MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION ON THE 13TH FESTIVAL OF
PACIFIC ARTS & CULTURE (FestPAC) MEETINGMONDAY, AUGUST 23, 2021 AT 2:30 PM
VIA VIRTUAL APPLICATION ZOOM: VIDEO / AUDIO CONFERENCE
Commission Members Present were:
Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā, Chair
Maenette Ah Nee-Benham
Snowbird Bento
Māpuana de Silva
Jarrett Keohokālole
Jamie Lum-Richard Onishi
Makanani Salā
Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu-

Jacob Aki
Amber Bixel
Jackie Burke
Maka Casson-Fisher
Ilihia Gionson
Lynn Martin Graton
Kealiʻi Haverly
Dede Howa
Ngahiraka Mason
June Matsumoto
Jayme-Lee Mokulehua
Malia Sanders
Noʻel Tagab-Cruz
Kanoe Takitani-Puahi-Director of Communication, State Senate
Bishop Museum
Public Member
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
Public Member
Public Member
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)
Public Member
Public Member
Public Member
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
Public Member
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association

Margaret Ahn
Marlene Hiraoka
Timothy Tiu
Scott Tome-Deputy Attorney General
DBEDT
DBEDT
DBEDT

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) Designee
Governor’s Designee
Community Member At-Large
Community Member At-Large
Senate President’s Designee (Arrived at 2:43 pm)
Department of Business, Economic Developmentand Tourism (DBEDT)House Speaker’s Designee
City and County of Honolulu Designee
Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Designee(Arrived at 2:34 pm)

Guests:Staff:

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, August 23, 2021 at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 2 of 7

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā at 2:32 p.m., who welcomed
everyone present via ZOOM and Facebook Live.
Chair called upon Ms. Noʻel Tagab-Cruz from Hilo, Hawaiʻi who was invited by Mr. Onishi todo the wehena (opening). Ms. Tagab-Cruz currently serves as the coordinator for I Ola Hāloa
Center for Hawaiʻi Life Styles for Hawaiʻi Community College. Ms. Tagab-Cruz is an ʻūniki
ʻailolo (graduate) of ʻUnukupukupu and Hālau o Lilinoe.
The mele (song) Ms. Tagab-Cruz shared was a pule pale (prayer of protection) asking forprotection for everyone from the pandemic and to serve as protection for the great work that theCommission is undertaking. She offered a humble mahalo (gratitude) for the work, to keep
everyone safe, to honor our ancestors and for the Festival that support indigenous PacificIslanders, Native Hawaiians and represents Hawaiʻi.
Chair thanked Ms. Tagab-Cruz for her participation.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā invited members of the public to testify on the agenda items. Hearing none, hecontinued with agenda items.
APPROVAL OF JULY 26, 2021 MEETING MINUTES
The minutes were distributed and reviewed by Commissioners. Chair asked if there were anycomments or changes to the minutes. Hearing none, he asked for a motion. A motion was madeby Commissioner Ah Nee-Benham and seconded by Commissioner Onishi to adopt the minutesunamended. A roll call vote was requested with the following Commissioners approving themotion to approve the minutes: Chair Ka‘anā‘anā, Vice-Chair Salā, Ms. de Silva, Ms. Lum, Ms.
Wong-Kalu, Mr. Onishi, Ms. Bento, Ms. Ah Nee-Benham.
Motion was unanimously approved.
GOVERNOR’S EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION RELATED TO THE COVID-19
RESPONSE DATED AUGUST 5, 2021, EXHIBIT C RULES ON THE SUNSHINE LAW
Chair asked Ms. Ahn if any further discussion needed. Chair asked if there were any questions
related to Exhibit C rules on the Sunshine Law. Commissioners did not have any furtherquestions and moved on with the agenda.
REPORT ON PERMITTED INTERACTIONS, PURSUANT TO ACT 103, SESSIONLAWS OF HAWAIʻI 2021
Chair noted that agenda items six and seven were related to Permitted Interactions Groups (PIG).
Two working groups did meet, and their reports were circulated in advance of today’s meeting.
Chair stated that each PIG will report on what was discussed in these PIG meetings in agenda
items six and seven.
DISCUSSION ON FESTIVAL DIRECTOR AND FUNDS DEVELOPMENTMinutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, August 23, 2021 at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 3 of 7

