NU‘UANU – PUNCHBOWL NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 12

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
February 17, 2026
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=mc7a7040282033e0d2de2bc5b0070f6b9
Meeting number/Access code: 2497 187 9026
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 153, 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 – Rae Gee, Chair

II. ROLL CALL – Neighborhood Assistant Zhoydell Magaoay

III. STATUS REPORTS – Three (3) minutes maximum, questions to follow.
Reports can be found on the board’s shared drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Y5eCxbwTKi-vMx3VSZYqwwhbV_WumRpq
A. Honolulu Fire Department (HFD)
B. Honolulu Police Department (HPD)
1. District 1 Report – Central Oʻahu (Downtown Honolulu, Liliha Street (below School Street)., Punahou Street (Roundtop Drive – Ala Moana Beach & Aloha Tower, & Pali Highway))
2. District 5 Report – Kalihi (Āliamanu to the Pali Highway (west to east) and from the rim of the Koʻolau Range to the central southeastern shoreline of Oʻahu.)
C. Neighborhood Security Watch/Community Policing Report – Paula Kurashige
D. Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Jimmy Yanos
1. Dowsett Water Improvements Project update
2. 2800 Pacific Heights Road BWS Water Tank Update on the grass/landscaping

IV. BOARD VACANCIES – Subdistrict 1 (Punchbowl) Invitation to the public to serve and call for candidates to volunteer.
A. There are five (5) vacant positions: Four (4) in Subdistrict 1 (Punchbowl) and One (1) in Subdistrict 2. Appointment is through June 2027, three minutes per candidate.
V. REPORTS FROM NON-BOARD EVENTS – Brief announcements by board members and the public on events, activities and general information directly relating to the Nuuanu Punchbowl neighborhood areas.
A. Papakōlea Community Updates – Mike Lum/Lilia Kapuniai
B. Oʻahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Statewide Transportation Project Updates – Oahu Regional Transportation Plan (ORTP) update. https://oahumpo.org/ortp/

VI. RESIDENTS’/COMMUNITY CONCERNS – Limited to three (3) minutes each.
A. Nuʻuanu Valley Park – Requests to DPR to: (1) change the Parkʻs “walking path” lights; (2) Hau Tree & Monkey Pod Tree Canopy Trimming DPR Div. Urban Forestry Update; (3) The Parkʻs parking lot light bulbs for safety need to be brighter. – resident Mike Ellis
B. City & County of Honolulu Capital Improvement Projects Inquiry – Paula Kurashige
C. Rockfall on Highway 51 – Pali Highway Pauoa Road On-Ramp – Paula Kurashige

VII. OFFICIAL’S REPORTS- Limited to five (5) minutes each, reports should relate to issues of interest to residents of the Nuuanu and Punchbowl areas.
A. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – Kim Hashiro
B. Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam – Lisa Leonardo
C. Governor Josh Green’s Representative – Kayla Setzler
D. District 13 Senator Karl Rhoads
E. District 27 Representative Jenna Takenouchi
F. Federal Elected Officers & Other Elected Officials

VIII. MEETING MINUTES
A. Approval of the draft November 18, 2025 meeting minutes.
B. Approval of the draft January 20, 2026 meeting minutes.

IX. PRESENTATIONS – Ten (10) minutes per speaker. Questions to follow. Discussion or action as needed.
A. None

X. BOARD BUSINESS – For discussion/action. Five (5) minutes per item.
A. Update on the Pali Highway Transportation Projects – Ryan Nakata, Department of Transportation (DOT)
i. Wood Street Crosswalk Noise Issue Update -resident Mark Oyama
ii. Pali Highway and Wood Street Crosswalk 4-inch High Curb Trip Hazard – resident Pat
iii. DOT Noise Study of Other Pali Hwy Crosswalks Update – resident Mark Oyama
iv. DOT Traffic Delineators & the potential switch to a different type of material.
v. 2024 Pali Hwy Resurfacing Project Update – ADA sidewalks compliance assessment.
vi. Speed Cameras Project Update request made by resident L. Motoyama.
B. Punchbowl Cesspools Projects Update – Mike Lum
C. Annual In-Person Board Meeting – Request for an in-person board meeting once during the year on April 21, 2026 potential date and proposal to use the Pauoa Elementary School limited to 2 hours only tentative hours 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
D. Motion to Consider Temporarily Change Vacant Subdistrict Seats to At-Large Seats until June 2027.
E. Motion to Consider Permanently Converting Subdistrict Seats to At-Large Seats.

