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Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting FEBRUARY 2023 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 3/9/2023.

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

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

February 2023 Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MINUTES

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2023

ALA WAI CLUB HOUSE AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

6:00 P.M.

Video recordings of Regular Meetings may be found at:

https://www.honolulu.gov/cms-nco-menu/site-nco-sitearticles/1657-board-meeting-video-archive.html

CALL TO ORDER - Chair Whitsell called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was established with three (3) members present at the Ala Wai Club House and eight (8) members present via Webex Application, total of 11 members. Note - This 15-member Board requires eight (8) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action. Board members must be in-person or have video access.

Board Members Present: Julia Allen, Margaret Murchie, Bertram Narita, Bruce Wong, John Beutel, Wendell Murakawa, Winston Welch, Dylan Whitsell, George West, Michelle Matson, Linda Wong, Don Persons (arrived via phone at 6:03 p.m.), Arleen Velasco (joined at 6:12 p.m.), and Laura St. Denis (joined at 6:29 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: Rafia Hasina.

Guests: Lieutenant Nishimura, and Sergeant Corpuz (Honolulu Police Department); Steven Norstrom (Board of Water Supply); Claudia Rapkoch (Governor Greene's representative); Amanda Zepeda (Council Chair Tommy Waters' office); Melvia Kawashima and Janel Denny (Councilmember Calvin Say's office); Representative Bertrand Kobayashi; Representative Jackson Sayama; Theresa N. (Senator Stanley Chang's office); Earl Hurrey (Veteran Parade); Dalton Beauprez and K.C. (U.H. Manoa); Lloyd Yonenaka (Neighborhood Commission Office); Laura Ruby, Felix, . Hosaka, Daisy Murai, Joannie Dobbs, Angie Knight, Ross, Lynn, Stephanie, Grant M., Elmer Ka'ai, Noela, Charmaine Doran, Eric Shimabuku, and Linda (Residents); Jackson Coley (Neighborhood Commission Office). Names not included will not be provided.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Vice Chair: [6:01 p.m.] Matson nominated Welch and Welch accepted the nomination. Narita nominated West, West declined the nomination.

L. Wong moved to close nominations. Hearing no objections, the nominations were closed. [6:02 p.m.]

Don Persons joined the meeting at 6:03 p.m. 12 members present.

Hearing no objections, Welch was appointed Vice Chair by Unanimous Consent 12-0-0 (AYE: Allen, Murchie, Narita, B. Wong, Beutel, Murakawa, Welch, Whitsell, West, Matson, Persons, and L. Wong; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None). [6:03 p.m.]

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): [6:04 p.m.] No representative was present.

Honolulu Police Department District 6: [6:04 p.m.] No representative was present.

Honolulu Police Department District 7: [6:04 p.m.] Lieutenant Nishimura reported the following January 2023 statistics: 6 motor vehicle thefts, 7 burglaries, 24 thefts, 18 UEMV and 6,888 total calls for service. Residents are reminded to drive safely and slowly during rainy weather.

Questions, comments, and concerns: Murchie asked about a recent gas-station robbery and Lieutenant Nishimura responded that the case is with the detectives and there are no updates. Matson asked about a Diamond Head sweep and Sergeant Corpuz responded his team has not enforced the area for a few months. Sergeant Corpuz stated it could be another detail and there are upcoming sweeps planned.

CITY AND STATE ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Office: [6:08 p.m.] No representative was present.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): [6:08 p.m.] Steven Norstrom reported no main breaks in January 2022. BWS is offering rebates for high-efficient toilets.

Questions, comments, and concerns: L. Wong asked how long the rebates are available and Norstrom responded there is no expected end date. Narita asked about forever chemicals at Red Hill and if BWS has tested for them at the airport. Norstrom responded he cannot speak for the airport but will investigate.

Arleen Velasco joined the meeting at 6:13 p.m. 13 members present.

Kapiolani Community College (KCC): [6:13 p.m.] No representative was present.

RESIDENTS INTERESTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS

Governor's Representative: [6:13 p.m.] Claudia Rapkoch, State Energy Office, introduced herself as Governor Green's new representative for the Board. Rapkoch agreed to look into forever chemicals at the airport. Rapkoch provided the Governor's newsletter and provided an overview of Governor Green's priorities and hot topics. These include addressing homelessness, high cost of living, affordable housing, and the environment.

Questions, comments, and concerns: B. Wong asked about freezing property taxes and Rapkoch responded that property taxes are under the City's purview but agreed to refer the concern. Welch asked if "environment" includes view-planes. Welch voiced concerns with developments. Matson asked about the State Energy Office's current personnel and Rapkoch provided a brief rundown. Matson voiced concerns with 201H-38. Resident Lynn asked about oversight for City offices. Murchie and Resident Laura Ruby voiced opposition to Kuilei Place. Velasco asked about Red Hill and the recently spilled forever chemicals.

St. Denis joined the meeting at 6:29 p.m. 14 members present.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Council Chair Tommy Waters: [6:31 p.m.] Amanda Zepeda reported on Kapiolani Park's pathway renovation efforts. Joint enforcement is scheduled for Diamond Head. Shower improvements have begun at Kaimana Beach.

