NU‘UANU – PUNCHBOWL NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 12

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, June 17, 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=m344054c6443e8ef4ec8d4b0eb2fb42dc
Meeting number/Access code: 2483 239 6499
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

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.

Note: The City & County of Honolulu and Hawaiʻi Foodbank are partnering to fight against hunger. If you would like to participate in donating canned goods, please bring them to your Neighborhood Board meeting this month and your Neighborhood Assistant will collect them.

I. CALL TO ORDER- Chair Patrick Smith

II. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS (Limited to three (3) minutes each)
A. Honolulu Fire Department- Monthly report; fire and emergency incident statistics for this community’s jurisdiction for March-April 2025, HFD safety tips reminders, and upcoming events, residential, commercial and wildfires, medical assistance as EMTs, road traffic accidents, hazardous materials, enforcement of fire codes and preventative measures in commercial buildings, open firehouse days and related activities, safety talks at schools and nursing homes, animal assistance, responding to vehicle accidents, fire alarms sounding/malfunctioning, gas leaks, lift-assist (helping uninjured citizens who are unable to get up on their own), hiker rescue, hazardous material spills/release, specialty rescues, down power lines, building flooding/water leaks, and police assist.
1. In addition to regular reports, please discuss the below listed questions.
i. Discussion: I have not seen solo riders on the Windward side and particularly on the H3. Can there be more of a presence there?
ii. Sport motorcycles are joining in with the muscle cars going back and forth on the H3. Entering Kailua on ramp, exiting Kamehameha Hwy and repeating the loop.
iii. 5-Year Plan for Eevacuation thru Nu’uanu Past the School – report by Paula Kurashige
B. Honolulu Police Department – Monthly report; crime and incident statistics for this community’s jurisdiction for March-April 2025, HPD safety tips, reminders, and upcoming events, daily patrol activities, emergency response and protocols, crime prevention measures, law enforcement and criminal investigations including evidence collections and witness interviews, traffic control and road safety, accident investigation, domestic assistance such as crisis intervention, disaster management, first aid and medical assistance, arresting suspected and their processing, swat operations, K-9 unit tasks, Detective Division tasks, court appearances and legal duties, community engagement and crime prevention programs, public safety and education functions, Neighborhood Watch coordination, youth outreach programs.
1. District 1
i. 5-Year Plan for Evacuation thru Nu’uanu Past the School – report by Paula Kurashige
2. District 5
i. 5-Year Plan for Evacuation thru Nu’uanu Past the School – report by Paula Kurashige
3. Neighborhood Security Watch Reports – Paula Kurashige – Neighborhood patrols, mobilize and conduct neighborhood cleanups, provide information and crime prevention seminars to community residents, assist with homeless (or houseless), work with law enforcement officers.
C. Board of Water Supply – Monthly report; water main break incidents and statistics for this community’s jurisdiction for March-April 2025; BWS tips, reminders, and upcoming events, Clean water, water resources including aquifers, water safety testing including monitoring and regulating water quality standards, emergency responses to potential contamination incidents, infrastructure needs such as upgrading aging pipelines and waterline/watermain bursting incidents and resulting construction issues. public information campaigns and public outreach projects.

