Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting JANUARY 2025 Minutes

Community website by MBC/Ernest Abrams. Call 808-739-9797 for advertising/sponsorship#KaimukiHawaii Community website by MBC/Ernest Abrams. Call 808-739-9797 for advertising/sponsorship#KaimukiHawaii

Kaimuki Hawaii
News Item
Powered by MBC NewsMaker
Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting JANUARY 2025 Minutes
Tweet

NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 2/13/2025.

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

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

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025 AT 6:00 P.M.

ALA WAI GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE BALLROOM -- 404 KAPAHULU AVENUE, HONOLULU, HI 96815

AND ONLINE VIA WEBEX

Video Recording of Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3KqlRggjT4

Google Drive Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WKnOJqdvqoRuGhJ7E9rg5u7AtruuZZZn

1. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:01:10]: Chair Welch called the meeting to order at 6:09 p.m. Quorum was established with 9 members present. This 15-member board requires 8 members to establish a quorum and to take official board action.

Board Members Present: Julia Allen, David Beutel, Angie Knight, Michelle Matson, Margaret Murchie, Laura St. Denis, Arleen Velasco, Winston Welch, Bruce Wong, Kendric Wong (joined at 6:34 p.m.), and Linda Wong (arrived at 6:13 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: Dan Decker, Rafia Hasina, Alex Kahn, and Dylan Whitsell.

Guests: Lieutenant Cyrus Hanuna, Sergeant John Omerod, Major Bradon Ogata, Lieutenant Michael Thompson (Honolulu Police Department); Carol Hoshiko (Kapiʻolani Community College); Kaʻili Trask O'Connell, and Marion Cadora (Mayor's Office of Culture and Arts); Noelani Schilling-Wheeler (Oʻahu Visitors Bureau); Department of Community Services Director Anton Krucky (Mayor Blangiardi); Director Laura Thielen (Department of Parks and Recreation); Amanda Zepeda (City Council Chair Waters); Councilmember Scott Nishimoto, Taylor Date, Heath Williams, and Kylie Tokujo (Councilmember Nishimoto); Ryan Aguilar (Governor Green); Ruben Sierra (State Senator Chang); Representative Tina Nakada Grandinetti, Keao Sproat-Hum (Representative Grandinetti); Representative Jackson Sayama; Franklin Cho, Daisy Murai, Samo Rozman, and Laura Ruby (Residents/Guests); Curtis Hayashi (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible or stated for the record. There were approximately 44 total participants.

2. PUBLIC SAFETY MONTHLY REPORTS -- [0:01:37]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD), Waikīkī Station -- [0:01:41]: No representative present. Should you have questions, please email the HFD's Public Affairs & Media Liaison at HFDNHB@honolulu.gov.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MYHASR4ofp54pHjhcZMysF2pmPqeEAZG/view?usp=sharing

• Response Mapping: http://www.responsemapping.com/map.aspx?aid=2d8b134f-7c9f-4f42-8ef7-424c4cfe3ae5

HFD recommends anyone wanting more details to use the response map to search for the incidents near them. The map contains data from the last 6 months and can be filtered by date, type of incidents, and location, making it easy for residents to learn more about what is going on in their neighborhood.

• Request for Information: https://fire.honolulu.gov/requests-for-information

• Website: https://fire.honolulu.gov

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 6 -- Waikīkī/Kapiʻolani Park/Diamond Head -- [0:02:20]: Lieutenant Hanuna provided the report with Sergeant Omerod and highlighted:

• December 2024 Statistics: There were 2 robberies, 10 burglaries, 98 felony thefts, 14 unauthorized entry into motor vehicle (UEMV) offenses, 35 assaults, 3 sex crimes, zero bicycles/skateboards on sidewalk citations, 21 speeding citations, 2,135 parking citations, 1 loud muffler or prohibited noise citation, 102 park closure citations, 13 park closure arrests, and 4,320 calls for service. For more information, visit https://www.honolulupd.org.

• Crime Mapping Statistics: https://www.honolulupd.org/dashboard

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:04:05].