XI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Next Regular Board Meeting- Nu’uanu-Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12 will recess in March 2026. The next meeting is scheduled for April 21, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. (tentative start time) at the Pauoa Elementary School Cafeteria Dining Room.

XII. 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 call Neighborhood Assistant Zhoydell Magaoay at (808) 768-4224 or e-mail zhoydell.magaoay@honolulu.gov. Agendas and minutes are also available on the internet at www.honolulu.gov/nco.

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.

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 as soon as possible, preferably at least three (3) business days before the scheduled meeting. If a request is received with fewer than three (3) business days remaining before the meeting, we will try to obtain the auxiliary aid/service or accommodation, but it may not be possible to fulfill requests received after this date.

DRAFT MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026 at 7:00 P.M.
KAPĀLAMA HALE, CONFERENCE ROOM 153 — 925 DILLINGHAM BOULEVARD, HONOLULU, HI 96817 AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING
Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD5JKtswC6w
Reports and other meeting materials can be found at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Th_r5SpEofyVf6k1XoeuiP9z_Xfa77xN
CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:10]: Vice Chair Mike Lum called the Nuʻuanu-Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12 meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. No quorum was established with seven (7) members present. Note: This 15-member Board requires eight (8) members to establish quorum and to take official board action.
ROLL CALL – [0:00:20]: Neighborhood Assistant Zhoydell Magaoay conducted the roll call and confirmed no quorum with seven (7) members present.
Members Present: Mike Lum, Larry Smith, Patrick Smith, Sylvia Young, Audrey Hidano, Kathy Grebe, and Jill Easley Allen
Members Absent: Rae Gee, Kaulana Lee, Paula Kurashige, and Mason Aiona
Guests: Captain Jonathan O’Neill (Honolulu Fire Department – HFD); Sergeant Rich Casabar (Honolulu Police Department – HPD District 1); Sergeant Edward Tabanera, Lieutenant Yamashita (Honolulu Police Department – HPD District 5); Director Kim Hashiro (Mayor’s Representative); Lisa Leonardo (Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam’s Office); Kayla Setzler (Governor’s Representative); Mia Ogata (Senator Karl Rhoads’s Office); Representative Takenouchi, Kelton Cheney (Representative Jenna Takenouchi’s Office); Jimmy Yanos (Board of Water Supply – BWS); Lilia Kapuniai (Pāpakōlea Community Development Corporation); Hailama Farden (Office of Hawaiian Affairs); Mike Buck (C.O.R.E.); Joseph Choo, Nathan Char, Terrie Easley, Pat Taira, Leimomi Motoyama, Francie Luana Whitfield (Residents/Guests); Zhoydell Magaoay (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: The names of any attendees who were illegible were not included. There were 33 total participants.
STATUS REPORTS – [0:01:40]
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – [0:01:45]: Captain O’Neill reported the following statistics.
December 2025 Statistics: There were six (6) activated alarms with no fire, 73 medical calls, five (5) motor vehicle crash collisions, and three (3) mountain rescues.
Safety Tip – Electrical Safety: Plug one heat-producing appliance (coffee maker, toaster, etc.) into a wall receptacle outlet at a time. Major appliances (refrigerators, dryers, stoves) should be plugged directly into wall receptacles. Electrical cords should not run across doorways, and extension cords are intended for temporary use only – do not use them for permanent wiring.
Contact/Info: fire.honolulu.gov (Fire Response Search Tool under News & Info). Email: hfdnhb@honolulu.gov (for questions—not 911).
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17w6N60TK0erP2hIUrId4UuNqnzoZQ3kZ/view?usp=drive_link
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – District 1 (Central) – [0:03:50]: Sergeant Casabar reported the following statistics.
December 2025 Statistics: There were five (5) motor vehicle thefts (previous: 6), five (5) burglaries (previous: 3), seven (7) thefts (previous: 3), six (6) unauthorized entry to motor vehicles (UEMV) (previous: 2), three (3) assaults (previous: 0), 21 motor vehicle collisions (previous: 27), and 595 total calls for service (previous: 567).
Notes: Nightly enforcement along parks in Makiki/Punchbowl area continued to keep park closure violations down, with approximately ten (10) criminal citations issued in December 2025. District 1 Sector 1 and 2 officers continue to engage with speeding enforcement along Pali Highway and H-1. District 1 also participates with safer road programs, with officers citing drivers for cell phone use, speeding, and other unsafe acts. Four (4) traffic fatalities have occurred this month, same as last year.
