MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION ON THE 13TH FESTIVAL OF
PACIFIC ARTS & CULTURE (FestPAC) MEETINGMONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022, AT 3:00 PM
VIA VIRTUAL APPLICATION ZOOM: VIDEO / AUDIO CONFERENCE
Commission Members Present were:
Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā- Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Designee
Maenette Ah Nee-Benham
Governor’s Designee
Māpuana de Silva- Community Member At-Large Designee- Office of Hawaiian Affairs Designee
Sylvia Hussey
Jarett Keohokālole
- Senate President’s Designee
Jamie Lum
- Department of Business, Economic Development andTourism (DBEDT) Designee
Richard Onishi- House Speaker’s Designee
Kehaulani Puʻu
- City and County of Honolulu Designee
Guests:Mamiko Caroll
Eric Chang
Maka Casson-Fisher
Vilsoni Hereniko
Kawaikapuokalani Hewett
Monte McComber
Lynn J. Martin Graton
June Matsumoto
Aaron Salā
Mālia Sanders
Miki-tae Tapara
Pris Texeira-

Public Member
Public Member
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority
Public Member
Public Member
Public Member
Public Member
Public Member
Festival Director
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

Apologies:
Snowbird Bento-

Community Member At-Large Designee

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, September 26, 2022, at 3:00pm
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CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā called the meeting to order at 3:03pm and welcomed all present andthanked them for being on this journey with the Commission as they continue to prepare andplan for the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture. He apologized for the late start of themeeting.
Mr. Keohokālole introduced Kumu Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, a distinguished guest from theWindward side of Oʻahu to present the wehena (opening) for the meeting. Mr. Hewett thanked
the Commission for the opportunity to share ʻike kūpuna (wisdom of our elders). He presented ashort oli (chant) based on the word kupu (to sprout/to grow). Kupu is also the root word in
kūpuna (elders) and the growth process. The message is to let us nurture the process of growththat connects us to the next level of elevation. Let us mālama (take care of/care for) this order,
this protocol of our kūpuna and in doing so let us nurture and honor our kūpuna. Mr. Hewett
ended by sharing and ʻōlelo noʻeau (wise saying/proverb) - when you have the gifts of insightand enlightenment, you have to use it correctly. So use it wisely so the light will shine on you.
Mr. Hewett thanked everyone for allowing him this opportunity to share. He stated that hestarted working at Windward College in 1979 and he is still teaching there in 2022.
Chair thanked Kumu for the presentation and then conducted roll call of Commissioners present:
Chair Kaʻanāʻanā, Ms. Ah Nee-Benham, Ms. de Silva, Ms. Hussey, Mr. Keohokālole, Ms. Lum,
Mr. Onishi, Ms. Puʻu. Commissioner Bento is excused.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā invited members of the public to testify on the agenda items. Hearing none, heproceeded with the rest of the agenda items.
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 15, 2022 MEETING MINUTESThe August 15, 2022, minutes were distributed and reviewed by Commissioners. Chair asked if
there were any comments or changes to the minutes. Chair asked for a motion to be made and it
was made by Ms. Ah Nee-Benham and seconded by Mr. Keohokālole. Ms. de Silva pointed outthat Paula Carr’s name was incorrectly spelled. It should be “C” instead of “K”. A roll call vote
was requested and the following Commissioners approving the motion to approve the minutes ofAugust 15, 2022, with a non-substantive change: Chair, Ms. Ah Nee-Benham, Ms. de Silva, Ms.
Hussey, Mr. Keohokālole, Ms. Lum, Mr. Onishi, Ms. Puʻu, to approve the August 15, 2022,
minutes.
A motion was made to adopt the August 15, 2022, minutes, amended with a non-substantive typo
for spelling.
REPORT ON PERMITTED INTERACTIONS, PURSUANT TO ACT 103, SESSIONLAWS OF HAWAIʻI 2021
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā asked if there were any permitted interactions outside of the venues committee
meeting on September 21, 2022, at 10:00 am. There were no permitted interactions mentioned by
the Commission and the Chair moved on to the next agenda item.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, September 26, 2022, at 3:00pm
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PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING FestPAC
COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2022-01
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā recommended that this agenda item be permanently deferred and theCommission will not use a formal resolution as a means to record all the decisions. Chair
Ka‘anā‘anā then asked if there were any questions and/or comments. Hearing none, he conferredbriefly with Ms. Amemiya, Deputy AG and then unilaterally deferred this agenda item. All
Commissioners concurred.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING THE FESTIVAL
DIRECTOR REPORT
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā called upon FD Salā for his report.
The FD advised that no administrative committee meeting was held due to scheduling issues.
The FD reported that the FestPAC website will be completed and ready to launch by the end of
Calendar Year (CY) 2022, perhaps sooner. Regarding the Social Media Strategy, he reported
that the students at the Academy for Creative Media – University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu were
doing a great job designing the website, on behalf of FestPAC. FD hopes to present information
to the Commission by the October 2022 meeting. Also, the work being done is focused on
culture and blogging for the website will appear on social media posts. The FD suggested that
Commissioners should not “shy-away” if they are invited to write a blog for FestPAC. The blog
could be on a number of topics such as a memoir, a particular memory, experience with
FestPAC, etc.
The FD also reported that a draft of the programming outline will be presented to the Venues andProgramming Committee (VC) and then to the full Commission. Regarding venues, the FD
expressed that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bishop Museum and the
University of Hawaiʻi (UH) will be finalized soon and that he had several meetings with the UH
President’s office. There are questions that he has to work through with the VC in order toprovide more information to UH related to liability, etc.
The FD reported that he attended the Pacific Island Conference of Leaders (PICL) from
September 12-14, 2022, and representatives from 17 Pacific Nations, including Heads of States
and Cabinet Ministers were in attendance. The FD provided updates on FestPAC and met
individually with several leaders to discuss their expectations of Hawaiʻi as hosts of the Festival
and potential opportunities for joint support.
The FD also reported that he will be attending a series of meetings with the The PacificCommunity (SPC) in Suva, Fiji from October 2-9, 2022. At that meeting, FD will be meetingwith representatives of the Land Resources Department for Biosecurity, the Pacific Island
Forum, the Fiji Arts Council, etc. The meeting is intended to confirm SPC requirements forbiosecurity, land resources, etc. The FD advised that the Biosecurity document is nearcompletion which he will discuss with the SPC biosecurity team in Suva. He will then present it
to the Administrative Committee (AC) for approval and dissemination.
At this point, FD expressed his thanks to Mr. Eric Chang, Arts Program Coordinator at the East
West Center (EWC) and Ms. Barbara Smith for providing the funding for his trip to Suva, Fiji

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, September 26, 2022, at 3:00pm
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October 2-9, 2022, to attend the meeting with the SPC.
Regarding the trip to Aotearoa, New Zealand (NZ) in November 2022 to meet with the Aotearoadelegation, the Commission recommended that the FD be the liaison between the Aotearoa, NZ
delegation and Hawaiʻi. At this meeting, the FD will share what we have planned for the
Aotearoa delegation, and they will share their requests for FestPAC. The FD thanked theCommissioners and then indicated that he would be reaching out to Paula Carr and Mikki-tae
Tapara regarding the planning of the initial meetings in NZ. The FD asked how involved theCommission wants to be regarding Aotearoa’s visit. Ms. deSilva shared her thoughts that if it isjust logistical questions the FD can manage that communication, however it is not the time topromise anything to a delegation. Chair asked for any additional discussion, hearing none, Chair
asked the FD to act as the liason for the Commission.
The FD acknowledged that he met with Ms. Ah-Nee-Benham and Mr. Keohokālole inpreparation for his meeting with Ms. Vares-Lum, President of the EWC who is currently inWashington, D.C. preparing the path for a Hawaiʻi delegation to visit and advocate for funding
assistance for FestPAC. A Hawaiʻi delegation to Washington, D.C. could initiate establishing
relationships for fundraising efforts at the federal level including contacts at national institutions
that support the arts. With respect to the travel dates, the FD indicated that it should be
immediately after his trip to Aotearoa, NZ in November 2022, but he would like to work with
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā and specific Commissioners to develop an itinerary. Chair advised that theCommission has already approved a trip to Washington, D.C. with a maximum spending ceilingin the budget to support the trip. The FD should proceed and plan the trip provided he works
within the budget that was established by the Commission.
Mr. Keohokālole said he recalled there was some discussion related to a presentation on
workflow and budget, GANTT chart. The FD said he presented the calendar up to the end of
03/2024 at the last Commission meeting in September 26, 2022, and in terms of the budget, it
continues to be a work-in-progress which is being aligned to events.
Mr. Keohokālole voiced concern of the timeline and that there is no other funding commitments
besides State funding that was appropriated several years ago and encumbered in an existing
contract. Mr. Keohokālole also expressed concern about the FD’s workload and Commission’s
ability to assist in meeting fundraising goals.
Mr. Onishi shared Mr. Keohokālole’s concerns regarding the overall budget and fundraising. He
suggested that the approved budget be used as a fundraising goal and that he is committed tohelping the FD move forward and with all of efforts. He suggested that the Commission develop
document that provides clear details of sponsorship opportunities for FestPAC. Mr. Onishi also
stated that he has spoken with contacts within the Federal government and State Departments,
about the importance of FestPAC. Mr. Onishi agreed with the FD that following Ms. VaresLum’s visit to D.C., the Commission should submit a formal request to the federal government
for funding assistance. Commissioners should also engage with Hawaii’s congressionaldelegation as well as contacts within the Department of Interior and other State Department tosolicit support. Mr. Onishi conveyed that a large meeting was held in Washington, D.C. on
September 26, 2022, with about 10 Prime Ministers and other leaders of the Pacific Island

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, September 26, 2022, at 3:00pm
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Nations to discuss the U.S. commitment and support within those jurisdictions. He felt that weare at a critical juncture and why there is an urgent need to go to Washington D.C. and submit
our ask on how important FestPAC is to emphasize that we are all one family in the Pacific. He
also felt that the indigenous people in the East and West regions, including Alaska, should be
invited to play a role in the Festival.
Ms. Ah-Nee Benham also shared that the fundraising process will be fluid for a while as the goalis $20 million for the Festival and there has been a lot of in-kind support to get us where we aretoday. Ms. Vares-Lum is extremely supportive of FestPAC and is in Washington D.C., now andhas with her information and talking points about the Festival to share with any potential funders.
The AC is prepared to follow up with any of those contacts made when she returns.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā conveyed that the budget the Commission has already been approved for $20
million and unless the Commission takes further action to amend it, the budget stands at the $20
million as of 9/26/22 at 3:40 pm.
At this point, Chair Ka‘anā‘anā shared his screen of the Budget Summary, Draft Festival Budgetof September 7, 2021 Commission meeting and the FestPAC Sponsorship Deck. He said the FD
could start with the sponsorship deck when he is ready and mentioned that the tiers are ways todemonstrate the value for the sponsorship levels. As the VC finalizes some of their events, we
could look at the opportunities to have title sponsors for the various program components andthere are lots of other opportunities for official sponsorship such as airlines, hotels, credit cards,
etc., to build fundraising.
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā then recommended that the FestPAC 2024 Budget be agenized for the October
17, 2022 meeting. Mr. Onishi asked that the Title Sponsor document as well as the approved
FestPAC budget be distributed to all Commissioners. Chair assigned staff to share those
documents to Commissioners.
Ms. Puʻu inquired if the Commission had a Fund Development Manager and a Grant Writer on
staff to support the fundraising piece. Chair Ka‘anā‘anā replied in the negative and expressedthat Mr. Keohokālole was going to meet with Director McCartney to see if there is a possibility
in freeing up some HTA funds that was set aside and could support this project. Also, theCommission recognized at the last meeting that the FD could not do the Festival preparation
alone.
Mr. Keohokālole then asked if the SPC was a potential avenue for future funding and if it would
be appropriate to ask for their participation on the Commission in either a formal or informalmanner. Ms. de Silva explained the role of SPC and Council of Pacific Arts and Culture (CPAC).
SPC is the overall umbrella organization and established CPAC. CPAC established the FestPAC
Working Group and prepares the Festival Manual. The SPC provides support and advice to thehost country and provides governance to FestPAC and CPAC. Chair Ka‘anā‘anā then indicatedthat there is some sensitivity since the Commission is an established body that is set up by Act
103, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2021. He commented that he would be happy to coordinate andwork with the SPC though the FD and Mr. McComber. At this point, the FD left the meeting toattend another meeting with a potential funder.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, September 26, 2022, at 3:00pm
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PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING ADMINISTRATIVECOMMITTEE UPDATE
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā reported that no Administrative Committee meeting was held this month andmoved on to the next agenda item.
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 met on September 21, 2022, but there was nothing substantial to reportto the Commission. The FD has already incorporated all the information from that meeting in his
report that he presented earlier.
Ms. Lum conveyed that the VC did discuss Resolution 2022-01, that Chair had already addressed
as deferred permanently. The VC will work with staff to establish a repository for documentsthat can be updated and shared with Commissioners.
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.
NEXT MEETING OCTOBER 17, 2022
The next FestPAC Commission meeting is confirmed for October 17, 2022, at 3:00 pm.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā adjourned meeting at 4:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,_______________________________
Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā
Chair

October 12, 2022
Date