No 16 Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting July 2026
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16 Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board Meeting – July 9, 2026
Meeting Opening and Public Participation
The Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board No. 16 meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. and adjourned at 7:52 p.m. Although the meeting title identifies July 9, the chair announced the meeting as occurring on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Participants were instructed to raise their hands before speaking, address comments through the chair, identify themselves for the record, remain muted when not speaking, and generally limit comments and reports to two to five minutes. Written testimony may be submitted through contact information on the Neighborhood Commission Office website. The chair also noted that the board may act on properly listed agenda items under the State Sunshine Law, while matters not on the agenda cannot be voted upon. Supporting materials are available through the board’s Google Drive, and meeting recordings are posted on the Neighborhood Commission Office YouTube channel. No general resident or community concerns were presented during the designated public-comment period.
Water Quality and Main Breaks
Board of Water Supply representative Iris Oda reported that semiannual water-quality reports should have been mailed to customers by July 1, with the next reports scheduled for December. The reports summarize thousands of tests performed on municipal water sources and the distribution system to verify compliance with federal safe-drinking-water standards. Reports can be found at the Board of Water Supply’s water-quality-report webpage by entering an address, including the building address for apartment residents, and additional information is available at 808-748-5041. Four water-main breaks were reported during June: June 5 near 2461 Laco Loa Place, June 6 near 2458 Laco Loa Place, June 22 near 2005 Kamehameha IV Road, and June 26 near either 1699 or 1629 Ahihi Street, with the representative noting uncertainty in the submitted address.
Water Seepage, Car-Washing Runoff, and Kamehameha IV Road Repair
The Board of Water Supply followed up on three earlier community questions. An investigation of water observed for several months around Holua Way and Valley View Drive found no leak from the municipal system or nearby private property, leading investigators to conclude that the water was likely natural seepage. Regarding car washing, the Board of Water Supply may respond when a hose is left running without a shutoff nozzle or water is otherwise used wastefully. However, complaints involving soap, detergent, or polluted wash water flowing into streets and storm drains should be directed to the Department of Facility Maintenance’s Storm Water Quality Branch at 808-768-3343. The agency also clarified that a June 9 traffic disruption near KKV School Street, Ahonui Street, and Kamehameha IV Road resulted from a 16-inch main break reported at approximately 5 p.m. Traffic was modified while crews worked, and repairs were completed the following day. That break was not included in the regular Kalihi Valley statistics because it technically occurred within another neighborhood board district.
Police Crime Statistics and Calls for Service
Honolulu Police Department Sergeant Cruz reported generally declining crime figures between May and June. Assaults fell from one to zero, auto thefts declined from five to three, burglaries remained at one, robberies and sexual assaults remained at zero, simple assaults totaled two, thefts increased from three to five, and vehicle break-ins declined from two to zero. HPD has been responding to repeated noise and vehicle complaints around Moanalua Valley, recreation areas, and the area beneath the bridge. Officers completed 37 checks and received 14 calls for service concerning the location. Because the problem continued, HPD opened a new report number and conducted five additional checks during the two days before the meeting. Across the district, officers responded to 1,453 calls for service and completed 1,182 reports between July 1 and July 7, indicating a high workload during the first week of the month.
Police and Recreation-Center Parking
A board member raised concerns that police vehicles and employee vehicles were occupying more spaces than the number assigned to HPD at Kalihi Valley District Park and Recreation Center. At prior meetings, residents had been unable to find parking and sometimes parked far away along Camp Four Road, limiting access to the gym, pool, recreation facilities, and neighborhood board meetings. Sergeant Cruz said HPD had exhausted its available parking at Kalihi station and had used the park as an alternative. To reduce the burden, the department recently began allowing officers with secure residential garages to take police vehicles home. HPD is working to expand that arrangement and has also sought to keep police vehicles away from bus-stop areas while sharing the limited parking supply.
