DOWNTOWN – CHINATOWN NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 13
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2025, at 6:00 P.M.
Keʻelikōlani Middle School Library
1302 Queen Emma Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
AND VIA WEBEX
This meeting location is open to public participation.
Other available options including WebEx and phone-in instructions are as follows:
Meeting Link: https://cchnl.webex.com/cchnl/j.php?MTID=m2eec5eabd07f32af605be6e0c6aac97b
Meeting Number / Access Code: 2490 552 4947
Password: NB13 (6213 from phones and video systems)
Join by phone: +1(408) 418-9388 [United States toll]
Meeting Materials Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu
Video Recordings: http://www.youtube.com/@NeighborhoodCommissionOffice
Rules of Speaking: Any audience member may raise their hand to speak on an agenda item at the announced time; when recognized by the Presiding Officer, questions/comments are limited to two (2) minutes. After the audience, Board members may raise their hand to speak with questions and comments limited to one (1) minute. Requests for follow-ups may or may not be granted by the Presiding Officer. Audience/Board members should refrain from interruptions and/or disruptive conduct. Any individual not following these rules may be ruled out of order.
Rules for Presentations/Reports: Presentation of materials are only permitted by individuals listed on the agenda (or by the Neighborhood Assistant/an Officer of the Board) during the listed presentation/report. Speakers are urged to keep their prepared remarks to under the allotted time on the agenda (unless otherwise authorized by the Chair/Presiding Officer). Subsequent responses during Q&A should be kept brief and direct (or may be addressed in private follow-ups).
Other Notes: The Board may vote upon any listed agenda item; items not listed cannot be voted upon unless allowed under HRS 92 (a.k.a. Sunshine Law). Matters raised during Public Concerns cannot be voted upon (but may be discussed by the Board at the discretion of the Presiding Officer). Members of the Board may not raise a matter not listed on the agenda during Public Concerns (but may request inclusion of an item on the agenda in advance of the meeting). Public testimony received in advance of the meeting may also be read aloud (during the listed agenda item or Public Concerns) at the discretion of the Chair.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS (including discussion on board/community inquiries; 5 minutes each)
2.1 Honolulu Fire Department
2.2 Honolulu Police Department
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (5 minutes in total)
3.1 Consideration of board action for removal of an officer (the board’s secretary as elected by board vote in July 2024) as requested by Board Member Kevin Lye
3.2 Board action to approve outstanding draft Regular Meeting Written Summaries for Video Record previously taken/posted (Thursday, February 6, 2025 + Thursday, March 6, 2025 + Thursday, April 3, 2025)
4. PRESENTATIONS (including discussion on board/community inquiries; 10 minutes each)
4.1 Resident-reported traffic and safety issues surrounding Chick-fil-A Makiki location on S Beretania St – Lindsay Chambers
a. Board vote on Resolution 2025-01 Urging the City & County of Honolulu to Study and Address Traffic and Safety Issues on S Beretania St near Chick-Fil-A Makiki – Board Member Ross Isokane
4.2 Chinatown Improvement District (CID) Research and Projects – Lee Stack [chinatownimprovementdistrict@gmail.com]
4.3 PBR Hawaii (on behalf of DTS) – Proposed fixed-transit (TheBus) route changes in advance of the opening of the second phase of Skyline on behalf of DTS – Dave Simpson [dsimpson@pbrhawaii.com]
4.4 Kawaiaha’o E’ Komo Mai Kakou! Open House (May 4, 2025, from 11:30am to 1:30pm) – Andrew Dahlburg
5. PUBLIC CONCERNS (2 minutes each regarding issues not listed on the agenda)
6. ELECTED OFFICIALS – Priority to be given to elected officials/representatives that are physically present at the meeting (including discussion on board/community inquiries; 5 minutes each)
6.1 Congressman Ed Case’s Representative
6.2 Governor Josh Green’s Representative – Stephen Downes [stephen.downes@doh.hawaii.gov]
6.3 Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – Ian Santee [isantee@honolulu.gov]
6.4 City Council (District 6) – Tyler Dos Santos-Tam [tdossantos-tam@honolulu.gov]
6.5 State Senate (District 13) – Karl Rhoads [senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov]
6.6 State House (District 25) – Kim Coco Iwamoto [repiwamoto@capitol.hawaii.gov]
6.7 State House (District 28) – Daniel Holt [repholt@capitol.hawaii.gov]
7. QUARTERLY REPORTS (including discussion on board/community inquiries; 3 minutes each)
