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Palolo Neighborhood Board FEBRUARY 2021 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 3/9/2022.

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

Palolo Neighborhood Board No. 6

February 2022 Minutes

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DRAFT

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2022

VIRTUAL WEBEX MEETING

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Frost called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum WAS ESTABLISHED with nine (9) members present. Note - This 13-member board requires seven (7) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Jesus Arriola, Joshua Frost, Randy Hack (arrived at 7:03 p.m.), Juanita Kawamoto, Beverly Mau, Dean McColgan, Darlene Nakayama, Rusti Onishi (arrived at 7:11 p.m.), Benton Pang, Earl Shiraki and Derek Turbin.

Board Members Absent: None.

Guests: Captain Jason Katada (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Taro Nakamura (Honolulu Police Department); Dominic Dias (Board of Water Supply); Councilmember Calvin Say; Representative Jackson Sayama; Senator Les Ihara Jr.; Sidney Lynch, Edward Wels, Greg Hutchings (Resident); Lindon Valenciano (Neighborhood Assistant). There were 33 total in attendance.

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Captain Jason Katada reported the following:

• January 2022: 2 activated alarms (no fire), 53 medical, and 1 hazardous material incident.

• Safety Tip: Emergency responder location tips were provided.

Hack entered the meeting at 7:03 p.m.; 10 members present.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: Hikers: Shiraki noted concern for HPD safety and should fine illegal hikers to deter hiking illegally.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Lieutenant Taro Nakamura reported the following:

• January 2022: 15 motor vehicle thefts, 7 burglaries, 18 thefts, and 11 unauthorized entries into motor vehicle (UEMV). 7,143 total calls.

• Safety Tip: Tsunami safety tips were provided.

Onishi entered the meeting at 7:10 p.m.; 11 members present.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Stun Gun: Shiraki inquired about the status of the HPD chief. Shiraki noted concerns of the stun gun law change and should be for those over 65 years old.

2. Traffic Signal Cameras: Mau inquired and Lieutenant Nakamura replied that State officials are still discussing traffic signal cameras. Hack noted and Councilmember Say share the pilot program locations.

3. Illegal Parking: Kawamoto noted concerns of accidents occurring in Palolo caused by illegally parked cars too close to stop signs and crosswalks blocking the line of sight for vehicles. Lieutenant Nakamura noted violations need to fined and cited. Kawamoto suggesting educating people of the parking laws. Councilmember Say suggested collaborating for a resolution. Resident Edward Wels shared experience of curbs painted red and Shiraki showed support. Onishi questioned the effectiveness of red curbs.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): Dominic Dias reported there was a main break on Palolo Avenue and announced their contract with Bank of Hawaii will be ending on Monday, February 28, 2022. Alternative options are pay by phone (808) 748-5000, Satellite City Hall, in person or online www.boardofwatersupply.com with no processing fee.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Red Hill: Shiraki voiced the removal of the Red Hill tanks, thanking support for BWS Director Ernest Lau and all those involved. Shiraki noted the need to continue the conversation for the removal,

2. Flooding: Resident Greg Hutchings reported sewers backing up during storms and flooding his house. Dias noted the sewer lines are the Department of Environmental Services, not BWS jurisdiction. Councilmember Say recommended contacting his office and explained the three (3) different water systems.

3. Commendation: Chair Frost commended BWS for their efforts and hard work.

REPORTS OF MEMBERS ATTENDANCE AT OTHER PUBLIC MEETINGS: Mau attended the Conference of Chairs held on Saturday, February 5, 2022 which covered a variety of topics including decorum, minutes, NCO website, Committees and Permitted Interaction Groups (PIGs).

FILLING OF VACANT BOARD SEATS: There is one (1) vacancy in Subdistrict 2 and one (1) vacancy in Subdistrict 4. There were no volunteers.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Councilmember Calvin Say: Councilmember Say shared the newsletter and addressed previous concerns regarding recovery funds, US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Ala Wai flood mitigation, and Kuahea stabilization.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Reward: Shiraki suggested and Councilmember Say replied rewards to identify thieves on camera comes out of pocket, adding the State is in discussion regarding the penal code.

2. Homeless: Onishi inquired about the percentage of homeless from Hawaii or out of state.

3. Nomination: Councilmember Say noted Hack was nominated for the Oahu Service Area Board on Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

4. Short Term Rentals: Mau inquired and Councilmember Say replied short term rentals discussion is on-going and was postponed, noting concern of residential zoning. Mau noted concern that short term is defined as 3-6 months. Hack inquired and resident Wels replied he is introducing a resolution later in the meeting. Shiraki noted concern with tourists in the neighborhood.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative: No representative present. No report given. Shiraki inquired and Chair Frost noted reaching out. Neighborhood Assistant (NA) Valenciano explained the situation regarding assignments. McColgan reported the Welcome to Palolo sign is overgrown and in need of maintenance. Darlene reported that no one was at the Farmer's Market at Palolo District Park.

Governor David Ige's Representative: No representative present. No report given.

