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Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting May 2021 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 6/10/2021.

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

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

May 2021 Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 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 12 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, Rafia Hasina (appointed 6:05 p.m.), Rene Julian, Michelle Matson, Stefan Mrozewski, Bert Narita (arrived at 7:00 p.m.), Keolu Peralto, Don Persons, Margaret Murchie, Winston Welch, George West, Bruce Wong, Linda Wong.

Board Members Absent: Mela Kealoha-Lindsey.

Guests: Captain Elden Tanaka (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Troy Komoda (Honolulu Police Department District 6); Lieutenant Taro Nakamura and Captain Brian Lynch (Honolulu Police Department District 7); Isaac Choy (Governor David Ige's office); Sarah Allen (Mayor Rick Blangiardi's office); Ann Wong (Board of Water Supply); Keola Fisher (Council Chair Tommy Waters' office); Councilmember Calvin Say; Representative Bertrand Kobayahi; Representative Jackson Sayama; Cynthia Nyross (Representative Scott Nishimoto's office); Senator Les Ihara, Jr.; Laura St. Dennis, Susan Anderson, Daisy Murai, Arleen Velasco, Andrew Salenger, Judy Hernandez, Dave Watase, Chelsea Lockridge, Wai Lee, Cuong Tran, Morgan Luongo, Matt Simaski (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.

BOARD SEAT VACANCY

Sub-District 1 - St. Louis Heights: Resident Rafia Hasina volunteered.

Welch Moved and Murchie Seconded to appoint Rafia Hasina to the Board. The Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 12-0-0 (Aye: Allen, Beutel, Julian, Matson, Mrozewski, Peralto, Persons, Murchie, Welch, West, Wong, Wong; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Hasina was sworn in by Neighborhood Assistant. There were 13 Board members present.

PUBLIC SAFETY MONTHLY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HPD) District 6: HFD Captain Elden Tanaka reported statistics for April 2021 and read the fire safety tip regarding escape plans. More information can be found at https://fire.honolulu.gov/.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Nuisance Fires: Matson inquired if there were wildland or brush fires and Captain Tanaka responded that there were none. Resident Laura St. Dennis raised concerns regarding a nuisance fire near Paki Community Park.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 6: HPD Lieutenant Troy Komoda reported the District 6 statistics for April 2021. More information can be found at https://www.honolulupd.org/.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Leahi Avenue: Resident Susan Anderson raised concerns regarding tickets received near Paki Community Park, stating that parking further away from her residence may be unsafe. Resident Daisy Murai reported that there are no signs on Leahi Avenue regarding tow-away zoning and restrictions. Lieutenant Komoda responded that if there are no signs residents should consider an area a 24 hour tow-away zone.

2. Kalakaua Avenue: Matson requested updates regarding parking policies from HPD community policing on Kalakaua Avenue.

3. Kaimana Beach: Resident Arleen Velasco raised concerns regarding residents harassing a baby monk seal at Kaimana Beach. Murchie raised concerns regarding loud music being played at Kaimana Beach.

Honolulu Police Department District 7: HPD Lieutenant Taro Nakamura and Captain Brian Lynch reported the District 7 statistics for April 2021. More information can be found at https://www.honolulupd.org/. Lieutenant Nakamura reported that active speakers are not allowed on Kaimana Beach. Captain Lynch also reported that there was ongoing enforcement and removal of homeless individuals along Diamond Head Road.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. HPD Staffing: Resident Fannie Cline inquired if HPD was reducing staffing and Captain Lynch responded that officers were being reallocating to other Districts as needed.

2. Crane Community Park: Welch requested updates regarding an HPD substation at Crane Community Park.

Neighborhood Security Watch: Resident Cline reported that enforcement operations were continuing on Diamond Head Road. Beach park showers were still not cleaned and repaired.

STATE AND CITY ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

Governor David Ige's Representative: Department of Taxation Director Isaac Choy reported that vaccinations efforts have been continuing.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Evictions: Murchie requested updates regarding evictions stipulations as property owners were reported to be exploiting loopholes.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Office: Director of Community Services Sarah Allen reported the following.

• Parking Signs: Residents requested boundaries of Leahi Avenue (a private road) in regards to parking signs on surrounding roadways. Department of Transportation Services (DTS) reported that Safe Leahi LLC is the owner of the portion of Leahi Avenue between Monsarrat Avenue and Noela Street, and any modifications or improvements made to the privately owned street by the owner are the sole responsibility of the owner.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Historic Preservation: Welsh and Matson requested updates regarding City and County of Honolulu having a historic preservation commission.

2. Leahi Avenue: Board and residents reiterated concerns regarding Save Leahi LLC towing vehicles on Leahi Avenue. Matson requested DTS documentation regarding ownership transfer.

3. Minutes: Welch requested that Neighborhood Commission Office allow Minutes to be longer than four (4) pages.

4. Paki Avenue: Resident Murai requested updates regarding a repaved bike path on Paki Avenue.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS): BWS Civil Engineer Ann Wong reported that residents may go to https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/conservation for more information regarding water conservations.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Projects: Murchie raised concerns regarding BWS projects in St. Louis Heights having misspelled names for streets.

