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

ALA MOANA - KAKA‘AKO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 11

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025 at 6:00 P.M.

MAKIKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 829 PENSACOLA STREET, HONOLULU, HI 96814

AND VIA WEBEX

Video Recording of Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDe2uV3SNZ8

Google Drive Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JHxLyEI1wm7cUgm9ayIl2Q6OLWSbPBCV

1. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:01:14]: Chair Kathleen Lee called the Ala Moana-Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Quorum was established with 8 members present. Note: This 11-member Board requires six (6) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Rodney Chang, Emma Davis, Lori Farinas, Caroline Faringer, Kathleen Lee, Lynn Mariano, Jeanne Rice, and Dale Vanderbrink.

Board Member(s) Absent: Dyson Chee and Karen Cheung.

Guests: Captain R. Gibo (Honolulu Fire Department); Officer Aaron Ostachuk (Honolulu Police Department); Marissa Gonzales (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART); Robin Henski (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam); Clint Kalaola (King Kamehameha Floral Parade); Catie Cullison (PBR Hawaii); Kent Yang, Eric Grover (City Department of Transportation Services); Sophia Anderson (Councilmember Nishimoto); Joseph Kopshy (Senator Moriwaki); Flora (Representative Adrian Tam); Representative Ikaika Olds; Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto; William Nhieu (Governor Josh Green); Ronald Higa, Wujambi, Frank Floyd, Laura Ruby, Quinn Hashimoto, Mike Oxmaul, Jana, Myoung Oh, Michele Opitek (Residents); Camilia Epa Gomes (Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 29 total participants.

Roll Call Attendance -- [0:01:43]: Chair Lee called for a roll call, which was conducted by Neighborhood Assistant Camilia Epa Gomes.

2. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS -- [0:02:20]

Honolulu Fire Department -- [0:02:21]: Captain Gibo provided the report and highlighted the incident statistics for March 2025 and safety tips for the month regarding evacuation planning.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LBArHd7uVCCv_QG061LOiFF1y7PWV0mE/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:03:40]

Honolulu Police Department -- [0:08:27]: Sergeant Ostachuck provided the report and highlighted the crime statistics for March 2025 and safety tips for the month regarding pedestrian safety.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:12:00]

3. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:25:20]

King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade -- [0:25:20]: Clint Kalaola (Parade Coordinator) made an announcement for the upcoming 108th annual parade on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Road closures will start at 6:00 a.m. The parade will start at 9:00 a.m. at ʻIolani Palace at the corner of the intersection of Richards St./King St. then turn right on Punchbowl St. then turn left on Ala Moana Blvd. onto Kālakaua Avenue and end at Kapiʻolani Regional Park. The roads will re-open as the parade goes through with street cleaners and HPD following behind. The parade is expected to be off the roads by 1:00 p.m.

• Map route: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ieQOEwNNEm1eOnH_lbBiYVNUje-sWzQe/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:28:10]

Proposed Bus Service Changes and Pubic Transit Title VI Program -- [0:31:18]: Kent Yang, Pete Garino, and Eric Grover from the City Department of Transportation Bus Division (DTS) and Catie Cullison from PBR Hawaii (Consultant for DTS Public Outreach) presented proposed bus route changes that DTS would like to integrate with the upcoming Skyline rail extension that will open October 1, 2025. Bus service changes will be implemented in three phases. Overall bus hours will increase by approximately three percent. A PowerPoint was shared to show all the existing or new bus routes that will be restructured or discontinued to provide direct routes connecting to the Skyline. There are public hearings planned to gather input on the proposed bus service changes and impact on ridership. Please send comments/questions about the bus service changes no later than July 15, 2025 to thebusstop@honolulu.gov.

Keng Yang provided a second presentation to inform the public on the Transit Title VI Program. The Title VI Program ensures non-discriminatory public transit services as well as language services for limited English proficient individuals. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. The program is required to gather public input in their report to apply for grants from Federal Transit Authority (FTA). The public is encourgaed to submit any written comments for the Title VI Program report no later than May 1, 2025 to thebusstop@honolulu.gov

• Public Transit Title VI Program Draft Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ybsKx489Zh6TwO0Lm3ThorUxAonWwB7J/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:49:16]

Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) -- [1:22:14]: No representative present.

