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Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting NOVEMBER 2023 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 12/14/2023.

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

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

November 2023 Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 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=gZB-ZrFV11I

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at:

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

I. CALL TO ORDER - [0:00:01]: 6:00 p.m.

Chair Welch called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was established with nine (9) 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, Dan Decker, Rafia Hasina, Angie Knight, Wendell Murakawa, Margaret Murchie, Arleen Velasco, Winston Welch, Linda Wong and Michelle Matson (6:09 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: Dylan Whitsell and Bruce Wong.

Guests: Lieutenant Steven Ono, Lieutenant Michael Thompson (Honolulu Police Department); Claudia Rapkoch (Governor Josh Green); Director Anton Krucky (Mayor Rick Blangiardi); Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui (Honolulu Board of Water Supply); Dean Carol Hoshiko (Kapiolani Community College); Chris Deuchar, Moe Mohanna (Pahoa Ridge Development); Council Chair Tommy Waters, Amanda Zepeda; Andrew Phomsouvanh, Janel Denny, Melvia Kawashima (Councilmember Calvin Say); Representative Jackson Sayama; Marli Mason, Theresa Ng (Senator Stanley Chang); Kuhio Lewis, Jay Park, Nick Carroll (Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement); Wayne Swan, Ed Kuba, Stanton Ching, Michael Cacal, Franklin Chung, Flo Nishimoto, Morris Heaney, Franklin Chung, Daisy Murai, MJ Nakamoto, Dale Kobayashi, Scott Settle, Suny Rosario, Emily Davids, Patti Kawano, Tom Schnell, Ly Nakada, Noela Von Wiegandt, Laura Ruby (Residents); Dylan Buck (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 58 total participants.

II. FILLING OF BOARD VACANCIES - [0:01:37]

Diamond Head Sub-District 3 - Two (2) Seats [0:01:37]: No volunteers at this time.

III. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS - [0:02:17]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - [0:02:19]: No representative present. A report was submitted, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MvArTr-_i3mnj7VQc2fbNjUHjTe_gfel/view?usp=drive_link

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 6 - [0:02:37]: Lieutenant Ono reported the following:

October 2023 Statistics: There were seven (7) robberies, 16 burglaries, 149 thefts, 24 unauthorized entry into motor vehicle (UEMV's), 32 assaults, three (3) sex crimes, 55 bike/skateboard on sidewalks, 18 speeding citations, 1,720 parking citations, three (3) loud mufflers, 18 citations and two (2) arrests for park closures, and 4,544 total calls for service. More information can be found at: https://www.honolulupd.org/information/crime-mapping/

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 7 - [0:04:31]: No representative present.

IV. BWS, KCC, & PUBLIC EVENTS NOTICES/ANNOUNCEMENTS - [0:04:58]

Board of Water Supply (BWS) - [0:05:32]: Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui (Public Information Officer) provided the report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kgCwBNDGsdVQPj8ItlCeD6PW36y2JPGK/view?usp=drive_link. Elliott-Pahinui highlighted that BWS has launched its 2024 Poster and Poetry Contest, and the deadline for students to enter is Wednesday, February 28, 2024.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:06:35].

Matson joined the meeting at 6:09 p.m.; 11 members present.

Kapiolani Community College (KCC) - [0:09:22]: Dean Carol Hoshiko provided construction updates regarding Phase II of the Culinary Institute of the Pacific. A copy of Dean Hoshiko's slides can be found at: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1W3lTQI9F3s3D2jcwkQc6Juv0uaZrwq0T/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=112972764551395013814&rtpof=true&sd=true

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:13:00].

Public Events Announcements - [0:16:59]: Kuhio Lewis (Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement - CNHA) announced that the CNHA is proposing the �Kilohana Experience' on a regular basis at the Waikiki Shell, which consists of three parts: a free daily Hawaiian hula performance, a market village highlighting authentic handcrafted goods, and an authentic l 'au to end the evening. A report was provided, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s4YPnzEKyRLLWIpS0sZ6mkbv0ZbeMeH-/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:20:03].

V. COMMUNITY CONCERNS & OPEN PUBLIC TESTIMONY - [0:29:19]

Ala Pono Bridge Project - Draft Resolution - [0:29:23]: Laura Ruby presented a draft resolution requesting a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Ala Wai Canal (University Avenue and Kalaimoku Street) site. Ruby noted that the draft resolution has been introduced at the McCully-Mo'ili'ili Neighborhood Board No.08, and requested that this board consider adding it to their next agenda.

Primary Urban Center & Complete Streets - [0:34:44]: Linda Wong commented that she has attended recent Planning Commission meetings (Department of Planning and Permitting) regarding the Primary Urban Center Development Plan (PUCDP), and reported that the consensus at this time is to build outwards and not upwards. Matson encouraged Chair Welch to attend the upcoming Planning Commission meeting and consider presenting a resolution previously adopted by this Board.

Concerns Related to the Intersection of Kanaina/Kapahulu Avenue - [0:40:30]: A resident raised various traffic and safety concerns regarding the intersection of Kanaina Avenue and Kapahulu Avenue. It was suggested that the solution to these existing problems, with homelessness, overgrown shrubs, traffic and pedestrian safety, would be to re-install the right-turn lane from Kanaina Avenue onto Kapahulu Avenue. Chair Welch referred this issue to the Traffic and Public Safety Committee.

Concerns Related to Homeless - Rainbow Drive In - [0:48:44]: Ed Kuba thanked the Board for working with HPD and DFM to address the on-going concerns with overgrown shrubs and homeless encampments at the intersection of Kanaina Avenue and Kapahulu Avenue. Kuba also read an email from the owner of Rainbow Drive In regarding other concerns related to homelessness.