7.1 Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Iris Oda [IODA@hbws.org]
7.2 Honolulu Authority Rapid Transit (HART) – Marissa Gonzales [marissa.gonzales@honolulu.gov
7.3 Chinatown Business Community Association (CBCA) – Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock [clskwock@gmail.com]
8. CHAIR’S REPORT ON UPCOMING EVENTS AND INITIATIVES
8.1 Chair Caravalho + Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam’s Community Walk to start at Foster Botanical Garden (Day and time to be announced at the meeting)
8.2 Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation community feedback request regarding “Dog Friendly Parks” proposal
8.3 Chair’s recommendation to change meeting date from THURSDAY, July 3, 2025 to TUESDAY, July 1, 2025 (in light of FRIDAY, July 4, 2025 holiday)
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS
9.1 2025 Neighborhood Board Elections Timeline: https://www8.honolulu.gov/nco/neighborhood-board-elections
a. Friday, April 25, 2025: Voting begins; passcodes mailed out
b. Friday, May 16, 2025: Voting ends
c. Friday, May 23, 2025: Deadline for ballots postmarked no later than Monday, May 19, 2025 to be received
9.2 The next Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Keʻelikōlani Middle School and virtually via WebEx.
9.3 Rebroadcasts of Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 meetings are scheduled on ʻŌlelo channel 49 for every third Thursday at 9:00 p.m., as well as 9:00 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month. An archive of past meetings may be found on http://olelo.org/olelonet/ by searching on <Downtown>.
10. 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, Hawai‘i 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://www8.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 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
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2025 at 6:00 P.M.
PRINCESS RUTH KE‘ELIKŌLANI MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA – 1302 QUEEN EMMA STREET, HONOLULU, HI 96813
AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING
Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHGKSazHaU8
Reports & other meeting materials can be found at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu
I. CALL TO ORDER – [0:01:18]: 6:03 p.m.
Chair Ernest Caravalho called the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Quorum was established with eight (8) members present. Note: This nine-member Board requires five (5) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action.
Members Present: Robert Armstrong, Ernest Caravalho, Ross Isokane, Kevin Lye, Lori McCarney, Kevin McDonald, Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, Laura Sturges, and Sean Fitzsimmons (arrived at 6:03 p.m.).
Members Absent: None.
Guests: Firefighter Kaleo Kia (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant Kaleo Hosaka, Chief Young, Chief Lynch, and Acting Major Roberts (HPD); Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Anton Krucky, Kevin Auger, Ian Santee, Lloyd Yonenaka (Mayor Rick Blangiardi); Steven Downes (Governor Green); Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, Jack Truesdale (City Council District 6); KITV 4 News; Sara Thorn (Senator Karl Rhoads); Kate Ozawa (Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto); Adam Reid, Arlynne Pasion, Walter Rodby, C. Trecker, Kent Walther, Nicole Shintani, Henry Pang, Rick Keene, Kuhia Smith, Jack W., Victoria Leah, Lyn Pyle, Doug Pyle, Pat Bemis, Yvonne Awai, Susan Anderson, Adam Blatt, Hannah Way, Patrick Woo, Randall Jadulang, Donna Matsumoto, Laurie VonHamm, Nolan Black, Ronald Higa, Mandy Hunag, Deborah King, and Jasmine Douglas (Residents); Camilia Epa Gomes (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 59 total attendees.
II. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS – [0:02:20]
Honolulu Fire Department – [0:02:23]: No representative at this time. A representative arrived after the Honolulu Fire Department report.
Member Fitzsimmons joined the meeting at 6:03 p.m.; 9 members present.
Honolulu Police Department – [0:03:03]: HPD Sergeant Kaleo Hosaka provided the report and shared the monthly statistics for March 2025. In addition, details were provided for a project that HPD officers from District 1 during fourth watch has done in conjunction with State and City Agencies (City Department of Facility Maintenance, State Department of Transportation, and City Department of Parks and Recreation). The project consisted of efforts done to clean up the homeless encampment that was behind the Foster Botanical Garden and along the canal.
Questions, comments and concerns followed – [0:05:08]
Hearing no objections, Chair Caravalho took the agenda out of order to hear Section II.A. Honolulu Fire Department at this time.
