Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting January 2021 Minutes

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting January 2021 Minutes
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With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021
KAIMUKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH

CALL TO ORDER - Chair Sharon Schneider called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Quorum was established with 11 members present, eight (8) members were present in person, three (3) members were present via Zoom. Note - This 11-member Board requires six (6) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present - Sharon Schneider, Paul Hoe, Brian Kang, Lori Yamada, Hamed Dehnavi, Rich Thompson, Molly Pierce, Kehau Watson, Eric McCutcheon, Becky Gardner, Marilyn Moniz.

Board Members Absent - None were absent.

Guests - Sergeant Jacobs, Lieutenant Hashimoto (Honolulu Police Department); Captain Reginald Gawairan (Honolulu Fire Department), Mark D. Wong (Mayor Ca's Representative), House of Representatives Bertrand Kobayashi, Senator Les Ihara, Jr., Councilmember Calvin Say; City Council Chair Tommy Waters; Lynn Robinson-Onderko (Senator Stanley Chang's Representative), Jackson Sayama (State House Representative, District 20); Residents Reyn Kaupiko, Eliot Honda, Elwood Lum; and Brandy Clark (Neighborhood Commission Office).

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - Captain Reginaldo Gawiran read the following report:
December 2020: One (1) structure fire, one (1) cooking fire, one (1) nuisance fire, six (6) activated alarms, 77 medical calls, and four (4) motor vehicle collisions.
Safety Tip: Captain Gawiran mentioned outlet safety tips, to not overwhelm outlets and to make sure wires are installed via licensed electricians.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) - Sergeant Jacobs (HPD District 7) read the report:
December 2020: There were 18 motor vehicle thefts, 31 burglaries, 42 thefts, 40 UEMVs (unauthorized entries into motor vehicles). There were 8,490 total calls for service.
Safety tip: Sergeant Jacobs encouraged the Board and the Community to join a Neighborhood Watch to assist the police with detecting illegal activity.

Questions, comments and concerns followed: Package Theft: Chair Schneider mentioned an increase of package thefts and asked if HPD was aware of the increase. Yamada noted a package from Amazon was stolen from one of the neighbors (Eliot Honda), and that video footage of a red car casing houses and stealing packages has been present on the NextDoor Application. Yamada asked and Sergeant Jacobs responded what more could be done, that if Honda placed a report to the police, it would make the package easier to find. Lieutenant Nakamura stated that the Community is integral in reporting illegal activity. Yamada introduced the neighbor to Sergeant Jacobs and Lieutenant Nakamura, who asked this neighbor if he placed a report, Honda did not but posted the video footage to the Ring application. Sergeant Jacobs and Lieutenant Nakamura asked about the specific details of the theft to Honda. Yamada mentioned a red car that was seen in the NextDoor Application picking up packages using video cameras.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) - Pierce read the report from BWS, no known water main breaks were reported and read water conservation tips.

PUBLIC INPUT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA

Dave Watase: Update of Ala Wai Dredging Project
1. Stated there were three (3) boards (Makiki, Manoa, and Diamond Head) that passed resolutions questioning the Engineering Documentation Report (EDR).
2. Proposed a draft resolution to Chair Schneider

Carol Hoshiko, Dean of College and Community Relations, Kapiolani Community College (KCC): Hoshiko reported the following:
Phase 2 Site Work: The Culinary Institute of the Pacific Phase 2 Site Work began Monday, November 2nd, 2020.
Town Hall Meetings: Virtual town hall meetings will be held quarterly, link information to reserve a spot will be the following: https://go.hawaii.edu/y5A. Next town hall meeting will be on Thursday, April 1, 2021.
KCC 75th Anniversary: Hoshiko is reaching out to participate in a webinar series to feature the history behind KCC.

Kiana Otsuka, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization: Otsuka shared the following report:
Survey: Otsuka mentioned a survey that is being extended to the Community to fill out, emailed said survey to share with other Neighborhood Boards. If filled out, one would be eligible to receive a $50 Foodland Gift Card.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Bus Route Changes: Resident Elwood Lum asked and Otsuka answered regarding the handling of route changes.
2. Crosswalks: Gardner asked and Otsuka answered about the crosswalks near Coffee Talk on 12th Avenue. Otsuka redirected Gardner to use the webmap addressing those concerns via survey.

