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

Ala Moana / Kakaako Neighborhood Board No. 11

 

July 2022 Minutes

 

DRAFT INITIAL CONVENING MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022, 6:00 P.M.

MAKIKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND ON WEBEX

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Pro Tem Ryan Tam called the meeting to order at 6:06 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, June 28, 2022 regular monthly meeting of the Ala Moana/Kaka ako Neighborhood Board No. 11 at Makiki Christian Church and on WebEx.

Board Members Present: Ryan Tam, Melissa Wong, Michael Zehner, Joshua Nam, Lori Farinas, Kathleen Lee, Rodney Chang, Kim Coco Iwamoto, and Jeanne Rice.

Board Members Absent: Dyson Chee, and Jason Wong.

Guests: Captain Gibo (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Sagucio (Honolulu Police Department); Councilmember Calvin Say; Taylor Date (Representative Nishimoto); Francine Murray (HCDA); David Ho (Uraku Tower); Makanani Sala Office of Culture and the Arts (Mayor Blangiardi's Representative); Senator Karl Rhoads; Cindy McMillan (Governor Ige's Representative); Keola Fisher, William Ammons, Sandra Kim, Isaiah Sato, David Uchiyama (REGENT Craft), Paul Kato, Myoung Oh, Patrick Watson, Valerie Umeda, Melvia Kawashima, Mike Screnci, Ben Sadoski, Scott Bradley, Jason Kim, Janel Denny, Ed Chong, Lauren Dookchitra, Harry Cho, Austic Salcedo, Pualeilani Kamahoahoa, Adrien Tam, Scott Nishimoto, Ikaika Hussey (No. 16 Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board), Fetu Kolio, Mr. Toba, Steven Louie, Ronald Higa, Vanina Nakaoka, Cynthia Lonfat, Mike Vachio, Young Choi, Mark Mekolutz, Masato Sochika, Dee Matsumoto, Loving Farias, Johnny Wu, Ronald Young, and Sylvia Young (Residents and Guests); and Dylan Buck (Neighborhood Commission Office). There were 80 total attendees. Note: Names are not included if not legible on the guest sheet or is a phone number on WebEx.

PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Captain Gibo reported the fire statistics. Grilling/Barbeque safety tips can be found at: https://fire.honolulu.gov/.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Lieutenant Sagucio reported the crime statistics and HPD updates. For more information, visit: https://www.honolulupd.org.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed.

1. Smash and Grab: Mariano raised concerns about smash and grab crimes, and graffiti cases.

2. Aerial Fireworks: Resident Fetu Kolio raised concerns with illegal aerial fireworks. Farinas commented aerial fireworks are frequently used at Thomas Square.

3. Drug Activity: Chair Pro Tem Tam inquired about what to do when drug activity is observed.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS TO SERVE FROM JULY 1, 2022 TO JUNE 30, 2023: The officers to be elected are the Chair, one or more Vice Chairs, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and any other officer(s) determined to be needed to conduct the board's business [NP §2-14-120(b)].

Rice nominated and Farinas seconded the motion to elect Ryan Tam as Board Chair. Tam was elected Board Chair by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (9-0-0); (AYE: Tam, Wong, Zehner, Nam, Farinas, Lee, Chang, Iwamoto, Rice; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None.)

Farinas nominated and Iwamoto seconded the motion to elect Kathleen Lee as First Vice Chair. Lee was elected First Vice Chair by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (9-0-0); (AYE: Tam, Wong, Zehner, Nam, Farinas, Lee, Chang, Iwamoto, Rice; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None.)

Farinas nominated and Rice seconded the motion to elect Michael Zehner as Second Vice Chair. Zehner was elected Second Vice Chair by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (9-0-0); (AYE: Tam, Wong, Zehner, Nam, Farinas, Lee, Chang, Iwamoto, Rice; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None.)

