KALIHI – PĀLAMA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 15

INITIAL CONVENING MEETING AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2025
KAPĀLAMA HALE, 925 DILLINGHAM BOULEVARD, ROOM 153
AND VIRTUAL VIA WEBEX
7:00 P.M.

WebEx Link: https://cchnl.webex.com/cchnl/j.php?MTID=m6dc081b8be7948c1d402fd26b062d691
Meeting Number / Access Code: 2487 959 4101
Password: NB15 (6215 from phones and video systems)
Join by phone: +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll

Meeting Materials: Find a monthly archive of handouts and referenced materials concerning to Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board No. 15 at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jZWmXmsk6bquFmxc5Ch_JqHL1wlHZrRL
Recordings: Recordings of Board meetings can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/@NeighborhoodCommissionOffice
Rules of Speaking: Anyone wishing to speak is asked to click the “raise hand” icon, and when recognized by the Chair, to address comments to the Chair. Remarks should not exceed three (3) minutes. Please ensure your microphone is muted unless you are speaking. Please state your first and last name for the record before moving into your comments/question, etc. Written testimony may also be submitted via email using the contact information listed on the Neighborhood Commission Office website.
Purpose: The purpose of neighborhood boards and the neighborhood plan is to increase and assure effective citizen participation in the decisions of government.
Notes: The Board may take action on any agenda item. As required by the State Sunshine Law (Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) 92), specific issues not noted on this agenda cannot be voted on unless added to the agenda. A two-thirds (2/3) vote, nine (9) of this thirteen (13) 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. Please silence all electronic devices.

I. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Pro-Tem Amanda Ybanez

II. ELECTION OF OFFICERS TO SERVE FROM JULY 1, 2025 to JUNE 30, 2026 [NP §2-14-120(b)]. The officers to be elected are the Chair, one or more Vice Chairs, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and any other officer(s) determined to be needed to conduct the board’s business.
A. Chair
B. Vice-Chair
C. Secretary
D. Treasurer

III. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS: Three (3) minutes each
A. Honolulu Fire Department
B. Honolulu Police Department – District 1
C. Honolulu Police Department – District 5
D. Board of Water Supply
E. Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART)

IV. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Meeting Determination – DATE/TIME/LOCATION/FORMAT (AUGUST 2025 TO JUNE 2026) – Note: most recently, the hybrid meetings were held on the Third Wednesdays if each month at 7:00 p.m. at Kapālama Hale-Room 153, 925 Dillingham Boulevard, and via WebEx.
B. Determination of Board Recess Schedule (AUGUST 2025 TO JUNE 2026) – Note: Most recently, the Board has recessed in August, December, and June.
C. Adoption of Rules, including Oral Testimony
D. Establishment of Committees and Committee Chairs/Co-Chairs
E. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes: Wednesday, May 21, 2025

V. PRESENTATIONS (10 min for presentation, 3 min for questions)
A. Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA): Kaimo Muhlestein.
B. To The Top: Community Outreach: Jesse
C. HFD/ Community/Public Relations: Carl Otsuka
D. The Mediation Center of the Pacific, Inc. Special Programs Innovator: Roberta Hickey-Gomez

VI. RESIDENTS’ AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS: Three (3) Minutes each: Meeting participants may present their community concerns at this time. Note – Due to the State “Sunshine Law,” concerns not listed on the agenda may be presented, but no Board action can be taken. Items brought up may be placed on a future agenda for discussion/action.

VII. CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS: Three (3) minutes each
A. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – Deputy Director Stephen Courtney, Department of Information Technology (DIT)
B. Councilmember Radiant Cordero
C. Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam

VIII. STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS: Three (3) minutes each
A. Senator Karl Rhoads (District 13)
B. Senator Donna Mercado Kim (District 14)
C. Senator Glenn Wakai (District 15)
D. Representative Daniel Holt (House District 29)
E. Representative Sonny Ganaden (House District 30)
F. Governor Josh Green’s MD Representative– Dreana Kalili, Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT)

IX. COMMUNITY UPDATES
A. U.S. Army Garrison Hawaiʻi Military Report – Selina Gentkowski

X. COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
A. Salvation Army: Emergency shelter/ financial assistance, mental/rehabilitation health, emergency food distribution and case work services; 808-521-6551.
B. Child and Family Servcies:

XI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. The next Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board No. 15 meeting is scheduled to be on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. This may change should the board decide to recess in August.
B. The Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board No. 15 recordings can be seen on ʻŌlelo Channel 49 or at www.olelo.org/live at the following times: 1st Monday of each month at 9:00 p.m. and 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 11:00 a.m.

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, HI 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, HI 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 at least three (3) business days before the scheduled meeting. It may not be possible to fulfill requests received after this date.

