Contact Us Subscribe
With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2018
ONE ALOHA TOWER, MULTI PURPOSE ROOM 3

CALL TO ORDER - Chair Shubert-Kwock called the meeting to order at 6:00 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 - Ernest Caravalho, Kevin Lye, James Logue, Lori McCarney, Kevin McDonald (appointed), Dolores Mollring, Willis Moore, and Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock.

Board Members Absent - Bob Tom.

Guests - Sergeant Robertson (Honolulu Police Department); Captain Kiana Kam (Honolulu Fire Department); Megan Muramatsu (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's representative); Councilmember Carol Fukunaga; Glen Young (Senator Karl Rhoads' Office); Laurel Johnston (Governor David Ige's representative); (Board of Water Supply); Nicole Reid (Arts, Culture, Merchants, and Etc. (ACME)); Pat Lee (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation); Todd Boulanger (Bikeshare Hawaii); Greg Payton (Safe Haven); Ronald Higa, Dennis Silva (Community Members); Harry Cho (Neighborhood Commission Office).

INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS - The Board members introduced themselves. 

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - Captain Kam reported the following:
• October 2018 Statistics: There were 2 nuisance fires, 1 cooking fire, 9 activated alarms (no fire), 148 medical emergencies, 2 motor vehicle collisions with a pedestrian, 5 motor vehicle crash/collisions, 1 ocean rescue, and 2 hazardous materials incidents.
• Safety Tip - Cooking Safety: Cook with caution. If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, do not use the stove or stovetop. Stay in the kitchen when cooking. Keep anything that can catch fire, including oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, and towels away from your stovetop. Keep children at least three (3) feet away from the stove. If you have a small grease cooking fire, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. If you have doubt about extinguishing a small fire, get out of the house and call 911. When leaving, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. With the upcoming Thanksgiving Day holiday, HFD discourages the use of turkey fryers. Turkey fryer usage can lead to devastating burns and injuries and destroy property due to the large amount and high temperature of oil. 

Neighborhood Citizens Patrol (NCP) - Mollring reported that the NCP has continued patrolling every Tuesday.

Residents' and Community Concerns - Neighborhood Board Elections: James Skizewski of the Neighborhood Commission Office stated that the Neighborhood Board elections will be beginning soon. The public may visit www.honolulu.gov/nco or call 768-3710 for more information on the voting and election process. 

NEW BUSINESS

Beretania Complex Redevelopment, Board of Water Supply (BWS) - Representatives from BWS reported the following: 
• Public Information Meeting: The meeting will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Central Middle School Cafeteria, 1302 Queen Emma Street. 
• Project Overview: The BWS will be issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to redevelop a portion of its Beretania Complex. The purpose of this action is to provide a revenue stream for BWS. The project area will be leased to a third party, the lessee will implement the redevelopment, and the revenue stream will help to offset a portion of operating and capital improvement costs of BWS. 
• Redevelopment Process: The process will include identifying allowable/appropriate uses, developing three (3) alternative concept plans, environmental review process (evaluate three (3) alternatives), issue RFP, evaluate developer proposals, select lessee/developer and enter lease agreement, developer/lessee finalize plans for sites, lessee obtain land use entitlements, and lessee redevelops site. 
• Environmental Review Process: BWS is currently initiating the Environmental Review Process which will include public meetings (Neighborhood Board/community meetings), an Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice (EISPN), a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and the final EIS. Environmental review is in accordance with Chapter 343 Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS). EIS will evaluate environmental impacts of three (3) alternatives on natural and human environment. EIS will recommend minimization and mitigation of any environmental impacts. 
• Potential Redevelopment Concepts: Scenario one (1) will be an assisted care living facility and office building. Scenario two (2) will be affordable senior rental apartments and office buildings. Scenario three (3) will be a parking structure and office building. 

Neighborhood Assistant Harry Cho arrived at 6:15 p.m. 

Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 Resolutions: 
• Agenda Item D: Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 Resolution supporting Bills 51 and 52 to clear sidewalks and lodging on sidewalks: The Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 supports City Council Bills 51 and 52 as amended to clear all sidewalks during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and also to support no lodging on sidewalks as amended.
• Agenda Item E: Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 Resolution to request River of Life feeding to be transferred to the new Kuwili Center when the Kuwili Center Building becomes ready. This is to assist in current efforts by HPD, City Department of Community Services, City Department of Housing, Chinatown Watch, area businesses and residents with Chinatown Business and Community Association to enforce existing sidewalk clearance, property storage or lodging on Downtown and Chinatown sidewalks.
• Agenda Item F: Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 Resolution is to request SafeHaven's Hygiene Center to be moved to the new Kuwili Center Building next year when the Kuwili Center Building becomes available. This is to provide relief to the blight and lawlessness plaguing this area of Pauahi/River/Maunakea and Smith with too many substance abused individuals with mental issues. This is also the area with two (2) recent deaths within two (2) years due to assaults and violence.
• Agenda Item G: Neighborhood Board No. 13 Resolution to require City to address the drug and homeless problems by the bus stop and surrounding area (triangle) in front of Walgreens. Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 upon consistent complaints from area businesses and residents requests the Mayor to deploy more resources to this blighted area as many commuters and visitors are negatively impacted by alcohol and drug abusers cursing, yelling, and occupying the bus stop and surrounding area.

Mollring moved and Logue seconded that the Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 adopted all four (4) resolutions. The motion was adopted by Majority Vote, 6-1-0. (Aye: Caravalho, Logue, McCarney, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: Lye; Abstain: None).

Filling of Vacancy - There is one (1) at-large vacancy on the Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13. 

Caravalho nominated Kevin McDonald. As there were no other nominations, McDonald was voted on the Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 by Roll Call Vote, 7-0. (McDonald: Caravalho, Logue, Lye, McCarney, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; Abstain: None).

McDonald was appointed. Eight (8) members present.

1192 Alakea Senior Housing - Dennis Silva gave a report on the Senior Housing Project at 1192 Alakea Street.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Services: Moore asked who will provide and pay for services. 
2. Application: Logue asked who will have priority and asked about the application process.
3. Rooms: Shubert-Kwock asked what types of rooms will be available. Silva stated that all rooms will be studios and for senior affordable housing. 
4. Parking: A community member asked how many parking stalls will be available. Silva stated that there will be around 40 parking stalls. 
5. Set-Backs: A community member raised concerns with set-backs along Beretania Street. 
6. Fire Safety: A community member raised concerns about fire hazards with elderly people. 
7. Traffic: McDonald raised concerns with the affect this may have on the surrounding traffic. 
8. Timeline: A community member asked when the project will be completed. Silva stated that it is projected to be completed by 2022. 

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) - Lieutenant Ferrell reported the following:
• October 2018 Statistics: There were 12 motor vehicle thefts, 6 burglaries, 66 thefts, 34 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV), 18 assaults, 5 sex assaults, 2 graffiti incidents, 9 drug incidents, and 2,804 total calls for service.
• Safety Tip - Pedestrian Safety: Be safe and be seen. Make yourself visible to all drivers. Be smart and alert. Avoid dangerous behaviors. Be careful at crossings. Look before you step. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Cameras: Shubert-Kwock asked how many cameras are currently working. Sergeant Robinson stated that he does not have an exact count. However there are a few that are currently not in service. McCarney suggested installing additional cameras. McDonald stated that HPD has reached out to his business at times to assist with camera footage of crimes. Lye asked if the cameras are actively monitored. Sergeant Robinson stated that currently there is no assigned staff to monitor the cameras 24/7. Shubert-Kwock stated that she has spoken to Assistant Chief Nagata regarding the possibility of funding a full time position to monitor the cameras. 
2. Reckless Driving: Mollring raised concerns with reckless drivers.
3. Hallowbaloo: McDonald asked if there was an increase in crime due to the Hallowbaloo Festival. Sergeant Robinson stated that he has not been notified of any increase in crime due to the event. 

Art and Flea Holidaze Small Business - Nicole Reid reported that the event will take place on Saturday 22 December 2018. The proposed street closures will be on Nuuanu Avenue, from Chaplain Lane to Hotel Street, and on Pauahi Street, from Mark's Garage to Madre Chocolate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No alcohol will be served at the event. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Merchants: Lye asked how many merchants there will be. Reid stated that there are around 15 to 20 merchants that are currently interested in setting up booths at the event. 
2. Street Closure: Caravalho asked if the street closure has been secured already. Reid stated that the proposal will be submitted to City Council by Department of Transportation Services (DTS) after it is presented to the Board. 
3. Crowd: Shubert-Kwock asked what the anticipated crowd size will be and what safety measures have been taken. Reid stated that there will be roughly 300 to 400 people in attendance throughout the course of the event. HPD special duty officers will also be present. Portable bathrooms will also be provided if required by DTS. 

