Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting March 2021 Minutes

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Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting March 2021 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 4/8/2021.

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

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2021
VIA WEBEX TELECONFERCING
7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER -- Chair Keolu Peralto called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was established with 13 members present via Webex Application. Note -- This 15-member Board requires eight (8) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Julia Allen, John David Beutel, Rene Julian, Mela Kealoha-Lindsey, Michelle Matson, Bert Narita, Keolu Peralto, Dona Persons, Margaret Murchie, Winston Welch, George West, Stefan Mrozewski, Linda Wong.

Board Members Absent: Bruce Wong

Guests: Lieutenant Troy Komoda and Lieutenant Kenneth Nakamura (Honolulu Police Department); Sarah Allen (Mayor Rick Blangiardi's office); Daniel Alexander (Complete Streets); Isaiah Sato (R.M. Towill); Director Laura Thielen (Department of Parks and Recreation); Director Anton Krucky (Office of Housing); Melvia Kawashima, Charles Kelley, George Condrey, Dave Watase, Fannie Cline, Cynthia Nyross, Cutis Chee, Richmond Luzar, Daisy Murai, Bonnie Traymore, Marilyn Mick; Casey Ishitani (Neighborhood Commission Office).

SPEAKING RULES: Chair Peralto told the Board and Community know that if individuals want to speak, to physically raise their hand and then when addressed, to unmute themselves. Chair Peralto continued that if individuals are not speaking, to keep audio muted for the duration of the meeting. Speakers are encouraged to keep their comments under two (2) minutes, those giving reports are urged to keep their reports under three (3) minutes, and to silence all electronic devices.

ROLL CALL: Chair Peralto performed roll call to establish quorum this meeting.

BOARD MEMBER VACANCY Sub-District 1: This Item was deferred.

PUBLIC SAFETY MONTHLY REPORTS Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): The HFD representative read the statistics and safety tips. More information can be found at http://www.honolulu.gov/hfd.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. 1. Nuisance Fire: Matson inquired about numerous fire engines on Diamond Head Road in the first week of March and HFD representative responded that they were responding to three (3) separate nuisance fires. 2. Traffic Signals: Welch inquired if traffic signals can be outfitted with batteries in case of power outage.

Honolulu Police Department District 6: HPD Lieutenant Troy Komoda read the crime statistics for District 6. Statistics can be found at https://www.honolulupd.org/.

Questions, comments and concerns followed: 1. ATV: Resident Fannie Cline requested that District 6 HPD officer have ATVs to monitor parks. 2. Solicitation: Matson raised concerns over sex workers allegedly operating near Kapiolani Park. Cline claimed to see solicitation near Makalei Beach Park. 3. Catalytic Converters: Murchie raised concerns regarding catalytic converter theft in St. Louis Heights. HPD Lieutenant Taro Nakamura responded that District 7 is investigating.

Honolulu Police Department District 7: HPD Lieutenant Nakamura read the crime statistics for District 7 and safety tips.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. 1. ATV: Cline reiterated requests for ATV patrols of beach parks. 2. Narcotics Treatment Station: Murchie requested that a narcotics treatment station be available in all areas. 3. Crane Community Park: Beutel inquired and Lieutenant Nakamura confirmed that HPD is monitoring homeless activity at Crane Community Park.

Neighborhood Security Watch: Cline reported that showers at Diamond Head Beach Park require repairs. There have been dog attacks near homeless encampments. There have been reports of cars parked along Diamond Head Road. Beutel inquired and Cline confirmed that the cars are parked near "No Parking" signs.

