Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting May 2018 Minutes

Community website by MBC/Ernest Abrams. Call 808-739-9797 for advertising/sponsorship. Community website by MBC/Ernest Abrams. Call 808-739-9797 for advertising/sponsorship.

First Friday Hawaii
News Item
Powered by MBC NewsMaker
Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting May 2018 Minutes
Tweet

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

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY 3 MAY 2018
ONE ALOHA TOWER, MULTI PURPOSE ROOM 2

CALL TO ORDER - Chair Au called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Quorum was established with seven (7) members present. Note: This nine (9)-member Board requires five (5) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present - Alvin Au, Ernest Caravalho, Kevin Lye, Lori McCarney, Dolores Mollring, Willis Moore, John Smiley

Board Members Absent - Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, Robert Tom

Guests - Captain Kiana Kam (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant Chi and Sergeant Robertson (Honolulu Police Department); Megan Muramatsu (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's representative); Laurel Johnston (Governor David Ige's representative); Senator Karl Rhoads; Councilmember Carol Fukunaga; Pat Lee (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation); Sam Moku (Hawaii Pacific University); Nicole Reid (Art's, Culture, Media, and Etc.); Gregory Dunn and Elizabeth O'Brian (Hawaii Theater); Senator Josh Green, Scott Miscovich, and Andy Mounthongdy (Hawaii Homeless Healthcare Hui); Jacob Chung (New Life Church); Glenn Yamasaki, Vern Nichols, James Logue, Emily Robertson, Lynell Yu, John Selby, Ronald Higa, Allen Stack, Elizabeth Stack, Don Murphy, Nicole Woo (Residents); Harry Cho (Neighborhood Commission Office).

INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS - The Board members introduced themselves. Chair Au reminded those present to speak into the microphone when addressing the Board.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) ??? Captain Kam reported the following:
• April 2018 Statistics: There were 2 cooking fires, 7 activated alarms with no fire, 154 medical emergencies, 3 motor vehicle collisions with pedestrians, 3 motor vehicle crash/collisions, and 1 hazardous materials incident.
• Safety Tip - Escape Planning:
o HFD suggests the following fire preplanning tips. Make a home escape plan, plan at least two (2) ways out of every room, designate an outside meeting place in order to account for all family members, practice your home fire drill during the day and night. Twice a year using different escape plans, teach children how to escape on their own, close doors behind you to contain the fire. If the alarm sounds, get out and never go back in for people or pets, if you have to escape though smoke, stay low, call 911 from outside your home.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - Noise: Board member Moore stated that the dispatch at the fire station is very loud and can be heard throughout the neighborhood

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) - Sergeant Chi reported the following:
• April 2018 Statistics: There were 18 motor vehicle thefts, 51 thefts, 15 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV), 24 assaults, 5 sex assaults, 2 graffiti incidents, and 8 drug incidents.
??? Safety Tip - Child Safety: Make sure children know how to dial 911 and use a phone, make sure they know their full name, address, and contact information, stay alert, walk confidently, stay with friends and not alone, refuse rides from strangers, tell a trusted adult if anyone touches them in a way they feel uncomfortable.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Foot Patrol: Chair Au stated that the Board and community endorse an increase of foot patrol in the area.
2. Foot Patrol: Caravalho requested for more foot patrol officers in the Chinatown area, especially during the night.
3. Canines: A community member suggested patrolling Chinatown with trained canines.

Neighborhood Citizens Patrol - Mollring reported that the neighborhood citizen's patrol has been taking photographs, making notice of any concerns, and reporting the concerns to each department.

Public Concerns - A community member stated that the homeless are disrupting her business in Chinatown which caters to young children.

NEW BUSINESS

H4 Healthcare for the Iwilei Homeless Project, Hawaii Homless Healthcare Hui - Senator Josh Green, Dr. Scott Miscovich, and Mandy Mounthongdy reported the following:
• H4 Vision: A private/public partnership, supported by all healthcare and social services professionals, regional health systems, and philanthropists to create a new model to address chronic homelessness.
• H4 Mission: To care for the people of Hawaii who are struggling the most.
• Focus: The three (3) areas of focus are homelessness and poverty, drug addiction, and mental health.
• Proposal: A four (4) floor structure will include hygiene, healthcare, housing, and humanitarian services. The hygiene floor will include eight (8) full bathrooms, public restrooms, cart lockers, storage lockers, kennel holding, washers and dryers, and a multi-purpose room. The healthcare floor will include five (5) exam rooms, one (1) consultation room, eight (8) observation beds, five (5) offices, a waiting room, reception area, and x-ray lab. The medical respite, transitional and permanent housing floor will include 20 micro studios, an admin and clinical office, common living and dining area, and a laundry room. The hygiene floor is expected to open in July 2018, while the health, housing, and humanitarian floors are expected to open in 2019.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - Homeless: Caravalho suggested incorporating economically homeless and youth homeless as well.

