [0:02:21]: Firefighter Yoshimura provided the report and highlighted the incident statistics for April 2025 and safety tips for the month regarding home fire sprinklers.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i9Xe39WoXfm21D8KDLR18GJlo1RJuLus/view?usp=drive_link

• Should you have any questions, please email the HFD's Public Affairs & Media Liaison at HFDNHB@honolulu.gov

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:04:50]

Honolulu Police Department -- [0:06:00]: Sergeant G. Mochizuki provided the report and highlighted the crime statistics for April 2025.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:07:30]

Honolulu Police Department -- Continued -- [0:36:36]: Sergeant G. Mochizuki continued his report and shared safety tips for the month regarding driverʻs awareness.

3. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:37:08]

The Honolulu Night Market at Our Kakaʻako -- [0:37:20]: Summer Caster shared a presentation that provides details on the Night Market that will take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The family friendly event will have over 80 food and retail vendors as well as live entertainment. The presentation shared the planned road closures on the day of the event. All residential parking and building driveways will remain accessible.

• Our Kakaʻako website is launching June 23, 2025: https://ourkakaako.com/hnm

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:38:53]

Follow the Drop Initiative -- [0:41:13]: Cyrus Howe (Operations Manager) from Hawaiʻi Green Growth (local non-profit) shared information on an initiative to educate community members about the Ala Wai Watershed (AWS) and to make it a Special Improvement District. Hawaiʻi Green Growth is leading an AWS collaboration which is a network of community, government, and business partners committed to a more resilient AWS. A watershed is an area or ridge of land with water that separates waters flowing to different bodies of water such as into the ocean, rivers, or canals. Mr. Howe shared examples of green stormwater infrastructures that could be beneficial especially in the urban core of the island to help recharge aquifers and promote sustainability within our community instead of storm water becoming run-off and contributing to floods, polluting streams, and our ocean. You can find more information on this initiative, including the draft Bill and all the feasibility studies and reports that is used as data.

• To find more informaiton, please visit: https://www.hawaiigreengrowth.org/

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:49:50]

YMCA Rezoning -- [0:55:48]: Isaiah Sato from R.M. Towill Corporation, shared a presentation to explain the upcoming plans that YMCA has in mind for the Central YMCA location (401 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu, HI 96814). Mr. Sato shared the following: history of the YMCA, enrichment programs that are offered for all ages as well as programs for health and fitness; history of Central YMCA; current facilities and operations of Central YMCA; Ordinance 13-34 zoning history of Central YMCA; and proposed zone change for Central YMCA. The plan is to revert zoning to facilitate future development and remove existing restrictions. The current zoning is a maximum of 350 ft. and they would like to revert to 150 ft.

• Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UmlxpXP1seazupmbBeqJGay3bA2XGSOZ/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:04:11]

City Division of Urban Forestry -- [1:32:00]: Roxanne Adams who is the Administrator for the City Department of Urban Forestry was present in-person to give a brief description of what DUF does and to answer any questions.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:32:40]

Hearing no objections, Chair Lee took the agenda out of order to hear Item 8.8.4 State Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto at this time.

8. ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS -- [1:48:47]

State Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto (District 25) -- [1:48:47]: Representative Iwamoto provided the report and shared comments on: trees being recycled, Grants-in-Aids, and homeless services providers that the public can contact.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:53:43]

4. BOARD BUSINESS -- [1:54:00]

Approval of the Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Meeting Minutes -- [1:54:03] Member Farinas noted grammatical errors on the draft minutes. [1:55:05] -- Chang MOVED and Chee SECONDED approval of the April 22, 2025 meeting minutes with ammendments. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 9-0-0 (Aye: Chang, Chee, Davis, Farinas, Faringer, Mariano, Rice, Vanderbrink, Lee; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [1:55:19]

Board member absences -- [1:55:26]: Board members received reminders on absences from meetings and to notify the Board if they are unable to fulfill their commitments as a Board member.

Attendance at other meetings -- [1:56:00]: No reports.

Action Committee Report -- [1:56:05]: Committee Chair Davis shared highlights on efforts for projects that are in progress: creating a distribution plan for the completed community survey the committee created; creating a newsletter; and Committee Chair Davis informing the Board of her resignation from the Board and the Action Committee at the end of June.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:57:58]

DPR letter re: dog parks (board feedback by August 29, 2025) -- [1:58:45]: Chair Lee shared the Board has received a letter from City Department of Parks and Recreation to provide community feedback on dog friendly parks in the district. Member Davis informed the Board a QR code was created for the community survey which will collect community feedback on dog friendly parks in the district. Vice Chair Rice made suggestions to help distribute the community survey. Member Chang recommended distributing the survey to residential condos within the district. Member Mariano recommended reaching out to their elected officials that represent their district to distribute the survey through their newsletters or website.

• Community Survey Link: https://www.tinyurl.com/hnlnb11dogs

Consideration of resolution regarding the vandalism of Kolowalu Dog Park -- [2:05:16]: Member Vanderbrink introduced the Resolution he drafted for the Board to consider taking action on at the meeting.

• Resolution: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L7JPHkGR6SwzR7YdM7Qa3fL9Zh3x_6CI/view?usp=drive_link

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

[2:13:00] -- Mariano MOVED and Davis SECONDED to adopt the resolution with the amendments stated at the meeting. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED with unanimous consent; 9-0-0 (Aye: Chang, Chee, Davis, Farinas, Faringer, Mariano, Rice, Vanderbrink, Lee; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [2:13:57]

5. SUBDISTRICT REPORTS -- [2:14:22]

Subdistrict 2 Report -- [2:14:25]: Member Dale Vanderbrink provided updates on the old Ross building across the Keʻeaumoku Walmart and shared there will be a new leaseholder that will own the building.