4. BOARD BUSINESS -- [1:22:31]

Approval of the Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Meeting Minutes -- [1:22:31] [1:23:12] -- Chang MOVED and Rice SECONDED approval of the March 25, 2025 meeting minutes with ammendments. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 8-0-0 (Aye: Chang, Davis, Farinas, Faringer, Mariano, Rice, Vanderbrink, Lee; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [1:23:13]

Action Committee Report -- [1:23:15]: Committee Chair Davis provided the report and highlighted the following: discussion for allowance of dogs within parks; potentially creating a community survey to collect public input; the City Department of Parks and Recreation sent a letter to the Ala Moana Neighborhood Board requesting feedback from the community on parks they would like to allow dogs.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:28:02]

Action Committee Report -- Continued -- [1:32:15]: Committee Chair Davis also shared about working on creating a newsletter and informed fellow Board members that they are welcome to create announcements and share with her to have it included in the newsletter. There was also discussion at the action committee meeting about unutilized lands within the district and existing permits which Member Vanderbrink provided more details on.

Attendance at other meetings -- [1:37:00]: Member Farinas commended the HawaiʻI State LGBT+ Commission for their first queer day at the Capitol which also showcased resources and services from various local organizations, businesses and state departments to support individuals in the LGBTQ+ community. Member Vanderbrink thanked everyone who attended Queer Day at the Capitol.

Testimony from James Gieschen -- [1:38:30]: Chair Lee shared that the Board has recieved testimony submitted by James Gieschen regarding criminal prosecution. She shared that Mr.Gieschen is an owner of Sugar Sugar Hawaiʻi and he is was unable to attend this meeting due to being on a trip that is out of country. Vice Chair Rice spoke and shares Mr.Gieschen's frustrations being a small business owner herself and experiencing similar issues.

5. SUBDISTRICT REPORTS -- [1:40:14]

Subdistrict 3 Report -- [1:40:18]: Vice Chair Rice provided her subdistrict report and shared she looks forward to working with everyone to create more park spaces for dogs and their owners to enjoy in the district. She shared a concern on the homeless population rising in the Ward and Kakaʻako area and the negative impacts it has on visitors that come to this area. She mentioned that Japanese tour companies i.e., JTB Hawaii, Jalpak, etc. have decreased their trolley tours in the Kakaʻako area which hurts a lot of businesses that depend on the foot traffic from tour groups that used to visit the area. She would like to request more action to be taken to address the homeless issue in her subdistrict. She has been in communication with Councilmember Nishimoto's office to address the ongoing safety issues with the crosswalk at the intersection of Queen St./Waimanu St. near Kolowalu Park and safety issues with the street parking alongside Queen St. near Kolowalu Park. There is vandalism taking place in Kolowalu Dog Park with broken sprinkler systems that have been causing muddy areas and Ms. Rice has been in communication with HCDA to work towards resolving the issue.

Subdistrict 4 Report -- [1:45:35]: Member Farinas highlighted the following: on Friday, April 25, 2025 CreativeMornings Honolulu will be holding a free breakfast lecture to honor earth month at SALT at Our Kakaako from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; there will be a Career Expo from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Blaisdell Center on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

• For more information on the breakfast series at SALT at Our Kakaako, please visit: https://creativemornings.com/cities/hnl/about

• For more information on the Career Expo, please visit: https://hawaiicareerexpo.com/

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:47:00]

Subdistrict 1 Report -- [1:47:31]: Member Chang shared that in his subdistrict that Nan Inc. will close Liona St. to remove the construction cranes for the work site in the area. From Monday, April 21, 2025 to Saturday, May 10, 2025 there will be occasional street closures. However, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 and Saturday, May 10, 2025, Nan Inc. will de-energize the electric lines in the area. Therefore, residents and businesses in the area bordering Liona St. and Ahana St. will have power outages between 8:30 a.m to 10:30 a.m. (2 hours) on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 and a power outage between 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (6 hours) on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Member Chang mentioned that he brought up the concern of the scheduled outages to Nan Inc. (construction company for the development) but they have not cooperated with residents requesting to change the power outage times. Nan Inc. has sent out letters to those that will be affected by the power outage in the surrounding area but is concerned there is no public service announcement that will be done for the general public. He also reported the dead tree on Kaheka St. has been taken down and complimented the City for their quick response. Mr. Chang encourages everyone to make canned good donations to help the Hawaiʻi Foodbank.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:51:26]

Subdistrict 3 Report -- [1:54:30]: Chair Lee informed everyone that the Keʻeaumoku Walmart will begin metered parking on Friday, May 1, 2025.

