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Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting OCTOBER 2023 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 11/9/2023.

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

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

October 2023 Agenda

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023 at 6:00 P.M.

ALA WAI GOLF COURSE CLUB HOUSE, SECOND FLOOR - 404 KAPAHULU AVENUE, HONOLULU, HI 96815

AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlCKrwQuFr8

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WKnOJqdvqoRuGhJ7E9rg5u7AtruuZZZn

I. CALL TO ORDER - [0:00:07]: 6:00 p.m.

Vice Chair Velasco called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was NOT established with six (6) members present. 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, David Beutel, Rafia Hasina, Angie Knight, Margaret Murchie, Arleen Velasco, Michelle Matson (6:32 p.m.), Linda Wong (7:27 p.m.), Bruce Wong (7:47 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: Dan Decker, Wendell Murakawa, Winston Welch and Dylan Whitsell.

Guests: Firefighter Shane Yonemura (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Pamela Liu, Lieutenant Michael Thompson (Honolulu Police Department); Claudia Rapkoch (Governor Josh Green); Director Anton Krucky (Mayor Rick Blangiardi); Evelyn Hee (Representative Jackson Sayama); Theresa Ng (Senator Stanley Chang); Amanda Zepeda (Council Chair Tommy Waters); Councilmember Calvin Say, Judy Hernandez, Janel Denny, Melvia Kawashima; Randall Wakumoto (Department of Facility Maintenance); Stanton Ching, Morris Heaney, Franklin Chung, Joannie Dobbs, Tristyn Norwood, Daisy Murai, Ly Nakada, Noela Von Wiegandt, Laura Ruby, Patti Kawano (Residents); Dylan Buck (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 40 total participants.

II. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS - [0:00:53]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - [0:00:56]: No representative present at this time. This item was taken up later in the meeting.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 6 - [0:01:12]: No representative present at this time. This item was taken up later in the meeting.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 7 - [0:01:26]: Lieutenant Thompson reported the following:

September 2023 Statistics: There were 11 motor vehicle thefts, eight (8) burglaries, 16 thefts, 11 unauthorized entry into motor vehicle (UEMV's), and 6,357 total calls for service. More information can be found at: https://www.honolulupd.org/information/crime-mapping/

Safety Tip: Halloween Safety - Always have an adult supervise children during their rounds of trick-or-treating, and consider adding reflect tape to costume for pedestrian safety.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:03:07].

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 6 - [0:04:24]: Lieutenant Liu reported the following:

• September 2023 Statistics: There were two (2) robberies, 11 burglaries, 168 thefts, 14 unauthorized entry into motor vehicle (UEMV's), 31 general assaults, two (2) sex assaults, 21 bicycles/skateboards on sidewalks citations, 239 speeding citations, 1,908 parking citations, one (1) loud muffler citations, 82 park closures, and 4,707 total calls for service.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:06:17].

III. FILLING OF BOARD VACANCIES - [0:11:05]

Diamond Head Sub-District 3 - Two (2) Seats [0:11:05]: No volunteers at this time.

IV. BWS, KCC, & PUBLIC EVENTS NOTICES/ANNOUNCEMENTS - [0:11:36]

Board of Water Supply (BWS) - [0:11:45]: No representative present. A report was submitted, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J4Zy-oO4KlKDVlHtmwjTjy5la77Oznnr/view?usp=drive_link

Kapiolani Community College (KCC) - [0:11:50]: No representative present, no report submitted.

Public Events Announcements - [0:12:05]: No discussion.

V. COMMUNITY CONCERNS & OPEN PUBLIC TESTIMONY - [0:12:23]

Town Hall Announcement - Wa'ahila Ridge State Recreation Area - [0:12:43]: Stanton Ching announced that a town hall will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023, hosted by Representative Sayama, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hokulani Elementary School to discuss the following topics relating to Wa'ahila Ridge State Recreation Area: (1) Wildfire Prevention; (2) Disc Golf Course proposal.

Diamond Head Condo - Sidewalk Violation - [0:13:40]: Morris Heaney, as a representative of Pualei Circle, raised concerns he had with receiving a Notice of Violation from the Department of Planning & Permitting (DPP) in regards to a damaged sidewalk that is adjacent to the condominium. Heaney noted that he has attempted to contact DPP for further clarification, but was unsuccessful, and is searching for any help on this issue. Zepeda (Council Chair Water's Office) provided some insight on the issue.

II. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS - [0:18:59]: This item was revisited at this time as HFD representatives joined the meeting.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - [0:18:59]: Firefighter Yonemura reported the following:

September 2023 Statistics: There was one (1) nuisance fire, six (6) activated alarms without fire, 72 medical emergencies, one (1) motor vehicle collision with pedestrian, three (3) motor vehicle collisions, two (2) mountain rescues, and one (1) ocean rescue. A copy of the report and safety tips can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZBMYtpwzc3KbQMXEDy-m4NMvz6iFGzec/view?usp=drive_link

Safety Tip: Fire Prevention Month - This year's theme for Fire Prevention Week is �Cooking Safety starts with You'. For more tips and information, visit: https://fire.honolulu.gov/

VI. FEDERAL, STATE & CITY GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION REPORTS - [0:21:23]

U.S. Congressman Ed Case's Representative - [0:21:31]: No representative present. A report was submitted, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1agve_TZTz63Af0SoP_-lbe9DxGt6qAHU/view?usp=drive_link

U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono's Representative - [0:21:44]: No representative present.

