No 15 Kalihi Pālama Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting February 2026
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15 Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board Meeting – February 19, 2026
Determination of Quorum and Meeting Procedures
The meeting began with the formal determination that nine board members were present in person or online, establishing the quorum required to conduct official business. Attendees included board members, community representatives, and various government agency personnel. The Vice Chair reviewed speaking protocols: members of the public were asked to click the raised-hand icon, limit remarks to a minute and 30 seconds, and direct questions to the Chair. Participants were reminded to remain muted unless recognized to speak, and to clearly state their names for the record before offering comments. Written testimony could also be emailed using Neighborhood Commission Office contacts. The agenda featured elections, city and state reports, and community concerns.
Election of Officers
The Board proceeded with electing officers for the new term. The Chair position was first, with nomination and unanimous support leading to the current Chair continuing in the role. The election of the Second Vice Chair required two voting rounds and ultimately confirmed the nominee by an eight-to-one outcome. Several members declined nominations for the Treasurer position, so the Board decided to table that election until the next meeting. The Board noted the importance of clarifying roles, given that the Treasurer’s position has limited budgetary oversight but remains a required officer under current rules.
Monthly City Reports
Honolulu Fire Department
A firefighter from Engine 31 at Kalihi Kai Station reported on recent updates to the department’s incident reporting system, noting a switch from the legacy system to a national standardized module that could shift how incidents are coded. January statistics included three structure fires, one brush fire, and 212 medical calls. The department emphasized that emergencies should be reported via 911 rather than by driving to a fire station, because companies are often away on calls or other duties. They also encouraged the use of texting 911 if voice communication is limited.
Honolulu Police Department District 1
A sergeant informed the community that District 1 recorded zero reports for auto theft, burglary, assault, sex assault, and graffiti in January, though they noted that thefts remained consistent. They warned that a high number of island-wide traffic fatalities in early 2026 had led to reminders for motorists to watch for pedestrians, especially after dark. As a result of ongoing community cooperation and diligent policing, the sergeant believed that January statistics were improved and encouraged residents to keep calling in tips and concerns.
Honolulu Police Department District 5
A District 5 sergeant described local crime trends, including an increase in auto thefts (15 in January) and thefts (35), while burglaries and car break-ins declined. There was also an uptick in robberies and sex assaults in the area. The sergeant urged diligence, advising residents to avoid loosely carrying valuables and to remain attentive to their surroundings. They explained that District 1 and District 5 share a boundary near Liliha Street, which can lead to differing crime patterns in close-by neighborhoods.
Board of Water Supply
A BWS representative reported one main break in January on Ka‘ahahi Street. They announced their annual poster and poetry contests for grades K–6 and 7–12, respectively, with the theme of everyday water conservation. The deadline for submissions is February 27, 2026. They also described a recent social media trivia challenge around water conservation and congratulated winning participants who received rain barrels. No definitive statement was made on whether a January water main break was linked to rail construction, but further information is expected next month.
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation
A HART representative provided an upcoming Moku‘ea Station design workshop announcement for March 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Kalākaua Middle School. The workshop will showcase updated renderings, aesthetic approaches, and solicit public input on station colors and materials. Updated station cost information for Kalihi Transit Center Station was mentioned, with a total station cost of around $43 million. HART explained that the station’s foundation required deep shafts due to soft soil conditions near Kalihi Stream. Residents were urged to submit further feedback to HART by phone or email.
Neighborhood Commission Chair’s Update
The Neighborhood Commission Chair described the commission’s regular duties of amending the Neighborhood Plan and examining boundary realignments of boards. He asked boards to share concerns or suggestions, noting that any boundary proposal should come formally from the board itself. The Chair also mentioned the commission’s ongoing rewrite of complaint procedures and potential minor adjustments to board requirements, such as rethinking mandatory roles like treasurer if they no longer align with current city budget practices. Board members were encouraged to consult with the Commission if they had quorum or boundary issues or needed procedural clarifications.
Kōkua Kalihi Valley Presentation: Kalihi Ahupua‘a Ride
A Kōkua Kalihi Valley representative thanked the Board for supporting the 2025 ride and announced the 2026 Kalihi Ahupua‘a Bike Ride, set for April 11. The route will stretch from Hō‘olulu ‘Āina in the back of Kalihi Valley down to Mauli Ola (Sand Island), stopping at points of cultural and historical significance. The presenter shared a video showing last year’s ride, highlighting keiki involvement in repairing bikes and learning local history. Attendees were invited to register online and encouraged to volunteer by providing snacks or water at designated stops. The ride fosters community connection, cultural awareness, and a sense of belonging among local youth.
Resident and Community Concerns
A nearby resident voiced frustration about ongoing gatherings, public drinking, and unsanitary activities at the Hawaiian Snow Company property at Gulick and Waterhouse Streets. She called 911 on February 7 and questioned whether the property owner could fence off the area after business hours. Councilmember offices, HPD, and the Mayor’s representative had been contacted. The Mayor’s liaison confirmed that HPD educated a company worker about deterrent options, including lights, cameras, and signage. Residents were urged to keep reporting violations so officials can track patterns and coordinate potential enforcement or environmental design changes.