Chair turned over this portion of the meeting to Ms. Ah Nee-Benham who reported on the PIG
regarding the CEO/Festival Director and Fund Developer. She apologized about the delay insending a draft proposal for the position of CEO/Festival Director. No draft was developed for
the Fund Developer since it was believed to be tied into the organizational structure proposal.
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham directed Commissioners to three attachments that were sent: (1) full reportof minutes of the PIG meeting; (2) proposal for the organizational structure which was draftedfrom conversations as well as information that was included in the FestPAC manual; (3) draft of
the CEO/Festival Director job description. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham commented that there is an
opportunity for Commissioners to take a closer look at the documents, however, she would
suggest avoiding line-by-line editing. If Commissioners had suggested revisions, direct them tostaff, who would be able to make those edits and circulate them for the next meeting.
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham asked Chair if he had any changes. He apologized for a
miscommunication in ensuring that these reports were sent to Commissioners early enough forreview. Since reports were sent out just prior to today’s meeting, Chair informed theCommissioners that they will not be taking a vote today since Commissioners have not had
sufficient time to review the documents and they will take this up at the next meeting.
Ms. Bento commented that in Section 1, Priority of Roles, she suggested that bullet #6 –“Communicate, coordinate and continuously engage with the Hawaiʻi FestPAC Commission
Chair and Vice-Chair, relative to all parts of the Festival” - be moved up to bullet #3 because it
outlines the expectations of the kuleana (privilege and responsibility) as more of a priority inalignment with the items above it. She also suggested that the blurb about the 13th FestPAC beedited to include reimagining of the theme and to also include the new dates of the Festival. Ms.
Bento also asked whether requirements of the position could include years of experience inaddition to having a degree. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham suggested perhaps using either/or both yearsof experience as a substitute for the degrees. Please bold the “OR”. Chair suggested thelanguage “The commission may substitute experience for degrees”.
Ms. de Silva mentioned that she did not have an opportunity to review the documents and asked
whether Commissioners would have the opportunity to submit comments. She also asked
whether there is a deadline to submit comments. Chair asked that Commissioners sendcomments to Mr. Tome before Friday, August 27, 2021.
Chair suggested that in addition to the full Commission approving the PIG proposals, he would
like to propose establishing an Administrative Committee be approved that would include fourCommission members who would meet regularly. This PIG would develop a timeline to recruit
the CEO/Festival Director, finalize the job description for Commissioners’ approval, collectresumes, conduct interviews and make recommendations to the full Commission for the hire ofthe CEO/Festival Director. Chair hopes to have the selection process completed by October 2021
with a final offer to be made to the candidate by November 2021 so that this individual would be
onboarded before the start of the new calendar year 2022. As part of the recommendation, thesalary range would be amended to $150,000-180,000 per year for a three-year appointment toallow the individual to work through 2024 and the Festival, complete audits and would sunset
with Commission whose appointments end in August 2025. In addition, it might make more
sense for the CEO/Festival Director to hire the Fund Developer. He considered this as part of theMinutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, August 23, 2021 at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 4 of 7

