When

February 18, 2025

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Where

Kapālama Hale Room 153
925 Dillingham Boulevard, Room 153, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, 96817

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NU‘UANU – PUNCHBOWL NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 12

Candidate Registration is
Now Open for 2025
Neighborhood Board Elections!

All current board members of the 2023-2025 Board term will need to register for the new term. Registration and candidate profile forms will not roll over from the previous Neighborhood Elections.

Important Dates:
• Friday, December 20, 2024 – Candidate and Voter Registration Begins
• Friday, February 21, 2025 – Candidate Filing and Voter Registration Deadline
• Friday, April 25, 2025 – Voting Begins
• Friday, May 16, 2025 – Voting Ends

For more information
Visit https://web5.hnl.info/nbe or https://www8.honolulu.gov/nco/

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
7:00 p.m.
Video-Teleconference: The Board will be making a good-faith effort to provide the public with the opportunity to observe the meeting as it happens and an opportunity to provide oral testimony without a physical presence in the physical meeting room, in accordance with the Governor’s Eighth Supplementary Proclamation, Related to the COVID-19 Emergency. Please ensure that your computer or phone is muted unless you are speaking.

Please join us by Webex
Meeting link: https://cchnl.webex.com/cchnl/j.php?MTID=m22265d6903aed1cdfb69d62e9e22bc7c
Meeting number/Access code: 2493 014 7034
Password: NB12 (6212 from phones and video systems)
Join by phone: +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll

Physical location: Kapālama Hale 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Room 260, Honolulu, HI 96817
*This is an alternative meeting location open to public participation.

Board Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Th_r5SpEofyVf6k1XoeuiP9z_Xfa77xN
Board Meeting Recordings: https://www.youtube.com/@NeighborhoodCommissionOffice/search?query=nuuanu

Rules of Speaking: Anyone wishing to speak is asked to raise his/her hand, and when recognized by the Chair, to address comments to the Chair. Our public and elected officials giving reports are encouraged to keep their comments to less than three (3) minutes, board member’s comments limited to two minutes for each order of business, presenters are limited to 10 (ten) minutes for the presentation portion and community member input is limited to two (2) minutes per participant. Please silence all electronic devices.
Note: The Board may take action on any agenda item. As required by the State Sunshine Law (HRS Ch. 92), specific issues not noted on this agenda cannot be voted on, unless added to the agenda. A two-thirds (2/3) vote (10) of this 15-member Board is needed to add an item to the agenda. Adding an item to the agenda, however, is not permitted if (1) the item to be added is of reasonably major importance and (2) action on the item by the board will affect a significant number of persons. Determination of whether a specific matter may be added to an agenda must be done on a case-by-case basis.

I. CALL TO ORDER- Chair Patrick Smith

II. ANNOUCEMENT OF SUNSHINE LAW RULES FOR BOARD MEMBERS AND PUBLIC

III. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS (Limited to three (3) minutes each)
A. Honolulu Fire Department
B. Honolulu Police Department
1. District 1
2. District 5
3. Neighborhood Security Watch Reports – Paula Kurashige
C. Board of Water Supply

IV. FILLING OF VACANCIES
There are two (2) vacancies in Subdistrict 1 (Punchbowl).
(Proof of residency required, Oath of Office, as needed)

V. REPORT FROM NONBOARD EVENTS
A. OahuMPO (Metro Planning Org) – Rae Gee
B. Papakolea Community Updates – Adrienne Dillard

VI. RESIDENTS’/COMMUNITY CONCERNS (Limited to three (3) minutes each)

VII. ELECTED OFFICIALS (Limited to three (3) minutes each)
A. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – Director Kim Hashiro
B. Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam
C. Governor Josh Green’s Representative
D. District 13 Senator Karl Rhoads
E. District 27 Representative Jenna Takenouchi
F. Federal Elected Officers & other Elected Officials

VIII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Sunshine Law related restrictions on board activity
B. Sales of Potentially Illegal Marijuana Products at Stores in District & Legalization of Recreational Marijuana Presentation – Larry Smith
C. Pali Highway Pedestrian Safety Concerns
D. Approval of Tuesday, January 21, 2025 Meeting Minutes

