No 13 Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting December 2025
Board 13 Downtown Chinatown Meeting
Introductions, Attendance, and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order with a roll call of board members confirming quorum. Participants introduced themselves, both in person and online, including the chair, who officially opened the session. Several members indicated that they were in remote locations. The chair welcomed everyone, wished them happy holidays, and outlined the agenda items to be addressed.
Honolulu Fire Department Report
A representative from the Central Fire Station presented incident statistics for November 2025, including zero structure fires, two nuisance fires, and nine activated alarms with no actual fire. Emergency responses included 138 medical calls, one motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian, and four motor vehicle collisions. No mountain or ocean rescues took place. The firefighter emphasized holiday fire safety, advising early removal or recycling of dried Christmas trees and wreaths. The department also reminded attendees about the legal requirement for a permit to purchase and use firecrackers, directing interested parties to firesafehonolulu.com.
Honolulu Police Department Discussion
A sergeant delivered the Honolulu Police Department’s monthly update on incidents in the downtown Chinatown area. Questions arose regarding recurring unauthorized vehicles on Hotel Street, which is designated primarily for buses. The board urged a more proactive approach in stopping, warning, and citing drivers who repeatedly violate traffic restrictions. Concerns were also raised about the visible presence of homelessness and how reduced enforcement could be attracting more unsheltered individuals to the area. The sergeant noted ongoing projects to address criminal aspects of homelessness and encourage compliance, though no new large-scale sweeps are being conducted.
Military Settlement and De-escalation Tactics
A board member commented on a recent city council decision to settle a case involving an officer-involved shooting. He supported the settlement, highlighting the delicate balance between providing officers with discretion in dangerous situations and ensuring that de-escalation tactics remain a top priority. While the Honolulu Police Department representative declined to discuss the settlement itself, there was acknowledgment of public and emotional complexity surrounding use-of-force incidents.
Homelessness, Traffic, and Safety
The chair voiced frustration about recurrent accidents involving cars on Hotel Street and the challenges of homeless encampments moving from one area to another. The board reiterated that improvements in signage, potential fines for traffic infractions, and broader social services interventions for those experiencing homelessness could alleviate chronic issues. Concerns also emerged about the possible displacement from one neighborhood to another rather than long-term solutions.
Public Safety and Accident Concerns
Community members pointed out ongoing collisions between buses and private vehicles that illegally enter Hotel Street. The board asked when signage or repaving efforts would be upgraded and if stricter enforcement could reduce the crashes. Residents also mentioned personal experiences of collision scenes and the sense of public safety being compromised by confused or careless drivers.
Hong Kong Festival Presentation
A representative of the Hong Kong Business Association of Hawaii introduced plans for a month-long Hong Kong Festival slated to begin January 31. Events include a night market modeled after Hong Kong’s Temple Street, a cultural dinner highlighting Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage (particularly its unique milk tea tradition), guided Chinatown tours to showcase Chinese tea customs and dim sum, and a restaurant initiative encouraging patrons to dine at participating establishments. There will also be a business export trade fair and a 30th-anniversary celebration. The board expressed enthusiasm and unanimously supported the proposal, recognizing the potential benefits for local businesses and cultural engagement.
Mardi Gras and Lion Dance Events
An organizer discussed two planned downtown festivities: a lion dance event and Mardi Gras celebrations. The lion dance on Fort Street Mall traditionally features a procession stopping at various businesses. The Mardi Gras night market is still in the planning phase, with minimal street closures proposed due to city caution about rerouting bus traffic. Additional funding and sponsorship are actively sought to offset expenses for security and promotion. The board voted to support both events.
Kamali‘i Mini Park Proposed Development
A development team presented revised plans for a mixed-use affordable housing project, intended to serve individuals with disabilities and members of the essential workforce. The proposal would retain a portion of the current green space, placing a 19-story residential tower, along with a nine-story parking structure, near Beretania Street. The presenters emphasized the intention to keep part of the park open to the public, create green rooftop areas, and address varying levels of affordability, including up to 120% of area median income. Community members raised concerns about preserving open spaces, possible iwi (ancestral Hawaiian remains) discoveries, and whether the new project might drive local rents higher. A few expressed support for more affordable, disability-oriented housing, while others opposed any development that would diminish parkland. Members indicated that any official decision rests with city council, and the board’s previous resolution opposing development remains in place unless fresh authorization is voted upon.
Public Concerns
During open public concerns, residents discussed discovery of used syringes, loud disturbances caused by unsheltered individuals, and the desire for more immediate policing or cleanup responses. Some advocated for consistent city or state-provided sharps disposal protocols to tackle dangerous litter. Others reiterated the importance of lawful, compassionate approaches to those who are unhoused and may require mental health interventions instead of traditional enforcement.
Board Business and Approvals
The board revisited approval of previous meeting minutes, addressing punctuation and resolution text amendments. One board member argued that the record should be detailed enough to capture comparably significant changes. Ultimately, the board approved minutes as written.
Elected Official Reports
Representatives from the governor’s office, various state senators, and house members either attended or submitted testimony covering topics like ongoing corruption inquiries, climate change settlements, military lease negotiations, vacant-unit legislation, and needed housing reforms. They addressed the homeless population, mental health support options, and the importance of bridging city and state efforts to enhance public safety. City council staff reported initiatives on public restroom access in Chinatown, signage improvements on Hotel Street, and continuing efforts with the police to curtail criminal acts near key retail corridors.
Honolulu Board of Water Supply
The BWS spokesperson warned residents about utility scams during the holiday season, affirming that Board of Water Supply never requests payment via gift cards or digital apps. The representative encouraged neighbors to safeguard personal data and to call the official hotline if uncertain about any suspicious calls. She also reminded people to be mindful of water conservation over the holidays, turning off taps when possible to save resources.
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation
The HART representative announced the second round of community design workshops for segment three of the new rail system, inviting public feedback on materials, colors, and station aesthetics. He noted that while bathrooms exist for staff use, members of the public may access them in emergencies on a case-by-case basis. Residents were invited to participate in upcoming workshops focusing on the Chinatown station.
Chinatown Improvement District and Community Initiatives
A representative described active efforts to keep sidewalks clear of encampments during peak commercial hours and to reduce 911 calls through stepped-up security. Collaborations continue with the city to install or reopen public restrooms and maintain them safely. The group praised the removal of a needle-exchange vehicle near Safeway as helping lower loitering among active drug users. Members remain committed to fostering a clean, economically vibrant neighborhood environment.
Neighborhood Citizen Patrol
A board member reported scheduling details for the monthly Neighborhood Citizen Patrol walk, departing from the Diamond Head Tower of Kukui Plaza. He also reiterated that the downtown substation restroom protocol remains inconsistent, with some officers granting usage while others are unaware of any such guidelines. At future patrols, participants plan to identify areas with immediate needs to share with local officials.
Announcements and Adjournment
The meeting ended with a reminder that the board will be in recess for January 2026 and will reconvene in February. Information about future rebroadcasts and video archives on ‘Ōlelo Channel 49 was shared. The chair adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m. with thanks to attendees, wishing everyone a safe holiday season until they reconvene in February.