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

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

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

VI. ELECTED OFFICIALS (Limited to three (3) minutes each) – Topics include: Access to affordable and quality childcare, family leave, medical leave, housing affordability and access, youth issues, education, Lalihina housing and redevelopment issues, planning and permitting issues, infrastructure issues including electrical, water and streets and thoroughfares, climate crisis and impact on the island islands, wildfire prevention and management, affordable and access to healthcare, study and establishment of nuclear energy in Hawaii, pollution issues including pesticides in environment, proliferation of firework and prevention of import, protection and promotion of unions or the mitigation of abuses by unions, care of household pets, education for children and adults, traffic laws including such issues as helmet requirement statutes or ordinances, motor vehicle violations enforcement, unlawful entry of motor vehicles, assaults, sexual assaults and other sexual crimes, sex trafficking.
A. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – Director Kim Hashiro
i. Replacement Request of Pauoa Area Streets Signs – report by Paula Kurashige
ii. Cutting of Grass from School Street to upper Nu’uanu – report by Paula Kurashige
iii. 5-Year Plan for Evacuation thru Nu’uanu Past the School – report by Paula Kurashige
B. Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam
i. Replacement Request of Pauoa Area Streets Signs – report by Paula Kurashige
ii. Cutting of Grass from School Street to upper Nu’uanu – report by Paula Kurashige
C. Governor Josh Green’s Representative
i. Ducks in the Community – Ducks Being Killed in School Zone by Speeding on Wood and Alika – report by Paula Kurashige
ii. Red Fire Ants Near Roosevelt High School and Found on Wood Street – report by Paula Kurashige
iii. Bus Stop on Pali on Ewa side of Road-Grass High– report by Paula Kurashige
iv. 5-Year Plan for Evacuation thru Nu’uanu Past the School – report by Paula Kurashige
D. District 13 Senator Karl Rhoads
i. Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and Wheel Chair for Sub District 3– report by Paula Kurashige
ii. ADA standards for Dowsett Circle – report by Paula Kurashige
iii. Sidewalk on Pali at Moanawai Street Blocked forBlind Persons and Disabled – report by Paula Kurashige
iv. Sidewalk on Pali Hwy does not allow moving past for two people at the same time – report by Paula Kurashige
v. Wood Street Light at Pali Highway– report by Paula Kurashige
vi. 5-Year Plan for Evacuation thru Nu’uanu Past the School – report by Paula Kurashige
E. District 27 Representative Jenna Takenouchi
i. 5-Year Plan for Evacuation thru Nu’uanu Past the School – report by Paula Kurashige
F. Federal Elected Officers & other Elected Officials

VII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Expansion or contraction of NB12 district for areas surrounding Punchbowl – consideration of proposed resolution.
B. Poisoning concerns for water around Dowsett and Alika.
C. Public concern of potential violations at Nuʻuanu Valley Park
D. Seven broken signs to fix in Pauoa area
E. Request for sidewalk and safety equipment for Pelekane Dr.
F. Rehabilitation of Dosett area for ADA
G. Possible unlawful B&B activity at 2960 Pali
H. Pali Highway Pedestrian Safety Concerns
I. Meeting location change for NB12
J. Approval of Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Meeting Minutes

Report from Chair – thanks those not returning.

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Next Regular Board Meeting- The next Nu’uanu/Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12 meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
B. Department of Transportation Servicesʻ (DTS) 2025 Public Transit Title VI Program (Report) Update – Draft report can be found at: https://www8.honolulu.gov/dts/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2025/03/DRAFT-2025-DTS-Public-Transit-TVI-Program-Report.pdf
Public comment period from March to 2025.
C. City’s Climate Action Plan community workshop – Manoa Library on Monday, May 5, 2025 from 5-7 PM

IX. 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

REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025 AT 7:00 P.M.
KAPĀLAMA HALE CONFERENCE ROOM 153 – 925 DILLINGHAM BOULEVARD, HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI, 96817 AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

Video recording of this meeting is found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXPCSweFH-o&t=94s

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

I. CALL TO ORDER [00:00:00]

Chair Smith calls meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Quorum is established with 12 members present. This board consists of 15 members and requires 8 or more members present to establish quorum and take official action on Board Business.