6. RESIDENTS' AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS -- [1:54:50]

Kolowalu Park Enforcement -- [1:55:00]: A resident shared multiple issues such as: problems at the Kolowalu park (maintained by Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority) such as homeless trespassing after park hours to sleep or vandalize; confusion on private security responsibilities and lack of enforcement to maintain the park; request to adjust park hours; underage drinking within the park by the playground at night; and request to remove street parking nearby the park to prevent accidents occurring with motor vehicles and pedestrians crossing the road. The resident also mentioned using the Honolulu 311 App to report people who are breaking ‘no dogs allowed' rule at Ala Moana Regional Park. She recommended for the Board to reach out to Honolulu Civil Beat to cover an article about the current ‘no dogs allowed' rule and including a link to a survey for people to take.

Theft in Cemetery -- [1:59:30]: A Mōʻiliʻili resident brought to the Board's attention a recent police case for a man who was arrested for grave theft and vandalism at the Mōʻiliʻili Japanese Cemetery. She suggested to everyone if they see any suspicious activity in any cemetery, to please call 911 for HPD to respond.

Steps for Vets 5K -- [2:02:00]: Frank Floyd (Mid-Pacific Road Runners Club) shared an announcement that U.S. VETS will be holding their annual 5K fundraising event in support of their mission to prevent and end veteran homelessness in the Unites States. The public is welcome to join -- run, walk, and roll at Ala Moana Regional Park, Magic Island on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:03:40]

Kalakaua Homes Fire Alarms -- [2:04:50]: Member Chang shared that the fire alarms for Kalakaua Homes building (senior housing maintained by the State Public Housing Authority) consistently keeps going off 2-3 times a day. This issue has been going on for about a month. Residents and neighbors would like the State to fix the alarm system right away.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:06:04]

Celebration of America -- [2:08:50]: Member Mariano informed the Board on the early celebrations to prepare for the Semiquincentennial or 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. The date provides an opportunity to reflect on the nation's history and honor the contributions of all Americans. Mr. Mariano shared that Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green and Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed an executive order creating the Hawaiʻi Semiquincentennial -- a state entity entrusted with planning Hawaiʻi's commemorative activities for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Unites States.

Hearing no objections, Chair Lee took the agenda out of order to hear Item 8.8.4 State Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto at this time.

8. ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS -- [2:10:45]

State Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto (District 25) -- [2:10:45]: Representative Iwamoto provided the report and highlighted the responses recieved from her community survey. She noted over six hundred people completed her survey.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:15:10]

7. AGENCY REPORTS -- [2:20:00]

Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority (HCDA) -- [2:20:00]: Francine Murray informed the Board, HCDA is continuing to monitor the health of the grass in Kolowalu Dog Park after the vandalism to the irrigation timer which affected the watering schedule shortly after the parkʻs grand opening. Ms. Murray will keep the Board updated if the Park Staff decides to temporarily close the park to restore the grass. She shared highlights from the newsletter: accomplishments of Mother Waldron Park; and an article sharing the full Hawaiʻi State report about Hawaiʻi property ownership.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MdjIidXSs1gp9yrjsG1qJo7UkCFhgCWw/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:22:08]

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation] (HART) -- [2:23:19]: Marissa Gonzales (HART's Public Involvement Team) shared: construction utility relocation continues in the Downtown and Dillingham areas, including underground utilities, street lights, traffic signals, and sidewalk restorations. The Downtown utility relocation is nearly complete with surface restoration expected to continue into the summer. HART will be at the Career Expo on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for those interested in applying for several positions that they are looking to fill or you can email your resume and areas of interest to harthr@honolulu.gov with the job title in the subject line. HART will be having their virtual business and community meeting this Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. on Zoom.

• To stay informed about HART and the Honolulu Rail Transit Project at https://honolulutransit.org/

• For additional questions or need further assistance, you can call the 24hr project hotline at 808-566-2299

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:25:13]

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) -- [2:25:38]: No representative present.

8. ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS -- [2:25:42]

Hearing no objections, Chair Lee took the agenda out of order to hear Item 8.8.7 Mayor Rick Blangiardi Or Representative at this time.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [2:26:00]: Ben Sullivan provided the report and highlighted the following: Mayor Rick Blangiardi's townhall meetings return for the third year in a row; the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Concert Hall reopens after back-of-house renovations; the Department of Parks and Recreation is hiring staff for the City's Summer Fun Program; residents can download HNL Alert, the City's new alert system for natural disasters and emergency situations; and the City Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CCSR) is holding island wide meetings to update the 2025-2030 Climate Action Plan and giving the communities the opportunity to propose potential climate solutions and discuss priorities; the next climate action plan meeting that is near the Ala Moana district is on Monday, May 5, 2025 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Mānoa Public Library; and follow-up responses for questions raised at last month's meeting.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LLVyghEaGxQ2MAOGBhgkjaJ_eECAFPfp/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:37:37]

State Senator Sharon Moriwaki (District 12) -- [2:39:40]: Joseph Kopshy provided the report and shared they are coming to an end for the legislative session and finishing up Budget Committee meetings.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sh7iy2tK3OU6LXpALXk4wEThv_MZr89-/view?usp=drive_link

State Representative Ikaika Olds (District 23) -- [2:40:25]: Representative Olds provided the report and highlighted the following: House Bill (HB) 943 (relating to homelessness) that he introduced will be heard in conference; his House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 180 will be adopted; and a follow-up response regarding the faulty alarms in Kalakaua Homes and a work order request to inspect the pine trees alongside Kalakaua Homes.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hJANFSTdUXxfSeH5nnujE56DTFz3apME/view?usp=drive_link

• To stay connected with updates from Representative Olds, sign up for his email blast: https://mailchi.mp/capitol/email-sign-up

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:42:12]

State Representative Adrian Tam (District 24) -- [2:42:28]: Flora provided the report and shared Conference is taking place and a legislative summary will be provided next month to the Board.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PszvdAdyyrCMwb9Cs2dUw_d3ywYCnZ3r/view?usp=drive_link

City Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam (District 6) -- [2:44:00]: Robin Henski provided the report and highlighted the following: follow-up response regarding concern for the crosswalk and traffic light installation on South King Street and Hale Makai Street.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZmL__Xfo7fid0YDUmTgG7c5VoEIVzB_h/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:45:00]

City Councilmember Scott Nishimoto (District 5) -- [2:47:15]: Sophia Anderson provided the report and highlighted the following: two risers were submitted regarding the pedestrian safety concerns for the crosswalk and parking stalls near Kolowalu Park. Councilmember Nishimoto will be attending the Earth Day Celebration event at Pālolo Valley District Park. Ms. Anderson shared that he will be participating in the Makiki Park Clean-Up with Maryknoll's School and attending a Roosevelt Concert.

• For questions and concerns please email scott.nishimoto@honolulu.gov or call (808)768-5005

• To subscribe to Councilmember Nishimoto's weekly e-blast, please go to http://eepurl.com/dI6xMz

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [2:48:50]: William Nhieu provided the report and highlighted the following: the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) recently held their annual gun buyback program on Oʻahu; the Administration encourages all members of the public to consider getting a booster shot (MMR Vaccine) for measles; and follow-up responses for questions raised at last month's Board meeting.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1psvHzD3I_OdWdOAyWE5Q9SoR_m-WLu_a/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:52:12]

Congressman Ed Case's Representative -- [2:53:26]: No representative present.

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [2:53:27]

Upcoming events -- [2:53:28]: Police Week Kick-Off is on Monday, May 12, 2025; the 2025 Shinnyo-en Lantern Floating Is on Monday, May 26, 2025; and the King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade is on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

• For more information on upcoming events/street closures, visit https://www8.honolulu.gov/dts/2025-events/

2025 Neighborhood Board Elections Timeline [2:53:54]: Chair Lee shared voting begin Friday, April 25, 2025 and ends Friday, May 16, 2025.

• For more information, please visit https://www8.honolulu.gov/nco/neighborhood-board-elections

City and County of Honolulu and Hawaiʻi Foodbank are Partnering to Fight Against Hunger: Neighborhood Assistant Camilia Epa Gomes will be collecting donated canned goods at Board meeting tonight.

NB11 social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlaMoanaKakaakoNB11; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alamoanakakaakonb11/

The next Action Committee meeting will be on Thursday, May 08, 2025.

The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

The ʻŌlelo Broadcasts: Recordings of the meetings are broadcast on ʻŌlelo 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

10. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:54:34]: Chair Lee adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m

Submitted by: Camilia Epa Gomes, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO

Reviewed by: Robert Whitsell, Deputy, NCO

Finalized by:


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