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Board Elections Deadline of Friday, February 21, 2025 at 4:00PM
B. Next Regular Board Meeting – The next Nu’uanu/Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12 meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

X. ADJOURNMENT

A mailing list is maintained for interested persons and agencies to receive this Board’s agenda and minutes. Additions, corrections, and deletions to the mailing list may be directed to the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) at Kapālama Hale, 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Suite 160, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96817; Telephone (808) 768-3710 Fax (808) 768-3711; or Email nco@honolulu.gov. Agendas and minutes are also available on the internet at www.honolulu.gov/nco

If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability or an interpreter for a language other than English, please call the Neighborhood Commission Office at (808) 768-3710 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or send an email to nco@honolulu.gov at least three (3) business days before the scheduled meeting. It may not be possible to fulfill requests received after this date.

All written testimony must be received in the Neighborhood Commission Office 48 hours prior to the meeting. If within 48 hours, written and/or oral testimony may be submitted directly to the Board at the meeting. If submitting written testimony, please note the Board and agenda item(s) your testimony concerns. Send to: Neighborhood Commission Office, 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Suite 160 Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96817. Fax: (808) 768-3711. Email: nbtestimony@honolulu.gov

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025 7:00 P.M.
KAPĀLAMA HALE CONFERENCE ROOM 260 – 925 DILLINGHAM BOULEVARD, HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI, 96817 AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieFwSQn-02s

Reports and other meeting materials can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Th_r5SpEofyVf6k1XoeuiP9z_Xfa77xN

I. CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:21]

Vice Chair Gee called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Quorum was established with 9 members present. (Note – This 15-member Board requires eight (8) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action.)

Board Members Present – Paula Kurashige, Sylvia Young, Katherine Grebe, Mason Aiona, Rae Gee, Audrey Hidano, Meghan Kenny, Jill Easley Allen, and Adrienne Dillard.

Board Members Absent – Phillip Soon, Patrick Smith, Michael Lum, and Kaapuni Kama.

Guests – Lieutenant Sagucio – District 1, Lieutenant Yamashita – District 5 (Honolulu Police Department); Firefighter McKee (Honolulu Fire Department); Jimmy Yanos (Board of Water Supply-BWS); Director Kim Hashiro (Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative); Kayla S. (Governor Josh Green’s Representative); Sara Thorn (Senator Karl Rhoads’ Office); Lisa Leonardo (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam’s Office); Representative Jenna Takenouchi; Gary Kikuchi, Pat, Kaulana, William N., and Ronald Higa (residents and guests); Rachel Cristobal (Neighborhood Commission Office-NCO). Note: Name was not included if not
legible. Total of 26 participants.

II. ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUNSHINE LAW RULES FOR BOARD MEMBERS AND PUBLIC – [0:00:57]

Vice Chair Gee announced there is a rule in the Sunshine Law that is now in effect, so the Board is not allowed to ask questions when elective officials are making their reports. However, members of the public are able to ask unless the agenda specifies the topic to let the general public know what questions that Board Members will ask. If anyone would like a copy of what was provided by the Office of Information Practices, a copy can be provided.

III. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:02:46]

Honolulu Fire Department – [0:02:59]: Firefighter McKee reported the monthly statistics for the month of December 2024. The fire safety tip for the month was in regards to electrical fire safety.
● Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rj73aZSKwzAmIQ6GbzaPIrlIjUnZfAOc/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed – [0:04:29]

Honolulu Police Department – [0:05:22]:
● District 1 – [0:05:24]: Lieutenant Sagucio reported the monthly statistics for the month of December 2024 and that car break ins have been increasing, but have not reached breach levels. He encouraged the community members to be more active in locking their vehicles when left unattended. Currently they’re still compiling some of the firework violation statistics. The safety tip of the month of January is in regards to impaired and aggressive driving.

● District 5 – [0:09:07]: Lieutenant Yamashita reported the monthly statistics for the month of December 2024. He provided updates on concerns regarding Stream Drive and Pali Highway that numerous citations were given in the area of Pali Highway.

