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Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting June 2021 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 7/8/2021.

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

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

June 2021 Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 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 11 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, Michelle Matson, Bert Narita, Keolu Peralto, Margaret Murchie, Winston Welch, George West, Bruce Wong, Linda Wong.

Board Members Absent: Rene Julian, Mela Kealoha-Lindsey, Stefan Mrozewski, Don Persons.

Guests: Sergeant Cyrus Hanuna (Honolulu Police Department - Sub-District 6); HPD Lieutenant Taro Nakamura (Honolulu Police Department - Sub-District 7); Isaac Choy (Governor David Ige's office); Roger Morton (Mayor Rick Blangiardi's office); Ann Wong (Board of Water Supply); Janel Denny and Councilmember Calvin Say; Representative Bertrand Kobayashi; Cynthia Nyross (Representative Scott Nishimoto's office); Jeffrey Dillard, Marilyn Mick, Karen Swan, Arleen Velasco, Johnnie Mae Perry, Daisy Murai, Lori McCarney, Fannie Cline, Chad Taniguchi, Stan Ching, Martin Berger, Chelsea Lockridge, John Rogers, Curtis Chee, Dave Watase, Frank Smith (Residents); Casey Ishitani (Neighborhood Assistant).

SPEAKING RULES: Chair Peralto noted to the Board and Community 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 Fire Department (HFD): HFD representatives reported statistics for May 2021 and read the fire safety tip regarding outdoor fires. More information can be found at https://fire.honolulu.gov/.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Medical Calls: Welch requested details regarding 75 medical calls for service.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 6: Sergeant Cyrus Hanuna reported the District 6 statistics for May 2021. More information can be found at https://www.honolulupd.org/. Citizens patrols meet every Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. at Waikiki Community Center and Thursday from 4:30 p.m. at the Duke Kahanamoku Statue. For more information residents may call (808) 723-3349.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Crime Report: Linda Wong requested copies of crime statistic reports.

2. Patrols: Resident Daisy Murai requested more HPD patrols near Waikiki. Murchie requested HPD presence on every block in Waikiki.

3. Noise Issues: Welch requested updates regarding safety inspection allowances of loud mufflers. Murchie raised concerns regarding powered amps being used by street performers and venues. Linda Wong raised concerns regarding a neighbor's loud motorcycle.

Honolulu Police Department District 7: HPD Lieutenant Taro Nakamura reported the District 7 statistics for May 2021. A safety tip was provided regarding burglary mitigation. More information can be found at https://www.honolulupd.org/.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Advertising: A resident raised concerns regarding advertising boards on sidewalks along Kalakaua Avenue. Lieutenant Nakamura responded that these concerns may be forwarded to the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP).

2. Trespassers: Resident Fannie Cline raised concerns regarding a trespasser in the area.

3. 311 App: Welch inquired if the 311 app is available via phone call and Lieutenant Nakamura responded it only works in the 311 app.

Neighborhood Security Watch: Resident Cline reported that enforcement operations were continuing on Diamond Head Road. Homeless individuals have been relocating to Crane Community Park.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. HPD All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV): Matson inquired if HPD ATV's were in use and Cline responded that it was dependent on HPD funding.

2. Chop Shop: Matson raised concerns regarding a potential chop shop being operated at the corner of Noela Street and Paki Avenue.

3. Safe Leahi LLC: Resident Andrew Salinger inquired if the Neighborhood Security Watch has been in touch with Safe Leahi LLC.

STATE AND CITY ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

Governor David Ige's Representative: Department of Taxation Director Isaac Choy reported the following.

• Vaccination: Governor Ige encouraged residents to get their Covid-19 vaccination.

• Legislation: Governor Ige did not sign a Bill regarding landlord and tenant loopholes.

• Historic Preservation: Concerns and suggestions regarding historic preservation have been acknowledged.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Evictions: Murchie raised concerns regarding possible loopholes regarding delinquent tenants and sellers not needing to give notice to tenants, noting that current mediation processes may not help.

2. Citizen's Committee: Matson requested that Governor Ige reconvene the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DNLR) Citizen's Committee.

3. Tourism: Resident Cline raised concerns regarding the number of visitors coming to Hawaii. Burt Wong requested that sales taxes be raised for visitors.

4. Taxes: A resident requested that taxes be rescinded for fresh produce.

5. Private Roads: Linda Wong inquired if there were any State laws that made private roads illegal.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Office: Department of Transportation Services Director Roger Morton reported that the section of Leahi Avenue owned by Safe Leahi LLC is part of approximately 700 miles of private roadways on Oahu.