STATE AND CITY ADMINISTRATION REPORTS Governor David Ige's Representative: There was no representative.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Office: Director of Community Services Sarah Allen reported the following. • Park Hours: Board inquired how they would amend park hours as parks have a strict 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. closure that affects "dawn patrol" surfers. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) responded that hours can be initiated and amended by the DPR Director. During park closure hours, the public is still able to traverse through a park to access the ocean.' • Crime Statistics: Board requested crime statistics compared to neighboring Boards. HPD responded that all Board within District 7 (East Honolulu) are included in the same statistic. • Diamond Head Road: Board reported multiple vehicles parking illegally along the mauka side of Diamond Head Road. HPD officers issued 80 parking citations between January 1 and February 18, 2021. Officers on all three watches monitored this area from February 21 to March 1, 2021. During this time period, only one (1) vehicle was found to be in violation with expired registration and safety check. The vehicle was cited and towed. • Homeless on Diamond Head: Residents and Board raised concerns regarding homeless individuals defecating and loitering near properties. Office of Housing (HOU) responded that they have sent Institute of Human Services (IHS) to the scene when alerted. WorkHawaii, State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and IHS are planning to do outreach in this area over March 22 and March 23, 2021. Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) has provided the sanitation services. • Showers: Board requested repairs to the showers at Kaimana Beach Park. Department of Parking and Permitting (DPR) responded that there are plans to build a new shower and drinking fountain. DFM assisted DPR in soliciting private contractors to design and build a new ADA accessible outdoor shower facility. DFM expects construction to start in April 2021 at Kapiolani Beach Park fronting the Waikiki Natatorium. • Ala Wai Bridge: Board inquired how the proposed bridge over the Ala Wai Canal will mitigate effects of tsunami and flooding. DTS responded that Ala Wai Bridge would provide an alternative walking/biking evacuation route for nearly 20,000 residents and employers in Waikiki that could reduce evacuation time by approximately 15 minutes compared to existing available evacuation routes for walking/biking. The bridge deck has been designed to accommodate the 100-year flood elevation and sea level rise, providing a more reliable evacuation route than the existing bridges over the Ala Wai Canal in the event of a hurricane, tsunami, or other emergency.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. 1. Diamond Head Road: Matson requested that the City and County of Honolulu enforce parking laws on parked vehicles. Resident Charles Kelley reported that homeless encampments are increasing along Diamond Head Road. HOU Director Anton Krucky responded that outreach in the area is a continuing process with HPD being used only in criminal cases. 2. Ala Wai Bridge: Matson requested statistics to corroborate DTS report regarding evacuation. 3. Top Golf: Welch and resident Cline opposed the continuation of Top Golf development. 4. Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO): Welch raised concerns regarding the new format of NCO draft minutes. 5. Parks: DPR Director Laura Thielen reported that she will get back to the Board regarding concerns at beach parks and Matson raised concerns regarding the "dusk to dawn" closed hours not being specific enough. Welch requested that homeless individuals be removed from Crane Community Park.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply: There was no representative.

Department of Transportation Services (DTS): Complete Streets Project Planner Daniel Alexander reported the following. • Ala Wai Boulevard Completed Streets Project: There are proposals to improve Ala Wai Boulevard for pedestrians and bicyclists which can be found at https://www.honolulu.gov/completestreets/waikiki. • Ala Wai Canal Proposed "Ala Pono" Bridge Project Update: A meeting regarding the Ala Pono Bridge be held on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. More information can be found at https://www.honolulu.gov/completestreets/alapono.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. 1. Ala Wai Boulevard Project: Wong and Murchie raised concerns regarding parking on Ala Wai Boulevard if a bike lane is widened. A resident inquired why the lane will need to be widened and Alexander responded that it is to provide more physical separation. Beutel expressed support for the two (2) way bike lane. 2. Ala Pono Bridge Project: Welch raised concerns regarding the design of the bridge.

RESIDENT INTERESTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS There were no concerns.

PRESENTATIONS Waikiki Shell Improvements Project: Isaiah Sato of R.M. Towill reported that improvements to Waikiki Shell will include a sign replacement at the western public entrance, orchestra pit modifications, improvements to the open-air food preparation area and seat replacement.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. 1. Historic State Registry: Matson raised concerns regarding improvements as Waikiki Shell is listed as a historic structure. 2. Termites: Wong raised concerns regarding termite damage to Waikiki Shell. 3. Funds: Welch raised concerns regarding spending during the financial crisis.

PRIORITY COMMUNITY ISSUES Community Protection Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) -- Diamond Head Transient Encampments: Matson and Welch are coordinating on issues regarding Leahi Avenue and Biki Bikeshare. Welch reported that he will need to coordinate with City and County of Honolulu and State of Hawaii departments regarding homeless individuals.

City Council Resolution 21-51 -- Revised Closure Hours for Diamond Head Beach Parks: The Board presented a Resolution that would acknowledge the recommendations of the community regarding beach park hours. Resident Kelley requested that hours be changed to deter loitering. Beutel raised concerns that changes in hours may not help.

Matson Moved and Murchie Seconded to Adopt the Resolution.

Discussion: Beutel inquired which parks are being considered and Chair Peralto responded that it would be all beach parks along Diamond Head. Beutel also raised concerns that surfers will not be able to use showers if parks are closed. Julian raised concerns regarding homeless not being removed from closed parks.

The Motion PASSED, 9-2-2 (Aye: Allen, Julian, Matson, Peralto, Persons, Murchie, Welch, West, Wong; Nay: Beutel, Mrozewski; Abstain: Kealoha-Lindsey, Narita).

Hearing no objection, Chair Peralto had Agenda Item Leahi Avenue Private Ownership -- Establish PIG at this time.

Leahi Avenue Private Ownership -- Establish PIG: Wong reported that Managing Director Mike Formby is requesting plans for Leahi Avenue, per Board request.

Wong Moved and Matson Seconded to establish a PIG for Leahi Avenue. The Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 13-0-0 (Aye: Allen, Beutel, Julian, Kealoha-Lindsey, Matson, Narita, Peralto, Persons, Murchie, Welch, West, Mrozewski, Wong; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Neighborhood Assistant left at 9:00 p.m.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Board Correspondence: Additional Comments: Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting -- Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. (Virtual WebEx Board Meeting or as otherwise announced)

Submitted by Casey Ishitani, Public Relations Reviewed by: Lloyd Yonenaka, Executive Secretary Final approval by:

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Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting March 2021 Minutes

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