Neighborhood Security Watch Reports – [0:10:57]: Paula Kurashige reported the following:
● Starting on the Pali Highway where Nuʻuanu Avenue and Pauoa Road going to Wood Street, the speeding has caused 13 ducks to be killed. They aren’t being cleaned up afterwards.
● Vaping has been brought up because it causes a medical dissertation like fentanyl. It has a chemical that will affect teenagers and can cause bronchial bronchiolitis obliterans.
● During the December 2024’s meeting, technology devices that can be placed into the yard was mentioned, so that the community could be aware that their cell phone will be notified if someone were to enter their property.
● Shared that the group called Tran De Aragua is not in Hawaiʻi and provided other updates on the group.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [0:15:56]: Jimmy Yanos reported the following:
● Updates on two projects which included the Nuʻuanu Reservoir Number 1.
● 3 water main breaks
● Perform A Home Water Audit: Board of Water Supply’s Water Wisdom Program offers tools to help customers conserve and detect leaks
○ To watch a short video on conducting your own water audit: www.boardofwatersupply.com/waterwisdom
● Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I1n5OB8uW4hQzvY0kr4lPeI7s4cyJ-NS/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=101205618811575423434&rtpof=true&sd=true

IV. FILLING OF VACANCIES – [0:19:16] – Hearing none.

V. REPORT FROM NONBOARD EVENTS – [0:20:00]

OahuMPO (Metro Planning Org) – [0:20:04]: Vice Chair Gee reported the following:
● Meetings are on the 1st Wednesdays of the month
● Her name was listed on the roll, so now the Nuʻuanu Neighborhood Board is officially recognized as members.
● Director Garrity gave a report about 2 committees which were the Technical Advisory Committee and the Policy Board Meetings at the OahuMPO meeting. Member Gee provided details about the committees.
● Director Garrity shared his experience during his travels when they went on an official business to look at complete street projects in other countries.

Papakolea Community Updates – [0:23:56]: Member Dillard reported the following:
● Expressed gratitude towards Representative Jenna Takenouchi for getting the walking trail behind the Chinese Bone House to Pauoa School.
● Expressed gratitude towards Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam for having them moved from #45 to #17 on the list to receive speed bumps in front of the Papakolea Park.
● Annual Health Fair: Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Lincoln Elementary
● Updates regarding Kapuna Supportive Living Center

VI. RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS – [0:27:21]

CIP Budget – [0:27:40]: Member Kurashige wanted to know why their Board does not receive a letter regarding the CIP budget, so that they can provide their input from their neighborhood. Vice Chair Gee shared a few details regarding OahuMPO and provided a link in the chat regarding the State budget – https://budget.hawaii.gov/budget/executive-supplemental-budget-fiscal-year-2025/

VII. ELECTED OFFICIALS – [0:31:54]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – [0:32:04]: Director Hashiro reported the following:
● Highlights from the newsletter regarding “The Eddie”, new landfill site on Oʻahu, Councilmember Calvin Say retiring after nearly five decades of public service, 40th Honolulu City Lights celebration wraps up, and the City wins a $2 million grant for affordable housing development in Iwilei.
● Registration for the 2025 Neighborhood Board Elections is open
○ Candidate and Voter Registration are available at www.honolulu.gov/nco
● City seeks Ocean Safety Commissioner candidates for 2025 launch
○ Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter by Friday, January 31, 2025, to mdoffice@honolulu.gov
● No departmental follow ups, but did take note of Member Kurashigeʻs request for the Cityʻs CIP budget and provided a link in the chat – https://www8.honolulu.gov/bfs/executive-program-and-budget/
● Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kw0O8EpqdZfNzIOGZw8UHk0_E6JOG2sm/view?usp=drive_link
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:35:43]

Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam – [0:38:27]: No representative present.
Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [0:38:55]: Kayla S. reported the following:
● Celebrating a Year of Progress:
○ 2,451 affordable units to be completed by the end of 2024
○ 7,796 displaces Maui residents housed
○ 554 total people assisted with their loans from the Hawaiʻi Education Loan Repayment Program (HELP)
○ 79 of the 554 people were able to pay off their loans completely
○ 17 kauhale completed to date
○ The largest income tax cut in Hawaiʻi’s history was signed into law, reducing income tax payments by 71% by 2031.
● Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fPSMefVPB92nf2B40SwUB72mt6SrvNzv/view?usp=drive_link

