NU‘UANU – PUNCHBOWL NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 12

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, August 19, 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.

I. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Rae Gee

II. 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

III. FILLING OF VACANCIES
A. There are three (3) 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

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

VI. ELECTED OFFICIALS [Limited to five (5) 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. District 46 Representative Amy Perruso
G. Federal Elected Officers & Other Elected Officials

VII. MEETING MINUTES
A. Approval of the July 15, 2025 Meeting Minutes

VIII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Walk, Bike, Drive HDOT/Hawaii Bicycling League
B. Overgrown Banyan On Pacific Heights Road
C. Office of Hawaiian Affairs
D. Sidewalks and ADA Compliance on Pali Highway
E. Community Resource Fair on October 18, 2025 – Invitation by Representative Jenna Takenouchi’s for NB12’s Participation
F. Approval of July 15, 2025 Meeting Minutes

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. New Neighborhood Board Term – Contact Form, Oath of Office, Sunshine Law Video Training
B. Next Regular Board Meeting- The next Nuʻuanu/Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12 meeting is September 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

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, JULY 15, 2025, AT 7:00 P.M.
KAPĀLAMA HALE, CONFERENCE ROOM 153, 925 DILLINGHAM BOULEVARD, HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI, 96817
AND ONLINE VIA WEBEX

Video recording of this meeting is found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e3oUpxcpEA

Meeting materials are found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Th_r5SpEofyVf6k1XoeuiP9z_Xfa77xN

1. CALL-TO-ORDER [0:00:00] Acting Chair Patrick Smith called meeting to order at 7:07 pm. Quorum was established with 10 members present. (This 15-member Board requires eight (8) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action.)

Board Members Present: Jill Easley-Allen, Rae Gee, Katherine Grebe, Audrey Hidano, Paula Kurashige, Kaulana Lee, Michael Lum (left at 8:50), Larry Smith, Patrick Smith, and Sylvia Young

Board Members Absent: Mason Aiona and Phillip Soon

Guest Total 29 (7 live, 22 remote): Sergeant Shimabukuro from District 1, Sergeant E. Tabanera and Lieutenant Creighton Hatico from District 5 (Honolulu Police Department); Civil Engineer Jimmy Yanos (Board of Water Supply); Director Kim Hashiro (Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative); Ms. Lisa Leonardo (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam’s Representative, Honolulu City Council); Ms. Kayla Setzler and Mr. William Nhieu (Governor Josh Green’s Representative); District 13 Senator Karl Rhoads; District 27 Representative Jenna Takenouchi; Bree, Terrie Easley, Mike Ellis, Ronald Higa, Gary Kikuchi, Mark Oyama (Residents); Olelo Virtual, Brandon Tsark (Neighborhood Commission Office) (Name may be omitted if illegible or not provided).

2. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS [0:02:15]

There being no objections, Acting Chair moved up the City Monthly Reports out of respect for our first responders’ time.

Installation of Board Members [0:03:00]: board members from NB12 Nuʻuanu Punchbowl took the oath of office.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) [0:5:30]: No representative present.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – District 1 [0:5:30]: Sergeant Shimabukuro from District 1 reported crime statistics for June: 9 motor vehicle theft, 10 burglary, 28 general theft, and 4 assault , with 0 incidents of sexual assault, graffiti, or drug offenses. He also highlighted Honolulu’s traffic-fatality rate, and urged drivers and pedestrians to remain vigilant and drive safely.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:5:40]

HPD District 5 [0:7:00]: Sergeant E. Tabanera from District 5 reported crime statistics for June: 1 aggravated assault, 3 auto theft, 2 burglary, 0 robbery, 4 assault, 8 theft, and 3 unauthorized vehicle entry. Lieutenant Creighton Hatico added a reminder that summer brings increased pedestrian and vehicular activity, along with distracted visitors, and urged drivers and pedestrians to remain extra vigilent to prevent avoidable accidents.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:09:45]

Neighborhood Security Watch Report [0:22:00]: Board Member Paula Kurashige reported no new burglaries in the Neighborhood Security Watch Report, and reminded residents to be on the lookout and report suspicious activity.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) [0:23:55]: Civil Engineer Jimmy Yanos reported no change on pending improvement project while approvals are awaited, 1 main break at 2940 Park St, clarified data regarding water quality in annual reports, and announced annual unthirsty plant sale on August 2, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, in Hālawa Valley.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:28:00]

3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS [0:32:25]

Election of Chair [0:32:25]:
• Board Member Grebe nominated Board Member Patrick Smith for Chair.
• Board Member Kurashige nominated Board Member Gee for Chair [0:33:15].
• Acting Chair Patrick Smith withdrew his nomination and closed nominations after hearing no others.
• There being no objections, Acting Chair declared nomination of Board Member Gee for Chair adopted, 10-0-0 (Aye: Easley-Allen, Gee, Grebe, Hidano, Kurashige, Lee, Lum, Larry Smith, Patrick Smith, Young, No: none, Abstain: none) [0:33:40].

