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  • Ala Moana - Kakaako Neighborhood Board No. 11 Meeting Minutes For TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 Posted

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

ALA MOANA - KAKAAKO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 11

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016
MAKIKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ryan Tam called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was established with five (5) members present. (Note -- This nine (9)-member Board requires five (5) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action.) Chair Tam welcomed everyone to the Neighborhood Board meeting and thanked the public for participating in promoting good governance.

Roll Call -- Rodney Chang, Michael Zehner, Second Vice Chair; Larry Hurst, First Vice Chair; Ryan Tam, Chair; K. Russell Ho, Neighborhood Assistant; and William Ammons.

Board Members Absent -- Roy Bumgarner, John Horvath, and Duane Komine.

Vacancy -- There was one (1) vacancy in Subdistrict 1 (Boundaries -- Beginning at the junction of King Street and Kalākaua Avenue, southeast along Kalākaua Avenue to Kapiʻolani Boulevard, thence west along Kapiʻolani Boulevard to Keʻeaumoku Street, thence northeast along Keʻeaumoku Street to King Street, thence southeast along King Street to Kalākaua Avenue.)

Guests -- Cindy McMillan (Governor David Ige's Representative, Office of the Governor); Raytan Vares (Senator Brickwood Galuteria's Office), Kay Yasufuku Tam (State Representative Scott Saiki's Office); Noelle Wright (Mayor's Representative, Office of Economic Development), Cliff Kaneshiro (Councilmember Ann Kobayashi's Office), Francis Choe (Councilmember Trevor Ozawa's Office), Captain David Taratko (Honolulu Fire Department), Lieutenant Baron Lee and Sergeant Lyle Fleck (Honolulu Police Department), Judy Gold (Office of Elections), Garett Kamemoto (Hawaii Community Development Authority), Pat Lee (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation), Kathryn Henski, Bob Armstrong; Jeffrey Viernes and James Ibbag (Nsg. Students); Francis I. Morikawa and Caroline Kishido (Imperial Plaza); John L. Dudoit, Jr. (Makana O Ke Akua Inc.), Dexter Okada, Carly Bergen, Kevin Wilcock City Charter Commission), Todd Apo (Howard Hughes Corporation), and K. Russell Ho (Neighborhood Commission Office).

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) -- Captain David Taratko reported the following:
• August 2016 Fire Statistics -- There were 1 structure, 0 wildland/brush, 1 nuisance (which includes vehicle and rubbish fires outside a structure or vehicle), 0 cooking fire, and 13 activated alarms (no fires); 213 medical emergencies, 3 motor vehicle collision with pedestrians, 7 motor vehicle crash/collisions, 0 mountain rescues, 1 ocean rescues, and 2 hazardous materials incidents.
• Fire Safety Tip -- Dryer Safety Tips: The leading cause of home clothes dryer fires is the failure to properly maintain them. Follow these simple safety tips to prevent a clothes dryer fire in the home:
o Have the dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
o Clean the lint filter before and after each cycle.
o Clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up.
o Check the venting system behind the dryer to ensure it is not damaged, crushed, or restricted.
o Ensure the outdoor vent covering is open when the dryer is operating.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD), District 1 -- Sergeant Lyle Fleck reported the following:
• August 2016/July 2016 Statistics -- There were 16/9 motor vehicle thefts, 14/6 burglaries, 115/78 thefts, 40/25 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV), 19/15 assaults, 3/3 sexual assaults, 0/2 graffiti cases, and 34/31 drug offenses. There were a total of 6,434/6,832 calls for service.
• Safety Tips -- Preventing Unauthorized Entries into a Motor Vehicle (UEMV): Two (2) suggestions to prevent break-ins are to lock vehicle doors and to hide valuables.

FILLING OF VACANCY IN SUBDISTRICT 1 -- (Boundaries -- Beginning at the junction of King Street and Kalākaua Avenue, southeast along Kalākaua Avenue to Kapiʻolani Boulevard, thence west along Kapiʻolani Boulevard to Keʻeaumoku Street, thence northeast along Keʻeaumoku Street to King Street, thence southeast along King Street to Kalākaua Avenue.) As there were no volunteers, Chair Tam deferred this item to the next meeting.
As there were no objections, Chair Tam changed the order of the agenda as the presenter had a flight to catch.