Linda Wong joined at 6:13 p.m.; 10 members present.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 7 -- Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights/East Honolulu -- [0:05:58]: Lieutenant Nishimura provided the report and highlighted:

• December 2024 Statistics: There were 12 motor vehicle thefts, 6 burglary, 12 thefts, 10 unauthorized entry into motor vehicle (UEMV) offenses, and 5,865 calls for service. For more information, visit https://www.honolulupd.org.

• Safety Tip: For pedestrians, please use marked crosswalks, check when you cross the street, and yield to approaching vehicles while crossing even if you have the right of way. For drivers, please stay focused and alert for pedestrians, stop for pedestrians on a crosswalk, obey the speed limits, and do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• Crime Mapping Statistics: https://www.honolulupd.org/dashboard

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:07:33].

3. FILLING OF VACANT BOARD SEAT -- [0:08:15]: Samo Rozman and Kendric Wong expressed interest in filling the vacant Diamond Head Subdistrict 3 (Diamond Head, Ft. Ruger, Kapiʻolani Park, Monsarrat) board seat and introduced themselves. From 0:11:06 to 0:15:13, the videographer's audio feed to online participants stopped. [0:16:30] -- Samo Rozman introduced himself. [0:17:26] -- Kendric Wong introduced himself. [0:20:51] -- Member Matson nominated Kendric Wong. [0:20:56] -- Member Murchie nominated Samo Rozman.

[0:21:41] -- Neighborhood Assistant Hayashi conducted a roll call vote and Kendric Wong was appointed to fill the vacant seat; 9--0--0 (Wong: Allen, Beutel, Knight, Matson, Murchie, St. Denis, Velasco, Welch, L. Wong; Rozman: None; Abstain: None).

[0:24:17] -- Chair Welch thanked the nominees, reminded everyone to register for the 2025 Neighborhood Board Election by Friday, February 21, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. (https://web5.hnl.info/nbe/candidate), and called a recess at 6:33 p.m. Kendric Wong took the oath of office.

Kendric Wong joined at 6:34 p.m.; 11 members present.

4. PUBLIC INTEREST REPORTS AND EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [0:24:55]

Board of Water Supply (BWS) -- [0:25:01]: Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui provided the report, encouraged residents to make water conservation a New Year's resolution, and updates on BWS projects.

• BWS Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lDYYNWum5bMXWA0OL_nYPAsf9qzw0kMt/view?usp=sharing

• BWS Website: https://boardofwatersupply.com

• Contact: Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui at kelliott-pahinui@hbws.org

• Inquiries on BWS Construction Projects: (808) 748-5319

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:26:30].

Kapiʻolani Community College (KCC) Updates -- [0:29:17]: Dean Hoshiko was present online via Webex, but there was no audio. Dean Hoshiko (hoshiko@hawaii.edu) provided the following update online via the Webex chat: I reported that the Innovation Building and Auditorium at CIP (Culinary Institute of the Pacific) are expected to be completed by early February 2025. The restaurant will be completed later.

Resident participation needed for the Honolulu Annual Community Survey carried out by Office of City Auditor -- [0:30:39]: Chair Welch encouraged residents to complete the Honolulu Annual Community Survey.

• Survey Link: https://polco.us/n/res/vote/honolulu-county-hi/the-city-and-county-of-honolulu-2024-community-survey-open-to-all-residents?pn-method=open

• City News: https://www8.honolulu.gov/mayor/mayor-encourages-o%CA%BBahu-residents-to-participate-in-annual-community-survey

5. PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS OPEN FORUM -- [0:31:28]

Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Committee Meetings -- [0:31:48]: Chair Welch reported that the Diamond Head Neighborhood Board will have a committee meeting with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) regarding Lēʻahi Beach Park and Mākālei Beach Park, and another committee meeting with the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) regarding TheBus Route 200 concerns.

