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Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting FEBRUARY 2024 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 3/14/2024.

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

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

February 2024 Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024 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=0VcTTxpCOw4

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at:

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

I. CALL TO ORDER - [0:00:18]: 6:04 p.m.

Chair Welch called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Quorum was established with 10 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, Michelle Matson, Margaret Murchie, Arleen Velasco, Winston Welch, Dylan Whitsell, Bruce Wong, Linda Wong, Alexandra Kahn (appointed at 6:14 p.m.) and Angie Knight (6:18 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: Dan Decker.

Guests: Captain Elden Tanaka, Firefighter Lance Ontai (Honolulu Fire Department); Captain Blake Arita, Lieutenant Michael Thompson (Honolulu Police Department); Dean Carol Hoshiko (Kapiolani Community College); Dr. Miku Lenentine (Center for Resilient Neighborhoods); Taylor Urban (Rainbow Ekiden Race); Ashley Blanton (Drone Light Show); Director Anton Krucky (Mayor Rick Blangiardi); Steven Sung (Verizon Wireless); Renee Espiau (Department of Transportation Services - Complete Streets); Representative Jackson Sayama; Representative Bertrand Kobayashi; Marli Mason (Senator Stanley Chang); Amanda Zepeda (Council Chair Tommy Waters); Andrew Phomsouvanh, Pua Smith-Kauhane, Janel Denny (Councilmember Calvin Say); Stanton Ching, Joannie Dobbs, Lance Yamamoto, Noela Von Wiegandt, Daisy Murai, Ku'ana Lewis, Dale Kobayashi (Residents); Spencer Johnson (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 42 total participants.

Chair Welch asked for a moment of silence to pay respects to Neighborhood Board member Wendell Murakawa for his service to this community as he recently passed away.

II. FILLING OF BOARD VACANCIES - [0:01:34]

Diamond Head Sub-District 2 - One (1) Seat [0:01:34]: No volunteers at this time. This item was revisited later in the meeting.

Diamond Head Sub-District 3 - Two (2) Seats [0:01:34]: No volunteers at this time.

III. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS - [0:02:13]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) - [0:02:13]: Firefighter Ontai provided the monthly statistics for the previous month and safety tips on lithium-ion batteries.

• Report - January: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1opYlDwoedEDSnJB3eLdCX9GWsCAiscKZ/view?usp=drive_link

• Report - February: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZwVG2u73Ql8dtLsYtxHUM6ADiaDMiEXm/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:04:34]

Whitsell left at 6:12 p.m.; nine (9) members present.

II. FILLING OF BOARD VACANCIES [CONTINUED] - [0:07:45]

Diamond Head Sub-District 2 - One (1) Seat [0:07:45]: Alexandra Kahn volunteered to fill the Sub-District 2 vacancy, introduced herself and provided proof of residency.

[0:09:45] - Velasco nominated Alexandra Kahn to fill the Sub-District 2 vacancy. Hearing no other volunteers or nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Alexandra Kahn was APPOINTED to the Board; 9-0 (Kahn: Allen, Beutel, Hasina, Matson, Murchie, Velasco, B. Wong, L. Wong, Welch; Abstain: None) - [0:10:08]. There are now 10 members present.

Whitsell returned at 6:16 p.m.; 11 members present.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 6 - [0:11:54]: Captain Arita provided the monthly statistics for the previous month, safety tips to prevent vehicle break-ins, and announced that Waikiki has implemented more HPD bicycle patrols.

Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u1ktieHt1QXElX0lHvxgoEwUKAT7kMSF/view?usp=drive_link

Crime Mapping Statistics: https://www.honolulupd.org/information/crime-mapping/

Knight joined at 6:18 p.m.; 12 members present.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:16:29]

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 7 - [0:23:18]: Lieutenant Thompson provided the monthly statistics for the previous month and safety tips on how to avoid scams.

• Crime Mapping Statistics: https://www.honolulupd.org/information/crime-mapping/

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:25:03]

IV. APPROVAL OF DRAFT MEETING MINUTES SUBMITTED BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION OFFICE - [0:28:03]

February 2023, March 2023, April 2023, May 2023 - [0:29:46]: [0:30:02] - Matson MOVED and Murchie SECONDED to approve the following minutes as corrected: Thursday, February 9, 2023; Thursday, March 9, 2023; Thursday, April 13, 2023; and Thursday, May 18, 2023. Discussion followed. Hearing no further discussion, the Board conducted a roll call vote. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 10-1-1 (Aye: Allen, Hasina, Knight, Matson, Kahn, Murchie, Velasco, B. Wong, L. Wong, Welch; Nay: Beutel; Abstain: Whitsell) - [0:39:03]

June 2023, July 2023, August 2023, September 2023, October 2023, November 2023, December 2023, January 2024 - [0:40:35]: [0:40:54] - Beutel MOVED and Whitsell SECONDED to approve the minutes as written: Thursday, June 8, 2023; Thursday, July 13, 2023; Thursday, August 10, 2023; Thursday, September 14, 2023; Thursday, October 12, 2023; Thursday, November 9, 2023; Thursday, December 14, 2023; and Thursday, January 11, 2024. Discussion followed.