Director’s function in an executive capacity. He also wanted to highlight the notion that theorganizational chart that connects the Commission to the CEO/Festival Director is the mostimportant link in this chain. Understanding the role that the Commission is delegating to theCEO/Festival Director is very important and that we need to practice letting go and letting
someone else do the work.
Chair asked if there were any questions or comments.
Mr. Onishi commented that he understood the role of the Commission and the need to provide
oversight. That was the problem that occurred previously because of the lack of oversight.
Previously, the Commission was too comfortable in allowing the contractor to guide the progressand development of the Festival without sufficient oversight by the Commission. Mr. Onishi
would like assurance that a similar situation would be avoided.
Chair commented that the Commission is outlining authorities that would be allowed related tothe CEO/Festival Director which would be an important way to provide oversight. The
Administrative Committee will have oversight, with the full Commission, in order to maintain
day-to-day oversight of the CEO/Festival Director and a job description that really outlines theauthorities that we would give the CEO/Festival Director. Also discussed by the PIG was theneed to identify policies and procedures for the Commission as governance models. Chair asked
that Commissioners read the PIG meeting minutes which provided a detailed overview of what isneeded. Chair also noted that at the end of the PIG recommendations, it was suggested that anInterim CEO/Festival Director be appointed to work with the Administrative Committee, so thisneeds to be considered, too.
Ms. Lum asked a question about the Interim CEO/Festival Director and whether this individual
needed to be appointed or hired as soon as possible. Chair confirmed that this Interim
CEO/Festival Director would indeed need to be hired as soon as possible. Ms. Lum expressed
her appreciation to the PIG for meeting on a Saturday and for putting in the time to develop
guidance for these areas and giving it much thought.
DISCUSSION ON FESTIVAL VENUES
Chair turned over this portion of the agenda to Vice-Chair Salā to provide a summary of what
was discussed during this PIG’s meeting. Ms. Salā, Ms. Lum and Mr. Onishi met on August 9,
2021. The group’s primary goal was to narrow down the venues. The five areas that werediscussed were (1) Waʻa Ceremony (Arrival); (2) ʻAwa Ceremony ; (3) Opening Ceremony; (4)Festival Village; and (5) Closing Ceremony. She provided an overview of the discussion which
was summarized in table format and shared with Commissioners.
For the Waʻa Ceremony (Arrival), the PIG decided to recommend removing Kualoa because it
would be cost prohibitive. Ala Moana-Magic Island and Keʻehi were suggested, and the Cityand County of Honolulu would need to obtain cost estimates.
For the ʻAwa Ceremony, Kūkaniloko, was the suggested site, however, due to number ofparticipants, transportation, timing, etc. a second site, the Great Lawn at the Bishop Museum also
was suggested. Cost estimates will need to be researched for both sites.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, August 23, 2021 at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 5 of 7

Opening Ceremony – ʻIolani Palace was already on hold and it was mentioned that coordination
with the Kamehameha Celebration Commission re lei draping ceremony, parade etc. also bemade.
Festival Village – PIG engaged in a dynamic conversation regarding outside vs. inside venues
and three options were discussed: (1) Hawaiʻi Convention Center; (2) Ala Moana – MagicIsland; and (3) Kapiʻolani Park. As reported previously, $1.3 million is currently held at theConvention Center. There were questions regarding the contract as to whether those funds could
be used for rental fees, subcontractors, food and other expenses. The positive points about theConvention Center included the Roof Top Venue for performances and the village would behoused in one location for other activities such as a conference, film showings, etc.
The second option is Ala Moana-Magic Island which will require Neighborhood Board support.
There will be additional costs for security, structures, park permit limitations for allowablestructures, etc. The third venue reported on was Kapiʻolani Park – there may be difficulty
obtaining support from the Kapiʻolani Park Commission for the amount of time being requested
as well as obtaining support from the Neighborhood Board. This venue also will incur additional
security costs, park permit limitations, structure costs, etc.
For the Closing Ceremony Kapiʻolani Park was the only suggestion and a permit would berequired from City and County and as well as the need to obtain cost estimates.
Ms. Lum commented that she reviewed the licensing agreement with the Convention Center.
Part of the funds to AEG (contractor) can be used to pay their subcontractors for food costs,
audio-visual requirements, etc. The funds held at the Convention Center would not only be forfacilities rental. Chair also commented that rent at the Convention Center would be at cost since
it is a state facility and HTA is a sponsor. The rental fee would be reduced, and we would
reserve as much funds as possible for implementation requirements. Ms. Salā wanted to assure
Commissioners that certain cultures need to perform on ʻāina (land) and these arrangements
would be made should the Convention Center be selected for the Festival Village.
Chair also commented that set-up and/or breakdown for the lantern floating ceremony would
likely be held during this time frame at Ala Moana-Magic Island.
Ms. Salā also commented that originally, Kamehameha Schools was sponsoring the WaʻaCeremony (Arrival), however, this needs to be confirmed again.
DISCUSSION ON REVISIONS TO THE FESTIVAL BUDGET AND EXPENDITURES
RELATED TO HIRING FESTIVAL DIRECTOR AND FUND DEVELOPMENTPOSITIONSWith respect to the budget, the Chair indicated that it was premature to discuss budgetaryrequirements. He suggested that the budget be revisited after decisions are made. Chairrequested Commission approval on the CEO/Festival Director’s salary at the next meeting. He
noted that the HTA has set aside funds through its contract with the Native Hawaiian Hospitality
Association (NaHHA) to assist FestPAC with Commission meetings, etc. It would be possible toMinutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, August 23, 2021 at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 6 of 7

utilize funding at NaHHA for the CEO/Festival Director’s position for the first year only, until
funds can be generated through the Fund Developer. Once funds are secured, the positions canbe paid through those resources.
Ms. Lum noted that there is a limited amount of funds from Stanford Carr in the amount of$9,000 located in a trust account which can be used for FestPAC expenses. Approximately$130/month is being used to pay Strategies 360 for hosting of the FestPAC website.
Chair stated that the Commission needs to approve the expenditure of funds to hire an Interim
CEO/Festival Director through HTA funding of NaHHA to cover these initial costs.
Mr. Onishi raised a question regarding the relationship of the budget that was initially passed andwhether this new proposal/expenditure would require making an adjustment to the budget. He
commented that the budget for the CEO/Festival Director was significantly lower than what iscurrently being proposed. Chair agreed that the budget will need to be revised to open up thesalary range proposed by the PIG. Mr. Onishi also asked about the Fund Developer. Chair
indicated that the Fund Developer could be commission-based of which a certain percentage ofthe amount raised would be used to pay for salaries.
Mr. Keohokālole commented that the PIG wanted to stick to the initial proposed schedule byonboarding the CEO/Festival Director by the end of 2021 so that by the summer of 2022, theCEO/Festival Director and Fund Developer will have 18 months to fundraise.
Mr. Onishi expressed concerns regarding the hiring of the Fund Developer and would feel more
comfortable with the Commission having a say regarding the selection of the Fund Developer.
He would suggest that the Commission approve the individual, by consensus or other means, andbe responsible for the selection as opposed to having the CEO/Festival Director make theselection. Since funds raised would be coming from other people/organizations, the Commission
will need to know how funds are being used.
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham said that one of the models includes the Commission having a direct line tothe CEO/Festival Director but that the line between the CEO/Festival Director and the Fund
Developer also would be a solid line. Mr. Onishi said that the main point is that the Commission
maintain oversight of the hiring process. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham said this would be a task that theInterim CEO/Festival Director would assist with.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā invited the public to again offer comments. Hearing none, he continued withannouncements and the next meeting date.
ANNOUNEMENTS
There were no announcements made.
NEXT MEETING
After much discussion about meeting dates, a decision was made to schedule the next
Commission meeting on September 7, 2021. The September 13, 2021 meeting would beMinutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, August 23, 2021 at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 7 of 7

cancelled and the subsequent meeting on September 27, 2021 will be scheduled as a quarterlymeeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā adjourned the meeting at 3:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā
Chair08/26/2021
Date