Lye moved and Caravalho seconded that the Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 support the Art and Flea Holidaze Small Business event. The motion was adopted by Unanimous Consent, 8-0-0. (Aye: Caravalho, Logue, Lye, McCarney, McDonald, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

First Friday Event - Nicole Reid from Arts, Culture, Merchants, Etc. (ACME) reported that the upcoming dates for First Friday event will be held on Friday 7 December 2018, 4 January 2019, and 1 February 2019. Street closures will be on Hotel Street between Nuuanu Avenue and Smith Street.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Positive Impact: Caravalho stated that the First Friday events have had a positive impact on the community. He noted that crime has decreased in the area during the event due to an increase in visitors and police patrol. Less homeless are also in the area during the event. 
2. First Friday Flyers: Reid distributed a First Friday flyer to the Board and public. McCarney thanked Reid and ACME for the flyers which gave a map and guide to events on First Friday including dining, arts, entertainment, and shopping. 

McDonald moved and Logue seconded that the Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 support the First Friday event for the following dates on Friday 7 December 2018, 4 January 2019, and 1 February 2019. The motion was adopted by Unanimous Consent, 8-0-0. (Aye: Caravalho, Logue, Lye, McCarney, McDonald, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: None; Abstain: None).
Moore departed the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Seven (7) members present.
Chinese Chamber of Commerce Chinatown Open House - A representative reported that the event will take place on Friday 1 February 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. There will be rolling street closures from River Street to Bethel Street and from Beretania Street to Nimitz Highway.

Mollring moved and Caravalho seconded that the Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 support the Chinatown Open House Event. The motion was adopted by Unanimous Consent, 7-0-0. (Aye: Caravalho, Logue, Lye, McCarney, McDonald, Mollring, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Moore returned at 7:43 p.m. Eight (8) members present. 

Chinatown Merchants Association and Honolulu Chinese Jaycees Chinese Night - A representative reported that the event will take place on either Saturday 26 January 2019 or Saturday 2 February 2019 and will include a festival, food booths, craft booths, and stage performances from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Street closures will be on Beretania Street to Maunakea Street and North King Street. 

Mollring moved and Caravalho seconded that the Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 support the Chinese Night event. The motion was adopted by Unanimous Consent, 8-0-0. (Aye: Caravalho, Logue, Lye, McCarney, McDonald, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Chinatown Merchants Association and Honolulu Chinese Jaycees Asian Lunar New Year's Parade - A representative reported that the event will take place on either Saturday 26 January 2019 or Saturday 2 February 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The staging area will be behind the State Capitol. The parade will proceed from Richard Street/Hotel Street along Hotel Street to River Street.

Mollring moved and Caravalho seconded that the Downtown/Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 support the Asian Lunar New Year's Parade. The motion was adopted by Unanimous Consent, 8-0-0. (Aye: Caravalho, Logue, Lye, McCarney, McDonald, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

COMMUNITY REPORTS

Safe Haven - Greg Payton reported the following: 
• October 2018 Statistics: There were three (3) Safe Haven discharges/intakes, five (5) activity center and pathway placements, one (1) returned to mainland, one (1) Department of Health (DOH) supported housing, one (1) Mental Health Kokua (MHK) Oahu Case Management Housing, and 11 permanent housing placements. The grand total is 92 placements through October 2018.
• Hygiene Center: Safe Haven's Hygiene Center will be moved to Kuwili Street. 
• Outreach Worker: The Homeless Outreach Specialist for the area is Emma Bell and the public may contact her directly at 808-859-0538. 

