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

DOWNTOWN - CHINATOWN NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 13

 

July 2023 Minutes

 

DRAFT INITIAL CONVENING MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2023 at 6:00 P.M.

PRINCESS RUTH KEÔELIK LANI MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA - 1302 QUEEN EMMA STREET, HONOLULU, HI 96813

AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U-6yOdcxkc

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu

I. CALL TO ORDER [0:00:01]: 6:01 p.m.

Chair Ernest Caravalho called the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Quorum was established with eight (8) members present. Note: This nine-member Board requires five (5) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action.

Members Present: Robert Armstrong, Ernest Caravalho, Sean Fitzsimmons, Ross Isokane, Kevin Lye, Lori McCarney, Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, Travis Thompson, and Kevin McDonald (6:14 p.m.).

Members Absent: None.

Guests: Firefighter Jonathan Waltz (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Arnold Sagucio (Honolulu Police Department); Manager and Chief Engineer Ernie Lau, Public Information Officer Kathleen Elliot-Pahinui, Iris Oda (Honolulu Board of Water Supply); Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam; Kai Hamamoto (Senator Karl Rhoads); Greg Payton (Safe Haven); Lee Stack (Chinatown Improvement District); Patrick Watson (Honua Consulting Company); Ann Hansen, Ronald Higa, Daryl Smith, Jason Golden, Willis Moore, Laura Sturges, Jack James, Charles Jonsson (Residents); Executive Secretary Lloyd Yonenaka, Dylan Buck (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 42 total attendees.

II. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS [0:00:48]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) [0:00:50]: Firefighter Waltz reported the following:

• June 2023 Statistics: There was one (1) structure fire, one (1) wildland/brush fire, three (3) nuisance fires, two (2) cooking fires, 11 activated alarms (no fire), 105 medical emergencies, four (4) motor vehicle crash/collisions, and one (1) hazardous materials incident.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) [0:03:15]: Lieutenant Sagucio reported the following:

• June 2023 Statistics: There were three (3) motor vehicle thefts, five (5) burglaries, 35 thefts, 14 unauthorized entry into motor vehicles (UEMV), 16 assaults, four (4) drug offenses, two (2) robberies, and 2,031 total calls for service.

Questions, comments and concerns followed [0:06:33].

McDonald joined the meeting at 6:14 p.m.; nine (9) members present.

III. INITIAL CONVENING PROCEDURES [0:13:01]

Elections of Officers - Chair [0:13:15]: [0:13:23] - McCarney nominated Caravalho for Chair. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Caravalho was elected Chair; 7-0-2 (Aye: Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McCarney, Lye, Shubert-Kwock, Thompson; Nay: None; Abstain: Armstrong, McDonald) [0:13:42].

Elections of Officers - Vice Chair [0:14:23]: [0:14:32] - Shubert-Kwock nominated Fitzsimmons for Vice Chair. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Fitzsimmons was elected Vice Chair; 7-1-1 (Aye: Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McCarney, Lye, Shubert-Kwock, Thompson; Nay: Armstrong; Abstain: McDonald) [0:14:50].

Elections of Officers - Secretary [0:15:29]: [0:15:43] - Shubert-Kwock nominated Isokane for Secretary. [0:15:58] - McCarney nominated Lye for Secretary. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Lye was elected Secretary; 5-4-0 (Lye: Armstrong, McDonald, McCarney, Lye, Thompson; Isokane: Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, Shubert-Kwock; Abstain: None) [0:16:15].

Elections of Officers - Treasurer [0:17:03]: [0:18:15] - Lye MOVED to rename the position to Treasurer & Operations Officer. Hearing no second, the motion was not considered. [0:19:56] - Isokane nominated Shubert-Kwock for Treasurer, Shubert-Kwock declined. [0:19:59] - Shubert-Kwock nominated Isokane for Treasurer. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Isokane was elected Treasurer; 8-0-1 (Aye: Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McDonald, McCarney, Lye, Shubert-Kwock, Thompson; Nay: None; Abstain: Armstrong) [0:20:18].

