No 16 Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting October 2025
Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board No. 16 Meeting Summary – October 8, 2025
Opening Formalities
The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. with a reminder of the rules of speaking, including how to raise one’s hand to be recognized and to keep microphone muted unless speaking. Attendees were advised to keep comments under two to five minutes and to reference the Sunshine Law regarding agenda items. It was noted that meeting records and materials are available via Google Drive and YouTube. Approval of the September 10, 2025 meeting minutes was eventually addressed, and corrections to spellings of streets and locations were made before unanimous acceptance.
Honolulu Fire Department Report
A firefighter from Station 32 in Kalihi Uka presented the Honolulu Fire Department’s September 2025 statistics: two structure fires, one false alarm, and 66 medical emergencies. With the holiday season approaching, fire safety tips were emphasized, including using fire-resistant decorations, turning off electrical lights before leaving, avoiding overloading power strips, and never leaving candles unattended. The department also encouraged the community to use the HFD website’s community relations page to coordinate events, share fire safety information, and schedule static displays of fire trucks for public education.
Honolulu Police Department Report
Representatives from Kalihi Valley’s HPD sector reported that they responded to 600 incidents in September, down from 610 in August. Of these, there was one burglary, two sexual assaults, four simple assaults, and seven thefts. They reiterated support for the state’s Vision Zero initiative to reduce traffic fatalities and advertised the resource at livinghealthy.hawaii.gov. Questions from board members focused on traffic safety, speed enforcement, and street lighting concerns near the water pump station on Kalihi Uka, especially due to elder pedestrians who walk where there are no sidewalks. The difference between e-bikes and mopeds was also discussed, with officers clarifying that e-bikes typically have smaller engines and must have pedals. HPD encouraged residents to call the station’s community policing team to set up safety events and education programs for the neighborhood.
Board of Water Supply Report
A Board of Water Supply (BWS) representative reported three main breaks in September: one near 3432B Kalihi Street (four-inch main), one near 2412 Kini Place (six-inch), and one near 2022 Ao Ao Place (eight-inch). She urged residents to conserve water by turning off the tap, shortening showers, using hose nozzles, and scheduling irrigation in the early morning. Questions arose about a timeline for painting near a middle school, but no specific update was provided. Residents also asked about the possibility of a special water rate for households with large gardens, though BWS explained that agricultural rates are typically for large-scale users and that smaller home garden efforts could incorporate rain barrels and other conservation methods instead.
Residents and Community Concerns
Community members raised issues about overgrown vegetation on Violet Street that is obscuring electrical wires. It was advised that this may require Hawaiian Electric (HECO) involvement due to safety concerns around power lines. Another resident noted that public streets are frequently blocked off with cones or unofficial signs, effectively reserving on-street parking. Discussion confirmed these practices are generally not legal and that clarification is needed on which roads in the valley are publicly regulated and which might be private or unowned. Concerns about abandoned or inoperable vehicles and nighttime lighting in certain areas of Kalihi Valley were also expressed.
Additional Presentations
A representative from a nonprofit organization detailed cleanup and restoration initiatives at Sand Island State Park, explaining how they have removed invasive kiawe and other vegetation to plant native species that reduce coastal erosion and help the environment thrive. Past volunteer efforts have resulted in clearing thousands of pounds of trash, and the group announced another large-scale volunteer opportunity on November 8, 2025. The organization encourages participation from community groups, youth, and schools seeking service hours.
City Elected Officials’ Reports
Mayor’s Representative
A memo from the Mayor’s Office highlighted new developments, including the integration of additional Skyline rail stations, an Ocean Safety Commission meeting, and efforts to review Honolulu’s Charter. A request for improved signage at Lihua and Kalihi Streets was addressed; the Department of Transportation Services will replace faded “do not enter” and one-way signs and add an extra one-way marker.
Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam’s Office
Staff noted traffic and safety concerns on School Street near senior housing and schools. Efforts are underway, in coordination with state agencies, to explore traffic calming measures. They also addressed raised speed limit signs on Likelike Highway and plans to replace outdated signage. The office met with various community stakeholders on ongoing issues like the Kaʻaiwai Stream program at Kalihi public schools and attentively responded to questions about overgrown vegetation, illegal parking, and community safety events.
State Elected Officials’ Reports
Senator Donna Mercado Kim
Senator Kim discussed speeding concerns on School Street, updates to Likelike Highway speed limit signage, and continued follow-up on the Kaʻaiwai School and Stream program. She related community outreach efforts, such as distributing backpacks to local students and attending the Hyperbaric Treatment Center’s anniversary at Kuakini Hospital. She underscored ongoing programs to mitigate safety concerns by connecting at-risk youth with organizations and resources.
Representative Ikaika Hussey
Representative Hussey joined the meeting remotely and talked about his office’s new website, hawaii29.com, designed to log and address constituent concerns. He echoed the updates on the Kaʻaiwai Stream Program, traffic issues, and the desire to coordinate with local and city officials for better speed control and parking enforcement in Kalihi Valley. Representative Hussey highlighted the looming federal shutdown’s potential impacts on WIC and other assistance programs, noting plans for a related food drive. He also flagged future land exchange discussions involving the state and U.S. Department of Defense, concluding with details about House Finance Committee site visits on Maui.
Board Business
The board unanimously approved the September meeting minutes, incorporating members’ corrections on street names and items from the previous meeting. Possibilities for moving the monthly neighborhood board gatherings to a new location, such as a local school, district park, or parish hall, were debated, with members mindful of cost, scheduling, and technology setup needs.
Committee Reports
Sidewalk & Transportation Committee
No major new developments were presented, though earlier concerns about traffic safety and signage will be pursued.
Sustainability Committee
Efforts to keep Kalihi Valley clean continued with a sidewalk cleanup on Piliwai Street, which board members described as successful. Volunteers plan to return for regular upkeep, working with residents to ensure sidewalks remain safe and passable.
Other Updates
Residents received a reminder about recurring Rapid Oahu Parking Control (RPC) mailing campaigns meant to inform households about parking program details. There was also mention of the local 311 app for reporting issues like potholes or abandoned vehicles.
Chair’s Report
The Chair announced several upcoming events, including:
• A Kalihi Valley gym cleanup on October 11 from 8:00–10:00 a.m.
• A Protecting Your Family and Income information session at Salvation Army.
• A Kuili (Iwilei) Station Neighborhood Design Workshop on October 23 to address preliminary rail station designs and neighborhood input.
The Chair requested that any concerns about state Department of Transportation matters be submitted so they can be forwarded to DOT staff who attend board meetings quarterly.
Announcements and Adjournment
Additional items included news on Farrington High School’s senior night festivities and future community celebrations. References were made to the potential relocation of the Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) and how it may affect Kalihi. The meeting concluded at 8:00 p.m. with everyone encouraged to attend the next board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Kapalama Hale, pending any potential location changes.