MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION ON THE 13TH FESTIVAL OF
PACIFIC ARTS & CULTURE (FestPAC) MEETINGMONDAY, MAY 22, 2023 AT 3:00 P.M.
Hybrid In-Person & Virtual MeetingKa‘ahumanu Boardroom A, Parking Level of the Hawai‘i Convention Center
Virtual Application: Zoom
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā at 3:14 pm, who welcomed
everyone present via ZOOM.
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā conducted roll-call attendance. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā was present at the in-person
location. Commissioner Bento with moʻopuna (grandchild) and Commissioner Onishi with his
grandchild shared that they were present via zoom. Commissioner Puʻu was alone at her locationand present via zoom. Commissioners de Silva, Lum and Hussey were present at the in-person
location. Commissioner Keohokālole was excused.
The Chair informed the Commission of recent changes. He thanked Commissioner Ah Nee
Benham for her service on the FestPAC Commission since May 2021 through May 10, 2023,
and that she will be stepping down and that Commissioner McClellan will be joining theCommission on behalf of the Governor’s Office as the Governor’s representative.
The Chair called upon Commissioner de Silva to provide the wehena (opening).
Commissioner de Silva shared a story and oli (chant) about Hiʻiaka’s travels through Kailua,Oʻahu. Kailua is the one place where when Hiʻiaka was in the presence of moʻo that she was notchallenged. Kailua was also the place that she fell in love with a mortal. Kailua was known as a
benevolent community. She continued to share the message of the moʻolelo (story) that we need
to be careful, we need to akahele (proceed with caution), we need to be makaʻala (alert), we needto take our time and be aware of everything around us. Because sometimes what we see isn’t
really what’s happening. Sometimes what we see isn’t really what it presents itself to be. And we
all know that from participating in big events, events that take a whole community, village, andlāhui (nation) to support and bring it forward. Commissioner de Silva asks everyone to take theirtime, to really look at all things, and to listen to each other. There is a lot to be learned by justlistening. Commissioner de Silva concluded her sharing with the final thought that the otherhidden message in this story is to remember to love the people who love you and proceeded topresent Chair Kaʻanāʻanā with a lei ʻīlima. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā thanked Commissioner de Silva for
the wehena and lei.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, May 22, 2023 at 3:00 p.m., Hybrid In-Person & Virtual
Page 2 of 7

Chair Kaʻanāʻanā recognized the arrival of Commissioner Keohokālole at 3:19 p.m. and noted
the attendance of Commissioner McClellan – although off camera.
Also in attendance at the in-person location were Deputy Attorney General Elise Amemiya,
Aaron Salā and Jose Inigo Santos of Gravitas Pasifika, as well as HTA support staff: MicahʻĀkau, Irina De La Torre, Tyler Mejia, and Maka Casson-Fisher. Online attendees (in noparticular order): Monte McComber, Patricia Carolyne Cornett, Lynn Martin Graton, Mikki-Tae
Tapara, Letila Mitchell, Kauwila, Tāwera Tahui, Shari, Frances Vakaʻuta, Allan Zablocki,
Margo, Miles Young, and Paula Carr
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMSNo testimony was received in advance of the day’s meeting. The chair invited members of the
public to testify on the agenda items. Hearing none, he continued with agenda items.
REPORT ON PERMITTED INTERACTIONS, PURSUANT TO ACT 103, SESSIONLAWS OF HAWAIʻI 2021
Hearing no additional meetings, he continued with the next agenda item.
APPROVAL OF APRIL 25, 2023, CORRECTED MEETING MINUTES
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā expressed his thanks to Commissioner Hussey for catching something in thealready approved minutes of April 25th, 2023, meeting. Note on page two of four, the thirdparagraph indicates her as voting. The updated minutes reflect the changes for approval. Today,
the commission is considering revising the minutes of the commission from the April 25, 2023
meeting. Chair entertains a motion to adopt the amended minutes. It was moved byCommissioner Onishi and Seconded by Commissioner Lum. Hearing no discussion on the
motion to approve the amended minutes of April 25, 2023, Chair Kaʻanāʻanā conducted a rollcall vote. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā and Commissioners Bento, de Silva, Hussey, Keohokālole, Lum,
McClellan, Onishi, and Puʻu voted to approve the amendment of the April 25th, 2023 minutes.
APPROVAL OF MAY 8, 2023, MEETING MINUTES
The minutes were previously distributed and reviewed by Commissioners. Chair Kaʻanāʻanārequested a motion to adopt the May 8, 2023, meeting minutes. Commissioner Hussey motioned
and it was seconded by Commissioner Onishi. In discussion, Commissioner Hussey pointed outthat on the first page, it talks about the April 25th meeting as unamended. Chair Kaʻanāʻanādirected staff to reflect an asterik and perhaps to insert a footnote that these minutes werecorrected at today’s meeting so that there is a record of that change happening. Thank you.
Seeing no further discussion, Chair conducted a roll-call vote. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā andCommissioners Bento, de Silva, Hussey, Keohokālole, Lum, McClellan, Onishi, and Puʻu voted
to approve the minutes of the May 8th meeting. With the members present the minutes of May
8th, 2023, were adopted unamended.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING A REPORT FROM
THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY (SPC) ON STRATEGIC PROGRAMS FOR THE 13TH
FESTPAC
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā acknowledged the attendance of Ms. Mitchell, Dr. Vakauta and Dr. Youngfrom the SPC. Ms. Mitchell was asked by the Commission to provide a short presentation