IV. NEW BUSINESS / PRESENTATIONS [0:21:25]

Discussion on Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility [0:21:33]: Manager and Chief Engineer Ernie Lau (Honolulu Board of Water Supply) provided a brief history as well as updates of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility leaks into O'ahu's aquifers, including a recap of activist's efforts to shut down Red Hill since 2014, and presented the following aerial image of the facility and BWS wells: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ka6w7mhu938ppvZ0K8s2nUu5qt1UjKUe/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=112972764551395013814&rtpof=true&sd=true. Manager and Chief Engineer Lau highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Neighborhood Boards for including these discussions in their monthly meetings as it was the traction necessary to protect our water resources with one voice.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:33:48].

V. PUBLIC CONCERNS [0:56:28]

Cathedral of Saint Andrews [0:56:46]: Hansen announced that the Cathedral of Saint Andrews (CSA) wishes to help the homeless in Downtown Honolulu to assure their human dignity, and are particularly concerned about access to bathrooms. The CSA would like guidance and partners to work with to help reach solutions.

Community Meeting Announcement - [0:59:17]: Armstrong announced that he is hosting a community meeting on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at 1152 Smith Street to discuss concerns with the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO), the Neighborhood Commission, and the Neighborhood Plan.

Honolulu 7 Recall [1:00:46]: James announced that he is heading an organization, Honolulu 7 Recall, and will be working in the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood to recall seven (7) City Councilmembers for their support of the proposed 64% salary increase.

Various Announcements [1:01:56]: Lye spoke to several items available in the board's public facing Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QSDgam7jdNle31bgwJ2hVvPTEfDeXj_f. Lye disclosed that he attended the Installation Ceremony on Saturday, July 1, 2023 with fellow board members. Lye informed the board and the public of a resolution recently adopted by the Pearl City Neighborhood Board No.21 regarding their concerns with the Neighborhood Plan, Neighborhood Commission and the NCO.

Installation Ceremony [1:04:45]: Shubert-Kwock thanked the NCO for organizing this term's successful Installation Ceremony at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu, and for relocating the ceremony to a new location to make it more accessible to the rest of the island's board members.

VI. BOARD BUSINESS [1:06:05]

Meeting Date, Time, Location, and Format (Virtual Component) [1:06:10]: [1:16:40] - Armstrong MOVED and Lye SECONDED to meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani Middle School Cafeteria and virtually via Webex. Discussion followed. The motion was NOT ADOPTED; 3-5-1 (Aye: Armstrong, McCarney, Lye; Nay: Caravalho, Isokane, McDonald, Shubert-Kwock, Thompson; Abstain: Fitzsimmons) [1:17:28].

[1:18:44] - Isokane MOVED and Shubert-Kwock SECONDED to retain the previous term's meeting date/time/location/format of the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani Middle School Cafeteria and virtually via Webex. Discussion followed. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 7-1-1 (Aye: Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McCarney, Lye, Shubert-Kwock, Thompson; Nay: Armstrong; Abstain: McDonald) [1:19:28].

Determination of Recess Schedule - Up to three (3) per year [1:20:03]: [1:21:09] - Lye MOVED and Isokane SECONDED to postpone the scheduling of any recesses at this time. Discussion followed. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 9-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McDonald, McCarney, Lye, Shubert-Kwock, Thompson; Nay: None; Abstain: None) [1:22:39].

Adoption of Oral Testimony Rules [1:23:08]: [1:24:09] - Lye MOVED to limit public testimony to two (2) minutes per speaker, include phone-in testimony, and to maintain the board's current rules of speaking of two (2) minutes per speaker per agenda item. Discussion followed. Hearing no SECOND, the motion was not considered.

[1:29:53] - Isokane MOVED and Shubert-Kwock SECONDED to limit board members to one (1) minute per speaker per agenda item, which will be administered by the Chair. Discussion followed.

[1:32:20] - McDonald MOVED and Caravalho SECONDED to amend the main motion to require each speaker (board member or public) to be verbally recognized by the Chair, and thank the Chair for being recognized, before proceeding with testimony. Discussion followed. Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a roll call vote. The motion to amend WAS ADOPTED; 9-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McDonald, McCarney, Lye, Shubert-Kwock, Thompson; Nay: None; Abstain: None) [1:36:27].