Mākālei Beach Park Concerns -- [0:33:21]: Resident Alexi Drouin requested DTS to be present for the committee meeting with DPR regarding Mākālei Beach Park and thanked board members for passing the resolution strongly opposing construction of a parking lot within Mākālei Beach Park (https://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-13147). Drouin raised concerns about DPR's plan to build a parking lot at Mākālei Beach Park and would like to see DTS' traffic study data of Diamond Head Road. Member Linda Wong requested a copy of the traffic study before the meeting. Member Matson agreed and said that DTS completed the traffic study earlier last year. Member Matson reminded Chair Welch about an email she sent regarding the Sunshine Law as committee meetings are publicly noticed meetings that are open to the public. Member Matson said this is a very critical issue because of the traffic safety issues, special interest issues in "monopolizing" the park, and accessibility issues for regular recreational users of the scenic area.

Ala Wai Golf Course Concerns -- [0:39:12]: Resident Franklin Cho said the Ala Wai Golf Course driving range is shutting down at the end of January 2025 and noted that the condition of the driving range is the worst he has seen in the last 35 years. Cho hopes that they can do a good job in the renovations and would love to see the City bring in a better concession vendor or other operations to run the driving range better. Cho said that range balls were $14, the mats were "real crappy," and there is no grass on the driving range. Also, Cho asked what is the plan for the area that was used for equipment at the golf course entrance.

Parking and Traffic Safety Concerns on Moʻoheau Avenue and Hoʻolulu Street -- [0:41:04]: Resident Samo Rozman raised concerns about parked cars and traffic safety concerns on these roads. Also, Rozman shared concerns about the use of leaf blowers and pesticides in their neighborhood.

Ala Wai Bridge Project and Ala Wai Flood Control Plan -- [0:43:43]: Laura Ruby thanked the board for adopting a resolution requesting a full environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Ala Wai Bridge project. Ruby raised concerns about the proposed Ala Wai Bridge and said she is looking for people and groups to join a prospective environmental court suit/case regarding this project. After the Mayor's Report, she requested an update on the bridge project and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ala Wai flood control plan.

TheHandi-Van and City Refuse Trucks -- [0:47:08]: Resident Daisy Murai raised concerns about the city refuse trucks "breaking down" again in her neighborhood. Also, Murai said TheHandi-Van's new vehicles are "not really serving the people" who have trouble getting upstairs with an 8-inch high step up on the platform.

Kapiʻolani Community College (KCC) Updates -- [0:49:02]: KCC Dean Hoshiko said her connection to the meeting was poor and she provided an update online in the Webex chat about the CIP (Culinary Institute of the Pacific) and classes at KCC.

Mākālei Beach Park Incident -- [0:50:20]: Resident Cheryl (no last name provided) supports efforts to address Mākālei Beach Park concerns. Also, she mentioned there was an incident involving the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at Mākālei Beach Park last week.

6. RESOLUTIONS FOR BOARD ACTION -- [0:53:13]: None.

7. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:53:14]

Wahi Pana (Storied Places) Art Project at Mākālei Beach Park and Lē‘ahi Beach Park -- [0:53:30]: Kaʻili Trask O'Connell, Executive Director for the Mayor's Office of Culture and Arts (MOCA), introduced the Wahi Pana program, which is a public art initiative that MOCA is leading and it is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Marion Cadora, Curator of Collections & Public Art for MOCA, presented MOCA's plans to have the Wahi Pana grant project at four sites: Mākālei Beach Park, Lē‘ahi Beach Park, Fort Ruger Mini Park/Operation Red Wings Medal of Honor Park/Triangle Park, and Kapiʻolani Community College. Poetry stanzas will be printed on tempered glass and installed in various parks with each sign measuring 9 feet tall. The display will be on view from February 2025 to February 2028. The Oʻahu Visitors Bureau (OVB) is one of MOCA's partners on this project. OVB Executive Director Noelani Schilling-Wheeler shared remarks about the community project and partnership.

• Wahi Pana Brochure: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RVENqCC1_fQecq0-FVFmhjpYFCZ44m0F/view?usp=sharing

• Wahi Pana Lēʻahi Project: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AVxlgM6Es4LO-rE4GZmGh2GhKXOtTgZs/view?usp=sharing

Board members shared their concerns about the beach park locations and asked MOCA to work with the neighborhood board on any future projects in the area. Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:01:32].

8. CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU REPORTS -- [1:19:23]

Mayor's Representative -- [1:19:35]: The Mayor's Representative, Department of Community Services (DCS) Director Anton Krucky provided the report and highlighted the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, fireworks incidents, fallen firefighter Jeffrey Fiala, City's landfill announcement, Mayor Blangiardi honoring Councilmember Calvin Say after five decades of public service, Honolulu City Lights, opening of homeless shelters, Neighborhood Board elections (https://www8.honolulu.gov/nco/neighborhood-board-elections), City seeking Ocean Safety Commissioner candidates, and an update about the beachfront wall collapse at Queen's Surf Beach where repairs are scheduled to start in January 2025.

• Mayor Blangiardi's Newsletter: https://www8.honolulu.gov/mayor/newsletter

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:25:21].

Request for Department Directors to Attend Upcoming Board Committee Meetings -- [1:53:21]: Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Laura Thielen provided an update about parks in the Diamond Head community. Director Thielen said she called Chair Welch after the December 2024 Diamond Head Neighborhood Board meeting and understands there will be a committee meeting to address Mākālei Beach Park concerns. DPR is working with the Department of Design & Construction (DDC) to address erosion along the Diamond Head and Waikīkī coastline, including fixing the seawall at the Barefoot Beach Cafe and Lē‘ahi Beach Park. DDC received the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' permit in December 2024 and has scheduled the repairs to start in January 2025. Also, Director Thielen announced that DPR is working on a number of passive recreation improvements at Kapiʻolani Park and said DPR would be happy to have more of a detailed conversation with the Diamond Head Neighborhood Board at the committee level with various park matters.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:58:45].

City Council Chair Tommy Waters, City Council District 4 -- [2:18:05]: Amanda Zepeda (City Council Chair Tommy Waters) was present online via Webex, but did not unmute to provide a report.

Councilmember Scott Nishimoto, City Council District 5 -- [2:18:28]: Councilmember Nishimoto provided the report, said his district covers St. Louis Heights, and introduced his staff, including Taylor Date, Heath Williams, and Kylie Tokujo. Tokujo will primarily cover the Diamond Head Neighborhood Board for Councilmember Nishimoto. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call (808) 768-5005 or email scott.nishimoto@honolulu.gov.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:20:30].

City Council Chair Tommy Waters, City Council District 4 -- Continued -- [2:24:05]: Amanda Zepeda (City Council Chair Tommy Waters) provided the report, various community updates, and legislative updates. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call (808) 768-5004 or email tommy.waters@honolulu.gov.

• Lē‘ahi Ave parking violations fronting Diamond Head Community Garden. HPD enforcing No Parking.

• Diamond Head Road/Kuilei Cliffs kiawe trees cut down.

o Unknown who cut the trees; it was not DPR.

o DPR staff removed what they could; other green waste was put in areas too dangerous for staff to access.

• Ala Wai Driving Range closing Friday, January 31, 2025 for repairs (Ala Wai Golf Course will remain open): https://www.kitv.com/news/business/ala-wai-driving-range-to-temporarily-close-beginning-january-31-2025/article_d58194f8-cc80-11ef-9dcd-fbdb90ad27df.html

o DDC will resume repair work on vehicular and pedestrian access bridges Spring 2025 & installing photovoltaic Summer 2025 as part of City's Climate Action Plan.

o City Golf Division will work on revitalizing driving range grounds, assessing facility, and reviewing plans to re-open operations in late Spring 2025.

o Golf Course will remain open and will not be impacted by projects.

• Lē‘ahi Beach Park moped parking.

o Chair Waters encourages all moped riders visiting Lē‘ahi and Mākālei to use the designated parking area in Lē‘ahi.

o Chair Waters encourages DPR Director Thielen to work with the board and community to address concerns raised. He prefers use of the designated parking area in Lē‘ahi.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:28:46].

9. FEDERAL & STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS' REPORTS -- [2:33:22]

U.S. Congressman Ed Case -- [2:33:23]: No representative present.

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz -- [2:33:28]: No representative present.

U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono -- [2:33:31]: No representative present.

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [2:33:37]: No representative present.

