No 14 Liliha-ʻĀlewa Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting January 2026
Listen to this article:
14 Liliha-Alewa Neighborhood Board Meeting
Opening and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. with nine members present, establishing quorum. Several board members were absent, and the Chair was also not in attendance. A brief housekeeping reminder was issued that community members wishing to speak should seek recognition from the chair, observe a one-minute time limit, and use the microphone for clarity. The Honolulu Fire Department and Board of Water Supply were called to the floor but did not have representatives present at this time.
Honolulu Police Department Report
Sergeant King and Lieutenant Yamashita from District 5 presented crime statistics from December 2025. They reported zero aggravated assaults (down from one in November), four auto thefts (equal to November), eight burglaries (up from one in November), zero robberies, zero sex assaults, four simple assaults (up from two in November), and thirteen thefts (up from six in November). They explained that burglaries during the holidays sometimes increase as people bring gifts home, and police resources often cannot cover the entire area as crime spikes. They documented 1,227 calls for service in December versus 1,242 in November. The officers also noted that the Honolulu Police Department had been heavily taxed over New Year’s Eve due to higher-priority incidents, though they issued one fireworks-related citation that night. They addressed questions regarding the number of fireworks calls in the Liliha area (23 reported), shared that 29 citations and two fireworks arrests occurred islandwide, and explained that even with maximum staffing, their workload was extensive during New Year’s Eve.
Fireworks, Safety, and Police Enforcement
Board members inquired about increased patrol and drone usage during New Year’s celebrations. The HPD representatives confirmed that officers were fully staffed but busy with other, more urgent calls. Some citations were issued, yet determining locations of the fireworks and arriving in time remained difficult. Concerns arose about whether more officers are necessary in future years; Sergeant King answered that shifts are always maximized on New Year’s Eve, building on overtime and special units, although they still face competing call demands.
Parking Violations and Unimproved Sidewalks
A resident renewed concerns about illegal parking on Nalakila Avenue’s improved (paved) sidewalk, noting improvement after prior enforcement but a return of violators, especially near two specific households with multiple parked vehicles. Sergeant King pledged to remind officers to conduct routine checks and issue citations or warnings as needed.
Traffic Fatality Follow-Up and Shooting Incident
Questions were raised regarding the outcome of a previous tragic hit-and-run on North School Street near Kokea. The HPD representatives indicated that the investigation had been turned over to vehicular homicide detectives, and no further public information was available. Another question concerned a shooting on Hanai Loop, where the suspect fled on foot; the HPD explained that the suspect description was incomplete and that the incident seemed random based on their findings.
Crime Mapping Access
A concern was expressed about problems accessing the HPD’s crime mapping resource for the past month. The HPD representatives confirmed that the crime mapping program is still operational but may experience glitches. They will work with the department’s Information Technology unit to provide contact details or resolve the technical issues. The board asked for clarity on who could supply better guidance on regaining full public access to the crime mapping tool.
Community Flooding Concerns in Puʻunui
Two residents described repeated flooding and property damage tied to a ditch possibly connected to state golf course land. Despite prior attention, a December 14th flood recurred, illustrating that blockages may still exist. The board recognized that jurisdiction likely overlaps city and state agencies. A member recommended filing claims with the city or state Attorney General’s office if insurance coverage is inadequate. The board and a city representative agreed to seek an interagency discussion once more details are available.
Safe Places and Hālē Kipa
A community organizer from another neighborhood board invited members to join a tour of the Hālē Kipa Assessment Center in the Alewa Heights area. That location is designated a “safe place,” offering youth a haven if they feel unsafe at home and otherwise risk running away onto the streets. The tour is planned for January 24th at 10 a.m., and the presenter urged the Liliha-Alewa community to learn more about this critical resource.
Kapalama Canal, Hufftailing Street Footpath, and Maintenance
A resident mentioned maintenance issues in the Kapalama Stream Canal area, specifically tree overgrowth near bridges, posing drainage hazards. Another resident asked who is responsible for the damaged footpath on Hufftailing Street near School Street, where cracks make walking dangerous. The board recognized that such issues often require city resources for long-term solutions.
Homelessness and the Point-in-Time Count
A board member noted the upcoming point-in-time count for obtaining data on Oʻahu’s homeless population. The Department of Community Services’ deputy director explained that data from such counts typically appears as heat maps and broad geographic trends rather than narrowly-tailored neighborhood data. The board encouraged volunteers to help conduct the count and gather accurate information.
Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OahuMPO) and Transportation Forum
A board member who attended the 2026 Hawaiʻi Transportation Forum summarized that it focused on traffic safety, active transit design, and workable funding structures. Recent statistics showed an alarming rate of traffic crashes, especially involving vulnerable road users. Proposed solutions include reducing speed limits, improved road design, quick-build safer streets measures, and integrated public transportation systems. Participants discussed how community-level engagement and Complete Streets initiatives could lower traffic fatalities, with emphasis on more pedestrian-friendly features.
Bates Street-Nuʻuanu Crosswalk Update
A city representative presented on the planned traffic-calming design along Nuʻuanu Avenue near Bates Street. The finalized concept narrows Nuʻuanu Avenue to one mauka-bound lane after Bates Street, places a raised median, and installs new crosswalk signage. In the interim, a quick-build effort will use pavement striping, painted bulb-outs, and signage until permanent concrete solutions are funded. Traffic models suggest minimal impact on vehicle flow while improving pedestrian visibility and safety. The project’s timeline has faced administrative delays in posting for bids, but city officials aim to execute the contract by mid-2026.
Exceptional Tree Program
A representative from the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Urban and Community Forestry program described the Exceptional Tree Program’s origins and the criteria for designating and preserving historic or sizable trees on Oʻahu. They explained that trees recognized under this designation are protected by law from improper pruning or removal. Owners of such trees on private property qualify for a small tax deduction every three years to offset maintenance costs. The representative encouraged community members to nominate large, culturally significant, or rare trees while also highlighting trees’ benefits for cooling, flood mitigation, and increased property value.
Lānākila Pacific Volunteer Opportunities
A representative from Lānākila Pacific explained that the organization continues to offer homebound meal deliveries under its Meals on Wheels program. They welcome volunteers to help pack and deliver meals islandwide, including holiday meal services. They also invite individuals to drop by their campus and learn about other nonprofit initiatives, emphasizing the continuing need for volunteer support.
City Administration Updates
The Deputy Director of the Department of Community Services, serving as the Mayor’s representative, provided city-level updates. Many city services are now more accessible through the newly streamlined HNL 311 system, where residents can report various issues and attach photographs. He noted that inspectors attempted to address a property suspected of unauthorized rentals, but they were unable to gain access and requested photographic evidence from the public. Also mentioned were upcoming changes to flood risk maps, scheduled for June 10, and the city’s plan to create more affordable housing near future rail lines in Kapolei and Kalihi. Community members suggested more lighting enhancements at critical intersections to boost pedestrian safety.
Honolulu City Council Updates
A representative from Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos Tam’s office addressed ongoing maintenance of the Napueo Mini Park area, where overgrown bamboo was removed. They also mentioned that plans to address sidewalks on Judd Street face obstacles with narrow rights-of-way, large utility poles, historic walls, and drainage needs that complicate sidewalk construction. The City’s Department of Design and Construction has thus flagged Judd Street as unlikely to receive a full sidewalk in the near term but will explore partial solutions if funding and design challenges can be resolved.
Reports from State Legislators
Staff from Senator Karl Rhoads and Senator Donna Mercado Kim’s offices discussed topics such as speed camera installations near the Pali Highway, new early learning resources, and legislative leadership roles. Senator Roz Baker’s budget briefings for the University of Hawaiʻi and the Department of Education were noted. Representatives Jenna Takenouchi and Daniel Holt also updated the board on their bill proposals, such as creating specialized funding to address hazardous trees on state land, regulating cryptocurrency ATMs to combat fraud, and introducing grants for small community groups like neighborhood security watches. Representative Scott Hussey joined in person briefly and reported potential legislation to address tax loopholes for high-net-worth individuals and possible legal approaches to mitigate the effects of the Citizens United ruling on campaign spending.
Community Organization Reports
Representatives from the Lānākila Multipurpose Senior Center announced new programs and recognized volunteers, including student groups and local businesses, for helping with repairs. Friends of Liliha Library thanked supporters for joining a recent mini book sale and discussed a possible future library tour. Several other community organizations were given the opportunity to share updates but had no significant news this month.
Adjournment and Next Meeting
The board approved the prior month’s minutes, deferred some unfinished matters, and announced that the next regular Liliha-Alewa Neighborhood Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at Maʻemaʻe Elementary School. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. after various announcements, including an invitation to the Board’s public broadcast on ʻŌlelo channel 9849.