[1:37:30] - Lye MOVED and McDonald SECONDED to amend the main motion to allow for two (2) minutes per speaker per agenda item. Discussion followed. Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a roll call vote. The motion to amend was NOT ADOPTED; 4-5-0 (Aye: Armstrong, McDonald, Lye, Thompson; Nay: Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McCarney, Shubert-Kwock; Abstain: None) [1:43:54].

[1:45:05] - The main motion to limit board members to one (1) minute per speaker per agenda item, which will be administered by the Chair, WAS ADOPTED; 7-2-0 (Aye: Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McCarney, Lye, Shubert-Kwock, Thompson; Nay: Armstrong, McDonald; Abstain: None).

Designation of Board Committees and Committee Chairs [1:45:40]: [1:46:02] - Lye MOVED and McDonald SECONDED to establish a Social Media Committee with the following membership: McCarney, Isokane, Armstrong, Caravalho (non-voting member). Discussion followed. Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a roll call vote. The motion was NOT ADOPTED; 1-7-1 (Aye: Lye; Nay: Armstrong, Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McCarney, Shubert-Kwock, Thompson; Abstain: McDonald) [1:53:45].

Allocation of $1000 dollars for Downtown-Chinatown Community Outreach Services [1:54:21]: Several board members provided testimony and raised questions to Executive Secretary Yonenaka (Neighborhood Commission Office). [2:05:27] - Isokane MOVED and McCarney SECONDED to allocate the $1,000 of Community Outreach funding to be used on the following two (2) concepts: (1) We Pick it Up; (2) We Stand for Walking and Biking Safety. Discussion followed.

[2:07:35] - Fitzsimmons MOVED and Isokane SECONDED to amend the motion to allocate the $1,000 of Community Outreach funding to be used on the concept: Shop Local Photo Contest. Discussion followed.

[2:11:05] - Fitzsimmons MOVED and Isokane SECONDED to amend the motion to allocate the $1,000 of Community Outreach funding to be used on the following two (2) concepts: (1) We Pick it Up; (2) Shop Local Photo Contest. Discussion followed. Isokane withdrew his original motion and Fitzsimmons withdrew his original amendment. Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a roll call vote. The motion to allocate the $1,000 of Community Outreach funding to be used on the following two (2) concepts: (1) We Pick it Up; (2) Shop Local Photo Contest WAS ADOPTED; 7-1-1 (Aye: Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McDonald, McCarney, Shubert-Kwock, Thompson; Nay: Armstrong; Abstain: Lye) [2:15:10].

Resolution 2023-005 - Regarding adoption of a social media presence for Downtown-Chinatown [2:16:47]: [2:27:26] - Lye MOVED and McCarney SECONDED to adopt Resolution 2023-005 as written. Discussion followed. Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a roll call vote. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 9-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McDonald, McCarney, Lye, Shubert-Kwock, Thompson; Nay: None; Abstain: None) [2:27:42].

Resolution 2023-006 - Regarding preliminary social media tenets for the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13 [2:28:16]: [2:28:56] - McDonald MOVED and Armstrong SECONDED to postpone agenda items VI.G. through VI.I. to the end of this meeting or to the next meeting, and to progress to agenda item VII. at this time. Discussion followed. Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a roll call vote. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 5-4-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Isokane, McDonald, McCarney, Thompson; Nay: Caravalho, Fitzsimmons, Lye, Shubert-Kwock; Abstain: None) [2:31:00].

Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes - Thursday, May 4, 2023; Thursday, June 1, 2023: Postponed to the next meeting.

Amendments to Adopted Regular Meeting Minutes - December 2021 through March 2023: Postponed to the next meeting.

VII. MONTHLY REPORTS [2:31:40]

Board of Water Supply (BWS) [2:31:44]: Oda provided the report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11tRbFvm7U6ywmqbZ-Rc2DFnSgcodfRQK/view?usp=drive_link. Oda highlighted that July 2023 is ÔSmart Irrigation Month' and please do your part to conserve water when practicable. For more information visit: https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/

Safe Haven [2:33:19]: Payton provided the report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bgTkcvrK-ySSE1v7XqE2TWrAFcHuYv0d/view?usp=drive_link. Payton highlighted that Mental Health Kokua (MHK) is working closely with Director Krucky (Department of Community Services) to transition the Pauahi Hale low-income housing program for return to the City and County of Honolulu.

