Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting JUNE 2025 Minutes

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Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting JUNE 2025 Minutes
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With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

DOWNTOWN - CHINATOWN NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 13

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2025 at 6:00 P.M.

PRINCESS RUTH KE‘ELIKŌLANI 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=w8Q0C5NLriM

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu

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

Chair Ernest Caravalho called the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was established with seven (7) 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, Ross Isokane, Kevin Lye, Lori McCarney, Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock and Laura Sturges.

Members Absent: Sean Fitzsimmons and Kevin McDonald.

Guests: Firefighter Kaleo Kia (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant Freeman (HPD); Stephen Downes (Governor Green); Jack Truesdale (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam); Leonard Kam (Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Chinatown 808), Ed Korybski (Fort Street Mall Business Improvement District); Sandra Pohl (Downtown Art Center); Roberta Hickey-Gomes (Mediation Center of the Pacific); Senator Karl Rhoads (State Senate District 13); Katie Ozawa (Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto); Angie Knight (The Institute for Human Services); Harry Cho (HART); Patrick Watson (Public Relations Consultant for Frank V. Coluccio Construction); Ronald Higa (Neighborhood Board No.14); Mariam Swann, Emily Perry, Rick Keene (Residents); Camilia Epa Gomes (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 26 total attendees.

Chairʻs Announcement -- [0:00:42]: The Board was reminded by Chair Caravalho that Board agendas must be submitted to the NCO seven calendar days before the meeting. Board members wishing to add an item on the next regular meeting agenda must send a written request to the Chair at least ten days before the next meeting. These requirements are outlined in the Neighborhood Plan §2-14-111(b,c-2).

2. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS -- [0:01:20]

Honolulu Fire Department -- [0:01:20]: No representative at this time.

Honolulu Police Department -- [0:01:30]: Sergeant Freeman provided the crime statistics for May 2025.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:02:38]

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- [0:09:17]

Board action to approve outstanding draft regular meeting written summary for video record (Thursday, May 1, 2025) -- [0:09:17]: Chair Caravalho shared he will be considering the approval of the minutes as a package.

[0:12:54] -- Chair Caravalho called for a roll-call vote to approve the minutes as written for May 2025. A roll-call vote was conducted. The motion was ADOPTED; 5-2-0 (Aye: Isokane, McCarney, Shubert-Kwock, Sturges, Caravalho; Nay: Armstrong, Lye; Abstain: None) -- [0:12:37]

Hearing no objections, Chair Caravalho took the agenda out of order to hear Section 2.2.1 Honolulu Fire Department at this time.

4. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS -- [0:12:58]

Honolulu Fire Department -- [0:12:58]: Firefighter K. Kia provided the incident statistics for May 2025 and information on how to use the incident trend dashboard and fire response search tool.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cTORfpJ-pmjih2iTJSTxtil_HRXDWhUl/view?usp=drive_link

• To access the fire response search tool and incident trend dashboard, please visit: https://fire.honolulu.gov/news-and-info/

5. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:16:10]

Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Chinatown 808 -- Notifications of 2025-2026 events -- [0:16:11]: Leonard Kam provided details on upcoming events in the district. Mr. Kam noted that there will be no alcohol served at any of the events listed below.

• Mid-Autumn Festival and Parade -- [0:16:52]: The event will be on Saturday, October 4, 2025 and mainly take place in the Chinatown Cultural Plaza. The parade aspect will be from the intersection of Smith St. and N. King St. and go along N. King St. and turn on Maunakea St. which will head towards the Chinatown Cultural Plaza and end by the statue of Sun Yat-Sen. The parade will start around 6:30 p.m. The organization has already been advised by Honolulu Police Department and Department of Transportation Services. There will be food, craft booths, live entertainment, and a lion dance. This event is presented by Chinatown 808.