Election of Vice Chair [0:34:00]:
• Board Member Kurashige nominated Board Member Lum for Vice Chair [0:34:10].
• Chair Gee closed nominations after hearing no others.
• There being no objections, Chair declared nomination of Board Member Lum for Vice Chair adopted, 10-0-0 (Aye: Easley-Allen, Gee, Grebe, Hidano, Kurashige, Lee, Lum, Larry Smith, Patrick Smith, Young, No: none, Abstain: none) [0:35:00].

Election of Secretary [0:35:45]:
• Board Member Kurashige nominated Board Member Grebe for Secretary who respectfully declined.
• Board Member Kurashige nominated Board Member Young for Secretary who respectfully declined.
• Board Member Young nominated Board Member Easley-Allen for Secretary [0:38:10].
• Chair Gee closed nominations after hearing no others.
• There being no objections, Chair declared nomination of Board Member Lum for Vice Chair adopted, 10-0-0 (Aye: Easley-Allen, Gee, Grebe, Hidano, Kurashige, Lee, Lum, Larry Smith, Patrick Smith, Young, No: none, Abstain: none) [0:38:10].

Election of Treasurer [0:38:45]:
• Board Member Lum nominated Board Member Larry Smith for Treasurer [0:38:50].
• Chair Gee closed nominations after hearing no others.
• There being no objections, Chair declared nomination of Board Member Larry Smith for Treasurer adopted, 10-0-0 (Aye: Easley Allen, Gee, Grebe, Hidano, Kurashige, Lee, Lum, Larry Smith, Patrick Smith, Young, No: none, Abstain: none) [0:39:15].

4. FILLING OF BOARD VACANCIES [0:40:10]

Filling of Vacancies [0:40:10]: Hearing none, Chair invited nominations from board members and participation from residents in Subdistrict 1.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:40:45]

5. REPORT FROM NONBOARD EVENTS [0:44:05]

OahuMPO (Metro Planning Org) [0:44:05]: Board Member Rae Gee reported on July 2 Revision 5 of the Transportation Improvement Program, confirming no projects directly affecting NB12, detailed current year obligations, and committed to monthly updates on these programmed funds for neighborhood impacts.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:47:00]

Papakōlea Community [0:48:40]: Seeing no representative present, Board Member Lum offered to seek out participants from the community who would be interested in providing periodic updates.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:49:40]

6. RESIDENT AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS [0:50:40]

Request for Improved Lighting in Parking Lot at Nu’uanu Valley Park [0:50:40]: Resident Mr. Mike Ellis raised concern regarding poor lighting at night in the parking lot at Nu’uanu Valley Park.

7. ELECTED OFFICIALS [0:52:30]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative [0:52:30]: Director Kim Hashiro at Department of Customer Services (CSD) provided highlights from Mayor’s Newsletter for June, and updates on questions and concerns from last meeting. Finally, she turned the floor over to District Engineer Ryan Nakata from the Hawaii State Department of Transportation (HDOT) who addressed previous concerns from residents regarding noise and pedestrian safety on the Pali. Mr. Nakata also presented findings from June 4 noise study prompted by concerns regarding rumble strips near raised crosswalk on Wood St.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [1:07:50]

Govenor Josh Green’s Office [1:26:20]: Governor Josh Green’s Representative Kayla Setzler provided highlights from Governor’s newsletter that include Dory Booth appointed as State Fire Marshall, Green Business Program honored organizations for sustainability efforts, and State Department of Human Resources (DHS) launched 2025 initiative, providing $177 per eligible student to support summer nutrition.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [1:28:35]

Honolulu City Council (CCL) Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam’s Representative [1:33:30]: Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam’s Representative Lisa Leonardo addressed concerns from Mr. Ellis, Board Member Kurashige, and Papakōlea community. Ms. Leonardo also reported on Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam’s new role as Chair of Government Efficiency and Customer Service, Vice Chair of Energy, Environment and Sustainability, and other positions he will leverage to advance priorities in the community. Their office also celebrated the signing of Bill 6 to streamline regulations and improve sidewalk accessibility.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [1:37:00]

District 13 Senator Karl Rhoads [1:39:55]: Senator Rhoads provided details regarding enhanced hurricane rebate for condo associations and shared his story regarding investigation of suspicious camera near 40 Ahi Pl.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [1:42:40]

District 27 Representative Jenna Takenouchi [1:49:30]: Representative Takenouchi reported that HDOT Energy Security and Waste Reduction Plan is open for public feedback through the end of the month, with upcoming virtual meetings on July 27 and 28. She also highlighted her “Park Talks” community forums where residents are able to drop in and speak to her directly, as well as listen to others’ concerns. The next talk in July is at the park behind Lanakila Elementary, from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. She closed with an update regarding coordination with Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam to install school-zone signage near Nu’uanu Elementary.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [1:54:00]

Board Member Lum left [1:55:00].

