MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION ON THE 13TH FESTIVAL OF
PACIFIC ARTS & CULTURE (FestPAC) MEETINGMONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022, AT 3:00 PM
VIA VIRTUAL APPLICATION ZOOM: VIDEO / AUDIO CONFERENCE
Commission Members Present were:
Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Designee
Snowbird Bento
Community Member At-Large Designee (Arrived at 3:12 pm)
Māpuana de Silva
Community Member At-Large Designee
Sylvia Hussey
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Designee
Jarett Keohokālole
Senate President’s Designee
Jamie Lum
Department of Business, Economic Development andTourism (DBEDT) Designee
Richard Onishi
House Speaker’s Designee
Kehaulani PuʻuCity and County of Honolulu Designee
Guests:Stephan Bradley
Jackie Burke
Brandon Bunag
Mamiko Carroll
Maka Casson-Fisher
Lynn J. Martin Graton
Ngahiraka Mason
Monte McComber
Aaron Salā
Kanoe Takitani-Puahi
Pris Texeira
Margo Vitarelli
Caroline Yacoe-

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

Staff:
Elise Amemiya
Marlene Hiraoka
Timothy Tiu
Scott Tome-

Office of the Attorney General
DBEDT
DBEDT
DBEDT

Apologies:
Maynette AhNee-Benham-

Governer’s Designee

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, June 27, 2022, at 3:00pm
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CALL TO ORDER
At 3:02 p.m., Chair Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā welcomed all present. Chair then conducted roll call ofCommissioners: Chair, Ms. Hussey, Mr. Keohokālole, Ms. Lum, Ms. de Silva, Mr. Onishi, Ms.
Puʻu. Chair indicated that Ms. Bento would arrive later, and that Ms. Ah Nee-Benham is
excused. The wehena (opening) was conducted by Ms. Puʻu.
Ms. Puʻu expressed her thanks for the honor in sharing the wehena. She spoke about
Kamehameha the Great’s amazing leadership after the victory of the Battle of Nuʻuanu. He
returned to the people and treated those who were embattled. He ordered those who were injured
were treated to and he ordered his warriors to help ease suffering by planting kalo (taro),ʻulu(breadfruit), ʻuala (sweet potato), etc. She compared those efforts of the past to the Commission
and acknowledged that, at times, there may be difficult matters that Commissioners willencounter, however, working alongside members of the community will hopefully result in aloha(unconditional extension of friendship and trust).
Ka Makua Mau Loa Church services, which Ms. Puʻu attends, has been held virtually for the
past two years. She shared that the first hōʻike (exhibition/showcase) that was held in-person
represented various ‘ahahui (clubs) and family groups that worshiped through mele (songs). She
expressed that it was nice to connect with people and create space to celebrate together.
Similarly, when she thinks about the Festival, she recognizes that we are creating space toconnect with one another and those representing countries in the Pacific. She is proud to be a partof this effort.
Chair thanked Ms. Puʻu for the wehena.
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 MAY 16, 2022 MEETING MINUTESThe May 16, 2022, 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 bemade and it was made by Mr. Onishi, seconded by Ms. Hussey. A roll call vote was requested
with the following Commissioners approving the motion to approve the minutes of May 16,2022: Chair, Ms. de Silva, Ms. Hussey, Mr. Keohokālole, Ms. Lum, Mr. Onishi, Ms. Puʻu.
Motion to adopt the May 16, 2022, minutes, unamended, was approved.
REPORT ON PERMITTED INTERACTIONS, PURSUANT TO ACT 103, SESSIONLAWS OF HAWAIʻI 2021
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā reported that two meetings were held. The Administrative Committee (AC)and the Venues/Program Committee (VC) met, and details of the meeting discussions will becovered later in the agenda.
Chair welcomed Ms. Bento who joined the meeting at 3:12 pm.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, June 27, 2022, at 3:00pm
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PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING ADMINISTRATIVECOMMITTEE UPDATE
Chair reported on behalf of Ms. Ah Nee-Benham, Chair of the AC. Chair reported that the AC
met on June 13, 2022 and the meeting was attended by Ms. AhNee-Benham, FD Salā, Ms.
Hussey, Mr. Keohokālole, and Chair and they discussed the FestPAC budget revisions. The
Commission had previously approved a budget of approximately $20 million for the entire
Festival. The current budget revisions totaled $17.4 million, however, they are working to reduce
it to $15 million. The FD will be reviewing the allocation of expenses that may be related to inkind sources.
The AC has identified three major budget areas: Administration, Operations, Venue/Program.
The FD will continue to work with the AC to refine the budget, however, at this time, the AC is
not ready to present those refinements to the Commission. Chair summarized that the FD was
asked to present a timeline and GANTT (Generalized Activity Normalization Time Table) chartof events for visuals, etc. Those items are included in the AC meeting minutes that is part oftoday’s meeting materials.
Chair asked if members had comments or questions. Hearing none, he moved on to the next
agenda item.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING VENUES AND
PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE UPDATE
Chair turned over this portion of the meeting to Ms. Lum, Chair of the VC. Ms. Lum reported
that the committee met on June 22, 2022, and the meeting was attended by Ms. Bento, Mr.
Onishi, Ms. Puʻu, FD and herself.
Ms. Lum reported that the main purpose of the VC meeting was to review updates from the FD.
They discussed several action items that need to be completed by the end of the year such as an
update of the agreement with the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) related to housing and the need to
execute Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with satellite venues by year-end, too.
The VC reviewed core programming and respective venues. Venues that are interested inparticipating in the Festival and programming are the Bishop Museum, HiSAM, UH-West Oahu
and others. Venues interested in programming will be asked to be responsible for costs such astransportation costs, etc.
Regarding the Waʻa (canoe) Ceremony, the FD and Ms. Bento are discussing the event with
Kamehameha Schools and will present updates as they are confirmed.
Ms. Lum indicated that one of the major areas that requires Commissioners’ input is related toprograming. Programming was reviewed over a year ago which Ms. Lum shared. She shared adocument titled “Previously Approved Buckets and Newly Proposed Buckets” andacknowledged that Ms. Bento worked diligently on programming which the Commission
previously approved (including Performing Arts, Mixed Media, Living Arts, Health andWellness, Special Events) on April 19, 2021. The VC would like to move ahead for planningMinutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, June 27, 2022, at 3:00pm
Page 4 of 6

