MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION ON THE 13TH FESTIVAL OF PACIFIC ARTS &CULTURE (FestPAC) MEETINGMONDAY, JUNE 5 2023 AT 3:00 P.M.
VIA VIRTUAL APPLICATION ZOOM: VIDEO / AUDIO CONFERENCECALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Kaʻanāʻanā at 3:05 pm, who welcomed everyonepresent via ZOOM.
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā conducted roll-call attendance. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā was present at the in-person
location. Commissioner Hussey, Keohokālole, Onishi, and McClellan were all alone and present
via Zoom. Commissioner Bento, de Silva, and Puʻu were excused.
Also in attendance via zoom was Alison Kato on behalf of Deputy Attorney General Elise
Amemiya who was excused.
The Chair called upon Commissioner Hussey to provide the wehena (opening).
Commissioner Hussey shared the June Kawaiola for this month, the theme she picked was
aupuni (government) about how the lāhui (nation) needs pono (just and fair) leadership. She
mentioned June is the month we celebrate King Kamehameha, and everyone thinks of theparades and lei draping and several of the Commissioners are heading to Washington D.C. toparticipate in Sunday's lei draping. She mentioned how there are four statues and how she likes
to think one in her hometown is the original that was lost, got found, and put back up. When we
look at all his leadership qualities, his unification, how Kauaʻi was not conquered, and how thelaw of the splintered paddle and his kinds of attributes, she likes to think that we have manymodels of leadership and governance and how to manage our aliʻi (royalty). Every aliʻi trust wasdeveloped or established by aliʻi who had their people's hearts at the very center. She pointed outthat whether it was education with Kamehameha and Princess Pauahi; or King Kamehameha IV
and Queen Emma with Queen's Hospital; Queen Liliʻuokalani and the trust for orphan anddestitute children; or even Prince Kūhiō in convincing the all-white Congress to vote for the
Hawaiian Home Commission Act into law over a hundred years ago. The lāhui has so many
outstanding role models.
Commissioner Hussey shared how she often gets disappointed when she sees actions that are lessthan noble. Actions that are political rather than people-oriented and that the lāhui deserves
better. She talks about how they deserve the kind of leadership that is for the people, not forMinutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
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political gain or favors. Promising one thing and doing another is not pono but it happens often.
Commissioner Hussey then shares how she reflects if she's being a pono leader and doing things
for the betterment of the lāhui. Commissioner Hussey concluded her sharing with theconcluding thoughts: “And whether that is at the national, state, county, whatever level
leadership like that is, we need, we deserve pono leadership. And so, I always try to think, okay,
am I the kind of leader that our lāhui deserves? Are my actions aligned with that and holding
myself accountable to our lāhui? At the end of the day, we all work in political state structures,federal structures, and other structures. At the end of the day though, what is our accountability
to our lāhui And I know in working with this commission and individuals and collectively, I havealways seen the commission work toward the betterment of the lāhui and doing things that areright and making sacrifices for that. So, I just want to call that out to Mahalo for those, thosemodels to emulate. And then those accountabilities, especially as I, you know, transition off, but
are still in the community in support of good pono leadership. So, I just shared that chair with us,
with our commission as wehena today." Chair Kaʻanāʻanā thanked Commissioner Hussey for thewehena.
Chair recognized that there were no public attendees at the in-person venue or at the Hawaiʻi
Tourism Authority office.
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
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā mentioned he was aware that the venues and programming committee didmeet, and so pursuant to that act, they'll cover the contents of that permitted interaction in agenda
item number seven. The chair also said thank you to Alison Kato for joining us while Elise is out
today. Alison was the Deputy AG for the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MAY 22, 2023, MEETING MINUTES
The minutes were previously distributed and reviewed by Commissioners. Chair Kaʻanāʻanārequested a motion to adopt the May 22, 2023, meeting minutes. Commissioner Hussey
motioned and it was seconded by Commissioner Onishi. Seeing no further discussion, the Chair
conducted a roll-call vote. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā and Commissioners, Hussey, Keohokālole, Lum,
McClellan, and Onishi, voted to approve the minutes of the May 22 meeting. With the memberspresent the minutes of May 22nd, 2023, were adopted unamended.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING THE FESTIVAL
DIRECTOR REPORT OF FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Mr. Salā provided the update that the contract was fully executed. Mr. Salā thanked
Commissioner Lum for expediting the process so they could start working on acquiring
development personnel, and a communications team and ensuring all proper insurances are inplace.

