MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION ON THE 13TH FESTIVAL OF
PACIFIC ARTS & CULTURE (FestPAC) MEETINGMONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 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
Sylvia Hussey
Jarrett Keohokālole
Jamie Lum-

Richard Onishi
Makanani Salā
Māpuana de Silva-

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

Maka Casson-Fisher
Mamiko Carroll
Jean-Emmanuel Frantz
Ilihia Gionson
Dede Howe
Lynn Martin Graton
Monte McComber
Malia Sanders
Pris Texeira
Julia Paleiholani
Kehaulani Puʻu-

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority
Public Member
Public Member
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority
Public Member
Royal Hawaiian Center
Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
Public Member
Office of Senator Keohokālole
City Department of Parks & Recreation

Margaret Ahn
Marlene Hiraoka
Selma Malcolm
Timothy Tiu
Scott Tome-

Deputy Attorney General
DBEDT
DBEDT
DBEDT
DBEDT

Guests:Staff:

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Tuesday, October 25, 2021, at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 2 of 6

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā at 2:30 p.m., who welcomed
everyone present via ZOOM and Facebook Live.
Chair conducted roll call of Commissioners present: Chair, Vice-Chair Salā, Ms. Ah NeeBenham, Ms. Bento, Ms. Hussey, Mr. Keohokālole, Ms. Lum, Mr. Onishi, Ms. de Silva.
Chair invited Ms. Hussey to conduct the wehena (opening). Ms. Hussey shared that between
October and November, she remembers and honors her parents for their kūpuna (elders) wisdom.
Especially during this time in society, she emphasized that for our kūpuna knowledge, skill andpractice were virtues that were always held together in high regard. She acknowledged therecent passing of Mr. Peter Hanohano, a respected scholar of Native Hawaiian and indigenous
education. In his memory, she is reminded about kūpuna who are still with us and continue to
speak to and influence each of us. Given the nature of the times, often there is excess white
noise due to distractions such as social media that may prevent us from listening to or hearing
from our kūpuna. She offered encouraging words to Commissioners that each individual must
exercise their responsibility as FestPAC Commissioners and try to quietly listen to our kūpuna
who can guide us as important decisions are made.
Chair thanked Ms. Hussey for sharing her thoughtful and timely comments today. He proceededwith the next agenda item.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS
Chair invited members of the public to testify on the agenda items. Hearing none, he noted thatno public testimony was received prior to the meeting and proceeded with the rest of the agenda
items.
APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 11, 2021 MEETING MINUTES
The minutes were distributed and reviewed by Commissioners. Chair asked if there were any
comments or changes to the minutes. Hearing none, he asked for a motion to be made and a
motion to approve the minutes was made by Ms. Ah Nee and seconded by Vice-Chair Salā. A
roll call vote was requested with the following Commissioners approving the motion to approvethe minutes: Chair Ka‘anā‘anā, Vice-Chair Salā, Ms. de Silva, Ms. Lum, Ms. Ah Nee-Benham,
Ms. Hussey, Mr. Onishi, Mr. Keohokālole, Ms. Bento. Motion was unanimously approved.
REPORT ON PERMITTED INTERACTIONS, PURSUANT TO ACT 103, SESSIONLAWS OF HAWAIʻI 2021
Chair reported that there was a Permitted Interaction Group meeting held, pursuant to Act 103,
and stated that the Administrative Committee (AC) has provided a written report and will besummarizing the meeting discussion as noted on the agenda.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE UPDATE
Chair turned over this portion of the meeting to Ms. Ah Nee-Benham. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham
reported that the AC was invited by the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA) tointerview the finalist for the position of Festival Director (FD). She reminded Commissioners
that the AC minutes were included in today’s meeting materials. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham statedMinutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Tuesday, October 25, 2021, at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 3 of 6that NaHHA hosted and facilitated the meeting with the finalist. Before moving into Executive
Session, Ms. Ah Nee-Benham and Vice-Chair Salā recused themselves from any discussion andrecommendations on the matter.
Chair entertained a motion for Commissioners to enter into Executive Session. Ms. Lum made a
motion to enter into Executive Session by noting that pursuant to sections 92-5(a)(2) and (4) of
the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, the Commission may vote to enter an executive meeting toconsider the hire or evaluation of an officer or employee, where consideration of mattersaffective privacy will be involved, or to consult with the Commission’s attorney on questions
and issues pertaining to the board’s powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities. Mr.
Keohokālole seconded the motion.
A roll call vote was requested with the following Commissioners approving the motion to enter
into Executive Session: Chair Ka‘anā‘anā, Vice-Chair Salā, Ms. de Silva, Ms. Lum, Ms. Ah
Nee-Benham, Ms. Hussey, Mr. Onishi, Mr. Keohokālole, Ms. Bento.
Motion was unanimously approved.
Chair advised that Commissioners would be moving into Executive Session and that a separate
Zoom link was sent to Commissioners by NaHHA. For members of the public, the Zoom link
being used for the Commission Meeting will remain live.
The Executive Session began at 2:45p.m. Vice-Chair Salā and Ms. Ah Nee-Benham did notenter the Executive Session.
Commissioners rejoined the Commission meeting at 4:06 p.m.
Chair recommended that the meeting be recessed and reconvene at 4:12 p.m.
The Commission meeting reconvened at 4:13 p.m.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING MAIN FESTIVAL VILLAGE VENUE
Chair turned over the next portion of the agenda to Vice-Chair Salā. Vice-Chair reported that ameeting was held with Univerity of Hawaiʻi (UH) President David Lassner. In summary, after
discussing possible options, UH offered the Andrew’s Amphitheater and the adjacent Legacy
Path to Commissioners to stage the Festival Village. Vice-Chair indicated that because there aresome infrastructure issues that need to be discussed and negotiated, she will be meeting with the
UH Mānoa Cabinet that represents University officials who operationalize requests such asthese.
Chair asked about the location of the Legacy Path and Vice-Chair noted that it is the walkway
between Andrews Amphitheater and Krause/Kuykendall Halls that begin from Dole Street andcontinues until the area near the Campus Center. It is the walkway that is within the pathway
from the parking structure.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Tuesday, October 25, 2021, at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 4 of 6

Mr. Keohokālole asked for feedback from Commissioners regarding the location and whether
there would be enough space for FestPAC delegations to use.
Vice-Chair noted that UH officials feel positive about the timing of the event because FestPAC
would be held between the end of the Spring Semester and the beginning of Summer Session.
Chair asked whether Kuykendall Hall could be used as a staging area for delegations. Ms. Bento
commented that she and Ms. de Silva recently participated in an event, pre-Covid, that was heldat Andrews Amphitheater and that schools and groups have used Kuykendall Hall as a staging
area. She emphasized that the Commission should be cognizant about Covid mitigation
procedures and used the example of post 9-11 policies that were made such as travel rules andprocedures. She cautioned that Covid rules may continue through 2024 and that the Commission
may need the ability to isolate and individualize delegations. If Andrews Amphitheater is thedesignated location for the Festival Village, these matters need to be taken into consideration.
Mr. Keohokālole further commented that if the Legacy Path is acceptable as a location fordelegations, it is the most easily accessible at UH Mānoa. Ancillary events, receptions, etc.
could also be held at UH although it is secondary to the Festival Village operations. Chair alsocommented that the Commission would save on ground transportation expenses sinceparticipants would be able to walk to Andrews Amphitheater from the dormitories where they
will be housed.
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham noted that there is a mauka (towards the mountain) access to Andrews
Amphitheater and the Legacy Path where deliveries can be made. She also commented thatKrause Hall may be an additional area with a great space to consider. All of these questions will
be discussed with the UH Mānoa Cabinet.
Chair asked whether the Clarence T.C. Ching Field, on the makai (towards the ocean) side ofcampus, could be used for FestPAC programming. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham added that the makai
side of campus also houses the music facilities. It was mentioned that the Ching Field was noton the list of possible venues at UH Mānoa; however, the Richardson School of Law and music
department facilities might be accessible to FestPAC. In response to Chair’s question regarding
the downside of UH Mānoa as the Festival Village venue, Ms. Ah Nee-Benham reported that UH
stated that they cannot take a financial loss as a result of staging the FestPAC event on campus.
As such, the Commission will need to consider assisting with infrastructure requirements such as
restroom availability and other considerations in order to assure UH that they will not experiencea financial loss as a result of authorizing the Festival Village to be held on campus.
Mr. Onishi posed a question regarding the authorization by UH to allow for product sales to be
conducted during FestPAC. Ms. Salā acknowledged that these discussions will need to be heldwith the UH Mānoa Cabinet. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham commented that that is one of the reasons
why the Legacy Path is being recommended by UH because there are some areas on campus thatare considered Ceded Lands where these types of activities might be considered prohibitive.
Chair also asked about the possibility of using the great lawn behind Hawaiʻi Hall and whether
that area could be used, too. Ms. Salā stated that it would not be possible to use that location. A
question regarding the use of Campus Center was asked and she indicated that more discussions

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Tuesday, October 25, 2021, at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 5 of 6

would need to be held with members of the UH Mānoa Cabinet although she believes that
because Campus Center is also used by other non-UH organizations, there may be a possibility to
use those facilities.
Ms. Bento commented that because the Commission has reserved funds at the Convention
Center, she would like to understand that we are being fiduciarily responsible about those funds.
Chair indicated that it would not be possible to move that funding because it has already been
encumbered for the use of the facility. Funding at the Convention Center would be appropriate
for hosting VIP receptions, paying for audio-visual expenses, food and beverage costs, etc.
Ms. de Silva offered additional comments and stated that her objective would be for the Festival
Village to be located at an outdoor venue. If UH is the only venue where this objective can be
met, the Commission will make it work although she considers it a rather small space. She
further stated that if UH Mānoa is the Festival Village venue, she noted that there should be noother activities held there. Participants could travel to the Convention Center for culinary
demonstrations; displays; symposia; and other events so that funding for both UH Mānoa and theConvention Center is balanced.
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham agreed with Ms. de Silva. Ms. Ah Nee-Benham indicated that there werediscussions held about utilizing other venues throughout the State. Ms. Bento appreciated thecomments and stated that she would like the Oʻahu community-at-large to have access to
FestPAC and that she just wanted to ensure that the Commission was following its fiduciary
responsibility.
Ms. de Silva stated that it would be important to decentralize the Festival by offering a variety ofplaces to visit. Chair further commented that delegations’ experiences will be further enriched ifthey are given opportunities to visit many sites. He emphasized that encouraging interactions areimperative and that the process of implementation achieves those objectives.
Mr. Keohokālole commented that creating a central hub that is accessible such as UH Mānoa
will help with the planning of other activities. Delegates would be able to walk to the Festival
Village and parking would be accessible unlike at other locations in Honolulu. He further statedthat it would make it easier to be more creative while expanding offerings and other experiences
for delegates.
Chair posed a question about what would distinguish the “Hawaiʻi” experience from other
FestPAC events held previously. For example, he wondered if there should be pule (prayer)
each morning with all participants. Since delegates will be housed at UH Mānoa, meeting at
Andrews Amphitheater each morning for pule would be a special experience. The Amphitheater
provides us with an opportunity to implement this into programming. Ms. de Silva offered her
support and believes that would be a nice offering that could also include hālau (schools).
At this point of the meeting, Ms. de Silva made a motion to consider UH Mānoa as the first
choice for the Festival Village with the understanding that more due diligence and discussions beheld. Chair suggested adding a back-up as a second choice and suggested Ala Moana/Magic
Island as the second choice. Ms. Lum seconded the motion. Ms. Hussey commented that she isMinutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Tuesday, October 25, 2021, at 2:30pm via ZOOMPage 6 of 6

in support of these options knowing that planning discussions will continue especially related tosafety, mobility and programming considerations. Ms. Lum commented that it appears that morediscussion with UH is required but agreed that it is a good first step.
Vice-Chair commented that the City Deputy Director for Parks and Recreation, Ms. KehaulaniPuʻu was present at the beginning of today’s meeting, however, she left due to othercommitments. She will be attending future meetings with the Venues Committee to assist in theprocess. The Vice-Chair acknowledged that it would be difficult to secure Ala Moana/Magic
Island for the length of time required for the Festival Village. Chair commented that Ala
Moana/Magic Island is in close proximity to the Convention Center and that he would be willingto attend the respective Neighborhood Board meeting for this purpose.
Ms. Ah Nee-Benham suggested the motion to be reworded by stating that continued
deliberations with UH System and UH Mānoa continue regarding hosting the Festival Village on
the UH Mānoa campus.
Ms. de Silva revised her motion to have Ala Moana/Magic Island as the secondary Festival
Village location and UH Mānoa as the primary location; however, Chair stated that is only if UH
Mānoa does not work out that Ala Moana/Magic Island be considered as the secondary location.
A roll call vote was requested with the following Commissioners approving the motion that UH
Mānoa would be the primary Festival Village location and Ala Moana/Magic Island as thesecondary location: Chair Ka‘anā‘anā, Vice-Chair Salā, Ms. de Silva, Ms. Lum, Ms. Ah NeeBenham, Ms. Hussey, Mr. Onishi, Mr. Keohokālole, Ms. Bento.
Motion was unanimously approved.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā invited the public to again offer comments. Hearing no further commentsfrom the public, Chair continued with announcements and the next meeting date.
ANNOUNEMENTS
No announcements were made.
NEXT MEETING – NOVEMBER 8, 2021 – 2:30 pm
Chair reminded Commissioners that the November 8th meeting will go into Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā adjourned meeting at 4:57 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
11/8/2021
Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā
Chair

Date