Safety Tip: Pay attention to driving at all times and be aware of speed.
Announcements: District 1 is hosting a “Coffee with a Cop” on January 27, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Starbucks at Ala Moana near Dave & Busters.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:06:23]
1. Fireworks Violations: Member Young asked if there were any fireworks violations in the area, and Sergeant Casabar responded that there was one arrest on New Year’s Eve in the District 1 area, specifically on the lower Makiki side.
2. Homeless Person at Business Driveway: Member Young asked if anyone had complained about a homeless person sleeping in the driveway of a business at the corner of Pauoa Road and Kanealii Avenue (formerly dog grooming academy), noting the person uses the driveway as a bathroom and neighbors are concerned about odor. Sergeant Casabar responded that he had not received that call and would check with officers, noting that if the property owner allows the person to stay there, HPD cannot enforce on private property. He suggested calling the state for business health code violations or the Department of Health.
3. Public Comment – Speed Enforcement Appreciation: Resident Joseph Choo thanked District 1 HPD for stepping up speed limit enforcement on Pali Highway for the third consecutive month, seeing officers at multiple times and locations. He also thanked Senator Karl Rhoads for his efforts to include Pali Highway in the next rollout of speed enforcement cameras in 2026, and thanked both Senator Rhoads and Representative Jenna Takenouchi for meeting with him to discuss this issue.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – District 5 (Kalihi/Pali corridor) – [0:13:30]: Sergeant Tabanera reported the following statistics.
December 2025 Statistics: There were two (2) auto thefts (compared to zero in November), four (4) burglaries (compared to zero in November), three (3) simple assaults (up from two in November), six (6) thefts (up from two in November), three (3) UEMV (car break-ins) (up from two in November), and 801 total calls for service (compared to 808 in November).
Pali Highway Speeding Statistics: 43 speeding citations were issued for the Pali Highway area from Wyllie to the tunnels, northbound and southbound.
Safety Tips – Pedestrian Safety: Be aware, wear light or reflective clothing when walking at night, and use marked crosswalks when available. Highly visible clothing is especially important in low-light areas to help pedestrian safety, particularly for children.
Announcements: Lieutenant Yamashita announced a “Coffee with a Cop” event on Friday, March 6, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at McDonald’s at 414 North School Street (Liliha McDonald’s).
Neighborhood Security Watch Report – [0:17:10]: Pat Taira reported for Paula Kurashige, who was experiencing technical issues. Taira stated that Neighborhood Security Watch activity extends from outside the house to inside, and recommended that residents ensure their WiFi passwords are more than ten characters long to help keep networks secure.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [0:18:48]: Jimmy Yanos reported on the Lower Nuʻuanu (Puiwa/Dowsett) Water System Improvements Project, noting all State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) approvals were secured, with updated design standards for service laterals under revision that may eliminate the need for cathodic protection system modifications, and work expected to begin by summer with continued updates to the board, while no main breaks occurred in December 2025. Additionally, the Water Sensible Rebate Program, a BWS-Department of Environmental Services partnership, has doubled many rebates, with residents now eligible to receive $150 for Energy Star clothes washers, $200 for WaterSense toilets, and $400 for smart water monitors, while commercial customers qualify for higher rebates on plumbing and kitchen equipment, with more details available at www.boardofwatersupply.com/rebates.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18SB4NgMAL0zEMv5-axgCTnL_egy45-bz/view?usp=drive_link
• Rebates: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TQeDzJpjLmYMnyi37OF3IJ_mWgQ7L8zJ/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:20:47]
1. Building Permit Status: Member Hidano asked about the status of building permits for the Lower Nuʻuanu project since SHPD approval was received, noting the process has taken almost two years. Yanos responded that the information he received did not mention building permit status but would follow up with the team. Member Hidano requested an update by the next day on where the process stands at the building department.
