MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION ON THE 13TH FESTIVAL OF
PACIFIC ARTS & CULTURE (FestPAC) MEETINGMONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 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
Jarett Keohokālole
Jamie Lum
Kehaulani Puʻu-Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Designee
Governor’s Designee
Community Member At-Large Designee
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Designee
Senate President’s Designee (Arrived at 3:20 p.m.)
Department of Business, Economic Development andTourism (DBEDT) Designee
City and County of Honolulu Designee

Guests:Brendon Bunag
Mamiko Carroll
Maka Casson-Fisher
Eric Chang
Lynn Martin Gratin
Kealiʻi Haverly
Monte McComber
Ngahiraka Mason
Aaron Salā
Makanani Salā
Mālia Sanders
Mikki-tae Tapara
Pris Texeira
Margo Vitarelli-

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

Staff:
Elise Amemiya
Timothy Tiu
Scott TomeMarlene Hiraoka-Office of the Attorney General
DBEDT
DBEDTDBEDTMinutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, December 5, 2022, at 3:00pm
Page 2 of 6Apologies:
Snowbird BentoRichard Onishi-Community Member At-Large Designee
House Speaker’s Designee

CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā called the meeting to order at 3:08 p.m. He thanked and welcomed allpresent online and then conducted roll call of Commissioners: Chair Kaʻanāʻanā, Ms. Ah NeeBenham, Ms. Hussey, Ms. Lum, Ms. de Silva, Ms. Puʻu. Ms. Bento, and Mr. Onishi wereexcused. Mr. Keohokālole later joined the meeting at 3:20pm.
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham conducted the wehena (opening) as the Makahiki season is celebrated bysharing peace, gratitude, and excellence. Her message was captured in an short animated story,“Boy with a Gift” that was created by Michelle Zheng for her capstone research project as astudent of the University of Hawai‘i West Oʻahu’s Academy for Creative Media. Narrated by
Puanani Burgess, the story portrayed a message of how self-perception affects identity. Sharing
stories about your name, community and gift describes your person which is what she worked onwith 11th and 12th grade students of Waiʻanae High School. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham hopes thateveryone will remember that gift during the Makahiki season and the holidays.
Chair thanked Ms. Ah Nee-Benham for the reminder about the work that we have to welcome
everyone in 2024 to FestPAC.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS
Chair invited members of the public to testify on the agenda items. Hearing none, he proceededwith the rest of the agenda items.
APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 9, 2022, YEAR MEETING MINUTESThe November 9, 2022, minutes were distributed and reviewed by Commissioners. ChairKa‘anā‘anā asked if there were any comments or changes to the minutes. Hearing none, he asked
for a motion to be made and it was made by Ms. Hussey and seconded by Ms. de Silva. A rollcall vote was requested and the following Commissioners approving the motion to approve theminutes of November 9, 2022: Chair Kaʻanāʻanā, Ms. Ah Nee-Benham, Ms. de Silva, Ms.
Hussey, Ms. Lum, Ms. Puʻu, approved the November 9, 2022, minutes unamended.
REPORT ON PERMITTED INTERACTIONS, PURSUANT TO ACT 103, SESSIONLAWS OF HAWAIʻI 2021
Chair reported that the Administrative Committee (AC) did not meet, however, the Venues andProgramming Committee (VC) met on November 17, 2022 and their report will be covered intheir agenda item later in the meeting.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING THE FESTIVAL
DIRECTOR REPORT
Chair called upon Festival Director (FD) Salā to present the FD report.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, December 5, 2022, at 3:00pm
Page 3 of 6

The FD thanked Ms. Ah Nee-Benham for the wehena. He also reported that Michelle Zheng’s
animation was well-received and that she also did work for the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC).
The FD reported that there have been discussions regarding establishing a fiscal partnership with
the East-West Center (EWC). The AC and the EWC are in the process of designing the scope ofservices in order for EWC to intake funds for FestPAC. He has begun intaking promises fromphilanthropic organizations regarding their financial support of FestPAC 2024. In addition, theFD acknowledged Ms. Bento for her efforts to design a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with Kamehameha Schools for the Wa‘a (Canoe) Opening Ceremony during FestPAC.
A meeting with the VC occurred and there was concern that ancillary events could overshadow
the Festival; however, the FD assured Commissioners that the goal is to properly use all venues
and that the core of all programming is FestPAC. He mentioned that Ms. Lum will be sharing herreport later in the agenda.
The FD also reported that The Pacific Community (SPC) Human Rights and Social Development
team that visited during November 6-12 was a great success. The group visited some of theproposed venues and ancillary sites for FestPAC 2024 including the University of Hawai‘i atMānoa, the Hawai‘i State Art Museum, the Hawai‘i Convention Center, Bishop Museum,
Polynesian Culture Center, the EWC, and the Royal Hawaiian Center. He thanked theCommission for providing an opportunity for Dr. Young to present on the Regional and Cultural
Strategy during the last Commission meeting. As a result of the visit, he believes that theCommission has a better understanding of the SPC’s role and how they can support Hawai‘ihosting the 13th FestPAC.
The Council of Pacific Arts and Culture (CPAC) has plans to hold an in-person meeting inMarch 2023 in Honolulu. The purpose of the meeting would be to provide information onprogramming, etc. FD is working with the SPC to design the agenda for the meeting and also
will work with CPAC and the Commission on these details, too.
With respect to deadlines imposed by the FD by the end of calendar year (CY) 2022, it included
the completion of the website, discussions with the U.S. State Department, and formal invitations
that should be sent by the end of CY2022. Ms. Lum will report on this matter regarding whoshould be signing the invitation letter.
Chair noted that Mr. Keohokālole joined the meeting at 3:20 pm.
Ms. Lum asked the FD if discussions with EWC is in progress regarding the intaking of funds.
She is concerned about the timing of the agreement and wanted to have a better understanding
about the completion date. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham indicated that both she and Ms. Hussey have
met with the EWC. The FD stated that if the agreement is not solidified by FY2023, Native
Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA) could provide that support until an agreement is
executed with the EWC.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, December 5, 2022, at 3:00pm
Page 4 of 6

Chair asked Ms. Ah Nee-Benham whether her comments were part of what she would havereported on for the next item of the agenda. She concurred that that was the case.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING ADMINISTRATIVECOMMITTEE UPDATE
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā noted earlier that Ms. Ah Nee-Benham provided her report within the context
of the FD’s report.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING VENUES AND
PROGRAMMING COMMTITEE UPDATE
Ms. Lum reported that the VC met on November 17, 2022. Although the FD reported on those
discussion points, she wanted to highlight a few follow-up activities. During the meeting, there
was some discussion about funding other events outside of the Festival proper which prompted
Mr. Onishi to recommend that when meeting with Hawai‘i’s Congressional delegation. He feelsthat the focus should be on funding requirements in order for Hawai‘i to fulfill its hosting
responsibilities regarding the delegates’ needs. As a follow-up, Mr. Onishi said that he willcontact each member of the Congressional delegation and request for a meeting while they arehome for the holidays. The FD said that he also met with Mr. Onishi and discussed about
reaching out to the Congressional delegation. The FD mentioned that regarding the U.S. State
Department, it controls programming and funding that goes through Pacific related activities
including content and geography. During the meeting they discussed on how to best engage theState Department with specific activities. They also would like to determine how best to engage
the large funding organizations for their support.
Ms. Lum continued with her report regarding the need for invitations to be sent soon. During theVC meeting, she provided an overview on how the invitations were coordinated previously in
2018. As Governor-elect Green will shortly become Governer in the next few days, shesuggested that the invitations be sent under his signature to invite delegations from various
countries to FestPAC. Chair felt that sending the invitations out at the Federal level would
significantly impact us regarding timing. If anyone had any objections, he encouragedcomments. In a consistent manner, precedence was made with Governor Ige signing invitationsin 2018. He would like to give the FD the authority to move ahead. Ms. de Silva agreed also andindicated that FestPAC invitations in the past have been received by the Governor of Hawai‘i so
it makes sense for the Governor of Hawai‘i to extend invitations to the countries for FestPAC
2024. The FD said that the SPC has noted that, from their perspective, the updated invitations
might just be a formality because CPAC had received 2018 invitations and those invitation are
still valid. The FD will work with the AC and the Governor’s Office to complete these tasks.
Ms. de Silva reminded the FD that before anything is sent, it must be reviewed by SPC,
translated into French, and that both the English and French versions must be sent at the sametime.
Ms. Lum said that the FD asked the VC for assistance in checking out venues in person, orvirtually, so that the venues can be maximized.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, December 5, 2022, at 3:00pm
Page 5 of 6Ms. de Silva asked Ms. Lum asked if anyone on the VC had been to a Festival to help evaluate
the venues. Ms. Lum stated that Ms. Bento is on the committee and that the FD would also beinvolved. Ms. Lum said if Ms. de Silva would like to be involved, one Commissioner could dropout in order to not exceed the allowable number of participants. Ms. de Silva if someone would
like to sit-out, she would be happy to help.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING ONGOINGFUNDRAISING AND FUND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT
Chair said that this agenda item was originally included in the October agenda. With the update
provided by the Administrative Committee, (AC) he asked members if anyone had specificmatters related to fund development and fundraising to discuss.
Chair expressed that the FD has been working well with the system currently in place with
NaHHA as a temporary fiscal partner, however preparation is needed incase NaHHA is nolonger able to fulfil this role. Chair is concerned about how we resource the FD properly, tocontinue to employ him, and to the fundraising work that needs to happen so that we have allfunding secured to host the Festival. Chair said that these questions are for the FD and members
to discuss. The FD stated that we have an initial promise of $150,000 that needs to be placed
somewhere. Up to 2022, the FD reported that the Hawai‘i Pacific Foundation will provide$250,000 to FestPAC which includes $150,000 for FestPAC and $100,000 to UH West Oʻahufor FestPAC resourcing. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham stated that some of that funding will support thesalary of the FD. As more funds are received, the AC will be able to engage more just-in-timebudgeting for fund development, etc. It is in alignment with the budget that was set-up andapproved previously.
The FD said that there are a number of ways to work without an MOU. A funder could issue acheck with specific language to support services provided. Until a permanent fiscal partner is inplace, there are other ways to receive funds; however, it would be best to design a scope with allproperties in place.
Regarding salary of the FD, he would like to discuss it during an AC meeting. Chair stated, fromhis perspective, there are logistics involved related to the AC. The AC will be discussing thesematters and report back to the Commission during the January meeting.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS
Chair invited the public to again offer comments. Hearing none, he moved into announcements.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chair entertained a discussion regarding meetings during the first quarter of 2023. Although theCommission decided to meet twice a month for the first quarter, due to various schedulingconflicts that can be anticipated, he suggested that meetings be held once a month instead.
NEXT MEETINGThe next FestPAC Commission meeting will be held, via Zoom on January 9, 2023, 3:00 p.m.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, December 5, 2022, at 3:00pm
Page 6 of 6

ADJOURNMENT
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā adjourned meeting at 3:51 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,_______________________________
Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā
Chair________________________
Date