NU‘UANU – PUNCHBOWL NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 12

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2026, 7:00 P.M.

Join by web conference:
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
Please ensure that your computer or phone is muted unless you are speaking.
Join at the Physical location: Kapālama Hale 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Room 153, Honolulu, HI 96817
*This is an alternative meeting location open to public participation.

Meeting Materials: Find a monthly archive of handouts and referenced materials concerning to the Nuʻuanu Neighborhood Board No.12 at:
Board Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Th_r5SpEofyVf6k1XoeuiP9z_Xfa77xN
Board Meeting Recordings: https://www.youtube.com/@NeighborhoodCommissionOffice/search?query=Nuʻuanu

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 – Zhoydell Magaoay, Neighborhood Assistant

III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS TO SERVE FROM JULY 1, 2026 TO JUNE 30, 2027 [NP §2-14-120(b)].
The officers to be elected are the:
A. Chair
B. Vice Chair
C. Secretary
D. Treasurer
E. Other officer(s) determined to be needed to conduct the Board’s business.

IV. 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)
1. June 2026 report found on the NB#12 shared drive.
B. Honolulu Police Department (HPD)
1. District 1 Report – Central Oʻahu (Downtown Honolulu, Liliha St. (below School St.)., Punahou St. (Roundtop Dr. – 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 Avenue/Puiwa Road WSI Project update
2. 2800 Pacific Heights Road BWS Water Tank – Update of the BWS plan to restore the grass.

V. BOARD VACANCIES – Subdistricts 1 (Punchbowl) and Subdistrict 2 (Pacific Heights/Pauoa/ Papakōlea) Invitation to the public to serve and call for candidates to volunteer.
A. There are four (4) vacant positions for Subdistrict 1 (Punchbowl). Appointment is through June 2027, three minutes per candidate.
B. There is one (1) vacant position in Subdistrict 2. Appointment is through June 2027. Community update.

VI. MEETING MINUTES
A. Approval of the draft meeting minutes from Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

VII. REPORTS FROM NON-BOARD EVENTS – Brief announcements by board members and the public on events, activities and general information directly relating to the Nuʻuanu Punchbowl neighborhood areas.
A. Papakōlea Community Updates – Mike Lum/Lilia Kapuniai
B. Oʻahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Statewide Transportation Project Updates.

VIII. RESIDENTS’/COMMUNITY CONCERNS – Limited to three (3) minutes each.
A. Nuʻuanu Valley Park – Requests sent to the City Department of Parks and Recreation – resident Mike Ellis
1. Park’s pathway lights change request from high-pressure sodium to LED CIP project update;
2. Hau Tree & Monkey Pod Tree Canopy Trimming DPR Div. Urban Forestry Division (11/10/25 request) Update; and,
3. 2502/2424 Pacific Heights Road Sidewalk/Drainage repair update – resident Beatrice Ku
B. 3148 Alika Avenue Stream Grate Hazard to Ducks State Jurisdiction – Paula Kurashige

IX. OFFICIAL’S REPORTS – Limited to five (5) minutes each, reports should relate to issues of interest to residents of the Nuʻuanu and Punchbowl areas.
A. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – Director 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
G. Office of Hawaiian Affairs Update

X. PRESENTATIONS – Ten (10) minutes per speaker. Questions to follow. Discussion or action as needed.
A. AT&T Proposed Telecommunications Facility HIL00067 Pauoa / 275 Auwaiolimu Street Conditional Use Permit Minor Application – Ashley May, Project Manager, Centerline Communications

XI. BOARD BUSINESS – For discussion/action. Five (5) minutes per item.
A. Update on the Pali Highway Transportation Projects – Ryan Nakata, Department of Transportation (DOT)
1. Wood Street Crosswalk Noise Issue & Study Scheduling and Update – resident Mark Oyama
2. Pali Highway and Wood Street Crosswalk 4-inch High Curb Trip Hazard Design Team Update – resident Pat Taira
3. Pali Highway Crosswalk Flashing Pedestrian Beacons Installation Project Status – resident Pat Taira
4. DOT Pali Highway Traffic Delineators Maintenance Update
5. 2024 Pali Highway Resurfacing Project Update – ADA Sidewalks Compliance Assessment Report findings
6. Pali Highway Rockfall Safety – Pauoa Road/2004 Pacific Heights Road/Highway 61 On-Ramp Kailua-bound Direction request for DOT to mitigate future rockfalls
B. Punchbowl Cesspools Projects Update Bill 1618 Act 204, SLH 2026 Cesspool Conversion Revolving Loan Fund that helps homeowners upgrade or covert outdated cesspools to health-approved wastewater systems – Mike Lum

