No 14 Liliha ʻĀlewa Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting September 2026
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14 Liliha-Alewa Neighborhood Board Meeting – September 15, 2026
Meeting Administration and Quorum
The board welcomed Kelly Nakamura as its new neighborhood assistant following her transfer from the City Clerk’s Office. The meeting briefly recessed to resolve technical problems before reports began. A roll call taken later in the meeting recorded 12 members present, establishing a quorum. The board also raised concern about member Alika’s repeated absences; the chair explained that the usual practice is to send notice after three consecutive missed meetings and then consider whether the member should remain on the board. At the end of the meeting, members were asked to help move tables, and Kelly was again welcomed to her new role.
Fire and Emergency Response Statistics
The Honolulu Fire Department reported confirmed incidents within the board’s geographic area for August 2026. Firefighters responded to one structure fire, no wildland or brush fires, four nuisance fires, no cooking fires, and eight activated alarms where no fire was found. Emergency responses included 94 medical calls and one hazardous-material incident, with no motor-vehicle collisions involving pedestrians, other motor-vehicle collisions, mountain rescues, or ocean rescues. Residents may review incident locations and further details through the Fire Response Search tool at fire.honolulu.gov or submit questions to the department’s neighborhood-board email address.
Lithium-Ion Battery Safety and Fire Prevention Week
The Fire Department warned that it is responding to an increasing number of fires involving lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, laptops, e-bikes, e-scooters, toys, power tools, and automobiles. Residents were advised to use the charger supplied with a device or one approved by its manufacturer, charge devices on hard and flat surfaces rather than beds or upholstered furniture, unplug devices once fully charged, and charge larger equipment outdoors whenever possible without blocking an exit. A device should immediately be taken out of use if it becomes excessively hot, swells, develops an unusual smell, leaks, smokes, or makes popping or hissing noises. On aircraft, passengers should keep charging devices visible, refrain from charging vapes or e-cigarettes, and alert flight attendants to any problem. A board member asked whether lithium batteries are dangerous only while charging; the department indicated the risk is not limited solely to charging, although a fuller response was not provided. The department also announced Fire Prevention Week Family Day at the Honolulu Zoo on October 3, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., under the theme “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower.”
Board of Water Supply Event
The Board of Water Supply repeated its announcement for the “Imagine a Day Without Water” event scheduled for Saturday, September 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Arc of Safety Waianae Mall. Informational handouts were distributed and placed on the board’s Google Drive. Additional information was made available through boardofwatersupply.com and the event’s “Imagine a Day Without Water” page.
Police Absence and Speeding-Complaint Procedures
The Honolulu Police Department was not present to give its regular report, leaving several enforcement questions unresolved. A member referred to the August minutes, in which residents and the board requested speed monitoring on a neighborhood avenue, but HPD reportedly responded that there was no “active complaint.” The member asked HPD to clarify the difference between a neighborhood board request and an active complaint, how residents or the board can formally create such a complaint, and whether requests from the board are receiving less attention because they are not categorized correctly. The matter was deferred until an HPD representative could respond. This concern was also connected to a wheelchair user’s continuing request for enforcement of a no-parking area needed for HandyVan access.
National Good Neighbor Day and Local Businesses
A community advocate promoted National Good Neighbor Day on September 28 as an opportunity for residents to recognize and assist their neighbors. She encouraged participants to support neighborhood small businesses when purchasing gifts or tokens of appreciation, linking the observance to the health of the local business community. She noted that the Legislature passed a resolution recognizing the day during the 2026 session and that the City and County of Honolulu would also issue a proclamation. Netflix’s temporary streaming of “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” starring Tom Hanks, through September 30 was cited as another way the theme was gaining public attention. The discussion also recalled the former “I Love Liliha” community event, with hope expressed that it could return if local leadership and organization emerge.
HandyVan Access and Illegal Parking on Bachelor Street
Fetu Kolio described repeated obstruction of the HandyVan loading area at 1900 Bachelor Street. On the day of the meeting, he found an unattended vehicle occupying the area and summoned an officer, but the officer could only issue a citation; the vehicle remained and continued to block access. Kolio explained that HandyVan drivers generally wait only five minutes, meaning riders with disabilities can lose their scheduled transportation if the designated curb space is unavailable. The site’s built-in ramp leads directly from the building’s sliding doors to the curb, and loading farther uphill or downhill is not a practical equivalent. He also said the red curb markings are faded or absent and that the existing sign, although technically enforceable, has not deterred drivers. He argued that the Department of Transportation Services had not adequately accounted for Americans with Disabilities Act needs and proposed clearer towing-related signage or another stronger deterrent.
Mayor’s representative Edward Los Banos said he would connect Kolio directly with the Department of Transportation Services so the problem and possible remedies could be discussed in detail. Members also asked him to consult HPD about the status of the citation and whether the vehicle owner could be contacted. The board recognized that towing might be more effective than a citation but could take too long to restore access before the HandyVan leaves. The chair agreed to keep the issue on a future agenda, and members also questioned whether higher parking fines might provide a stronger deterrent.
Crosswalk Restoration and Rapid-Flashing Beacons
A resident thanked Neighborhood Boards 14 and 12 for supporting the repainting of a crosswalk that the city had previously removed, although she emphasized that the restoration took seven years. She requested a pedestrian-activated warning system on the makai-bound side of Nuuanu Avenue between Judd and Bates Streets, closer to Bates, because the steep incline limits driver visibility and creates a crossing hazard. She referred to warning devices used elsewhere that flash and sound after a pedestrian presses a button. Another participant cited the installation at Richard and Kalihi Streets as a model. The city representative clarified that the technical term is a rapid-flashing beacon and confirmed that participants were discussing the same type of device. Concerns that tree canopy might interfere with a solar-powered installation were answered with a suggestion that the city trim the canopy. The chair agreed to place the request on the agenda and asked the mayor’s representative to follow up.
Transportation Demand Management and Rail Ridership
A board member reported on the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizens Advisory Committee meeting held September 2 and introduced committee chair and neighborhood resident Katie Rooney. The committee reviewed the Department of Transportation Services’ fiscal year 2026 Transportation Demand Management Plan. Rail ridership reportedly increased by 200 percent after the second phase opened service to the airport and Middle Street. Members asked for the anticipated date when rail service would reach Chinatown and whether the system’s financial deficit could require another increase in the general excise tax; those questions were referred for follow-up.
The report also covered the restricted parking zone program first used in the Wilson Tract area of Kalihi, where nonresidents had consumed much of the available neighborhood parking. The program sold 231 permits and generated $27,800, although revenue had not yet covered operating costs. DTS was seeking other neighborhoods where resident parking is similarly constrained by outside users. Residents were invited to identify possible zones for further study.
Parking Policy and “Parking for the People”
Katie Rooney presented information from Ulupono’s “Parking for the People” initiative, emphasizing that parking is never truly free because land, construction, maintenance, and traffic all carry costs. Nationally, communities provide an estimated three to ten parking spaces for every vehicle, with Hawaii near the lower end because of limited land. The presentation also noted that a meaningful portion of traffic congestion comes from motorists circulating in search of parking. The discussion framed neighborhood parking policy as a balance among resident access, land use, traffic flow, development costs, and the expectation of readily available spaces.
Ho‘iki School Street Affordable Senior Housing
Monty Eaton of Highridge Costa provided an update on the redevelopment of the School Street Apartments in partnership with the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. The 15-story project, branded Ho‘iki Senior Living, will contain 250 affordable units restricted to households earning between 30 and 60 percent of area median income and will be limited to residents age 55 and older. Construction was approximately 95 percent complete, with a grand opening planned for October. A unit lottery was expected near the end of October. Prospective tenants could register through the project website, hoikiseniorliving.com, once it launched on the Wednesday following the meeting; people who had already registered through Highridge Costa’s website would remain included.
The project will offer studios, one-bedroom units, and two-bedroom units. Studios at the 30 percent AMI level were said to begin at approximately $740 to $744 per month and to approach 500 square feet. One-bedroom rents were reported as ranging from $784 to $1,650, while two-bedroom rents would range from $944 to $1,984. A member questioned whether these rents would remain affordable for retirees living on fixed incomes. Eaton responded that many residents age 55 and older still work, while fixed-income applicants would be more likely to qualify for units at the 30 percent AMI level.
