HAWAII OCEAN SAFETY TEAM
Advisory Board Meeting
October 15th, 2020
Virtually by Zoom
Attendance:
William Anonsen, Keri Benes, John Bravender, Mimi Cleary, Tom Collins, Ethan Creps, Ed Enos, Erika Janzen, Neil
Kanemoto, Teri Leicher, Michael MacDonald, Bill Marhoffer, Crescent Moegling, Gabe Nelson, Whit Olson, Brad
Rimmel, Mik Roer, John Titchen, and Petty Officer Bo Blacklaw (USCG) were in attendance virtually.
1. Call to Order: 2:08 pm. The meeting was called to order by Michael MacDonald.
2. Treasurer’s Report:
a. Current balance is $7210.92.
b. Taxes were not filed in 2019; Neil Kanemoto plans to file for both 2019 and 2020.
c. HOST’s address of record updated to 1110 Nuuanu Ave, #A1-125 Honolulu HI 96817
3. Old Business:
a. Little movement in getting legislative support for State funding for HOST. Bill Anonsen offered support.
4. New Business:
a. Regional Exam Center Honolulu has been testing mariners for months, although many RECs nationally
have not been operating at all. MSIB 08-20 Chapter 4 extends deadlines for MMC expirations, medical
and course completion certificates.
b. John Titchen provided an update on drowning/diving fatalities, which are down to 45% this year
because of the decrease in visitors. HOST will review whether the HOST SOP for diving/snorkelling needs
to be updated.
c. With tourism reopening, Ed Enos asked what HOST could do to encourage the parasail operators in
Kewalo Basin to operate only in their designated areas. HOST suggested USCG or USCG Auxiliary
involvement. More below.
d. The following HOST meeting dates were set for the upcoming year:
i. November 12th, 2020 Advisory Board
ii. December 10th, 2020 Advisory Board/General Membership
iii. January 14th, 2020, Advisory Board
iv. February 11th, 2021, Advisory Board
v. March 11th 2021, Advisory Board
vi. March 18th 2021, General Membership Meeting
vii. April 8th, 2021, Advisory Board
viii. May 13th, 2021, Advisory Board
ix. June 10th, 2021, Advisory Board
x. June 17th, 2021, General Membership Meeting
xi. July 8th, 2021, Advisory Board
xii. August 12th, 2021, Advisory Board
xiii. September 9th, 2021, Advisory Board
xiv. September 16th, 2021, General Membership Meeting5. USCG Concerns:
a. Petty Officer Blackwell reported that numerous sail drones will be in Hawaii AOR conducting work until
middle of November.
b. USCGC ASPEN recently moved Honolulu Harbor Buoys 1, 2, 5 for dredging. Michael MacDonald reported
an expected increase in tug and barge traffic associated with the Ala Wai dredging project.
c. HOST requested that the USCG reach out to parasail operators in Kewalo Harbor with a reminder to stay
within designated areas and outside of the Honolulu and Kewalo shipping channels.
d. Bill Marhoffer reported that MSRC will be briefing him and the Department of Health next week
regarding a plan to provide fixed wing dispersant capability from the west coast.
e. An Area Contingency Plan review is in the works.
6. City and County Concerns:
a. John Titchen reported that Hanauma Bay remains closed, with no timeline in place for reopening, but
mentioned that it is unlikely that it will open in 2020.
b. He also reported that Honolulu Fire Department is rapidly pulling out of the nearshore rescue mission,
while Ocean safety is stepping into the role due to a new ordnance which will take effect July 1, 2021
requiring Ocean Safety to provide a dawn to dusk rescue program.
7. NOAA/NWS
a. John Bravender reported that the National Weather Service is soliciting for input on its hazard
simplification project. The public is encouraged to weigh in on the verbiage changes being considered.
advisory for surf, tsunami. HOST will send oy these survey links:
i. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/highsurf
ii. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/tsunamiadvisory
b. Crescent Moegling mentioned the 2020 MOU for reopening harbors after setting condition Zulu for
heavy weather. She also reported that NOAA ship Rainier conducted bathymetric survey work which will
be compiled into chart updates. Ed Enos inquired about obtaining this updated bathymetric data.
8. Announcements: General Membership Meeting idea proposed by Michael MacDonald: A presentation by Healy
Tibbets on dredging.
9. Next Meetings:
a. Advisory Board Meeting: 2pm November 12th, 2020.
10. Adjourn 3:00 pm