[0:43:29] - L. Wong MOVED and Velasco SECONDED to amend the motion to exclude the Thursday, July 13, 2023 minutes. Hearing no discussion, the Board conducted a roll call vote. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 11-0-1 (Aye: Allen, Beutel, Hasina, Knight, Kahn, Murchie, Velasco, Whitsell, B. Wong, L. Wong, Welch; Nay: None; Abstain: Matson) - [0:44:38]

The main motion, as amended (June 2023 - January 2024 without July 2023), was taken up at this time. Hearing no discussion, the Board conducted a roll call vote. The main motion WAS ADOPTED; 11-0-1 (Aye: Allen, Beutel, Hasina, Knight, Kahn, Murchie, Velasco, Whitsell, B. Wong, L. Wong, Welch; Nay: None; Abstain: Matson) - [0:46:50]

[0:47:40] - Beutel MOVED and Knight SECONDED to approve the Thursday, July 13, 2023 minutes as written. Discussion followed. Hearing no further discussion, the Board conducted a roll call vote. The motion was NOT ADOPTED; 7-3-2 (Aye: Allen, Beutel, Hasina, Knight, Kahn, Whitsell, B. Wong; Nay: Matson, Velasco, Welch; Abstain: Murchie, L. Wong) - [0:50:50]

V. BWS, KCC, & PUBLIC EVENTS NOTICES/ANNOUNCEMENTS - [0:52:40]

Board of Water Supply (BWS) - [0:52:40]: No representative present. Chair Welch announced the BWS $100 toilet rebate promotion that is currently offered.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wG6ShhnuTghGRhpwwoX343bPb8JNFxFY/view?usp=drive_link

Kapiolani Community College (KCC) - [0:53:22]: Dean Carol Hoshiko announced that KCC will be hosting a PhotoCON event, coupled with some features of KCC's Career and Technical Education programs, from Thursday, February 22, 2024 through Sunday, February 25, 2024. Dr. Miku Lenentine, Coordinator for the Center for Resilient Neighborhoods (CERENE), provided a presentation on the concept of CERENE with a focus on the group's progress with Action 15 (Resilience Hub Network).

• Website: https://cerenehawaii.org/

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [0:59:26]

Public Events Announcements - Hawaii Pacific Health Women's 10k and 5k Fun Run - [1:03:43]: No representative present.

• Handout: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fs14cOalUlx0zVfCqgKzPFzZGbT6gwQ8/view?usp=drive_link

Public Events Announcements - Honolulu Rainbow Ekiden Relay Race - [1:04:03]: Taylor Urban (Mid-Pacific Road Runners Club) announced that the Honolulu Rainbow Ekiden Race is scheduled for Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. In addition to the 5K race, there are other community events such as a Keiki Race.

• Handouts: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12Kqd6HKBtTd2eS0Q6NNgNrUJdc2RcIgR?usp=drive_link

• Website: https://www.rainbowekiden.com

Public Events Announcements - Drone Light Show at Kapiolani Park - [1:05:50]: Ashley Blanton announced that a drone light show performance will be held at Kapiolani Park on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 9:50 p.m. for approximately seven (7) minutes.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [1:09:21]

VI. COMMUNITY CONCERNS & OPEN PUBLIC TESTIMONY - [1:42:09]

Residential Dust Complaints - [1:42:31]: Reggie Ching raised concerns that the vacant gravel parking, constructed for Izakaya Nonbei on Olu Street, is causing significant dust affecting nearby neighbors. Ching requested that the new owner lay asphalt or some form of aggregate to reduce dust.

Feral Cat Population - [1:45:48]: Reggie Ching raised concerns with his neighbor on Olu Street for taking in stray cats for the past three (3) years as they have reproduced and this is a growing problem in the Kapahulu community.

Broken Water Fountains at Kapiolani Park - [1:48:03]: Joannie Dobbs raised health concerns with the broken water fountain at Kapiolani Park, adjacent to Paki Hale, as thousands of people use the park daily in addition to large events like the marathons.

Drone Activity - [1:49:39]: Daisy Murai reported that her neighbor was approached by a uniformed gentleman informing her of aerial drone activity, and Murai asked if anyone has information regarding those activities.

Homeless Encampments - [1:50:08]: Daisy Murai reported that there is a homeless encampment in front of Rainbow Drive-In.

Former Board Member Passed Away - [1:50:20]: Daisy Murai announced that former Neighborhood Board member, Barbra Armentrout, recently passed away.

VII. MAYOR'S OFFICE - [1:51:24]

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi - [1:51:24]: Director Krucky provided the report and highlighted the following: lifesaving floatation devices at public beaches; a recent heart attack incident at a City Council meeting; a reminder that the Kilohana Experience at the Waikiki Shell is opening next week; a new statue was unveiled at P wa'a In-Ha Park; and Mayor Blangiardi will be discussing permit pileups with the Department of Planning & Permitting on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. Director Krucky also provided responses to questions raised at the previous meeting.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r8bI77TCvJp1K5GmUoIWXngxoez_Rii3/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [1:58:34]

[2:11:49] - Hearing no objections, Chair Welch took the agenda out of order to hear item X. Elected Officials at this time.