• Chinatown Open House (Choy Cheng) -- [0:18:11]: The event will be on Friday, February 13, 2026 and will be the traditional lion dances portion throughout Chinatown to celebrate Chinese New Year's. Roads will be closed around 6:00 p.m. and start from the intersection of Nuuanu Ave. and King St. and go throughout King St./Maunakea St./Smith St./Nuuanu Ave./Hotel St./Kekaulike Mall area/River St./Bethel St./ and N. Beretania Street. Firecrackers and the lion dances will take place throughout the night till 9:00 p.m.

• Chinatown New Year Celebration -- [0:19:04]: This is in conjunction with the above Chinatown Open House. This portion is the food, crafts, live entertainment portion that will take place in Chinatown Cultural Plaza. This portion will be a two-day event (February 13-14, 2026). The event will end at 10:00 p.m.

• Festival and Parade -- [0:19:30]: This event will be a street festival that will take place along N. Beretania St. between Aala St. and Maunakea St. and also take place in Aala Park. The parade will start at 4:30 p.m. from the State Capitol grounds and flow along Hotel St. There will be 3 entertainment stages, food trucks, and crafts booths along the street. The event will end at 10:00 p.m.

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

Fort Street Mall Business Improvement District (BID) and Downtown Art Center: Introduction of future community events on Fort Street Mall and Wilcox Park area -- [0:26:37]: Ed Korybski (Fort St. BID) and Sandra Pohl (Downtown Art Center) both informed the Board of efforts to activate Fort Street Mall for community engagement and safety. Mr. Korybski shared several ideas of proposed future community events that will help revitalize the area. He is currently awaiting approval of grants to do regular events such as monthly night markets. He mentioned they are waiting on the City Department of Transportation Services to draft new regulations so that they may procure permits. Sandra Pohl provided details on the event that will take place in Fort Street Mall on September 26-27, 2025 which will be open to the public to enjoy art, music, food, and plein air paintings.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:30:40]

Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation: Dog friendly park proposal and ask for community feedback (suggestions, questions, and recommendations) -- [0:37:45]: This item was deferred to next month's Board meeting.

• Letter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1svyBboAhXT3XxX2E85hctcFs79oNaTa9/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:38:03]

Early Eviction Mediation Program -- [0:38:20]: Roberta Hickey-Gomez from Mediation Center of the Pacific (MCP) provided information on the Early Eviction Program (EEM) that is offered by MCP. The program provides landlords and tenants with the opportunity to talk with the help of an impartial mediator and negotiate agreements. Ms. Hickey-Gomez provided details on: history and background of the program, benefits to the landlords and tenants; mediation process; scheduling for appointments; program tools provided by MCP; partnerships with community organizations; and Senate Bill (SB) 825 (relating to eviction mediation), sent to Governor Green for signature.

• Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16mbfZa_uOujL6X9iu18BnB_VoWcjqzNd/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

• To submit a mediation request, please visit: https://www.mediatehawaii.org/eem

Member Shubert-Kwock left the meeting at 6:39 p.m.; 6 members present.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:44:05]

6. PUBLIC CONCERNS -- [0:51:09]:

Institute of Human Services (IHS) Community Event -- [0:51:20]: Angie Knight (IHS Community Relations Manager) informed the Board of the community event that will take place at Aʻala Park on Saturday, June 28, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This event aims to bring together shelter and case management clients (past and present), staff, and community members in light-hearted fun and entertainment. The afternoon will also include honoring recently passed Tutu Bert, wife of The Institute for Human Service's founder, Father DuTeil. The event is free and open to the public.

7. ELECTED OFFICIALS -- [0:53:48]: Chair Caravalho announced priority will be given to elected officials/representatives who are present in person at the meeting and then proceed to elected officials/representatives who are present virtually on WebEx.