Board Members Present – Jill Easley Allen, Adrienne Dillard, Rae Gee, Katherine Grebe, Audrey Hidano, Treasurer Kaapuni Kama, Meghan Kenney, Paula Kurashige, Secretary Michael Lum, Chair Patrick Smith, Phillip Soon, and Sylvia Young

Board Members Absent – Mason Aiona

Guest List – Total of 43: Sergeant Casabar and Lieutenant Yamashita (Honolulu Police Department); 4 members from (Honolulu Fire Department); Jimmy Yanos (Board of Water Supply); Kim Hashiro (Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative) Lisa Leonardo (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam’s Office); William Nhieu (Governor Josh Green’s Representative); Glen Young (Senator Karl Rhoads’ Office); Representative Jenna Takenouchi; Nate Serota (Department of Parks and Recreation); Olelo Virtual, Pat, Isabel Allen, Terrie Easley, Mike Ellis, Ronald Higa, Gary Kikuchi, Kaulana Lee, Mark Oyama, Gary Kikuchi, Larry Smith, Celina Su, Glen Young, and 2 others; Rachel Cristobal and Brandon Tsark (Neighborhood Commission Office).

II. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS [00:02:30]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) [00:02:30]
● Firefigher Josh reports:
○ Monthly statistics on fire and medical calls for April 2025
○ Public reminder about fire safety and hurricane preparedness
○ Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15p0tMHbkJN7PrOMR8rSzU1xC8pTyHnrL/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns for HFD [00:05:20]

Note Well: Agenda items here and throughout to be reported on by Board Member Paula Kurashige were not discussed due to audio issues.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) [00:07:35]
● District 1 – [00:07:35] Sergeant Casabar reports:
○ Monthly crime statistics (vehicle theft, burglary, general theft, unauthorized motor vehicle use, assault, sex assault, graffiti, drug-related arrests, and total calls for service) for April 2025 in comparison to March 2025
○ Arrest on April 19, 31-year-old male for first-degree burglary caught in the act
○ 28 fatal vehicle collisions since January 2025, and safety tips on avoiding road-rage
○ HPD aims to reduce crime and enhance safety with transparent reporting, adjusting patrols, strategic arrests, and proactive safety guidance.

Questions, comments and concerns for HPD [00:11:11]

● District 5 – [00:14:00] Lieutenant Yamashita reports:
○ April 2025 crime data
○ Community-Outreach Event “Coffee with a Cop”, Friday, June 13, at Liliha McDonalds (414 N School St) from 9:00 – 11:00 am.

Questions, comments and concerns for HPD [00:15:30]: Downtown Chinatown resident Celina Su raises concern of suspicious activity from her neighbors at Kokua Hale on 1192 Alakea St. Lt. Yamashita defers jurisdiction to Sgt. Casabar who informs us that HPD will respond to calls and dispatch officers who will act if they have reasonable suspicion of a crime.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) [00:27:15] Civil Engineer Jimmy Yanos reports:
● Technical operations and public outreach: infrastructure projects, response to water main break, interdepartmental coordination with Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) for upgrades to water system, and 5 conservation tips and digital resources available to public
● https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bDMJC87ih3m6t5GJufiEIL75unMyxXFP/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=107275390169140050264&rtpof=true&sd=true

III. FILLING OF VACANCIES [00:30:05]: Deferred to next meeting due to lack of candidates

IV. REPORT FROM NONBOARD EVENTS [00:30:45]:

OahuMPO (Metro Planning Organization) [00:30:45] Board Member Rae Gee reports:
● May 7 review of “Safe Routes to Schools” program administered by Department of Transportation Services (DTS): working with K-12 campuses statewide to map safety zones and promote pedestrian safety and driver awareness, reduce speeding, and upgrade walkways
● Annual budget of $340,000 for minor infrastructure projects with estimated cost $75,000 for each individual improvement

Papakōlea Community [00:38:45] Board Member Adrienne Dillard reports:
• Community clean-up of fire waste, community conversations about building a supportive-living center, right-of-entry agreement with State Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL), and 2 year – $500,000 Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Grant for kupuna community care network
• Board expresses interest to pursue collaborative partnership with OHA.

V. RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS [00:35:25]
• Resident Mark Oyama reports excessive noise from rumble-strip crosswalk at the intersection of Wood and Pali. He and other residents have asked State Department of Transit (HDOT) to remove rumble strips.