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz's Representative - [0:21:53]: No representative present.

Governor Josh Green's Representative - [0:22:03]: Claudia Rapkoch provided the report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nxFECT_CrHDW8_z31rK7mgA6nsNp0xLi/view?usp=drive_link. Rapkoch briefly introduced herself and explained her role as Governor Green's representative at these meetings. Rapkoch highlighted the recent activities of the Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) as they brought five (5) new zero-emission electric vehicle buses to provide clean transportation for keiki going to school and tourists on O'ahu. The HSEO is also focused on decarbonization, which is in-line with the state's 2045 zero-emission target.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:26:51].

Matson joined the meeting at 6:32 p.m.; seven (7) members present.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative - [0:43:33]: Director Krucky provided the report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hgVDY3pHeu9VQ-PDqmrtcRrdJhssLwxJ/view?usp=drive_link. Director Krucky highlighted the following: Mayor Blangiardi's response to the ACLU lawsuit regarding the enforcement of public welfare laws; the one (1) year report of the Safe and Sound Program; affordable housing updates; fire prevention information; new parking meters which allow for credit card payments; installation of a new low-flow shower at Kaimana Beach Park. Director Krucky also responded to follow-up questions raised at the previous meeting.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:49:47].

VII. ELECTED OFFICIALS - [0:54:44]

Senator Les Ihara, Jr. - [0:54:45]: No representative present.

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi - [0:54:55]: No representative present. A report was submitted which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BW5fVbzP2SCam8j7vXnRMQ7SymlMT4Ek/view?usp=drive_link

Representative Jackson Sayama - [0:55:09]: Evelyn Hee re-announced that a town hall will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023, hosted by Representative Sayama, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hokulani Elementary School to discuss the following topics relating to Wa'ahila Ridge State Recreation Area: (1) Wildfire Prevention; (2) Disc Golf Course proposal.

Senator Stanley Chang - [0:56:31]: Theresa Ng provided the report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NlakDm7MCisLYtCNv8qRfsxU16VA13Hs/view?usp=drive_link. Ng highlighted the following: Senator Chang is hosting a virtual Housing Conference on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.; the Hawaii State Public Library offers a free public library card and you can sign up online or visit your local library; over $20,000 has been secured for updates at Leahi Hospital; the City is extending its chicken disposal service to private property owners.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:58:08].

Council Chair Tommy Waters - [1:01:54]: Amanda Zepeda provided the report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MlqJ9MTfQMBeSNSOBgp9VxxaVpG5-9vC/view?usp=drive_link. Zepeda highlighted the following: confusion and questions relating to the Kaimana Beach Shower Improvement project; information regarding the industrial stockyard along Kapahulu Avenue (fronting the Ala Wai Golf Course) and Council Chair Waters is hopeful that the area will be dismantled and restored as soon as possible; issues surrounding the number of Waikiki parades/events. Zepeda also responded to follow-up questions raised at the previous meeting and constituent concerns submitted to Council Chair Water's office.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [1:10:56].

Kaimana Beach Shower Improvement Project - Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) - [1:18:47]: Randall Wakumoto (DFM - Storm Water Quality Division) provided a brief presentation on the newly installed Kaimana Beach low-flow shower, and further explained the plans to improve all of the beach park showers along Waikiki in the near future. Wakumoto highlighted that, in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the three (3) goals for the shower improvements were: (1) conserve water; (2) make it accessible; (3) ensuring that it was helping to protect the environment.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [1:22:10].

Linda Wong joined the meeting at 7:27 p.m.; eight (8) members present. Quorum was established.

Councilmember Calvin Say - [1:31:02]: Councilmember Say provided his report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y24KY2r2IhalMkfOOPGN51whpQttMszl/view?usp=drive_link. Councilmember Say highlighted the following: concerns relating to a monster home at 1431 Alencastre Street; the Council adopted a study regarding the traffic flow along Waialae Avenue between 1st Avenue and 12th Avenue to see what improvements can be made; on-going concerns related to the overgrown hedges adjacent to Rainbow Drive-Inn; issues with homeless encampments at St. Louis Heights.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [1:33:21].

Bruce Wong joined the meeting at 7:47 p.m.; nine (9) members present.

VIII. PRESENTATIONS - [1:52:46]

Pahoa Ridge Development (2779 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI) - [1:52:46]: Vice Chair Velasco announced that this item will be added to the next agenda as the presenter was unable to attend this meeting.

