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

Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board No. 11

 

November 2021 Agenda

 

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021, 6:00 P.M.

VIA ZOOM

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Ryan Tam called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Quorum was established with eight (8) 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, Dyson Chee, Kim Coco Iwamoto, Ryan Tam, Melissa Wong, Joshua Nam, Kathleen Lee, Michael Zehner, and Ron Komine Jr. (arrived at 6:14 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: Jason Wong.

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), Roger Babcock (Director, Department of Facility Maintenance); Councilmember Carol Fukunaga, Council Member Calvin Say; Cindy McMillan (Governor David Ige's Represenative), Council Chair Tommy Waters, Craig Nakamoto (HCDA); Lynn Mariano, Dave Watase, Jess Hernandez, Melvia Kawashima, Carson Schultz, David Ho (Uraku Tower), Isaac Yuen, Janel Denny, Janice Jensen, Kendall Matsuyoshi, Bill Hicks (Chair, Kailua Neighborhood Board No. 31) (Residents and Guests); and Spencer Johnson (Neighborhood Commission Office). There were 29 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 Randall Gibo reported the fire statistics and holiday cooking safety tips which can be found at https://fire.honolulu.gov/.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): No representative present.

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

PRESENTATIONS

Mauka Area Rules Update - Craig Nakamoto, HCDA, and Carson Schultz, Hawaii Community Development Authority presented the following. The HCDA is tasked with planning, regulation, and development responsibilities throughout the state of Hawaii. Before 2011, the Kakaako Mauka Area Rule was land use based, and encouraged large lot development. In 2011 there was a change to identify seven sub-neighborhoods or neighborhood zones. After over a decade of implementing these Area Rules, there is a need for amendments to help connectivity within the district. The process officially began at this meeting with connecting and notifying residents. A digital platform will be built to engage the community. Discussions and revisions are expected to be completed throughout the spring of 2022. Schultz requested to provide a future presentation when amendments have been further identified. There is a Virtual Community Meeting held on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.

Questions comments and concerns followed. Proposals: M. Wong asked if there are any proposals for amendments at this time. Schultz responded that it is early in the process, and the community meeting will be an opportunity for the public to provide feedback.

Komine arrived at 6:14 p.m., nine (9) members present.

Proposed Storm Water Utility - Roger Babcock, Director, City and County of Honolulu Department of Facility Maintenance and Juli Beth "JB" Hinds, Birchline Planning City and County of Honolulu's Storm Water Quality Division, Dawn Szewczyk, Deputy Director of the Department of Facility Maintenance, presented the following.

Director Babcock explained the need to a storm water utility fee. This utility will help pay for maintenance and upgrade to storm water drainage, resulting in reduced flooding, and environmental benefits. The fee will be based on a properties impervious area. An impervious area is a hard surface, such as a roof, driveway, or walkway, preventing water from entering the ground. A pervious area would be identified as grass or landscaping, allowing water to enter the ground. The expected range of Base Rate will be $5.50 - $6.80/month per 1,000 square feet of impervious area. A typical single-family home falls in Tier 4: $19.50 - $23.00/month. This fee would paid by everyone, from business to schools, churches, and federal facilities. Everyone will be eligible to reduce their utility fee by implementing strategies that encourage water flow into the ground, reducing runoff. Examples for these credits include rain gardens, downspout redirection, permeable pavers, and rainwater capture. Customers meeting the specified criteria will pay the Tier 1 fee (base rate or $2.75-3.40/month). These customers are households enrolled in the Hawaii Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or owners of homes meeting all of the following criteria: a single family detached dwelling unit, primary residence of at least one property owner, the owners do not own any other properties, not a rental property, and the combines annual household income of all occupants of the property does not exceed a certain percentage of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Income Schedule by Family Size for Honolulu County. Visit: www.stormwaterutilityoahu.org for more information.

Questions comments and concerns followed.

1. Stream Base: Iwamoto inquired about streams with a hard concrete bottom, and why all the streams are not filled this way. Director Babcock responded that not all streams are owned by the city.

2. Condo Residents: Nam asked how this fee would affect condominium residents. Director Babcock responded that they would charge the facility based on the impervious area, and they would charge residents as necessary.

3. Assistance: Chee asked if some tax money would be used to provide assistance and resources to residents transforming their properties to encourage water to enter the ground. Director Babcock responded that credits and rebate programs will be provided.