VI. ELECTED OFFICIALS – [00:43:15]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative [00:43:15] Department Customer Services (CSD) Director Kim Hashiro reports:
● Highlights from Mayor’s Newsletter include recent legislation on street festivals and outdoor dining, assisted-treatment recruitment, solar canopy unveiling, and Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) “Summer Fun” program beginning May 12
● Report on DPP and HPD responses to illegal parking and short-term rental (STR) violations at 2960 Pali, 8 STR violations and 7 notice-of-orders issued, and HPD patrols confirm no illegal parking
● Response to request to Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) for replacement street signs in Pauoa will be given at next meeting
● Resident Mike Ellis raises concern about garage at 2960 Pali converted to illegal STR and illegal parking obstructing pedestrian access to sidewalk.
● Board Member Jill Easley Allen reports STR violations and illegal parking on Henry St between Rosebank and Klebahn. Ms. Allen continues that DPP has launched an on-going investigation due to resident complaints. Director Hashiro confirms that DPP is actively monitoring and enforcing STR violations in the area.
● Board Member Sylvia Young expresses her gratitude for DPP’s assistance with permit processing and is encouraged to send a letter of commendation to Office of the Mayor (MAY) and DPP Director Apuna.
● Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/172Jx79Jj3pIY7PxrbOMVx2eIF7P9n8Qz/view?usp=drive_link

Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam [00:56:55] Lisa Leonardo reports:
● April Newsletter highlights: Budget Committee debating Bill 60-24 on sewer fee-ratios, opening of Pensacola Metro affordable-housing project in Makiki, and invitation for community feedback
● Resident Larry Smith raises concern about speeding and poor lighting on Alika Ave endangering pedestrians, bicyclists, and local wildlife.
● Terrie Easley requests information and pricing details on Pensacola Metro.
● Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/134JDBCU5mUkXoqtlpspoEgj9kEjTkVhY/view?usp=drive_link
● HNL Alert Website: https://www8.honolulu.gov/dem/hnl-alert/

Governor Josh Green’s Representative [01:04:50] William Nhieu reports:
● May Newsletter highlights: $700 million settlement on May 9 for opioid-related claims received by State and public announcement to review insurance policies and secure property in preparation for hurricane and flood season
● Response to Resident Oyama that HDOT will send engineer to measure noise level and send results to him. Board Member Gee also supports quieter measures to calm traffic, and mentions that similar traffic markings were removed recently. Board underscores need for a balanced approach to traffic safety and neighborhood peace.
● Resident Ellis requests that HPD increase speeding enforcement by increasing patrols in addition to intermittent tagging.
● Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GUYLoJXdforObM2Q-HwBNq9OqqqkUQE2/view?usp=drive_link

District 13 Senator Karl Rhoads [01:11:00] Glen Young reports:
● Senator Baker’s office provided a detailed list of bills she introduced and passed
● Board expresses its gratitude to Senator Rhoads for his efforts in opening agendas to greater public input. Board Member Gee expresses gratitude to Senator Rhoads for sponsoring SB 72.
● Chair Smith requests that Senator Rhoads investigate State Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) plans to develop surveillance network in Waikiki (access to hotel, restaurant, and store cameras; RFID bracelets; and plate readers) and implications on privacy for citizens.

District 27 Representative Jenna Takenouchi [01:14:50]:
• Senator Baker’s “skateboarding homeless” Bill passed, $3.25 million awarded to Roosevelt for girls’ locker-room renovation, $500,000 awarded to Kalihi-Palama Community Development Corp for repairs, applications for State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) “Summer Youth Employment” program (ages 16-18) open June 2, and fraud-prevention resources for kupuna
• Representative Takenouchi also confirms that she has submitted an inquiry to HDOT regarding rumble strip complaints and will provide update at next meeting.

Federal Elected Officers and Other Elected Officials [01:20:20]: None.

