No 12 Nuʻuanu-Punchbowl Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting January 2026
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12 Nuuanu-Punchbowl Neighborhood Board Meeting – January 21, 2026
Opening, Roll Call, and Quorum Check
Chair convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m., noting that only six board members were present, which was below the required quorum of eight. Despite the lack of quorum, the meeting proceeded with reports and community updates. Attendance was taken by Neighborhood Assistant Zoidel, and the absence of several board members was formally noted.
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Report
Lieutenant O’Neill from the Nuuanu Fire Station presented incident statistics for December 2025. There were six activated alarms with no resulting fires, no structural or wildland fires, and 73 medical emergencies. Fire crews responded to five motor vehicle incidents and three mountain rescues. HFD also shared electrical safety tips, emphasizing the importance of not overloading outlets, running cords properly, and using extension cords only for temporary needs. Questions from the board and community were invited, but none were posed to HFD personnel.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – District 1
Sergeant Castraps reviewed December’s crime statistics in District 1, noting decreases in some categories and increases in others. Motor vehicle theft reported five cases, burglary five, theft seven, and unauthorized entry into motor vehicles six. Assaults tallied three cases, with no sex assault or graffiti incidents. Officers issued about ten citations for nighttime park closures in Makiki-Punchbowl and are coordinating “Safer Road” programs targeting speeding and cell phone use while driving. A “Coffee with a Cop” event was announced for January 27, 2026, at the Ala Moana Starbucks. Board and public members raised concerns about fireworks, reporting that only one fireworks-related arrest occurred in Makiki. A concern about a homeless individual sleeping in a driveway along Pauoa and Kaneali‘i Avenue was also discussed. HPD reiterated that private property owner permission limits enforcement, and the community was advised to call 911 if problematic health or safety issues persist.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – District 5
Sergeant Tabunera provided District 5 crime updates for December 2025, highlighting zero aggravated assaults, two auto thefts, four burglaries, and three simple assaults. Theft cases rose to six, while UEMV (car break-ins) rose to three. HPD responded to 801 calls for service that month, a decrease from November. They issued 43 speeding citations along Pali Highway. Pedestrian safety reminders were shared, urging reflective clothing at night and use of crosswalks. Lieutenant Yamashita announced an upcoming “Coffee with a Cop” event on March 6, 2026, at the Liliha McDonald’s. No questions were raised by the public or board members regarding these updates.
Neighborhood Security Watch Report
Filling in for the usual reporter, Member Patrick Smith warned that security begins inside the home. He advised residents to maintain strong Wi-Fi passwords (ideally more than ten characters) to deter cyber threats. There were no questions from the public about neighborhood watch activities.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) Update
BWS representative Jimmy Ianos relayed that the UIVA and Dowsett Water Systems Improvements Project has cleared State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) approvals. A pending revision to the design standard for service laterals may reduce the need for modifications to the already-designed cathodic protection systems. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026, pending further approvals. No main breaks occurred in December. BWS announced enhanced rebates for water-saving appliances and fixtures, whereby residential customers can earn higher incentives on Energy Star washers, WaterSense toilets, and smart water monitors. Community questions included queries about the project’s building permit status and start date specifics. Another question concerned dead grass around a Pacific Heights reservoir, and BWS committed to following up on possible causes.
Sub-District Vacancies
The Punchbowl District (Sub-District 1) still holds four vacant seats, and the board urged interested residents to participate. A question was raised about a board member in Sub-District 2 who has been absent for multiple meetings. The matter will be placed on next month’s agenda to determine whether that seat will also be declared vacant.
Papakolea Community Updates
Liliha Kapuni‘ai, Executive Director of the Papakolea Community Development Corporation, discussed progress on building a Native Hawaiian education and cultural center in Papakolea. The group secured site control from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands in July 2025 and has held planning sessions. Current steps include a master plan, environmental assessment, and fundraising for construction. Papakolea is also initiating a neighborhood watch program, with around 35 residents taking part in safety training and patrol strategies. Members of the board encouraged continued monthly updates on the project’s progress.
Residents’ and Community Concerns
Attendees raised multiple roadway issues, including requests for a left-turn traffic light at Pauoa and Pacific Heights, as well as concerns about pavement conditions on Alvailimu Street. A resident from Kalawahine Homestead reported significant potholes and speeding. Another resident asked about billboard regulations after noticing large signage along Ahi Street and Pauoa Road. One community member described a dangerous curb at a recently restructured crosswalk near Wood Street and Pali Highway, citing a trip hazard that nearly caused an accident. These issues will be referred to government agencies for further review.
Reports from Elected Officials
• Mayor’s Representative, Director Kim Hashiro, provided updates on previous issues raised, such as the lack of evidence for a suspected car rental business on Henry Street and vegetation trimming near 2077 Puu Waina Drive (where leftover debris remains in the gutters). Speed limit signs around Nu‘uanu Elementary will be lowered to 20 mph during school hours, though the rollout may take time.
• Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam’s office reported that the Planning Commission advanced Resolution 25-105 for land use ordinances to encourage affordable housing in planned higher-density areas. Repairs to part of the collapsed CRM wall along Nu‘uanu Pali Drive await Board of Land and Natural Resources approval for right-of-entry. The Councilmember remains opposed to proposed bus fare increases.
• Governor Green’s Representative highlighted priorities for the 2026 legislative session, including expanding affordable housing, improving healthcare, addressing homelessness, and mitigating climate change. A new pilot program offers Medicaid families $50 for each child’s annual well-check, and $18 million is available through the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority for nonprofits and small businesses to lower energy costs.
• Senator Karl Rhoades’s office mentioned a free AARP seminar on preventing fraud and noted the letter Senator Rhoades sent to the Department of Transportation for an additional camera on Pali Highway. The office highlighted a new online resource, First Five Hawaii, to aid families seeking early learning programs.
• Representative Jenna Takenouchi invited the public to her office on opening day of the legislature and encouraged responses to her “People’s Voice” survey, which helps guide legislative work. She also shared information about HMSA’s scholarship awards for graduating high school seniors.
Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OahuMPO)
Chair Gee, who normally provides updates on OahuMPO, was absent, and no report on statewide transportation projects was available. The agenda item was deferred.
Board Business and Upcoming In-Person Meeting
With no quorum, the board could not approve meeting minutes from November 2025. Tentative plans were shared for an in-person meeting on April 21, 2026, at Pauoa Elementary School, with a possible 6:30 p.m. start time to adhere to the facility’s closing protocol. A vote on that proposed date and time was deferred to the February board meeting, when quorum is expected.
Announcements and Next Meeting
Several board members announced local cultural events, including upcoming Chinese New Year festivities in Chinatown on February 14. The next regular meeting will be held on February 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. via Webex or in person at Kapalama Hale. With no quorum to motion for adjournment, the chair declared the meeting concluded.