2. Dillingham Fountain: Mrozewski requested that Dillingham Fountain be turned off during windy days.

3. Red Hill: Resident Velascos raised concerns regarding a Red Hill fuel storage leakage.

Narita arrived at 7:00 p.m. There were 14 Board members present.

RESIDENT INTERESTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS

Monk Seal: Resident Andrew Salenger reiterated concerns regarding the monk seal on Kaimana Beach.

Action 15: Resident Cuong Tran reported that the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency (CCSR) will develop a network of resiliency hubs in the City and County of Honolulu.

In-Person Meetings: Linda Wong requested a timeline for Boards to meet in person. Welch responded that remote meetings have benefits.

CITY AND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS

Council Chair Tommy Waters: Keola Fisher of Council Chair Waters reported that Council Resolution 121 Bill 18 would require notice on certain roadways of the City and County of Honolulu to designated hiking trails warning that parking is prohibited in front of a public or private driveway or within four (4) feet of either side of a public or private driveway.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Leahi Avenue: Linda Wong reiterated parking concerns regarding Leahi Avenue.

2. Bill 16: Matson requested updates regarding Bill 16.

Councilmember Calvin Say: Councilmember Say reported the following.

• Accountability: City Council is in the process of providing more transparency regarding department functions.

• Broadband Access: Residents may visit https://getemergencybroadband.org/ for information on discounts for low-income households.

• Vaccination: Residents may apply for free or discounted Lyft rides to vaccination sites.

• Fencing: City Council is reaching out to private property owners at St. Louis Drive and Waialae Avenue to install fencing to mitigate trespassing.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Farrington Highway: Resident Murai requested updates regarding the Farrington Highway alignment and Councilmember Say responded that the Council Budget Committee approved a full draft for it.

2. Waahila Ridge: Matson raised concerns regarding tree cutting on Waahila Ridge and Councilmember Say responded that Board should consult with the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

3. Ala Pono Bridge: Matson inquired if City Council had a response to Board concerns regarding Ala Pono Bridge and Councilmember Say responded that City Council approved of the bridge's design. Welch raised concerns regarding the cost.

4. Crane Community Park: Linda Wong reiterated concerns regarding the need for HPD presence at Crane Community Park.

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi: Representative Kobayashi reported that he opposes a Bill to allow counties to levy hotel room tax, noting that tourism could be negatively affected.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Bill: Bruce Wong inquired why Representative Kobayashi opposes adjusting tourism taxes and he responded that regressive sales taxes negatively affect lower income residents.

Representative Jackson Sayama: Representative Sayama reported the following.

• 2021 Legislative Session: A Bill to mitigate catalytic converter thefts did not pass.

• Funding: Monies have been allocated to elementary schools for air-conditioning and unemployment.

• Talk Story: Representative Sayama will be holding a talk-story event. Updates can be found at https://www.repjacksonsayama.com/newsroom.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Taxes: West raised concerns regarding new taxes.

2. Monk Seal: Velasco reiterated concerns regarding the monk seal at Kaimana Beach.

Representative Scott Nishimoto: Cynthia Nyross of Representative Nishimoto's office informed residents that they may contact him at repnishimoto@Capitol.hawaii.gov or (808) 586-8515.

Senator Stanley Chang: There was no representative.

Senator Les Ihara: Senator Ihara reported that House Bill (HB) 499 passed. The Bill authorizes the board of land and natural resources to extend certain leases of public lands for commercial, industrial, resort, mixed-use, or government use upon approval of a proposed development agreement to make substantial improvements to the existing improvements.

PRIORITY COMMUNITY ISSUES

Ala Wai Canal and Golf Course Permitted Interaction Group (PIG): Welch raised concerns regarding the Ala Pono Bridge proposal that may affect the view plane of the Ala Wai Canal. The Ala Wai Flood Mitigation Project has a new plan. Mayor Blangiardi has reportedly opposed Top Golf's current proposal. Narita raised concerns regarding projects that may be delayed due to bridge construction. Welch raised concerns regarding flooding due to climate change. Linda Wong inquired if there was an Environment Impact Statement (EIS) and Matson responded that a request has been made for DTS to provide one.

Leahi Avenue PIG: Linda Wong proposed that a letter be made to express concerns from the Board and residents. Senator Ihara requested that Safe Leahi LLC present insurance in case of an incident on Leahi Avenue. Resident St. Dennis raised concerns regarding tree clearing as well as rocks on the pavement.

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. Federal Representative Case has reached out to the State Department of Transportation (HDOT). Senator Ihara responded that there are apps that can trace which helicopters are operating.

Neighborhood Assistant left at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by Casey Ishitani, Public Relations

Reviewed by: Naomi Hanohano, Neighborhood Assistant

Final approval by:

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Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting May 2021 Minutes

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

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