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

Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board No. 11

 

September 2021 Minutes



DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021, 6:00 P.M.

VIA ZOOM

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ryan Tam called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Quorum was established with nine (9) members present. (Note: This 11-member Board requires six (6) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action. Chair Tam welcomed attendees to the Tuesday, September 28, 2021 regular monthly meeting of the Ala Moana/Kaka ako Neighborhood Board No. 11 via Zoom only.

Board Members Present: Rodney Chang (arrived at 6:10 p.m.), Dyson Chee, Kim Coco Iwamoto, Ron Komine Jr., Ryan Tam, Jason Wong, Melissa Wong, Joshua Nam, Kathleen Lee, and Michael Zehner.

Board Members Absent: None.

Guests: Captain Casey Ferreira (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant K. Napoleon (Honolulu Police Department); Brad Anderson (Brookfield Properties); Culture and Arts Executive Director Makanani Sala (Mayor Blangiardi's Representative), Councilmember Carol Fukunaga, Council Member Calvin Say; Cindy McMillan (Governor David Ige's Represenative), Council Chair Tommy Waters, Dylan Leigh (State House Speaker Scott Saiki); Craig Nakamoto (HCDA); Isaiah Sato (R.M. Towill Corporation); Lynn Mariano, Dave Watase, Jess Hernandez, Melvia Kawashima, (Residents); and Spencer Johnson (Neighborhood Commission Office). There were 33 total attendees. Note: Names are not included if not legible on guest sheet or is a phone number on zoom.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Captain Ferreira reported the fire statistics and children/heating source tips which can be found at https://fire.honolulu.gov/.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed. Fire: Chee inquired about the fire that occurred at the Meadow Gold facility on Cedar Street. It was a small, exterior rubbish fire with minimal damage. Community relations: (808) 723-7225.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Lieutenant K. Napoleon reported crime statistics and hurricane safety tips which can be found at www.honolulupd.org.

FILLING OF VACANCIES: Sub district 1: Hearing no volunteers or nominations, this item was deferred.

PRESENTATIONS

Kalawahine 24-Inch Transmission Main Installation - No representative present.

Update on the Ala Moana Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Plan - Harrison Rue, Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) presented the following. Rue provided several amendments proposed over the last three years to the TOD Plan, including feedback from the community. The Ala Moana Neighborhood TOD Plan was adopted by City Council on September 8, 2021. Improvements include connecting places with active streetscapes. Council has supported increased Floor Area Ration Density along Kapiolani Boulevard. This "bonus" density is only available in return for commensurate community benefits (i.e. added affordable housing, or providing rail transit corridor or transit center locations).

Questions comments and concerns followed.

1. Floor Area Ratio: Chair Tam asked what a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is defined as. Rue responded that a 1-story building the filled the entire lot would be 1.0 FAR, 10 FAR is the maximum.

2. Workshops: Lee requested details regarding upcoming workshops.

Chang arrived at 6:10 p.m., 10 members present.

BOARD BUSINESS

Approval of the Tuesday, August 24, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes. One (1) correction was noted.

• Correction: Page 3 - Mayor Blangiardi - Restrooms: Strike Sheraton Park, replace with Sheridan Park.

The Board approved the August 24, 2021 regular meeting minutes as corrected by UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Attendance at other meetings: None.

Neighborhood Updates: None.

Chair's Report: None.

Treasurer's Report: Iwamoto reported the July expenditures were $31.35 with a remaining balance of $482.49. Iwamoto asked if the broadcast price would be reduced since the meetings are held virtually.

Selection of Secretary: None.

Identify representative for Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC): Member Iwamoto inquired if resident Mariano would be interested in this position. Resident Mariano accepted the nomination.

Chee Moved and Iwamoto Seconded to appoint Lynn Mariano as the representative for Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizen's Advisory Committee for Neighborhood Board No. 11.

Discussion followed. Mariano commented he would not speak on behalf of the board, only to report back to the board. Lee requested a description of the CAC.

The Motion PASSED by Unanimous Consent; (10-0-0) (Aye: Chang, Chee, Iwamoto, Komine, Lee, Nam, Tam, J. Wong, M. Wong, Zehner; Nay: None; Abstain: None.)

Discuss Community Action Committee and identify committee members: Board members discussed committee membership. Committee membership may be adjusted at any point.

OLD BUSINESS (DISCUSSION/ACTION)

Discuss Ala Moana Transit Oriented Development Plan: A brief discussion followed, no action was taken.

NEW BUSINESS (DISCUSSION/ACTION)

Discuss COVID-19 pandemic and response: Chair Tam shared a photo of the memorial for those Americans who passed away due to the Covid-19 virus. Chair Tam shared a population map of vaccinated individuals in the Ala Moana District. Chee asked is the percentage is taken from eligible individuals. Cindy McMilan answered that you can filter between both. https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/current-situation-in-hawaii/

RESIDENTS' AND COMMUINITY CONCERNS

Affordable Housing: Iwamoto raised concerns with properties starting their prices just above the maximum amount for low income Section 8 vouchers. Brad Anderson responded that the City Council sets the rental rates. Isaiah Sato added that the City uses the national rates per household size, as a guide to set the Area Median Income (AMI). The Brookfield Property is set at 80% AMI, for 20% of their units, for 45 years.

Parking Stalls: Mariano reiterated his concerns from previous meetings regarding the parking stalls on Pensacola Street.

