KALIHI – PĀLAMA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 15
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2024
KAPĀLAMA HALE, 925 DILLINGHAM BOULEVARD, ROOM 277
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-Palāma Neighborhood Board No. 15 at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jZWmXmsk6bquFmxc5Ch_JqHL1wlHZrRL.
Recordings: Recordings of Board meetings can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1DZJTKor6TTNYiqx5U-P2w.
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 one minute-thirty seconds and one question per speaker, additional questions be posted in the chat or emailed to presenters. 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 Amanda Ybanez
II. 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 – Iris Oda
E. Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) – Marissa Gonzales
III. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Filling of Vacancy: Two (2) At-Large Seats
B. Approval of Minutes: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
C. Resolution Urging Legislature To Adopt Good-Government Reforms
IV. PRESENTATION (Limited to maximum 10-Minute Presentation)
A. American Red Cross – Renise Haili Bayne, Renional Disaster Officer
B. Sewer Rate Increase – Department of Environmental Services (ENV)
V. 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.
VI. 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
VII. COMMUNITY UPDATES
A. U.S. Army Garrison Hawaiʻi Military Report – Selina Gentkowski
B. Schools
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 Shirley Templo (House District 30)
F. Governor Josh Green’s MD Representative – Dreana Kalili, Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT)
IX. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Three (3) minutes each
A. Safety: Chair Cullen, Irwin, Ybanez, Young, Mr. Cullen
B. Education: Co-Chairs Daga, Pintor, Farm
C. Health: Chair Pintor, Ybanez
X. COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
A. City and County of Honolulu’s Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement (C.O.R.E.) Program – https://emergencyservices.honolulu.gov/core/. Want to join C.O.R.E.? Email HonoluluCORE@honolulu.gov or call 808-768-2673.
B. C.O.R.E. provides services to Oʻahu’s unsheltered population. C.O.R.E. responds to crisis calls, from within the community, that are non-violent and do not require emergent medical assistance.
XI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. The next Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board No. 15 meeting is scheduled to be on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. The Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board will recess its December 2024 meeting. Have a joyous holiday season!
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, OCTOBER 16, 2024
WEBEX VIDEO TELECONFERENCE AND KAPĀLAMA HALE
Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIOziYdum8k.
Reports and other meeting materials can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jZWmXmsk6bquFmxc5Ch_JqHL1wlHZrRL
CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:16]: 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 nine (9) 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: Amanda Ybanez, Cardenas Pintor, Eric Irwin, Donald Guerrero, Alyn Vasquez-Dela Cerna, Lloyd Pohano, Ken Farm, Diosa Mae Daga, and Delia Ulima.
Board Members Absent: Evelyn Cullen, Shirley Templo, and Angela Young
Guests: Firefighter Rocky Silva (Honolulu Fire Department – Kalihi Kai Station); Lieutenant Arnold Sagucio – District 1; Lieutenant Yamashita, Sergeant Jose Martinez – District 5 (Honolulu Police Department); Deputy Stephen Courtney (Mayor Blangiardi’s Representative); Dee Hayashida (Councilmember Radiant Cordero’s Office); Lynn Robinson (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam’s office); Marissa Gonzales (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit – HART); Dreana Kalili (Governor Josh Green’s Representative); Brayden Cheung (Senator Karl Rhoads’s Office); Senator Glenn Wakai; Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Kathy Nii (Senator Donna Mercado Kim’s Office);Mike Wallerstein (Public Utilities Commission-PUC); Gabby Camacho (NAN, Inc.); Maria Rallojay (Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action – HAPA); Sherry Howser, Ben Sadowski (Local 5); Lynette Kumalae, Dean, Ethan S., Patrick Watson, Jamaica Escalante, Nathalie, Julia, Dana, Alan Kumalae, Ronald Higa,Thomas Beck (Residents and Guests); Zhoydell Magaoay (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 45 total participants.
CITY MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:00:22]
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – [0:00:32]: Firefighter Silva reported the following.