Police Cameras, Drones, and Staffing Shortage
Community members asked about HPD’s mobile surveillance-camera trailers, described as 24-hour systems with blue lights that can be moved to locations to deter and document crime. Sergeant Cruz was not aware of a Kalihi Valley deployment and agreed to research the matter, noting that she knew of traffic cameras around Likelike Highway and a surveillance pilot program in Waikīkī but not a Kalihi pilot. The council office later agreed to gather suggested Kalihi locations and refer a request to HPD. On drones, Sergeant Cruz said Chief Lazar wants every police district to have a drone team, but HPD currently has only four certified drone operators department-wide and is borrowing at least one drone from the sheriff’s office while testing equipment. Drones have already been used during crime-reduction operations around Camp Four and Kūhiō Park Terrace, sometimes launching from the local police parking lot. Broader deployment will require purchasing equipment and training and certifying additional officers. Sergeant Cruz also stated that HPD is nearly 500 officers short. The department is hopeful that Chief Lazar’s retention initiative will reduce departures while recruitment continues.
Fire Department Activity and Hiking Safety
Captain Nolan of the Kalihi Uka fire station reported one structure fire, four activated alarms, 49 medical emergencies, and one motor-vehicle collision during June. The department’s safety message focused on summer hiking. Residents were advised to choose trails appropriate to their experience and stamina, review official trail information at hawaiitrails.org, check rain and wind conditions, remain on designated trails, avoid putting themselves in danger for photographs, hike with a companion, tell someone their plans, and allow enough time to return before dark.
Mayor’s Office Updates
In the absence of Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s representative, Bandmaster Clark Bright, the chair read the mayor’s submitted report. Citywide newsletter highlights included coordinated community-disaster-preparedness efforts; the appointment of a former Smithsonian National Zoo director to lead the Honolulu Zoo; three leadership changes in the managing director’s office; new enclosed trash receptacles intended to improve cleanliness in Waikīkī; five major infrastructure projects underway in Kailua; and Honolulu’s placement by Travel + Leisure in the top tier of U.S. public transportation systems. The July 2026 mayoral newsletter is available through the city’s website.
Kalihi Valley Restricted Parking Zone
The Department of Transportation Services responded to questions about Kalihi Valley’s residential restricted parking zone, including how permit prices were calculated, how fees are used, and how restrictions are enforced. In spring 2026, the DTS director reduced the City Council-established Kalihi Valley RPZ permit fee by 50% for calendar year 2026. Collected fees are deposited into the city’s general fund and, through the budget process, are intended to offset the administrative cost of the program. DTS said constituent reports and information from HPD indicate that RPZ enforcement has occurred in Kalihi Valley and remains ongoing.
Kalihi District Park Repairs and Staffing
The Department of Parks and Recreation reported several pending improvements at Kalihi District Park. Planned work includes repairing the gym roof and ceiling to address leaks, replacing deteriorated metal grates and wooden beams along the roof façade to improve security, and replacing wooden façade panels and interior glass or clear-plastic panels as part of the roofing project. The work is being prepared for bid, and more reliable construction dates will be available after bidding is completed. Previously completed work includes renovations to three restroom areas—the upstairs recreation-building restroom, comfort station, and pool restroom—as well as replacement of selected sinks, fixtures, cabinets, floor tiles, and doors, and improvements to the concrete walkway and accessible ramp in front of the gym and pool. DPR is also recruiting a permanent full-time recreation director. Until a civil-service hire is made, a full-time contract employee is performing essential duties and supporting park programming. Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam’s office is separately requesting regular updates on repairs and reopening of the pool, which remained unavailable during the summer.
Private Road Tree-Maintenance Responsibility
The city followed up on a request to trim an overgrown tree on Merkle Street near Kamananiki Street. Division of Urban Forestry arborists determined that Merkle Street is a private roadway, so the city will not perform the work. Responsibility for maintaining the tree rests with the relevant private property owner.
Council District Improvements and Police Leadership
Lynn Robinson, constituent services director for Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, reported that crosswalks around Kalihi Uka Elementary School had been repainted and that no-dumping signs were finally installed near the Kilohana–Kalihi Street bridge. She also described the council office’s meeting with Chief Lazar, emphasizing his stated commitment to learning individual police beats and understanding Kalihi’s public-safety challenges. The chief plans regular roundtables with police majors to review district-level crime trends and identify which strategies are or are not working. The council office expressed support for the drone initiative and agreed to explore requests for additional mobile surveillance-camera systems while HPD addresses its major staffing shortage.