VII. BOARD BUSINESS [01:20:20]

• Presentation and discussion regarding feedback on location and privileges of dog parks on Oahu by DPR Public Information Office Nate Serota [01:20:20]
o Resident Ellis urges the Board to reaffirm its September 17, 2024, approval of motion to preserve Nu’uanu Valley Park and general opposition to dog parks in community. He raises concerns of overgrowth, graffiti, litter, community safety, failure of owners to restrain pets and dispose of waste properly.
o Board Member Sylvia Young also opposes the issue. She argues that there was a lack of community support for the issue in the past and residents are largely unaware of an existing facility nearby. She is not in favor of Booth Park being open to pets and suggests the utilization of a park nearby Lusitana and Pacific.
o PIO Serota informs everyone that DPR is piloting new waste bag dispensers, implementing stronger dangerous dog laws, and improving signage to address concerns. He encourages the Board to take its time and submit its formal feedback roughly in the fall.
o Board Member Jill Easley Allen shows support for establishing a new dog park. She argues that it will provide the community with greater structure, rules, and resources from the City of Honolulu to address current issues properly. She also voices resident concerns of the burden placed on them to have to drive out to other communities to access facilities.
o Resident Isabel Allen supports the establishment of new dog park in the district. She argues that there is strong community interest and that her and 20 of her friends must travel to Windward side to access a fenced park. She shares with the board that there are many residents who own dogs that need proper space to exercise, and reports no issues of uncollected waste in Nu’uanu Valley Park and presence of clear signage on behavioral guidelines for pets.
o Resident Kaulana Lee is in support. As a resident who lives near Booth Park, he reports that there are many pet owners in the area but pets are not allowed at the park. He argues that there is insufficient space in the community for residents and pets to move freely, and that this lack of space poses traffic and pedestrian safety concerns. Finally, he shares that he too travels long distances to access proper facilities.
o Resident Terrie Easley voices general support and provides her analysis of suitable and unsuitable locations for existing and potential dog parks.
o In light of public support above, Chair Smith opens the floor to anyone on the Board who would like to make a motion to reconsider (without prior notice). Board Member Dillard reminds everyone that a review process and community feedback occurred last year, and confirms that Ala Moana Park is already designated as a leashed park. Board Member Mike Lum expresses conditional support. Board Member Allen motions, but lacking a second, there is no further discussion.

• Three-absence notice to Board Member Mike Lum [01:52:55]
o Board unanimously consents to add this item to agenda due to honest mistake from Chair Smith.
o After hearing Mr. Lum’s statement and delivering its questions, the Board, by unanimous consent, supports Board Member Lum’s continued service.

• Potential redistricting of Neighborhoods 10, 11, and 12 surrounding Punchbowl [01:57:15]
o Chair Smith reports interest from NB 10 to remove Punchbowl from its district.
o Board Member Young shares that boundaries are influenced heavily by census tracts and historic community alignments.
o Board Member Lum addresses geographic clarification.
o Board Member Dillard highlights pros and cons, and invites community feedback.
o Chair Smith closes discussion by sharing process and timeline of Neighborhood Plan Committee.

• Approval of Minutes for Tuesday, April 15, 2025 [02:11:35]
o Board Member Gee indicates error within HFD Report and provides amendment stating that HFD is coordinating with relevant departments in its evaluation of emergency evacuation and five-year plan.
o Chair Smith confirms that minutes are approved as amended by unanimous consent

• Board Member Gee provides report and resources (https://stoptheant.org/lfa-on-oahu/) to address red fire ants on Wood [02:15:20]

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS [02:19:30]

• Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CCSR) Office Manager Cross Crabbe announces development of Food System Plan and seeks community feedback at resilientoahu.org.
• The next Nu’uanu Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12 regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

IX. ADJOURNMENT – [02:22:00]: Chair Smith adjourns the meeting at 9:22 pm.

Submitted by: Brandon Tsark, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy, 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.