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025
WEBEX VIDEO TELECONFERENCE AND KAPĀLAMA HALE
Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymXaSPeH5N8
Reports and other meeting materials can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jZWmXmsk6bquFmxc5Ch_JqHL1wlHZrRL
CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:09]: 7:00 p.m.

Chair Ybanez called the Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board No. 15 meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was established with eight (8) members present when announcing agenda items that needed board member votes (Board members were required to have video capabilities on to establish quorum). Note: This 13-member Board requires seven (7) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Diosa Mae, Ken Farm, Lloyd Pohano, Amanda Ybanez, Eric Irwin, Randall Jadulang, Evelyn Cullen (logged on at 8:34 p.m.), Donald Guerrero, and Alyn Vasquez-Dela Cerna.

Board Members Absent: Cardenas Pintor and Delia Ulima.

Guests: Captain Paul Bass, Firefighter Kelaula Kaune, Firefighter Sinjin Bradley, Carl Otsuka (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant John Paul Shimabukuro – District 1, Lieutenant Sean Yamashita – District 5 (Honolulu Police Department); Iris Oda (Board of Water Supply – BWS); Deputy Director Stephen Courtney (Mayor Blangiardi’s Representative); Nate Serota (Department of Parks and Recreation – DPR); Jay Egusa (Department of Transportation Services – DTS); Catie Cullison (PBR Hawaiʻi); Tricia Riopelle (Councilmember Radiant Cordero’s Office); Lynn Robinson (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam’s Office); Gabby Camacho (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit – HART); Tara Kaneshiro (Nan, Inc.); Patrick Watson (V. Coluccio Construction); Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Kathy Nii (Senator Donna Mercado Kim’s Office); Caitlin Barrow (HCDC); Benjamin Park, Dallis Hio (HPHA); Taurean Gordon; Tara Mitchell (Seneca Services); Jay, Ashley Niibu, J. Martinez, Lenda Tominiko, Josamarie Faria, Stephanie Salivous, Ronald Higa (Residents and Guests); Zhoydell Magaoay (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: The names of any attendees who were not legible were not included. There were 49 total participants.

CITY MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:00:14]
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – [0:00:18]: Captain Bass reported the following:
April 2025 Statistics: There were two (2) structure fires, 10 nuisance fires, four (4) activated alarms (no fires), 218 medical emergencies, one (1) motor vehicle collision with pedestrian; nine (9) motor vehicle crashes/collisions, one (1) ocean rescue, and three (3) hazardous materials incidents. Captain Bass provided safety tips on home fire sprinklers. A copy of the report can be found at: HFD May 2025 Report. Should you have questions, please e-mail the HFD’s Public Affairs & Media Liaison at HFDNHB@honolulu.gov.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:02:29].

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 1 – [0:07:44]: Sergeant Shimabukuro reported the April 2025 crime statistics, which can be found at https://www.honolulupd.org/.
April 2025 Statistics: There was one (1) motor vehicle theft, two (2) thefts, three (3) assaults, and one (1) drug-related incidence. Sergeant Shimabukuro noted an uptick in the ʻAʻala Park area where chemical agents were used. HPD is asking the public to be vigilant and causious of their surroundings, especially at night when walking around that area.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 5 – [0:09:21]: Lieutenant Yamashita reported the April 2025 crime statistics, which may be found at https://www.honolulupd.org.
April 2025 Statistics: There were six (6) aggravated assaults, 20 motor vehicle thefts, 10 burglaries, four (4) robberies, 16 simple assaults, 31 thefts, nine (9) Unauthorized Entries into Motor Vehicles (UEMV), and 2,951 calls for service. Lieutenant Yamashita provided additional details on the robbery cases. Lieutenant Yamashita announced the District 5 Coffee with a Cop is scheduled for Friday, June 13, 2025, at the 414 North School Street McDonald’s, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:10:41].

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [0:12:58]: Iris Oda reported one (1) main break in April 2025, which occurred near 672 Bannister Street. Oda provided summer water conservation tips. More information can be found at: BWS May 2025 Report. Get more tips at www.boardofwatersupply.com/7ways.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) – [0:17:07]: When the Chair called upon this agenda item, no representative was present. Chair proceeded to the next item on the agenda.