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, May 22, 2023 at 3:00 p.m., Hybrid In-Person & Virtual
Page 3 of 7

regarding the Strategic Programming for FestPAC. Ms. Mitchell shares that in her role ascultural advisor with SPC, with extensive background in FestPAC, is to provide the Festival
Director with guidance and support and advice on how to build the Festival Program. They work
very closely with consultation from the Council of Pacific Arts and with consultation from the
FestPAC working group. All of the country members and the delegations are feeding into thiswork. It helps to strengthen the Festival Director’s programming capabilities and helps to uplift
the Festival.
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā thanked Ms. Mitchell for her presentation and continued to share morebackground information regarding what he asked the SPC to do today – in providing thatoverview, to give clarity about what has been done before. In an effort to translate what wasshared by Ms. Mitchell so that it makes sense to the commission. Nā Hana Pākuʻi are theancillary/auxiliary events and other things that weren’t directly part of our specific program
calendar/agenda. And so with this presentation today, the Chair hopes that it brings those twoworlds together. And now have a common vocabulary for discussing them. Ultimately, we as thecommission, and as the host would decide what we do or don’t do. But this was meant to help
provide good information and make a good decision. The Chair paused and entertained anyquestions.
Festival Director Salā extended his thanks to Cultural Advisor Mitchell, Cultural Lead Dr.
Francis along with Miles for their presence.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING THE FESTIVAL
DIRECTOR REPORT OF FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Mr. Salā provided an update regarding the Festival Provider contract. The organization is in due
diligence and will follow up post haste. He appreciates efforts from the Commission to assurethat there is compensation for the work being done. But at this point, as everyone knows, he is
not going anywhere. Mr. Salā does not foresee any particular challenges, but will get internal due
diligence ironed out and will be ready to go.
Mr Salā reports that there are two issues, that were brought up recently that were noticed again as
Hawaiʻi continues its efforts to build out partnerships at the federal level. Issues regarding
immigration – Hawaiʻi does not have a mechanism to facilitate the process by which delegatesand other personnel are to in order to acquire a B1/B2 - that is a business or tourism visa
respectively. Both visas are issued for a period of six months with a potential extension to one
year. The B1/B2 visa carriers are restricted from being compensated or receiving payment of any
kind and from serving in the capacity of media press or journalists. There will be many sorts ofcompensation throughout the Festival and the media will be here.
The process to obtain such a visa is quite involved as most Pacific Islanders endeavoring to enterthe United States will know, it is inclusive of Form DS 160, an application fee of $160 US
Dollars an interview at a US Embassy for those applicants between ages 14 and 79, a fingerprint
and biometrics of sorts and interview. The necessary documents are also quite involved and areinclusive even of submitting social media profiles. Mr. Salā’s current understanding, however, isthat Australia, New Zealand, France, French Polynesia, and Chile ie. Rapanui are waived from

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, May 22, 2023 at 3:00 p.m., Hybrid In-Person & Virtual
Page 4 of 7

acquiring such visas. That comment is by no means an official statement and only reflects his
understanding of this situation to this day.
The issue of fumigation presents quite a more detailed challenge. Hawaiʻi does not have USDAapproved fumigation facilities to meet requirements for those commodities requiring fumigation.
Nor is it easy to get facilities set up in Hawaiʻi to meet USDA requirements and EPA and
Hawaiʻi Department of Health Clean Air Standards. Methyl bromide, the chemical that is used to
fumigate is very difficult to procure, and it’s highly restricted in Hawaiʻi, because of what it doesto the atmosphere. Funding, procurement, and contracting would each be significant
undertakings.
The option for this remains to ship those known items that require fumigation to California or
potentially Guam. However, this only addresses part of the issue. Hawaiʻi has no fumigation
facilities that can be used when a pest of concern is found in any of the other commodities that
did not require fumigation. The only options for these are destruction or return at the cost of theshipper.
Mr. Salā is planning to work with Commissioner McClellan to request that Governor Green calla meeting of the proper authorities inclusive of the federal and state regulatory agencies, USDA,FestPAC Commission representatives and congressional delegation in order to make decisions
that need to be made really at the governmental level so that we understand fully theramifications of this work.
Hawaiʻi will be providing critical information at the CPAC, and culture ministers meetingscheduled for the end of June in Numea, New Caledonia, inclusive of the previous information
but also a FestPAC programming. Mr. Salā thanked the SPC for being here today because thevast majority of the time has been spent on the issues posed by immigration and biosecurity andtherefore the time spent to develop, establish and kindle relationships with federal partners. Mr.
Salā will return to the direct efforts toward FestPAC programming from this point such thatHawaiʻi can provide a robust update on programming as is possible in Numea, one year prior to
our hosting of the 13th FestPAC.
Time is certainly of the essence in order to meet expectations for the next CPAC and culture
ministers meeting. Mr. Salā thanked the commission for their support to that end.
And finally, perhaps most excitingly, as was made known in the media, President Biden was
unable to make a scheduled trip to Papua New Guinea (PNG), during which the President would
have been the first sitting American president to visit the Pacific. President Biden would havebeen meeting with PNG Prime Minister and other Pacific Island forum leaders in order to deepen
cooperation on challenges critical to the Pacific region, inclusive of climate change, theprotection of maritime resources, and advancing resilient and inclusive economic growth. As the
President was ultimately unable to travel to PNG, US Secretary of State Blinken attended in his
stead. In a press release dated today, 22 May 2023, that denotes the details of his meetings.
Secretary Blinken had this to say, “The United States is pleased to support the Governor of
Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Community SPC in hosting the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture(FestPAC) June 6 -16, 2024 in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. We look forward to providing a warm

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, May 22, 2023 at 3:00 p.m., Hybrid In-Person & Virtual
Page 5 of 7

welcome filled with the aloha spirit to FestPAC Delegations of Royal Families and Ministers to
Indigenous Practitioners and Student Performers next year.”
Mr. Salā continued to share that we hope that what this does is catapult Hawaiʻi’s engagementwith the federal partners to assure a facilitated process, as this working group moves toward
execution on this festival. Mr. Salā looks forward to continued discussions with those federal
partners on the execution of a supremely successful FestPAC 13. Mr. Salā thanked theCommission.
At 3:35 p.m. Commissioner Puʻu left the meeting.
Commissioner Keohokālole mentioned the importance of adding a member to the Administrative
Committee, perhaps from the governor’s administration, since the kuleana (responsibility), ofthat committee will likely entail so many of these challenging federal logistical processes. He
also noted with the departure of the former Admin Committee Chair Ms. Benham that thecommittee was not full and therefore followed with a nomination of Commissioner McClellan to
the Admin Committee. Commissioner McClellan accepted the nomination. Commissioner deSilva moved to add Commissioner McClellan to the Administrative Committee. Commissioner
Keohokālole seconded. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā conducted a roll call vote. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā andCommissioners Bento, de Silva, Hussey, Keohokālole, Lum, McClellan, and Onishi voted infavor. Commissioner Puʻu was excused. With the members present the motion passed
unanimously.
A question offline was sent to the Chair regarding the necessity to approve the Strategic
Programming presentation from the SPC. The Chair’s recommendation is that the commission
does not adopt it. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā explained that procedurally, unable to take action on
something that is not agendized. The Chair made himself available to discuss offline with
Director Young and then figure out what the appropriate motion or agenda item will be for the
next meeting held on June 5th if not sooner.
Director Young responded with his thanks to the commission for the opportunity to quickly
respond and the time to present on the Strategic Programming. He took note of what the Chair
had to offer and is happy to dialogue after this meeting. Mr. Young proceeded to confirm that theStrategic Programming traditionally has been part of FestPAC and therefore would like it to beformally included in the programming. He understands the commission’s processes and thereason it may not be taken up for vote today.
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā recommends that this item be referred to the Programming Committee fordiscussion and possible recommendation to the full commission.
Chair paused to entertain any questions, comments, or testimony from members of the public.
Hearing none he moved onto the next agenda item.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, May 22, 2023 at 3:00 p.m., Hybrid In-Person & Virtual
Page 6 of 7

PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING CONTRACT RELATED TO
THE RFP FOR FESTIVAL PROVIDER. THE COMMISSION ANTICIPATES GOING INTOEXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO HRS §92-5(A)(4) TO CONSULT WITH THE
COMMISSION’S ATTORNEY ON QUESTIONS AND ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE
COMMISSION’S POWERS, DUTIES, PRIVILEGES, IMMUNITIES, AND LIABILITIES.

Commissioner Lum did not have any updates other than what Mr. Salā already reported. She
continued with her thanks to Commissioner Hussey for jumping right in to take over as chair of
the Admin Committee and helping look through the contract and give some recommendations.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING ADMINISTRATIVECOMMITTEE UPDATE. THE COMMISSION ANTICIPATES GOING INTO EXECUTIVESESSION PURSUANT TO HRS §92-5(A)(4) TO CONSULT WITH THE COMMISSION’SATTORNEY ON QUESTIONS AND ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE COMMISSION’SPOWERS, DUTIES, PRIVILEGES, IMMUNITIES, AND LIABILITIES.

The Chair deferred as there was no business for this agenda item.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING VENUES AND
PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE UPDATENo report from the Programing Committee. The Chair deferred as there was no business for thisagenda item. Noting that given today’s discussion and the information presented by the SPC thata meeting may be called by the Programming Committee as soon as practicable to review thepresentation from Ms. Mitchell.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMSThe chair invited members of the public to testify on the agenda items. Hearing none, hecontinued with agenda items.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā took a Point of Personal Privilege to share “I am encouraged by Secretary
Blinken’s statement today. And I’d like to say that it should make it abundantly clear to anybody
who had concerns about Hawaiʻi’s position in hosting this Festival, that the United States as wellas the state of Hawaiʻi are committed to the success of this Festival in partnership, not only withour community and our practitioners, but also federal partners, state partners, county partners,
and all of you that attend these meetings.”
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā gave a special thank you to Lynn and others who have attended every
commission meeting for almost a decade. If the Chair had a certificate or an award, Lynn might
be one of the first to receive it, because she has been in every meeting along this entire journey.
The Chair thanked everyone for their continued support in this work.
NEXT MEETING
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā confirmed that the next meeting will be held on June 5th, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.
via zoom.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā adjourned the meeting at 4:04 p.m.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, May 22, 2023 at 3:00 p.m., Hybrid In-Person & Virtual
Page 7 of 7

Respectfully Submitted,

Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā
Chair

Date

Festival Director Report
Aaron J. Salā

Festival Provider
Contract – SIGNED• Development• Comms. Team• Insurances

FestPAC Manual
Current Assessment

Programming& Venues
MOUs / Agreements

Federal Interagency Meetings

Department of Agriculture
Team Meeting
June 5th, 2023 – 4:00PMMahalo13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture

Festival Programing Overview

FestPAC Program
Artistic Program (Host nation
led in partnership with SPC
and CPAC)

Strategic Program (SPC andCPAC led in partnership with
Host Nation)‘Aha Moananuiākea –Symposiums, Conferences andMeetings

Nā Hana Pākuʻi

Leaders

13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture

Artistic Program(Host nation led in partnership with SPC and CPAC)Hōʻikeʻike
Performing
Arts
Music

Dance

Drama

PoetryStorytellingHōʻike Kiʻi
Visual Arts

Hana
NoʻeauApplied Arts

Drawing

Carving

Painting

Fiber & Weaving

Printmaking

Jewelry

Sculpture

Uhi Body Ornamentation

Ceramics

Dye Cloth & Paper

Graphic Design

Pottery

Architecture

FashionPhotography

Shellwork

Film

Featherwork

Meaʻai
Culinary
Arts
Planting

Harvesting

Preparation &Cooking

Presentation

Food Sovereignty

Food Systems

13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture

Strategic Program(SPC and CPAC led in partnership with Host Nation)

Symposium

ConferencesandMeetings

Leaders/
ProtocolNā HanaPākuʻi

Culture, Oceans andClimate Change

Ministers of Culture
Meeting

Heads of Nations/
Traditional Leaders

FestPAC Arts Expo andMarketCulture and theenvironment

CPAC

Ministers

Oceanic Music
Exchange

CPAC

Pacific Cultural
Industries

SPC

Artist workshops andgatherings

Stakeholders/Partners: UNESCO, EU,
ACP, etc

Youth Ambassador
Program

Culture and Education
Culture, health andfood security
Culture and social
inclusion

Indigenous Philosophy
Conference
PIMA and Museum
Directors

Culture and Trade

Oceans, Climate andVoyaging Forum

Culture andRegenerative Tourism

Stakeholder led
meetings

Symposium

ConferencesandMeetings

Leaders/
ProtocolNa Hana
Paku’i

Culture, Oceans and Climate
ChangeMinisters of Culture Meeting

Heads of Nations/ Traditional
Leaders

FestPAC Arts Expo and Market

Ministers

Oceanic Music
Exchange (equivalent to
Choral Performances and Jam
Sessions)

CPAC

Pacific Cultural Industries

SPC

Artist workshops
and gatherings (included in
Hōʻikeʻike, Hōʻike Kiʻi andHana Noʻeau)

Stakeholders/ Partners:
UNESCO, EU, ACP, etc

Youth Ambassador Program

Culture and the environment

Culture and Education

CPAC

Indigenous Philosophy
Conference

Culture, health and foodsecurity (included in Meaʻai)
PIMA and Museum Directors
Culture and social inclusion

Culture and Trade

Culture and Regenerative
Tourism

Oceans, Climate and Voyaging
Forum (tie into the Waʻa
Arrival and Ceremony?)

Stakeholder led meetings

Venues & Programming Committee recommendations:
1. Artistic Program – no action needed, as those events andactivities are already in alignment with the Commission’s
previously approved programming categories.
2. Strategic Program – recommend the Commission adopt thisframework provided that Hawaiʻi’s support for any programming
outside of what the Commission previously approved be limited tovenues.