State Senator Stanley Chang -- [2:33:47]: Angie Chapman provided the report, newsletters, and invited the public to the 2025 legislative session opening day on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. You can call (808) 586-8420 or email senchang@capitol.hawaii.gov.

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

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

State Senator Les Ihara, Jr. -- [2:34:45]: No representative present.

State Senator Carol Fukunaga -- [2:34:49]: No representative present.

State House Representative Tina Nakada Grandinetti -- [2:34:55]: Representative Grandinetti shared information about her caucus and committee membership, community outreach, and shared that Emily Cristobal will be the Diamond Head Neighborhood Board's main point of contact, Sam Peck as committee clerk, and Keao Sproat-Hum as policy researcher and legislative aid. Representative Grandinetti invited the public to the 2025 legislative session opening day on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. You can call (808) 586-6310 or email repgrandinetti@capitol.hawaii.gov.

State House Representative Jackson Sayama -- [2:38:09]: No representative present.

State House Representative Andrew Garrett -- [2:38:19]: No representative present.

State House Representative Ikaika Olds -- [2:38:34]: No representative present.

10. BOARD BUSINESS -- [2:39:09]

Chair's Reminder for those interested in continuing serving on Neighborhood Board No. 5 to submit candidacy -- [2:39:10]: Chair Welch reminded everyone about candidate registration for 2025 Neighborhood Board Elections at https://web5.hnl.info/nbe.

Board Committee Reports -- [2:39:18]

Environment -- [2:39:18]: No report.

Parks & Recreation -- [2:39:18]: No report.

Planning & Zoning -- [2:39:18]: No report.

Traffic & Public Safety -- [2:39:18]: No report.

Board Subdistrict Reports -- [2:39:40]

St. Louis Heights Subdistrict 1 -- [2:39:44]: Member Allen reported that the St. Louis Heights Community Association will meet on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at Hokulani Elementary School.

Kapahulu Subdistrict 2 -- [2:40:06]: No report.

Diamond Head Subdistrict 3 -- [2:40:16]: No report.

Reports of Board Members Attending Other Board and Public Meetings -- [2:40:29]: No reports. Member Matson asked Chair Welch about the committee meetings to address various community issues, including Mākālei Beach Park and Diamond Head Road. Vice Chair Velasco said she is interested in discussing concerns about coastal erosion and Mākālei Beach Park. Board members had a discussion about committee assignments and meetings.

Approval of Written Summaries of Board Meeting Videos with Meeting Recording Timestamps in accordance with HRS 92-3.7 (b)(6) and 92-9 (a) and (b): Postponed due to lack of time.

11. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chair's Report -- Forthcoming meeting agendas and general announcements. To request a meeting agenda

item, please contact Chair Welch (winstonwelch@gmail.com) at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled meeting.

Next Meeting -- The next Neighborhood Board No. 5 regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 13,

2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse Ballroom, and online via Webex.

‘Olelo Broadcast (https://olelo.org/tune-in) -- The Board meetings can be viewed on Channel 49 at 9:00 p.m.

on the fourth Sunday of the month and at 2:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month.

Reporting Neighborhood Issues -- Visit https://www.honolulu.gov/csd/concern or use the Honolulu 311 App

(https://honoluluhi.citysourced.com) to report neighborhood issues.

Candidate Registration for 2025 Neighborhood Board Elections Now Open at https://web5.hnl.info/nbe

All current board members of the 2023-2025 Board term will need to register for the new term. Registration and candidate profile forms will not roll over from the previous Neighborhood Elections.

Important Dates:

Friday, February 21, 2025 -- Candidate Filing and Voter Registration Deadline

Friday, April 25, 2025 -- Voting Begins

Friday, May 16, 2025 -- Voting Ends

Please visit https://www8.honolulu.gov/nco for more details or contact the Neighborhood Commission Office

at NCO@honolulu.gov or call (808) 768-3710.

12. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:50:58]: The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by: Curtis Hayashi, Neighborhood Assistant, Neighborhood Commission Office

Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, Neighborhood Commission Office

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

Questions? Ready for an appointment?

Like Our Facebook

Kaimuki Hawaii News Item

Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting JANUARY 2025 Minutes

Kaimuki Hawaii
News Item