Honolulu Fire Department – [0:21:31]: Firefighter Kaleo Kia provided the report and shared follow-up responses for questions raised at last month’s Board meeting. Firefighter Kia shared the monthly statistics for March 2025 and the safety tip for the month regarding evacuation planning.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P2Qkshyi0atO1-rFc-Jxemb02keYMaYD/view?usp=drive_link
Questions, comments and concerns followed – [0:24:14]
III. PRESENTATIONS – [0:25:30]
City & County of Honolulu Office of the Mayor Updates on Our Community and Oʻahu In General – [0:26:36]: Mayor Blangiardi and two members of his cabinet were present to share recent key efforts that were made to improve Downtown-Chinatown district. Mayor Blangiardi highlighted key efforts such as: installation of new security cameras in Chinatown; initiating ‘Safe and Sound Program’ and ‘Weed and Seed Hawaii Program’; HART working to open the second segment of the Skyline Rail; installation of bike lanes; district improvements for Iwilei area; and increase of police enforcement/patrol in the district. Mayor Blangiardi mentioned there will be action to address the conditions of the Chinatown Cultural Plaza and will be in discussion with the owners to improve the plaza given everything the City is trying to address in the urban core of the city. Due to prior commitments, Mayor Blangiardi was able to answer some of the public’s questions before departing the meeting. Mayor Blangiardi introduced members of his cabinet that were present at the meeting Anton Krucky (City Department of Community Services) and Kevin Auger (City Department of Housing) who were both present in person to share current updates in the district and to take any questions that the community might have related to housing and homelessness in the district.
Questions, comments and concerns followed – [0:30:10]
[0:50:02] – Director Anton Krucky shared about the new shelter that had opened in the Iwilei area. There will be 75 more beds opening up before the end of June 2025. Mr. Krucky is working towards a vision of creating beds of many flavors to help provide treatment and specialized help for drug/alcohol addiction, mental health, etc. Mr. Krucky also shared about the bathroom improvements that are planned to be built in the district. Mr. Krucky shared he plans to keep the Board in the loop with updates by providing a presentation at a future Board meeting.
Questions, comments and concerns followed – [0:52:00]
[1:02:50] – Director Kevin Auger spoke about the City’s process of building projects and is aware of the opposition for the housing project for Kamaliʻi Mini Park and assured everyone that there are no plans set yet for the property. Mr. Auger shared the history of the piece of the property and the City’s plan to transform a longtime underutilized property. Mr. Auger also shared what (Request for Qualification) RFQ’s are and the process of how they work to find a trusted and experienced development partner. Mr. Auger shared that there are no final plans in place, and emphasized it is still in the beginning of a community centered process. Projects undergo years of trials before a project is ever finalized and there will be multiple opportunities throughout the process for the public to provide input.
Questions, comments and concerns followed – [1:12:45]
Member Shubert-Kwock left the meeting at 7:31 p.m.; 8 members present.
IV. PUBLIC CONCERNS – [1:38:47]
Kamaliʻi Mini Park – [1:39:40]: A resident shared his personal beliefs and mistrust on what the City will do to Kamaliʻi Mini Park.
V. ELECTED OFFICIALS – [1:41:32] – Chair Caravalho announced priority will be given to elected officials/representatives who are present in person at the meeting and then proceed to elected officials/representatives who are present virtually on WebEx.
Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [1:41:58]: Steven Downes submitted his report and was present to take any questions or concerns.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18hvAxCEJ1c8W3GCSR2arq-k3jWe_ebCt/view?usp=drive_link
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fuvv1kE-rJ0S069OuinZmt2bXY4-0_y1/view?usp=drive_link
Questions, comments and concerns followed – [1:42:27]
City Council (District 6) – Tyler Dos Santos-Tam – [1:43:44]: Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam provided his report and highlighted the following: Bill 50 (relating to parades, street festivals, and other activities) was signed into law; Bill 1 (relating to outdoor dining program) will be signed into law on Friday, April 4, 2025; bills that are related to illegal gamerooms are still in hearings; perspective on handling the City budget funds; and the discussion for the proposed sewer fees raise will be heard at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 and Bill 46 (relating to Empty Home Tax) will be heard on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DoLdL-9ttwfAChSraRLImoNuQX89oMni/view?usp=drive_link
Questions, comments and concerns followed – [1:49:16]
Member Fitzsimmons left the meeting at 7:52 p.m.; 7 members present.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – [2:01:00]: The Mayorʻs representative notified Chair Caravalho he will be leaving the meeting early but has submitted a memo in lieu of the report.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JyMqA5zz41lnNTt-aVaPtiXjNiFHzV43/view?usp=drive_link
Congressman Ed Case’s Representative – [2:02:09]: No representative present.
