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Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting AUGUST 2021 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 9/9/2021.

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

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

August 2021 Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021

VIA WEBEX TELECONFERCING

7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER - Vice Chair Andrew Salenger called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was established with 12 members present via Webex Application. Note - This 15-member Board requires eight (8) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Julia Allen, Bertram Narita, Bruce Wong, John Beutel, Mela Kealoha Lindsey, Keolu Peralto, George West, Andrew Salenger, Michelle Matson, Don Persons, Laura St. Denis, Linda Wong.

Board Members Absent: Rafia Hasina, Margaret Murchie, Wendell Murakawa.

Guests: Council Chair Tommy Waters; Sarah Allen (Mayor Rick Blangiardi's office); City Managing Director Michael Formby; Isaac Choy (Governor David Ige's office); Ryan Kusuda (Waikiki Elementary School); Janel Denny and Councilmember Calvin Say; Representative Bertrand Kobayashi; Representative Jackson Sayama; Lieutenant Pamela Liu and Lieutenant Taro Nakamura (Honolulu Police Department); Kainoa Asato (Honolulu Fire Department); Cory Chun, Dana Bergeman, Courtney Carpenter, Noela Von Wiegandt, Arif Melik Dodanli, Fannie Cline, Davin Aoyagi, Joannie Dobbs, Laura Ruby (Residents); Casey Ishitani (Neighborhood Assistant).

OFFICER VACANCY - CHAIR: Vice Chair Salenger inquired if the Board had nominations for Chair. Narita nominated Salenger as Chair, who declined.

Linda Wong Moved and Beutel Seconded to defer this Item. The Motion was ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 12-0-0 (Aye: Julia Allen, Narita, Wong, Beutel, Kealoha Lindsey, Murakawa, Peralto, West, Salenger, Matson, Persons, St. Denis, Wong; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

PRIORITY COMMUNITY ISSUES

Leahi Avenue: Salenger inquired if residents had concerns regarding Leahi Avenue.

Resident Concerns: Resident Joannie Dobbs raised concerns regarding limited parking on Puulei Circle. Resident Noela Von Wiegandt raised that the roadway is too narrow. Resident Dana Bergeman raised that Leahi Avenue is a historic roadway and requested that it not be acquired by City and County of Honolulu at fair market value. Resident Winston Welch requested that property owner Safe Leahi LLC be issued a cease and desist order from City and County of Honolulu until more stop signs are erected on Leahi Avenue. Residents reported food trucks parked in marked spaces, further reducing parking on Leahi Avenue. Residents raised concerns regarding emergency vehicle access.

Council Resolution No. 21-175: Council Chair Tommy Waters introduced Resolution No. 21-175 which would assist in reacquiring Leahi Avenue for the City and County of Honolulu. The ownership of the road was transferred to Safe Leahi LLC by the Lunalilo Trust.

Citing time constraints, Salenger inquired if there were items under Agenda Item Resident Interests and Neighborhood Concerns. Hearing none, Salenger continued with the Agenda Item Leahi Avenue.

Council Resolution No. 21-175: Residents requested that Council Chair Waters to consider implementing the Resolution if adopted. Council Chair Waters responded that State of Hawaii officials such as the Attorney General could follow-up. A resident inquired if Leahi Avenue's ownership is disputed and Representative Bertrand Kobayashi responded that it is not.

Leahi Avenue Permitted Interaction Group (PIG): St. Denis reported that she would look into the historic context of Leahi Avenue and traffic concerns. Linda Wong raised concerns regarding the lack of sidewalks in close proximity to Waikiki Elementary School. Salenger inquired with no response if representatives from Safe Leahi LLC were in attendance. St. Denis reported that Safe Leahi LLC contributed to the Leahi Avenue PIG at a former Board.

Hearing no objection, Salenger had Agenda Item City and State Elected Officials at this time.

CITY AND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor Rick Blangiardi: Community Services (DCS) Director Sarah Allen reported the following.

• Leahi Avenue: Board inquired if crime statistics surrounding Leahi Avenue have changed and Honolulu Police Department (HPD) responded that not yet noticed a change in or correlation between crime rates/statistics/reports on Leahi Avenue with the recent implementation of fees on the private road.

