No 13 Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting April 2026
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13 Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting – April 6, 2026
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Report
Captain Kaleo Kia from the Central Fire Station presented statistics for March 2026. Engine 1 responded to one structure fire, two nuisance fires (rubbish or vehicle), 24 activated alarms with no actual fire, 136 medical alarms, four motor vehicle collisions, and two hazardous materials incidents. Emphasis was placed on the importance of evacuation planning, with a recommendation that residents familiarize themselves with two home escape routes and have a plan for leaving their neighborhood under emergency conditions. HFD also directed the public to online resources such as fire.honolulu.gov and hnalert.gov. No community or board member questions were posed, and the HFD representatives were thanked for their work.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) Report
HPD reported statistics for March 2026, noting increases in several categories compared to the previous month. Motor vehicle thefts rose from four to eight, burglaries from zero to one, thefts from 22 to 24, sexual assaults from zero to one, and graffiti cases from zero to one. Motor vehicle collisions totaled 100, up from 89, and total calls for service increased to 2,230 from 2,085. HPD also gave an update on sidewalk nuisance citations, stating that 308 such citations had been issued. In response to earlier inquiries, HPD clarified that real estate sign enforcement is generally handled by the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP). Additionally, officers noted that an illegal game room on North King Street was recently addressed by HPD’s narcotics division. Following these statistics, residents and board members asked for updates on the appearance and possible repairs of the HPD substation, as well as more consistent patrol in problem areas such as the Bethel Street corridor, surface parking lots, and near recently boarded-up properties. The question of machetes being carried openly sparked discussion of legalities surrounding non-firearm weapons, with HPD clarifying that a machete is not itself illegal unless used in a crime. The meeting closed with additional questions on sit-lie enforcement, noise nuisances, and homeless issues near the AC Hotel and Chinatown.
Added Agenda Item to Vacate the Chair Position
Midway through the meeting, the Chair proposed an addition to the agenda: first, an announcement by the Chair to vacate his position at the conclusion of the current meeting, and next, a potential board vote on electing a successor. The board debated this addition to ensure it complied with Neighborhood Board procedures, ultimately securing enough votes to include the item at the end of the agenda. Preliminary discussion clarified that once the Chair announced his formal resignation, he would send a letter to the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO), and a successor could be considered.
Updates on the Hong Kong Festival
A representative of the festival recapped the inaugural 2026 Honolulu Hong Kong Festival, held on Fort Street Mall. Over 3,000 attendees visited the six-hour event, featuring cultural performances, lion and dragon dances, and culinary participants serving Hong Kong-inspired fare. The festival sponsor thanked local government officials, board members, and community supporters who helped coordinate the event. A separate Hong Kong Traditional Lifestyle Tour was also held in Chinatown on Sundays, teaching visitors about Tai Chi, Chinese tea demonstration, Feng Shui concepts, and local foods. Organizers expressed optimism for continuing or expanding the festival in subsequent years, potentially with additional food vendors in the future.
Chihuly Garden Art Project
Evan Wright and associates presented their plan to revitalize Pier 7 and the former Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) power plant site near Aloha Tower. Chihuly Garden and Glass, which has operated successfully in Seattle for over a decade, hopes to create a similar open-air and partially enclosed gallery featuring Dale Chihuly’s glass art set among indigenous Hawaiian plantings. Preliminary designs show that the old HECO power plant exterior would be preserved, with interior renovations to accommodate galleries, retail space, and a lobby. Pier 7’s existing structure would be demolished and rebuilt to include gardens, deck areas, and a bar/restaurant. A finalized Environmental Assessment indicated no significant long-term impacts. Questions focused on parking, contamination from the old power plant operations, outreach to local artists, and admission costs. Although the exact Kama‘āina pricing remains under discussion, organizers assured the board it would be discounted for local residents.
