No 15 Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting November 2025
Kalihi Palama Neighborhood Board Meeting – November 19, 2025
Meeting Opening
The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. with a formal call to order by Vice Chair Evelyn Cullen on behalf of the Kalihi Palama Neighborhood Board No. 15. Board members and community participants were informed about the monthly archive of handouts and reference materials available online, along with video recordings posted on YouTube. Guidelines for public testimony were outlined to ensure orderly proceedings, including a time limit on speaking and procedures for submitting written testimony. The board reminded everyone of its primary mission to foster greater public participation in government decisions and provided details on how agenda items are added under the State Sunshine Law. The chair requested that all electronic devices be silenced and noted that the board may act on any posted agenda item.
Honolulu Police Department District 1
A sergeant from District 1 shared crime statistics comparing the previous month to the current month. Reports of motor vehicle theft had increased from zero to two, and there was one reported theft, which had decreased from four in the previous month. Burglaries remained at zero, and unauthorized entries into motor vehicles dropped from two to zero. Assault cases rose from zero to two. Officers received an overall reduction in total incidents, though they noted two drug cases and twelve motor vehicle collisions. The sergeant provided safety tips for the holiday season, emphasizing vigilance in parking lots, discreetly storing purchases to avoid theft, and being mindful of surroundings when walking with shopping bags. No questions were posed from the board or community.
Honolulu Police Department District 5
Representatives from District 5 outlined crime figures for October versus September. Aggravated assaults decreased from eight to four, auto theft rose slightly from seven to nine, and burglaries dropped from ten to six. Robberies moved from four down to three, sex assault cases remained at four, and simple assaults declined from thirteen to eleven. Theft decreased to twenty-seven from thirty-two, whereas unauthorized entry into motor vehicles held steady at five. Officers responded to 2,670 calls for service in October, down from 3,022 in September. The department emphasized pedestrian safety, advising community members to maintain eye contact with drivers and avoid assuming vehicles will yield. HPD also announced a community survey to gather feedback on safety concerns. The survey is housed on the Honolulu Police Department’s website, coupled with a QR code link to simplify participation. The board inquired about initiating a neighborhood watch in Kalihi Palama; HPD agreed to coordinate training sessions with their community policing team. No further questions arose from the community.
Board of Water Supply
A Board of Water Supply representative reported four main breaks in October throughout North King Street, Vineyard Boulevard, and Hau Street. She outlined how employees address main breaks with urgency to minimize service disruptions. The board and community asked about potential contaminants such as selenium or lead in the water system. The representative stated that the Board of Water Supply regularly tests water sources and would promptly notify the public if any harmful levels were discovered. She also noted ongoing calls for a 20 percent water usage reduction due to low rainfall and increasing demand, though confirmation is pending on whether the request is permanent. Questions about planned developments in the Kalihi area and the board’s long-term infrastructure strategies arose, and the representative pledged to return with detailed answers at the next meeting.
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART)
A HART spokesperson was not present but submitted a written report. No presentation was given directly at the meeting. The board noted that members could review HART’s submitted materials online and forward any questions for future follow-up.
Resilience Hubs Presentation
A representative from the Oahu Resilience Hub Learning Community discussed evolving ideas on preparedness. She defined a resilience hub as either a physical site or a dedicated group of community members that provides year-round resources and can activate during emergencies. The presentation highlighted efforts to help smaller hubs join a larger coordinated network, such as those run by Vibrant Hawaiʻi. Ongoing monthly virtual gatherings, training programs, potential multi-part summits, and youth leadership initiatives aim to strengthen community resilience. Board members asked about complementing existing agencies like civil defense or first responders, with the presenter clarifying that hubs fill local gaps until official assistance arrives. Questions arose about the intricacies of forming subcommittees or permitted interaction groups under the neighborhood board’s rules, pointing to future collaboration and discussions with other boards.
Sand Island Historic Properties Project
Representatives from G70 and DLNR State Parks described proposed actions for several aging World War II-era structures at Sand Island State Recreation Area. Structures include an anti-aircraft gun emplacement tower, a harbor entrance control post tower, two adapted former air raid shelters converted into play areas, and underground magazine structures. Safety hazards, such as crumbling concrete and unauthorized entry, have prompted DLNR to consider whether to restore, demolish, adapt, relocate, or preserve these sites. The board learned that large parts of Sand Island lie in a flood zone, making future coastal inundation a concern. Community members are invited to attend two upcoming Zoom hearings for public input on December 3 and December 17, with final plans potentially reaching the Board of Land and Natural Resources by late 2025 and construction slated for 2026.