Subdistrict 1 Report -- [2:14:55]: Member Chang provided updates on the recent scheduled power outage on Liona St. that was initiatied by Nan Inc. He shared that Hawaiian Electric Company was able to reroute electric in the area for the two days Nan Inc. scheduled.

Subdistrict 4 Report -- [2:16:10]: Member Farinas reported that the Longs Drugs store located at the intersection of Halekauwila Street and Ward Avenue will be closing on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 and the next closest Longs Drugs is on S. King Street.

6. RESIDENTS' AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS -- [2:17:00]

Testimony re: Prosecutorial Neglect & Community Safety Concerns -- [2:17:16]: James Gieschen (Co-founder of Sugar Sugar Hawaii) provided background information about the small local business that features retail products from over 300 small artists and designers. Mr. Gieschen was present to inform the Board of his initiative to bring awareness and address issues in the criminal justice system. Mr. Gieschen highlighted the following: issues with prosecution process; reforms in policies, and alternative solutions for corrections. Mr. Gieschen shared he would like to provide a more in-depth presentation on the topic at next month's Board meeting.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:23:03]

Hearing no objections, Chair Lee took the agenda out of order to hear Item 8. Elected Officials Reports, for the representative that are present in-person at the meeting first.

8. ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS -- [2:25:31]

City Councilmember Scott Nishimoto (District 5) -- [2:25:36]: Councilmember Nishimoto provided the report and shared City council committee meetings are currently underway before the next full council meeting which will cover the city budget. Mr. Nishimoto will provide an update on the budget at next month's Board meeting.

• For questions and concerns please email scott.nishimoto@honolulu.gov or call (808)768-5005

• To subscribe to Councilmember Nishimoto's weekly e-blast, please go to http://eepurl.com/dI6xMz

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:26:30]

State Representative Adrian Tam (District 24) -- [2:29:04]: Representative Tam provided the report and shared that his newsletter with the latest updates of the legislative session will be sent to those who live in House District 24.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BJm488yBSzGTMR57SzqtkB9ATLYBSpl6/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:30:16]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [2:26:00]: Ben Sullivan provided the report and highlighted the following: city and State leaders recruit more Gaurdians Ad Litem to help with Assisted Community Treatment programs for Oʻahu's homeless community; Mayor Blangiardi's signs bills into law on Waikīkī street festivals, outdoor dining rules; information on the Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement (CORE) team; and follow-up responses for concerns raised at last month's Board meeting.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-314pQp56thQ7iRlPljkw2P7OkrTq3JW/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:35:11]

State Senator Sharon Moriwaki (District 12) -- [2:35:40]: Joseph Kopshy provided the report and shared that Senator Moriwaki and Representative Tam have been working closely to secure fund for this district through the Capitol Improvement Project.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oE0yNw7ilsMtk4NsTqWUgwYZCEdenlJP/view?usp=drive_link

State Representative Ikaika Olds (District 23) -- [2:36:37]: Representative Olds provided the report and highlighted the following: House Bill (HB) 943 (relating to homelessness) that he introduced has passed its final reading and has been transmitted to the Governor for signage; and a follow-up response regarding the work order request to inspect the pine trees and faulty alarm systems for Kalakaua Homes.

• To stay connected with updates from Representative Olds, sign up for his email blast: https://mailchi.mp/capitol/email-sign-up

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:39:50]

City Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam (District 6) -- [2:41:00]: Robin Henski provided the report and shared that the City Council budget committee hearings are currently underway.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rtUBJA0m_j5NzhyA-R4dZMpBrE6Mk4Zh/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:41:18]

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [2:41:40]: Ashton Stallings shared highlights from the Governor's newsletter for May 2025.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rV5o76t7z62ZOAoXaKFPRmlj5k7zEl5T/view?usp=drive_link

Congressman Ed Case's Representative -- [2:42:52]: No representative present.

7. AGENCY REPORTS -- [2:43:00]

Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority (HCDA) -- [2:43:00]: Francine Murray provided the report and highlighted the following: the Kolowalu Dog Park is still undergoing repairs for the park; the gates are being repaired and will open the big dog park on Monday, June 9, 2025; the small dog park will close shortly afterwards to do repairs; the Ala Moana Pedestrian Bridge is open to the public to use; the next HCDA Board meeting will be on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ip97DHHeZ6dzT4hjuKhFsRnuY0a0cU6Z/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:44:12]

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation] (HART) -- [2:45:50]: Marissa Gonzales (HART's Public Involvement Team) shared the airport Guideline Stations, Segment Two construction and core systems installation are all complete for four stations; the trial run phase is expected to be completed July 2025 followed by the system demonstration phase; HART and Tutor Perini Corporation (City Center Guideway and Stations contractor) is inviting the public to attend in-person or virtually for the first Neighborhood Design Workshop for the Chinatown Station on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

• Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BjsS0M5oO8lbOo2Pj0URe6yStlsJDXj_/view?usp=drive_link

• To sign up for HART's weekly newsletter, please visit: https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001DFTCDgfTjag6k-qOH81D1A%3D%3D=

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS): This item was skipped due to time restraints.

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [2:48:00]

Upcoming events -- [2:48:10]: King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade is on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

• For more information on upcoming events/street closures, visit https://www8.honolulu.gov/dts/2025-events/

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

The next Action Committee meeting will be on Thursday, June 12, 2025.

The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

The ʻŌlelo Broadcasts: Recordings of the meetings are broadcast on ʻŌlelo 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

10. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:48:37]: Chair Lee adjourned the meeting at 8:51 p.m.

Submitted by: Camilia Epa Gomes, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO

Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, NCO

Finalized by:

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