Contact Us Subscribe
  1. Back
  2. Current News
  3. News Archive
With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9

 

01 icon acrobatApril 2021 Minutes

 

WAIKIKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 9
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021
WAIKIKI COMMUNITY CENTER
WEBEX

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Robert Finley called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. A quorum was established with 15 members present. Note: This 17-member Board requires nine (9) members to establish quorum and to take official board action.

Board Members Present: Jacob Wiencek, Jerome Bautista, Robert Boyack, Helen Carroll, Louis Erteschik, Raiyan Rafid, Robert Finley, Lisa Cabanero, Michael Brown, Kathryn Henski, Jeffrey Merz, John Nigro, Melissa Filek, Mark Smith, Mark Garrity.

Board Members Absent: Walt Flood, Kenny Wilder.

Guests: Lieutenant Troy Kumoda (Honolulu Police Department); Dominic Dias (Board of Water Supply); Phyllis Dendle (Waikiki Health); Nola Miyasaki (Mayor Kirk Caldwell's office); Council Chair Tommy Waters; Senator Sharon Moriwaki; Representative Adrian Tam; Scott Glenn (Governor David Ige's office); Rick Egged (Waikiki Improvement Association); Daniel Alexander (Complete Streets); Nathan Bingham (Hawaiian Style Rentals and Sales); Allison Schaefers (Honolulu Star-Advertiser); Dave Moskowitz, Tim Garry, Gerald Gambill, Matthew Morriarty, James Brown, Sybil Stevenson, Jean Cox, Risa Yamamoto, Chad Snater, John Montalbano, Dave Watase, Linda Frysztaki, James Callahan, Justin Menina, Ryan Tam (Residents); Casey Ishitani (Neighborhood Assistant). Name was not included if not legible on the attendance sheet.

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): HFD representatives submitted a report and safety tip regarding escape routes during fires. Information can be found at http://www.honolulu.gov/hfd.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD): HPD Lieutenant Troy Kumoda submitted a report and safety tip. More information can be found at https://www.honolulupd.org/.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.
1. Electric Scooters: Smith requested updates regarding electric scooters. Lieutenant Kumoda responded that HPD officers have been returning discarded scooters along with the rental agencies.
2. Homelessness: Henski raised concerns regarding homelessness on Lemon Road and at a bus stop fronting the Queen Kapiolani Hotel. Filek raised that a petition will be sent regarding homelessness. Lieutenant Kumoda responded that if residents witness illegal activity they may contact HPD via 911.
3. Recruitment: Wiencek inquired if HPD's Waikiki precinct will recruit more officers.
4. Assault: Henski requested the status of an HPD officer after an assault. Lieutenant Kumoda responded that the individuals were arrested and that the officer was injured by not hospitalized.

Board of Water Supply (BWS): Dominic Dias of BWS reported that there were no main breaks and that there were no current construction projects. BWS is extending suspension of water shut-offs from non-payment due to the ongoing pandemic. Winners of the 2021 Water Conservation Week Poster and Poetry Contest will be announced in May at https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/news-events/contests.

RESIDENTS' / COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Newsstands: Residents and Board members raised concerns regarding newsstands on Kapahulu Avenue being used by homeless individuals as shelters. Individuals were reported to be consuming alcohol in the newsstands. Chair Finley reported that a publication company paid the City and County of Honolulu to post the newsstands and that they remain under City and County of Honolulu ordinance.

Waikiki Health: Waikiki Health Chief Executive Officer Phyllis Dendle reported that Covid-19 testing is held Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The facility will also be open for vaccinations on Monday, April 19, 2021. More information can be found at (808) 699-7180 and at https://waikikihc.org/.

Car Towing: Resident Dave Moskowitz raised concerns regarding a private road towing cars on neighboring streets. Chair Finley responded that concerns regarding private roads should be sent to Council Chair Tommy Waters.

PUBLIC EVENTS
There were no events submitted.

