Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting FEBRUARY 2025 Minutes

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=syC4Tyo77eI&list=PLfqRwVpRroolsFSNpDzklm59N89al2XyQ&index=1

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

1. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:12]: Chair Welch called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Quorum WAS NOT established with 5 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, Rafia Hasina (arrived at 6:03 p.m.), Michelle Matson (arrived at 6:13 p.m.), Margaret Murchie, Laura St. Denis, Winston Welch, Kendric Wong (arrived at 6:31 p.m.), and Linda Wong.

Board Members Absent: Angie Knight, Arleen Velasco, Dylan Whitsell, and Bruce Wong.

Guests: Fire Captain Elden Tanaka, Fire Fighter Sean Fergusson (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Steven Ono, Lieutenant Michael Thompson (Honolulu Police Department); Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui (Board of Water Supply); Carol Hoshiko (Kapiʻolani Community College); Rachel Geicke (Global Island Group); Andrew Forman (Blueprint808); Matt Nakamoto (Austin Tsutsumi & Associates); Department of Community Services Director Anton Krucky (Mayor Blangiardi); Amanda Zepeda (City Council Chair Waters); Kylie Tokujo (Councilmember Nishimoto); Ryan Aguilar (Governor Green); Angie Chapman (State Senator Chang); Representative Tina Nakada Grandinetti (State House District 20); Representative Ikaika Olds (State House District 23); Daisy Murai, Laura Ruby, Samo Rozman, Leolani Iwaki, and Grace Benson (Residents/Guests); Curtis Hayashi (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible or stated for the record. There were approximately 48 total participants.

Hasina joined the meeting at 6:03 p.m.; 6 members present.

2. PUBLIC SAFETY MONTHLY REPORTS -- [0:00:58]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD), Waikīkī Station -- [0:01:01]: Fire Captain Tanaka and Fire Fighter Fergusson provided the report. Should you have questions, please email the HFD's Public Affairs & Media Liaison at HFDNHB@honolulu.gov.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sFX22g0HjaK-liavZsn0hZIBWQRT_XYh/view?usp=sharing

• Safety Tip: Prepare for power outages. For safety tips, visit www.honolulu.gov/dem and learn more about power outages at www.hawaiianelectric.com/stormcenter.

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

• Website: https://fire.honolulu.gov

• 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.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:03:41].

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 6 -- Waikīkī/Kapiʻolani Park/Diamond Head -- [0:06:24]: Lieutenant Ono provided the report and highlighted:

• Statistics: There were 6 robberies, 8 burglaries, 128 thefts, 23 unauthorized entry into motor vehicle (UEMV) offenses, 32 assaults, 4 sex crimes, 2 bicycles/skateboards on sidewalk citations, 19 speeding citations, 1,972 parking citations, 3 loud muffler or prohibited noise citations, 75 park closure citations, 20 park closure arrests, and 3,142 calls for service. For more information, visit https://www.honolulupd.org.

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

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:08:06].

Matson joined the meeting at 6:13 p.m.; 7 members present.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 7 -- Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights/East Honolulu -- [0:12:37]: Lieutenant Thompson provided the report and highlighted:

• Statistics: There were 11 motor vehicle thefts, 7 burglaries, 14 thefts, 16 unauthorized entry into motor vehicle (UEMV) offenses, and 6,079 calls for service. For more information, visit https://www.honolulupd.org.

• Safety Tip: Be prepared for flash floods.

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

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:14:03].

3. PUBLIC INTEREST REPORTS AND EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [0:25:16]

Board of Water Supply (BWS) Report -- [0:25:20]: Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui (kelliott-pahinui@hbws.org) reported three main breaks and highlighted:

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PkkatiFHItlcl1xCeu7NAx779Vqw-ndp/view?usp=sharing

• General Water Announcement: Report water waste at www.boardofwatersupply.com/waterwaste, email contactus@hbws.org, or call (808) 748-5041.

• Website: https://boardofwatersupply.com

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

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:26:36].

Kendric Wong joined the meeting at 6:31 p.m.; 8 members present.