September 2024 Statistics: There was one (1) structure fire, four (4) nuisance fires, eight (8) activated alarms (no fire), 168 medical emergencies, one (1) motor vehicle collision with pedestrian, 20 motor vehicle crashes/collisions, one (1) ocean rescue, and two (2) hazardous materials incidents. Firefighter Silva provided safety tips on smoke alarms. A copy of the report can be found at: HFD October 2024 Report.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 1 – [0:03:08]: Lieutenant Arnold Sagucio reported September 2024 crime statistics, which can be found at https://www.honolulupd.org/.
September 2024 Statistics: There was one (1) motor vehicle theft, one (1) burglary, five (5) thefts, two (2) Unauthorized Entries into Motor Vehicles (UEMV), two (2) assaults, two (2) drug related offenses, and 353 calls for service. Lieutenant Sagucio announced that the Pride Parade will be happening on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., from the Atkinson Drive entrance of Magic Island to Kapʻiolani Park. Lieutenant Sagucio provided Halloween safety tips.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 5 – [0:06:14]: Lieutenant Yamashita provided responses to concerns raised at the previous meeting regarding e-bikes and residentially challeged people living alongside Kalihi Stream by Kalihi Waena Elementary School . Lieutenant Yamashita reported the September 2024 crime statistics, which may be found at https://www.honolulupd.org/.
September 2024 Statistics: There were two (2) aggravated assaults, eight (8) motor vehicle thefts, three (3) burglaries, two (2) robberies, five (5) sex assaults, eight (8) simple assaults, 42 thefts, nine (9) Unauthorized Entries into Motor Vehicles (UEMV), and 2,791 calls for service. Lieutenant Yamashita provided additional details of the robbery and sex assaults cases. Lieutenant Yamashita announced that the Meet the Command is on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at the Moanalua High School Cafeteria, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:10:33].
Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [0:16:34]: No representative present. The report can be found at: BWS October 2024 Report.
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) – [0:16:45]: Marissa Gonzales provided updates to the utility relocation work along Kamehameha Highway, Dillingham Boulevard, and Downtown. Gonzales noted that the microtunneling on Kohou Street is scheduled to be complete by November 2024. Gonzales announced that HART just released the Dillingham Construction Sequencing video which shows the utility relocation and conctruction phases along the Dillingham corridor. The video can be found at the HART website, https://honolulutransit.org. Gonzales also announced that the virtual business and community meeting will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., via WebEx. You can email your questions to info@honolulutransit.org or call the 24-hour hotline at 808-566-2299.
BOARD BUSINESS – [0:19:39]
Filing of Vacancy – One (1) At-Large Seat – [0:19:42]: Daga nominated Thomas Beck. Mr. Beck respectfully declined.
Approval of Minutes: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 – [0:20:07]: [0:20:28] – Vasquez-Dela Cerna MOVED and Daga SECONDED to adopt the Minutes. Hearing no corrections and no objections, the Minutes were adopted as written.
Resolution Urging Legislature to Adopt Good-Government Reforms – [0:20:39]: Pintor provided a brief overview of the Resolution, which can be found at: Resolution Urging Legislature to Adopt Good-Government Reforms. Maria Rallojay of Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) noted that the Resolution is basically a good governance reform that aims to make, to increase integrity, and efficiency in the State Legislature rules and statutory amendments.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:23:05]. Pintor MOVED to adopt the Resolution. There was no second. Daga MOVED and Irwin SECONDED to defer discussions to the next meeting in order for Board members to review the document and do more research. Hearing no objections, the motion was passed. The Resolution will be on the next agenda.
Resolution Urging For Artificial Intelligence Regulation in Hawaii – [0:28:45]: Pintor provided a brief overview of the Resolution which can be found at: Resolution Urging For Artificial Intelligence Regulation in Hawaiʻi. [0:37:41] -Pintor MOVED and Daga SECONDED to adopt the Resolution urging for artificial intelligence regulation in Hawaiʻi. Hearing no additional discussions and hearing no objections, the Board adopted the Resolution; 9-0-0 [Aye: Daga, Farm, Guerrero, Irwin, Pintor, Pohano, Ulima, Vasquez-Dela Cerna, Ybanez; Nay: None; Abstain: None] – [0:38:01].