District 13 Senator Karl Rhoads – [0:41:01]: Sara Thorn reported the following:
● Updated 2024-2025 COVID vaccine has been improved for use
● The Hawai’i Department of Transportation will be receiving 1.6 million in discretionary grant funding to explore feasibility of constructing a Cap Park
● Report from the Oahʻu Invasive Species Committee
● Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ma3Q5O6B6uZGxdUvJIw_rbfY4ZGvoI7R/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=101205618811575423434&rtpof=true&sd=true

District 27 Representative Jenna Takenouchi – [0:43:34]: Representative Takenouchi reported the following:
● People’s Voice survey from her office: bit.ly/peoplesvoice2025
● Hosting a Town Hall relating to speeding on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
● Updates on what she has been doing such as receiving a new position as the Vice Chair of the Finance Committee
● There is a rise in phishing scams – Fraud resources: https://cca.hawaii.gov/education/

Federal Elected Officers & other Elected Officials – [0:50:18]: None.

VIII. BOARD BUSINESS – [0:52:35]

Sunshine Law Related Restrictions on Board Activity – [0:53:02]: Vice Chair Gee shared an email that was provided by Chair Smith that was sent to him relating to what was discussed at the All-Chairs Meeting. She briefly went over that Board Members weren’t allowed to ask questions unless it relates to what the presenter is reporting on or the item is listed on the agenda. Only members of the community may ask questions. Vice Chair Gee asked if there is a motion to discuss the item on the agenda [0:58:19]. MOVED by Member Young and SECONDED by Member Grebe to discuss the Sunshine board Law business [0:58:42]. A voice vote was conducted. Due to not being able to identify the exact number of votes, a roll call vote was conducted. The motion was NOT ADOPTED 5-4-0 (Aye: Aiona, Easley Allen, Gee, Grebe, and Young; Nay: Dillard, Hidano, Kenney, and Kurashige; Abstain: None) [1:01:16].

Governmental Policy Related to Management of Ducks – [1:01:38]: Member Kurashige shared that she wanted to know what are the plans for the Hawaiian Ducks because they are interbreeding with the mallard ducks. She would also like to know why they are not being saved like the Nene Goose. The concerns came up because 13 ducks had been killed in front of her house due to speeding along the Pali Highway. Member Kurashige MOVED that she would like to know what are the plans from the State and the City and County to save the ducks, however there was NO SECOND, so the motion FAILED [1:04:31].

Nuuanu Valley Park Operation and Security – [1:05:54]: Member Kurashige expressed a concern regarding Nuʻuanu Valley Park may potentially get an encampment due to the Security that was at Queen Emmaʻs has been let go.

Traffic Law Enforcement by Sheriff and Deputies – [1:09:28]: Vice Chair Gee had explained why she had added it to the agenda. Item was deferred.

Pali Highway Pedestrian Safety Concerns – [1:10:55]: Member Kurashige stated that residents on Wood Street would like flashing lights, so that they can cross the 6 lanes to get to the bus on the other side. Member Easley Allen expressed that there have been more encampments going up to Pauoa heading to Kailua. The homeless are running across the street causing vehicles having to stop suddenly. She is wondering how a sweep can be done.

Approval of Tuesday, November 19, 2024 Meeting Minutes – [1:16:49]: No amendments; the minutes were APPROVED as written 9-0-0 (Aye: Aiona, Easley Allen, Gee, Grebe, Young, Dillard, Hidano, Kenney, and Kurashige; Nay: None. Abstain: None) [1:17:34].

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS – [1:17:49]

Next Regular Board Meeting – The next Nu’uanu/Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12 meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

X. ADJOURNMENT – [1:18:10]: adjourned the meeting at 8:19 p.m.

Submitted by: Rachel Cristobal, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Spencer Johnson, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Finalized by:

To view agenda and minutes, visit our board website.

Event shows physical location; however, other options of participation may also include WebEx and phone. If available, instructions for WebEx and phone can be found at the top of the agenda.