XII. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Next Regular Board Meeting – The Nu’uanu-Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12 will hold its next meeting on August 18, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

XIII. 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, by telephone on (808) 768-3710, fax (808) 768-3711, or e-mailing nco@honolulu.gov. Agenda documents and minutes are also available online at https://www.honolulu.gov/nco/boards.

All written testimony must be received in the Neighborhood Commission Office 48 hours prior to the meeting. If within 48 hours of the meeting, 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, HI 96817, fax (808) 768-3711 or complete the form on https://www.honolulu.gov/nco/board-testimony.

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.

Subdistrict 1: Starting at the Tantalus Drive Bridge (over Kanahā), north along the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve Boundary, thence west along the Forest Reserve Boundary to its northwest corner, thence southwest in a straight line just south of Kekuanonii Street to Pauoa Stream, thence west along Pauoa Stream to the bridge at Lusitana Street, thence along Lusitana to Pauoa Road, thence northwest on Pauoa Road to Pacific Heights Road, thence southwest along Pacific Heights Road to Kuakini Street and northwest along Kuakini to Nuʻuanu Avenue, thence southwest on Nuʻuanu Avenue to the H-1 Freeway, thence southeast along the H-1 Freeway to Pele Street, thence east on Pele Street and continuing to the rim of Punchbowl Crater, thence east along the rim of Punchbowl Crater to a line connecting the rim and the southwest corner of Stevenson Intermediate School, thence southeasterly along that connecting line to Prospect Street, thence east along Prospect Street to Nehoa Street, thence east along Nehoa Street to ʻAuwaiolimu Street, thence north on ʻAuwaiolimu Street to Kahanā Stream, thence north along Kahanā Stream to the Tantalus Drive Bridge along the Forest Reserve Boundary.

Subdistrict 2: Beginning at the junction point of the Koʻolau Ridge and a ridge (Puʻu Konahuanui), south along the face of the ridge on the east side of Pauoa Flats, thence south along the Forest Reserve Boundary to Pauoa Stream, thence west along Pauoa Stream to the intersection of Pauoa Road and Pali Highway, thence north on Pali Highway to the Nuʻuanu Stream Bridge, then in a northern direction to Bluff Ridge following a path between Pacific Heights and Nuʻuanu Valley, thence north along Bluff Ridge (following a path between Pacific Heights and Nuʻuanu Valley, thence north along Bluff Ridge) to the Koʻolau Range.

Subdistrict 3: From the northern crest of the Koʻolau Range south to Kapālama-Waolani Stream Divide (ridge) to Waolani Stream, then in a straight line east to ʻAhi Place, thence east on ʻAhi Place to Nuʻuanu Avenue, thence south on Nuʻuanu Avenue to Kuakini Street, thence east on Kuakini to Pacific Heights Road, thence north along Pacific Heights Road to Pauoa Road, thence west along Pauoa Road to Pali Highway, thence north on Pali Highway to Nuʻuanu Stream Bridge, thence in a northern direction to Bluff Ridge following a path between Pacific Heights and Nuʻuanu Valley, and north along Bluff Ridge to the Koʻolau Range.

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2026 at 7:00 P.M.
KAPĀLAMAʻ HALE 925 DILLINGHAM BOULEVARD, ROOM 153, HONOLULU, HI 96817 AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pucsPQVtxI
Reports and other meeting materials can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Th_r5SpEofyVf6k1XoeuiP9z_Xfa77xN

CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:10]: Chair Rae Gee called the Nuʻuanu-Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12 meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL – [0:00:26]: Neighborhood Assistant Zhoydell Magaoay conducted roll call. Six (6) members were present. Quorum was not established. This 15-member Board requires eight (8) members to establish quorum and to take official board action. Chair Rae Gee read the rules of speaking.