purposes and begin creating a schedule. She asked if any committee members had anything more
to add.
Mr. Onishi added that it will be important to communicate with other countries, especiallyrelated to programming. He believes that we need to determine what our core programming will
be and noted that the information will be instrumental in our communication with delegations
about programming plans. We need help in finalizing programming. Chair stated that thereissuance of what delegations intend to participate in will need to be considered in order toproperly decide on programming. He mentioned that for the 2020 Festival, surfing was initially
included, however, since only four countries were interested in that program, we cancelledsurfing at the time. We will go through a similar process in an “Intent To Participate” form todetermine what delegations are interested in for 2024.
The FD stated that the core Festival programming has existed for many years. He deferred to Ms.
de Silva as Chair of the Council of Pacific Arts and Culture (CPAC) regarding the content andconfirmed that the goal is to finalize programming within the next two months. He will provide
a draft schedule and share programming/scheduling of the Festival.
Ms. Lum indicated that she is sharing previous discussions for awareness and recalls that there
was much discussed in great detail in the past. She wanted to remind Commissioners of what has
already been discussed and approved.
Ms. de Silva clarified that the top row of the diagram has already been approved by theCommission and asked whether the top row of categories would be sent to countries. Chair notedthat the Commission adopted the bottom boxes of the diagram already. Ms. de Silva asked what
would be on the questionnaire. FD said that the “Newly Proposed” section would be sent to thecountries as a questionnaire. Ms. de Silva indicated that there is too much detail and countries
will try to participate in as many activities as possible. She suggested consolidating “alike”
things that could fall under a comprehensive general heading rather than sharing activities ingreat detail. Ms. De Silva suggests that based on her experience. She shared it is a waste of timeto create a schedule now if it is not known who will participate. The initial request should be toinquire with delegations with regard to general categories. Once feedback is received fromcountries, then we can work on a schedule. Then we go back to those countries contacts so thatdelegates can sign up for specific activities within that category.
The FD clarified that the schedule to the committee will be an overall outline. It will be just an
idea to give the committee a high-level overview regarding pillars of the Festival. According to
FestPAC Handbook, the final schedule should be done one year before the Festival.
Ms. Bento confirmed that FD provided a clear overview of programming and what will beneeded.
PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION REGARDING THE FESTIVAL
DIRECTOR REPORT
Chair indicated that there were two parts to this report. He turned over the first part to Ms. deSilva who is Chair of the Pacific Community (SPC) and Council of Pacific Arts and Culture(CPAC).

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, June 27, 2022, at 3:00pm
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Ms. de Silva reported on the FestPAC Working Group (WG) meeting that comes under CPAC
which comes under the SPC. She reported that there was a review of FestPAC and that there wasconsensus among members of the WG to focus on nine points that could be implemented. The
WG will then reach back to the FestPAC Commission to speak about the review from TiPau Ltd.
that could be used. The TiPau Ltd. report was included in the meeting materials from theCommission meeting in May.
Ms. de Silva reported about the WG’s meeting with New Zealand and reviewed the nine areas
mentioned previously which they will be reviewing and making recommendations as to how
implementation can be conducted, including establishing a timeline and budgets. The WG
includes 11 countries and the SPC and New Zealand will develop a report and share a draft withmembers this summer.
In August 2022, the WG will revise the draft action plan that will be sent to countries for
feedback. In October 2022, they plan on finalizing the plan and schedule a CPAC meeting inNovember 2022. The Ministers are expected to endorse the plan and convey recommendations in
December 2022. SPC has new leadership and asking for another visit to Hawaiʻi to conduct a site
inspection and ask questions. The plan is to arrive in Hawaiʻi in the first quarter of 2023. Once
we receive confirmation from the SPC for an in-person CPAC and Ministers meeting they will
ask the Commission for dates and check with countries regarding availability. If we can send out
questionnaires by the beginning of the fourth quarter 2022, that will help in providing them witha draft schedule.
Ms. de Silva asked Mr. McComber if he had anything else to add. Mr. McComber added that
New Zealand is the Chair of the WG so the date/time that New Zealand proposes will be lockedin for the Commission.
Chair turned over the next portion of the agenda to FD Salā. FD shared the screen and noted that
his report will focus on major categories including Admin and Logistics; Venues andProgramming; Website; Community Engagement.
---

Admin and logics: He reported that he has started talking to representatives of the U.S.
State Department and they are looking at special programs, visa, procurement process,etc. He is hoping that by the time the questionnaires are sent to countries, we will haveinformation related to logistics and travel. He and Mr. Kealiʻi Hammond have been in
discussion regarding updates related to biosecurity issues.
The FD started developing a Host Country Manual and will use the FestPAC Manual as a
guide.
Regarding the Secretariat, the FD expressed his thanks and appreciation to Ms. Mary
Hattori and the East-West Center’s Pacific Islands Development Council for theirsupport. They have started onboarding interns and identifying Pacific Islands staff toassist with the on-the-ground planning and coordination of the Festival.
Regarding the venues and programming, FD will be working on a high-level Festival
calendar. The FD added that the Royal Hawaiian Center also is interested in hosting someparts of the Festival.

Minutes of the Commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture
Monday, June 27, 2022, at 3:00pm
Page 6 of 6--

The FD’s goal is to finalize the core Festival Village, Hawaiʻi Convention Center,housing, etc. by the end of August 2022. Ancillary venues should be done by then, too.
The website, which is almost complete, is being developed by Mr. Stephan Bradley. He isa student of the Academy of Creative Media Design and will be graduating from UHWest Oʻahu in December this year. Ms. de Silva expressed that she has an issue with theartwork of the website. The image has been flipped and this must be corrected as it isculturally inaccurate as is. The FD acknowledged that the artwork will be edited and also
noted that copy content is missing and being worked on. A series of blogs are being
developed to coincide with the content. The FD also is building a partnership with theCreative Media class to develop a social media strategy as part of its fall curriculum.
The site will be a portal for delegations to access information as well as forCommissioners’ use. The FD described the top headers of the website as public facing
about the Festival. A travel guide also will be a public facing piece that will include hotel
rates, weather, etc. The goal is to have the website live by this summer.

The FD asked for comments from Commissioners. Ms. de Silva said that she was pleased
because everything will be included on this one site that will be set-up as a portal for the heads ofdelegations. A comment regarding flags was mentioned and Ms. de Silva recalled about previous
Festivals and how it was always a proud moment when the Hawaiian Flag was flown. Flags arevery important to people of the Pacific. Ms. Bento added to Ms. de Silva’s comments andsuggested that the FD check to see whether all countries have their own flag. The FD believes
the community is coming together to support the success of Hawaiʻi as host of FestPAC 2024.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS
Chair invited the public to again offer comments. Hearing none, he moved into announcements.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
No announcements were made at this meeting.
NEXT MEETING – JULY 11, 2022
The next FestPAC Commission meeting is confirmed for July 11, 2022, at 3:00 pm.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Ka‘anā‘anā adjourned meeting at 4:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,_______________________________
Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā
Chair

July 11, 2022
Date