Kapiʻolani Community College (KCC) Updates -- [0:31:40]: Dean Hoshiko (hoshiko@hawaii.edu) provided the report, including campus construction updates, class offerings, free skills training (https://uhcc.hawaii.edu/goodjobshawaii), and follow-up on TheBus Route 200 (https://www.thebus.org/route/Routes.asp#200).

• Website: https://www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:35:21].

4. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:38:17]

Potential Development of the Property at 3761 Kanaina Avenue -- [0:38:25]: After last presenting on this project in October 2024, Rachel Geicke (CEO of Global Island Group) provided an update about the potential development of the property at 3761 Kanaina Avenue, which is a single family home built in 1954 on an 11,325 square foot lot zoned R5 Residential. Geicke proposed several development options for turning the single-family home on this property into townhomes. The developers want to apply for a zone change from "R5 Residential" to "A2 Apartment." All buildings in the immediate surrounding are zoned A2. This property is in the Diamond Head Special District. Matt Nakamoto (Vice President and Chief Traffic Engineer of Austin Tsutsumi & Associates) presented on parking and traffic impacts and plans related to this project. Email info@global-island.com or visit www.global-island.com for details.

• Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jo830QozeRalzLkVMEDKjMiTYJXsOp5M/view?usp=sharing

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:50:03].

5. PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS OPEN FORUM -- [1:28:45]

Potential Development of 3761 Kanaina Avenue -- [1:28:55]: Resident Andrew Salenger raised concerns about the potential development of 3761 Kanaina Avenue and asked board members to consider a resolution on this matter.

Ala Wai Bridge Project and Ala Wai Flood Control Plan -- [1:30:47]: Laura Ruby thanked board members for adopting a resolution requesting a full environmental impact statement (EIS) on the Ala Wai Bridge project. Ruby raised concerns about the proposed Ala Wai Bridge project and requested an update from the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) on the bridge project and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Ala Wai flood control plan.

6. CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU REPORTS -- [1:34:29]

Mayor's Representative -- [1:34:34]: Department of Community Services (DCS) Director Anton Krucky was present online on Webex via telephone, but he did not unmute his microphone.

• Newsletter: https://www8.honolulu.gov/mayor/newsletter

• Contact Mayor Blangiardi: https://www8.honolulu.gov/mayor/contact-the-mayor

City Council Chair Tommy Waters, City Council District 4 -- [1:35:45]: Amanda Zepeda was online via Webex, but she did not unmute her microphone.

Councilmember Scott Nishimoto, City Council District 5 -- [1:36:35]: Kylie Tokujo provided the report and highlighted Councilmember Nishimoto cosponsoring a free tax preparation clinic. Should you have any questions, call (808) 768-5005 or email scott.nishimoto@honolulu.gov.

• E-Blast: http://eepurl.com/dI6xMz

Free Tax Preparation Clinic Info:

By appointment only, eligibility requirements must be met to participate.

Saturday, March 8, 2025

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hawaiʻi State Library (478 S. King Street)

Please call (808) 450-4351 or (808) 304-5088 or email: info@hawaiitaxhelp.org to make an appointment.

For more information, please visit: https://www.hawaiitaxhelp.org/free-tax-help

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:38:02].

Kendric Wong left the meeting at 7:41 p.m.; 7 members present.

City Council Chair Tommy Waters, City Council District 4 -- CONTINUED -- [1:42:17]: Amanda Zepeda (amanda.zepeda@honolulu.gov) provided the report, various community updates (Winam Avenue traffic safety and parking enforcement, and moped parking concerns at Leʻahi and Mākālei Beach Park), and legislative updates (school lunch program, landfill, Hawaiian language, housing, e-bikes, and parades). Should you have any questions, call (808) 768-5004 or email tommy.waters@honolulu.gov.

• Website: https://www.honolulucitycouncil.org/district4

• Newsletter: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6098c5bb75e480679bd2fab3/t/67a2780f7c0de7306b782d28/1738700851368/DISTRICT+4+NEWSLETTER+%28FEBRUARY+2025%29+%28low%29.pdf

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:46:42].

7. FEDERAL & STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS' REPORTS -- [2:09:20]

U.S. Congressman Ed Case -- [2:09:24]: No representative present.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K9NkDBJ1rxZkky-u76FJygvmxj0vU9h-/view?usp=sharing

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz -- [2:09:41]: No representative present.