Members Present: Vice Chair Michael Lum, Kaulana Lee, Chair Rae Gee, Kathy Grebe, Treasurer Larry Smith, Sylvia Young, Audrey Hidano (logged on at 7:06 p.m.)

Members Absent: Secretary Jill Easley-Allen, Patrick Smith, Paula Kurashige

Guests: Firefighter John Reckinger (Honolulu Fire Department – HFD); Sergeant Richmond Casabar (Honolulu Police Department – HPD District 1); Sergeant Edward Tabanera (HPD District 5); Lieutenant Sean Yamashita (HPD District 5); Jimmy Yanos (Board of Water Supply – BWS); Director Kim Hashiro (Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Office); Lisa Leonardo (Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam’s Office); Kayla Setzler (Governor Josh Green’s Office); Senator Karl Rhoads (District 13); Mike Ferry, Kevin Miyamura (Ohai Group); Richard Chen, Puni Kekauoha, Nathan Char, Ronald Higa, Mike Ellis, AK, Megan Kenney, Jackie, Jordan Kapono Nakamura, Adrienne, Gary Kikuchi, Kevin Miyamura, Rich Caz, Kaapuni Kama, Mary Spadaro, Lisa, Jeffery, Richard Chan, (Guests/Residents); Zhoydell Magaoay (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: The names of any attendees who were illegible were not included. There were approximately 40 total participants.

STATUS REPORTS – [0:02:40]
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – [0:03:07]: Firefighter Jack Reckinger reported the following May 2026 statistics.
May 2026 Statistics: There were zero (0) structure fires, zero (0) wildland or brush fires, zero (0) nuisance fires, zero (0) cooking fires, seven (7) activated alarms with no fire, fifty-one (51) medical calls, one (1) motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian, one (1) motor vehicle crash, four (4) mountain rescues, zero (0) ocean rescues, and two (2) hazardous materials incidents.
Fire Safety Tip – Hurricane Season Preparedness: Hurricane season runs June 1–November 30. Residents are encouraged to review their emergency kits, refresh supplies, and ensure all family members know the household emergency plan. Tips include building a 14-day disaster supply kit, reviewing hurricane and flood insurance coverage, preparing window protection supplies in advance, and signing up for storm alerts at hnlalert.gov. For more information, visit www.honolulu.gov/dem.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zK8wGgFGh6CphQPHzvbBRESv6qShP-I8/view?usp=drive_link

Member Hidano logged on at 7:06 p.m. There were seven (7) members present.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – District 1 (Central) – [0:06:23]: Sergeant R. Casabar reported the following May 2026 statistics. There was no criminal breach at this time.
May 2026 Statistics: There were eight (8) motor vehicle thefts (previous: 3), two (2) burglaries (previous: 1), three (3) thefts (previous: 4), zero (0) unauthorized entry to motor vehicle (UEMV) (previous: 1), one (1) assault (previous: 0), zero (0) sex assaults (no change), zero (0) graffiti cases (previous: 1), one (1) drug case (no change), twenty-three (23) motor vehicle collisions (previous: 14), and 549 total calls for service (previous: 579).
Safety Tip: June 2026’s safety focus will be speeding enforcement. Officers are directed to conduct speed checks around Pali Highway and H-1 (east and westbound).
District 1 Coffee with a Cop: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at McDonald’s Keʻeaumoku. No agenda — just an opportunity to talk story with officers.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – District 5 (Kalihi/Pali Corridor) – [0:09:12]: Sergeant Tabanera and Lieutenant Yamashita reported the following statistics for the Nuʻuanu/Liliha area.
May 2026 Statistics: There was one (1) aggravated assault (no change), three (3) auto thefts (previous: 4), zero (0) burglaries (previous: 1), one (1) robbery (previous: 2), zero (0) sex assaults (no change), three (3) simple assaults (no change), thirteen (13) theft cases (previous: 10), one (1) UEMV/car break-in (no change), and 829 total calls for service (previous: 855).
Safety Tip: Graduation season is underway — encourage children to use designated drivers (Uber, Lyft) when going out. Officers will continue to monitor speeding on Pali Highway despite inclement weather.
Robbery Update: Lieutenant Yamashita reported that an adult male used physical force to take property from an elderly male in the Liliha area. Officers responded quickly, issued an All-Points Bulletin (APB), and the crime induction unit located a suspect in the Lanakila area. The suspect was positively identified, the case was conferred with the Department of Prosecuting Attorneys, and the suspect was charged with bail set.