2. Project Start Timeline: Member Hidano asked for a more specific timeline than “summer” – whether June, July, or August – understanding things can change. Yanos agreed to ask the team for a more specific month.
3. Dead Grass Around Water Tank: Member Patrick Smith reported that grass around the water tank at approximately 2800 Pacific Heights Road has been dead for a long time and never came back despite recent rain. He asked if BWS sprayed something on the grass or what happened. Yanos agreed to ask the team about what happened with the grass around the tank.
BOARD VACANCIES – Subdistrict 1 (Punchbowl) – [0:25:14]
Four (4) vacant seats with appointments through June 2027 had no candidates come forward during the meeting. Member Young questioned about Mason Aiona’s seat in Subdistrict 2, noting he hasn’t been seen since July 2025. Vice Chair Lum noted that Aiona has been absent three times and will put an agenda item on for next month’s meeting to address the potential empty seat in Subdistrict 2.
REPORTS FROM NON-BOARD EVENTS – [0:28:31]
Papakōlea Community Updates – [0:28:49]: Lilia Kapuniai, Executive Director of Pāpakōlea Community Development Corporation, provided updates on the Punchbowl area’s Native Hawaiian Education and Culture Center project for Pālolo slopes, addressing long-standing issues with invasive species and homeless encampments. Following July 2025 site control from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL), community and co-design meetings yielded a master plan with conceptual drawings, with phase two fundraising underway for building permits, detailed construction plans, and capital infrastructure improvements. Upcoming activities include neighborhood watch training on February 2, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., an ʻŌlelo session on the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and Prince Kūhiō featuring homestead mele, basketball court visioning and planning initiatives, and gathering ʻŌlelo from kūpuna who gifted the land back to DHHL.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:31:08]
1. Historical Film Resource: Member Young mentioned that Clarence Ku Ching, the first chairman of Neighborhood Board No. 12, passed away in September 2025. She suggested that the Pāpakōlea group borrow a film from the State Library or University of Hawaii called “I Nā Maka O Ka ʻĀina” (produced with state funds through culture and arts), used in 1981 and available at the library and on PBS, which talks about the neighborhood board and historic sites. She asked if they would plan to show this film to honor Ku Ching, possibly at the April in-person meeting. Kapuniai expressed appreciation for the suggestion and noted it would be refreshing to acknowledge significant sites from a different lens.
2. Board Vacancy Representation: Member Grebe complimented Kapuniai on her wonderful report, enthusiasm, and positivity, suggesting she would make a good board member. She asked if Kapuniai could think of anyone who would want to serve on the board and why the board might be missing all four smart seats in Punchbowl. Kapuniai noted that Puni retired about 11 years ago and she stepped in to manage the organization, but would consider identifying candidates.
Oʻahu MPO Updates – [0:45:30]: No meeting; no report.
RESIDENTS’/COMMUNITY CONCERNS – [0:45:46]
1. Left Turn Traffic Light Request – [0:46:03]: Leimomi Motoyama requested installation of a left turn traffic light at Pauoa Road and Pacific Heights Road due to heavy left-turn traffic from care home workers and several annual accidents, with difficulty turning left against oncoming straight traffic. Vice Chair Lum suggested a traffic study or feasibility assessment of a signalized intersection. Member Smith expressed concerns about traffic impacts, noting extensive board consultations with DTS when the first left turn signal was installed at Pacific Heights and Pali intersection encountered significant departmental resistance. Member Young added the intersection wasn’t originally designed for traffic signals, with changes ten years ago causing backups affecting residents going straight or right-turning into Pali Road, complicated by parking constraints at Lynn’s Simon. Member Grebe emphasized the 10-year timeline from complaint to implementation of current design, noting the intersection remains confusing after 40 years and could be redesigned. Director Hashiro will consult with appropriate departments and follow up on a possible traffic study.