PRESENTATIONS
Kaimuki Middle School (KMS) Microgrid and Capacity Building Project and Kapi'olani Community College (KCC) Center for Resilient Neighborhoods (CERENE), Dr. Robert Franco and Cuong Tran (Graduate Student, Urban Regional Planning Masters Program, University of Hawaii at Manoa): Tran thanked the Board for adding this item to the agenda and presented the following:
• Initiatives: Tran presented two (2) major initiatives:
o Action 15: This action is to develop a network of Community Resiliency Hubs.
o KMS Microgrid: Tran explained the purpose of a microgrid, which serves as a backup storage of power so that surrounding communities can power generators during and after a disaster. Currently, KMS has two (2) photovoltaic systems that provide 25% of the school's energy, but the goal is to get the school to run on 100% renewable energy.
• Lead Agencies: Tran explained the lead agencies tackling Action 15 are the following:
o KCC Office for Institutional Effectiveness ("Center for Resilient Neighborhoods")
o City and County of Honolulu (Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency (CCSR))
o UH Manoa (Department of Urban and Regional Planning)
• Resiliency Hubs: Tran explained the networks, assets, functions and goals of these hubs should be defined by each neighborhood or local community. Tran explained the concept behind these specific hubs, which are community-led and unique to each community. Tran continued they are frequently used, a trusted space and source of trusted messages, and should be able to function in the following conditions:
o Plans, processes, and people
o Power and water capability
o Structural soundness
• Timeline: Tran noted the following timeline for the project, which is as follows:
o January-April 2021: Convene with Neighborhood Boards 3-5, 9, and 28
o May-June 2021: Online workshops with residents from Neighborhood Boards 3-5, 9, and 28
o June-August 2021: Survey design
o September 2021: Deploy surveys to all O'ahu Neighborhood Boards
o October 2021-January 2022: Survey Data Analysis, Preliminary Suitability Analysis, Produce Interim Report
o February 2022: Release interim report, receive public feedback
o March-May 2022: Revise Suitability Analysis
o June-September 2022: Conduct workshops in all eight (8) regional plan areas, analysis engagement results
o October-December 2022: finalize suitability analysis, produce final report
o January-February 2023: calculate cost estimates
o March 2023: release final report
Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Hubs: McCutcheon asked and Franco answered what specifically hubs entail, hubs are places built for post-disaster response. Tran added hubs are places where people are familiar with, functions are dependent on the Community's wants.
2. EnVision Kaimuki: Hoshiko asked and Franco responded if hubs are connected to the EnVision Kaimuki Initiative. Chair Schneider answered Hoshiko's question, stating it is possible because this is one of several projects worked on in Kaimuki, considering the Neighborhood as a whole.
3. Ko'olauloa: Pierce asked and Tran answered if Ko'olauloa has a site identified, it is a State property-owned site in Hauula where Community-led workshops are held.
4. Great Work: Pierce spoke positively of Tran and to keep up the great work.
5. Grant: Gardner asked and Franco answered about the impetus of the grant and where it came from. Franco explained further that it is a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilience in Communities Program that the City and County of Honolulu administers with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA).

ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. A Design Tank (a think tank/design workshop) was recently hosted by the University of Hawai'i Community Design Center in collaboration with two other mainland institutions to help re-envision our public spaces during Covid-19. Kaimuk was one of the neighborhoods included in this effort. EnVision Kaimuki will host a presentation on the results in the near future tentatively mid-late February. A confirmed date will be announced soon.
2. Tzu Chi will be holding another Food Distribution on Sunday, January 31, 2021. Information is on the Neighborhood Board Facebook page.
3. The Stormwater Utility Study will be having another community meeting on Monday, February 8, 2021. The final Feasibility Study Summary Report is now available at their website https://www.stormwaterutilityoahu.org. A presentation will be scheduled in the near future.

ELECTED OFFICIALS' REPORTS
Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative - Mark D. Wong gave his report:
Announcement: Wong stated the new managing director is Mike Formby, and the director for DTS will be Roger Morton.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Bus Route Change: Resident Elwood Lum asked and Wong answered about bus route changes, with Wong stating the change Lum is requesting will not happen under the new administration.

Governor David Ige's Representative - No person was present, no report was given

City Councilmember's Representative - Councilmember Tommy Waters reported the following updates:
City Council: Waters stated he is currently the City Council Chair, mentioned the leadership line-up.
Ala Wai Flood Mitigation Project: Waters stated project will cost $650 million, with the Federal Government paying $240 million and the State $125 million, explained that the project will have to be re-done.
Kaimuki Parking Lot Update: Waters stated construction will start on Monday, February 1, 2021, according to the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) designee.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Parking Lot Update: Chair Schneider noted this Board was never informed on the update expressed concerns about the delay and thanked Waters for the update. Waters commented this construction was not a major issue, hence the delay, but asked of the Board to stay vigilant if the Board is willing to fight for this issue.
2. Ala Pono Bridge Project: Hoshiko asked and Waters answered over issues regarding the Bridge Project.

Councilmember Calvin Say (City Council District 5): Say was present and gave the following report:
Councilmember: Say mentioned to the Board he was sworn in as a councilmember on January 2, 2021.
Council Meeting: Say mentioned to the Board that on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, there will be a council meeting to address the measures that were passed by subject committees.
Questions, comments and concerns followed:
1. Parklets: Say asked and Chair Schneider answered about parklets.

Governor David Ige's Representative - No representative was present, no report was given.