City Elected Officials and Government Agency Reports
Mayor’s Representative
The Department of Information Technology deputy director, serving as Mayor Blangiardi’s delegate, highlighted the newly launched HNL 311 system for Honolulu residents. The system routes service requests (roads, lighting, blight) directly to the relevant city departments and notifies the submitter of status changes. The representative also shared updates on Honolulu Fire Department’s 175th anniversary and reminded constituents to keep calling 911 about illegal dumping or abandoned vehicle issues, noting that large vehicles exceeding the city towing contract weight limit remain a concern.
Councilmember Radiant Cordero
Councilmember Cordero attended remotely and reiterated her office’s involvement in coordinating potential deterrents at the Hawaiian Snow Company property. She encouraged continued 911 calls and complaint documentation, explaining that repeated reports and official letters help departments elevate investigations and prompt property owners to implement changes. She also promoted upcoming community events, including the Farrington High School eSports initiatives. Residents were reminded that her pop-up council offices rotate across District 7 parks to discuss concerns directly with constituents.
U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii
A representative announced a March 17 hiring fair at Mililani High School for child and youth services positions. She shared a training and operational schedule for Schofield Barracks and notified the community of planned controlled burns in April to reduce fire fuel. She also noted an upcoming 10K run at Kolekole with same-day registration open to those holding visitor passes.
State Elected Officials
Senator Karl Rhoads
A legislative aide presented on the senator’s behalf, highlighting a Hawaii Energy “Appliance Trade-Up” program for residents in zip codes 96817 and 96819 to replace older refrigerators or freezers with more efficient Energy Star units at a reduced cost. Ongoing legislative proposals on AI regulations, including safer guidelines for minors and potential expansions of privacy protections, were also noted, although some AI-related measures faced legal challenges.
Senator Donna Mercado Kim
Senator Kim reported on the upcoming legislative deadlines and shared her recent bill proposals, including a potential moratorium on state-funded travel to trim expenses and a measure limiting reliance on external consultants by government departments. She further discussed efforts to ease property tax burdens for affordable housing buyers, noting that missing the annual homeowner’s exemption deadline can result in significant financial hardship. Senator Kim has also championed a creative literacy project for Title I elementary students, requiring them to author self-published digital books connected to their community or cultural identity. She clarified that Senate Bill 2260 was removed from the schedule, indicating it is unlikely to move forward.
Senator Glenn Wakai
Senator Wakai spotlighted the demolition and future redevelopment of Aloha Stadium, noting that the mixed-use concept calls for housing, shopping, and a new stadium facility by 2029. He also highlighted a proposal to restructure Hawaiian Electric into two functions—distribution and generation—and invite private-sector funding for new power generation infrastructure. He indicated that doing so might improve grid reliability and possibly lower local electricity costs, given Hawaiian Electric’s current financial challenges.
Representative Daniel Holt
No office representative was present. The Chair noted that Representative Holt resigned recently, and no new appointee or staff stepped forward at this meeting.
Representative Shirley Timplen
A staffer appeared on Rep. Timplen’s behalf, encouraging constituents to participate in her office survey and share opinions on legislative priorities. The representative continues to serve on key committees, including Finance, and is reviewing bills related to public transportation affordability, though no specific measure was confirmed for a hearing date.
Governor’s Representative
The Governor’s liaison summarized Governor Green’s February newsletter, emphasizing health care initiatives, cost-of-living measures, and solutions for Hawaii’s housing shortage. She noted that any updates regarding a long-discussed pedestrian bridge or crosswalk near Kahuiki Village on Nimitz Highway would require joint inquiries to state and city agencies. She committed to providing formal updates in writing once details have been confirmed.
Board Business
Filling a Vacancy
The Board announced an at-large vacancy and received multiple expressions of interest. After discussion, the Board filled the seat with a new member who resides on Pua Lane and aims to strengthen community engagement through legal and civic expertise.
Proposed Legacy Residential Protection Program
A resolution was introduced asking the Board to support a proposed charter amendment that would allow homeowners in industrially or commercially zoned areas to rebuild older homes while preserving their original footprint. The discussion centered on the unreasonable 10% limit to annual repairs, making it difficult for longstanding residents to maintain safe, code-compliant housing in historically designated regions. A few board members abstained due to receiving information late and requested more time for review. The resolution was deferred to the next meeting for a fuller discussion and vote.
Approval of Minutes
The Board confirmed that no amendments were proposed for the previous meeting minutes. The Neighborhood Commission Office clarified that minutes are typically declared accepted if no corrections arise, rather than requiring a formal vote.
Change of Meeting Time
The Board unanimously agreed to move the monthly meetings from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to better accommodate attendees’ schedules. The new start time will begin with the next meeting.
Meeting Adjournment and Next Meeting
The Chair adjourned the meeting following board business. The next Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board No. 15 meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Kalihiwāena Elementary School Library. The proceedings will continue to be available via ‘Ōlelo broadcasts and web streaming, ensuring the community remains informed about ongoing developments in Kalihi-Palama.