APPLICATIONS FOR LIQUOR LICENSES
Pesca Waikiki Beach Inc., 177 Ala Moana Boulevard, Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHERS
Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative: Director of Customer Service Nola Miyasaki reported the following.
¥ Dennys: There are a number of homeless individuals at the Dennys on the Kuhio Avenue side of 208 Kapahulu Avenue. HPD will continue to send Institute of Human Services (HIS), the area outreach provider to the location.
¥ Restroom Occupant: Board reported that there is a homeless individual occupying the restroom at the snack shack near the Waikiki HPD substation. HPD will continue to send Institute of Human Services (HIS), the area outreach provider to the location.
¥ Newsstand: Board members raised concerns regarding homeless individuals sleeping in the City and County of Honolulu newsstand on Kapahulu Avenue between the Park Shore and Waikiki Grand Hotel. Residents also reported drinking. Customer Services (CSD) reported that the spaces in the enclosures are paid for and permitted to different publishers who utilize them. Any illegal activity (drinking, drugs, etc.) or homeless problems should be reported to HPD as an enforcement issue. One (1) rack enclosure at this location is on a work order through Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) for removal at this time. There are plans to hold a lottery in May 2021 (per ROH) for all spaces in all rack enclosures throughout Waikiki.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.
1. Ala Wai Recreation Center: Brown requested repairs to Ala Wai Recreation Center.
2. Newsstands: A resident requested that newsstands be removed.
3. Lemon Road and Cartwright Road: A resident reiterated concerns regarding homelessness on Lemon Road and Cartwright Road.

Council Chair Tommy Waters: Council Chair Waters reported the following.
¥ Lemon Road: Lemon Road is privately owned. The City and County of Honolulu would not purchase the road unless it was brought up to code.
¥ Homelessness: Council Chair Waters raised that housing-first solutions are required to mitigate homelessness in Waikiki.
¥ Newsstands: Council Chair Waters will discuss the newsstands issue with Waikiki Improvement Associate (WIA) President Rick Egged.
¥ 1650 Ala Wai Boulevard: Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) are seeking fair market value to purchase the abandoned property.
¥ Council: Full council will meet in Wednesday, April 14, 2021 for items including City budget, HPD Commission nominees, HPD recruitment and property taxes.
¥ Crime With No Consequences: Council Chair Waters raised that arrests have led to less prosecution due to Covid-19 affecting the capacity of prisons.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.
1. Homelessness: Merz raised concerns regarding an abandoned bus stop requiring removal due to homeless individuals occupying it. Henski requested fencing at abandoned bus stops.
2. Ethics Department: Wiencek requested updates from the Ethics Department. Council Chair Waters responded that departments such as DPP and HPD will be subject to audits. Tim Garry requested Time Cards for HPD be released to the public regarding Overtime.
3. City Council: Resident Tim Garry requested that Honolulu Hale be reopened for public testimony.

Senator Sharon Moriwaki: Senator Moriwaki reported the following.
¥ Legislative Session 2021: Bills for consideration include those regarding scooters and Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor (AWSBH). Bills that have failed in session include those regarding noise and offices dedicated to studying sea level rise.
¥ Jefferson Elementary School: 3.5 million dollars have been allocated to Jefferson Elementary School.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.
1. Sunshine Law: Erteschik requested updates regarding a Bill to amend Sunshine Law and Senator Moriwaki responded that discussions continue regarding disability access, quorum and remote meetings.
2. AWSBH: Chair Finley requested updates regarding AWSBH and Senator Moriwaki responded the State of Hawaii will need to begin charging for infrastructure. Chair Finley responded that the Board was reluctant to support charges and fees unless the monies would be used toward the Waikiki community. A resident requested that boaters testify against Bills to increase fees and fines.

Representative Adrian Tam: Representative Tam reported the following.
¥ Federal Funds: American Rescue Plan will be allocated to sex assault treatment and family planning.
¥ Legislative Session 2021: Bills under consideration include those regarding real estate disclosure, minor access to homeless shelters, robocalls, noise pollution and state taxes.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.
1. State Auditors: Wiencek requested status of State auditors and Representative Tam responded that House Bill (HB) 1 is being considered to take auditors data into account.
2. Noise Pollution: A resident requested that noise pollution mitigation in Waikiki.
3. AWSBH: A resident inquired where boaters may request updates regarding AWSBH Bills and Representative Tam responded that they may contact his office at reptam@Capitol.hawaii.gov.