Senator Stanley Chang - Lynn Robinson-Onderko gave the following report:
Opening Day: Robinson-Onderko mentioned the Senate convened on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at the Capitol.
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR): DLIR is hiring, for more information, email or call Senator Chang's office.
COVID-19: Robinson-Onderko mentioned a website to inform constituents on the lastest information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, which includes information regarding the rollout of vaccines, where to register for the vaccines, and the tier system: www.hawaiicovid19.com.
Distribution List: Robinson-Onderko asked if no one is on the distribution list for their newsletters, to email at the following addresses: senchang@capitol.hawaii.gov or l.robinson-onderko@capitol.hawaii.gov. or to call the office at 808-586-8422
Questions, comments and concerns followed: Parklets: Gardner gave more information to Councilmember Say regarding parklets so he can better answer his constituents.

State Senator Les Ihara: Senator Ihara gave a report on the following:
• Adjournment: Senator Ihara stated the Senate will adjourn on Thursday, April 29, 2021.
• Deadline for Bill Introductions: Senator Ihara noted the deadline to submit bill introductions will be next week Wednesday, January 27, 2021.
• Speeches: The Governor will be giving his annual state speech on Monday, January 25, 2021, and Chief Justice Reckenwald will be giving his State of the Judiciary speech on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.

Representative Jackson Sayama, District 20: Sayama reported the following:
• Parklets/808 Cleanups: Sayama acknowledged the Board for helping to implement the parklets, mentioned there have been complaints regarding the parklets taking up parking spaces, but will attract visitors and assist struggling businesses. Sayama also mentioned working with 808 Cleanups to beautify Pu'u o Kaimuki Mini Park.
• Rollout: Sayama reported the Tier 2 Vaccination rollout of the vaccination started on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
• Testimony: Sayama reported to submit testimony virtually, to check out the capitol website (www.capitol.hawaii.gov.) and if anyone required any assistance, to contact him via email at repsayama@capitol.hawaii.gov.
• Appointments: Sayama reported he is the Vice Chair for Labor and Tourism, the Economic Development Committee and on the Finance Committee.

State Representative Bertrand Kobayashi: Kobayashi gave the following report:
Budget: Details to fix the budget and the deadline for bill introduction will be provided next Monday, January 25, 2021 in the annual speech given by the Governor.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Debt: Watson asked and Kobayashi responded about the $700 million federal debt repaid and passed onto business owners. Watson asked and Kobayashi responded about debt forgiveness or other means to repay the debt. Kobayashi explained on the House side, the debt should be the State's obligation that should be taken out of the general funding. Kobayashi noted the loan can be partially extended or partially removed but the Biden administration is too new, thus too soon to say. Watson noted the tripling of unemployment tax would mean small businesses will not survive. Sayama mentioned the Finance Committee Hearing with DLIR, the director stated their department will implement a temporary and artificially maintain a Schedule C insurance given the fiscal burden on small businesses. Kobayashi mentioned this is a loan borrowed from the Federal Government, Watson responded there would have a significant impact on the small businesses in Kaimuki.
2. Special Funds: Hoshiko asked and Kobayashi responded if there was a surplus of special funds, will that be cut. Hoshiko asked and Kobayashi responded if special appropriated projects will be cut. Kobayashi explained in detail what would the special fund average expenditure be within one (1) to two (2) years, leave enough for the special fund to continue for a year or two years and then sweep the excess funding from the special fund into the general funding. Say asked and Kobayashi answered if there are budget enhancements instead of budget cuts. Sayama noted he is in charge of the increase but will not increase the shortfall.
3. Concessions: Resident Reyn Kaupiko asked and Kobayashi answered how residents will be affected by the concessions, cuts will be made to non-profit companies.

Appreciation: Yamada read a summation of appreciation to Calvin Say and to Ann Kobayashi for all these years supporting the Kaimuki Community. Yamada gave a lei, platters of mochi and a framed certificate to express thanks to Say for his work as a House Representative.

BOARD BUSINESS
Discussion of Queen's Theatre: Hearing no objections, Chair Schneider deferred this item to February 2021's meeting.

Approval of November Meeting Minutes:
Vice Chair Hoe MOVED and Pierce SECONDED the APPROVAL of the amended November 18, 2020 Meeting Minutes with UNANIMOUS CONSENT (11-0-0), (Aye: Schneider, McCutcheon, Yamada, Gardner, Hoe, Thompson, Watson, Kang, Pierce, Dehnavi, Moniz; Nay: None; Abstain: None.)

REPORTS

Treasurer's Report - Treasurer Brian Kang reported the total expenditures for the month of January 2021 were $33.93 with the remaining balance of $248.57.

Members' Attendance at Other Meetings: nothing to report.

Report of Environmental Permitted Interaction Group: Chair Schneider deferred this item to February 2021's meeting.

Report of Planning and Zoning Permitted Interaction Group: Chair Schneider deferred this item to February 2021's meeting.

Report of Transportation Permitted Interaction Group: Chair Schneider deferred this item to February 2021's meeting.

Next Meeting: The next Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 Regular Meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom Application.

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

Submitted by: Brandy Clark, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Lindon Valenciano, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Lori Yamada, Secretary
Final approval by: Lori Yamada, Secretary

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting January 2021 Minutes

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