Questions, comments, and concerns: St. Denis voiced concerns with the lack of disabled parking by the community garden on Leahi Avenue. Zepeda responded they are looking into the parking. L. Wong commented on Kaimana Beach Park. Murchie voiced concerns with excessive parades closing down roads. Zepeda agreed to refer concerns. Matson asked about Councilmember Waters' progress on moving the Board area into the Sustainable Communities Plan (SCP) and Zepeda responded he is working on it. B. Wong voiced concerns with property taxes and Zepeda responded that efforts to alleviate these issues are ongoing. Welch advocated for moving into the SCP.

Councilmember Calvin Say: [6:46 p.m.] Melvia Kawashima and Janel Deny provided a newsletter and provided an overview. Melvia noted cellular towers, Zoo maintenance, roadway concerns, and taxes.

Questions, comments, and concerns: Resident Daisy Murai voiced concerns with Kuilei Place. Resident Ruby asked about reappropriating military land for affordable housing. Kawashima responded that Councilmember Say is aware that Federal leases for military land can be renegotiated. L. Wong voiced concerns with City Council using resolutions to support large housing projects. Kawashima responded that per legislature the hearings must be held within 45 days. Deny responded there are attempts to increase the time-frame to 60 days. B. Wong voiced concerns regarding price of housing and taxes. Matson voiced concerns about Kuilei Place and Kawashima responded that public hearings were held and public testimony was received. Matson voiced concerns with the quality of these hearings and the limitations on testimony. Welch advocated for comment periods longer than 60 days and voiced opposition to Kuilei Place. Welch proposed banning foreigners from purchasing property to control property taxes. Velasco voiced concerns with large developments impacting sewage and other utility infrastructure. Kawashima recommended supporting the legislation to increase comment periods. Kawashima noted these projects usually take many years of planning with opportunities for testimony. Kawashima noted Kapiolani is urban and designated for high-density projects. Kawashima stated housing developers usually only profit from their top-end renters.

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi: [7:20 p.m.] Representative Kobayashi provided a report outlining the House majority bills. These include bills for housing funds, mental health outreach, oversight committees, and tax credits.

Questions, comments, and concerns: L. Wong asked Representative Kobayashi to support Senator Elefante's bill concerning large developments. Representative Kobayashi responded there is not a comparable bill in the House so it will need to pass the Senate first. Matson voiced opposition to 201H and advocated for extending public comment periods. Representative Kobayashi encouraged defining affordable housing and tweaking exemptions.

Representative Jackson Sayama: [7:30 p.m.] Representative Sayama requested to be moved to the end of Elected Officials.

Senator Stanley Chang: [7:30 p.m.] Theresa N. outlined Senator Chang's priority bills which include bills for affordable housing and expanding mental health services. Theresa noted there are openings in the Youth Commission.

Questions, comments, and concerns: Resident Murai requested Senator Chang come to the Board and voiced concerns with non-affordable housing. Murchie asked and Theresa clarified that Senator Chang introduced a proposal to prevent Las Vegas casinos from advertising their travel packages specifically to Hawaii. Theresa stated the primary issue was with money moving out of Hawaii into Las Vegas. Welch requested Senator Chang come to the Board. Welch voiced concerns with housing projects. Matson requested Theresa take note of previous discussions. Beutel voiced concerns with 201H and affordable housing not being affordable. Velasco asked about Senator Chang's position on Red Hill. Theresa responded that the Senate sent a letter to the Navy opposing the consent agreement.

Representative Jackson Sayama: [7:42 p.m.] Representative Sayama noted efforts in the legislature to address electronic-cigarettes and redevelop the Queen Liliuokalani School. Plans are not finalized but they are proposing to demolish the old building, except the data center, and reconstruct the school. Representative Sayama noted there is a bill to address abandoned and redundant utility lines.

Questions, comments, and concerns: Matson asked about the school site and residential buildings. Representative Sayama responded the area could include a three (3) to five (5) story building. Resident Noela asked and Representative Sayama reiterated they are brainstorming replacing the school.

Senator Les Ihara, Jr.: [7:52 p.m.] No representative, no report.

BOARD BUSINESS & PRESENTATIONS

Informational Presentation: National Vietnam Veteran's Day Parade, Wednesday March 29, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.: [7:52 p.m.] Earl Hurrey, Retired United States Marine Core Master Gunnery Sergeant, announced a committee is putting together a parade to recognize Vietnam Veterans. They are working to mitigate traffic impacts. There will be bands participating in the parade. More information can be found at: www.vietnamveteransparade.org.

Questions, comments, and concerns: Chair Whitsell asked and Hurrey clarified there will be limited numbers of vehicles in the parade. L. Wong asked about the time and Hurrey clarified the street will close at 5:30 p.m. to start the parade at 6:00 p.m. L. Wong asked about signage and Hurrey confirmed they will use signage.

Presentation: Long Range Development Plan (LRDP): University of Hawaii (UH) Manoa: [7:58 p.m.] Dalton Beauprez, project manager, provided a presentation and reported on the LRDP. A list of LRDP projects was provided. Projects will modernize facilities, optimize land use, and consolidate facilities. An Environmental Assessment (EA) was performed resulting in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The team is now working on the permitting process which includes notifications and public hearings. The University will not exceed the square footage in their permits.