Neighborhood Security Watch / Community Policing Report – [0:12:47]: Member Kurashige was not present. Item deferred.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [0:13:17]: Jimmy Yanos of BWS reported that the Dowsett Avenue/Puiwa Road Water System Improvement Project is on track — State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) approval received, design updates for corrosion protection underway, component compatibility confirmed, and work expected to begin by September 2026. BWS Service Engineering is working directly with Member Kurashige to investigate a roaring noise at her Wood Street residence. At the Pacific Heights Road BWS Reservoir, grass is recovering well with BWS monitoring weed growth and ongoing maintenance.
May 2026 Main Break Report: In May 2026, BWS recorded three main breaks: an 8-inch pipe (1935) at 190 Dillingham Avenue on Friday, May 1, 2026, a 4-inch pipe (1965) at 439 Hao Place on Friday, May 22, 2026, and a 6-inch pipe (1938) at 2737 Dowsett Street on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
Semi-Annual Water Quality Report: BWS conducts thousands of tests annually on water sources and distribution systems to ensure municipal water meets or exceeds all federal and state standards. The first semi-annual water quality report is mailed to all customers by Wednesday, July 1, 2026; the second will be sent in December 2026. Reports are also available online at www.boardofwatersupply.com/wqr. Call 808-748-5041 for more information.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JeYV3MhgR-jCyJV8zLQQbG29NpGU-0cL/view?usp=drive_link

BOARD VACANCIES – Subdistricts 1 & 2 – [0:18:15]: Chair Gee invited the public to serve.
Subdistrict 1: Four (4) vacant positions. Appointment through June 2027. Richard Chen, a Papakōlea community member, attended to observe and learn about the board. He expressed interest but stated he is not ready to hold a position at this time. Member Grebe encouraged him to join, noting the commitment is manageable and rewarding. Mr. Chen indicated he may consider joining at a future date. No candidates came forward.
Subdistrict 2: One (1) vacant position. Appointment through June 2027. No candidates came forward.

REPORTS FROM NON-BOARD EVENTS – [0:26:15]
Papakōlea Community Updates – [0:26:42]: Vice Chair Lum reported he did not have a report and deferred to any Papakōlea residents in attendance. No update was available. Item deferred to next meeting.

Oʻahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) Updates – [0:27:37]: Chair Gee attended the Citizens Advisory Committee meeting, where the sole item discussed was Amendment No. 9 to the 2025–2028 Transportation Improvement Program — a federally constrained funding list managed by Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT), Department of Transportation Services (DTS), and the OMPO. Nine projects were added, ranging from an $11M Oʻahu Baseyard EV charging micro-grid to a $300K Dillingham Boulevard Complete Streets Design, Vision Zero planning, bike/pedestrian data collection, and Kaikauhaa road rehabilitation, among others. None of the projects fall within the board’s district. The public comment period closes the following day at oahumpo.org.