4. Management: Lee asked who will be managing the storm water utility. Director Babcock responded that the Storm Water Quality division of the Department of Facility Maintenance would manage this program.

5. Funding: Chang asked how the department is currently getting funded. Director Babcock responded real property taxes and highway/gas tax. Director Babcock responded that funding will still be provided through the highway tax, but not from real property tax. This a new source of funding, and the property tax would be re-allocated.

6. Training: Resident Mariano commented a lot of training and education would be necessary for residents, and asked if residents in flood zones would be treated differently. Director Babcock responded that outreach and education would be expanded, and that stream maintenance is important to allow streams to carry the maximum amount of runoff.

BOARD BUSINESS

Approval of the Tuesday, October 26, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes.

The Board approved the October 26, 2021 regular meeting minutes as written by UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Attendance at other meetings:

• Complete Streets: Chair Tam and member Chang reported attending the Keeamoku Complete Streets public meeting on November 16, 2021.

• Homelessness: Iwamoto reported attending the 2021 Hawaii Statewide Homeless Awareness Conference.

• Army Corp Engineer Workshop: Chair Tam reported attending the November 13, 2021 Army Corp Engineer Workshop regarding Ala Wai flood control. https://www.honolulu.gov/AlaWai.

Neighborhood Updates: Cleanup: Iwamoto reported volunteering for a trash cleanup with 155 volunteers cleared over 300lbs of trash.

Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC): Resident Mariano reported attending the meeting on November 3, 2021. There was a presentation on new transportation infrastructure.

Chair's Report: None.

Treasurer's Report: Iwamoto reported the October expenditures were $30.98 with a remaining balance of $451.51. Iwamoto asked about the remaining balance relating to the video contract. The Neighborhood Assistant reported that remaining balances are shared with boards that need additional funding to mail out agendas/minutes.

Selection of Secretary: None.

OLD BUSINESS (DISCUSSION/ACTION)

Discuss COVID-19 pandemic and response: Chair Tam provided the current numbers of Covid-19 deaths and infections.

NEW BUSINESS (DISCUSSION/ACTION)

Chair Tam handed the gavel to Vice Chair Lee. Vice Chair Lee called on Chair Tam to introduce the next topic.

Consider resolution regarding State Reapportionment Plans: Chair Tam shared the Senate and House district maps of the Ala Moana/Kakaako area. There are concerns with separating the Mauka and Makai zones of Kakaako district. Chair Tam shared a proposed map, re-joining the Mauka and Makai Kakaako areas. Chair Tam shared a proposed resolution, urging the Reapportionment Commission to keep Mauka and Makai portions of Kakaako within a contiguous legislative district. Bill Hicks of the Kailua Neighborhood Board shared his insight from the Windward district regarding the proposed reapportionment plans. Chair Hicks shared his concerns with the proposal to include sections of Hawaii Kai to Windward Oahu. Hicks explained that keeping Windward Oahu and East Oahu separate, would help keep other neighborhood districts intact around the island.

Vice Chair Lee returned the gavel to Chair Tam.

Discussion Followed: Iwamoto thanked Bill Hicks for his work on these proposed changes. Iwamoto asked how these district changes would affect decisions that are made. Chang asked if the other Neighborhood Board wanted this board to endorse the proposed changes. Hicks commented that if achieving 2-3% deviation is possible, why settle for 8% deviation. Hicks commented that following the constitution as a starting point, and respecting physical boundaries will help keep communities intact. Chair Tam shared the proposed resolution to consider alternative plans that minimizes the population deviation and keeps neighborhoods together. Resident Mariano asked if the "Hicks Plan" was submitted. Hicks responded that the alternative plan was submitted, and the commission is aware of it.

Chang MOVED and Chee SECONDED the motion to adopt the resolution regarding State Reapportionment Plans. The Motion PASSED by roll call vote (8-0-1); (Aye: Chang, Chee, Komine, Lee, Nam, M. Wong, Zehner, Tam; Nay: None; Abstain: Iwamoto).

Community Noise Issues around 956 Kawaiahao Street: Resident Isaac Yuen reported being woken up five (5) days a week at 5:00 a.m. due to a disruptive business. The police have been notified but a further step needs to be taken. Chang suggested the Department of Health (DOH) do a noise check on the property. Komine offered sharing his DOH contacts which helped with previous noise issues. Iwamoto commented that her tenant got arrested for making noise after 10:00 p.m. for disturbing the peace.