Rice nominated and Farinas seconded the motion to elect Joshua Nam as Board Secretary. Nam was elected Board Secretary by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (9-0-0); (AYE: Tam, Wong, Zehner, Nam, Farinas, Lee, Chang, Iwamoto, Rice; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None.)

Rice nominated and Farinas seconded the motion to elect Kim Coco Iwamoto as Board Treasurer. Iwamoto was elected Board Treasurer by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (9-0-0); (AYE: Tam, Wong, Zehner, Nam, Farinas, Lee, Chang, Iwamoto, Rice; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None.)

MEETING DETERMINATION-DATE/TIME/LOCATION (AUGUST 2022 to JUNE 2023)

DETERMINATION OF BOARD RECESS SCHEDULE (AUGUST 2022 to JUNE 2023)

ADOPTION OF ORAL TESTIMONY RULES

MOTION TO RETAIN COMMITTEES, SUBCOMMITTEES, AND THEIR MEMBERSHIP

Rice moved and Farinas seconded the motion to adopt the same date/time/location, recess in December 2022, adopt the same oral testimony rules, and retain all committees and their membership. The Motion PASSED by UNANIMOUS CONSENT (9-0-0); (AYE: Tam, Wong, Zehner, Nam, Farinas, Lee, Chang, Iwamoto, Rice; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None.)

PRESENTATIONS

Electric Powered Seagliders: David Uchiyama, Regent Craft presented the following. REGENT is an original equipment manufacturer selling vehicles to operators for passenger, fright, tourism, emergency services, etc. The craft will enter service around 2025 after completing type 1 certification led by the US Coast Guard (primary and FAA (secondary). There are three modes of operation: float, foil, and fly. The vehicle starts on hull in harbor (0-20 mph), moves to hydrofoil (20-40 mph), and transitions to flight (30 feet above ocean up to 180 mph). The vehicle is electric, with a current range of 180 miles. Photos were provided.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed.

1. Cost: Mariano inquired about the cost for passengers.

2. Energy: Rice inquired about recharging the batteries.

3. Locations: Chang inquired about if other states are currently using the vehicle.

4. Altitude: Zehner inquired if 30 feet is the maximum altitude. Uchiyama responded that the vehicle can fly up to 100 feet, but there would be other certifications required.

5. Employment: Lee inquired about job opportunities for local residents.

Elm Street Development: Proposed 900-unit mixed-use development with affordable housing at 1302 Elm Street and 824 Sheridan Street being developed under Chapter 201H rules - Isaiah Sato, R.M. Towill Corporation, presented the following. The applicant is Twenty Lake Holdings and the proposal is a mixed-use development with 900 residential units in two towers. A minimum of 51% of the units will be designed affordable units. Maps and renderings were provided. The height will be up to 400 feet.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed.

1. Daycare: Iwamoto inquired about the possibility of providing a daycare center/program for residents.

2. Open Space: Chang inquired about the open space, and if the property would be pet friendly.

3. Restrictive Period: Resident Ed Chong inquired about the restrictive period. Sato responded it would 140% AMI and 10 years.

4. Parking: A resident asked where the parking entrance would be. Sato responded on Elm Street.

5. Infrastructure: Resident Mariano raised concerns with traffic, sewer, and water infrastructure.

1538 Kapiolani Tower: Proposed 337-unit mixed-use development at 1538 Kapiolani and off-site 64-unit affordable housing development at 765 Amana Street being developed under Interim Planned Development- Transit (IPD-T) rules - Isaiah Sato, R.M. Towill Corporation presented the following. The applicant is 1538 Kapiolani LLC, the proposal is to construct and mixed-use project comprised of 337 residential units, and 64 affordable housing units. Maps and renderings were provided. The proposed building height is 400 feet.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed.