Representative Jackson Sayama: Representative Sayama noted the corruption case in unacceptable and does not reflect the legislature. Representative Sayama's shared his legislative priorities, vaccine clinic updates and school visitation/outreach.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Certificate of Participation: Resident Sidney Lynch inquired and Representative Sayama explained the certificate of participation is a method employed to finance projects that are valued at a certain level without necessarily going through the usual legislative process like a line item budget would.

2. Referral: Resident Lynch inquired and Representative Sayama explained triple referrals are not necessarily dead but it is more difficult.

3. Disappointment: McColgan noted disappointment of the number of issues that come up in the highest level losing public trust.

4. Testimony: Kawamoto expressed concerns how testimony is being accepted with virtual meetings. Representative Sayama noted there are pros and cons of virtual meetings and they are doing their best to accommodate to accept public testimony. Chair Frost noted the logistics are being worked out.

5. Homeless: McColgan inquired and Representative Sayama replied there are no long term homeless bills, noting housing first is the priority.

RESIDENTS/COMMUNITY CONCERNS:

Ala Wai Flood Mitigation Update: Resident Lynch provided updates from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) public meeting on Thursday, January 20, 2022 and expressed concern of how the meeting was announced, adding that it should have been more proactive with outreach and felt they were only going through the motions.

Red Hill: Turbin reported drafting a resolution with the intent to defuel the Red Hill tanks.

PRESENTATIONS

Expanding Hawaii's Affordable Housing Stock: Sterling Higa, Housing Hawaii's Future, presented about Housing Hawaii's Future community outreach for affordable housing and noted the barriers of affordable housing are underlying economics of material costs, politics and bureaucracy, and Not In My BackYard (NIMBY) opposition. Housing Hawaii's Future guiding principles are a multigenerational movement led by young locals to educate and assist others though Hawaii's housing crisis, which is driven by the lack of inventory.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Affordable Housing: Shiraki inquired and Higa replied affordable housing demand is statewide, noting the need to increase housing for locals at an affordable price.

2. Challenges: Kawamoto noted material costs are too high for affordable housing and noted concerns of zoning to increase housing inventory. Kawamoto expressed infrastructure concerns, needs, and challenges with permits especially if they are against the community's wishes.

3. Involvement: Arriola noted the non-profit partners and praised educating the youth and their involvement.

BOARD BUSINESS

Approval of Minutes from Wednesday, December 8, 2021: Mau MOVED and Shiraki SECONDED the Motion to Approve the minutes from Wednesday, December 8, 2021 regular meeting as written. Hearing no objections, the Motion was APPROVED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Consideration of Resolution Concerning Honolulu City Council Bill 41 (2021) (CD1): Consideration of Resolution Concerning Honolulu City Council Bill 41 (2021) (CD1): Resident Wels introduced the resolution and provided a brief background asking that Council to remove the section that would turn the "Gold Coast" into vacation rentals because it would extend Waikiki and increase the traffic/activity in an already busy area.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:

1. Resident: Hack inquired and resident Wels replied he lives in Wilhelmina Rise.

2. Clarify: Shiraki inquired and resident Wels clarified that they are asking Council to delete the section turning the Gold Coast into vacation rentals.

3. Importance: McColgan inquired and Wels replied many Palolo residents who use the area will be effected.

4. Units: Onishi inquired and resident Wels replied there are approximately 700 eligible units.

5. Beach User: Resident Marcia Pasqua noted frequenting Kaimana Beach and would make it worse.

6. Zoning: Kawamoto opposed because it does not follow specific zoning purpose and sets a precedence.

7. 30 Days: Mau does not accept Bill 41 in its entirety and not opposed to vacation rentals in Waikiki and wants to keep it at 30 days for short-term rentals.

Hack MOVED and Onishi SECONDED to Approve the Resolution Concerning Honolulu City Council Bill 41 (2021) (CD1). Discussion followed. Onishi and Hack noted needing more time to review the resolution. Hack and Onishi withdrew the Motion and defer to the next meeting.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: Council: Resident Wels noted the Council's Zoning and Planning Committee chair decided not to put this bill on the agenda because of all the complications and will reach out for any updates. Resident Michele Matson noted the Council meeting is on Wednesday, March 16, 2022.

Treasurer's Report: Hack shared the Board's allocation and a remaining balance of $229.22

ELECTED OFFICIALS (Continued)

Senator Les Ihara Jr.: Senator Ihara reported next Friday, February 18, 2022 is the first major deadline and provided updates regarding reapportionment and the lawsuit filed.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed: Lawsuit: Hack inquired and Senator Ihara replied the plaintiff of the lawsuit is the organization formed by Bill Hicks.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

P lolo Neighborhood Board's Next Meeting: P lolo Neighborhood Board's Next Meeting will be on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. on WebEx.

Meeting Discussion: Chair Frost noted discussing the potential of meeting in-person or hybrid and working out the logistics.

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m.

Submitted by: Lindon Valenciano, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Community Relations Specialist

Finalized by: Josh Frost, Chair

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Palolo Neighborhood Board FEBRUARY 2021 Minutes

Palolo Neighborhood Board No. 6

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