X. ELECTED OFFICIALS' REPORTS [2:12:19]

U.S. Congressman Ed Case's Representative - [2:12:23]: No representative present.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ag_WpTl2NLkTM1o0XrXrDkhIz3zSVIG/view?usp=drive_link

• Community Project Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NFeh4UZ111FWG6H8pycEw8MRZF17eQUq/view?usp=drive_link

U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono's Representative - [2:12:24]: No representative present.

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz's Representative - [2:12:25]: No representative present.

Governor Josh Green's Representative - [2:12:28]: No representative present.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SUWkd8YMo7v6u4GUswyy414h1tO10e87/view?usp=drive_link

Senator Les Ihara, Jr. - [2:12:38]: No representative present.

Representative Jackson Sayama - [2:13:09]: No representative present.

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi - [2:13:29]: Representative Kobayashi provided his report and highlighted the following: funding is tight this year as the State estimated a $1 billion deficit; there are several controversial bills such as recreational marijuana legalization and gambling.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13eqgAkjOTfxmOTUbMEasva577PS9HJXG/view?usp=drive_link

Senator Stanley Chang - [2:14:39]: Marli Mason provided the reports and highlighted the following: the DCCA Insurance Division would like to remind homeowners to review their flood insurance coverage; Leahi Hospital will receive $10,100 for AC upgrades; and the Diamond Head State Monument Park will receive $2 million for rock fall and flood mitigation.

• Newsletter: https://www.senatorchang.com/newsletters

• Housing Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gRI0jf

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [2:16:52]

Council Chair Tommy Waters - [2:17:31]: Amanda Zepeda provided the report and highlighted the following: the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is still considering the possibility of relocating the new �No Vehicle Parking' sign at Makalei Beach Park; the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) is waiting on survey results before proposing speed mitigation efforts along Diamond Head Road; and Resolution 24-30 regarding low-flow shower fixtures.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bizcpd40Gt3TO8j8HKGFFgx4LXSOOY3I/view?usp=drive_link

Councilmember Calvin Say - [2:20:04]: Andrew Phomsouvanh provided the report and highlighted the following: the public hearing regarding the Primary Urban Center Development Plan was rescheduled to Wednesday, March 20, 2024; constituent concerns regarding illegal parking on both sides of narrow streets in St. Louis Heights community; and show support for the Honolulu Zoo by voting for them.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wbPmuYpqiKL1b_RF2hKra35pbtThCaBd/view?usp=drive_link

VIII. PRESENTATIONS - [2:22:08]

Verizon Wireless Proposed Telecommunication Facility (Small Cell) at Kapiolani Community College - [2:22:52]: Steven Sung (Verizon Wireless) presented information and images of Verizon's small cell technology project on Kapiolani Community College's (KCC) campus to improve cell coverage within the campus and nearby buildings. KCC approached Verizon several years ago to address issues with limited cell coverage. A total of 12 one-foot-tall antennas and 13 nodes will be installed across five (5) rooftops within KCC's campus, and the design is meant to be minimal.

• Presentation: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pE4Gt5LRZu00eXGxyplm-abRdz5549wL?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [2:31:26]

Department of Transportation Services Complete Streets Kilauea Avenue - [2:38:56]: Renee Espiau (Department of Transportation Services - DTS) presented information and images regarding Complete Streets Kilauea Avenue project. Espiau discussed Honolulu's Complete Streets laws (ROH 14-18), pedestrians and k puna are disproportionately impacted, and the two (2) standards for creating safe streets for all users: (1) dedicated and protected facilities for non-vehicular travel; (2) limit opportunities for speeding. Espiau highlighted that the project is proposing to install buffered bike lanes along Kilauea Avenue which would reduce the existing two (2) lane roadway to single lanes with a shared turning lane.

• Website: https://www.honolulu.gov/completestreets/diamondhead-kaimuki-kapahulu

Questions, comments, and concerns followed - [2:47:40]

IX. RESOLUTIONS for Board Action: No discussion.

XI. BOARD BUSINESS

Committee Report - Environment: Postponed to the next meeting.

Committee Report - Parks & Recreation: Postponed to the next meeting.

Committee Report - Planning & Zoning: Postponed to the next meeting.

Committee Report - Traffic & Public Safety: Postponed to the next meeting.

Sub-District Report - St. Louis Heights Subdistrict 1: Postponed to the next meeting.

Sub-District Report - Kapahulu Subdistrict 2: Postponed to the next meeting.

Sub-District Report - Diamond Head Subdistrict 3: Postponed to the next meeting.

XII. REPORTS OF BOARD MEMBERS ATTENDING OTHER BOARD AND PUBLIC MEETINGS: Postponed to the next meeting.

XIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS - [2:54:27]

Chair's Report - Committee Agendas and General Announcements: 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, March 14, 2024 at the Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse and virtually via Webex.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT - [2:56:55]: The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by: Dylan Buck, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO

Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy, NCO

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

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Kaimuki Hawaii News Item

Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting FEBRUARY 2024 Minutes

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

Kaimuki Hawaii
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