Chinatown Business Community Association (CBCA) [2:34:48]: Shubert-Kwock provided the report, which can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QpCmtZ5nmHLp07Rn8QwugzKO_prNJxPS/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=112972764551395013814&rtpof=true&sd=true. Shubert-Kwock highlighted that discussion was focused on efforts to reduce crime in the neighborhood, updates on the security cameras, and homeless outreach programs.

Chinatown Improvement District (CID) [2:35:33]: Stack provided the report, and highlighted the following: CID communicated with the City and County of Honolulu regarding their concerns with the administration's vision to revitalize Chinatown; the 2023 Autumn Moon and Lantern Festival is scheduled for Friday, September 29, 2023 at Smith-Beretania Park.

Neighborhood Citizen Patrol [2:38:18]: Lye presented various images of concerns identified around the community, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o_tdyQ7wb-jpfiBPjMeAxpNO9bWzqJDL/view?usp=drive_link. Lye focused on graffiti, homelessness, noise disturbances, and feral pigeons.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) [2:43:42]: Watson (Honua Consulting), on behalf of Frank V. Coluccio Consulting Company (FVCCC) provided construction and traffic updates, which can be found at: https://honolulutransit.org/hart-traffic/. The HART Weekly eBlast report can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1551P1OqIFWokfZnWrBhSjkBEa6_WQZSx/view?usp=drive_link. The next monthly CCUR Phase III Business and Community Meeting is on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. You can register at: https://bit.ly/HARTPhase3. Sign up for the CCUR III eBlast: http://eepurl.com/h1g2W5. You can also email ccur3@honuaconsulting.com for more information.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [2:45:38].

VIII. ELECTED OFFICIALS [2:50:11]

Governor Josh Green's Representative [2:50:14]: No representative present. A report was submitted, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mVibmW2_bDlG2HsXRZ_bpns7p4FoM0n3/view?usp=drive_link. Chair Caravalho reported follow-up responses to questions raised at the previous meeting. To sign up to receive Governor Green's newsletters, contact: (808) 586-0034 or gov.communications@hawaii.gov.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative [2:52:29]: No representative present. A report was submitted, which can be found at: https://www.oneoahu.org/newsletter. Follow-up responses to questions raised at the previous meeting can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q0JIOIygXjcDnmDuel5aFPuqFxOYAppN/view?usp=drive_link

Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam (District 6) [2:52:48]: Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam provided his report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a-4XLn6xcX21ofUnKyy2x3Z2X14tIciG/view?usp=drive_link, and due to limited time remaining in the meeting stood by the report and was available for questions.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [2:53:10].

Senator Karl Rhoads (District 13): Postponed to the next meeting. A report was submitted, which can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kavwZYg_5n5EqFER2uRMQ1lMk9zbzHuA/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=112972764551395013814&rtpof=true&sd=true.

Representative Scott Saiki (District 26): Postponed to the next meeting. No representative present, no report submitted.

Representative Daniel Holt (District 28): Postponed to the next meeting. No representative present, no report submitted.

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS [2:59:10]

Next Regular Meeting [2:59:12]: The next meeting of the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13 is scheduled for Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at Princess Ruth KeÔelik lani Middle School Cafeteria and via Webex.

Rebroadcast [2:59:21]: Rebroadcasts of Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board 13 meetings are scheduled on Ô lelo channel 49 every third Thursday at 9:00 p.m., as well as 9:00 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month. An archive of past meetings may be found on https://olelo.org/olelonet/ upon searching on .

Archive [2:59:42]: Find an archive of handouts and referenced materials apropos to Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board 13 at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu

X. ADJOURNMENT [2:59:50]: The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m.

Submitted by: Dylan Buck, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Naomi Hanohano, Community Relations Specialist

Finalized by:

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