Federal Elected Officers and Other Elected Officials [1:56:50]: No representative present.

8. BOARD BUSINESS [1:57:10]

Date, Time, and Location of Regular Meeting [1:57:10]: Board Member Young motioned to retain meeting details from previous term (Second Tuesday, 7:00 pm, and Hybrid at Kapālama Hale Public and on Webex) [1:59:05] and discussion followed. Chair called the question, and, there being no objections, declared the motion carries, 9-0-0 (Aye: Easley-Allen, Gee, Grebe, Hidano, Kurashige, Lee, Larry Smith, Patrick Smith, Young, No: none, Abstain: none) [2:04:30].

Recess Schedule [2:05:05]:
• Board Member Grebe motioned to recess in December and May [2:05:50], seconded by Board Member Patrick Smith.
• Chair opened the floor to discussion.
• Closing discussion, Chair conducted a voice vote, and declared the motion lost due to lack of majority, 6-1-2 (Aye: Gee, Grebe, Lee, Larry Smith, Patrick Smith, Young, No: Hidano, Abstain: Easley-Allen, Kurashige) [2:10:30].
• Board Member Hidano motioned to recess in August and December [2:13:05], seconded by Board Member Patrick Smith.
• Chair opened the floor to discussion.
• Board Member Young motioned to amend the motion to recess in December [2:18:20], seconded by Board Member Kurashige.
• Closing discussion, Chair conducted a voice vote, and declared the amendment carries 8-1-0 (Aye: Easley-Allen, Gee, Grebe, Kurashige, Lee, Larry Smith, Patrick Smith, Young, No: Hidano, Abstain: none) [2:20:50].
• Chair conducted a voice vote, the ayes have it, and declared the amended motion to recess in December carries 8-1-0 (Aye: Easley-Allen, Gee, Grebe, Kurashige, Lee, Larry Smith, Patrick Smith, Young, No: Hidano, Abstain: none) [2:22:45].
• Board Member Lee motioned to defer this item [2:24:10], seconded by Board Member Smith.
• There being no objections, Chair declared motion adopted and tabled this item [2:24:20].

Oral-Testimony Rules [2:24:30]: Chair opened floor to discussion. Board Member Patrick Smith motioned to adopt reiteration of oral-testimony rules (3 minutes for public and elected officials, 10 minutes for presenters, and 2 minutes for input) [2:26:40], second by Board Member Lee. Chair closed discussion, put the question to a voice vote, and, there being no objections, declared that the motion carries, 9-0-0 (Aye: Easley-Allen, Gee, Grebe, Hidano, Kurashige, Lee, Larry Smith, Patrick Smith, Young, No: none, Abstain: none) [2:27:30].

Senior Housing and Parking Availability [2:28:45]: Board Member Paula Kurashige raised concern from a resident who expresses frustration that new senior housing projects provide insufficient on-site parking for residents, visitors, and caregivers, which undermines seniors’ mobility and independence.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [2:31:00]

Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, June 17, 2025 Meeting [2:32:00]: there being no objections or amendments regarding corrections, Chair declares minutes are accepted as distributed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS [2:35:35]

Hawaii Buddha Peace Festival [2:35:35]: Board Member Young invited community to this event and provided details, Saturday, August 16, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, at Cultural Plaza.

Meeting and Pubic Hearing [2:37:00]: Board Member Patrick Smith announced meeting by Department of Planning and Permitting’s (DPP) Oahu Historic Preservation Commission and public hearing for liquor license at 1613 Nu’uanu Ave by Honolulu Liquor Commission (LIQ).

Questions for NCO [2:38:15]: Board Member Young asked questions to NCO regarding board-member forms, gift bags, and shirts.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [2:40:15]

The next Nu’uanu Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12 Regular Meeting [2:11:40]: is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

9. ADJOURNMENT [2:42:00]

Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by: Brandon Tsark, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Robert Whitsell, Deputy, NCO
Final approval by: Rae Gee, Chair, NB12

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.