Straub Expansion Update: Isaiah Sato, R.M. Towill provided the following updates. The building heights have been reduced for the hospital/parking buildings from 268/294 feet to 240 feet. A draft resolution has been proposed to City Council: https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov/hnldoc/document-download?id=12051 Chair Tam requested photo renderings.

Noise Concerns: Chair Tam reported concerns previously brought up regarding residents near the intersection of Waimanu Street and Queen Street. Residents reported high pitched whining/buzzing noise coming from the chiller unit installed on the top of a pancake building. Komine reported being unable to contact management. Komine commented he would follow up with the Department of Health (DOH).

Manoa Post Office: Chair Tam reported the Manoa Post Office will not be closing.

ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS

Mayor Rick Blangiardi: Culture and Arts Executive Director Makanani Sala reported the following.

• Short Term Rentals: The Department of Planning and Permitting is working to remove illegal short term rentals from the community, and boost the number of available homes for residents. Community feedback is requested: http://www.honolulu.gov/visitors/icalrepeat.detail/2021/09/08/13476/-/planning-commission-meeting.html.

• Homeless Sweeps: HPD's homeless sweeps were done on a greater scale. Now, more targeted outreach is being performed to offer assistance to those in need of help.

• Moped Riders: To ride/drive a moped, only a valid driver's license is needed. Rental companies are not required to train or give lessons on how to operate a moped. Reckless/unsafe moped uses will be handled by HPD when observed.

• Park Restrooms: A request to keep restrooms open have been submitted to the Department of Parks and Recreation.

• Parking Stalls: An underground utility permit is required before completing the removal of the dangerous parking stalls on Pensicola Street.

Questions comments and concerns followed. Parking Stalls: Resident Mariano asked why the department would need to dig underground to remove the parking stalls.

Councilmember Carol Fukunaga: Councilmember Fukunaga reported the following.

• Pricing Structure: Councilmember Fukunaga offered to submit a request regarding member Iwamoto's previous concerns regarding Section 8 vouchers.

• Covid-19: the Blasdell testing cite has been a convenient location to get tested for Covid-19.

• Condominium Management: Structure stability inquiries have been made following the collapse that occurred recently in Florida. There is an educational forum available for free.

Questions comments and concerns followed.

1. Pricing Structure: Iwamoto thanked Councilmember Fukunaga and referenced an article in the Star Advertiser describing the affordable housing prices.

2. Life Safety Evaluation: Komine requested updates for the condominium Life Safety Evaluation.

Councilmember Calvin Say: Councilmember Say shared a link to his September Newsletter and gave a brief summary. https://calvinsay.files.wordpress.com/2021/08/cm-say-september-2021-newsletter-2.pdf.

Council Chair Tommy Waters: Chair Waters reported the following.

• Reapportion Committee: The process is half-way through and is important because it defines who will represent each area or district.

• Taxes: Each county will be able to set a new tax rate. $45M will need to be made up for to pay for roadways, lifeguards, cleaning of streams, and more.

• Section 8: Chair Waters recommended contacting DPP as soon as a new development is being proposed to inquire about affordable units. The City Council will have the last input when it comes to new buildings.

Questions comments and concerns followed. Chop Shop: Komine raised concerns about an alleged bike theft operation under the bridge near Ala Moana Shopping Center.

State Representative Adrian Tam: No representative present.

State House Speaker Scott Saiki: Dylan Leigh was available for questions.

Senator Sharon Moriwaki: Kailey reported that the recording of the town hall meeting regarding the HCDA briefing will be posted on Speaker Saiki's YouTube channel soon.

Governor David Ige: Communications Director Cindy McMillan reported the current Covid-19 situation and was available for questions.

U.S. Congressman Ed Case: No representative present.

AGENCY REPORTS

Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA): Craig Nakamoto of HCDA reported sending the September newsletter and other updates to Chair Tam.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART): No representative present, a report was sent.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): Chair Tam read the following report.

• Breaks: There were no water main breaks.

• Imagine A Day Without Water: The national water conservation day will be observed on Thursday, October 21, 2021.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Covid-19 Vaccines: Find a vaccine provider near you at https://www.oneoahu.org/find-vaccine.

• Telephone Dialing Changes: Beginning October 24, 2021, you must dial 808 + telephone number for all local calls. See http://www.hawaiiantel.com/dial808 for more details.

• Permit Reviews: Development proposals that require neighborhood board input are posted at: http://www.honoluludpp.org/ApplicationsForms/ZoningandLandUsePermits/NeighborhoodBoardMaterials.aspx.

• Next Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Ala Moana/Kaka ako Neighborhood Board No. 11 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. online via zoom.

• Action Committee Meeting: The Community Action Committee Meeting for the Ala Moana/Kaka ako Neighborhood Board No. 11 is scheduled for Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. online via zoom.

• lelo Broadcasts: Broadcasts of the Ala Moana-Kaka ako Neighborhood Board No. 11 meetings are on lelo 49 on the first and third Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., and every second Sunday at 6:00 p.m. The full schedule is at https://olelo.org/tv-schedule/ or full archive at https://www.honolulu.gov/cms-nco-menu/site-nco-sitearticles/1657-board-meeting-video-archive.html

ADJOURNMENT - As there was no further business before the Board, Chair Tam adjourned the meeting at 7:57 p.m.

Submitted by: Spencer Johnson, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Casey Ishitani, Public Relations

Finalized by:

Last Updated: 20 October 2021
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