PRESENTATIONS

Ward Village Update -- Todd Apo, Howard Hughes Corporation, introduced the ‘A‘ali‘i project, a mixed-use condominium development that will bring 750 homes to Ward Village, with 100 homes below-market price under the Hawaii Community Development Authority's (HCDA) Reserved Housing Program. ‘A‘ali‘i will broaden our selection of new homes with studio, one (1)- and two (2)-bedroom residences. As a result of community input and strong market demand for new homes in Honolulu, there will planned amenities, including a state-of-the-art penthouse fitness center, swimming pool, playground, barbecue pavilions, a dog park, storage facilities, bicycle storage and a striking rooftop lānai with ocean views. The ground floor will have 15,000 square feet (sq. ft.) of retail space, 100 reserved housing homes, and open space of 19,000 sq. ft.

Comments followed:
1. More comments -- There will be 206 feet between towers, more public hearings, and the project will be pet-friendly. There were concerns about the height limit and car share/bike sharing.
2. Public Input -- There will be public input allowed at the November 2016 Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) hearing and the December 2016 decision-making meeting. Construction could start by December 2017.

Volunteer Recruitment for Election Day Precinct Officials -- Judy Gold, State Office of Elections, mentioned that General Election Day will be on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. The Election Office needs volunteers at McKinley High School Cafeteria, Washington Middle School, and Liholiho Elementary School and at the State Capitol. Gold displayed the two (2) ballots, one (1) had the State /Federal Elections and the State Constitution amendments and the other ballot had the City Charter amendments (20 questions).

Application for Major Conditional Use Permit (Clean/Sober Housing) at 1207 Rycroft -- John Dudoit presented on Makana O Ke Akua, Inc. "Gift of God," providing a structured Clean and Sober Living Environment for Men. Dudoit had come to the Neighborhood Board before and mentioned that he had 14 years of ministry and they are working on the sprinkler system.

Comments followed: Okay -- Hurst noted that according to the Citizen's Patrol, the project was okay. Dudoit added that the project will allow up to 16 individuals and Makana O Ke Akua, Inc. has a 60% success rate for parolees. A resident thanked Dudoit for the project.

Hurst moved and Ammons seconded that the Ala Moana/Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 supports the Makana O Ke Akua, Inc. "Gift of God," which provides a structured Clean and Sober Living Environment for Men. As there were no objections, the motion was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 5-0-0 (AYE: Ammons, Chang, Hurst, Tam, and Zehner; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None).

Presentation on Charter Amendment Proposals -- Kevin Wilcock, Vice Chair of the Honolulu Charter Commission, which meets every 10 years, reported that the City Charter Commission's non-paid volunteers met for 18 months of discussion. They reduced the 154 proposals to 20 questions. Wilcock focused on the following questions:
#1 Accountability/transparency of the Police Commission and the HPD -- lawsuits are costing the City money, # 2 Ethics Commission, #3 Prosecuting Attorney -- After the Prosecuting Attorney is elected, who controls the budget, #4 Rail -- As Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is responsible for construction, but operations would be under the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) and fares are to be coordinated. A resident asked for the number of voters will decide a question and Wilcock responded that no one knows, #5 Affordable Housing, #7 Climate Change, #8 City Re-organization -- There was a City re-organization in 1998. Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) should be done right. #9 Honolulu Zoo -- The Honolulu lost its accreditation due to an uncertain funding source. If the dedicated funding source passes, it will begin on July 1, 2017, and #15 Term Limits -- Term limits of three (3) four (4)-year terms for Mayor, City Council, and Prosecuting Attorney

Comments followed: City Council -- The City Council cannot negate the vote. Concerning Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART), it would start on July 1, 2017.

RESIDENTS' AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Under-age Drinking -- A resident was concerned about a recent KHON TV 2 news article.
Bikers on King Street -- Hurst noted that bikers had no lights and no reflective clothes and requested enforcement of the laws.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Health and Public Safety -- Hurst recognized other Neighborhood Security Watch (NSW) members in the audience and reported the following:
• Rycroft and Sheridan Streets -- Near the 808, there is no parking and no signs.
• Sheridan Street and Kapiʻolani Boulevard -- At the No left turn sign, the traffic island curb is not done yet.
• 1132 Waimalu Street (Queen and Waimalu Streets) -- The City needs to pick up the trash. It took away the median for a four (4) lane road and eight (8) speeding tickets were issued.