City Bus and Van Storage at District Park
A board member reported that large city vans or extended bus-type vehicles appear to be stored during the day in the Kalihi Valley District Park parking lot. Although the arrangement may protect the vehicles from vandalism, the vehicles, required access aisles, and drivers’ personal cars occupy spaces needed by residents using the gym, pool, recreation center, and neighborhood board meeting. The concern follows an earlier effort to restripe the lot for more efficient parking and clearly designate HPD-reserved spaces. Robinson agreed to investigate whether the vehicles are being stored there and whether an alternative secure location can be found.
Red-Light Running at Kalihi Street and Makuahine Street
Resident Roxanne Fo of Nihi Street reported frequent red-light running where Kalihi Street meets Makuahine Street. She said drivers sometimes stop, wait until traffic in the permitted direction clears, and then proceed through the red signal, creating a recurring safety risk for people traveling farther into the valley past Kamehameha Schools. Robinson agreed to request increased enforcement at the intersection and include the location in discussions about surveillance or traffic-monitoring resources.
Kalihi Resilience Plan
Board member James Sung shared a comprehensive Kalihi Resilience Plan with board members and public officials. The document addresses preparedness for hurricanes, flash floods, wildfires, tsunamis, invasive species, traffic hazards, and other neighborhood risks. Sung emphasized Kalihi’s statewide logistical role because goods entering the island are distributed through the area; prolonged blockage of Kalihi roads after a disaster could disrupt food and supply distribution throughout Oʻahu and beyond. Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam’s office reviewed the draft and offered to collaborate on workshops, participants, and future community discussions after the election season. Governor Josh Green’s representative also invited Sung to submit the plan for circulation within the governor’s office. Sung was coordinating with a senator and other stakeholders to determine meeting locations and participants, but no workshop date had yet been established.
State Budget and Green-Fee Funding
Governor Josh Green’s representative, Jill Radke, reported that the governor was signing approximately two bills per day during the week of the meeting. The newly signed state budget includes about $130 million in “green fee” funding for environmental sustainability and climate-related projects. More detailed announcements regarding eligible programs and allocations were expected later.
Disaster Shelters, Communications, Food, and Water
A community member questioned how Kalihi Valley would receive food, water, shelter, and emergency assistance after a Category 5 hurricane or similarly severe disaster, particularly if cell service failed and transportation routes were blocked. He expressed concern that existing plans do not clearly explain how resources would move between neighborhoods during the first four or five days and warned that Kalihi Valley residents could effectively be on their own. Radke agreed to bring the questions back to the governor’s office. The issue also connects to a proposed neighborhood emergency-response resolution and a possible new board committee focused on shelter and emergency preparedness.
North School Street Sewage-Pipe Break
Kathy Nee, representing Senator Donna Mercado Kim, discussed a sewage-pipe break on private property along North School Street. Although City Environmental Services was contacted, the city could not repair the line because it belonged to a private owner and was not within a city easement. The leak continued for approximately one week, affecting nearby residents, before the Department of Planning and Permitting was contacted to compel the property owner to make repairs. The case clarified that city agencies may investigate sewage complaints but generally cannot repair privately owned infrastructure unless the city has an applicable easement.
Kuahiviwe Property Cleanup and H-1 Closure
Senator Kim’s office followed up on a concern about land at Kuahiviwe near Likelike Highway. State Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen confirmed that the state owns a portion of the property, and his staff was identifying the exact boundaries and developing a cleanup schedule. The office also announced that the H-1 Freeway would close from 8 p.m. Saturday, July 11, until 8 a.m. Sunday, July 12, for continuing work on the Gulick Avenue overpass.
Governor’s Intent-to-Veto List
Senator Kim’s office reported that, in addition to signing supplemental budget bill HB 1800, the governor placed four measures on his intent-to-veto list. SB 2338 concerned restructuring the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation and Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority; SB 2600 would transfer $50 million to the state emergency reserve fund; SB 3262 would require Senate confirmation of the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board director; and HB 2344 would establish a temporary commission to study possible public-school consolidations, realignments, and closures. House and Senate leaders had indicated that they did not plan to call a special session to override vetoes.
Representative Ikaika Hussey’s District Work
Representative Ikaika Hussey reported that the absence of a planned veto-override session would allow legislators to focus on district-specific issues. He expressed appreciation for the Kalihi Resilience Plan, said he was considering priorities for the next legislative session in 2027, and noted that community cleanups were underway in the district. No questions were raised about the prior legislative session.