State Senate (District 13) – Karl Rhoads – [2:02:25]: Sara Thorn provided the report and highlighted the following: The Hawaii Department of Agriculture created an information sheet for the public, answering frequently asked questions about Little Fire Ants; and Senator Rhoads introduced Senate Bill (SB) 405 (relating to Neighborhood Board Meetings) and it was crossed over to the House to be heard.
• For questions and concerns, please call Senator Rhoads office at (808) 586-6130 or email senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov
• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uUbwaaW-9PU9bE0eEkhzukHEhBi4A_cM/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true
Questions, comments and concerns followed – [2:03:40]
State House (District 25) – Kim Coco Iwamoto – [2:07:36]: Kate Ozawa was present and reminded everyone to complete the community survey which can be found on Representative Iwamotoʻs April newsletter.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bv3xbgPa67bWmm3jr3NCMD0_jvZ4HWf6/view?usp=drive_link
Questions, comments and concerns followed – [2:08:45]
State House (District 28) – Daniel Holt – [2:11:55]: No representative present.
VI. QUARTERLY REPORTS – [2:12:07]: Chair Caravalho shared that there are no reports scheduled for this month.
VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – [2:12:22]
Thursday, February 6, 2025, and Thursday, March 6, 2025 Regular Meeting Written Summaries for Video Record – [2:12:22]: Chair Caravalho shared that the approval of both minutes will be deferred to next month’s regular Board meeting.
Questions, comments and concerns followed – [2:12:31]
VIII. BOARD BUSINESS – [2:13:30]
Board vote on whether to include items on next month’s regular meeting agenda (May 2025) required under Neighborhood Plan §2-14-111(c): Board Member Lye’s two (2) written requests received via email ([1] Proposal to re-implement equitable per-item and per-speaker on-screen timers for NB 13 as per best practices; [2] Motion to amend something previously deferred as stated in the October minutes: Written summaries for video record for Thursday, July 2, 2024 + Thursday August 1, 2024) – [2:13:35]: Chair Caravalho stated he would not like to place both items on next month’s agenda.
Questions, comments and concerns followed – [2:14:53]
[2:43:35] – Lye MOVED and McDonald SECONDED to defer consideration of implementation of written request for re-implementing equitable per-item and per-speaker on-screen timers. Further discussion followed. A roll-call was conducted. The motion was NOT ADOPTED; 3-4-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Lye, McDonald; Nay: Isokane, McCarney, Sturges, Caravalho; Abstain: None) – [2:22:05]
[2:22:32] – Lye MOVED and Armstrong SECONDED to place consideration and discussion of on-screen timers at the next Board meeting. Further discussion followed. A roll-call was conducted. The motion was NOT ADOPTED; 3-4-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Lye, McDonald; Nay: Isokane, McCarney, Sturges, Caravalho; Abstain: None) – [2:26:18]
[2:26:48] – Lye MOVED and McDonald SECONDED to amend something previously deferred as stated in the October minutes: Written summaries for video record for Thursday, July 2, 2024 + Thursday August 1, 2024). Further discussion followed. A roll-call was conducted. The motion was NOT ADOPTED; 3-4-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Lye, McDonald; Nay: Isokane, McCarney, Sturges, Caravalho; Abstain: None) – [2:32:19]
IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS – [2:32:20]
The next Downtown–Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13 regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Keʻelikōlani Middle School and virtually via WebEx.
Rebroadcasts of Downtown–Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13 meetings are scheduled on ʻŌlelo channel 49 for every third Thursday at 9:00 p.m., as well as 9:00 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month. An archive of past meetings may be found on http://olelo.org/olelonet/ by searching in archives <Downtown Chinatown>.
City and County of Honolulu and Hawaiʻi Foodbank are partnering to fight against hunger. Neighborhood Board Assistant Camilia Epa Gomes will be collecting donated canned goods at tonightʻs meeting.
X. ADJOURNMENT – [2:33:06]: The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Submitted by: Camilia Epa Gomes, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, NCO
Finalized by: Ross Isokane, Secretary, Neighborhood Board No.13
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.