7th Annual Chinatown Family Fair - Event Coordinator Jacob Chung reported that the event will take place on Saturday 9 June 2018 at the Smith-Beretania Park from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be live entertainment by Greenwood Lite, City Boys, Walter's Band, and Infusion. The grand prize will be a trip for two (2) to San Francisco to see a Giant baseball game, seats in the owner's box, and flights and hotel accommodations. This event is free and open to the public.

Request for Street Closure, First Friday Mural Installation Community Block Party - Nicole Reid reported the following:
• May 2018: This event will take place on Friday 4 May 2018 on Hotel Street. Selling of beer and wine along with live music will be held from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. A live mural painting will take place from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. HPD has requested and the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) confirmed the extension from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. for the end of the street closure to allow bars to disperse their clients at the 2:00 a.m. completion of service. This will alleviate the need to keep people on the sidewalks or face jaywalking tickets. Small businesses will each keep their door host on site until 2:30 a.m. to facilitate dispersing the crowd as much as possible. The street security will remain until 3:00 a.m. to clean and disperse the crowd. HPD special duty officers will remain until 3:00 a.m. A full roster is expected as May's request was placed earlier than April's. May's event will have four (4) portable luas instead of six (6). Safety systems have been communicated with and confirmed for a more efficient street closure sequence to allow immediate set up at 7:30 p.m. The mural space will be on the street next to the music tent.
• Mayor's Support: Mayor Caldwell wrote a letter of support to the Board requesting that the Board consider the benefits that First Friday's offers to the greater community.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Approval: Community member Allen Stack stated that giving approval of this event for multiple months in advance does not allow other organizations an opportunity to plan events.
2. Support: Community member McDonald stated that the community should support this event to bring business and visitors into Chinatown. A community member and business owner in Chinatown also voiced her support for First Fridays.

Board member McCarney MOVED and Board member Moore SECONDED the motion for the Board to support the First Friday events in June, July, and August 2018 with liquor sales and live music to end by 10:00 p.m. The motion PASSED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 7-0-0. (Aye: Au, Caravalho, Lye, McCarney, Mollring, Moore, Smiley; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Hawaii Theater Annual Fundraiser Gala - President of Hawaii Theater, Gregory Dunn, reported that the event will take place on Sunday 6 May 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. A documentary film of late surfer Andy Irons will be premiered. The street closure will be on Bethel Street from mauka of Hotel Street to Pauahi Street. Live music will be held at Dr. Sun Yat-sen Park. Alcohol will be served until 6:45 p.m.

Board member Moore MOVED and Board member Caravalho SECONDED the motion to support the Hawaii Theater Annual Fundraiser Gala. The motion PASSED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 7-0-0. (Aye: Au, Caravalho, Lye, McCarney, Mollring, Moore, Smiley; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

After Action Review, St. Patrick's Day Event - Event Organizer Don Murphy reported that the event took place on Saturday 17 March 2018. Over 4,000 visitors were fed and over 100 families visited the keiki tents. HPD and DTS were pleased that there were no incidents or injuries. Live music and alcohol sales ended by 10:00 p.m.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - Board member Caravalho stated that there was an overflow of foot traffic on Hotel Street, which caused public transportation and the street to be closed.

Request for Street Closure, Hawaii Children Cancer Foundation Fundraiser - Event Organizer Don Murphy reported that this event will take place on Merchant Street, between Nuuanu Avenue and Bethel Street on Saturday 23 June 2018 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. This is in benefit to support the Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation and their mission to help the children of Hawaii battle cancer. Food will be served by Murphy's Bar and Grill.

Board member Moore MOVED and Board member Mollring SECONDED the motion to support the street closure for the Hawaii Children Cancer Foundation Fundraiser. The motion PASSED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 7-0-0. (Aye: Au, Caravalho, Lye, McCarney, Mollring, Moore, Smiley; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Discussion on the Request to Liquor Commission - Chair Au reported that the request made by the Board for the Liquor Commission to provide information on all liquor applicants that are being considered for new, extension, and renewal liquor licenses located in the district as well as a monthly report of licenses that have received citations of violation is time consuming and an unreasonable request.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - Board member Mollring stated that these reports are available through email from the Liquor Commission.

COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) - Sam Moku reported that he is working with the Neighborhood Commission Office to coordinate availability of parking for Board Meeting attendees. Spaghetti Factory will be opening at the Aloha Tower in May 2018. Erwin Park may be renovated and restored back to its original condition.

Safe Haven - Greg Payton reported that in the month of April 2018 there were 2 Safe Haven discharges/intakes, 3 activity center and pathways placements, 2 Mental Health Kokua (MHK)-Oahu Case Management Housings, and 7 permanent housing placements. MHK-Safe Haven received awards from Honolulu City Council for two (2) years of service. MHK received a contract award for a new homeless outreach worker by the Department of Health (DOH) Adult Mental Health Division. The new position will work closely with Chinatown merchants.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) - Pat Lee reported that The HOLO card will be Honolulu's first smart transit card that can be used to seamlessly ride on the city's public transit system, whether it is on TheBus, The Handi-van, and in the future, on rail. No paper transfers are needed. In the future, riders will need to tap their card to the HOLO Card reader prior to boarding TheBus, the Handi-van, or when entering a rail station. Each tap debits a user's card account for the associated cost of the ride. Fares will be determined by the City's Rate Commission. The HOLO cards will be available to the general public early 2019 and will be available at any of the 100 plus stores participating in the retail network, any Satellite City Hall, or at TheBus customer service center at 611 Middle Street. Once the program starts, riders can register their card and create an online account at: holocard.net. Doing so will allow riders to add money on their card, monitor their card balance, or easily manage multiple cards for their family or group. It also protects accounts in case a card is lost or stolen and allows the balance to be transferred to a new card. There will be no regular fees or services charges for using the HOLO card, however there is a $2.00 one-time charge for a new or replacement card, and a $2.75 minimum when loading or reloading funds to the card. Riders can also access HOLO from the web browser on a smart phone, and does not require a smart phone, bank account, or internet services to load money on the card. When the cards become available, riders may activate and load money on the HOLO card in several ways: at holocard.net; by calling 808-768-HOLO, or 768-4656, at over a hundred stores participating the program, any satellite city hall, or at TheBus bus pass office on Middle Street. All existing passes will be available on the HOLO card. The current programs for youth, seniors, disability, those on Medicaid, and other bus pass subsidies will be available on your HOLO Card by registering for those passes. Everyone six (6) years of age and older will need to have their own HOLO card.
The City Department of Transportation Services (DTS), Oahu Transit Services (OTS), and Hawaii Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) are collaborating on the HOLO Card and will soon launch a pilot program to test the new HOLO cards on TheBus. Once that is completed and the program is in operation, the cards will become available to the general public. For more information on the rail project, please visit www.honolulutransit.org, call the project hotline at 566-2299, or email a question to info@honolulutransit.org.

Chinatown Business and Community Association (CBCA) - A report was submitted to the Board members.

Arts Cultural Merchants Etc. (ACME) - Nicole Reid reported the following:
• Honolulu Museum of Art: Ottomaticake will be playing at the Honolulu Museum of Art's Doris Duke Theater on Friday 4 May 2018, 7:30 p.m., Sunday 6 May 2018, 7:00 p.m., and Sunday 13 May 2018, 1:00 p.m.
??? First Friday Lineup: The first May 2018 First Friday lineup will include events for arts and culture, food and beverage, retail and goods, music and entertainment, and night life. Many events will take place early in the evening as well as later throughout the night.

Chinatown Improvement District (CID) - Allen Stack stated that he had nothing to report for the month of May 2018.

