No 15 Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting March 2026
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15 Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board Meeting – March 19, 2026
Opening and Attendance
The regular meeting of the No. 15 Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board convened at Kalewaina Elementary School Library at 6:00 p.m. on March 19, 2026. Board Chair Evelyn Cullen welcomed board members, city officials, state officials, community representatives, and residents attending in person and online. The meeting proceeded with an agenda addressing city department updates, state legislative announcements, special presentations, community concerns, and new and existing resolutions.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) World Water Day Announcement
A representative from the Board of Water Supply, Iris Oda, highlighted that March 22 is United Nations’ World Water Day, calling attention to an estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide without reliable access to safe water. She explained that the theme for 2026, “Where Water Flows,” encourages people to recognize how the global water crisis impacts everyone—especially women and girls carrying the burden of water collection. BWS reminded residents that over one billion women still lack access to safely managed drinking water and that water conservation remains a top priority even in communities with modern infrastructure. Oda urged the public to follow BWS social media for facts, videos, and local involvement opportunities, emphasizing that water is a finite resource. Additional remarks from the community underscored the health ramifications of water scarcity, especially for homeless populations and for women in regions where water is severely limited.
Honolulu Police District 5 Update
Technical audio difficulties initially prevented Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 5 Sergeant Ross Molloy from presenting live. Later in the meeting, Chair Cullen read District 5’s monthly statistics for February 2026, citing 19 burglaries, 252 motor vehicle collisions, 51 arguments, 6 aggravated assaults, and 80 theft and auto theft cases. HPD further advised residents to be vigilant about phone, text, and email scams, noting law enforcement agencies do not request payments for fines or warrants in those ways.
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) Construction Updates
A HART representative, Gabby Camacho, described two primary projects affecting Kalihi and nearby neighborhoods. First, a planned neighborhood design workshop for the Mokoi Station was canceled due to severe weather and will be rescheduled. Second, HART’s City Center Guideway and Stations contractor, Tudor Perini, mobilized near Middle Street and Puhale Road starting March 9, 2026. Traffic adjustments will stay in place until December 2030, with lane reductions, turn restrictions, and driveway modifications along Kamehameha Highway and Dillingham Boulevard. East-west traffic will remain open, but drivers must pay attention to evolving traffic patterns. HART reminded the public to follow signage around the construction zones and offered updates by phone and via online bulletins. Community members requested more information about HART’s emergency plans during storms or tsunamis, and HART pledged to provide further details at the next board meeting.
GROW Program Presentation on Food Waste
Henry Gabriel, Recycling Program Branch Chief from the Department of Environmental Services, presented the GROW pilot program—“Green Recycling Organic Waste”—designed to divert food scraps from incineration or landfill. Officially starting April 1, 2026, the pilot areas include Waipahu, Nanakuli, Hawai‘i Kai, Mililani, Kailua, and Kalihi. Participating households will place fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, bones, and other eligible food scraps into green compost bins alongside green waste. Plastic, liquids, and manufactured compostables remain prohibited, although the city is exploring the possibility of accepting certain items in the future. Residents in the pilot areas will be offered reusable silicone bags and small kitchen pails, and they are encouraged to freeze scraps until pickup to reduce odors and pests. Gabriel explained that collected material will be composted by Hawaiian Earth Recycling using an in-vessel system to produce compost in as little as six months. The city aims to reduce the 60,000 tons of residential food waste thrown away each year and to promote source reduction by encouraging families to minimize food waste at the outset. The GROW program will be evaluated for contamination rates and compliance, with a future goal of broader island-wide implementation scheduled for October 1, 2026.
District 5 Crime Statistics and Scams Reminder
After confirming Sergeant Molloy’s audio difficulties prevented him from giving an official briefing, the board received a brief account of HPD’s monthly statistics. These included reminders about rising scams directed at residents by text, email, and phone. The board stressed that law enforcement never solicits payment through gift cards, virtual payment platforms, or direct messages and recommended that residents verify any suspicious claims by contacting official phone numbers.
Gov’s Reunion Bash at Bishop Museum
Board member Diosa May, who also serves on the Farrington Alumni and Community Foundation, announced the “Gov’s Reunion Bash” celebrating 90 years of Farrington High School history and 50 years of the Alumni and Community Foundation. Scheduled for March 28, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the Bishop Museum lawn, this large-scale fundraiser will showcase local vendors, food booths, and music from mostly Kalihi-based or Farrington-affiliated groups. Funds raised go toward Farrington student scholarships, travel, sports equipment, and other education-related expenses. Ticket information is available online, with VIP tables and general admissions offered.
