HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Meeting Debriefing FINAL_10_1_08Envision Downtown Hilo 2025
2nd Town Meeting
DEBRIEFING RESULTS
A compilation of feedback from all who attended the Debriefing Luncheon on October 1, and
from VisionKeepers and LSP Exhibitors who emailed their responses to the following
questions:
What was good about the Town Meeting?
• Pace and length of the program was just right ✓✓
• The panel discussion was strong (the timing and the content was good) 0�
• Kids participation VA/V
1. Downtown Dynamos
2. Clubs — Leo and Kiwanis
3. Democracy Class
4. Youth performance good
• Audience Participationv
• It was hard to pull people away from the LSP exhibits when the program was about to
sta rt
• Everyone seemed engaged and people's attention kept building
• Venue 0/V
• More focused✓
• Good job getting the word out
• Jackie Johnson✓
• Key pad polling✓✓✓✓
1. Immediate feedback
2. Data was revealing and gives us an inclination in some of the attitudes, although
the sampling was not extensive enough to give a definitive statement
3. Key Pad Polling was great and caught everyone's attention
4. Questions on demographics gave more meaning to results
• Waiting on giving out refreshments kept the people there
• The opportunity for interaction at the LSP exhibitsv
• Having the exhibit tables out on the streets, instead of the lobby
• Energy and engagement
• Diversity of the audience
• The food
• The cookies
• Alice Moon
• Taiko Drumsvv
• Not having LSP reports made people want to /have to go out to talk to them at their
tables
• Locating the LSP booths outside captured the attention of those who might be driving or
walking by
• Town Meeting is a good status report back to the community -- where we are, how
we're doing, what we're focusing on, what's next, etc.
• Organization and set up
• The ability to see displays after initial presentation
• Organizational process went smoothly
1. Providing money upfront for contractor was useful and appreciated
2. Contractor enjoyed working closely with Vision Keeper representative and
Planning Dept. liaison
• Sign Language Interpreter
What can we do differently?
• Key pad polling could have been done earlier in the program — perhaps before and after
the panel discussion
• Should have showcased implemented and /or upcoming projects it/VV /V6/VVV
1. More reporting —what's been done; what's ongoing
2. Could have bragged a little more and given information on what's coming up in
the future
3. More updating would have been better
4. Highlight what's been done
5. Celebrate successes
6. Showcase implemented projects
7. Use the next Town Meeting to prioritize actions
8. Suggest using stickers coded by organization and have people sign up to help
implement projects —that way it is easy to see who can collaborate
• Not a fan of Panel discussion
• More key pad questionsv
• Include a story from an elder (to balance with youth participation)
• A special invitation to a class from UHH
• The modifications to the Plan and the new sustainability measures should have been
highlighted more
• Refine audience question /answer— perhaps submit questions in writing — then select a
few — have questions read by facilitator✓✓
• Potentially might want to have more questions for the panel, just in case participation
from audience is low
• The tent layout was great, but space was needed between tablesv
• Key LSPs should have had more space to exhibit0,
• Should have highlighted — in the program — what was outside at the LSP exhibits
• More youth participation
1. They could make some kind of presentation
2. Island Dance Academy students could have been asked to perform
3. Clarify ahead of time exactly how youth can be involved; i.e. plan for a class
project
4. Designate a VK point person to call local school principles and network with
teachers
• Panel table should have been moved for better view of screen during the key pad
polling
• PowerPoint presentation of LSP projects — perhaps 2 slides per LSP
• Visual displays were good, but could have been more reader friendly, especially maps
• PowerPoint for Panelists
• Better way of collecting key pads
• Tuesday night may not have been the best night of the week
• "Town Meeting — Welcome All" Banner at both ends of Haili Street at Keawe and Kam
Ave would help; does not need to be extra large.
• Panel presentation did not capture and hold the audience. Perhaps a format where all
panelists engage and share their mana'o on specific topics; giving their perspectives and
positions; how it affects their businesses, areas, etc. would be more engaging
• Have available a sign -up sheet for people who want to get involved, with brief
descriptions of volunteer positions available, the hours, and contact information
• LSPs didn't get fed
• People hung out to talk around food and created congestion — move to the side of lobby
• Have a parking assistant on Kam Ave
• Clearly define logistical roles and responsibilities, for example:
1. Ordering food for LSP Gatherings
2. Meet with graphic designer to discuss ideas before she starts working in order
to cut down on "redo" hours
3. Find ways to allow more time for set -up, and debrief volunteers the day
before the event
• The panelists should have spoken on their strengths
• Some LSP exhibitors did not feel that the outcome was worth the effort
• Should have made an announcement that the LSPs were outside
• Should have solicited ideas from LSPs on exhibits
• Homelessness issue should have been highlighted
• Sustainability Measures in Action Plan should have been emphasized
NEXT STEPS
• Validate people who attended
• Do something with the data — perhaps choose one project to work one
• Mahalo note in newspaper
• Find a way to keep youth involved — perhaps ask high school democracy class (who
attended) to come back and make a report
• Meet with Hilo High School Democracy class
• Reconfirm involvement /commitment of LSPs /SPs
• Focus on just a few BIG projects and follow through on the Easy Wins with a Quarterly
Public Report
• Keep working on all fronts, update goals, keep working toward mini - successes
• Develop ways to galvanize even more community input, support, and action
• Educate people on the Vision through smaller group meetings
• Create a gathering space for youth (play pool, meet, hang out in a safe place)
• Move forward with the Plan
• Meet with LSPs throughout year rather than only prior to the Town Meeting
• LSPs to work on one big 'easy win' togethery
• Establish better communication methodology with LSPs, such as an email newsletter
• Continue using key pad polling