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Mr. Salā reported that the teams mentioned above will be contacted by the next meeting and hewill update the commissioners accordingly. He also reported that in preparation the SPC sent acurrent assessment of where they are according to the FestPAC manual. He and the chairreceived have received and will be working through that. Mr. Salā will give a full update on
where they are according to that assessment in the next meeting along with a revised timeline
according to our festival provider contract with DBEDT. He will work with Commissioner
Hussey and the admin committee to update the timeline. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā asks Mr. Salā to givea broad overview of the specific items SPC has asked for, he also noted that contracting a festival
director was one of the items and the commission is delighted that it has been secured. The chair
shared that he and Mr. Salā would be meeting regularly with the SPC to facilitate communicationand create a reporting mechanism that ensures streamlined information to SPC. Mr.Salā will also
be meeting Dr. Vakaʻuta and Letila Mitchell to ensure various layers of communication andensure our commitment to provide more regular communication to the SPC.
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā also reported that the MOA has been returned to the SPC and is currently
under review with their legal counsel and Deputy AG Amemiya and moving along well.
Mr. Salā continued to share that they have started to reach out to all venues to solidify all MOUs
(Memorandum of Understanding). He noted Kelly from the Polynesian Cultural Center was at
the meeting and that he would be reaching out soon. He held a meeting with Bishop Museum tosee how they would like to engage and that they hope to have agreements in writing very soon.
Mr. Salā noted that The White House has started to engage in an inter-agency meeting that has
taken a standing weekly cadence to discuss our four asks. The four ask of federal engagement
consists of:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Visa Acquisition Facilitation
Biosecurity and Fumigation Facilitation
Security and Protocols Facilitation
Funding Facilitation

He thanked Georgette and Erica for spearheading this work and he's keeping in constantcommunication to ensure things are moving along.
All information will be brought to the admin committee and Commissioner McClellan on behalfof the governor's office to ensure everyone is up to date and on the same page. Mr. Salā sharedthat he will be heading to Hawaiʻi on the Hill and is planning to set up meetings with
Commissioner Keohokālole Senator. He requested if commissioners are planning to go to DC toprovide him with their availability so he can connect them with the proper personnel on thefederal side. He mentioned his gratitude once again to Georgette and Erica and their commitment
to engaging the federal government for a successful FestPAC.
Mr. Salā wrapped up by sharing that he has a meeting with the State Department of Agriculture
Chair, Sharon Herd, and her team to discuss fumigation and biosecurity right after this meeting.
He noted he was a bit hesitant to share but there may be an alternative fumigation route without
the use of methyl bromide. This isn't confirmed but they are looking into this second option andare optimistic. They will have more updates at the upcoming CPAC meeting. With the contract
signed, they are working with various contacts and with Commissioner Lum to talk through theMinutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
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engagement of all the venues and how programming will be set up/staged. Lastly, he thanked
Jimmy Collins from the Hawaiʻi Office of Homeland Security and asked her to say hello. He
explained she has offered to help with safety, security, and ensuring all inter-agency things are inplace. Collins expressed her enthusiasm to assist with the federal side.
With no further questions, the chair moved on to the next agenda item.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING ADMINISTRATIVECOMMITTEE UPDATEThe Chair deferred as there was no business for this agenda item.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING VENUES AND
PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE UPDATE
Commissioner Lum shared that the committee met on May 31st, and they reviewed Ms.
Mitchell's presentation from the SPC on the programming overview. They were tasked withreviewing and considering adopting it and they are prepared to make a recommendation today.
The Committee had a presentation with the programming overview with additional edits thecommittee made. They listed out the seven “programming buckets” they approved in April of
2021 and compared them to what SPC laid out in their presentation. The artistic programmingside had most of the items they had in their buckets but was missing a few. These additional
items can be changed as needed after the “Intent to Participate” forms are filled out andreviewed. Offerings that are not selected or have low participation can be removed as needed.
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā added that an important next step is to distribute said the “Intent to participate”
forms to the heads of delegation so they can identify which offerings they are going to participate
in. This allows us as a host country to make an informed decision on what offerings are worth
keeping based on the number or lack thereof of participants.
Commissioner Lum shared that Festival Director Salā will be sending out those forms shortly
and will work with the SPC to ensure all Pacific Islands receive the forms with the first deadlineof July 31st. She added that they say “first” because they understand delays can occur.
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā added that it's not only important to us as the host country but also important
for the heads of delegation and participating countries to receive these forms because it helps
them understand how to formulate their delegations. It also helps them understand the processes
that they need to put in place to make selections of artisans and practitioners and then build abudget that works with their budgeting cycles in their home countries.
Commissioner Lum next explained how they did the same compare and review process with thestrategic programming section and identified the crossovers into the four areas. They turned theitems that they saw were the same black. Then, there are just some notes in the document as towhat categories they might fit under or some of the other types of meetings that are known toalways take place at these festivals, such as ministerial meetings like the CPAC, SPC, and so on.
Those all appeared satisfactory. The remaining areas are those that were not directly addressed inour categorized sections. However, it should be noted that in the AHA category, as outlined inour definitions, this pertains to the symposium area. Specific areas were not outlined, leaving it

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open as a space for sharing research and other scholarly presentations, gathering opinions andattitudes on relevant Pacifica issues, or discussing cultural practices by PR practitioners, among
others. These areas are all possible, but they were not explicitly defined in the approved version.
The committee expressed overall satisfaction with SPC's presentation, particularly in regard to
the artistic program. They concluded that no action was necessary for the artistic programming as
all of those activities were already in line with the commission's previous approval. However, thecommittee's recommendation pertains to the strategic program. They proposed that thecommission should adopt the framework presented by SPC, with the condition that support forany programming beyond what was previously approved is limited to venues. To clarify, theareas indicated by the white lettering in the document would be considered, taking into accountaspects that were not explicitly outlined in the previously approved version, with the exceptionof the symposium, which was deliberately left open. The committee aims to establish a clear
definition of their commitment, especially concerning financial backing or support. This
recommendation is subject to Commissioner Onishi's input, and it is noted that the other two
members are currently absent but serve on the committee as well.
Commissioner Onishi added that for clarification purposes, we had specified that the
symposiums and other events we mentioned as part of the framework are subject to funding by
the organizing entities. We do not assume direct responsibility for organizing symposiums orsimilar events. As an example, the youth program is not something we coordinate or present
ourselves. We acknowledge the existence of an organization that will likely take charge of suchprograms, and our role is to provide support by offering the venue. Additionally, we may provide
assistance, such as transportation for delegates or arranging meals, but specifically for delegate
attendees. However, it is important to note that these activities, including symposiums,
conferences, and other events, are contingent upon a separate group organizing and fundingthem.
He further clarified that they were solely responsible for providing the venue and support forregistered delegates attending the festival. It was emphasized that their role did not entail taking
on any additional programming requirements, such as organizing or coordinating withparticipants. The coordination aspect, among other tasks, was not their responsibility. However,
one area that we acknowledge we are going to participate in directly and help to sponsor, or
support is the meetings of leaders. And as part of our protocol, both the governor hosting it, thestate hosting it, or assisting the federal government in hosting that. This was an area they arewithin their responsibility and kuleana (responsibility) for the festival.
Commissioner Lum thanked the chair and mentioned that was the conclusion of their report andrecommendation.
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā wanted to clarify the presentation and that if the font is black, we already wereplanning for it, we already were supporting it. This means no change and it is good to go. The
items in the white font are what we're considering today. The recommendation of the committee
to the full commission is that we would have a motion to adopt the framework as presented here,
noting the items in a white font are for the venue only on behalf of Hawaiʻi. And that theconvener would need to then, secure funding for the other costs like AV content, food, andMinutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
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beverage, et cetera but through the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. The entire center has alreadybeen rented and secured by the commission. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā goes on to note from a rule's
perspective, he doesn't know if he can make the motion, but he would certainly entertain thecommittee's recommendation that they adopt the strategic planning framework with the caveat
noted that the ones in a white font are for venue only.
Commissioner Onishi moves. Commissioner Lum seconds. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā asks if there is any
further discussion. Commissioner Onishi mentions that he wants to point out that one of the key
things for the committee was the strategic program is SPC and CPAC led in partnership with thehost nation and we, Hawai’i as the host, understood our responsibility is to help them facilitatethat these efforts in the strategic programming. And again, that's the reason we are saying, youknow, we are providing the venue, we provide support to delegates that are participating, but thecost for everything else really has to be coordinated through SPC and CPAC and that he hopesthat is correct in what CPAC and SPC intend.
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā responded that he and Mr. Salā will ensure they are at the next SPC meeting
and will bring this up just to affirm that after today's vote, whichever way it goes, He thinks thatthat is the right way for us to deal with that. Seeing no further discussion, the Chair conducted aroll-call vote. Chair Kaʻanāʻanā and Commissioners Keohokālole, Lum, McClellan, and Onishi,
voted to approve. Commissioners Bento, Hussey, and de Silva are excused. With the memberspresent the motion passes.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING CONTRACT
RELATED TO THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR FESTIVAL PROVIDER.
THE COMMISSION ANTICIPATES GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANTTO 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.
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā noted that Festival Director Salā already gave an update on the RFP and that it
was signed and fully executed. With no actions being taken he deferred this agenda item.
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 mentioned that Commissioner Hussey asked to share an invitation to those at
the meeting that OHA (Office of Hawaiian Affairs) is having an open house for their new
Washington DC Bureau. A link was shared in the chat, and he asked if anybody wanted to attend
that they coordinate through that DC Open House invitation that went up on the screen. The linkis www.oha.org/dcopenhouse to RSVP.
Hearing no other announcements, the chair moved to the next agenda item.

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NEXT MEETING
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā confirmed that the next meeting will be held on June 19th, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.
via zoom.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā adjourned the meeting at 4:43 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,________________________________________
Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā
Chair

July 15, 2023
Date