Department of Education Updates from Kalewaina Elementary
Principal Dan Larkin shared several announcements about activities at Kalewaina Elementary, including a Girl Scout cookie sale on campus and reports of a successful track and field meet involving Farrington complex-area schools earlier in March. Larkin mentioned ongoing efforts to boost student engagement through science fairs, after-school clubs, and an inter-school e-sports competition with nearby elementary schools. He also noted that Zumba classes are held weekly in the school cafeteria, open to staff and community members. Larkin invited residents to stay informed through the school’s social media channels and to support upcoming events such as the elementary speech festival at McKinley High School on April 25.
Community Concerns and Resident Testimonies
Numerous community members brought forward concerns about neighborhood safety, sanitation, and small business support. One resident highlighted ongoing nuisance issues at 901 Gulick Avenue, detailing loitering, loud noise, public drinking, and frequent public urination on property that DPP has recently identified as partially city-owned. The resident requested that the board support drafting a resolution petitioning the city to enforce sanitation standards. Another attendee pointed out that small businesses impacted by rail construction have not been effectively using the city’s Transportation Construction Mitigation Fund grants, noting only a small number of applicants were approved. Residents asked the board’s help to advocate for a new grant cycle with simpler requirements to protect struggling entrepreneurs. Multiple individuals, including those running for House District seats, introduced themselves and discussed community-based goals.
City Elected Officials’ Announcements
Staff from the offices of Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Councilmember Radiant Cordero, and Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam shared updates on city initiatives, storm preparedness reminders, and ongoing work related to street cleaning and law enforcement coordination. Reports underscored the updated HNL 311 system that allows residents to report potholes, stream blockages, abandoned vehicles, and other concerns more efficiently. Council offices pledged continued assistance on sidewalk clearance, illegal dumping prevention, and the public nuisance cases in Kalihi. They also reminded everyone to watch for weather advisories and to help keep drainage systems clear of debris to reduce localized flooding during heavy rains.
State Elected Officials’ Legislative Reports
Representatives of Senator Karl Rhoads, Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Senator Glenn Wakai, and Representative Shirley Temple provided legislative updates. They discussed major proposals related to tax relief, local improvement projects, and educational programs. Senator Kim noted ongoing talk in the Senate to preserve Act 46, a set of tax cuts benefiting certain income brackets, while simultaneously balancing the state budget. Senator Wakai updated the board on the Aloha Stadium redevelopment timeline, with stadium deconstruction underway and plans for a new 31,000-seat venue expected to be completed by March 2029. He also described a new prison program that fosters the rehabilitation of inmates by placing shelter cats in correctional facilities, with future plans to expand to dogs in men’s prisons. Representative Temple’s office outlined efforts to compile feedback through a community outreach project and to support student transportation legislation. All state lawmakers reiterated that it remains a lean budget year and that they must carefully weigh competing priorities.
Board Resolutions and Actions
The board debated several resolutions. One concerned a proposal to place a “Legacy Residential Protection Program” in the Honolulu City Charter to preserve multi-generational homes currently burdened by non-conforming zoning and modernization restrictions. After discussion of the aim to allow homeowners to repair dwellings without expanding their footprints, the resolution was adopted by a strong majority.
A second resolution called for eliminating fares on public transportation across all counties, brought forward to mirror proposed state legislation. While some members emphasized that fare-free bus and rail would reduce barriers for young adults, others expressed concerns about funding, crowding, and whether the state or county would cover the added costs. The vote on that resolution resulted in a tie, preventing adoption.
A third resolution involved urging a solution for constructing or allowing a safe U-turn on Olomea Street near Palama Settlement, a matter that had arisen in another neighborhood board meeting. After discussion about streamlining traffic flow and commuting challenges, the board voted to support urging further study and potential implementation.
Closing and Next Meeting
Chair Cullen reminded board members that establishing or continuing subcommittees, such as for safety, education, homelessness, and outreach, requires properly filed agendas and minutes to comply with Sunshine Law. No committee agendas had been submitted for this month, so business concluded with an announcement that the next Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board No. 15 meeting will be on April 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Kalewaina Elementary School Library. Community members were encouraged to bring canned goods for a food drive in partnership with the Hawaii Food Bank. The meeting adjourned after confirmation that recordings are accessible on ʻŌlelo Channel 49 and through olelo.org.