Governor David Ige's Representative: State of Hawaii Chief Energy Officer Scott Glenn reported the following.
¥ Vaccination: Johnson and Johnson vaccines have been suspended, pending review.
¥ Travel: Safe Travels plans will be implemented, factoring in testing and vaccines. On Tuesday, April 13, 2021, there were 23,000 visitors and 8,000 returning residents.
¥ Wind Farm: Wiencek requested updates on wind farm proposals.

Waikiki Improvement Association (WIA): WIA President Rick Egged reported that Kuhio Beach will be closed in late April 2021 due to sand replenishment. DPP rules regarding short term vacation rentals property owners will need to notify building managers that a unit will be used as a rental. The current mandate for masks is that they must be worn at all times unless the individual is outdoors and able to maintain at least six (6) feet of distance from others.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.
1. Meetings: Chair Finley inquired and Egged confirmed that WIA will be meeting with Council Chair Waters.
2. Beach Closure: Smith raised concerns regarding visitor impacts due to beach closure.
3. Aloha Ambassadors: Resident Garry inquired and Egged confirmed that Waikiki Aloha Ambassadors collaborate with WIA.

Federal Representative Ed Case: There was no representative.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular Meeting Minutes, March 9, 2021: Chair Finley inquired if there were any amendments to the Minutes.

Hearing no objection, the Minutes were ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT, 15-0-0 (Aye: Wiencek, Bautista, Boyack, Carroll, Erteschik, Rafid, Finley, Cabanero, Brown, Henski, Merz, Nigro, Filek, Smith, Garrity; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

NEW BOARD BUSINESS
Complete Streets in Waikiki: Project Manager Daniel Alexander reported that a rehabilitation project along Ala Wai Boulevard has been proposed. The project will include refurbished bike lanes and changes to parking. A virtual community meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 to provide an overview of the proposed project. More information can be found at http://www.honolulu.gov/completestreets/waikiki.

Questions, comments and concerns followed.
1. Concerns: Chair Finley reported that the Waikiki Traffic Management Association (WTMA) raised concerns that the project would replace parking along Ala Wai Boulevard. They also expressed that allocated funds could be used elsewhere. Chair Finley also raised concerns regarding emergency vehicle access and thoroughfare traffic during peak hours.
2. Support: Merz supported the project citing safety concerns for bicyclists and pedestrians with the current set-up.

Hawaiian Style Rentals and Sales: Nathan Bingham of Hawaiian Style Rentals and Sales reported that his business offers locally-owned electric bike and moped rental.

Questions, comments and concerns followed. Insurance: Henski raised concerns regarding vehicle collisions and inquired if Hawaiian Style Rentals and Sales offers insurance. Bingham confirmed that they do.

REPORTS
Treasurer's Report: The remaining budget for the Waikiki Neighborhood Board was $148.33.

Sub District 1 Report: No report was given.

Sub District 2 Report: No report was given.

Sub District 3 Report: No report was given.

Chair Report: This item was deferred due to facility closure.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9 meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
View this meeting on Olelo Channel 49 at 9:00 p.m. on the 4th Tuesday each month, and at 6:00 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. View online at: http://olelo.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=30

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. due to facility closure.

Submitted by: Casey Ishitani, Public Relations
Reviewed by: Lindon Valenciano, Neighborhood Assistant
Final Review: Chair Robert Finley, Secretary Lisa Cabanero

Last Updated: 05 May 2021
  1. Back
  2. Current News
  3. News Archive

Like Our Facebook

  • RELATED LINKS
Please send questions about this website to
Copyright© 2012 - 2021 WaikikiGetDown.com. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use / Legal Disclaimer / Privacy Statement
Site Designed and Managed by MacBusiness Consulting