No 15 Kalihi-Pālama Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting April 2026
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15 Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board Meeting – April 16, 2026
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Report
The HFD representative presented statistics for March 2026 within the neighborhood board’s area. Incidents included one structure fire, two cooking fires, five nuisance fires, 26 alarm activations resulting in no fires, 207 medical emergencies, two motor vehicle collisions with a pedestrian, seven motor vehicle collisions, two hazardous materials incidents, and no mountain or ocean rescues. The HFD representative emphasized the importance of evacuation planning for emergency situations, advising families to have a plan, know two escape routes, and prepare a go-bag. Printable checklists and further resources can be found at fire.honolulu.gov and honolulu.gov/dem/buildakit. Board members thanked HFD for the report, and there were no follow-up questions from attendees.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 1 and District 5 Reports
HPD District 5 detailed monthly crime statistics for Kalihi, comparing March to February. In March, they reported increases in aggravated assaults (five compared to three), auto thefts (14 versus ten), burglaries (13 versus 12), robberies (two versus one), sex assault cases (two versus one), assaults (12 versus six), thefts (25 versus 20), and car break-ins (six versus two). Overall calls for service reached 2,683 in March, up from 2,557 in February. District 1 similarly provided monthly numbers, noting small increases or steady rates in motor vehicle thefts, burglaries, assaults, and drug-related incidents. Board and community members raised concerns about slow dispatch responses and repeated issues with crime near residential areas, including a nuisance property. HPD urged the community to continue calling 911 to document concerns so that officers can be dispatched and investigations initiated.
Resident Concerns on Illegal Game Rooms
A concerned resident asked HPD about frequenting unlicensed game rooms located dangerously close to a local school. She noted the potential for illegal activity and the landlords’ disregard for fines set at $150,000, which can be easily recouped through illicit earnings. She advocated raising fines to $500,000 to deter landlords from renting to illegal operators and also stressed the need for better coordination with school principals during police raids. HPD acknowledged these worries, stating the department is continuously working to close game rooms permanently and promising to forward these requests to higher command for consideration.
HART Project Updates
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation announced the completion of the first guideway column of segment three near the intersection of Nimitz Highway and Fort Street in downtown. This column, reaching a depth of over 100 feet, is the first of 148 in the segment, requiring significant concrete volume. Foundation work also began on the Chinatown Station. HART previewed its second neighborhood design workshop for the Mokuea (Kalihi) and Kūwili (Iwilei) stations, inviting community members to attend in person or submit feedback online regarding updated station renderings. They also addressed a question from the previous month about storm preparation, outlining procedures to secure work zones and ensure drainage systems remain clear. The board thanked HART for responsive communications and updates on ongoing construction timelines.
Additional Resident and Community Concerns
Multiple residents spoke on neighborhood improvement efforts, including a week-long sporting event in early May called “Care Kalihi Week” aimed at promoting unity and honoring individuals who positively impact Kalihi. Another principal thanked local leaders for supporting schools, acknowledging large events like the Farrington Governor Bash and an upcoming district-wide e-sports tournament. Residents warned of traffic congestion on specific dates due to multiple events at various venues, including Bishop Museum. One resident raised concerns about a planned overpass closure on Gulick Street in conjunction with a highway improvement project, requesting to be included on the board’s agenda for an official update. Several individuals expressed gratitude to the neighborhood board for hosting discussions that help highlight and potentially resolve ongoing Kalihi issues.
Mayor’s Representative (City Updates)
On behalf of Mayor Blangiardi, the Deputy Director of the Department of Information Technology shared updates pertaining to ongoing storm-related cleanup and recovery efforts across Oahu. The city launched a recovery website (oneoahu.org) outlining debris removal programs and providing relevant resources. Multiple debris removal and hauling crews are dedicated to affected areas, and residents can use transfer stations and convenience centers for storm debris disposal. The city postponed planned Mayor’s Town Hall meetings to focus on storm cleanup. The mayor’s representative reiterated the benefits of the Honolulu 311 app, which allows residents to submit non-emergency issues directly. He returned to the recurring issue of public nuisances near Gulick Avenue and Waterhouse Street, acknowledging that, per the city’s latest findings, no notice of violation was issued, but official inquiry would continue. Board members and the community stressed urgency in addressing the nuisance location.
Councilmembers’ Reports (Councilmember Radiant Cordero and Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam)
Councilmember Cordero assured residents that she and her team are working closely with city agencies on the intractable nuisance property, noting that final resolution requires coordination among the property owner, HPD, and DPP. She encouraged continued use of HNL 311 for abandoned vehicles and other non-emergency issues. She also noted the need for an updated sidewalk setback map so that enforcement agencies know precisely where city property begins. Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam’s staff updated the board on Beretania Community Park parking lot improvements and the success of recent game room enforcement measures. They emphasized close collaboration with HPD’s Narco Vice unit to hold landlords accountable for illegal activity. They further acknowledged that eliminating large abandoned vehicles is dependent on an expanded city contract, which is currently under review.
U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Military Report
A Public Affairs representative from U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii announced upcoming hiring fairs on April 21st and May 18th at Aliamanu Military Reservation. Both events, open to the public, offer a range of positions with full employee benefits, including commissary privileges and childcare discounts. They also shared that a prescribed burn originally scheduled for April has been postponed to May 11-15 due to wet conditions. The Army continues coordinating training at Schofield Barracks and East Range, keeping the community informed of noise and traffic impacts.
State Elected Officials’ Updates
Several senators and representatives updated the board on bills and initiatives relevant to Kalihi and the wider state. Senator Karl Rhoads shared public health advisories, including a recent measles case, and suggested preventative measures. Senator Donna Mercado Kim updated the community on legislative deadlines and highlighted key bills, including one that supports a Kalihi student-led publishing program and another aimed at reducing DOE repair and maintenance backlogs. She announced a town hall meeting at Kapalama Elementary School focusing on transportation concerns like a possible Olomea U-turn. Senator Glenn Wakai discussed major budget bills, focusing on cutting vacancies and decreasing car registration costs to keep more money in taxpayers’ pockets. Newly appointed Representative Ratcliffe spoke of her transition from neighborhood board member to legislator and pledged support for local businesses such as Tamashiro Market, also expressing support for broader neighborhood concerns. Representative Shirley Templo’s office echoed community outreach strategies and emphasized continuing safety task force sessions.
Governor’s Representative Update
The Governor’s representative provided a link to the Governor’s April newsletter, noting the administration’s ongoing efforts in storm prep and disaster recovery across the state. They encouraged Hawaiʻi residents to participate in a statewide quality of life survey available online (health-study.com). In response to questions on environmental policies and liquefied natural gas, the representative committed to obtaining information from the Governor’s office and providing written follow-up. They also noted the state’s coordination with various agencies to address the public’s ADA concerns around the rail and other infrastructure matters.
Board Business
The board addressed formal notices regarding three absences for two board members, one of whom was not present to respond. Because of insufficient quorum, the board took no action and decided to defer decisions concerning vacant seats to a future meeting. The board also deferred reestablishing committees, electing committee chairs, and approving the previous month’s minutes due to lacking quorum. Board members expressed intentions to place pressing community matters, including nuisance properties, on the next meeting’s agenda for official resolution consideration.
Announcements
In closing, the board announced its next regular meeting date of Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Kalihiwaena Elementary School Library at 6 p.m. The public was reminded that recordings of Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board No. 15 meetings can be viewed on ʻŌlelo Channel 49 and at olelo.org/live. The chair then adjourned the meeting, thanking all participants and presenters for their time and efforts in supporting the Kalihi-Palama community.