U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono -- [2:09:49]: No representative present.

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [2:10:01]: Ryan Aguilar provided the report and newsletter.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xS0kfZ5bhQCvBD_knt6qhRMDfX1jPVi5/view?usp=sharing

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:10:40].

State Senator Stanley Chang -- [2:11:29]: Angie Chapman (a.chapman@capitol.hawaii.gov) provided the report and legislative update, including information about the Public Access Room (https://lrb.hawaii.gov/par). Should you have any questions, call (808) 586-8420 or email senchang@capitol.hawaii.gov.

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

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

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

State Senator Les Ihara, Jr. -- [2:14:30]: No representative present.

State Senator Carol Fukunaga -- [2:14:35]: No representative present.

State House Representative Tina Nakada Grandinetti -- [2:15:05]: Representative Grandinetti provided the report, including committee and legislative updates (e-bikes, Safe Routes to School, housing, community land trusts, and transportation). Should you have any questions, call (808) 586-6310 or email repgrandinetti@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:19:55].

State House Representative Jackson Sayama -- [2:31:08]: No representative present.

State House Representative Andrew Garrett -- [2:31:18]: No representative present.

State House Representative Ikaika Olds -- [2:31:30]: Representative Olds provided the report, including committee, caucus, and legislative updates (human services, homelessness, health, and education). Should you have any questions, call (808) 586-8515 or email repolds@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:32:16].

8. BOARD BUSINESS -- [2:46:21]

Chair's request for list of committee membership -- [2:46:21]: Chair Welch requested committee chairs to provide a list of their committee membership. Chair Welch announced the resignations of Alex Kahn and Dan Decker from the Diamond Head Neighborhood Board.

Board Committee Reports: No reports.

Board Subdistrict Reports -- [2:48:53]

St. Louis Heights Subdistrict 1 -- [2:48:56]: Member Allen reported that the St. Louis Heights Community Association will meet on Monday, March 10, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at Hokulani Elementary School with a meet-and-greet at 6:00 p.m.

Kapahulu Subdistrict 2 -- [2:49:38]: No report.

Diamond Head Subdistrict 3 -- [2:49:38]: No report.

Reports of Board Members Attending Other Board and Public Meetings -- [2:49:47]: Chair Welch commented about the joint committee meeting concerning traffic and pedestrian safety issues along Diamond Head Road and at Mākālei Beach Park (https://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-349187/05%202025-03%20Joint%20Committee%20w%20NB%2004%20AG.pdf). Also, Chair Welch shared that the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board looks forward to having a joint meeting with the Diamond Head Neighborhood Board to discuss TheBus Route 200.

Approval of Written Summaries for Video Record in accordance with HRS 92-3.7 (b)(6) and 92-9 (a) and (b): Postponed due to lack of quorum.

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [2:55:27]

A. Chair's Report -- Forthcoming meeting agendas and general announcements. To request a meeting agenda item, please contact Chair Welch at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled meeting.

B. Next Meeting -- The next Neighborhood Board No. 5 regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 13th, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Ala Wai Golf Course Club House Ballroom, and online via Webex.

C. ‘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.

D. Reporting Neighborhood Issues -- Visit https://www.honolulu.gov/csd/concern or use the Honolulu 311 App (https://honoluluhi.citysourced.com) to report neighborhood issues.

E. Candidate Registration for 2025 Neighborhood Board Elections -- All current board members of the 2023-2025 Board term will need to register for the new term if they wish to be on the ballot. Registration and candidate profile forms will not roll over from the previous Neighborhood Elections.

Important Dates:

Friday, February 21, 2025 -- Neighborhood Board Candidate Filing and Voter Registration Deadline at 4:30 p.m.

Friday, April 25, 2025 -- Voting Begins

Friday, May 16, 2025 -- Voting Ends

For more information, visit https://web5.hnl.info/nbe or https://www8.honolulu.gov/nco/neighborhood-board-elections. Contact NCO@honolulu.gov or call (808) 768-3710

10. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:55:48]: The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.

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

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

Finalized by: