KALIHI – PĀLAMA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 15
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025
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/@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 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 Transportation (HART) – Marissa Gonzales
III. PRESENTATION (Limited to maximum 10-Minute Presentation)
A. Dave Simpson-Planner: PBR Hawaii- Proposed DTS Bus Service Changes for Opening 2nd Phase of Skyline.
B. Nathan Serota: Department of Parks and Recreation: Dog friendly park discussion.
C. Carl Otsuka-HFD: Lithium-Ion Batteries.
IV. 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.
A. Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority Affordable Housing initiatives/programs, and SENECA Management group discussion on KPT.
V. 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
VI. COMMUNITY UPDATES
A. U.S. Army Garrison Hawaiʻi Military Report – Selina Gentkowski
VII. 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)
VIII. 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
IX. COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
A. 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.
B. 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/.
X. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Approval of Minutes: Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
B. Filling of Vacancy: Two (2) At-Large Seats
XI. ANNOUNCEMENTS.
A. The next Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board No. 15 meeting is scheduled to be on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. The Board will be on recess for June and resume again on July 16, 2026 at The Salvation Army Corps Community Cernter Conference Room at 296 N. Vineyard Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96817.
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, APRIL 16, 2025
WEBEX VIDEO TELECONFERENCE AND KAPĀLAMA HALE
Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4njh9ztdiQ
Reports and other meeting materials can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jZWmXmsk6bquFmxc5Ch_JqHL1wlHZrRL
CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:03]: 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 seven (7) 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, Cardenas Pintor, Delia Ulima (logged on at 7:02 p.m.), Lloyd Pohano, Amanda Ybanez, Eric Irwin, and Randall Jadulang.
Board Members Absent: Evelyn Cullen, Donald Guerrero, and Alyn Vasquez-Dela Cerna.
Guests: Firefighter Rocky Silva, Captain K. Williams (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant Pedro Rodriguez – District 1, Lieutenant Creighton Hatico – District 5 (Honolulu Police Department); Iris Oda (Board of Water Supply – BWS); Deputy Director Stephen Courtney (Mayor Blangiardi’s Representative); Kaylan Bubeloff (Department of Transportation Services – DTS / Complete Streets); Kent Yan, Irene B. (DTS / Transportation and Mobility Division); Councilmember Radiant Cordero; 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); Payton H. (Senator Karl Rhoads’s Office); Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Crystal Castille (Senator Donna Mercado Kim’s Office); Joy Yoshida, Ariana Ash, Toan Tran, Janxin Yu (McKinley High School CTL); Dana Yap, Ropati Liua, Jamie Harvest-Silva, Zelka Harvest, Ronald Higa, Thomas Beck, Willis Moore, Justin Limasa, Curtis (Residents and Guests); Zhoydell Magaoay (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: The names of any attendees who were not legible were not included. There were 46 total participants.
CITY MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:00:08]
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – [0:00:11]: Firefighter Silva provided information previously requested regarding the fires that occurred at Banyan Street and Vineyard Boulevard. Firefighter Silva the report and highlighted the following:
March 2025 Statistics: There were three (3) structure fires, one (1) wildland/brush fire, 10 nuisance fires, one (1) cooking fire, 10 activated alarms (no fires), 209 medical emergencies, 10 motor vehicle crashes/collisions, and two (2) hazardous materials incidents. Firefighter Silva provided evacuation planning safety tips. A copy of the report can be found at: HFD April 2025 Report. Should you have questions, please e-mail the HFD’s Public Affairs & Media Liaison at HFDNHB@honolulu.gov.
Member Ulima logged on at 7:02 p.m. there were eight (8) members present.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 1 – [0:03:20]: Sergeant Rodriguez reported the March 2025 crime statistics, which can be found at https://www.honolulupd.org/.
March 2025 Statistics: There was one (1) motor vehicle theft, five (5) thefts, three (3) Unauthorized Entries into Motor Vehicles (UEMV), two (2) assaults, four (4) drug-related incidences, and 406 calls for service. Sergeant Rodriguez noted that the night watch has been stepping up enforcements at Aʻala Park and Beretania Community Park, which has brought the number of park closure violations down. Sergeant Rodriguez reported that the HPD District 1 night watch conducted 28 inspections last month and issued approximately 15 criminal citations and six (6) citations that were given so far this month. Sergeant Rodrigues provided additional details regarding a robbery that occurred on April 13, 2025 in the Iwilei area. Sergeant Rodrigues asked the public to continue to be vigilant and remain aware of their surroundings, and to educate their children regarding ebike laws.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:08:09].
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 5 – [0:11:16]: Lieutenant Hatico reported the March 2025 crime statistics, which may be found at https://www.honolulupd.org.
March 2025 Statistics: There were nine (9) aggravated assaults, 13 motor vehicle thefts, nine (9) burglaries, three (3) robberies, nine (9) simple assaults, 43 thefts, six (6) Unauthorized Entries into Motor Vehicles (UEMV), and 2,935 calls for service. Lieutenant Hatico provided additional details on the burglary and auto theft incidences. Lieutenant Hatico provided safety tips on safe driving.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:15:52].
Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [0:16:26]: Iris Oda reported three (3) main breaks in March 2025, which one occurred near 455 Kokea Street, another near 815 North Vineyard Boulevard, and the third occurred near 1901 Kamehameha Highway. Oda announced the BWS Detect-A-Leak Week events and HNL Alert app. More information can be found at: Detect-A-Leak Week Event Flyer and HNL Alert Information.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:19:48].
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) – [0:20:43]: Gabby Camacho provided updates to the ongoing utility relocations in Downtown and Dillingham Boulevard and the City Center guideway and stations project. Camacho announced that HART is having a Career Expo at the Blaisdell Center on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information, visit https://honolulutransit.org/about/careers/. Email your resume to: HartHR@honolulu.gov. Camacho also announced that the virtual Business & Community Meeting is on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. For more information, visit https://honolulutransit.org/events/business-and-community-meeting-hart-construction-projects-20250424/. Camacho provided responses to questions raised at the previous meeting. For current updates on HART’s Downtown Utilities Relocation (CCUR III) project information, please sign up for our Frank V. Coluccio Construction Company (FVCCC) weekly e-blast at the link below https://eepurl.com/h1g2W5. If you have any additional questions or need further assistance, you can reach us via email at ccur3@honuaconsulting.com.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:26:13].
PRESENTATION – [0:29:36]
Kaylan Bubeloff was having audio technical difficulties. [0:32:16] – Chair Ybanez changed the order of the presentations as Bubeloff addressed the technical issue.
McKinley High School Senior Project – Community Emergency Preparedness – [0:32:34]: McKinley High School students Ariana Ash and Toan Tran presented their senior project on disaster and emergency preparedness, which can be found at: Care To Prepare Presentation. According to their research 11.5% of households in Honolulu have enough supplies to last 14 days, leaving 88.5 unprepared and vulnerable when disaster strikes. Ash and Tran noted that resources like the white and yellow pages which contained emergency contacts and important phone numbers, however, today, those resources are long gone and use their smart phones or devises. What happens if WIFI is off or lose internet access during an emergency, people cannot search up any more important contacts during a disaster. The team created a handy flyer with emergency information and resources families need. The flyer can be found at: Care To Prepare Flyer. The flyers included a working day survival kits and key emergency contacts. The team plans to present ideas and distribute flyers to households.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:36:55]: Board members commended the team on their project and provided additional resources to include in their flyer.
Complete Streets – [0:40:47]: Kaylan Bubeloff from the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) Complete Streets provided an overview of the Complete Streets projects in Kalihi. The project proposes to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility in three project areas in Kalihi: 1- Gulick Avenue (from North King Street to North School Street) and Beckley Street (from Gulick Avenue to Kalihi Street); 2 – Pālama Street (from North King Street to Vineyard Boulevard and Kānoa Street (from Pālama Street to Pua Lane); and 3 – Puuhale Road (from Nimitz Highway to Dillingham Boulevard). These improvements will benefit residents’ walkability as well as enhance safety for students of Kalihi schools. Bubeloff provided the safety concerns of all the selected streets and the safety tools that are being considered. Bubeloff shared the draft concepts for the selected sites. More information can be found at: https://www8.honolulu.gov/completestreets/kalihi/.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:51:39]: Concerns and suggestions were raised such as considering implementing a three-way or four-way stop to improve safety for students at North King Street and Kalihi Street, native plants on sidewalks, using cushioned humps, address drainage issues on Beckley Street and consider the impact of lowering the road on parking and water flow.
Public Transit Title VI Program [1:11:13]: Kent Yang from the DTS Transportation and Mobility Division presented on recently updated 2025 Title VI program for Honolulu’s public transit system. A copy of the presentation can be found at: 2025 Public Transit Title VI Program Draft Presentation. The program includes information on nondiscrimination, complaint procedures, language services, and demographic data. Yang went over the Title VI Environmental Justice Block Groups data which is a representative of what areas need attention in respect to the many types of people and income groups that live there presently. Yang explained the program findings – vehicle load to address overcrowding; vehicle headway which is the frequency of buses, how often they come in that time; on-time performance, are the buses coming on time; service availability; transit amenities, and vehicle assignment. Yang noted the deadline for comments to the Report is Thursday, May 1, 2025 and deadline to submit the 2025 Title VI Program report to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is June 1, 2025. A copy of the 2025 Title VI Draft can be found at: 2025 Public Transit Title VI Program Draft.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:18:56]: Questions and concerns were raised regarding efficiency of bus routes and address the issue of buses running empty, improving accessibility for mentally and physically disabled individuals on public transportation, evaluate the proposed changes to bus fares and passes, including the surcharge for cash users.
CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS – [1:49:35]
Mayor Rick Blangiardi – [1:28:37]: Deputy Director Courtney provided the report which can be found on at Mayorʻs Highlights April 2025. Deputy Director Courtney highlighted the Mayorʻs Town Hall on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., at Radford High School, Neil Blaisdell Concert Hall renovations, Summer Fun Program, Hōkūleʻa’s 50th Anniversary at Kualoa Regional Park, Honolulu Charter Commission, and the HNL Alert system. Deputy Director Courtney provided responses to concerns raised at previous meeting and was available for questions. If you have an issue with the City to report please use Honolulu 311, which can be found at: http://honoluluhi.citysourced.com
and HNL.Info is your one-stop shop for updates from the City.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:34:45].
Repainting Median on Alakawa Street: Community member Curtis requested DTS to repaint the median lines on Alakawa Street. The lines on the road are fading.
Designated Left Turn: Community member Curtis asked if DTS can look at potentially having a left turn dedicated signal for vehicles turning into Costco, traveling makai on Alakawa Street because the area around Costco gas station always backs up and creates a huge traffic jam, along with the rail construction. Community member Curtis requested a traffic study of the area, so it is easier for traffic to flow and create less congestion.
Councilmember Radiant Cordero – [1:36:28]: Councilmember Cordero provided her report, which can be found at: Councilmember Cordero April 2025 Report. Councilmember Cordero responded to questions and concerns raised earlier in the meeting regarding Safeties For All Grant, planting native trees and considering nonpollinated trees on North King Street. Councilmember Cordero provided updates on community concerns, legislative bills, and Summer Fun job opportunities. For more information on jobs available, visit https://www.bit.ly/summerfunjob.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:43:34].
Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam – [1:47:45]: Lynn Robinson provided the report which can be found at: Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam April 2025 Report. For information on the Honolulu City Council budget process information, visit https://www.honolulucitycouncil.org/fy26budget. Robinson reported that the Mayor signed a bill making the City’s successful sidewalk dining permanent. Robinson announced that the Emergency Management Reserve Corps (EMRC) is actively recruiting volunteers in which trained emergency management reservists (EMRs) are assigned to either filed operations in one of eight geographical districts on the island. If you have questions and concerns for District 6, contact Lynn Robinson (808) 768-5045 l.robinson@honolulu.gov.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
U.S. Army Garrison Hawaiʻi Military Report – [1:50:00]: There was no representative present. The community advisory can be found at: U.S. Army Community Advisory and the U.S. Army prescribed burn advisory can be found at: U.S. Army Prescribed Burn Advisory.
STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS – [1:50:03]
Senator Karl Rhoads – [1:50:12]: Payton H. provided the report, which can be found at: Senator Rhoads April 2025 Report. Payton highlighted Little Fire Ants, Senate Bill (SB) 405, and measles vaccination. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Senator Rhoads office at 808-586-6130 or email at senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov. Information on Little Fire Ant can be found at: Little Fire Ant FAQs.
Senator Donna Mercado Kim – [1:51:32]: Senator Kim provided her report, which can be found at: Senator Kim April 2025 Report. Senator Kim highlighted the legislative process being in the conference committees, tree trimming and vegetation issues, SB 227, SB 1308, SB 1216, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Farrington High School rummage sale, groundbreaking for Farrington High School new gym.
Senator Glenn Wakai – [1:55:22]: There was no representative present. No report was submitted.
Representative Shirley Templo – [1:55:32]: There was no representative present. The report can be found at: Representative Templo April 2025 Report.
Representative Daniel Holt – [1:55:39]: No representative present. No report was submitted.
Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [1:55:45]: There was no representative present. The report can be found at: Governor Green April 2025 Newsletter.
RESIDENTS’ AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS – [1:17:07]
Future Developments – [1:56:13]: Resident Zelka Harvest is concerned about high-rise development and the potential impact on the community’s character and affordability. She stated that she is working on implementing a height restriction for the area.
Affordable Housing – [2:02:07]: Resident Jamie Harvest-Silva is concerned with how affordable the new developments are in Kalihi.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Health – [2:05:06]: Committee Co-Chair encouraged the public to get their measles vaccinations.
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.
BOARD BUSINESS – [2:06:36]
Filling of Vacancy: Two (2) At-Large Seats – [2:06:38]: There were no volunteers.
NP §2-14-106 Three Absences Notice: Board Member Eric Irwin – [2:06:46]: Member Irwin provided explanation to for his absences. There was no motion to vacate the At-Large seat held by Member Irwin. Member Irwin will continue to serve on the Board.
Approval of Minutes: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 – [2:07:07]: Farm MOVED and Irwin SECONDED to adopt the Minutes as written. Hearing no corrections and no objections the Minutes were adopted.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – [2:07:18]
Hawaii Public Housing Authority and SENECA, is requesting anyone that needs further clarification, and or had questions or concerns about the affordable housing move and or processes of such in Towers at Kuhio Park (KPT) from the March 2025 Neighborhood Board (NB) meeting, please attend our next NB meeting in May 2025.
Next Meeting: Chair Ybanez announced that the next No.15 Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 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 – [2:08:04]: The meeting adjourned at 9:08 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.