Biki - Bikeshare CEO Lori McCarney reported that Federal Funds will be received to expand 36 new stations during the summer of 2018. The bike station at the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mall will be relocated on to Pauahi Street.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's representative - Megan Muramatsu reported the following:
• Summer Fun Program: The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is recruiting applicants for the 2018 Summer Fun Program. College students who want to develop management skills, recreation and child development skills, or enjoys working with children between the ages of five (5) and 13 are encouraged to consider working as a Summer Aide. The program runs from the end of May 2018 to the end of July 2018, with pay rates from $12.00 to $14.00 per hour. For more information and the online application form, please visit DPR's webpage at www.honolulu.gov/parks/dprsummerfun, or call (808) 768-3020.
• Follow Up:
o Bus Stop: Department of Transportation Services (DTS) responded that they have previously explained to Neighborhood Board No. 13, that health and safety reasons are what prompted the removal of the bus stop benches at Smith Street and Hotel Street. DTS may be willing to replace the benches at this location if the Board agrees to adopt and maintain the bus stops at which the replacement benches will be installed. Interested Board members may contact Coreen Blanco of DTS at 768-8375 for information on DTS' Bus Stop Volunteer Program.
o Potholes: Department of Facilities Maintenance (DFM) responded that the potholes were patched on Fort Street between South Kukui Street to South Beretania Street on Saturday 21 April 2018.
o Empty Tree Wells: DPR responded that The Division of Urban Forestry (DUF), DPR, will inspect the tree wells along both roadways and perform tree work, as necessary. Usually DUF crews will backfill the empty tree well and level the area to the grade of the adjacent sidewalk to alleviate any possible hazard to the public. If appropriate, replanting will be scheduled as resources become available. DUF will enlist the assistance of DFM, to permanently close wells that are not deemed appropriate for replanting. When reporting these concerns, it would be helpful to provide specific addresses, identifiable locations, or descriptions or photos of the problem areas.
o Smith Beretania Park Graffiti: DPR responded that the graffiti at the park was painted over on Monday 16 April 2018.
o Sin Lounge and Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park: DPR responded that the park is not intended to be used as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access or fire exit for a private property or building. The property owner of the building for Sin Lounge is responsible for providing an ADA access to and from their business which does not require access through the park. Park closure hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. People should not be in the park during those hours.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Street Wells: Board member Mollring stated that the street wells along South King Street, from Kekaulike Street to Bethel Street need to be filled.
2. Pedestrian Crossing Signals: Chair Au stated that the pedestrian crossing signals at the intersections of Adams Lane/Bishop Street and Smith Street/North Beretania Street are not responsive.
3. Sidewalk: Board member Mollring requested for the sidewalk along Smith Street, in front of the Little Village Noodle House to be repaved.
4. Pavers: Board member Mollring stated that the sidewalk pavers outside of the Fort Street Mall Ross are crumbled and missing.

Councilmember Carol Fukunaga - Councilmember Carol Fukunaga reported the following:
• Affordable Units: The Honolulu City Council's new affordable housing Ordinance 18-10 requires developers to build affordable units in all new residential projects with more than 10 units. Affordable units offered as rentals must be affordable to people who make roughly $58,000 a year
(at or below 80% annual median income) for at least 30 years.
• Downtown Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Plan: the Downtown TOD Plan adopted by City Council last year and Ordinance 18-10 will spur development of thousands of affordable housing units near Chinatown and Iwilei stations.
• Mayor Wright Homes: The Mayor Wright Homes project features 2,448 residential units, replacing today's 364 housing units with a mix of low-rise and mid-rise buildings along the streets, and as many as four (4) towers set back from major streets. Unlike traditional public housing projects, Hawaii Public Housing Authorities (HPHA)'s mixed-income, mixed-use requirements mean that roughly two-thrids of the residences will be affordable rentals. This will be a combination of low-income, low-moderate income workforce housing units affordable to those earning at or below 120% area median income (AMI). The remaining units will be market-rate rentals.
??? Monster Homes: Since September 2017, Councilmember Fukunaga filed complains about illegal rentals and "monster homes" in Aiea, Halawa, Kalihi Valley, Liliha, Pacific Heights, and Punchbowl residential neighborhoods with the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP). Half of the complaints resulted in citations for building or zoning code violations. By November 2017, legislation calling for a moratorium on such construction was under review. The Council adopted a temporary moratorium on outsized homes in February 2018. Compelling testimony came from ordinary citizens who had never participated in the Council's legislative process, but who were shocked by the speed with which their quiet neighborhoods were invaded by these structures. In April 2018, Bill 33 was introduces to allow City agencies to order demolition of structures built in spite of "Stop Work" orders.

Governor David Ige's representative - Director of Department of Budget and Finance Laurel Johnston reported that Governor Ige issued emergency proclamations for Kauai and Oahu so state funds can be appropriated for a speedy and efficient relief of damages. Governor Ige and his administration is also taking climate change seriously and has brought focus to many issues.