City Reports from Mayor’s Representative
The Mayor’s representative summarized the November 2025 newsletter and relevant city updates. The Skyline rail, now extended through Pearl Harbor and Honolulu International Airport, continues to open new stations. The city’s Early Education Center joined a multi-year renovation project at the municipal parking structure. Sewer rates, effective January 1, 2026, will follow a new usage-based structure, and the city has launched a new sewer bill estimator to aid household budgeting. The Royal Hawaiian Band will perform a free holiday concert on November 28 at Blaisdell. The administration has also introduced a revised system for distributing city press releases electronically to streamline public communication. The board inquired about a previously discussed city intersection crosswalk request at Kalihi and King Streets, confirmed to lie under the State Department of Transportation jurisdiction. The Mayor’s office noted that the restroom at Ala Park, closed for vandalism, had been repaired and reopened.
City Council Updates
Councilmember Radiant Cordero updated the board on various Kalihi area crosswalk restorations and traffic markings. She also mentioned that additional crosswalk remarking near the Kapālama Post Office had commenced. Efforts continued to reduce homelessness near Gulick Avenue and Kalihi Waena Park by coordinating with parks maintenance, Honolulu Police Department, and other service agencies. She highlighted Honolulu City Lights festivities starting November 29 but recognized a scheduling overlap with parades in Kalihi. No pressing questions arose, though one board member thanked her team for swift responses to community requests.
State Legislative Updates
Several legislators or their staff offered updates:
Senator Karl Rhoads acknowledged he will not run for reelection in 2026 but will complete one more session. He updated the board on an ongoing Senate Judiciary Committee hearing and indicated that recordings of those discussions would be posted on the Capitol website.
Senator Glenn Wakai highlighted the farewell event for Aloha Stadium held three weeks prior, featuring Hawaiian music, fireworks, and historical remembrances. He outlined the stadium demolition and reconstruction schedule, with site clearance expected by June of next year and a new facility delivered by March of 2029 under strict contractual deadlines. He also shared efforts to broaden the University of Hawaiʻi’s athletics fan base and potential financial resources by tapping into Asian markets, including deals with media streaming for UH football in Japan and apparel bearing Japanese text.
Representative Daniel Holt’s staff reported on Act 310, a $50 million nonprofit grant program addressing federal funding gaps for community organizations. The legislature gathered applications from hundreds of nonprofits statewide and was set to make final approvals the day after the meeting. Official announcements would detail which organizations received grant funds.
Representative Shirley Templo discussed her local district efforts, including an intern presentation about visiting Kamehameha Schools to understand their educational initiatives and pending litigation. Her office newsletter included helpful websites covering wide-ranging social and financial services.
The Governor’s office, represented by the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, outlined ongoing efforts to support food assistance to households impacted by federal funding shortfalls. The Governor’s representative confirmed that a written explanation from the DOT Director would clarify safe pedestrian crossings near Kahoiki Village and the Kalihi Transit Center.
Community Concerns and Announcements
Community members shared reminders about the upcoming Kalihi Christmas Parade scheduled for November 28, encouraging neighbors to attend the post-parade gathering at Kapaʻāma, where there would be food trucks and prize giveaways. Others mentioned Honolulu City Lights events beginning the following day. Several residents promoted service opportunities including beach cleanups on Sand Island, resource fairs at Kalākaua District Park, and charitable events providing slippers and other necessities for local families and children. The board also received gratitude for past certificates of appreciation supporting local police officers and volunteers.
Board Business and Motions
During board business, members discussed potential resolutions, some of which did not pass. One was an attempt to incorporate a new crosswalk payment feature for Holo Cards, one addressed abolishing involuntary servitude in the state constitution, and another urged more remote and hybrid employment in local government. Only the motion to explore a Holo Card digital pay system carried, while others were either rejected or deferred. The board also considered and voted on a proposal to remove the current chair due to concerns about unilateral statements. That measure did not pass, and it was subsequently noted that official discussion would be placed on a future agenda to comply with Sunshine Law principles. The board approved the minutes from the prior meeting and scheduled further deliberations on electing a second vice chair or treasurer for the current term.
Committee Updates
The board briefly revisited committees on education, homelessness, outreach, and public safety. Though the board took steps to confirm committee leadership, motions regarding committee structures and chairs did not secure enough votes. Conversations continued about establishing subcommittees to better manage these topics, with members indicating they might reintroduce the matter at the following meeting. The outreach committee leader confirmed that the board would participate in the Kalihi parade under a new banner provided by a city council allocation.
Closing and Next Meeting
As closing announcements, the board reminded everyone of an upcoming community Christmas celebration at Palama Settlement on December 19, offering food, live entertainment, and gifts for children up to age twelve. Members noted the next Kalihi Palama Neighborhood Board 15 meeting would be held on January 21, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Kalihi Waena Elementary School Library. The meeting adjourned with thanks to all in attendance and a reminder that re-broadcasts would be available on television and online, ensuring the broader community could stay informed of ongoing developments.