MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION ON THE 13TH FESTIVAL OF
PACIFIC ARTS & CULTURE (FestPAC) MEETINGMONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2022, AT 3:00 PM
VIA VIRTUAL APPLICATION ZOOM: VIDEO / AUDIO CONFERENCE
Commission Members Present were:
Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā
Maenette Ah Nee-Benham
Māpuana de Silva
Sylvia Hussey
Jarrett Keohokālole
Jamie Lum-

Richard Onishi
Kehaulani Puʻu-

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Designee (arrived
3:17pm)Governor’s Designee
Community Member At-Large Designee
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Designee
Senate President’s Designee
Department of Business, Economic Development
and Tourism (DBEDT) Designee
House Speaker’s Designee
City and County of Honolulu Designee

Guests:Maka Casson-Fisher
Lynn J. Martin Graton
Kealiʻi Haverly
Monte McComber
Ngahiraka Mason
Aaron Salā
Mālia Sanders
Hose Inigo Santos
Ka‘iulani Spencer
Kanoe Takitani-Puahi
Pris Texeira
Caroline Yacoe-

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority
Public Member
Public Member
Commission Liaison to CPAC
Public Member
Festival Director
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
Public Member
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
Public Member
Public Member

Staff:
Elise Amemiya
Timothy Tiu
Scott Tome
Selma Malcolm-

Office of the Attorney General
DBEDT
DBEDT
DBEDT

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, October 17, 2022, at 3:00pm
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Apologies:
Snowbird Bento-

Community Member-At-Large Designee

CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham called the meeting to order at 3:03pm on behalf of Chair Ka‘anā‘anā who
is traveling. She welcomed all present and then conducted roll call of Commissioners: Ms. deSilva, Ms. Hussey, Mr. Keohokālole, Ms. Lum, Mr. Onishi, Ms. Ah Nee-Benham. Ms. Puʻu
informed that she will be leaving at 3:30pm to attend another meeting. Ms. Bento and Chair
Kaʻanāʻana are excused.
Ms. Hussey presented the wehena (opening) for the meeting and shared an excerpt from the 3rdvolume of Nānā I Ke Kumu and published by Queen Liliʻuokalani Trust. She shared several
guiding principles from the book, including:1) Integration and respect for Hawaiian and Western ways of knowing.
The ʻŌlelo Noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb), #203, ʻaʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi not all knowledge is learned in one school. One can learn from many sources. The
decades-long collaboration of Mary Kawena Pukui and Dr. E.W. (Jack) Haertig with the
Queen Liliʻuokalani Center truly exemplified the harmonious and respectful blending of
Hawaiian and Western practices and knowledge.
2) Ground traditional practices in spirituality.
The ʻŌlelo Noʻeau, #1740, ke kau mai nei ka mākole - the red-eyed one rests above, saidof the rainbow with red predominating. A sign that our ʻaumākua (family
gods/guardians) are watching. Spirituality is one of the most important concepts in the
Hawaiian worldview. It is a belief in an overarching higher power that connects all thingsand being in nature, the elements, and the cosmos.
3) Honor nā ohana (families).
The ʻŌlelo Noʻeau, #1261, i ulu no ka lālā i ke kumu - the branches grow because of thetrunk. Without our ancestors, we would not be here.
4) Practice hoʻokūpono (acting and operating in richeousness, dignity, and excellence).
The ʻŌlelo Noʻeau, #2065, mai kāpae i ke aʻo a ka makua, aia he ola malaila – do not set
aside the teachings of one’s parents, for there is life there, which refers to ways in which
we must follow traditional Hawaiian values.
Ms. Hussey reminded Commissioners to be mindful of these Hawaiian values in their capacity as
Commissioners and in their work to execute the Festival.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham invited members of the public to testify on the agenda items. Hearing none,
she proceeded with the rest of the agenda items.
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2022, YEAR MEETING MINUTESThe September 26, 2022, minutes were distributed and reviewed by Commissioners. Ms. Ah
Nee-Benham asked for a motion to be made to adopt the minutes of September 26, 2022
meeting. The motion was made by Ms. Hussey and seconded by Ms. de Silva. Ms. Ah Nee-Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, October 17, 2022, at 3:00pm
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Benham asked if there were any suggested edits or discussion. Hearing none, she asked for a rollcall vote with the following Commissioners approving the motion to adopt the minutes of
September 26, 2022 meeting: Ms. de Silva, Ms. Hussey, Mr. Keohokālole, Ms. Lum, Ms. Puʻu,
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham to adopt the minutes of the September 26, 2022 meeting, unamended. Mr.
Onishi was excused from the vote due to technical issues.
The motion was accepted to adopt the minutes of the September 26, 2022, FestPAC Commission
Meeting, unamended.
REPORT ON PERMITTED INTERACTIONS, PURSUANT TO ACT 103, SESSIONLAWS OF HAWAIʻI 2021
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham reported that two (2) permitted interactions meetings that were held since
the previous meeting. The Administration Committee (AC) on October 11, 2022, at 4:00 pm andthe Venues Committee (VC) on October 12, 2022, at 10:00 am and a presentation will be
provided a little later as noted in the agenda.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING THE FESTIVAL
DIRECTOR REPORT
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham called upon FD Salā for his report. Chair Ka‘anā‘anā then joined themeeting at 3:17 pm.
Festival Director (FD) thanked the Commission for supporting his trip to Suva, Fiji (October 2-9,2022) as well as Mr. Eric Chang of the East West Center (EWC) Arts Program for funding it. FD
reported on his meetings with The Pacific Community (SPC) and FestPAC related partners while
in Fiji. The FD also advised that the Program Matrix and other program documents will beshared with the SPC to share with th ecountries that will be participating in FestPAC to obtain
their biosecurity information and expectations. FD will also report on fundraising amd
preparation for the Aotearoa deleation visit in November 2022, and a FD request from theCommission.
Regarding the SPC meeting, the FD reported that he attended a series of very important meetingsin Suva, Fiji. FD was engaged in discussions related to the inception, genealogy and evolution of
FestPAC which started in the 1970’s as South Pacific Arts Festival and planning which took
place in the 1960’s. FD reported that he met with the leaders of the different pillars of SPC. He
expressed that the meetings were educational and relationship building on behalf of the Hawaiʻi
Commission to help him better understand how best to facilitate the process with the SPC as thecustodial agent of FestPAC, while working hand-in-hand with the Council of Pacific Arts andCulture (CPAC) which is chaired by Ms. de Silva as Hawaiʻi is hosting.
Regarding the Program Matrix, the FD reported that on June 6, 2024 Festival proper activities
will begin with the Waʻa (Canoe) Arrival Ceremony early in the morning; June 7, 2024 will be
the formal opening of the Festival Village and the CPAC Meeting; June 8, 2024 Ministers’Meeting; June 9, 2024 Ecumenical Service and a potential Choral Concert (depending on thedesires of the CPAC & Ministers); June 10-12, 2024 SPC Symposium on cultural andsustainable development; June 13-14, 2024 Philosophies Conference in partnership with theMinutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
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SPC, which is an addition to all the collaborative activities that will happen primarily at the
Hawaiʻi Convention Center and the Festival Village; 6/15/24 – Formal closing of the Festival
Village; 6/16/24 – Final outcomes presentation of all FestPAC activities is to be shared with
CPAC which then becomes a written publication on behalf of Hawaiʻi. Also included in this day
is the official Closing Ceremony.
The FD reported that Mr. McComber is the representative on the FestPAC Working Group
speaking to the Youth Ambassadors Program. This will be a 3-day engagement from June 6-8,
2024, and in addition that is the Emerging Leaders engagement which is in partnership with the
University of Hawaiʻi - West Oʻahu. He expressed that the funding will be provided by the East
West Center and the Hawaiʻi Pacific Foundation. The FD also reported that the Traditional
Leaders’ Meeting was brought up in Fiji, separate meeting from FD’s meeting with the SPC,
sharing interest from traditional chiefs throughout the Pacific region to attend FestPAC and weshould properly prepare for them.
Program Documents to SPC/Countries, Biosecurity: The FD reported that he has beenrevisiting the program pillars and putting program documents together for the SPC to distributeto the participating countries regarding their biosecurity needs to bring historical artifacts into
Hawaiʻi but that also to ensure they can find their way home.
Updates on Fundraising: The FD has been reinitiating fundraising conversations anddiscussions and is in preparation of assets that are inclusive of a statement regarding the 2050
Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent endorsed by the Pacific Island Forum Leaders in July, thePacific Region Cultural Strategy 2022-2032 from the SPC and the Pacific Partnership Strategy
from the White House just endorsed a few weeks ago by President Biden. The document that the
FD is preparing shows how aspirations for these strategies are collectively realized through the
hosting of the 13th Festival of the Pacific Arts and Culture. That document will go to as manyorganizations and philanthropists as we can get eyes on. The FD reported that he is preparing an
ask to the City & County of Honolulu which will go before the County Council before their next
budget session. Also, that the FD has started to make presentations to potential funders andphilanthropists as some of these organizations will begin their selections for gifting by the end of
the calendar year.
Regarding preparation for the Aotearoa visit in November, plans are in progress. The FD advisedthat himself, Ms. de Silva and Chair Kaʻanāʻanā will discuss the details of this visit in an
upcoming meeting with the SPC via Zoom.
The FD shared his challenges with the SPC in terms of communication. He indicated that
communication between both has not been as direct. In May 2022, theis Commission
unanimously agreed to allow the FD to liaise and communicate directly with the SPC on behalfof FestPAC. FD then sought clarity from the Commission on this. The FD expressed that basedon discussions at the SPC meeting in Suva recently, the Commission should find a way toengage the SPC to request a representative attend the Commission’s meetings.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, October 17, 2022, at 3:00pm
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FD reported that based on his meetings in Fiji recently, the Aotearoa visit in November will be
communicated to the SPC to share that the Commission is supportive of the FD speaking on
behalf of the Commission in preparation for the visit and then in corporation for SPC and CPAC
visit in February and March 2023.
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham thanked the FD for his report and turned over this portion of the meeting to
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā then apologized for being late and then asked if there were
any questions for the FD.
Mr. Onishi asked if the SPC was expecting a document from the Commission in order for the FD
to communicate with SPC on behalf of the Commission. The FD felt that since the SPC is driven
by official correspondences because of the nature of their mandate to countries, there has to be
an official correspondence between the Commission and the SPC in order to communicate thedecisions made. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā then asked the FD to draft a letter to the SPC on theCommission letterhead for his signature.
FD expressed that the letter to the SPC would include details to the fact that Aotearoa is visiting
separately from the rest of SPC and CPAC because of their funding mechanism and their funding
timing so FD could note in the letter to be inclusive of Aotearoa’s November visit.
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā understanding is that there is a protocol where the heads of delegation would
need to coordinate through SPC. FD thanked Chair Kaʻanāʻanā for the clarification and notedthat the FD would coordinate the Aotearoa visit in November with the SPC. Chair Kaʻanāʻanāshared his concern that he does not want each country to be contacting the FD directly for
individual site visits and that these requests should come through SPC and then be directed
towards the FD.
Ms. Lum ask the FD if he had identified an appropriate person from the SPC to attend our
Commission meeting and if we need to send them a formal invitation.
FD felt that the SPC scope of engagement might be general because what we would do is basedon agenda items. We would engage that arm of the SPC, for instance if we are having a
conversation about biosecurity, we would ask the SPC to send their Biosecurity and Land
Resource Management designee, etc.
Ms. de Silva thanked the FD for his report and indicated that she did not know how the SPC falls
into the picture, however she would question whether it is possible for SPC to be a commissioner
as the Commission is mandated by Hawaiʻi State Law, however SPC can attend any meeting.
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā expressed that he would include a standing item on future agendas for SPC
related item that would allow for agendized discussions.
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā revisited the program schedule that was shared during the FD report. Chairsuggested that we extend an invitation to the traditional leaders as appropriate but questioned
why it was blocked three days prior to the actual Festival. Chair advised this should be moved

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
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into the dates of the Festival and consider the requirements it would take and the responsibility inhosting traditinal leaders from around the region. Chair also looked at the dates and advised the
FD to be mindful of flight arrival dates, etc.
Ms. de Silva suggested that the ʻAwa Ceremony should happen during the Ministers Meeting.
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā asked if there were any more questions for the FD and hearing none, he moved
to the next agenda item.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING ADMINISTRATIVECOMMITTEE UPDATE
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā turned over this portion of the meeting to Ms. Ah Nee-Benham, Chair of the
Administrative Committee (AC). Ms. Ah Nee-Benham presented a brief report on the AC. She
reported that they had a quick meeting before Commission met on October 17, 2022, to debrief
the AC members on the FD’s recent meetings with the SPC. The AC also discussed thecommunication and promotional efforts, some of the information that the FD is pulling together
that will be used for fund development activities. The website is on its way there – the SPC
information received will be added to the website. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham also reported that thesocial media plan is currently being developed. It’s going to focus primarily on Hawaiʻi andhelping to prepare our communities with information on what FestPAC is, when it is and how
they can participate, etc. to build public awareness and support. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham reported
that the FD advised them about a possible opportunity to get some funding as well as to get somepromotional materials out to the South Pacific Tourism Organization and that information is
included in the AC minutes. The AC discussed what the City and County of Honolulu will bedoing to assist with security, safety and ground transportation. The FD is currently working with
the State Department to develop a special Visa program for the countries that will be
participating in FestPAC.
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham reported that they reviewed the Kuleana Matrix and asked the Chair what
the AC is to do with it and what is the role of this document. They also discussed that the FDcontract comes to an end in December and how do they handle the closure of this contract.
Chair shared that the Kuleana Matrix was meant to be able to provide direction on the movementof pieces of the Festival grouped by responsibilities as a way to organize those pieces in one
document.
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham reported that a revisit to the Kuleana Matrix along with the contract
conversation will take place in the next AC meeting.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING VENUES AND
PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE UPDATE
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā turned over this portion of the meeting to Ms. Lum, Chair of the VC. Ms. Lum
reported that the VC had a brief meeting on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. They discussed the
SPC meetings in Fiji, the Pacific Philosophical Conference, and Symposium, etc., which the FD
combined in his report in a more in-depth manner. Ms. Lum also reported that the Ministers ofMinutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
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Culture and CPAC meetings that are normally held in conjunction with FestPAC will also have a
symposium and there are other programs which include Youth Ambassador (age 12-18 years)
and the Emerging Leaders Program (age range from 18-30 years) as well as other programs.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā and Ms. de Silva cautioned that the focus should be on providing the best
Festival possible because that is what people are gathering to see and be part of. All the otherevents are ancillary. We have to be careful not to chase every event that looks attractive.
Commissioner Lum asked if the Commission is able to say “No” to the SPC when they bring an
event to us that they want to include. Commissioner de Silva responded that we can tell the SPC
we will list the event with the FestPAC information/schedule, but we have to be clear in letting
the SPC know that they will have to support and staff their events on their own.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā invited Monte McComber to give a report on the Youth Ambassador Program.
Mr. McComber stated that 24 counties will be participating. In 2023, there will be a virtualcomponent where students will discuss what efforts are taking place in their country to“Regenerate Oceania” which is the theme of the Festival. The symposium will convene in person
and virtually in 2024 with the intent that students will go back to their respective countries toimplement some of these ideas and possibly collaborate with other countries. Mr. McComber
stated that this program is supported by Kamehameha Schools (KS), Royal Hawaiian Center(RHC) and an anonymous private donor.
Mr. Keohokālole asked if this program comprises the entire KS financial commitment to theFestival. Mr. McComber replied that he believes KS will be pledging further financial support to
FestPAC. Mr. Keohokālole expressed concern that we should be focusing on soliciting financial
support for the main Festival events first rather than the ancillary events.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING ONGOINGFUNDRAISING AND FUND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā stated that Commissioners should have received following the last meeting a
copy of the current budget as well as the FestPAC Sponsorship slide deck that was developed.
He commented that we are struggling with the “chicken and egg” dilemma. Chair asked if theCommission needs funding first to come up with a plan for the Festival, or do we have a solid
plan for the Festival that articulates our specific needs that we can present to potential funders
before we have funds coming in. He is inclined to go with the latter. If we don’t have the specific“asks,” it is difficult to engage donors. Chair Ka‘anā‘anā asked commissioners if they had any
reaction to his thoughts, or if they had specific questions about the budget or slide deck.
Mr. Keohokālole prefaced his comments by stating that he has never been a part of fundraisingefforts for an event of this magnitude. In his opinion, the Commission should take the same
approach as was done for the hiring of a FD, which was to set a goal and then work backwards todevelop a timeline and milestones to reach to that goal. Mr. Keohokālole stated further that if theCommission can agree on a goal and the timeframe in which we want the goal reached, then the
FD will have a clear direction, and we will be able to seek out the funding support we need.
Mr. Onishi left the meeting at 4:16pm.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, October 17, 2022, at 3:00pm
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Chair Ka‘anā‘anā agreed with Mr. Keohokālole’s comments. Ms. de Silva also agreed. She
added that we continue to talk about the things that need to get done, but the FD cannot doeverything himself. She believes the responsibility rests on all of us at the moment, and we needto get volunteers in place to handle different areas to help the FD until such time that staff can bebrought on.
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham stated that this discussion is why the AC feels the Commission needs toreview the Kuleana Matrix again, because we have been doing a little of all the responsibilities
listed in the matrix, but obviously more needs to be done, and we need clarity as to who will bedoing what.
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham also raised the point that the FD has been placed at EWC because they areproviding support through the use of facilities, supplies, equipment, contacts and even somefinancial support. She said the EWC President is supportive of FestPAC and knows how
important it is to Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham believes the EWC President
would support providing some staffing to the FD but not at the full level needed to accomplish
all the work required to put on the Festival. This is an issue that needs to be taken up by the AC.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā recollected that the EWC acted as the fiscal agent and housed the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) when it was held in Hawaiʻi. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham confirmedthat and stated EWC also did the same for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature(IUCN). She said EWC can and does act in that kind of capacity, and that is why they have been
supportive of housing the FD there.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā asked if EWC is a federal agency or are they tied to the University of Hawaiʻi.
The thought was that if they are a state agency, then a Memorandum of Understanding could beexecuted for them to be a fiscal agent for FestPAC and house the FD and staff.
Mr. Keohokālole stated that whether the FD does it or the AC does it, a fundraising plan
including goals, milestones and a timeline, need to be brought to the Commission for adoption so
we can move forward. He share that the plan would give clarity to the Commission on executionof the fundraising goals and would also help the community understand how we are proceeding.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā was elated to announce that the RHC pledged a contribution of $50,000 to
FestPAC as well as a number of in-kind contributions including 30-second FestPAC PublicService Announcements (PSAs) that will be aired during major events such as Merrie Monarch
and the Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula competition, etc. RHC will also be providing office space for a
FestPAC information center in 2023 as well as a part-time position to staff the center Monday
through Friday starting in 2023 until the end of the Festival. Chair Ka‘anā‘anā pointed out that
the RHC was one of the earliest funders for the 2020 Festival and has made a recommitment to
the 2024 Festival.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā tasked the AC to come up with a recommendation on funding milestones andtimeline to be brought to the full Commission for action.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, October 17, 2022, at 3:00pm
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PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS
Chair invited the public to again offer comments. Hearing none, he moved into announcements.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā announced that commissioners who have not yet completed the State Ethics
Training for the Board and Commission should do so. The training can be found online and is a
33-minute online certificate course.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā reported that he and Ms. Mālia Sanders will be drafting a new meetingschedule for CY2023 for circulation to the Commission.
NEXT MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2022
The next FestPAC Commission meeting is being contemplated for for November 14, 2022, andin person. A SPC representative and delegation from Aotearoa will be present in person to give a
presentation. Ms. Sanders will be coordinating individually with each Commissioner.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā has the wehena responsibility for that meeting. There is no Commission
Meeting on October 24th & 31st. Chair Ka‘anā‘anā suggested that those dates could be used forCommittee Meetings.
Again, Chair Ka‘anā‘anā apologized for being late and thanked the public members for joining
the meeting and the Commission for their steadfast support.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā adjourned meeting at 4:36 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,_______________________________
Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā
Chair

November 4, 2022
Date