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Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting April 2021 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 5/13/2021.

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

DIAMOND HEAD/KAPAHULU/ST. LOUIS HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 5

April 2021 Draft Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 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, Michelle Matson, Stefan Mrozewski, Bert Narita, Keolu Peralto, Don Persons, Margaret Murchie, Winston Welch, George West, Bruce Wong, Linda Wong.

Board Members Absent: Mela Kealoha-Lindsey.

Guests: Sergeant Clinton Corpuz (Honolulu Police Department); Sarah Allen (Mayor Rick Blangiardi's office); Randal Wakumoto and Cami Kloster (Department of Facility Maintenance); Carol Hoshiko (Kapiolani Community College); Council Chair Tommy Waters; Representative Jackson Sayama; Jason Nakamaejo, Cynthia Nycross, Judy Hernandez, Jeff Olin, Melvia Kawashima, Fannie Cline, Taylor Date, Laura Ruby, Dave Watase, Mary Jones, Arleen Velasco, Daisy Murai, Janel Denny, Bertrand Kobayashi, Amanda Morales (Residents); Casey Ishitani (Neighborhood Assistant).

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.

PUBLIC SAFETY MONTHLY REPORTS

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 6: There was no representative.

Honolulu Police Department District 7: HPD Sergeant Clinton Corpuz read the crime statistics for District 7 and safety tips. Residents may call 311 for non-emergency situations. During homeless sweeps on Diamond Head Road, there was one (1) arrest for felony drug possession.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Towing: Resident Daisy Murai inquired who has vehicles towed and Sergeant Corpuz responded that it depends if property is privately owned or City and County of Honolulu.

2. Biki Bikeshare: Chair Peralto inquired if there were any calls regarding Biki Bikeshare and Sergeant Corpuz responded that there were weren't any.

3. Makalei Beach Park: Murchie requested updates regarding an accident near Makalei Beach Park.

Neighborhood Security Watch: Resident Fanny Cline reported that there are ongoing cleanups and enforcement of homeless individuals along Diamond Head Road. Cline also reported drug dealing near surf spots. There were no updates regarding claims that Biki Bikeshare was being used in drug deals. Murchie requested updates regarding an accident near Makalei Beach Park. Matson raised concerns regarding a rock wall removal and Biki Bikeshare emplacement near the wall.

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.

• Ala Pono Bridge: Board members and residents inquired if there were studies regarding impacts that a bridge may have on the mauka side of the Ala Wai Canal. Department of Transportation (DTS) responded that a draft parking occupancy and turnover study was conducted in January 2021 and is included as an appendix to the Draft Environmental Assessment, published with the Office of Environmental Quality and Control on March 23, 2021. The proposed location of the bridge along University Avenue would reduce emergency evacuation time by approximately 15 minutes for nearly 20,000 people walking and biking out of Waikiki.

• Meeting Minutes: Board raised concerns regarding Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) minutes being reduced to four (4) pages. NCO responded that it would aide in efficiency of minutes drafting and readability of document.

• Waikiki Shell: Board requested updates regarding termites at Waikiki Shell and if the City is aware of the historical preservation prerequisites of the property. Department of Enterprise Services (DES) responded that there were no active termites or termite damage at the Waikiki Shell. As part of the Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) process, DES will work to determine any historical preservation prerequisites and address comments and requirements accordingly.

• Leahi Avenue: Board requested title, ordinance of Leahi Avenue as they have concerns regarding the management of it as a thoroughfare. City and County of Honolulu does not have the ordinance or title of the private road. State of Hawaii Business Registration Division, Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs information of ownership can be found at https://hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/business.html?fileNumber=233480C5.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. NCO: Matson and Welch raised concerns regarding the brevity of minutes. Linda Wong requested that adopted Resolutions be uploaded more promptly. Narita raised concerns regarding elderly Board members being unable to navigate the NCO site.

2. Leahi Avenue: Linda Wong requested updates regarding Leahi Avenue ownership.

3. Covid-19 Relief: Resident Cline raised concerns regarding allocation of 70 million dollars in Covid-19 relief and inquired if HPD would receive relief funds.

4. Ala Pono Bridge: A resident raised concerns regarding costs to the proposed bridge.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS): There was no representative.

City Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) Storm Water Quality Division: Randal Wakumoto and Cami Kloster of DFM reported that a new proposed system would account for fees at private properties from storm water runoff from impermeable surfaces instead of property taxation. Vacant properties would not be charged. There will be community meetings in May and June 2021. More information can be found at https://www.stormwaterutilityoahu.org/.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Impermeable Surfaces: Welch inquired how DFM would account for impermeable surfaces and Wakumoto responded that DFM would utilize aerial imagery in association with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Bruce Wong raised concerns regarding impermeable surfaces on older properties and Wakumoto responded that the DFM study will looking into that. Julia Allen inquired about the rate structure and Wakumoto responded that it would depend on a tier system of incremental impervious area per property.