Citizens Patrol Teams (CPT) -- Hurst noted that the Citizen's Patrols for Sheridan Street and the Kalakaua Homes met on the first and Third Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.

Community Relations -- There was no report.

Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) -- Chang introduced Garett Kamemoto, who reported the following:
• 630 Cooke Street -- This project was for family of four (4), making under $60,000/year. This project was for artists.
• 404 Piʻikoi Street -- There will be 128 rental units and will start in early 2017.
• 803 Waimanu Street -- This project was still in the pipeline and was supposed to start last August 2016.

Legislation -- There was no report.

Parks and Water -- Chair Tam reported the following Board of Water Supply (BWS) report:
• Main Break Report: There was a main break on Hoolai Street on Wednesday, August 3, 2016.
• New Website -- The Board of Water Supply (BWS) has been working diligently to improve the overall customer service experience. BWS is pleased to announce the launch of a new look and layout for the BWS's website, www.boardofwatersupply.com. The new BWS website has a new, modern design that prominently features our most-searched-for content: customer service and billing information. The site also features a mobile-friendly display that scales to fit mobile devices. The site also offers more features and provides a more secure and reliable system. BWS hopes these solutions will provide customers with an improved and more user-friendly online experience. BWS is interested in hearing comments on the site! Visit www.boardofwatersupply.com.
• Water Emergency Preparedness -- With Tropical Storm Madeline and Hurricane Lester in Pacific waters, it is important that customers have an emergency preparedness kit available for the household. One (1) crucial component of the preparedness kit is a safe drinking water supply. Residents should store at least one (1) gallon of water per person per day for at least five (5) to seven (7) days. Also, in the event of an emergency, it is very important to stay tuned to media reports to receive water information bulletins and take any appropriate actions announced by the Board of Water Supply (BWS) or other emergency response agencies.
Natural disasters, power outages, or other unexpected events can affect the BWS's ability to provide water service to the community. More information about water emergency preparedness, including a how-to video demonstrating how best to store drinking water in the home, is available online at www.boardofwatersupply.com. To receive emergency alerts via email or text message, consider subscribing to the BWS at www.nixle.com.
• Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent Update -- The Environmental Protection Agency, State Department of Health, U.S. Navy, and the Defense Logistics Agency will be holding their annual public meeting on the Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent. The meeting will be held at Moanalua Middle School on Thursday, October 6, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. The community is invited to attend this meeting. The meeting agenda and more information on this meeting is expected to be provided in the coming days.
• Pensacola Water System Improvement Project -- The Board of Water Supply's (BWS) contractor for the Pensacola Street project is projected to complete the installation of the new waterline in the Ala Moana/Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 district by the end of the year.
Motorists and area residents are advised to continue to expect roving lane closures on Pensacola Street between Young Street and Kapiolani Boulevard, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. On street parking will be impacted at various times and locations. The BWS extends its heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the community for the public's patience and understanding as BWS conducts this necessary project to improve fire protection, reduce the likelihood of main breaks, and enhance water service to residents and businesses in the neighborhood. Questions and comments may be directed to the project's Construction Manager at 321-4879.

Comments followed:
1. Water Emergency Preparedness -- Hurst suggested filling up bathtub to put water in the toilet.
2. Pensacola Street -- Hurst suggested to change the parking.
Kuleana Kakaʻako Community Association (KKCA) Update -- Chair Tam reported the following:
• Next Kaka‘ako Community Meeting -- The next Kaka‘ako Community meeting will be on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. -- 7:30 p.m. at the Na Mea Hawai‘i, the Native Hawaiian bookstore in Ward Warehouse. On the agenda will be -- Topic: Putting the Community in Community Consultation -- Environmental planner and educator Sara Bolduc, sharing some of the secrets of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process and the City Charter Amendment to create a City Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency.
• Announcement -- On Sunday, October 16, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. there will be "Papers in the Park," a walk story with 88 Block Walks on the histories of Kaka‘ako from the perspectives of college students from the 1920s through the 1970s.