Senator Karl Rhoads - Senator Karl Rhoads reported the following:
??? State Budget: $325,000 has been appropriated for the Weed and Seed Program. $570,000 million has been provided for affordable housing including $210 million of the Rental Housing revolving and Dwelling Unit Revolving Funds, and $360 million in general excise tax exemptions for developing affordable housing over the next 12 years. Capital improvement funds in the amount of $3,153,000 were released for the relocation of Harbors Polices to the former fire station at Pier 315 and $125,000 were released for the Pacific Gateway Na Kupuna Makamae site to reroof the facility.
??? Nimitz Highway: Senator Rhoads contacted the Department of Transportation (HDOT). The Jersey barriers were placed on the Nimitz Highway side of the Harbors Division offices on 69 South Nimitz Highway after 11 September 2001 as a security precaution. The barriers were eventually painted green, but are still unsightly. Senator Rhoads has asked HDOT if there are any better looking permanent solutions such as the green ballards that line the street on the Aloha Tower Drive side of the Harbors Division Building. Senator Rhoads has also received complaints and experienced the gravel and debris in the bike lanes along Nimitz Highway. The loose gravel is a particular problem along the jersey barriers by the Harbors Division Building. Senator Rhoads has asked if there is a schedules cleaning of the area to encourage people to ride bikes and promote safety.
• Illegal Drug Activity: Senator Rhoads received a complaint from a constituent about illegal drug activity and transactions happening in an apartment on River Street and has contacted the Narcotics/Vice Division of HPD regarding the matter.

APPROVAL OF THURSDAY 5 APRIL 2018 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES - The Thursday 5 April 2018 regular meeting minutes were APPROVED as amended by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 7-0-0. (Aye: Au, Caravalho, Lye, McCarney, Mollring, Moore, Smiley; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Amendments:
• Page three (3) of seven (7): Chair Au voted Aye, and did not abstain. Board member Shubert-Kwock MOVED and Board member Caravalho SECONDED a Motion for the Board to support the First Friday Mural Installation with liquor sales to end by 10:00 pm. The Motion was APPROVED by majority vote, 7-1-0 (AYE: Au, Caravalho, Lye, McCarney, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; NAY: Tom; ABSTAIN: None).
• Page three (3) of seven (7): Chair Au voted Aye, and did not abstain. Board member Shubert-Kwock MOVED and Board member Mollring SECONDED a Motion for the Board to support conclusion of liquor sales by 10:00 pm for all street closure events. The Motion was approved by majority vote, 6-0-2 (AYE: Au, Caravalho, Lye, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: McCarney, Tom).

BOARD BUSINESS AND REPORTS

Chair's Report - Chair Au reported the following:
• WoFat Building: The historical WoFat Restaurant Building located on Maunakea Street would like to present at a future meeting regarding their proposed renovations.
• Permit: The Alakea Special Needs Senior Afforable Housing Project located on 1192 Alakea Street will be applying for a conditional use permit.
• Honolulu Triathlon: The Honolulu Triathlon will take place on Saturday 13 May 2018 from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Ala Moana Boulevard and Nimitz highway will be closed.

Treasurer's Report - No report was given.

Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) - Chair Au stated that the next OMPO meeting will take place on Wednesday 16 May 2018.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kauai Flood Fundraiser - A fundraiser will be held on Thursday 24 May 2018 at the Hawaii National Bank parking lot. The funds will be donated towards Kauai flood relief.

Next Meeting - The next meeting of the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board 13 is scheduled for Thursday 7 June 2018 at Hawaii Pacific University, One Aloha Tower Drive, Multi-Purpose Room 2 at 7:00 p.m.

Neighborhood Citizen Patrol - The Neighborhood Citizen Patrol meets each Tuesday on the Diamond Head side of Kukui Plaza at 8:00 p.m. Please join the patrol and support its efforts to express service and pride in our Downtown-Chinatown community.

� lelo - Rebroadcasts of Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board 13 meetings are scheduled on � lelo channel 49 for every third Thursday at 9:00 p.m., as well as 6:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. An archive of past meetings may be found on http://olelo.org/olelonet/ and searching on .

ADJOURNMENT - Chair Au adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m.

Submitted by: Harry Cho, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Relley Araceley, Community Relations Specialist, and Kevin Lye, Secretary, Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board ??? 13

Questions? Ready for an appointment?

Like Our Facebook

First Friday Hawaii News Item

Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting May 2018 Minutes

First Friday Hawaii
News Item