The building will accept Section 8 vouchers and comply with applicable ADA and building-code requirements. Water and sewer will be included in rent, but tenants will pay their own Hawaiian Electric bills. Internet and cable will not be included. The developer did not have a reliable estimate for those services during the meeting and agreed to provide one later. A resident suggested that management contact Spectrum about a bulk package similar to one offered at another senior building, where cable, internet, and a cellular line were provided at no direct cost to residents. Eaton agreed to inquire but cautioned that such a program could affect the affordable project’s limited operating budget and would take longer to evaluate.
The development will include parking, and management expected to accommodate residents needing a stall. Initially, each unit will be limited to one stall, with the possibility of additional availability later. Vehicular access to Ahi Ahi Street will be restored when the project opens. A member also asked whether the large rear retaining wall could be used for a community mural. Eaton said community-art options were under review and that the developer would return once plans were more definite. Because of the project’s size and neighborhood effects, the chair kept it on the presentation agenda for a future meeting.
Storm Preparedness and Emergency Water
The mayor’s September newsletter focused on the city’s response to Tropical Storm Lala and preparations for an active storm season. Although Oahu experienced only the storm’s fringe, the mayor’s representative noted that Kauai residents endured multiday power outages and urged households to maintain hurricane supplies, batteries, communications equipment, and other necessities. Residents were reminded to store approximately one gallon of water per person per day. Emergency water bladders distributed by the Board of Water Supply include directions for storage and, after a certain period, the addition of a small amount of bleach. Residents who do not want to treat stored water were encouraged to use it promptly for drinking or plants rather than pouring it into a drain.
Representative Radcliffe later reported from Kauai, where she was helping family and others recover, and said Hurricane Marbert appeared to be breaking apart, with only light rain expected on Oahu. She nevertheless repeated the call for continued preparedness.
Kapalama Stream and City Maintenance Backlogs
The mayor’s representative reported no substantive change in the status of Kapalama Stream canal maintenance. Work will proceed when Department of Facility Maintenance resources become available. Crews had been working extended hours clearing streams, removing accumulated sand, and responding to repeated storm damage, delaying routine projects. Vandalized street poles on Waihee Street were also awaiting repainting; a service request had been submitted, but the work would occur only after crews became available.
Nuuanu and Kuakini Traffic Control
The Department of Transportation Services completed its review of the board’s request for a “No Right Turn on Red” sign at Nuuanu Avenue and Kuakini Street. Based on collision data from the preceding three years, DTS found no pattern, condition, or unusual circumstance that justified another traffic-control measure at the intersection. The city instead suggested reporting immediate hazardous conduct to 911 and working with HPD on enforcement and driver education. The representative stated that officials were trying to preserve traffic flow while addressing unsafe driving behavior.
School Street Resurfacing and Nuuanu Bicycle Facilities
North School Street resurfacing had been completed between Middle Street and Nuuanu Avenue. Work would continue in phases once revised traffic-control plans were submitted and approved. Separately, the city determined that adding a bicycle lane to the Nuuanu Avenue and Bates Street traffic-calming and crosswalk-restoration project was outside the project’s scope. Bicycle lanes are planned farther makai on Nuuanu Avenue, beginning at Kuakini Street and continuing south, but no lane was planned for the Nuuanu-Bates area.
Abandoned Vehicles on Waihee Street
A board member reported that an abandoned truck with license plate NXP 735 remained across from 1830 Waihee Street and had not even been tagged despite repeated reports. She said at least two vehicles had been left in the area for approximately four months and that she had previously reported roughly 15 vehicles that were eventually towed from the same location. Because this section of the public road is unusually wide, motorists from areas with limited parking use it for long-term storage or vehicle abandonment. The mayor’s representative confirmed that the city had been told the vehicles were on a public road, not private property, and agreed to continue the follow-up.
Sewer Cap and Bulky-Item Collection
The city initially responded that the owner of 1203 Aleppo Drive was responsible for replacing a damaged private sewer lateral cap. The board noted, however, that a city inspection crew had reportedly installed an inferior replacement that later cracked. The mayor’s representative acknowledged that the inquiry may have been sent to the wrong department and agreed to follow up with the Department of Environmental Services rather than the Department of Planning and Permitting. The issue will remain on the agenda.
The representative also confirmed that Judd Street is eligible for the city’s appointment-based bulky-item collection. Appointments can be made at honolulu.gov/opala or by calling 808-768-3200 and pressing zero for an operator. A resident said an earlier online attempt failed because the street had to be entered specifically as “North Judd Street,” illustrating the need to use the exact municipal street name.