RESIDENTS’/COMMUNITY CONCERNS – [0:31:06]
1. Nuʻuanu Valley Park Concerns – [0:33:54]: Resident Mike Ellis raised two ongoing concerns about Nuʻuanu Valley Park. First, the conversion of pathway lights from high-pressure sodium to LED remains pending, with no response yet received from the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). Second, Ellis noted that a private contractor has been trimming trees at the park but only in areas visible from the parking lot; he requested a DPR Urban Forestry report on the full scope and timeline of trimming work. He also asked that the hau tree item remain on the agenda, as ownership between the Daughters of Hawaiʻi and the City is unresolved and the tree has encroached to the fence line, blocking mowers. Chair Gee confirmed both items will remain on the agenda.
2. 2502/2424 Pacific Heights Road – Sidewalk/Drainage Repair Update – [0:35:29]: Chair Gee reported that the board previously discussed referring this drainage issue to the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and the Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) to conduct a repair estimate and consider it for the City’s capital improvement project (CIP) budget. No new community comments were received. A response was anticipated from Mayor’s Representative Director Hashiro.
3. Pali Highway/Pacific Heights Road Off-Ramp – Rubbish Dumpster Noise Issue – [0:39:12]: Chair Gee confirmed this item was removed from the agenda. At the prior meeting, Representative Takenouchi reported she had reached out directly to the private contractors and the dumpster pickup times were shifted to daytime hours, resolving the issue. Member Young confirmed the resolution.
4. 3148 Alika Avenue Stream Grate Hazard to Ducks – State Jurisdiction – [0:39:43]: Chair Gee noted the ongoing concern raised by Member Kurashige regarding the stream grate at 3148 Alika Avenue posing a hazard to ducks. No board members had additional comments. The matter was expected to receive a response under the Mayor’s Representative report.

OFFICIALS’ REPORTS – [0:41:20]
Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – [0:41:40]: Director Kim Hashiro highlighted Mayor’s Newsletter items including the appointment of David Lazar as Honolulu Police Chief, homelessness reduction, small business microloans, and the release of the first-ever Oʻahu Food Systems Draft Plan — a five-year roadmap with 70+ initiatives — with public comments due Thursday, June 30, 2026. Infrastructure follow-ups include DFM meeting a resident on a stream grate and ducks at 3148 Alika Avenue, DDC and DFM coordinating Pacific Heights Road sidewalk and drainage repairs, and DFM submitting a service request for a misdirected sign on Puu Paka Drive. DPR found no immediate safety concerns with park lighting or the monkey pod tree (maintenance late July 2026) and will provide a restroom update early next week, while the Division of Urban Forestry will coordinate with the Daughters of Hawaiʻi on pruning or removing the Nuʻuanu Valley Park hau tree by end of July 2026. Feral chicken trapping at Booth Park has failed due to repeated trap tampering — deterrent signage is planned, and residents may report dead feral chickens via the HNL 311 app.
• Newsletter:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UmC27EZGRoDYVb2LD64HVNeFj0MsCJS0/view?usp=drive_link
• Oahu Food Systems Plan feedback: https://www.resilientoahu.org/foodsystemsplan

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:48:34]
1. Feral Chicken Population Growth at Booth Park: Member Lee, who lives near Booth Park, noted the feral chicken population — estimated at 150 birds spreading onto Booth Road — and a community divide between those seeking removal and those who feed them. Director Hashiro explained that trapping has been undermined by individuals releasing chickens and tampering with traps; with limited funds, the vendor will redirect efforts to City parks where trapping is more successful. Feeding feral chickens is not currently illegal and related bills have not passed. Dead feral chickens may be reported for pickup by the Department of Environmental Services at (808) 768-3200, collection@honolulu.gov, or via the HNL 311 app.

Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam – [0:54:07]: Lisa Leonardo logged on earlier but left before this agenda item was called.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VrhwCF7vbYf9_0rX60GUO6S9cU3qsqJy/view?usp=drive_link

Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [0:54:47]: Kayla Setzler highlighted Governor’s Newsletter items including the start of the Wahiawa Dam rehabilitation project, the launch of Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)’s Coastal Kuleana Campaign, Hurricane Preparedness Month reminders, and a state energy efficiency recognition program for businesses; she also shared a DLNR response to Member Kurashige’s inquiry about Hawaiian ducks in Nuʻuanu, noting that the only genetically pure Koloa Maoli population is on Kauaʻi and DLNR has no current plans for management or relocation of ducks in the Nuʻuanu area, and offered to follow up with any additional questions.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qjItZCinkeJZKeoCs5fHQ2Kh7QsL7Z1s/view?usp=drive_link