Transportation -- There was no report.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) -- Pat Lee with the Honolulu Rail Transit Project (HRTP) reported the following:
• Core Systems -- The core systems include train vehicles, controls and operating systems, which are the "trains and brains" component of the rail project.
• Driverless and Fully Automated -- HART is building a driverless, fully automated system and the first of its kind in the U.S. There are hundreds of safety and certification items to be tested, verified and approved for the core systems. Testing and certification is a two (2)-step process:
• Testing -- HART will receive 80 rail cars for the system. The first cars have already arrived and all 80 should be manufactured and delivered to Honolulu within the next three (3) years. Powered Train testing will begin around the end of this year at the Rail Operations Center (ROC) for controls, acceleration, braking, heating and air conditioning, doors, the communication system and the event recorder system, which is the "black box" similar to those on airplanes. Then next year, tests will be conducted on the guideway between the ROC and the Waipahu and West Loch stations, then to the Hoʻopili station. Testing on the guideway is required to fully qualify the train's performance and verify operating controls and functionality.
• More Testing -- Once the trains are tested and certified, the signaling and automated train operations are tested. Tests include verification of all safety features of the signaling system, starting and stopping at various station locations, keeping proper speed and schedule, and stopping at the correct spot at the stations where the platform passenger safety gates open and close for boarding.
• And More Testing -- Traction power substations, signaling and communication, passenger address systems, emergency and passenger call systems are all tested and verified. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliance is also verified, including level floor boarding for wheelchair passengers.
• Finally, Certification -- Certification of the rail system is approved by the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) in conjunction with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and is currently in process.
For general project information, traffic updates, meeting notices and more information, please visit the website www.honolulutransit.org, call the project hotline at 566-2299 or email a question at info@honolulutransit.org.

Comments followed: Operations -- Lee noted that the 80 rail cars will arrive in the next three (3) years. The holes are getting deeper and wider, they do not affect the columns. Service dogs will be allowed, but not pets. When HART replaces the rails, it will weld the rails. There will be closed circuit TVs and call boxes. To verify service dogs, attendants will follow up.

Homelessness Committee -- Committee Chair Ammons reported the following:
• Family Assessment Center at Waterfront Park -- The Family Assessment Center at Waterfront Park may have sewer problems.

• Homeless Veterans -- The situation has improved, due to Federal, State, and City cooperation.

REPORTS OF MEMBERS' ATTENDANCE AT OTHER MEETINGS: There were none.

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Representative -- Noelle Wright reported the following:
• Lights Out -- Street lighting crew repaired two lights on Pensacola Street on Monday, September 12, 2016. One light was located at 913 Pensacola Street (near Elm Street) and the other light was located at the intersection of Pensacola Street and Kapiolani Boulevard. Feel free to contact the Street Lighting Hotline at 768-5300. This is a 24/7 telephone number to report non-operational City street lights.
• Increase in Parking Meter Time -- The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) sent a letter, notifying the Board that it had investigated and has concluded that increasing the time limit hours would be beneficial for area businesses. DTS will issue a work order (reference Legal Paint & Sign Work Order 300233) to the Department of Facility Maintenance to install the new regulatory signs to reflect the increase in the time limit parking hours from one (1) hour to two (2) hours on Cooke Street.
• O‘ahu News September 2016 -- The O‘ahu News for September 2016 was distributed.

Comments followed: Left Turn from Kapiʻolani Boulevard to Sheridan Street -- Hurst mentioned that the traffic island has not been completed yet. Mayor's Representative Wright will follow up.

Councilmember Carol Fukunaga -- Councilmember Fukunaga apologized for not attending tonight's meeting. A newsletter was available.

Councilmember Ann Kobayashi -- Councilmember Kobayashi apologized for not attending tonight's meeting. A newsletter and a flyer on the 13th Annual Community Clean-Up on Saturday October 8, 2016 were available.

Councilmember Trevor Ozawa -- Francis Choe had distributed Councilmember Ozawa's newsletter and reported the following:
• Bill 16-172 -- Councilmembers Ozawa and Councilmember Fukunaga were working on Bill 16-172, relating to the project across the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. The affordable housing component and the Affordable Housing Fund will be discussed tonight and tomorrow. The Zoning and Planning Committee meeting will be shown on ʻŌlelo Channel 54 at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, September 28, 2016.

