No 12 Nuʻuanu-Punchbowl Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting November 2025
Nūuanu/Punchbowl Neighborhood Board Meeting
Call to Order and Roll Call
Chair Reggie officially opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and asked the board secretary to conduct a roll call. Several members confirmed their attendance, establishing quorum with nine members present. The board noted four vacancies in Sub-District 1, encouraging community members to volunteer. The chair then reviewed the meeting agenda, emphasizing a three-minute limit for status reports and asking attendees to consult the board’s shared online drive for background documents.
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Report
A firefighter representative provided monthly incident statistics for October 2025 in the board’s area, noting one wildland brush fire, five activated alarms with no actual fire, 61 medical calls, three motor vehicle collisions, two mountain rescues, and one hazardous materials incident. The HFD emphasized cooking safety, offering reminders to remain alert and prevent kitchen fires. A board member asked about donating items to local stations, and HFD advised that donations can only be routed through a designated community relations office. HFD addressed a query about grass reduction, clarifying that selecting yard services lies outside its scope.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 1 Report
A sergeant began the District 1 update by citing statistics for October: four motor vehicle thefts, two burglaries, four thefts, three unauthorized entries into motor vehicles, three assaults, one sex assault, no graffiti cases, one drug case, and 24 motor vehicle collisions. The total calls for service totaled 588, a slight rise from 557 the previous month. The sergeant reported ongoing nighttime enforcement of park closures, which resulted in fewer violations and about 14 citations. Board members and community attendees discussed holiday traffic safety, urging drivers to reduce distractions and watch for speeders. A resident publicly thanked HPD officers for increased speed enforcement on the Pali Highway and expressed hope that a state speed safety program might expand to that area.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) District 5 Report
Two HPD representatives summarized District 5 activity for October: zero aggravated assaults, three auto thefts, one burglary, one robbery, one sex assault case, and one simple assault. Ten theft reports and three car break-ins were noted, with a total of 845 calls for service. The officers highlighted a “Heroes and Helpers” event on December 6 to assist children with holiday shopping, in partnership with other first responders and military personnel. HPD also promoted a community survey on its website, explaining that resident input helps address neighborhood safety concerns. A community member praised recent speeding crackdowns along the Pali, though there were further requests to monitor school zones and to clarify signage for certain roads.
Neighborhood Security Watch and Community Policing
A board member relayed fewer recent public safety incidents but flagged recurring problems with a pickup truck allegedly hauling foliage in the area. Questions were raised about the status of ongoing investigations. HPD representatives advised that suspicious activities and vehicle-related issues should be directed to police with specific details such as vehicle license plates. The board member also reiterated that suspicious yard work and vegetation cutting could be part of an unlicensed operation.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) Update
A BWS representative reported on the cathodic protection design requirements affecting a lower Nūuanu water system improvement project, explaining that final reviews have led to design updates. The BWS also recounted five main breaks in October 2025, providing addresses, pipe diameters, and installation years, some dating back to the 1920s and 1930s. The representative gave the online link for main break updates and advised residents to stay informed through social media or HNL Alert during larger service disruptions.
Board Vacancies
The chair again highlighted four openings in Sub-District 1, an area that has struggled to attract new membership. The appointment term would last until June 2027. With no immediate candidates coming forward at the meeting, the chair encouraged board members to spread the word and continued this item for future months.
Residents’ and Community Concerns
The chair opened the floor for three-minute community comments. There were specific references to peer-to-peer car sharing issues on Henry Street, but the primary advocate on that topic was absent. A separate concern involved Nūuanu Valley Park, including operational hours for comfort stations, overgrown trees blocking lights, and confusion over maintenance responsibilities near Queen Emma Summer Palace. The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation was said to be aware of these needs, with plans to trim monkey pod trees for better lighting and update bulbs to LED. One resident urged that loose animals, cats, and other species be managed to avoid fleas in the park.
Mayor’s Representative Report
A director from the city’s Customer Services Department relayed highlights from the mayor’s office, including the upcoming Honolulu City Lights festivities and the extension of public rail to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The representative clarified ongoing city responses to neighborhood upkeep, such as referencing certain addresses for vegetation clearing near storm drains. Residents asked about pedestrian safety, bus stops along the Pali Highway, and possible signage solutions to mitigate risks to seniors. Additional updates came from the Department of Parks and Recreation regarding lighting improvements and pending vegetation maintenance at Nūuanu Valley Park.
Other Government Officials’ Reports
Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam’s office provided a written update on illegal game rooms, future rail extension studies, and shared streets legislation, though no staff were present in person. The governor’s office highlighted federal shutdown support programs and new initiatives for clean energy transitions. They also announced expansions in public pre-kindergarten education under Ready Keiki and offered details on the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program, a statewide push to recruit and retain medical professionals. A representative from Senator Karl Rhoads’s office overcame technical challenges to confirm that while the senator will retire at the end of his current term, he remains active in legislative preparations, including new bills for the upcoming session. Attendees thanked him for his support in shaping legislation related to speed enforcement and other district concerns.
Future In-Person Meeting Planning
The board discussed holding an annual in-person meeting potentially in April at Pū‘ōhala Elementary School, noting that the venue has a strict 9 p.m. closure requirement. To meet this constraint, the board considered starting earlier or shortening the agenda. Members also located an old sign used in previous meetings but recognized it might need updates to reflect times and location.
Closing and Next Meeting
With no December meeting scheduled, the board confirmed a recess during the holiday season. The next regular meeting was set for Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 7 p.m. Members adjourned voluntarily at approximately 8:24 p.m., concluding a busy session of community updates and planning.