2. Ala Pono Bridge: Resident Laura Ruby inquired and Wakumoto confirmed that DFM is coordinating with DTS on possible changes in the area of the proposed Ala Pono Bridge.

3. Private Roads: Beutel inquired if private roadways would be exempted and Wakumoto responded that they would be but gated communities would not be exempted.

4. Flooding. Narita and Murchie raised concerns regarding flooding in St. Louis Heights.

BOARD SEAT VACANCY

Sub-District 1 - St. Louis Heights: This item was deferred.

RESIDENT INTERESTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS

Kapiolani Community College (KCC): KCC Dean Carol Hoshiko reported that the Culinary Institute will meet on Friday, April 9, 2021. Further events will address homelessness on Oahu and technical tools for teaching. More information can be found at https://www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu/.

PRIORITY COMMUNITY ISSUES

Planning and Zoning and Parks, Recreation and Environment Joint Committee - City Council Bill 16: Council Bill 16 requires bike rental stations to notify Neighborhood Boards when renting City and County of Honolulu spaces. Matson inquired when amendments will be taken for Council Bill 16 and Council Chair Tommy Waters reported that a second reading will be heard on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 before being referred to the Transportation Committee, then to full Council in May 2021. Murchie inquired if the Bill would apply to existing bike stands and Council Chair Waters responded that it will not. Mrozewski objected to the Bill. Beutel raised concerns that the Resolution received by Council Chair Waters was not the one adopted by Diamond Head Board No. 5. Chair Peralto confirmed that the Resolution posted by Council Chair Waters for Council Bill 16 was not the one adopted.

Planning and Zoning and Parks, Recreation and Environment Joint Committee - Ala Wai Bridge Proposal: Matson presented a Resolution to voice opposition to the Ala Wai Bridge proposal, citing concerns regarding view plane and structure.

Linda Wong Moved and Julia Allen Seconded.

Discussion: Narita raised concerns regarding perceived Office of Information Practices (OIP) limitations on Committee meetings and requested public review of meetings. Matson and Welch responded that a special Committee meeting was held due to time constraints with public concerns for the proposal due by Thursday, April 22, 2021.

The Resolution was ADOPTED, 10-1-2 (Aye: Julia Allen, Julian, Matson, Narita, Peralto, Persons, Murchie, Welch, West, Linda Wong; Nay: Beutel; Abstain: Mrozewski, Bruce Wong).

Leahi Avenue Permitted Interaction Group (PIG): Linda Wong reported that parking spaces near Pualei Circle have been reduced due to Leahi Avenue private ownership. Safe Leahi LLC has not responded to inquiries.

Linda Wong Moved to Adopt Board Support the Leahi Avenue PIG. There was no Second.

Leahi Avenue Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) (Continued): Resident Arleen Velasco requested ownership papers or ordinances for Leahi Avenue. Resident Murai requested that Councilmember Waters and Safe Leahi LLC representatives hold a community meeting. Resident Laura Dennis reported that her residence on Leahi Avenue has experienced towing issues. Matson suggested that Safe Leahi LLC restructure parking hours for the roadway. Welch raised that there are no visible parking signs to inform vehicle owners of roadway's private ownership and that residents must be made aware of boundaries.

Community Protection PIG: This item was deferred.

Tour Helicopter Safety and Noise PIG: Matson reported that information regarding tour helicopters and Federal Representative Ed Case's proposals can be found at www.quietskieshonolulu.com.

Ala Wai Canal and Golf Course PIG: This item was deferred.

Chair Peralto inquired if there were any objections to having Board Business at this time. Hearing objections, the Agenda continued.

CITY AND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS

Council Chair Tommy Waters: Council Chair Waters reported the following.

• Private Roadways: Council Chair Waters will meet with the Managing Director regarding Leahi Avenue acquisition and sidewalk construction.

• Budget and Finances: 70 million dollars will go the City and County of Honolulu. A separate Federal amount will go to HART. The American Rescue Plan has allocated 360 million dollars. The 2021 budget has been balanced.

• Park Closures: Council Chair Waters supports park closures and enforcement of closure policies.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Homelessness: Julian inquired why homeless individuals do not use shelters and Council Chair Waters responded that shelters have been found to be undesirable and that new facilities will be needed to compensate the growth of homeless individuals. Council Chair Waters also reported that mental illness treatment pilot programs have assisted homeless individuals.

Neighborhood Assistant left at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by Casey Ishitani, Public Relations

Reviewed by: Spencer Johnson, Neighborhood Assistant

Final approval by:

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Kaimuki Hawaii News Item

Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting April 2021 Minutes

DIAMOND HEAD/KAPAHULU/ST. LOUIS HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 5

Kaimuki Hawaii
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