Parking Issues at Ala Wai Marina - [0:50:12]: Arleen Velasco announced that there is a situation with the management of the Ala Wai Marina, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources has added this item to their upcoming agenda on potentially eliminating the free parking at the Ala Wai Harbor.

Mopeds along Kalakaua Avenue - [0:53:48]: Wayne Swan (Diamond Head Ambassador Board of Directors) raised safety and noise concerns regarding large groups of mopeds that travel along Kalakaua Avenue, and inquired if this Board has any information on proposed solutions. Council Chair Waters responded with information on the situation, and correlated this issue to the complaints of an abundance of mopeds parking illegally at Makalei Beach Park. Chair Welch referred this issue to the Traffic and Public Safety Committee.

VI. PRESENTATIONS - [1:04:56]

Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Urban Forestry NB#5 District Area Updates - [1:05:00]: Director Laura Thielen (Department of Parks and Recreation - DPR), as requested by the Board, introduced the new Division of Urban Forestry (DUF) Administrator Roxanne Adams. Director Thielen noted that DUF is responsible for managing the City's green spaces and street trees across the island. Director Thielen highlighted that DPR is in the very early stages of planning to relocate DUF's Administration & Arboriculture site to the vacant lot fronting the Ala Wai Golf Course property. A copy of the conceptual designs shared can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sWGcVSYyqYFX3SuX2nAFpfn1oPKpajGM/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [1:09:16].

Chair Welch called a five (5) minute recess at 7:27 p.m.

Chair Welch called the meeting back to order at 7:31 p.m.

Pahoa Ridge Development - 2779 Waialae Avenue - Focus on Requested Variances and Traffic Impacts - [1:30:35]: Chris Deuchar (Form Partners) presented background information, floor plans, traffic mitigation plans, and conceptual renderings of the proposed P hoa Ridge Apartments to be developed at 2779 Waialae Avenue. Deuchar reported that, according to recent studies, 50,000 new homes are needed by 2025 to serve Hawaii residents, 50% of local families earning 80% AMI are unable to purchase a median-priced home/condo on O'ahu, and 23.5 years needed to save for a down payment and closing costs in Hawaii. Deuchar highlighted the following project information: 211 affordable units (98 one-bedroom / 57 two-bedroom / 56 studios); Priority 1 is to create 165 units between 30-60% AMI; 281 parking stalls; 28 stories (250 feet); two (2) recreation decks; swimming pool; fitness and community rooms; shade and BBQ areas.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [1:47:53].

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS - This item was taken out of order, and ultimately postponed to the next meeting, to address item VIII. Elected Officials' Reports at this time.

Environment: Postponed to the next meeting.

Parks & Recreation: Postponed to the next meeting.

Planning & Zoning: Postponed to the next meeting.

Traffic & Public Safety: Postponed to the next meeting.

VIII. ELECTED OFFICIALS' REPORTS - [2:37:38]

U.S. Congressman Ed Case's Representative - [2:37:47]: No representative present.

U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono's Representative - [2:37:53]: No representative present.

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz's Representative - [2:37:56]: No representative present.

Governor Josh Green's Representative - [2:38:05]: Claudia Rapkoch provided the report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HAcM33QjeuC-a2_wq_iPKd8EjSSysZhc/view?usp=drive_link. Rapkoch highlighted housing issues and spoke to the recent provision (October 2023) to the Governor's Emergency Proclamation related to Housing.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [2:39:26].

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative - [2:42:22]: Director Krucky provided the report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M5S0qGbQHaOtCOzaa7e5G1GZ7GVX7u8A/view?usp=drive_link. Director Krucky noted that he can assist with invitations/requests from the board to receive presentations from various representatives of the City & County of Honolulu. Director Krucky also responded to follow-up questions raised at the previous meeting.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [2:44:48].

Council Chair Tommy Waters - [2:50:13]: Council Chair Waters provided his report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tlfC3ntoYbhJhQTxzHDLxyhGdT0zdShD/view?usp=drive_link. Council Chair Waters highlighted the following: Primary Urban Core Development Plan; the industrial stockyard fronting the Ala Wai Golf Course on Kapahulu Avenue; and 201H Applications related to the Pahoa Ridge Development.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [2:57:20].

Councilmember Calvin Say: Postponed to the next meeting. Councilmember Say provided his report, which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19kDkjJaAK73MM2z-N2ruvl0N7JGaVDGK/view?usp=drive_link.

Senator Les Ihara, Jr.: Postponed to the next meeting.

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi: Postponed to the next meeting. A report was submitted which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fTkWqjz3_LopdqHMGslP7tw918kljniD/view?usp=drive_link

Representative Jackson Sayama: Postponed to the next meeting.

Senator Stanley Chang: Postponed to the next meeting. A report was submitted, which can be found at: https://www.senatorchang.com/newsletters.

IX. SUB-DISTRICT REPORTS

Subdistrict 1: Postponed to the next meeting.

Subdistrict 2: Postponed to the next meeting.

Subdistrict 3: Postponed to the next meeting.

X. REPORT OF BOARD MEMBERS ATTENDING OTHER BOARD MEETINGS: Postponed to the next meeting.

XI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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; Thursday, October 12, 2023: Postponed to the next meeting.

XII. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chair's Report - General Announcements: Postponed to the next meeting.

Chair's Report - Committee Agendas: Postponed to the next meeting.

Next Meeting: The next Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board No.05 regular meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at the Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse and virtually via Webex.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT - [2:59:33]: 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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Kaimuki Hawaii News Item

Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting NOVEMBER 2023 Minutes

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

Kaimuki Hawaii
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