Sewer-Spill Warnings and Water Testing
A member raised concern about public notification following a reported major sewage spill on August 16 during the heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Lala. The affected waters are regularly used by paddlers and other recreational users. He asked the city to make additional efforts to notify the Department of Health so bacterial testing and public warnings can be carried out rather than assuming stormwater dilution has resolved the hazard. The request focused on faster coordination and clearer notice when wastewater releases may affect nearshore recreation.
HPD Drone First-Responder Pilot
A member praised what he described as a successful HPD drone-as-first-responder pilot deployment in the neighborhood. Social-media footage reportedly showed drones assisting in the capture of three suspects, including two apprehensions in the board area near a labor union hall and near the canal by School Street. He requested a formal HPD presentation explaining how the pilot operates, its timeline, whether it may become permanent in the neighborhood, and how residents can distinguish an official police drone from a privately operated one. The chair treated this as a formal board request and directed staff to invite HPD through the appropriate neighborhood coordination channel.
Mail Voting and the 2026 General Election
Senator Karl Rhoads reported that general-election ballots were expected to reach mailboxes no later than October 16. He discussed a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that blocked the federal administration and Postal Service from proceeding with a plan that would have restricted states’ use of mail voting. He said Hawaii voters should be able to return ballots by mail, use an official drop box, or vote in person at a voter service center, while cautioning that implementation still required attention because of broader disputes over compliance with court orders.
Representative Radcliffe separately noted that the ballot would contain 19 Honolulu Charter questions and two proposed state constitutional amendments. She strongly supported the infrastructure-financing question, explaining that it would permit counties to use tax increment financing, or TIF, for public infrastructure without directly raising property-tax rates. She said Hawaii was one of only two states lacking such a system. Representative Hussey-Burdick also endorsed the amendment and disagreed with the Attorney General’s prior position that TIF could not be used because it was not expressly listed in the state constitution.
Hawaiian Electric Outage Claims
Senator Rhoads advised residents that Hawaiian Electric claims related to Tropical Storm Lala generally had to be filed within 30 days of an outage. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may cover either repair costs or the depreciated value of damaged property, whichever is less, if the loss is determined to have resulted from conditions within the utility’s control. Residents can locate the form by searching for Hawaiian Electric’s claim page. When asked what happens after HECO denies a claim, Rhoads said the adjudication process is largely internal and offers little outside recourse. He had previously proposed legislation that would require partial compensation for certain losses regardless of direct fault, but current law leaves substantial discretion with the utility. FEMA assistance may be possible when a federally recognized disaster is involved, and the governor had requested disaster declarations for Kauai and Hawaii Island. A member added that SNAP recipients previously had a short period to seek food-loss replacement benefits, reportedly including an additional $250, while HECO generally pays only when the company is found responsible, such as when an untrimmed tree causes damage.
COVID-19 Conditions and Judiciary Briefing
Senator Rhoads warned that COVID-19 continued to circulate, with the test positivity rate recently reaching approximately 10 percent. He contrasted that with the earlier pandemic benchmark in which 5 percent positivity was considered severe. An updated vaccine tailored to the latest variant was available and, in his experience, covered by insurance. He also announced an informational briefing by the Senate Judiciary Committee on the rule of law, featuring former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, in room 229 at 10 a.m., with live and on-demand video available through capitol.hawaii.gov. Rhoads said he had approximately seven weeks remaining in office and could still be reached at 586-6130. Members and online participants thanked him for his service, and the board discussed providing a certificate or other formal recognition before his retirement.
Medicare and Medicaid Navigation Assistance
Representative Jenna Takenouchi announced the “Many Many” program administered through the Department of Health’s Executive Office on Aging. The program assists people who may be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, including Med-QUEST, by helping them understand overlapping benefits and receive all available coverage. An in-person coordinator from Catholic Charities, Marshmello Bartow, would be available at the Lanakila Multipurpose Senior Center on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The service is intended especially for kupuna and people with disabilities who may find applications and eligibility rules difficult to navigate.
