DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM (DBEDT)MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION ON THE 13TH FESTIVAL OF
PACIFIC ARTS & CULTURE (FESTPAC) MEETINGWEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020 AT 8:30 AM
HAWAI‘I STATE CAPITOLSENATE CHAMBERS, CHAMBER LEVEL
415 S. BERETAINA STREETHONOLULU, HAWAIʻI 96813
Commission Members Present were:
J. Kalani English, Chair
Snowbird Bento
Māpuana de Silva
Mehanaokalā Hind
Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā
Misty Kela‘iMonte McComber
Dennis Ling-

Richard Onishi-

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

Jacob Aki
Johann Bouit
Kainoa Daines
Jesse Broder Van Dyke
Jackie Burke
Maka Casson-Fisher
John De Freies
Donalyn Dela Cruz
T. Ilihia Gionson
Amy Hammond
Alexis HouJames Huang
Jonathan Johnson
Noelani Kamalu
Clint Kalaola
Blaine K. Kia
Teri Loli
Vicky Holt Takamine
Honey Maltin-Wisot
Ngahiraka Mason
LarMona Meredith-

Senator English’s Office
JHB Consulting
King Kamehameha Celebration Commission
Director of Senate Communications
Kahookele Art
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA)
Strategies 360
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA)
King Kamehameha Celebration Commission
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
Taipei Economic & Cultural Office (TECO)State Foundation on Culture & the Arts
Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS)King Kamehameha Celebration Commission
Lauakea
Royal Hawaiian Center
PA‘I Foundation
Strategies 360
Independent Consultant
Pacific Island Institute (PII)

Guests:Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Thursday, February 6, 2020 Hawaiʻi State Capitol, Senate Chamber, Chamber Level
415 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813
Page 2 of 7

Harinani Orme
Jay Rojas
Verna Takashima
Kanoe Takitani-Puahi-

ArtistPA‘I Foundation
Artist/Cultural Practitioner
Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA)

Margaret Ahn-

Attorney General’s Office

Staff:

Jamie Lum
Selma Malcolm (Recording) -

DBEDT
DBEDT

Apology:
Mike McCartney

-

DBEDT

CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Chair English on Thursday, February 6, 2020, at 8:34 a.m.,
who welcomed everyone present.
DIFFERAL OF JANUARY 29, 2020 MEETING MINUTES:
Minutes of the meeting held on January 29, 2020, were deferred for approval at the next meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. DBEDT Report:
Termination of PA‘I Foundation Contract:
Mr. Ling advised the Commission that DBEDT received a response to the termination
letter that was sent to the PAʻI Foundation and that DBEDT will provide further
clarification to PAʻI as to why the request was made as stipulated in the letter with regard
to payment to the University of Hawaiʻi for delegate housing. A revised letter oftermination will be issued upon further discussion with PAʻI.
Update on Delegate Housing & Transportation:
Mr. Ling stated that Ms. June Matsumoto of the Pacific Island Institute, who is working
on delegate housing and transportation, unfortunately was not present at the meeting toreport. However, DBEDT is still awaiting the check to pay the University of HawaiʻiMinutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Thursday, February 6, 2020 Hawaiʻi State Capitol, Senate Chamber, Chamber Level
415 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813
Page 3 of 7

which is being processed. DBEDT will also be doing a quick turn around with PA’I
Foundation regarding issuing a check to the University of Hawaiʻi.
B. Update on Commissioner’s Progress Report:
Each Commissioner gave an update on their assigned tasks:
Mr. Ka‘anā‘anā reported that requests for funding and sponsorships were made toseveral companies including Hawaiian Airlines and the Kamehameha Schools. Chair
English and Representative Onishi made a presentation for funding at the Hawaiʻi
Tourism Authority Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, January 30, 2020, andthe Board approved $500,000 for FESTPAC. Mr. Ka‘anā‘anā also reiterated that allcommunications relating to funding and sponsorships be forwarded to him, through
DBEDT staff, to coordinate a master list.
Mr. McComber reported that they looked at certain community collaborative events,
specifically the King Kamehameha Celebration Lei Draping Ceremony on Friday,
June 12, 2020, and the King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade on Saturday,
June 13, 2020 and that members of the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission
will provide an update during the public testimony. Mr. McComber stated that theyalso discussed the participation format which would include a banner for each country
that would be carried by two (2) individuals; the country flag; and marchers, followedby the head of delegation in a vehicle. Three (3) trolleys are being secured for the
kupuna. He noted there are concerns that since the lei draping ceremony is on a
Friday, which is a working day at Ali‘iolani Hale, it should only be opened up to theheads of delegation.
The Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts has volunteered to be in charge of thecoordination of making the lei to represent the Festivals. He also informed theCommission that the Kamehameha Schools proposed to do a film event at the Bishop
Museum entitled Ua Ao Kaiwi‘ula (2nd annual) on Saturday, June 20, 2020. The film
was originally planned for June 13th. The Ua Ao Kaiwi‘ula would be the culminating
event for all of the cinematography events at the Festivals. The Commission also
reviewed a draft of the FESTPAC 2020 timeline which Mr. McComber presented andindicated that he would like to put in a google folder so that the Commissioners canview it in real time as information gets updated. He then requested clarification from
Ms. Ahn relating to the Sunshine Law. Ms. Ahn reminded the Commission that two(2) members may discuss official business as long as no commitment to vote is madeor sought and as long as it does not result in a serial communication. Emails
involving official board business should be sent to DBEDT staff for dissemination to
the Commission and if a Commissioner wants to reply, he or she should reply only to
DBEDT staff, and not “reply all.”

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Thursday, February 6, 2020 Hawaiʻi State Capitol, Senate Chamber, Chamber Level
415 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813
Page 4 of 7

Ms. Kela‘i confirmed the Mayor’s support of FESTPAC. She informed theCommission she will be making a presentation about FESTPAC to the City Customer
Service Department and the public information officers from each of the City
departments on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at 10:30 a.m.
Ms. Takitani-Puahi reported that the Ala Wai Promenade, Ke‘ehi Lagoon andKapiʻolani Park are all confirmed. She is currently working with their maintenancepeople to complete all maintenance projects before the Festival.
Ms. Kela‘i stated she secured the Royal Hawaiian Band to perform at the opening andclosing ceremonies, as well as the lei draping ceremony. They informed her that they
are ready with the national anthems for all the nations participating in the Festival.
Ms. Bento reported that she discussed the Festival Village layout with Ms. TakitaniPuahi. Kamehameha Schools has committed to sponsoring the wa‘a arrival ceremony
to be held at Ke‘ehi Lagoon. She also facilitated a meeting between representatives
from the Polynesian Voyaging Society, Emergency Medical Services, Department ofParks and Recreation, Honolulu Police Department, Department of Land and Natural
Resources/Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, and Information
Technology to discuss the wa‘a arrival on June 10th and the pre-opening ceremony.
Ms. Bento indicated discussions have taken place about changing the daily heads ofdelegation (HOD) meetings to 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. instead of in the morning. The
Festival Village hours would be from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the programs at thesatellite venues would start at 6:00 p.m. Ms. Bento will also be working on
programing and scheduling of rooms at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center.
Ms. Hind reported that she met briefly with Ms. June Matsumoto of Pacific Islands
Institute to get an update on the housing. A total of 1800 beds were confirmed at the
University of Hawaiʻi dorms, an initial deposit of $258,000 was made and theremainder is due on February 21, 2020. Both Aoteraroa and Taiwan need to be
invoiced, and Ms. Matsumoto will provide the cost breakdowns for these two groups
when she returns. There are 200 beds on hold at the East-West Center which we may
release before we have to make a deposit and 80 rooms at the Ala Moana Hotel for
VIPs, HODs, and Pacific Community (SPC) staff.
Chair English designated Ms. de Silva as the Commission guide since she has been
through all aspects of the Festivals. He asked for her thoughts on the suggestion ofmoving the HOD meeting from the morning to evening. Ms. de Silva said there
would be better attendance in the morning and that if there are events in the evening,
fewer people will attend. During discussion, Ms. Bento said the reason behindwanting to move the meetings to the evening was to be able to plan for a day ahead.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Thursday, February 6, 2020 Hawaiʻi State Capitol, Senate Chamber, Chamber Level
415 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813
Page 5 of 7

Ms. de Silva explained that the purpose of the daily HOD meeting is to address
problems and if we are planning a day ahead, they won’t know what the problems are
yet and won’t be able to have those problems addressed in a timely manner. The
Commission decided the HOD meeting should remain in the morning and start at
8:00 a.m.
Delegations Communications:
Mr. McComber stated that they have been receiving several questions about FESTPAC,
and Mr. Ka‘anā‘anā is preparing a newsletter for release on February 14, 2020. Ms. deSilva suggested Mr. McComber inform the delegations via email that the newsletter will
be published on February 14th. Upon further discussion, Mr. McComber said he would
communicate with them on a weekly basis.
Chair English reported that he and Representative Onishi have been making initial
contacts with funders and doing the initial presentation. He also reported that they met
with the Building Industry Council and will be making a presentation to 12 of the top
unions during the week of February 10-14, 2020. The Center for Pacific Islands Studies(CPIS) is designing a practicum where students volunteer for FESTPAC and earn credits.
The CPIS has a huge database and will help disseminate information on FESTPAC
throughout the Pacific, including our newsletter and also ask their affiliates to volunteer
for the Festival.
Chair English also informed the Commission that he and Representative Onishi havebeen communicating with other State departments to inform them about FESTPAC andget their support and assistance where needed.
During a discussion about medical volunteers for the Festival, Chair English stated that
he and Representative Onishi will ask the Lieutenant Governor if he will take on the
responsibility of the medical teams for the dorm at the University of Hawaiʻi.
Chair English advised the Commission that the Senate met with representatives of the
Department of Health regarding the coronavirus. He commended them on their
preparation for the virus. Our hospitals are well prepared with isolation rooms, etc.
Quarantine will be done at the military base.
Regarding biosecurity, Mr. Ka‘anā‘anā reported that Dr. Pang is scheduling a biosecurity
meeting at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, so they are working to secure dates for thatmeeting. The Commission will be updated.
Chair English commented that measles is still an issue in the Pacific, and it has spread to
Fiji and other countries, so we are also keeping eye on that situation.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Thursday, February 6, 2020 Hawaiʻi State Capitol, Senate Chamber, Chamber Level
415 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813
Page 6 of 7

Mr. Ka‘anā‘anā reported that he has a meeting scheduled with Curt Cottrell and Paula
Akana at ‘Iolani Palace. He is also working with DBEDT and the State Film Office tosecure permits for filming; a waiver will be requested from the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) for drones because half of the Palace grounds are within the 5mile radius of Daniel K. International Airport and drones are not allowed within thatradius. He has a meeting today with the City and County of Honolulu regarding the useof Kapiʻolani Park for the closing ceremonies.
Mr. Ka‘anā‘anā presented the report from Strategies 360 regarding the FESTPAC
website and social media. A media credential policy guideline will be presented very
shortly.
Ms. de Silva informed the Commission that she is going to have a difficult time making
the weekly meetings, so she is willing to step down to allow someone else to serve on theCommission. Discussion ensued and the Commissioners agreed that Ms. de Silva’s 20year history and vast experience with FESTPAC is invaluable to the Commission’s workand necessary to the success of FESTPAC 2020, and therefore, they did not want her tostep down. It was decided that if there is an issue coming up and she is needed at themeeting, someone will call her.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY:
Chair English invited the public to testify. The Commission received public testimonies fromthe following:

Jonathan Johnson, Executive Director of the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and theArts (SFCA) informed the Commission that SFCA and Hawaiʻi State Art Museum will
be a host site for FESTPAC. They have a curatorial contract with Kaili Chun, Drew
Broderick and Kapulani Landgraft, a logistics contract with Lee-Ann Choy, and they
have sufficient funding, so they are set.



Kainoa Daines of the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission (KKCC) clarified forcommunication purposes that the parade is the 104th King Kamehameha Celebration
Parade with FESTPAC participating, and they are working on the logistics for the Parade.
The KKCC will be meeting to decide on the lei-draping protocol, but Mr. Daines
indicated that the FESTPAC Commission can decide how the FESTPAC delegations will
make their presentation(s). He would also like to know if any aliʻi (royalty) from theother Pacific Islands will be coming because KKCC will have to set protocol standards toproperly receive them.
Ms. Kelaʻi noted that the City also needs to have this information to properly prepare forsecurity needs.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Thursday, February 6, 2020 Hawaiʻi State Capitol, Senate Chamber, Chamber Level
415 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813
Page 7 of 7Johann Bouit, Communications and Media Relations Consultant. He visited about 20 of
the 28 FESTPAC participating nations and attended the last two (2) Festivals andparticipated in the filming. He is willing to support FESTPAC and believes he can be an
asset to the Commission. He is able to do some content in French and will be meetingwith Mr. Ka‘anā‘anā.

Blaine K. Kia of KIA Enterprises LLC, Lauakea Foundation and Nanati Association said
his organization is willing to donate $5,000 to assist with media and would like
FESTPAC to match or exceed the donation. Mr. McComber said Royal Hawaiian Center(RHC) will match the donation. He clarified this is in addition to the $40,000 RHC has
already donated. Mr. Kia explained that Nanati has several layers including
communication. Mr. Kia will discuss the details with Mr. Ka‘anā‘anā.

Jackie Burke, an artist, presented a painting and prints of that painting, that she is
proposing to be used as a fundraiser for FESTPAC. She will meet with Mr. Ka‘anā‘anā
to discuss further.

NEW BUSINESS:
Chair English stated that the Consul General of Palau informed him that the Queen of Palau will
be attending the FESTPAC, and there are indications that the King of Tonga and the Maori King
will attend as well. He suggested that accommodations should be made for other royal families
that attend, whether or not they are a part of the delegation.
A press conference was scheduled after the Commission meeting on Thursday, February 20,
2020 at 12:00 p.m., at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, Senate Chamber.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 8:30 a.m., at the HawaiʻiState Capitol, Senate Caucus Room, Chamber Level.
ADJOURNMENT:The Meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,_________________________________
Senator J. Kalani English
Chair________________________
Date