Questions, comments and concerns followed:

1. Maintenance and Ownership: Resident Arleen Velasco raised HB 115 2017 regarding City and County of Honolulu ownership of disputed private roads and Director Morton responded that Corporation Council may have an opposing position toward that. Residents inquired if City and County of Honolulu can maintain Leahi Avenue and Director Morton responded that Safe Leahi LLC is in charge of street maintenance. Welch inquired if the City and County of Honolulu can purchase private roadways and Director Morton responded that it can but only after the roadway meets City standards and criteria. Murai raised concerns regarding the disclosure of monies made through fees. Matson raised concerns regarding the lack of a survey map disclosing boundaries of private ownership along Leahi Avenue.

2. Parking and Signage: Welch raised concerns that Leahi Avenue has parking fees and that the speed limit has been changed. Director Morton responded that DTS can investigate the mauka side of the roadway to test safety measures but that the private owner has a right to change the speed limit and parking fees.

3. Liability: Linda Wong inquired what the City and County of Honolulu could do if there was an accident on Leahi Avenue and Director Morton responded that he would inquire with Corporation Counsel. Resident Laura St. Denis raised concerns that HPD cannot operate on Leahi Avenue and Director Morton responded that he will inquire if they are able to monitor the roadway more closely.

Hearing no objections, Chair Peralto raised that Agenda Item Proposed Ala Wai Bridge Project Update would be taken after Board of Water Supply (BWS) report.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS): BWS Civil Engineer Ann Wong reported the following.

• Annual Water Quality Report: Residents may go to https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/water-quality/water-quality-report for more information regarding the annual water quality report.

• Follow-Up Reports: BWS extends apologies regarding misspellings. Regarding Red Hill fuel tank leaks, BWS has requested that the Navy utilize a dual tank system to mitigate leaks. The Diamond Head BWS water tanks are being monitored by security and graffiti has been painted over.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Red Hill: Resident Velasco requested that fuel tanks in Red Hill be replaced.

2. Fencing: Matson requested updates regarding the fencing near the Diamond Head BWS water tank.

Linda Wong requested to discuss Leahi Avenue at this time. Chair Peralto gaveled to establish order.

Proposed Ala Wai Bridge Project Update: DTS Director Morton responded to concerns regarding costs, noting that monies have been allocated for design, with no further funding scheduled until 2022. DTS raised that the Ala Pono Bridge has been designed for pedestrian, bicycle and emergency use.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Design: Murai requested updates for DTS plans after designs are completed. Matson raised concerns regarding potential loss of view plane. Chair Peralto inquired and Director Morton confirmed that City and County of Honolulu must present to Neighborhood Boards regarding project designs and installations.

2. Funding: Resident Meredith Soniat raised concerns regarding potential payback issues with Federal funds.

RESIDENT INTERESTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS

There were no concerns.

CITY AND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS

Council Chair Tommy Waters: There was no representative.

Councilmember Calvin Say: Janel Denny distributed Councilmember Say's newsletter in the char. Councilmember Say reported the following.

• Vacation Rentals: Councilmember Say monitored complaints regarding vacation rentals in the Kapahulu area.

• Homelessness: Homeless individuals have been reported near Market City.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Homelessness: Narita raised concerns regarding reports of a Board member assisting homeless individuals. Councilmember Say reported his office has been attempting to find assistance for homeless individuals near Kanewai Community Park and the Public Storage facility.

2. Vacation Rentals: Allen raised concerns regarding a potential vacation rental in her neighborhood.

3. Housing: Murchie raised concerns regarding a potential "monster home" on Quincy Place.

4. Ala Pono Bridge: Welch raised concerns regarding electronic scooters potentially being used on the bridge. Councilmember Say responded that he will have DTS respond to the Board.

5. Leahi Avenue: Matson raised concerns regarding Leahi Avenue issues conflicting with the boundaries of Kapiolani Regional Park.

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi: Representative Kobayashi reported that the principal at Waikiki Elementary School has retired.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Leahi Avenue: Linda Wong raised concerns regarding Leahi Avenue parking. Representative Kobayashi responded that he will get back to the Board.

Representative Jackson Sayama: There was no representative.

Representative Scott Nishimoto: Cynthia Nyross of Representative Nishimoto's office reported that Jefferson Elementary School is scheduled for a clean-up.

Senator Stanley Chang: There was no representative.

Senator Les Ihara: There was no representative.

PRIORITY COMMUNITY ISSUES

Proposed Top Golf Project Update: There were no updates.

Community Protection PIG: Welch reported that homeless individuals have moved from Crane Community Park to Market City. Welch raised concerns regarding the eviction moratorium expiring in August 2021 possibly creating a new homelessness issue.

Neighborhood Assistant left at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by Casey Ishitani, Public Relations

Reviewed by: Lindon Valenciano, Neighborhood Assistant

Final approval by:

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Kaimuki Hawaii News Item

Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting June 2021 Minutes

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

Kaimuki Hawaii
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