2. Repaving Request on Auwaiolimu Street – [0:47:59]: Leimomi Motoyama requested repaving of Auwaiolimu Street from Lusitana Street toward the end near Nehoa Street, noting there are patches all over and it’s never been repaved, causing tire wear and neck problems. She suggested humps could be added due to speeding issues, but her main concern is repaving the approximately quarter-mile stretch. Vice Chair Lum noted they would pass the concerns to Lisa Leonardo (councilmember’s representative) and Director Hashiro. Nathan Char, Chair of the Makiki Neighborhood Board, offered to take the concerns back to his board as well.
3. Billboard Definition Inquiry – [0:56:33]: Resident Terrie Easley asked what constitutes a billboard in Hawaiʻi, noting a very large billboard on Ahi Street on Nuʻuanu/Pali Highway and another in Pauoa that are quite large for advertising but not as high as traditional billboards.
4. Office of Hawaiian Affairs Introduction – [0:58:00]: Hailama Farden, OHA Senior Director of Hawaiian Cultural Affairs, introduced OHA’s initiative to build pilina (relationships) with neighborhood boards housing Native Hawaiians, requesting quarterly presentations. OHA’s 2026 legislative package includes six bills: island burial councils replacement member appointments for quorum maintenance; historic preservation committee member recommendations with land use expertise; requiring water expertise on the Land Use Commission; protecting native reef fish for subsistence and cultural use from commercial aquarium collection; constitutional amendment prohibiting live-fire military training on wahi kapu sacred sites, particularly crown lands; and rent stabilization legislation. Farden invited attendees to Lā Kūhe Kāhe Hawaiian Language Day on February 14, 2026, at OHA, honoring forerunners including Dr. Larry Kimura and Sarah Pūʻāʻai.
5. Wood Street Crosswalk Trip Hazard – [1:04:00]: Resident Pat Tarai reported that the zigzag crosswalk on Pali Highway at Wood Street created a significant trip hazard with a 4-inch-high curb. She described tripping over it at 6:45 a.m. in the dark, rain, and wind, nearly falling into the roadway. She urged immediate fixes, noting someone could trip, fall into the roadway, and be hit by a car. She suggested putting up posts to prevent people from going through if they don’t want to remove the curb.
OFFICIALS’ REPORTS – [1:05:45]
Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – [1:05:57]: Director Hashiro presented highlights including Mayor’s new year message, Chief Kurt Luger swearing in as Honolulu Ocean Safety’s first commission-appointed leader, expanded water rebate program, new FEMA flood insurance maps for low-lying residents, and Waiʻanae Police Station second-floor construction. Follow-up items included: DPP found no evidence of rental car business at 2610 Henry Street but will meet with affected neighbors; DFM requested time to investigate overgrown vegetation near 2077 Pūowaina Drive and needs specific information about stream grate at 3148 ʻĀlika Avenue; DTS will lower school zone speed limits from 25 to 20 mph during school hours, with Nuʻuanu Elementary among first schools receiving new signs; and DTS is investigating Pali Highway bus stop where state DOT’s yellow delineators are blocking buses from curb access, forcing seniors to step onto the curb.
• Mayor’s Highlights:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PMOppJSTg7ouCOncP5PEyEKPnkOhkFkX/view?usp=drive_link
• HNL 311:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RB2-FfNNV-dmTWzdeNYQbuGmOuIt3fga/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:15:54]
1. Bus Stop Delineator Resolution: Resident Pat Taira reported that the signage previously in the roadway on Pali Highway has been removed and moved to the sidewalk, so buses can now pull alongside the sidewalk to let passengers out and use wheelchair ramps properly.
2. Debris from Vegetation Trimming: Vice Chair Lum noted that the overgrowth near 2077 Pūowaina Drive was trimmed back nicely, but all the debris was left in the gutters and clogged the storm drain. He requested that when the City gets back to him, they also address cleaning up the debris.
3. Billboard Definition Inquiry: Resident Terrie Easley asked what constitutes a billboard in Hawaiʻi, noting a very large billboard on Ahi Street on Nuʻuanu/Pali Highway and another in Pauoa that are quite large for advertising but not as high as traditional billboards.
Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam – District 6 – [1:18:27]: Lisa Leonardo provided updates on behalf of Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam: the Planning Commission passed Resolution 25-105 in December 2025 to update zoning for apartment and mixed-use districts to address Honolulu’s housing shortage; the Board of Land and Natural Resources is set to approve the city’s right of entry to repair a 40-foot section of the Nuʻuanu Pali Drive wall that collapsed in 2021 when a banyan tree fell; Henry Street has been added to the existing Laimi and Dowsett Street drainage project, now in preliminary design with bidding anticipated in 2027; and Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam continues to oppose bus fare increases scheduled for a final vote on January 28, 2026 that would raise monthly passes by $10 annually and add a 25-cent surcharge for cash payments.
Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [1:22:05]: Kayla Setzler shared January 2026 newsletter highlights, emphasizing Governor Green’s 2026 legislative session priorities focused on expanding affordable housing access, strengthening healthcare systems, addressing homelessness and climate change. The Hawaiʻi State Senate and House of Representatives will convene for opening day on January 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with limited public seating available and live streaming on YouTube channels. Key initiatives include the Department of Human Services’ Hawaiʻi Child Wellness Incentive Program offering $50 per child for Medicaid and Med Quest families completing annual well-child checkups, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority’s $18 million in green energy loans supporting nonprofits, small businesses, and underserved communities to reduce energy costs, and phase one groundbreaking of the Kuhio Park housing project providing 304 affordable rental units for earners at 30-80% of area median income, with additional Pali Highway concerns noted.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LJO_QRLdayxBZkxL904l_RhQsotSCb98/view?usp=drive_link
District 13 Senator Karl Rhoads – [1:25:21]: Mia Ogata announced AARP Hawaii’s free fraud prevention seminar February 23, 2026 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Japanese Cultural Center with breakfast, addressing AI and cryptocurrency scams. Senator Rhoads requested DOT camera installation at Pali Highway and Country Club Road for resident safety, response pending. First Five Hawaii website (firstfivehawaii.org) launched for family resource access. Legislature opening day tomorrow features office refreshments; contact senrhoads@cap.hawaii.gov.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TWp-4JbvCY-ASSNFBAXNSp_wULmLxnpm/view?usp=drive_link
• Letter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kYLw_RH1gU5Ip2mEHN_9la-GZnUewf9y/view?usp=drive_link
District 27 Representative Jenna Takenouchi – [1:28:21]: Representative Jenna Takenouchi invited attendees to her office (room 333) during legislature opening day for Lanakila Pacific’s baked goods until 11:00 a.m., with meetings until 2:00 p.m. She’s compiling final People’s Voice Survey responses with online version and informational guide. Representative Takenouchi works with AARP on cryptocurrency ATM legislation targeting scams against vulnerable populations, sharing hearing updates via e-newsletter. HMSA’s Kamaʻāina scholarship program offers 15 $5,000 awards for high school seniors in academics, athletics, or community service, with applications due in February 2026.
• Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJrCs0KzFpPGpyxjnRvG7du5koERCZpzf79Zjtp0ES7z91Xw/viewform
• Peopleʻs Voice Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rN31r1Kf6dzMA9K-ep-npTlvfwTe4qRWm1lv3f41ZF4/edit?tab=t.0
• Kaimana Scholarship: www.hmsa.com/awards-and-scholarships/hmsa-kaimana-awards-and-scholarship-program/
Federal Elected Officers & Other Elected Officials – [1:32:37]: No representatives present.
MEETING MINUTES – [1:32:48]
Approval of the draft November 18, 2025 meeting minutes: No quorum was established, so no vote could be taken on the minutes.
PRESENTATIONS – [1:33:39]: None.
BOARD BUSINESS – [1:33:42]
Update on the Pali Highway Transportation Projects: No DOT representative was present; no update provided.
Punchbowl Cesspools Projects Update: No update.
Annual In-Person Board Meeting: Vice Chair Lum announced Pauoa Elementary cafeteria is reserved for the April 21, 2026 annual in-person meeting, proposing a 6:30 p.m. start time to accommodate the facility’s 9:00 p.m. closure, requiring February 2026 meeting vote for approval.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – [1:42:03]
Next Regular Board Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Chinese New Year Celebration: Member Young announced announced that Chinese New Year festivities including “night in Chinatown” on February 14, 2026 will run from 9:00 a.m. through evening with a 4:30 p.m. parade and street closures, encouraging residents to visit the free public celebration on Valentine’s Day.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
Submitted by: Zhoydell Magaoay, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy
Finalized by: Jill Easley Allen, Secretary & Rae Gee, Chair

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.