NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 at 6:00 P.M.
Kapālama Hale – Room 153
925 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96817
AND VIA WEBEX

This meeting location is open to public participation.
Other available options include participating by computer, phone or by video system.
WebEx and phone-in instructions are as follows:

Meeting Link: https://cchnl.webex.com/cchnl/j.php?MTID=m4ed0ce4c5871978ea94a35efd24063d1
Meeting Number / Access Code: 2482 418 5050
Password: NC00 (6200 from phones and video systems)
Join by Phone: +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll

Recordings of Commission meetings can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/@NeighborhoodCommissionOffice
Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LS8mfBOkIKp5hqr6Fwr5Kn1HCYCURUu0
Rules of Speaking: Anyone wishing to speak is asked to raise his or her hand, and when recognized by the Chair, to address comments to the Chair. Speakers are to keep their comments under two (2) minutes. Public testimony taken on each agenda item. Please silence all electronic devices.
Note: The Commission may take action on any agenda item. As required by the State Sunshine Law (Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Chapter 92), specific issues not noted on this agenda cannot be voted on, unless properly added to the agenda.

I. CALL TO ORDER BY PRESIDING OFFICER
A. Roll Call of Commissioners, Establishment of Quorum

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Monday, August 25, 2025 Regular Meeting Written Summary for Video Record

III. PUBLIC CONCERNS – Limited to 2 minutes for items not on the agenda

IV. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY’S REPORT
A. Request Form for NCO Support – Form for requesting Special/Joint Meeting support and Board participation in community events

V. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Elections Committee – Chair Christian de Quevedo. Members: Bill Clark and Patrick Smith (Ex-Officio).
B. Neighborhood Plan Committee – Chair Larry Veray. Members: Mahealani Bernal, Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui, Lloyd Yonenaka, Christian De Quevedo, and Patrick Smith (Ex-Officio).

VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Request from Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights NB No. 5 to change Sub-District 2 seats to At-Large
B. Discussion and action on the proposed modifications to the Complaints Provision (Chapter 18) of the Neighborhood Plan from the Neighborhood Plan Committee

VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Next Meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 27, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at Kapālama Hale and virtually via WebEx.

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2025 – 6:00 P.M.
KAPĀLAMA HALE CONFERENCE ROOM 153 – 925 DILLINGHAM BOULEVARD, HONOLULU, HI 96817
AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R4wk3hs1F4

Meeting materials (Google Drive) can be found at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LS8mfBOkIKp5hqr6Fwr5Kn1HCYCURUu0

I. CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:05]

Chair Smith called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was established with 7 members present. Chair Smith welcomed the three new commissioners: Harris Nakamoto, Angie Knight, and Christian de Quevedo. Each commissioner introduced themselves briefly. Commissioner de Quevedo joined at 6:02 p.m.; 8 commissioners present.

Members Present: Mahealani Bernal, Bill Clark, Christian de Quevedo (6:02 p.m.), Angie Knight, James Logue, Harris Nakamoto, Patrick Smith, and Larry Veray.

Members Absent: None.

Guests: Winston Welch, Michelle Matson (Diamond Head Neighborhood Board No.05); Bob Finley (Waikiki Neighborhood Board No.09); Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, Ernest Caravalho, Kevin Lye (Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13); Tom Heinrich, Steven Melendrez, Tara Rojas, Jacob Wiencek, Greg Misakian, Hyung Shin (Residents); Executive Secretary Lloyd Yonenaka, Dylan Whitsell, Travis Saito, Jeffrey Jones, and Dylan Buck (Neighborhood Commission Office – NCO). There were approximately 26 total attendees. Name not included if not legible on sign-in sheet, not signed in and/or not participated in discussion.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – [0:04:37]

Monday, July 28, 2025 Regular Meeting Written Summary for Video Record – [0:04:37]: Chair Smith asked if anyone wished to offer amendments to the distributed minutes. Hearing none, the minutes were approved as written; 8-0-0 (Aye: Bernal, Clark, de Quevedo, Knight, Logue, Nakamoto, Smith, Veray; Nay: None; Abstain: None) – [0:04:44]

III. PUBLIC CONCERNS – [0:04:56]

Charter Commission Update – [0:05:16]: Tom Heinrich provided information about the Charter Commission’s recent activities, including their website location (honolulucitycouncil.org/charter-commission), upcoming community outreach meetings beginning October 8, and the November 7 deadline for proposal submissions. He noted coordination efforts with Neighborhood Boards to spread information.