PRESENTATION – [0:17:19]
Proposed DTS Bus Service Changes for Opening 2nd Phase of Skyline – [0:17:37]: Jay Egusa of the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) and Catie Cullison of PBR Hawaii shared the proposed bus route changes which aim to improve connectivity with the upcoming Skyline rail phase opening on October 1, 2025. Cullison noted that DTS and their consultants are seeking community feedback of the bus route changes. The purpose for considering the bus route changes is to integrate the bus routes with the phase 2 of Skyline. With the extension of four more stations, DTS is proposing the hours of operation for the Skyline as well as TheBus service change to accommodate the rail extension. There will be three (3) phases with the bus route changes that will coincide with the rollout of phase 2 for the Skyline. Cullison discussed the restructured routes that were implemented in March 2025 to Route 44, Route 47, Route 461, and Route 415. Cullison shared the Phase 2 proposed changes which includes the A-Line truncation, discontinuing of Route 20 and Route 303, adding U-Line, rerouting of Routes 40, 42, and 51, and Route 46 reduction of service frequency. Cullison also shared the proposed Phase 3 changes to the C-Line and E-Line. Send comments and questions no later than July 15, 2025 to thebusstop@honolulu.gov.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:29:31]. Concerns raised includes loss of bus service to specific areas (Kalihi & Downtown), specifically the proposed discontinued services of Route 20, considering workers’ needs and minimizing impact/disruption to the workers that catch the bus.

[0:34:21] – Chair Ybanez took the agenda out of order and returned to the HART Report.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) – [0:34:28]: Gabby Camacho reported that Nan, Inc. recently backfilled the micro tunneling pits where electrical lines are being run under and across the canal, off of Kohou Street and Kokea Street. Camacho noted that Nan, Inc. will soon be jet grouting the area to stabilize the soil conditions, enough to support infrastructure. News article regarding the Dillingham utility relocation project can be found at: Hawaii News Now Article – Dillingham Utility Relocation Project. Camacho announced that Tutor Perini will be hosting the Hōlau (Chinatown) Station neighborhood design workshop on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Keʻelikōlani Middle School Cafeteria. For more information on the workshop, visit https://honolulutransit.org/events/neighborhood-design-workshop-holau-chinatown-station-20250626/. For more information, contact HART at info@honolulutransit.org or call the 240hour project hotlne at 808-566-2299. Skyline Customer Service can be reach at 808-848-5555, option 4 or skyline@honolulu.gov.

[0:39:34] – Chair Ybanez took the agenda out of order and return to Presentations.

PRESENTATION – [0:39:34]
Dog friendly park discussion – [0:39:41]: Nate Serota of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) discussed plans for expanding dog park privileges in City neighborhood parks. Community members are encouraged to gather input from neighbors regarding which parks should allow on-leash dogs and send their comments by September 2025. Serota to return for further discussions at the next meeting in July. A copy of the news release can be found at: News Release – Community discussions to expand on-leash dog privileges. A video of the press release can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6eGUKPfUxc. Link to the map used in the presentation can be found at: bit.ly/dogneighborhoods.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:42:30]. Board and community members expressed concerns about irresponsible pet owners, safety, and removing designation of on-leash dog park of Loʻi Kalo Park.

Lithium-Ion Batteries – [0:53:50]: Carl Otsuka provided information on Lithium-ion battery safety. Otsuka noted that Lithium-ion battery fires are increasing. Otsuka discussed causes of rechargeable battery fires and safety measures including proper charging practices and recycling of old batteries. Otsuka stressed that proper handling of lithium-ion batteries can prevent dangerous fires in homes. A copy of the presentation can be found at: Rechargeable Battery Fire Safety Presentation.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:07:07].

RESIDENTS’ AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS – [1:09:34]
KPT relocation process concerns – [0:00:00]: Benjamin Park of Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority (HPHA) provided information regarding the redevelopment of Kuhio Park Housing (KPT). Park noted that the redevelopment aims to increase units from 174 to 500-625 units. The first phase involves relocating 60 families, with 45 families already moved to comparable units. Construction is expected to begin at the end of 2025, with a projected completion date of one and a half years later. Park also noted that communication and community input are crucial for the redevelopment process. HPHA will follow up on the communications and meetings with residents regarding the redevelopment project to address concerns raised by community members and ensure that families affected by the redevelopment are informed about their right to return and any changes to rental agreements or housing options.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:16:53] Concerns raised about housing voucher time limits, the lack of information regarding the redevelopment plans, relocation process, and the future of Linapuni Elementary School. A resident spoke about her positive experience with the relocation process.

CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS – [1:34:00]
Mayor Rick Blangiardi – [1:34:09]: Deputy Director Courtney provided the report which can be found on at Mayor’s Highlights May 2025. Deputy Director Courtney highlighted the City and State’s urgent call for homeless advocates to serve as Guardians At Litem (GAL), new laws to improve public spaces, solar canopy at Blaisdell Center, Mālama ʻĀina Day, and the sixth Mayor’s Town Hall meeting. Deputy Director Courtney provided responses to concerns raised at previous meeting and was available for questions.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:37:08]. Board member Farm provided a positive comment on GAL.