State Representative Tom Brower -- Representative Brower's newsletter was available.

State Representative Scott Saiki -- Kay Yasufuku Tam was available to hear concerns and no report was available.

State Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland -- There was no report available.

State Senator Brickwood Galuteria -- Raytan Vares distributed Senator Galuteria's newsletter and reported the following:
• Na Kupuna Makamae Center -- The Grand Opening of the Na Kupuna Makamae Center was three (3) weeks ago, on Friday, September 9, 2016.
• 2016 Hawaiʻi Tourism Conference -- Senator Galuteria will moderate a panel discussion on Native Hawaiian culture in the tourism sector on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, Room 312.

Governor David Ige's Representative -- Cindy McMillan reported the following:

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress -- The newsletter had several articles summarizing the (IUCN) World Conservation Congress and sustaining Hawaiʻi's environment.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Consider Dissolution of the Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) for City Charter Amendments Forum -- There was no action taken.

Consider Candidates Forum After the October 25, 2016 Board Meeting -- There was no action taken. The public was encouraged to attend other Neighborhood Boards' Candidates Forums.

Chair Tam passed the gavel to First Vice Chair Larry Hurst.

NEW BUSINESS

Consider Resolution Providing Comments on Resolution 16-213, Regarding Condemnation Proceedings for Streets in Kakaʻako -- Chair Tam introduced and spoke in favor of the resolution as follows:
RESOLUTION PROVIDING COMMENTS TO THE
IN SUPPORT OF HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 16-213
WHEREAS, community members and business owners have expressed great concern about the issue of roadway ownership in Kakaako; and
WHEREAS, the Honolulu City Council is considering the initiation of eminent domain proceedings to resolve the issue of public streets in Kakaako; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, the Ala Moana/Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 supports the intent of Resolution 16-213; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Honolulu City Council and all Neighborhood Board Chairs.

Chang moved and Hurst seconded that the Ala Moana/Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 supports Resolution 16-213, regarding Condemnation Proceedings for Streets in Kakaʻako. As there were no objections, the motion was ADOPTED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 5-0-0 (AYE: Ammons, Chang, Hurst, Tam, and Zehner; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None).

BOARD ADMINISTRATION

Approval of the July 26, 2016 Regular Meeting Minutes, as Amended -- At the August 23, 2016 regular meeting, Councilmember Fukunaga proposed to amend the July 26, 2016 regular meeting minutes. As there were no objections, the Ala Moana/Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 APPROVED the July 26, 2016 regular meeting minutes as amended, by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 5-0-0 (AYE: Ammons, Chang, Hurst, Tam, and Zehner; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None). The amendment was as follows:
• Page 5, it should read, "Councilmember Fukunaga's newsletter was available."

Approval of the August 23, 2016 Regular Meeting Minutes -- As there were no objections or amendments, the Ala Moana/Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 APPROVED the August 23, 2016 regular meeting minutes by UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 5-0-0 (AYE: Ammons, Chang, Hurst, Tam, and Zehner; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None).

Treasurer's Report -- Chair Tam read the Treasurer's report. $42.25 was spent in August 2016 for the printing and postage of the agenda and minutes, leaving a balance of $320.51. The Treasurer's report was filed.

NOTICE OF UPCOMING EVENTS

Liquor Commission Hearings (4:00 p.m., 711 Kapiolani Boulevard, 6th Floor)
• Thursday, October 20, 2016: Golden Pork, 1279 South King Street -- Change from Category 2 to Class 1

ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Next Meeting -- The next regular meeting of the Ala Moana-Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25, 2016, 7:00 p.m. at Makiki Christian Church located at 829 Pensacola Street.
• No Loitering -- No loitering on Makiki Christian Church grounds after 9:00 p.m.
• ʻŌlelo Broadcasts -- Broadcasts of the Ala Moana-Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board Meetings are on ʻŌlelo 49 on the first and third Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. and every second Sunday at 6:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT: As there was no further business before the Board, Chair Tam adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m.
Submitted by: K. Russell Ho, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Neil Baarde, Neighborhood Assistants Supervisor
Reviewed by: Roy Bumgarner, Secretary and Ryan Tam, Chair

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