IX. NEW BUSINESS - [1:52:58]

Motion in support of Representative Ed Case's Letter to FAA Relating to Tour Aircraft Flights - [1:52:59]: Vice Chair Velasco introduced the item of business regarding Representative Case's letter to the FAA requesting additional steps be taken to decrease noise and safety concerns. As several members had not had time to thoroughly review the letter, it was suggested that this item be postponed to the next meeting. A copy of the letter can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1agve_TZTz63Af0SoP_-lbe9DxGt6qAHU/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [1:53:56].

[1:55:12] - Matson MOVED and L. Wong SECONDED to support Ed Case's letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Discussion followed. Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a roll call vote. The motion was NOT ADOPTED; 7-0-2 (Aye: Beutel, Hasina, Matson, Murchie, Velasco, B. Wong, L. Wong; Nay: None; Abstain: Allen, Knight) - [1:58:59].

X. COMMITTEE REPORTS - [1:59:59]

Environment - [2:00:02]: Committee Chair Velasco reported that she plans on scheduling a meeting in November 2023 to discuss the cesspool issue around Diamond Head.

Parks & Recreation - [2:00:43]: Committee Co-Chair Murchie reported an issue regarding the nighttime workers are not cleaning the bathrooms before ending their shift for the day.

Planning & Zoning - [2:01:29]: Committee Chair Matson provided her report on the proposed "Pahoa Ridge" development at Waialae Avenue H-1 West onramp, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/178BH_ohf9uQ_qRCUP4aQrktseJAofXzQ/view?usp=drive_link. Committee Chair Matson highlighted the following community concerns raised in recent meetings on the topic: established zoning height-limit laws and density regulations; developer seeks public taxpayer funding and regulatory permit exemptions; environmental impacts; regional traffic impacts; cumulative freeway approach traffic impacts and pedestrian safety impacts; compounded traffic risks and dangers. Committee Chair Matson expressed proposed community recommendations to ensure that this project is focused on affordable workforce housing rentals.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [2:12:02].

[2:25:16] - L. Wong MOVED and Murchie SECONDED to send the Planning & Zoning Committee informational report to the Department of Planning & Permitting (DPP), Department of Transportation Services (DTS), and Director Ed Sniffen (State Department of Transportation - DOT). Discussion followed. Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a roll call vote. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 8-0-0 (Aye: Allen, Beutel, Hasina, Knight, Matson, Murchie, Velasco, L. Wong; Nay: None; Abstain: None) - [2:30:54].

Additional questions, comments, and concerns followed - [2:31:55].

Traffic & Public Safety - [2:38:10]: Committee Chair Murchie noted that her report was covered under the Planning & Zoning Committee report. Matson suggested that joint committee meetings between the Planning & Zoning Committee and the Traffic & Public Safety Committee would be useful in addressing concerns related to the Pahoa Ridge development.

XI. REPORT OF BOARD MEMBERS ATTENDING OTHER BOARD MEETINGS - [2:41:09]:

Waikiki Neighborhood Board Meeting - [2:41:20]: Murchie reported that she attended the last Waikiki NB meeting, which included a virtual opportunity to participate in the meeting, and topics of discussion included Waikiki parades. Murchie raised concerns that she has issues joining these meetings using WebEx.

XII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - [2:43:05]

Regular Meeting Minutes - Thursday, February 9, 2023; Thursday, March 9, 2023; Thursday, April 13, 2023; Thursday, May 18, 2023; Thursday, June 8, 2023; Thursday, July 13, 2023; Thursday, August 10, 2023; Thursday, September 14, 2023 - [2:43:14]: Neighborhood Assistant Buck noted that the draft minutes for February - May 2023 received proposed amendments, and the Board can either approve the minutes as drafted or as amended.

[2:46:14] - Matson MOVED and L. Wong SECONDED to approve the February, March and April 2023 regular meeting minutes as amended. Discussion followed. Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a roll call vote. The motion was NOT ADOPTED; 6-2-1 (Aye: Allen, Hasina, Knight, Matson, Murchie, L. Wong; Nay: Beutel, Velasco; Abstain: B. Wong) - [2:49:11].

[2:50:55] - Beutel MOVED and Knight SECONDED to approve the February, March, April, May, June, July, August and September 2023 regular meeting minutes as drafted. Discussion followed. Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a roll call vote. The motion was NOT ADOPTED; 6-2-1 (Aye: Allen, Beutel, Hasina, Knight, Velasco, B. Wong; Nay: Matson, L. Wong; Abstain: Murchie) - [2:57:33].

XIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS - [2:58:28]

Chair's Report - General Announcements - [2:58:30]: No report.

Chair's Report - Committee Agendas - [2:58:34]: Vice Chair Velasco announced that Committee agendas for November 2023 and due to Chair Welch by Sunday, October 29, 2023. Neighborhood Assistant Buck noted that the deadline is a request in order to reduce additional costs for printing and postage.

Next Meeting - [2:59:34]: The next Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board No.05 regular meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at the Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse and virtually via Webex.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT - [2:59:48]: The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by: Dylan Buck, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Naomi Hanohano, Community Relations Specialist

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

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Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting OCTOBER 2023 Minutes

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

Kaimuki Hawaii
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