Approval of June Meeting Minutes
The board corrected the agenda to specify that approval concerned the June 10, 2026 regular meeting minutes rather than an inadvertently listed January date. The minutes were moved and seconded, and with no objections or abstentions, the board approved them unanimously.
Election of Board Officers
The board elected officers for the term running from July 2026 through June 30, 2027. Chair Tumbaga was reelected chair with six votes. James Sung, who had previously served as secretary, was elected vice chair with six votes. Michael Gatti was elected secretary with six votes, with responsibility for reviewing meeting minutes for accuracy. Alan Kumalai was reelected treasurer with six votes. Members were also reminded that applications for the next neighborhood board election were expected to open around January 2027, with voting likely occurring in May or June.
Meeting Location and Accessibility Discussion
The board discussed whether to continue meeting on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Kalihi Valley District Park or move to another location, including Kalihi Elementary School, Our Lady of the Mount, or Farrington High School. Kalihi Elementary representative John Hamilton said the school was willing to support the board but recommended a tour before a final decision so members could evaluate parking, restrooms, storage needs, and other logistics. He estimated that parking for approximately ten vehicles could be accommodated and said the library should be accessible for people with mobility limitations. Wednesday-night scheduling was not expected to conflict with school activities, although a facility fee was possible; the Neighborhood Commission Office indicated that it could cover an applicable fee. A motion was made and seconded to use Kalihi Elementary, while community members urged the board not to move too quickly and argued that remaining at the district park would help officials directly observe the pool, gym, roof, façade, and parking problems. The transcript repeats this discussion several times and does not clearly preserve a final vote, but the chair later announced that the August meeting would remain at Kalihi Valley District Park.
Member Attendance and Board Vacancy
Members discussed absences and whether any seats should be declared vacant. A motion was not made to remove member Franklin, who explained that he had been off island for approximately three months and intended to seek reelection. Chris Luleimaga explained that two absences resulted from work travel and a third occurred because the meeting coincided with his child’s birthday; no motion was made to vacate his seat. Former chair Mamie Mizuno submitted a written resignation, thanking the board for the opportunity to represent the community and stating that she would continue serving in other ways. Her departure creates a vacancy to be addressed at the next meeting, and residents interested in serving were encouraged to attend.
Committee Reports and Planned Resolutions
The State and County Budget Committee and Sidewalk, S-Curve, and Transportation Committee did not present reports. The Beautification Committee reported no activity because its chair had been off island. The Resolution Committee said work related to the recreation-center resolution and school-safety issues had largely advanced, with traffic-signal activation still pending. Future work will focus on Kalihi Green Park, neighborhood camera systems, and a proposed shelter and emergency-response committee. A disaster-response resolution had already been drafted and was expected to be presented for a possible vote at the next meeting. The Sustainability Committee had no report.
Community Newsletter
The Communications Committee announced that the neighborhood newsletter is expected to resume in August after a pause caused by work demands. Board members and residents were invited to submit community highlights, announcements, and other information to committee members for inclusion.
Safe Place Program for Students
The Joint Committee reported that the Safe Place initiative had received Department of Education approval and now needs to be implemented at individual schools. The program is designed to allow students who feel unsafe or threatened at home to approach a trusted adult and state that they need help. Board representatives planned to discuss implementation with school counselors at their annual meeting later that week. The chair also proposed inviting Kalihi school principals or other school representatives to report to the neighborhood board three or four times per year because the Department of Education does not have a single representative assigned specifically to Kalihi Valley.
Parks, Schools, and Future Agency Reporting
The chair addressed requests for regular reports from the Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of Education. Parks and Recreation may be invited when the board identifies specific park concerns requiring a response. For education matters, the board may rely on local principals and periodic school presentations rather than a single DOE district representative. The goal is to provide recurring information on school conditions and issues affecting Kalihi’s children.
Announcements and Next Meeting
The next regular meeting was announced for Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Kalihi Valley District Park. Neighborhood board meetings are broadcast on ʻŌlelo Channel 49 on the fourth Saturday of each month at 6 p.m. and on the first and third Sundays at 9 a.m. The board also discussed publicizing a future Kalihi Resilience Plan meeting through an agenda mailing or upcoming board agenda once the date, location, and participants are confirmed.