District 13 Senator Karl Rhoads – [0:58:16]: Senator Rhoads noted that primary ballots will be mailed by Tuesday, July 21, 2026; absentee requests are due Saturday, August 1, 2026; and ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m. on election day — drop box and in-person options are also available. He addressed the federal lawsuit seeking Hawaiʻi’s unredacted voter rolls, which the state says it cannot legally provide, and expressed concern but cautious optimism about potential mail ballot disruptions. On health, COVID-19 and Influenza A risk are low, but Influenza B remains high — residents should consult their doctor about flu shots and check www.wastewaterscan.org for current levels.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O3Ui7X07AtJID-f2esshYLzZwFuV9Tck/view?usp=drive_link

District 27 Representative Jenna Takenouchi – [1:04:17]: No representative was present at tonight’s meeting.

Federal Elected Officers & Other Elected Officials – [1:04:40]: No representatives from the Congressional delegation were present.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) – [1:05:00]: No OHA representative was present at tonight’s meeting.

MEETING MINUTES – [1:05:15]
Due to lack of quorum, approval of the February 17, 2026, April 21, 2026, and May 19, 2026 meeting minutes was deferred to the July 21, 2026 meeting.

PROJECT INTRODUCTION – [1:06:00]
2041 Pūowaina Drive Residential Project – [1:06:25]: Mike Ferry of Ohai Group, presented a preliminary concept for a residential project at 2041 Pūowaina Drive. The 99,000 square-foot site is located on the mauka side of Punchbowl, adjacent to Punchbowl Cemetery. The site is zoned R-5 and is also subject to the Punchbowl Special District overlay. While the zoning allows up to 19 homes by right, Ferry’s current concept targets approximately 10–12 for-sale homes for Hawaiʻi’s working families, to be submitted under a cluster application. Development is planned only on the lower, flat areas of the site. Ferry noted that he is not seeking Board approval at this time, and is currently working through City agency reviews covering utility capacity, parking, traffic, archaeology, access, and construction impacts.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:12:22]
1. Location Relative to Cemetery: Member Young asked about the project’s proximity to the Punchbowl Cemetery entrance. Ferry clarified the site is the last property on the right before Pūowaina Drive makes its sharp right turn into the cemetery, near the intersection of Hookui Street.
2. Zoning and Special District Restrictions: Member Young confirmed that the property has no other restrictions aside from the R-5 zoning. Ferry confirmed the property is zoned R-5 and is also governed by the Punchbowl Special District overlay.
3. Papakōlea Community Support: Resident Puni Kekauoha, on behalf of Papakōlea residents, expressed support for the project. She noted that the lot has long been an eyesore and that Ferry had previously met with the community, shared the project’s historical context, and reviewed relevant articles and papers.
4. Cesspool Connections to Sewer Line: Nathan Char asked whether the existing cesspool users in the area could potentially connect to the sewer main that the Ferry project will be tapping into. Ferry confirmed the project will connect to the sewer main running in front of the property, and that capacity has been confirmed with the City. Ferry stated he was not in a position to answer the cesspool question definitively, but acknowledged there may be something he could do to help.

BOARD BUSINESS – [1:19:30] – The Board lacked quorum and took no action on the following items.
Update on the Pali Highway Transportation Projects – [1:19:30]: DOT representative Ryan Nakata was not present. No updates were available. Due to lack of quorum, discussion of this item was not possible. Item deferred to the Tuesday, July 21, 2026 meeting.

Punchbowl Cesspools Projects Update – [1:20:24]: Vice Chair Lum reported no new update. He reiterated that extending the sewer line to cesspool residents in the area would be a City responsibility, noting the sewer main currently ends just past the Ferry property.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – [1:21:16]
Next Regular Board Meeting: The Nuʻuanu-Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12 will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

Hawaiʻi Chinatown Peace Festival: Member Young announced the Hawaiʻi Chinatown Peace Festival, to be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Mauna Kea Marketplace.

ADJOURNMENT – [1:23:08]: The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

Submitted by: Zhoydell Magaoay, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Rachel Cristobal, Neighborhood Assistant
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.