Questions, comments, and concerns: St. Denis asked about the College of Education. Beauprez responded this project will demolish some facilities but programs will be relocated. Resident Ruby voiced concerns and opposition to the LRDP. Resident Ruby asked and Beauprez responded that they did provide a response to testimony she submitted for the EA. Beauprez responded that a Landscaping Master Plan will update landscaping without eliminating current landscaping. Beauprez noted student enrollment at the college has plateaued. Beauprez noted temporary structures will be removed but not the College of Education. The McCarthy Mall is part of the LRDP. Welch voiced concerns with the LRDP and asked about green space. Beauprez responded the LRDP intends to increase green space and demolish temporary buildings. Beauprez clarified that structures will only be demolished once the departments in the structures have been relocated. K.C., UH Manoa, noted that some programs are spread across campus and the LRDP intends to provide new space to consolidate them. Laura Ruby advocated for eminent domain on periphery areas around UH Manoa.

Resolution: Strongly Urging the Neighborhood Commission to Rightly Process All Proposed Policy and Operational Changes as Amendments to the Neighborhood Plan: [8:22 p.m.] Lloyd Yonenaka, Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) Executive Secretary reported that a draft resolution regarding Kuilei Place was submitted by a Board member despite the Board not passing the resolution. Yonenaka voiced concerns with the draft resolution being submitted without clarifying that the Board never voted on the resolution.

Discussion: St. Denis asked and Yonenaka clarified that resolutions can be discussed but cannot be submitted as testimony to outside parties until the Board has passed it. Chair Whitsell noted the draft resolution was submitted to City Council without the Board passing it. Matson responded that a Special Meeting was held without quorum and the draft resolution might be discussed by the Board in the future. Matson recommended speaking to the individual who submitted the draft resolution.

Lloyd Yonenaka spoke regarding the proposed policy changes from the Neighborhood Commission. Yonenaka clarified that most of the policy is outlining current NCO practices. Yonenaka clarified that the proposed three (3) hour limit is a request based on budgetary constraints and limitations with facilities and videographers. Yonenaka recommended that Boards use committees if they need extra time to discuss matters in their community. Yonenaka stated the Boards are ultimately responsible for their minutes and that the NCO only provides a rough draft. Yonenaka noted that any complaints filed about the minutes will be a complaint against the Board not the NCO. Yonenaka noted that policy changes do not always require amending the Neighborhood Plan.

Discussion: Welch complained about Yonenaka speaking to the Board and taking up meeting time. Matson stated the Pearl City Neighborhood Board No. 21 developed the draft resolution and that multiple Boards are considering it. Matson advocated for public hearings for policy changes. Matson voiced concerns that the three (3) hour limit will include setup and breakdown. Matson advocated for longer videographer contracts. Matson noted it is the Board's responsibility to keep the minutes but claimed this does not include any actual writing or editing of minutes. Matson voiced concerns about minutes. Welch advocated for better public service and better Neighborhood Assistants. Welch voiced concerns with the proposed policy changes and support for the resolution. Murchie voiced concerns with another Neighborhood Board meeting that was only in-person and limited public testimony times.

Matson moved and Welch seconded the Motion to Adopt the Resolution. [8:59 p.m.]

Discussion: Beutel voiced opposition to the Motion and advocated for using video recordings as minutes.

The Motion WAS NOT ADOPTED LACKING QUORUM VOTE; 6-2-6: (AYE: Murchie, Welch, Velasco, Matson, Persons, and L. Wong; NAY: Allen, Beutel; ABSTAIN: Narita, B. Wong, Whitsell, Murakawa, West, and St. Denis). [9:01 p.m.]

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Regular Meeting Minutes for Thursday, November 10, 2022 and Thursday, January 10, 2023:

Beutel moved and St. Denis seconded the Motion to adopt the Minutes. [9:03 p.m.]

Discussion: Matson announced that she had provided corrections to the November 2022 minutes.

Welch moved [9:03 p.m.] and Murchie seconded the Motion to adopt Matson's amendments to the November 2022 minutes. The Motion WAS ADOPTED by MAJORITY VOTE; 13-0-1: (AYE: Murchie, Welch, Velasco, Matson, Persons, Allen, Narita, B. Wong, Whitsell, Murakawa, West, St. Denis and L. Wong; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: Beutel). [9:04 p.m.]

The Motion to adopt the minutes PASSED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT; 14-0-0: (AYE: Murchie, Beutel, Welch, Velasco, Matson, Persons, Allen, Narita, B. Wong, Whitsell, Murakawa, West, St. Denis and L. Wong; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None). [9:05 p.m.]

Due to Facility closure all further Agenda Items were deferred and the meeting was adjourned.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

Submitted by Jackson Coley, Senior Clerk

Reviewed by: J. David Beutel, Secretary, Neighborhood Board No. 5

Final approval by:

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Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting FEBRUARY 2023 Minutes

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

Kaimuki Hawaii
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