Councilmember Radiant Cordero – [1:37:58]: Tricia Riopelle provided the report, which can be found at: Councilmember Cordero May 2025 Report. Riopelle highlighted updates on community concerns, safety guidelines for motorists driving on roadways with no lane markings, Kapālama Canal cleanup, Farrington High School’s Career Fair, and legislative updates, specifically Resolution 25-128 and Resolution 25-63.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:41:23].
Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam – [1:42:15]: Lynn Robinson provided the report which can be found at: Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam May 2025 Report. Robinson announced the opening of The Susannah Wesley Community Center Free Store. Robinson noted that Councilmembers Dos Santos-Tam and Weyer introduced Resolution 25-105 which proposes changes to the types of apartment projects allowed in Oʻahu’s existing apartment zones. If you have questions and concerns for District 6, contact Lynn Robinson (808) 768-5045 l.robinson@honolulu.gov.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:44:50].
COMMUNITY UPDATES
U.S. Army Garrison Hawaiʻi Military Report – [1:50:00]: Selina Gentkowski announced that the next hiring fair will be on Tuesday, June 24 2025 at the Kapolei High School from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information on the hiring fair, visit www.himwr.com. Gentkowski provided the training advisory, which can be found at: U.S. Army Training Advisory May 2025. Gentkowski noted that this year is the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and has invited the public to celebrate Army Heritage Week at Fort DeRussy on Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Gentkowski announced that the Army published the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the Army training land and retention of State lands. For more information, visit https://home.army.mil/hawaii/OahuEIS/project-home.

STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS – [1:53:03]
Senator Karl Rhoads – [1:53:05]: There was no representative present. The report can be found at: Senator Rhoads May 2025 Report.
Senator Donna Mercado Kim – [1:53:20]: Senator Kim noted that Legislature adjourned on May 2, 2025 and passed over 200 bills, several of which have already been signed by Governor into law. Full list of the bills is available at: www.capitol.hawaii.gov under the Reports and Lists Section. Senator Kim provided the process of how the passed bills become into law. Senator Kim announced the groundbreaking for the new Farrington High School Gymnasium on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

Senator Glenn Wakai – [1:56:34]: There was no representative present. The report can be found at: Senator Wakai May 2025 Report.

Representative Daniel Holt – [1:56:40]: No representative present. No report was submitted.

Representative Shirley Templo – [1:56:43]: There was no representative present.

Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [1:56:49]: There was no representative present. The report can be found at: Governor Green May 2025 Newsletter.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Safety – [1:57:02]: Committee member Ybanez announced that the Salvation Army will be donating donuts to SHOPO on Friday, June 6, 2025 in honor of National Donut Day.

Education – [1:57:18]: Committee Co-Chair Farm noted that thirty percent of 47,000, the population of the Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board area, do not have a high school diploma.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: If there are concerns about homeless individuals or groups in your neighborhood that need help, you can email HonoluluCORE@honolulu.gov or call the C.O.R.E. hotline at (808) 768-2673 to ask for assistance. This line is for non-emergencies only and calls will be returned as soon as possible. To report a concern such as sidewalk repairs, park maintenance, bulky item pickups, TheBus and Paratransit Handi Van Operations, and etc., please visit https://www.honolulu.gov/csd/report-a-concern/.

BOARD BUSINESS – [1:58:39]
Approval of Minutes: Wednesday, April 16, 2025 – [1:58:40]: Vasquez-Dela Cerna noted that she was present at the last meeting. Jadulang MOVED and Farm SECONDED to adopt the Minutes as amended. Hearing no further corrections, the Minutes were adopted as amended.

Filling of Vacancy: Two (2) At-Large Seats – [1:59:11]: There were no volunteers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – [1:59:20]
Next Meeting: Chair Ybanez announced that the next No.15 Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at The Salvation Army Corps Community Center Conference Room at 296 N. Vineyard Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96817 and via WebEx.

ʻŌlelo / YouTube Recordings: The Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board No. 15 recordings can be seen on ʻŌlelo Channel 49 or at www.olelo.org/live at the following times: 1st Monday of each month at 9:00 p.m. and 2nd and 4thThursday of each month at 11:00 a.m. Recordings of Board meetings can also be found at: https://www.youtube.com/@NeighborhoodCommissionOffice.

Archive: Find an archive of handouts and referenced materials concerning to No. 15 Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board at: No. 15 Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board Google Drive.

ADJOURNMENT – [1:59:55]: The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Submitted by: Zhoydell Magaoay, Neighborhood Board Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Robert Whitsell, Deputy Director
Finalized by: Secretary Eric Irwin and Chair Amanda Ybanez

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.