• Kaimana Beach Park: Board requested updates regarding showers at Kaimana Beach Park, which require repairs. Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) responded that awaiting necessary review and approval from the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) on the draft Archeological Monitoring Plan that was submitted to their office. The point of contact at SHPD is Samantha Hemenway (email: Samantha.hemenway@hawaii.gov). DFM is also working with the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) to obtain any necessary Special Management Area (SMA) Minor permit, building permit, and shoreline variance approvals.

• Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) Staffing: NCO anticipates filling authorized positions by the end of September 2021.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Eviction Moratorium: Peralto requested updates regarding eviction moratorium applications from residents.

2. Top Golf: Resident Welch requested updates regarding Top Golf.

3. Ala Pono Bridge: Resident Welch requested updates regarding Ala Pono Bridge.

4. Leahi Avenue: Residents reiterated concerns regarding Leahi Avenue. Managing Director Michael Formby reported the current administration has received feedback from the community and has included Leahi Avenue with other private roads that require City and County of Honolulu review. Matson requested that the community be involved with City and County of Honolulu planning. Resident Dobbs inquired and Director Formby confirmed that other private roads have schools and act as tsunami evacuation routes.

Governor David Ige: Department of Taxation Director Isaac Choy reported that Covid-19 cases have increased with the Delta variant. Governor Ige has encouraged residents to vaccinate. Visitors constitute one percent of the current cases. A rental assistance report will be given in September 2021.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Private Roads: A resident reported that they were awaiting a response from the State of Hawaii regarding revised statutes for private roads.

Board of Water Supply: There was no representative.

Hearing no objection, Salenger had Agenda Item Waikiki Elementary School at this time.

Waikiki Elementary School: Principal Ryan Kusuda reported that the school year started on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. There were major traffic issues resulting from the lack of parking and restrictive zoning on Leahi Avenue. Safe Leahi LCC was reported to have used the school's irrigation system to water plans to the private road. Principal Kusuda requested support for Resolution No. 21-175.

CITY AND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS

Council Chair Tommy Waters: Council Chair Waters reported that he would inform the Board of when Council hearings will take place.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Makalei Beach Park: Resident Von Wiegandt raised concerns regarding traffic collisions at Makalei Beach Park, requesting updates for traffic mitigation bids at the entrance of the park. Council Chair Waters responded mitigation will begin at the end of September 2021.

2. Leahi Avenue: A resident requested that Safe Leahi LLC attend a future Board meeting. Matson requested a boundary map as well as means to condemn the private roadway. Resident Daisy Murai requested a community meeting regarding Leahi Avenue.

Councilmember Calvin Say: Councilmember Say distributed his newsletter via WebEx Chat. The August 2021 newsletter can be found at https://calvinsay.wordpress.com/2021/07/29/august-2021-newsletter/.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Makalei Beach Park: Resident Von Wiegandt raised concerns regarding speeding and homeless individuals near Makalei Beach Park.

Senator Les Ihara: There was no representative.

Senator Stanley Chang: There was no representative.

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi: Representative Kobayashi reported that district field trips have been eliminated by State administrators.

Representative Scott Nishimoto: There was no representative.

Representative Jackson Sayama: Representative Sayama reported the following.

• Emergency Proclamation: The Emergency Proclamation has been extended to October 2021.

• Vaccination: Honolulu Bible Church has encouraged residents to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

• Legislative Session: The next Legislative Session begins in January 2022.

Hearing no objection, Salenger continued Agenda Item PRIORITY COMMUNITY ISSUES at this time.

PRIORITY COMMUNITY ISSUES

Leahi Avenue: Neighborhood Assistant raised that Board may establish a Committee regarding Leahi Avenue at a future meeting.

Ala Wai Canal / Bridges: Resident Laura Ruby requested Board support for a Resolution suggesting bicycle and pedestrian extensions to the McCully Street bridge over Ala Wai Canal.

Matson Moved and Peralto Seconded to Adopt the Resolution.