Discuss Keeaumoku Complete Streets Project: Chang introduced the rehabilitation of Keeamoku Street from Kapiolani Boulevard to S King Street. The project is designed to increase pedestrian and bike safety by installing bike lanes, mid-block crossings, and Barnes Dance (X shaped) crosswalks. This will result in the removal of metered parking along Keeamoku Street. Other improvements for turning lanes including the left turn lane with stop light exiting Ala Moana Shopping Center onto Kapiolani Boulevard. Community feedback can be provided until Friday, December 31, 2021 at https://www.honolulu.gov/completestreets/keeaumoku.

Battery Electric Bus Acquisition and Service Area Expansion Project: Chair Tam reported a request from the City to support the Battery-Electric Bus project. The City is looking to purchase 10 Electric Buses to connect Waikiki to Ala Moana and Makiki with frequent routes. Nam asked if this project would be ran by TheBus. Zehner asked where the Buses would be manufactured. Nam asked if this is a part of a future, larger scale plan. Chair Tam commented that the City and County of Honolulu is planning on fully electric public transportation by the year 2035.

Iwamoto MOVED and Chee SECONDED the Motion to support an Electric Bus connecting Ala Moana to Waikiki and Makiki. The Motion PASSED by roll call vote (8-1-0); (Aye: Chang, Chee, Iwamoto, Komine, Lee, Nam, M. Wong, Tam; Nay: Zehner; Abstain: None).

RESIDENTS' AND COMMUINITY CONCERNS

Theft from Vehicle: Komine commented on a theft from his family's vehicle.

Parking Stalls: Resident Mariano shared gratitude for the City removing the parking stalls fronting Moana Pacific.

Graffiti: Mariano Raised concerns of increased graffiti in the Ala Moana area.

ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS

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

• Park Lighting: Awaiting a response from the Department of Facility Maintenance.

Councilmember Carol Fukunaga: Councilmember Fukunaga reported the following.

• Park Lighting: Submitted a RISER regarding the lighting at the park.

Councilmember Calvin Say: Councilmember Say shared a link to his September Newsletter and gave a brief summary. https://calvinsay.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/november-2021-newsletter-final.pdf.

• Graffiti: Councilmember Say asked Resident Mariano for the locations of the increased graffiti.

Council Chair Tommy Waters: Chair Waters reported the following.

• Noise Issues: Introduced a bill dealing with amplified noise in Waikiki.

• Illegal Short Term Rentals: Working on Bill 41 relating to illegal short term rentals which will be taken up in January, 2021.

State Representative Adrian Tam: Representative Tam shared a link to his newsletter and reported the following.

• Covid-19 Vaccination: Representative Tam encouraged everyone to get vaccinated.

State House Speaker Scott Saiki: No representative present.

Senator Sharon Moriwaki: Kailey reported the following.

• Homelessness: Senator Moriwaki is looking to establish a permanent homelessness office.

Questions comments and concerns followed. Foreclosure: Councilmember Say asked if it is possible to support the non-judicial foreclosure measure, relating to the Pensacola property which has been burnt twice.

Governor David Ige: Communications Director Cindy McMillan reported the current Covid-19 situation and was available for questions. https://governor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/FINAL-November-Capitol-Connection-2021-2.pdf

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

AGENCY REPORTS

Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA): Report was given during the presentation Item 4.1.

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

Discuss Thanksgiving: Board members shared topics they were thankful for, including first responders and members of the community for their work on the Neighborhood Board.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

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

• Liquor Commission Hearing: Xtreme Mini Mart (1530 Makaloa Street) Retail General (Package sales) - Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. at 711 Kapiolani Boulevard, 6th Floor.

• Certificate of Need Application: Aasta Hospice (677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 614). Contact the State Health Planning and Development Agency for more details (www.shpda.org).

• Next Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Ala Moana/Kaka ako Neighborhood Board No. 11 is scheduled for Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. via zoom and location TBD.

• Action Committee Meeting: The next Community Action Committee Meeting for the Ala Moana/Kaka ako Neighborhood Board No. 11 is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, January 6, 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 8:26 p.m.

Submitted by: Spencer Johnson, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy

Finalized by:

 

 

Last Updated: 19 January 2022
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