No 12 Nuʻuanu-Punchbowl Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting February 2026
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12 Nuuanu-Punchbowl Neighborhood Board Meeting – February 19, 2026
Opening and Quorum
The meeting began with a confirmation of quorum. Board members and community participants participated both in person and online. Vice Chair Lem presided for most of the evening, and the Chair was in attendance but had limited speaking due to technical and personal considerations. Early discussion acknowledged the late arrivals of certain members and the confirmation that the Board had enough members present to conduct official business.
Neighborhood Security Watch and Meeting Space
There was a brief mention of Neighborhood Security Watch activities, emphasizing the importance of public safety in the area. One board member requested that community members consider offering their garage space for meetings, as multiple venues in Nuʻuanu were reported to charge hourly fees. Board members acknowledged the difficulty of securing affordable meeting places and hoped the public would respond with potential venue options.
Board of Water Supply: Project Updates and Reservoir Lawn
A representative from the Board of Water Supply (BWS), Mr. Jimmy Yanos, reported on the ongoing Puʻiva and Dowsett Water System Improvements Project. He noted that the State Historic Preservation Division had approved the project. He also explained that design updates for service laterals were intended to improve corrosion protection while reducing leaks and main breaks. The building permit for this project had already been approved, and the BWS continued to confirm component compatibility with suppliers and consultants. During the question-and-answer segment, speakers raised concerns about dead grass around the reservoir near 2800 Pacific Heights Road. The BWS response attributed the issue to aggressively cut grass and buildup of thatch, which impeded water and nutrients from reaching roots. However, board members insisted that the grass was not recovering as reported, and BWS agreed to investigate and provide a plan of action.
Water Main Break on Alika Avenue
Board members noted a water main break on Alika Avenue earlier in the week. Although BWS initially believed it had affected only one household, individuals reported that at least three residences went without water. The break lifted asphalt, caused pooling, and generated enough pressure to jar neighborhood infrastructure. The BWS assured the Board they would verify the extent of damage and ensure proper repairs, including monitoring of future repairs and re-asphalting.
Annual Poster and Poetry Contest
The BWS highlighted its 2026 Poster and Poetry Contest, open to grades K–6 for posters and grades 7–12 for poetry. This year’s theme was described as Everyday Conservation, and the deadline for entries was stated as February 27, 2026. The contest aimed to engage the community in water preservation and awareness.
Reports from Oʻahu Metropolitan Planning Organization
A Board member provided a brief report on Oʻahu MPO activities, focusing on long-term projects included in the Oʻahu Regional Transportation Plan. Rockfall mitigation on the Pali Highway appeared as one proposed federally funded project. The Board encouraged the public to review the project listings and provide comments, especially on projects affecting the Nuʻuanu-Punchbowl area.
Residents’ and Community Concerns
Community participants raised several issues, including potential changes to bus service in the upper Nuʻuanu area. Some residents reported that certain routes had been discontinued, prompting questions about which official or agency could address possible reinstatements. One member voiced worry about feral geese management, seeking clarification on which government body carried responsibility for the animals. Another resident asked the state and city to better promote crosswalk awareness, noting that drivers seemed unaware of raised or marked crosswalks.
Elected Officials’ Reports
City Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam’s office reported on several city bills affecting housing development and bus fares. The Councilmember was supporting measures that would increase housing in urban areas near transit and city services while opposing a proposed bus fare increase. Complaints about recent road striping changes on ʻAwaiolimu aimed at calming traffic were also addressed. A representative of State Representative Jenna Takenouchi’s office highlighted ongoing legislation, including proposals that address tree maintenance near public roadways and a measure to close loopholes related to unauthorized occupancy of private properties. The mayor’s representative was absent.
Department of Transportation Updates
A Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) representative, Mr. Ryan Nakata, revisited longstanding concerns about raised crosswalks and excessive noise along the Pali Highway near Wood Street. He explained that a second round of noise testing had been delayed due to unfavorable weather but would proceed with resident coordination. The Board urged HDOT to examine tripping hazards at medians and to maintain safe wheelchair-accessible spaces between sidewalks and raised crosswalks. Members also voiced their desire for extending enforcement cameras for speeding and red-light violations beyond current intersections, and one resident requested strobing pedestrian signals at crosswalks where drivers often fail to yield.
Board Vacancies and Proposals for At-Large Seats
Multiple sub-district seats remained unfilled, prompting discussion about designating them as at-large seats. Board members debated whether this shift could broaden recruitment or undermine sub-district representation, given the diverse demographics of Punchbowl and Nuʻuanu. A motion to convert all vacant seats to at-large until June 2027 gained some support but ultimately failed by roll call vote of five ayes to three noes. The Board agreed to keep this topic on future agendas rather than take immediate action.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
The Board approved meeting minutes for November 18, 2025, and January 20, 2026. There was no objection to accepting both sets of minutes as distributed, signaling a standard procedural closure on prior session records.
Plans for the Next In-Person Meeting
The Board recessed for March 2026. Members confirmed that the following meeting would be held in person on April 21, 2026, at Pāʻoʻa Elementary School, changing the usual start time to 6:30 p.m. Attendees discussed posting banners around the neighborhood to notify residents, especially because the Board expected heightened interest in face-to-face community engagement and possible presentations.
Adjournment
The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of recent neighborhood losses, such as former board members who had passed away, and well wishes for the Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras season. With no further business, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn.