Honolulu parks committee reports out gifts: Chinatown New Year banners and memorial bench for Puʻuloa Beach Park

The Honolulu City Council Committee on Parks reported out two resolutions for adoption accepting donated park fixtures at a remote meeting, including 14 Chinese New Year banners for Chinatown and a memorial bench for Puʻuloa Beach Park.

The first resolution, No. 24-296, accepts a gift of 14 fabricated Chinese New Year banners valued at $5,000 from Eddie Flores and the Better Chinatown Association to be displayed along Kekaulike Mall for the festivities. Ted Hayden, deputy director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, said, “These banners will be a great addition to the festivities for this Chinese New Year.” Hayden told the committee the banners are for the festivities, and he agreed to check whether temporary-banner rules apply in the Chinatown historic district and the expected time frame for display after committee members raised those questions.

The second resolution, No. 24-294, accepts a donated high-back traditional bench, site preparation and a bronze plaque from Aline Franklin on behalf of the family of Victoria “Cissy” Cravalo, valued at $2,594.67, for installation at Puʻuloa Beach Park. Hayden described the site work: “the preparation is to put down the concrete pad so that the bench can sit on it, and we do that for all of our benches.” Council members asked where within the park the bench will be placed; Hayden said the location has not yet been selected and agreed to provide details when they are finalized. The deputy also confirmed the donation’s listed funds cover the bench, plaque and ground preparation and that the installation would be coordinated with city standards.

Committee members asked whether temporary decorations in the Chinatown special district must meet particular standards and whether donated materials must meet the department’s park standards. Hayden said he believed the banners would need to meet the same standards as other gifts to parks but that he would check and report back. For the bench, Hayden confirmed the preparation work follows the department’s standard practice of installing a concrete pad.

There were no registered in-person or remote testifiers on either item. After discussion, the committee chair recommended both resolutions be reported out for adoption; the chair called for objections and, hearing none, ordered them reported out for adoption.

Items that require follow-up from staff include confirmation of any Chinatown temporary-banner regulations, the duration the banners will be displayed, and the precise location and installation schedule for the Puʻuloa Beach Park bench.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 24-296: Accept gift of 14 fabricated Chinese New Year banners (Eddie Flores / Better Chinatown Association), value $5,000; outcome: reported out for adoption (no roll-call objections recorded). - Resolution 24-294: Accept donation of bench, grounds preparation and bronze plaque (Aline Franklin / family of Victoria “Cissy” Cravalo), value $2,594.67; outcome: reported out for adoption (no roll-call objections recorded).