Military Lease Concerns – [0:08:15]: Tara Rojas expressed concerns about what she described as a Sunshine Law violation related to military land leases expiring in 2029. She referenced community opposition to lease renewals and requested retraction of a letter she claimed was sent by the Commission. Chair Smith responded that he was unaware of any such letter and requested she forward it for review.

Election and Sunshine Law Concerns – [0:11:53]: Greg Misakian welcomed the new Commissioners and noted his pending complaint with the Hawaii State Supreme Court regarding the recent Neighborhood Board elections. He expressed concerns about Sunshine Law violations at Waikiki Neighborhood Board meetings and requested proper adjudication of complaints according to the Neighborhood Plan.

Sunshine Law Concerns and Meeting Attendance Records – [0:14:54]: Kevin Lye noted that the Neighborhood Commission had been deemed to be in violation of Sunshine Law by the Office of Information Practices (OIP) approximately 2 years ago. Lye inquired about the criteria for including attendees’ names in meeting minutes, noting inconsistency between in-person and online participants who don’t speak. Dylan Whitsell clarified that all known attendees should be included regardless of participation, and any omissions were likely unintentional errors.

IV. CHAIR’S REPORT – [0:17:53]

Reappointment of Cross Crabbe to the Neighborhood Plan Committee – [0:17:53]: Hearing no objections, Chair Smith reappointed Cross Crabbe to the Neighborhood Plan Committee; 8-0-0 (Aye: Bernal, Clark, de Quevedo, Knight, Logue, Nakamoto, Smith, Veray; Nay: None; Abstain: None) – [0:18:50]

Appointment of Commissioner Christian de Quevedo as Chair of the Elections Committee – [0:18:55]: Hearing no objections, Chair Smith appointed Christian de Quevedo to Chair the Elections Committee; 8-0-0 (Aye: Bernal, Clark, de Quevedo, Knight, Logue, Nakamoto, Smith, Veray; Nay: None; Abstain: None) – [0:20:30]

Review of Committees and Composition – [0:20:42]: Chair Smith explained that unlike Neighborhood Boards, Commission committees continue across terms. He proposed holding off on adding new members to committees until newer Commissioners become more familiar with operations. Hearing no objections, Chair Smith appointed Commissioner Veray as Chair of the Neighborhood Plan Committee; 8-0-0 (Aye: Bernal, Clark, de Quevedo, Knight, Logue, Nakamoto, Smith, Veray; Nay: None; Abstain: None) – [0:21:30]

Review of Agenda Item from the August 2025 Meeting of Waikīkī Board No. 9 – [0:21:55]: Chair Smith discussed concerns about a Waikiki Neighborhood Board agenda item regarding “commercial events” presentations. He explained that the Office of Information Practices (OIP) had notified the Board Chair that the agenda item was not specific enough to cover all topics being discussed, constituting a Sunshine Law violation. Despite this notification, the issue recurred at a subsequent meeting. Chair Smith proposed sending a letter to the Board Chair reminding them to be more specific with agenda items. Hearing no objections, the Commission authorized Chair Smith to send a letter to the Waikiki Neighborhood Board Chair reminding them to be mor specific with agenda items; 8-0-0 (Aye: Bernal, Clark, de Quevedo, Knight, Logue, Nakamoto, Smith, Veray; Nay: None; Abstain: None) – [0:24:30]

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Broader Communication – [0:25:02]: Commissioner Veray suggested that guidance on agenda specificity should be shared with all Neighborhood Board Chairs, as this is a common issue. Chair Smith agreed but noted this case warranted special attention since the board had already received specific OIP guidance.
2. Clarification on Violation – [0:27:14]: Greg Misakian, who had filed the original complaint with OIP, explained that the presenter in question had discussed matters beyond the scope of “commercial events” including legislative bills where he had a potential conflict of interest.

V. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY’S REPORT – [0:30:02]

Update on Recent Meeting with Chairs and Vice Chairs of All Neighborhood Boards to Discuss Integration of an AI Program to Improve Draft Meeting Minutes – [0:30:02]: Executive Secretary Yonenaka reported on the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to assist with drafting meeting minutes. He emphasized that the process is in its early stages and will continue to evolve. The AI quickly produces draft minutes that staff then review and edit. He noted that the July 2025 meeting minutes were produced using this program, resulting in more detailed minutes while saving staff time.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. AI Accuracy Concerns – [0:32:17]: Greg Misakian expressed concerns about AI’s accuracy based on his experience with other organizations, noting instances of erroneous interpretations. He emphasized the importance of factual accuracy in official records.
2. Request for Information – [0:34:34]: Kevin Lye asked about his previous request for screenshots of the election software, which had been put on hold due to pending litigation. He suggested appointing a third party to evaluate and potentially fulfill such requests while litigation continues.

VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS – [0:35:54]

Elections Committee – [0:35:56]: No report.

Survey Committee – [0:36:05]: Chair Smith attempted to appoint Commissioner Bernal as Chair, but she declined. Chair Smith attempted to appoint Commissioner Logue as Chair, but he declined.

Neighborhood Plan Committee – [0:36:52]: Commissioner Veray reported that former Commissioner Melendrez had completed the survey work, which is ready to be disseminated to Neighborhood Boards and incorporated into the Neighborhood Plan review. He recommended scheduling the next committee meeting for Monday, September 15, 2025, though the date remained to be determined.

VII. NEW BUSINESS – [0:38:28]

Discussion on the Proposed Modifications to the Complaints Provision (Chapter 18) of the Neighborhood Plan from the Neighborhood Plan Committee – [0:38:28]: Chair Smith presented the proposed revisions to Chapter 18 of the Neighborhood Plan regarding complaints procedures. He explained that the current process is straightforward but lacks options, while the revised process offers more flexibility and efficiency with shortened timelines. He requested Commissioners review the document for a vote at the next meeting, after which it would go to Corporation Counsel for review.
• Proposal: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_ulKcXeoEj4i5LYSO_cgfuWQ73WxUxj3

Questions, comments, and concerns followed:
1. Executive Secretary Role Concerns – [0:41:46]: Tom Heinrich expressed concern about provisions that delegate tasks to the Executive Secretary “in consultation with and approval of the Commission Chair,” suggesting this could create conflicts of interest for Commissioners involved in early stages of complaint processing.
2. Decision-Making Process – [0:44:21]: Greg Misakian argued that complaints should be processed procedurally by the Executive Secretary but decisions should be made by Commissioners based on facts, not by staff. He referenced his personal experience with what he considered improper handling of a complaint against him.
3. Vexatious Filer Clause – [0:47:21]: Kevin Lye expressed concern about language regarding “vexatious filers,” suggesting there should be safeguards to protect those who file multiple complaints when the same violations continue to occur. Chair Smith noted that the process includes a hearing for anyone accused of being a vexatious filer.

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS – [0:48:53]

Next Meeting – [0:48:53]: Chair Smith announced that the next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 22, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Kapālama Hale and virtually via WebEx.

Hurricane Preparation Initiative – [0:49:06]: Commissioner Veray announced that Makakilo Neighborhood Board’s Second Vice Chair Dudley is organizing a meeting on hurricane preparation with representatives from seven Neighborhood Boards. Veray plans to attend and suggested eventually transitioning this initiative into a more formal structure to ensure public documentation.

IX. ADJOURNMENT OF SUNSHINE LAW MEETING – [0:50:50]: The meeting was adjourned at 6:51 p.m., with adjudicatory matters to follow.

Submitted by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, NCO
Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy, NCO
Finalized by:

To view agenda and minutes, visit our board website.

Event shows physical location; however, other options of participation may also include WebEx and phone.  If available, instructions for WebEx and phone can be found at the top of the agenda.