1. Pets: Chang inquired if the property would be pet friendly.

2. Parking: Rice asked if there would be parking for retail customers. Sato responded yes.

3. Completion Date: A resident asked when the project would be completed. Sato responded at least two (2) years.

4. Off-Shore Owners: Iwamoto raised concerns about offshore owners.

BOARD BUSINESS

Approval of the June 28, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes

The Board approved the May 24, 2022 regular meeting minutes as written, by UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Attendance at other meetings: None.

Neighborhood Subdistrict Updates: None.

Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC): No report.

Chair's Report: No report.

Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Iwamoto reported the budget was stable.

OLD BUSINESS (DISCUSSION/ACTION)

Discuss houseless issues in Ala Moana-Kaka ako area: No additional discussion/action.

Discuss measures to prevent gun violence: No additional discussion/action.

Discuss and make recommendations on the Pensacola Complete Streets Project: No additional discussion/action.

RESIDENTS' AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Parking Meter: Chang raised concerns with missing parking meters.

Foodland: Resident Fetu Kolio raised concerns with Foodland customers having to listen to alcohol-consumption-related noises from the nearby bar while shopping.

Pensacola: Resident Mariano raised concerns with the bike lane causing traffic near the Moana Pacific. Mariano also inquired about the resolution from November 2020 stating "No parking during peak periods on Pensacola Street." Iwamoto commented on the light needing to last longer, letting more vehicles cross Kapiolani Boulevard on Pensacola Street.

ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS

Mayor Rick Blangiardi: Director Makanani Sala, Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA) reported the following.

Newsletter: https://www.oneoahu.org/newsletter.

Councilmember Carol Fukunaga: No representative present.

Councilmember Calvin Say: Councilmember Say reported the following. Newsletter: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6098c5bb75e480679bd2fab3/t/62c4ba6cec11746b0810f0e3/1657059976922/SAY+6.28.22+Budget+Mailer++v5.pdf

Council Chair Tommy Waters: Keola Fisher was available for questions.

State Representative Adrian Tam: Representative Tam provided a brief update and shared his newsletter.

State House Speaker Scott Saiki: No representative present.

Senator Sharon Moriwaki: Senator Moriwaki shared her newsletter. http://senatormoriwaki.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/NB-Report-2022-06-Ala-Moana-Kakaako.pdf.

Governor David Ige: Cindy McMillan reported the following.

Newsletter: The July 2022 issue of the governor's Capitol Connection newsletter is posted online at https://governor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/FINAL-JULY-2022-Capitol-Connection.pdf



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

AGENCY REPORTS

Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA): Francine Murray reported the following.

July newsletter: http://dbedt.hawaii.gov/hcda/files/2022/07/July-2022-Community-Connection.pdf

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART): Harry Cho and Patrick Watson provided a brief update.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS): No representative present, Chair Tam provided water announcements.

Chair Tam called the meeting to recess at 7:52 p.m. for the Candidate Forum.

CANDIDATE FORUM

Chair Tam returned the meeting to order at 8:22 p.m. in conclusion of the Candidate Forum.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

• Free COVID Self-Test Kits: To address the current surge in COVID-19 cases, Ala Moana-Kaka ako residents and businesses are eligible to receive free test kits under a program sponsored by the State of Hawaii Department of Health in collaboration with the Waikiki Health Center, the Waikiki Business Improvement District, and other organizations. Sign up to receive the test kits here: https://forms.gle/naGa1RGJ5n65y7qV7

• Ala Wai Flood Risk Management General Reevaluation Study: Public workshops are being held on Tuesday, July 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at https://usace1.webex.com/meet/AlaWai (virtual) and on Thursday, July 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Ala Wai Golf Course Club House, 2nd floor ballroom. More information is at http://www.honolulu.gov/AlaWai

• 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 is scheduled for Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Makiki Christian Church and online via WebEx.

• lelo Broadcasts: Recordings of the meetings are broadcast 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/). Recordings may also be viewed 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 8:23 p.m.

Submitted by: Spencer Johnson, Neighborhood Assistant

Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy

Finalized by:

Last Updated: 17 August 2022
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