No 16 Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting January 2026
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16 Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board Meeting – January 15, 2026
Housekeeping and Agenda Overview
The meeting opened with reminders about distancing protocols, electronic device silencing, submitting written testimony by email, and staying within the State Sunshine Law. Attendees learned they could find archives of handouts via the board’s Google Drive link on the official agenda. It was also noted that video recordings of meetings are available on the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) YouTube channel. The meeting would follow the posted agenda, with speakers called upon to share updates and concerns regarding city services, public safety, and community initiatives.
Honolulu Police Department – December 2025 Statistics
Sergeant Dadoy presented crime statistics for Kalihi Valley District 5 covering December 2025. Aggravated assaults numbered one, same as in November; auto thefts rose to six from one the previous month; burglaries dropped to one from four; robberies held at zero in both months; sexual assault/rape saw one case in December compared to four in November; simple assaults went from one to three; thefts decreased slightly from 11 to nine; and unauthorized entry into motor vehicles remained at zero. HPD received around 605 calls for service in December, up from 588 in November. He stressed the numbers reflect cases that may be filed, reclassified, or closed, and reminded the neighborhood that on-going cooperation is needed to provide tips and witnesses to help solve outstanding cases.
Speeding, Cameras, and Drones
Community members raised concerns about speeding on upper Kalihi roads and suggested stronger enforcement and data gathering, especially near areas without sidewalks. HPD noted they would discuss potential targeted enforcement with the Community Policing Team. Additional conversations centered on using mobile cameras or drones to deter illegal activity, especially near public housing developments. HPD explained that drones were used successfully for monitoring New Year’s fireworks, and there is interest in broader deployment, though the details and capabilities are still under review. There was also community interest in placing portable camera units in housing areas, though HPD could not confirm definite plans.
School Traffic Safety
Board members asked for HPD assistance in managing traffic around Farrington High School, particularly during student drop-off and pick-up times on King Street. Parents’ habits in these congested periods led to near misses involving students crossing streets. HPD suggested the school might look into hiring off-duty officers at critical times or requesting more frequent patrol visits if staffing allowed. The board urged ongoing collaboration among the school administration, parents, and law enforcement to mitigate potential hazards.
Honolulu Fire Department Absence
While the Honolulu Fire Department was scheduled under monthly city reports, no representatives were present to deliver a briefing. The chair noted HFD had temporarily left the meeting room, and the board agreed to revisit this agenda item if any personnel returned, but they did not reappear before the board moved on.
Board of Water Supply Updates
Board of Water Supply (BWS) liaison Iris Oda presented announcements covering both December and January topics. She advised residents to remain vigilant against scams, reiterating that BWS never demands immediate payments via gift cards, wire transfers, or app-based methods, nor does it text disconnection notices. BWS also urged customers to check for official ID badges if uncertain. During the holiday season and beyond, BWS reminded consumers to conserve water whenever possible, with simple steps like turning off the tap while scrubbing dishes. Iris also spoke about the expanded “Water Sensible” rebate program, which now doubles many rebate amounts, including $150 for Energy Star washers, $200 for ultra-low flush toilets, and $400 for smart water monitors. She reported a water main break near 2469 Nalanihe‘eha Street on December 12, 2025, and acknowledged continued patching and paving, including nearby Lanakila Street, which was recently paved around Kalihi Elementary. She noted that any large-scale final re-pavements may take time.
Residents and Community Concerns
A Kalihi resident detailed problems on Kalihi Street between 1827 Kalihi Street and Kalihi Uka School, where cars block a no-parking lane during peak traffic hours (3:30–5:30 PM and 6:30–8:30 AM). Rubbish bins often remain in the street, further obstructing traffic. She shared that repeated complaints to HPD and city refuse inspectors sometimes led to tickets but not the consistent enforcement or towing she believes is necessary. She worried this hazards bus flow and risks pedestrian safety, urging more frequent citations or towing to clear illegally parked vehicles and properly remove bins. Board members acknowledged similar concerns and stressed the need for better follow-up with HPD’s Community Policing Team and city enforcement units.