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) - Pat Lee reported that the nine (9) rail stations on the west end of the project are under construction. These rail stations are expected to be completed by the middle of next year. The West Oahu Stations Group out in Kapolei: Kualakai at the Kroc Center, Keoneae at University of Hawaii West Oahu (UHWO), and Honouliuli in the Ho'opili area are about 66% completed. The Farrington Highway Stations Group in Waipahu: Ho'ae'ae at Leoku Street, Pouhala at Mokuola, and the Halaulani station at Leeward Community College (LCC) are about 78% completed. The Kamehameha Highway Stations Group in Pearl City, Aiea, and Halawa: Waiawa at Pearl Highlands, Kalauao at Pearl Ridge Center, and Halawa at Aloha Stadium are 47% completed. Park-and-Ride facilities are planned at UHWO, at Pearl Highlands, Aloha Stadium, and near the Kroc Center. These total 4,100 parking stalls. Interim service opening between the Halawa and Kualakai stations is planned for the end of 2020. Rail work also continues between Aloha Stadium and Middle Street, where crews are building the foundations and columns near Pearl Harbor and the airport. Workers plan to start erecting the guide way later this year. This segment contains four (4) stations, including one (1) serving the Daniel K. Inouye International airport. In town, advanced utility relocations are taking place to make way for the rail columns, guide way and stations between Middle Street and Ala Moana Center. This work is "task order" driven to minimize disruption to area businesses and residents. The final leg, the City Center segment and eight (8) stations is planned as a P-3 construction method utilizing a private sector partner and would begin in 2020. HART plans to hold another "Community Train Day" event at the Rail Operations Center next to Leeward Community College on Sunday 18 November 2018. The event is from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There is no charge for the event and parking is free at LCC. As part of the Annual Holiday Travel Work Restriction period in collaboration with the State Department of Transportation (HDOT) and the City Department of Transportation Services (DTS), there will be no planned rail construction work related lane closures during the holidays. Details are available from HART. Finally, there will be a City Charter Amendment on Tuesday's General Election Ballot. Due to the make-up of both voting and non-voting members as a result of the State Legislature Act 01, the amendment acknowledges the four (4) new non-voting members appointed by the legislature for a total of 15 members of the HART board, with 10 voting members, and six for quorum to conduct business and pass any measures. For more information on the rail project, the public may visit http://www.honolulutransit.org, call the project hotline at 566-2299, or email a question to info@honolulutransit.org. 

Chinatown Business and Community Association (CBCA) - Shubert-Kwock reported that the CBCA's monthly meeting was held on Tuesday 9 October 2018 at Sunflower Café, the new meeting place. The meeting is held every second Tuesday of the month at 9:00 p.m. Topics of discussion included discussion on its 10th Anniversary and 9th Chinatown Heroes Banquet and sponsors. 165 people attended the CBCA party. We appreciated the support from our City Council, HPD, Chinatown societies, community businesses, and residents. CBCA participated with Chinatown Watch on Monday 15 October and Monday 22 October 2018 for the launch and installation of the "NO SIT NO LIE SIGNS" with HPD and community kupunas who came out to support. The next Meeting is on Tuesday 13 November 2018 at Sunflower Café at 1157 Maunakea Street. Dim Sum breakfast at $5 donation. All interested parties are welcome to the open meeting.

Arts Cultural Merchants Etc. (ACME) - Nicole Reid reported that the Downtown Shopper event will take place from Black Friday on Thursday 23 November 2018 to the end of December 2018 to support small businesses in the area. The public may visit https://www.downtownshoparound.com/ for more information. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Graffiti: Caravalho raised concerns with graffiti in the area, especially on Hotel Street and thanked ACME for helping improve the community. 
2. Building Inspection: Mollring suggested contacting the Department of Health (DOH) to inspect the buildings of health hazards and to remove cockroach infestations. 

Biki - Todd Boulanger reported that a permit was received to move an existing station to Pauahi Street/River Street. There were 100,000 total rides in October 2018 and this will improve traffic congestion in the area. The 30% expansion will take place in December 2018.

Caravalho departed at 8:22 p.m. Seven (7) members present. 

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's representative - Megan Muramatsu reported the following:
• Follow-Up on Concerns: 
o Stripped Bike and Moped: Department of Customer Services (CSD) stated that they were not able to locate the stripped bike and moped.
o Walgreens Bus Stop: Department of Transportation Services stated that will look into the possibility of placing the existing bus stop seats at the bus stop on Hotel Street and Union Mall away from the Walgreens building. Placement of the seats shall not in any way impede the flow of pedestrian traffic along the sidewalk, shall be placed at a safe distance away from the roadway, and shall provide sufficient clearances to conform to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for accessibility. 