State Senate (District 13) -- Karl Rhoads -- [0:54:00]: Senator Rhoads provided his report and highlighted the following: a follow-up response for a question raised at last month's Board meeting; scam alert involving texts that demand payment for unpaid traffic citations; second reported measles case on the island of Oʻahu; Grant-in-Aid appropriation for Lanakila Senior Multi-Purpose Center; Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 131 regarding the Hawaiʻi Theatre was adopted by the House and Senate; the Hawaʻi State Library is launching it's 2025 Summer Reading Challenge for all ages;

• For questions and concerns, please call Senator Rhoads office at (808) 586-6130 or email senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xNVj9vf4qst889u2px5yzJGxqAdmXu1c/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:57:55]

Member McCarney left the meeting at 7:02 p.m.; 5 members present.

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [1:07:20]: Steven Downes submitted his report and was present to take any questions or concerns.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j4YKMFZukCCMZarnLG0fC7_qNRhmEj4A/view?usp=drive_link

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W3M4uGrRivyD87acrmw3h22YFEVEHwP-/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:07:28]

Congressman Ed Case's Representative -- [1:09:55]: No representative present.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [1:10:08]: The Mayorʻs representative notified Chair Caravalho he is unable to attend the Board meeting tonight but has submitted a memo in lieu of the report.

• Memo for the record: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gOn1O6zmxkIxnbD_rqPLMeQqGr_0RkAs/view?usp=drive_link

City Council (District 6) -- Tyler Dos Santos-Tam -- [1:10:37]: Jack Truesdale was present to take any questions or concerns.

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A_4SOFaeC0ny7H5n5DFXFNAIeZxi_Hzx/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ckzO36lgF76_Qb78r4rEpHFIaiY8W1nj/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:10:50]

State House (District 25) -- Kim Coco Iwamoto -- [1:15:17]: Kate Ozawa was present to take any questions or concerns.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:16:00]

State House (District 28) -- Daniel Holt -- [1:17:32]: No representative present.

8. QUARTERLY REPORTS -- [1:18:18]

Honolulu Authority Rapid Transit (HART) -- [1:18:20]: Harry Cho provided the report and shared details on the Chinatown Neighborhood Design Workshop that HART will be hosting on Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Keʻelikōlani Middle School Cafeteria. Mr. Cho also provided follow-up responses for questions raised at last month's Board meeting. Patrick Watson provided updates on the road restoration work on Nimitz Highway to Ala Moana Boulevard. The restoration will take place from Monday, June 9, 2025 to Monday, June 30, 2025 (Monday through Friday) from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Traffic will be maintained during work hours and drivers should expect lanes to be held or detoured.

• Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/128oNTM3xeCCggNdb2v-h-En3ocjTu0CW/view?usp=drive_link

• To register to attend the Design Workshop for Chinatown online, please visit: https://honolulutransit.org/events/neighborhood-design-workshop-holau-chinatown-station-20250626/

• For current updates on HART's Downtown Utilities Relocation (CCUR III) project information, please sign up for Frank V. Coluccio Construction Company (FVCCC) weekly e-blast at https://eepurl.com/h1g2W5

• If you have any additional questions or need further assistance, you can reach us via email at ccur3@honuaconsulting.com

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

• Stay informed about HART and the Honolulu Rail Transit Project at https://honolulutransit.org/

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:25:00]

9. CHAIR'S REPORT ON UPCOMING EVENTS AND INITIATIVES -- [1:32:40]

King Kamehameha Day Parade -- [1:32:50]: Chair Caravalho shared the parade will take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The parade will start at 9:00 a.m.

10. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [1:33:20]

The next Downtown--Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13 regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Keʻelikōlani Middle School and virtually via WebEx.

Rebroadcasts of Downtown--Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13 meetings are scheduled on ʻŌlelo channel 49 for every third Thursday at 9:00 p.m., as well as 9:00 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month. An archive of past meetings may be found on http://olelo.org/olelonet/ by searching in archives <Downtown Chinatown>.

11. ADJOURNMENT -- [1:34:05]: The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m.

Submitted by: Camilia Epa Gomes, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO

Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, NCO

Finalized by: Ross Isokane, Secretary, Neighborhood Board No.13

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Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting JUNE 2025 Minutes

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