No 16 Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting February 2026
Listen to this article:
16 Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board Meeting – February 12, 2026
Opening and Moment of Silence
Chair called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. and requested a 30-second moment of silence for a homeless individual recently found deceased under a bridge near Kalihi Kilohana Stream. This reflection was prompted by several board members having encountered the man before discovering his death. Afterward, the chair reviewed meeting procedures, including rules for speaking, submission of testimony, and reminders about the board’s compliance with Hawaii’s Sunshine Law.
Honolulu Fire Department Report
A firefighter representative reported that the department has begun using a newer incident reporting system called the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) as of January 1, 2026, resulting in some changes to how incidents are categorized. In January, within Kalihi Valley’s area, there was one structure fire, two activated alarms, and 49 medical calls. Motor vehicle collisions with pedestrians are temporarily untracked under the new coding system but will be integrated soon. The Honolulu Fire Department urged community members to call 911 first rather than driving to a nearby station, explaining that firefighters could be absent due to ongoing inspections or training. Text-to-911 is also available in situations where voice communication is limited.
Honolulu Police Department Report
Lieutenant and sergeant representatives provided crime statistics for January 2026: one aggravated felony, ten total thefts, one burglary, zero robberies, zero sex assaults, two simple assaults, six thefts (detailed separately from the overall count), and three unauthorized entry into motor vehicle incidents. There were 593 calls for service in January, a slight decrease from December’s 605. Community members and board members asked about parking challenges during weekend sports tournaments at Kalihi Valley District Park, with requests to reposition police vehicles onto the street to ease parking congestion. Residents also inquired about installing camera equipment in public housing guard shacks to monitor vehicle and foot traffic and about possible drone surveillance to compensate for officer shortages. Police acknowledged the interest in using mobile camera units in Kalihi but noted the department currently deploys them only under specific, often privately funded, circumstances. Additional discussion covered citing or towing vehicles that violate no-parking signs during morning hours and concerns about speeding and pedestrian safety along Kalihi Street. Residents also brought up tight parking situations during daily kupuna water exercise classes at the district park, and HPD agreed to explore ways to alleviate these issues.
Board of Water Supply Update
A Board of Water Supply representative reported one main break on January 28 near 1621 Keno Street. The board’s 2026 poster and poetry contest is underway with a theme of “Everyday Conservation.” Students in grades K–12 can enter the poster contest, while those in grades 7–12 can submit poetry. The deadline for entries is February 27, 2026. An Instagram trivia contest on water conservation was mentioned but has concluded. A community member asked for additional data regarding water main breaks, specifically the quantity of water lost and the time taken to repair, along with whether the board could redirect water from breaks to other uses such as watering lawns. The representative agreed to relay these questions to the appropriate division for further information.
Residents’ and Community Concerns
No new resident concerns were introduced during this portion of the meeting.
Presentation: Kokua Kalihi Valley’s Kalihi Ahupuaʻa Ride
A KKV representative described plans for the second annual Kalihi Ahupuaʻa Ride, initially noted as “April 11, 2026 (Saturday).” The ride encourages youth leadership, bicycle mechanics training, and cultural exploration throughout Kalihi’s ahupuaʻa, starting at Hoʻoulu ʻĀina and continuing to various community stops including K-Vibe, a bicycle education space for local youth. Organizers shared a video highlighting last year’s event and explained how the ride cultivates positive identity, community stakeholder collaboration, and stewardship of Kalihi’s history and resources. Board members inquired about possible sponsorship of a rest stop along the route and approved the event after learning about its purpose in youth engagement and neighborhood cohesion.
Board Action on the Kalihi Ahupuaʻa Ride
Following the presentation, the board unanimously approved a motion to support the April 11, 2026, ride. A second motion for the neighborhood board’s direct participation also passed, with members expressing interest in showcasing the board’s role and discussing ways to educate the public on civic involvement. Specific coordination details will be discussed at the March meeting.
Elected Officials’ Reports
Mayor’s Representative
The mayor’s representative provided several general announcements. Highlights from the previous month included celebrating Black History Month in Honolulu, proposals to renovate Kahuku District Park, and an off-leash dog park opening in Makiki. The city encouraged residents to download the updated HNL 311 app for reporting road and infrastructure concerns. Ongoing follow-up issues included a monkeypod tree above 1710 Kilohana Street (pending city review), cleanup of Kumunaiki Stream, and cars parked around Kalihi Uka Community Park. Honolulu Police increased enforcement activity along Kalihi Street and around 1718 Lehula Street, issuing two citations for illegal parking. The representative noted scheduling questions about Bob’s Bar-B-Que permit status remain under review by the Department of Planning and Permitting.
Governor’s Representative
A new Governor’s Office representative introduced herself and confirmed she will attend Board No. 16 meetings going forward. Board members clarified longstanding concerns about state oversight in public housing, unresolved demolition or rebuilding of recreation centers in sites such as the Kalihi Area Homes (CAM4), and the perceived lack of official presence at prior board meetings. The representative pledged to follow up on state housing matters, especially around CAM4.
Senator Donna Mercado Kim
Senator Kim shared updates on legislation related to the Department of Education’s budgeting and administrative structure. She referenced travel expenditures within DOE and other state departments, explaining how some administrators had taken numerous off-island trips, prompting her to introduce Senate Bill 3332, which would impose a moratorium on certain state-funded travel until better oversight is in place. She also outlined a pilot “Storymaker” bill (Senate Bill 2877) that would engage fifth graders in Kalihi’s Title I schools in writing, designing, and publishing a short book to encourage creativity, literacy, and community connection. Senator Kim further mentioned efforts to address top-heavy administrative positions in DOE, with proposed restructuring to reduce inefficiency and direct more resources to classroom learning.
Representative Ikaika Hussey
Representative Hussey reported that he is gathering capital improvement requests and welcomes suggestions from Kalihi residents about district projects requiring legislative funding. He also acknowledged the legislative deadline for bills with multiple committee referrals. The board ceased discussion early to accommodate time constraints but encouraged further communication by email to fully address district improvement priorities.
Board Business
Members approved the November 12, 2025, regular meeting minutes with a minor correction to a street name. The board voted to formalize an Education Committee, naming interested members to help oversee youth and schooling concerns. Members also opted to merge a “joint” committee with the existing Communications Committee, with an emphasis on more efficient information-sharing via social media platforms and other public outreach methods.
Committee Reports and Assignments
Several committee chairs noted limited updates, but certain discussions highlighted ongoing local questions. The Resolutions Committee seeks to identify why official resolutions from the board often receive no formal reply. The Sustainability Committee announced a micro-grant of $5,000 available to residential gardeners and $10,000 for community organizations to continue promoting smaller-scale agriculture, water conservation, and resource efficiency in Kalihi. The Education Committee looked forward to working closely with local schools and community projects like stream cleanups, while the newly merged Communications Committee is planning immediate updates to the board’s social media presence.
Chair’s Report and Announcements
The chair reminded everyone that February 11 is recognized by some agencies as 2-1-1 Day, underscoring the resource hotline’s role in connecting residents with essential health and human services. Members acknowledged the success of a recent cleanup near the Kalihi Kilohana Stream and expressed interest in partnering further with local volunteers, nonprofits, and elected officials. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Kalihi Valley District Park. The meeting adjourned shortly thereafter, with a reminder that recorded meetings are available on the Neighborhood Commission Office’s YouTube channel, and past meeting materials and handouts are accessible via the board’s designated Google Drive link.