St. Patrick’s Day Recap and Cinco de Mayo Preview
Representatives from the Fort Street Mall Business Improvement District reviewed the success of the recent St. Patrick’s Day event, which drew more than 3,000 attendees over several hours. Organizers noted that the festival ended quietly by around 9:30 p.m. and reported no major incidents. They acknowledged lessons learned, such as the need for improved transparency when charging a wristband fee for alcohol, among other logistical adjustments. Plans for Cinco de Mayo on May 5, 2026, similarly propose food and beverage vendors, additional child-friendly entertainment, and a mariachi band to stroll among the crowd. Alcohol will again be served, but the organizers plan to refine any fee structures to avoid confusion. Board members thanked them for successful community events that help foster a sense of safety and vibrancy on Fort Street Mall.
Public Concerns
A few residents raised the topic of preserving Kamali‘i Mini Park as green space and requested that city and state authorities avoid placing new structures on the park’s footprint. Another issue involved rising electric utility rates, with attendees urging government officials to investigate and oppose any disproportionate electricity price increases. Comments also addressed traffic safety concerns and ongoing efforts to enforce sit-lie and nuisance ordinances in the downtown area.
Board Vacancies and Administrative Matters
The board addressed a written notice concerning a member’s three absences. As per the neighborhood board plan, the chair invited a motion to vacate the seat. That motion did not pass. The board also announced an upcoming community cleanup with the local Lions Club on April 18, 2026. Logistics were noted, and all were encouraged to volunteer.
City and State Elected Officials’ Reports
Representatives for the governor, mayor, and various state legislators provided updates on budget priorities, parks and housing acquisitions, efforts to address homelessness, and progress in cracking down on illegal game rooms. The mayor’s representative announced that the city had closed on 175 North Pauahi Street to expand affordable housing in Chinatown. Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam highlighted the recent enforcement on illegal gambling sites, the city’s interest in continuing to activate public spaces, and an ongoing focus to improve street and sidewalk conditions. Legislative aides from the offices of Senator Karl Rhoads and Representative Jarrett Keohokalole, among others, spoke on topics such as bail reform bills, mental health legislation, capital improvement projects, and ways to tackle the recent Kona Low storm damage.
Board of Water Supply
Board of Water Supply staff reminded residents of the upcoming “Detect-A-Leak Week,” encouraging everyone to check common household causes of water waste, such as worn toilet flappers. Dye tablets would be made available at outreach events in Mililani and Kahala Mall, as well as at City Mill stores. Board staff also addressed follow-up inquiries from prior meetings, including litigation over Red Hill contamination and clarifications on generator usage during holiday displays.
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) Update
A HART representative outlined recent station construction work in the Iwilei and Chinatown areas, with traffic barriers and striping installed along Keikalike Street. The representative acknowledged community frustration over station design workshops, clarifying that the workshops primarily address station aesthetics and finishing details rather than major structural elements such as escalators. Board members raised concerns about the long-standing desire for additional mobility features at stations serving elderly and disabled residents. A recurring problem near Nimitz and Keikalike Street was also noted, where debris and appliances placed on the sidewalk have complicated project work and created unsanitary conditions. HART requested assistance from law enforcement to mitigate illegal dumping and encampments.
Neighborhood Citizens Patrol
A board member recounted observations in the neighborhood, stressing that illegal parking and occasional encampments persist but that community-driven patrols and continuing watchfulness can help reduce crime. Several instances of discarded items and noisy roosters were again noted. Patrol participants aim to provide consistent monitoring of public areas and to coordinate with HPD when they see repeat offenses.
Chair’s Resignation
Near the meeting’s close, Chair Ernest Carvalho formally announced his decision to step down from his officer position. He thanked all fellow board members for their contributions over the years and acknowledged the learning experiences that came from working collaboratively to address neighborhood issues. Board members offered their well-wishes and expressed appreciation for his tenure.
Conclusion and Adjournment
Efforts were made to proceed with a vote on selecting a new chair immediately. Some board members expressed concerns about the meeting notice, while others favored immediate reorganization to address administrative needs before next month. In the end, the board decided to defer the final vote until the following meeting. The session concluded with general agreement to continue the discussion at the next scheduled meeting, and the meeting was adjourned.