Discussion: Beutel raised concerns regarding the structural integrity of the Resolution's suggestions.

The Motion PASSED, 9-0-3 (Aye: Julia Allen, Narita, Kealoha Lindsey, Peralto, Salenger, Matson, Persons, St. Denis, Linda Wong; Nay: None; Abstain: Bruce Wong, Beutel, West).

Hearing no objection, Salenger had PUBLIC SAFETY MONTHLY REPORTS at this time.

PUBLIC SAFETY MONTHLY REPORTS

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 6: HPD Lieutenant Pamela Liu reported the following.

• July 2021 Statistics: There were nine (9) robberies, 32 burglaries, 172 thefts, 30 unauthorized entries of vehicles, 39 assaults, eight (8) sex crimes, 17 bicycle/skateboard citations, eight (8) speeding citations, 1849 parking citations, four (4) loud muffler citations, 27 park closure warning, 103 park closure citations, five (5) park closure arrests and 6,891 total calls for service. More information can be found at https://www.honolulupd.org/d6/.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Makalei Beach Park: Resident Wiengandt reiterated concerns regarding speeding near Makalei Beach Park.

2. Leahi Avenue: Linda Wong inquired if lunch wagons are allowed to park on Leahi Avenue and Lieutenant Liu responded that they are if the private road owner allows it. Resident Dobbs reported that private tow trucks have begun towing cars on adjacent public roads attached to Leahi Avenue.

Honolulu Police Department District 7: HPD Lieutenant Taro Nakamura provided a safety tip regarding backpacks. More information can be found at https://www.honolulupd.org/d7/.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Gunshots: Peralto requested updates regarding reported gunfire on Monday, July 26, 2021 near Winam Avenue and Makaleka Avenue.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Fire Fighter Kainoa Asato reported the following.

• Statistics: Statistics for July 2021 can be found at https://fire.honolulu.gov/.

• Safety Tip: Residents were informed to be aware of heating sources and other fire hazards near children.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.

1. Monsarrat Avenue: Resident Murai requested updates regarding a fire on Monsarrat Avenue.

2. Leahi Avenue: Matson inquired if there was any impact on response time for HFD crews due to Leahi Avenue and Asato responded that there has been none due to HFD's rapid response vehicles.

Neighborhood Security Watch: Resident Cline reported that there was a clean-up at Diamond Head Beach Park on Saturday, July 31, 2021. HPD removed multiple encampments while issuing citations and making arrests. Cline also reported that HPD has been tracking homelessness near Kapiolani District Park as individuals have begun moving into other areas of Diamond Head. Resident Von Wiegandt inquired when HPD performs homeless sweeps and Cline responded that HPD does not share that information publicly.

Hearing no objection, Salenger had the Agenda Item Ala Wai Canal / Bridges at this time.

Ala Wai Canal / Bridges: Resident Ruby requested Board support for a Resolution opposing the construction of the proposed Ala Pono Bridge.

Peralto Moved and Linda Wong Seconded to Adopt the Resolution opposing the Ala Pono Bridge. The Motion PASSED, 10-1-2 (Aye: Julia Allen, Narita, Kealoha Lindsey, Peralto, West, Matson, Persons, St. Denis, Linda Wong; Nay: Beutel; Abstain: Bruce Wong, Salenger).

Storm Water Utility Fee: Salenger introduced a Resolution opposing the City and County of Honolulu proposed storm water utility fee. Resolution was previously Adopted by Pearl City Neighborhood Board No. 21.

Linda Wong Moved and Peralto Seconded to Adopt the Resolution.

Discussion: Beutel raised that fees may benefit property owners as State and Federal properties may also be required to pay. Matson raised concerns that fees may affect property taxes.

The Motion PASSED, 9-1-2 (Aye: Julia Allen, Narita, Kealoha Lindsey, Peralto, West, Matson, Persons, St. Denis, Linda Wong; Nay: Beutel; Abstain: Bruce Wong, Salenger).

The meeting was Adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by Casey Ishitani, Public Relations

Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Community Relations Specialist

Final approval by:

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Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Meeting AUGUST 2021 Minutes

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

Kaimuki Hawaii
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