Caravalho returned at 8:26 p.m. Eight (8) members present. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: 
1. Drug and Homeless: Shubert-Kwock asked that the City address the drug and homeless problems by the bus stop and surrounding area in front of Walgreens. 
2. Crosswalk Signals: Logue stated that the crosswalk signals do not change unless the button is pressed at Fort Street/Beretania Street, Nuuanu Avenue/Beretania Street, Smith Street/ Beretania Street, and King Street/Bishop Street.
3. Uneven Sidewalk: Mollring stated that the sidewalk in front of Little Village Noodle House is uneven and crumbled. 
4. Bulb Outs: Shubert-Kwock requested to remove bulb-outs on Pauahi Street/Maunakea Street, and Smith Street/Pauahi Street and change them to scramble crosswalks.
5. Power Washing: Shubert-Kwock asked for a second unit to conduct power washing in Chinatown to get rid of foul odors. 
6. Stripped Bike and Moped: Mollring and Moore again asked to remove a bicycle and moped stripped of its parts in front of Ross at Fort Street Mall. A picture will be provided to the Neighborhood Assistant. 

Councilmember Carol Fukunaga - Councilmember Fukunaga reported the following:
• Bus Stop: Councilmember Fukunaga also received a request from the Fort Street Business Association regarding the Union Mall bus stop.
• Public Works Committee Seeks Area-Specific Homeless Solutions: After the City Council adopted Bill 51, CD2 (Ordinance 18-34), which prohibits any obstructions on a public sidewalk between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and Bill 52 CD2 (Ordinance 18-35), which prohibits lodging on a public sidewalk or in other public spaces during its October meeting, the City administration submitted an update to its 2013 Homeless Action Plan on Wednesday 17 October 2018. This week, Chair Ernie Martin and Councilmember Fukunaga co-introduced Resolution 18-246, "withholding action on the City and County of Honolulu's Homeless Action Plan for all Council district, pending timely submittal of specific timetables for services and housing solutions." A copy of the resolution was distributed to the Board and public. It is scheduled for a hearing before the Public Works, Infrastructure, and Sustainability Committee on Monday 5 November 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in the Council second floor meeting room. 

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: 
1. Homeless: McCarney and Logue raised concerns with homeless continuing to obstruct sidewalks and public spaces.
2. Committees: Caravalho suggested forming committees and sub-committees with the appropriate representation to address the homeless and houseless issues. 

Governor David Ige's representative - Laurel Johnston distributed Governor Ige's newsletter and was available for any questions. 

Senator Karl Rhoads - Glen Young reported that $5 million in Capital Improvement Funds were released for the design and construction of various maintenance and improvements for the Hawaii State Capitol. If anyone has any ideas on new legislation for the next year, the public may contact Senator Rhoads' office at 586-6130 or senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov. 

APPROVAL OF THURSDAY 4 OCTOBER 2018 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES - McCarney moved and Logue seconded to approve the Thursday 4 October 2018 regular meeting minutes as amended. The motion was adopted by Majority Vote, 7-1-0. (Aye: Caravalho, Logue, McCarney, McDonald, Mollring, Moore, Shubert-Kwock; Nay: Lye; Abstain: None).
Amendments to October Minutes:
• Page one (1): Art's should be spelled Arts
• Page four (4): Concert should be spelled concern
• Page four (4): Add to Lee Stack's reports "The event could still be held on the streets around HISAM, even though the lawn is not available."

ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Next Meeting - The next meeting of the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13 is scheduled for Thursday 6 December 2018 at Hawaii Pacific University, One Aloha Tower Drive, Multi-Purpose Room 3 at 6:00 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.
• Ô lelo - Rebroadcasts of Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13 meetings are scheduled on Ô 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 Shubert-Kwock adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
Submitted by: Harry Cho, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Jackson Coley, Neighborhood Assistant

Like Our Facebook

  • RELATED LINKS

    Please send questions about this website to
    Copyright© 2006 - 2019 FirstFridayHawaii.com. All rights reserved.
    Terms of Use / Legal Disclaimer / Privacy Statement
    Site Designed and Managed by MacBusiness Consulting