Legislative Community Meetings
Representative Takenouchi continued her district “park talk story” events after earlier sessions at Na Pueo Park and Puunui Community Park. Her next gathering was scheduled for Saturday, October 3, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Nuuanu Valley Park along Pali Highway next to Queen Emma Summer Palace. Residents could stop briefly with a question or stay for the full informal discussion. Additional November events were planned for Booth Park in Pauoa Valley and Kawananakoa Middle School, with schedules available through her newsletter and online event page.
Representative Radcliffe announced a town hall at Queen Emma Gardens on October 7 at 6 p.m. She also thanked volunteers who participated in the previous month’s Chinatown community cleanup and invited residents to submit ideas for the upcoming legislative session.
Mayor Wright Redevelopment and Palama Street Work Site
Representative Radcliffe said the Mayor Wright housing area is planned to expand from approximately 350 units to 2,500 units. The redevelopment initiative is seeking a new name, and residents would be able to submit proposed names through an online link before a community vote.
A member also requested an update on the fenced construction staging area beneath the Palama Street interchange. Another participant reported information obtained from Senator Donna Mercado Kim’s office indicating that a private company working with the city was storing equipment there for a project believed to be in Kakaako. The staging area was expected to remain in use through at least the end of 2026, although the exact company and project name were not provided. Representative Takenouchi agreed to make an additional inquiry if necessary.
Energy, Health Care, Walkability, and Legislative Priorities
Representative Hussey-Burdick outlined several possible proposals for the next legislative session. She is considering direct public financing for rooftop solar and larger clean-energy projects in response to reduced federal and state tax-credit support. She estimated that rooftop-solar penetration remains only about 40 to 50 percent, leaving many households unable to access the technology and its potential savings.
She also described discussions with physicians interested in single-payer or universal health care, particularly as anticipated federal Medicaid reductions could cause approximately 100,000 Hawaii residents to lose coverage. A state basic medical-insurance plan was raised as one possible response. In discussing Hawaii’s physician shortage, she cited the high cost of living, pressures on rural practitioners, and conflict between doctors’ preferred care and insurance-company authorization and reimbursement decisions. She referred to the resulting professional stress as “moral injury” but did not yet have a specific final proposal for increasing the number of doctors.
Additional legislative ideas included improving walkability, adding sidewalks in communities such as Kalihi Valley, and studying parking and urban-design approaches used in Japan and other jurisdictions. She also identified anti-corruption and anti-nepotism measures as priorities. When the chair asked why public libraries have limited and sometimes inconvenient hours, particularly closing soon after school, she suggested inadequate funding was likely the main cause and said Representative Takenouchi may have more specialized information.
Lanakila Multipurpose Senior Center
The board heard that the Lanakila Multipurpose Senior Center suffered damage during recent storms while also pursuing a longer-term redevelopment or rebuilding effort. Although the state had approved grant-in-aid funding, responsibility for disbursing it had moved to another agency and the money had not yet been released. Catholic Charities was therefore covering current center expenses. The board asked that state legislators be pressed at the next meeting to help release the delayed funds.
The center is accepting support for its Thanksgiving meal and will hold a “show and sell” fundraiser on Wednesday, October 7, from 8 to 10:30 a.m., with proceeds supporting classes and daily programs. Because the term on the center’s Participant Advisory Board is two years, the Neighborhood Board unanimously approved a motion authorizing Carol Kaapu to continue serving as Neighborhood Board 14’s representative.
Liliha-Palama Christmas Parade
The board confirmed its earlier endorsement of the Vernon Nakamura Liliha-Palama Christmas Parade. The event is scheduled for the day after Thanksgiving, November 27, 2026. Parade participants must attend a safety meeting on the preceding Thursday at the United Church of Christ on Judd Street. Board members were strongly encouraged to participate. The item remained on the agenda for information rather than for another approval vote.
Minutes and Other Board Business
The board approved the August 10 meeting minutes after correcting the spelling of Edward Los Banos’s name. A previously listed proposal to change the hours at a local park was removed because the matter had already been resolved. No representatives from the governor’s office, Councilmember Tam’s office, Senator Donna Mercado Kim’s office, or U.S. Representative Ed Case’s office presented reports. No reports were given by Ma‘ema‘e, St. Francis, or other listed nonprofit organizations.
Next Meeting and Adjournment
The next regular meeting was announced for October 12, 2026, at the same time and location. The board approved adjournment without opposition.