Resolution Urging For Fake Job Listings And Ghost Jobs Illegal in Hawaii – [0:40:33]: Pintor provided a brief overview of the Resolution which can be found at: Resolution Urging For Fake Job Listings And Ghost Jobs Illegal in Hawaiʻi. [0:43:15] Pintor MOVED and Daga SECONDED to adopt the Resolution urging for fake job listings and ghost jobs illegal in Hawaiʻi. Hearing no additional discussions and hearing no objections, the Board adopted the Resolution; 9-0-0 [Aye: Daga, Farm, Guerrero, Irwin, Pintor, Pohano, Ulima, Vasquez-Dela Cerna, Ybanez; Nay: None; Abstain: None] – [0:43:26].
PRESENTATIONS – [0:43:32]
Active Shooter Training – [0:43:51]: Sergeant Jose Martinez provided a brief overview of the training. Sergeant Martinez stated that people go through different stages of dealing with the critical incident and the first stage is denial that this incident is happening. Sergeant Martinez stated when there are serious incidents or active shooter situations to remember to A-D-D; Avoid the situation – get yourself away from the area or situation, be aware of emergency exits; Denying – what can you do to deny access to yourself; what can you do to put yourself in a situation where that person or shooter has no mean to get to you; Defend – when all else fails, you can’t avoid the situation, can’t deny them access to you, you have to defend; do whatever it takes to survive. Sergeant Martinez noted that the best thing you can do is to be prepared, have a plan.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:51:51].
Equity Docket – [0:54:09]: Mike Wallerstein of Public Utilities Commission (PUC) noted that the PUC regulate utilities. The mission is to try and align private action with the public interest and they do their work in a way that provides the central services to the public at a reasonable price with safety, with reliability faster. Wallerstein stated that PUC does meet the mission by using dockets which are a way to organize their work. Wallerstein noted that finding related documents in the energy equity docket is divided into five (5) tracks which are procedural equity, affordability, siting & hosting, equitable access to clean energy, and utility performance tracking. Wallerstein encouraged the public to get involved by subscribing to docket emails, attend meeting, and provide public comments. Wallerstein demonstrated how to subscribe and provide public comments. A copy of the presentation can be found at: Energy Equity Docket Presentation.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:03:17].
RESIDENTS’ AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS – [1:04:05]
Hilton Workers Strike – [1:04:36]: Sherry Howser and Ben Sadowski provided an update on the on-going strike of hotel workers. There are approximately 1,800 hotel workers that walked off the job and been on strike almost a month. Howser shared that the workers are worried about paying their mortgage, rent, utilities. Howser noted that they workers went on strike because of the hotel owners cut staffing, increased work load after the pandemic. Howser asked the public to not cross the picket line. Unite Here Hotel Workers Strike Flyer.
CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS – [1:12:33]
Mayor Rick Blangiardi – [1:12:45]: Deputy Courtney provided the report which can be found at: Mayor Blangiardi October 2024 Newsletter. Deputy Courtney highlighted on the operations and ongoing construction for Oʻahu’s rail transit system, the City’s ʻAʻala Respite which aimed at addressing homelessness, upgraded Honolulu’s Medical Examiner facility, new lifeguard tower, and renovations of Waikīkī. Deputy Courtney announced the Department of Environmental Services sewer service charges increase, installation of speed humps on Bernice Street, and the Neighborhood Plan review. More information can be found at: https://www8.honolulu.gov/mayor/newsletter/. Deputy Courtney provided responses to concerns raised at previous meeting and was available for questions.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:19:09].
1. Overgrowth – [1:19:16]: Chair Ybanez requested an update on the maintenance of the overgrowth on the Kapalama Canal from Houghtailing Street to the H-1 freeway. Chair Ybanez noted that DFM responded in August 2024, that DFM has scheduled the maintenance for October 2024. Chair Ybanez stated that the work has not been done yet and the overgrowth is worst now.