Department of Environmental Services (ENV) GROW Program
An ENV representative introduced the new “Green Recycling Organic Waste” (GROW) Pilot Program, slated to begin on April 1, 2026, in six Honolulu areas including Kalihi. Residents with green carts are strongly encouraged to place fruit, vegetable, solid dairy, bread, pasta, and other compostable kitchen scraps into the green bin alongside yard waste. Liquids, oils, and plastic materials are not allowed in this composting stream. ENV recommended layering food scraps atop grass clippings and freezing perishable items until collection day to reduce odor and pests. The goal is to divert potentially 60,000 tons of food waste from H-POWER or the landfill. ENV plans to distribute small kitchen caddies and reusable bags at upcoming workshops for those in the pilot areas who attend. They will monitor contamination in the collected loads and use education and outreach to address any issues.
Hālau Kīpā Juvenile Assessment and Safe Place Programs
A representative from Hālau Kīpā, a local youth services organization, outlined two major efforts: the Kalihi Juvenile Assessment Center (KJAC) and the Safe Place program. KJAC handles first-time status offenses and certain misdemeanors by youth cited in District 5, offering case-by-case interventions like school supplies, food, diapers for families, and referral support to help prevent these youths from appearing in court. The Safe Place program designates local businesses or community sites as spaces where minors can safely request help, kicking off connections to social services or HPD if needed. Hālau Kīpā hopes to partner with more community centers, parks, libraries, and private businesses in Kalihi, so youth quickly know where they can go in emergencies or when at risk. The board voted unanimously to support Hālau Kīpā’s initiatives and encouraged connections with City officials to expedite the Safe Place rollout.
Mayor’s Representative Report
Bandmaster Clark Bryant, on behalf of Mayor Rick Blangiardi, updated the board on city matters. He promoted the city’s newly improved HNL 311 app for residents to report issues and track service requests in real time. Clark reported that Kalihi Valley District Park renovations remain limited to a funded gym roof repair, but the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) continues to push for updates on a broken concrete bench, pool vandalism concerns, and plans for new restroom gates. He said final follow-ups from the roads division regarding tree removals or bus stop maintenance near Kalihi Street would be in a February 2026 report. Various board members pressed for improved enforcement of street parking rules, traffic signals at closed intersections, and better solutions for damaged roads and property.
Council Member’s Office and Residential Parking Zone Updates
Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam’s staff provided additional details on the Kalihi corridor concerns and sign repairs. They confirmed that Residential Parking Zone (RPZ) permit fees have been temporarily cut in half, with a first vehicle now costing $62.50 instead of $125. Implementation of full enforcement is postponed until the Department of Transportation Services finalizes the rollout. They advised that in-person assistance is available for those uncomfortable applying for RPZ permits online. They also briefed the board on the H-1 Gulick Avenue Bridge project and encouraged the community to view official updates posted online about possible lane closures and safety advisories.
Legislative Updates
Representative Ikaika Hussey and staff highlighted issues from the State Legislature’s upcoming session starting January 21, 2026. They foresee a challenging budget year, partly due to reduced federal funds affecting Medicaid, SNAP, and Department of Education allocations. They are focused on supporting essential services around food security, health care, and housing. Rep. Hussey reiterated concerns about the future of Kalihi Valley District Park. He proposed possibly allowing nearby Kalihi Uka Elementary School to control part of the park space adjoining its grounds, making campus oversight clearer. The board also discussed crosswalk repainting, potential creative street murals, and the complexity of merging city park property with state school lands. Board members requested better synergy among City, County, and State offices to ensure signage repairs, crosswalk safety, and security cameras in key areas.
Board Business – Meeting Time Change
The board voted to relocate its future meetings to Kalihi Valley District Park with a new start time of 6:30 p.m., ending at 8:30 p.m. This arrangement will be valid for the next six months, after which further locations or time adjustments may be considered. Members also briefly discussed establishing a new Education Committee but postponed its official creation until it appears on a formal agenda.
Adjournment
With no additional agenda items remaining, the meeting was adjourned. The next session is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Kalihi Valley District Park from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Community members were reminded to reach out to NCO with any updates, post-meeting questions, or concerns, and to stay connected through the 311 app for city service requests.