Councilmember Radiant Cordero – [1:21:02]: Dee Hayashida provided the report, which can be found at: Councilmember Cordero October 2024 Report. Hayashida announced that the Budget Committee meeting on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 and the Parks Committee meeting on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 has been cancelled. Hayashida provided updates on community concerns regarding speeding on Kalihi Street and Kapālama Bridge repair project. Hayashida reported that the City is now accepting Grants in Aid (GIA) applications for nonprofit organizations. Hayashida provided legislative updates and community events and progrmas that the Councilmember attended.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:24:47].
Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam – [1:26:16]: Lynn Robinson provided the report, which can be found at: Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam October 2024 Report. Robinson highlighted the recommendations to the Illegal Game Room Task Force, legislative updates, and the Consumer Advocacy on Public Utilities’ resources for utility assistance. Information on utility assistance can be found at: www.cca.hawaii.gov/dca/utilityassistance/. Robinson announced that the ʻAuwaiolimu Neighorhood Park cleanup will be on Saturday, November 16, 2024, starting 9:00 a.m. Email robin.henski@honolulu.gov for more information. To report any concerns, contact Lynn Robinson at: 808-786-5045 or l.robinson@honolulu.gov.
COMMUNITY UPDATES – [1:29:51]
U.S. Army Garrison Hawaiʻi Military Report – [1:30:07]: Selina Gentkowski announced that the next hiring fair will be on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at the Āliamanu Military Reservation Gym from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information on the hiring fair, visit www.himwr.com. Gentkowski reported that the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) Training Exercise has now been completed, however there wil be military convoys on the roads and helicopter noises as Soldiers return to Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield. More information can be found at: JPMRC Training Exercises Advisory and JPMRC Training Flyer. To report concerns related to noise or training, community members can call the U.S.Army Garrison Hawaii Community Relations office at (808) 787-1528 or email
usag.hawaii.comrel@army.mil.
Schools – No report.
STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS – [1:31:48]
Senator Karl Rhoads – [1:31:53]: Brayden Cheung provided the report, which can be found at: Senator Rhoads October 2024 Report. Cheung announced that an updated 2024-2025 Covid vaccine has been approved for use. Cheung reported that $3 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds was released to Honolulu Community College. Cheung noted that if you ahve any bill ideas, to contact Senator Rhoads office at 808-586-6130 or email at senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:33:19].
Senator Donna Mercado Kim – [1:35:08]: Kathy Nii provided the report, which can be found at: Senator Kim October 2024 Report. Nii highlighted the $100,000 CIP funds was released for Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services.
Senator Glenn Wakai – [1:36:00]: Senator Wakai provided his report, which can be found at: Senator Wakai October 2024 Report. Senator Wakai provided traffic updates around Sand Island, specifically on Nimitz Highway, Libby and Auiki Streets. Senator Wakai reported that the bike path leading to Sand Island Park has been cleared. Senator Wakai noted that he and Represenative Ganaden spent a morning with third graders at Kalihi Kai Elementary explaining how ideas become law.
Representative Daniel Holt – [1:39:21]: No representative present. No report was submitted.
Representative Sonny Ganaden – [1:39:25]: No representative present. No report was submitted.
Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [1:39:33]: Dreana Kalili provided the report, which can be found at: Ke Ala Hou October 2024 Newsletter. Kalili highlighted the Governor’s travel to Japan and Maui recovery and rebuilding.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:40:15].
COMMITTEE REPORTS – [1:44:10]: Chair Ybanez highlighted the efforts of the committees in addressing the community’s concerns.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS – [1:44:51]
311 App: Chair Ybanez provided information regarding the Honolulu 311 App.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – [1:45:17]
Next Meeting: Chair Ybanez announced that the next No.15 Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at Kapālama Hale 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/channel/UC1DZJTKor6TTNYiqx5U-P2w.
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 – [1:41:54]: The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Submitted by: Zhoydell Magaoay, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy
Finalized by: 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.