NU‘UANU – PUNCHBOWL NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 12

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
7:00 p.m.
Video-Teleconference: The Board will be making a good-faith effort to provide the public with the opportunity to observe the meeting as it happens and an opportunity to provide oral testimony without a physical presence in the physical meeting room, in accordance with the Governor’s Eighth Supplementary Proclamation, Related to the COVID-19 Emergency. Please ensure that your computer or phone is muted unless you are speaking.

Please join us by Webex
Meeting link: https://cchnl.webex.com/cchnl/j.php?MTID=m22265d6903aed1cdfb69d62e9e22bc7c
Meeting number/Access code: 2493 014 7034
Password: NB12 (6212 from phones and video systems)
Join by phone: +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll

Physical location: Kapālama Hale 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Room 260, Honolulu, HI 96817
*This is an alternative meeting location open to public participation.

Board Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Th_r5SpEofyVf6k1XoeuiP9z_Xfa77xN
Board Meeting Recordings: https://www.youtube.com/@NeighborhoodCommissionOffice/search?query=nu%CA%BBuanu

Rules of Speaking: Anyone wishing to speak is asked to raise his/her hand, and when recognized by the Chair, to address comments to the Chair. Our public and elected officials giving reports are encouraged to keep their comments to less than three (3) minutes, board member’s comments limited to two minutes for each order of business, presenters are limited to 10 (ten) minutes for the presentation portion and community member input is limited to two (2) minutes per participant. Please silence all electronic devices.
Note: The Board may take action on any agenda item. As required by the State Sunshine Law (HRS Ch. 92), specific issues not noted on this agenda cannot be voted on, unless added to the agenda. A two-thirds (2/3) vote (10) of this 15-member Board is needed to add an item to the agenda. Adding an item to the agenda, however, is not permitted if (1) the item to be added is of reasonably major importance and (2) action on the item by the board will affect a significant number of persons. Determination of whether a specific matter may be added to an agenda must be done on a case-by-case basis.

I. CALL TO ORDER- Chair Patrick Smith

II. ANNOUCEMENT OF SUNSHINE LAW RULES FOR BOARD MEMBERS AND PUBLIC

III. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS (Limited to three (3) minutes each)
A. Honolulu Fire Department
B. Honolulu Police Department
1. District 1
2. District 5
3. Neighborhood Security Watch Reports – Paula Kurashige
C. Board of Water Supply

IV. FILLING OF VACANCIES
There are two (2) vacancies in Subdistrict 1 (Punchbowl).
(Proof of residency required, Oath of Office, as needed)

V. REPORT FROM NONBOARD EVENTS
A. OahuMPO (Metro Planning Org) – Rae Gee
B. Papakolea Community Updates – Adrienne Dillard

VI. RESIDENTS’/COMMUNITY CONCERNS (Limited to three (3) minutes each)

VII. ELECTED OFFICIALS (Limited to three (3) minutes each)
A. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – Director Kim Hashiro
B. Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam
C. Governor Josh Green’s Representative
D. District 13 Senator Karl Rhoads
E. District 27 Representative Jenna Takenouchi
F. Federal Elected Officers & other Elected Officials

VIII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Sunshine Law Related Restrictions on Board Activity
B. Governmental Policy Related to Management of Ducks
C. Nuuanu Valley Park Operation and Security
D. Traffic Law Enforcement by Sheriff and Deputies
E. Pali Highway Pedestrian Safety Concerns
F. Approval of Tuesday, November 19, 2024 Meeting Minutes

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Regular Board Meeting- The next Nu’uanu/Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12 meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

X. ADJOURNMENT

A mailing list is maintained for interested persons and agencies to receive this Board’s agenda and minutes. Additions, corrections, and deletions to the mailing list may be directed to the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) at Kapālama Hale, 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Suite 160, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96817; Telephone (808) 768-3710 Fax (808) 768-3711; or Email nco@honolulu.gov. Agendas and minutes are also available on the internet at www.honolulu.gov/nco

If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability or an interpreter for a language other than English, please call the Neighborhood Commission Office at (808) 768-3710 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or send an email to nco@honolulu.gov at least three (3) business days before the scheduled meeting. It may not be possible to fulfill requests received after this date.

All written testimony must be received in the Neighborhood Commission Office 48 hours prior to the meeting. If within 48 hours, written and/or oral testimony may be submitted directly to the Board at the meeting. If submitting written testimony, please note the Board and agenda item(s) your testimony concerns. Send to: Neighborhood Commission Office, 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Suite 160 Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96817. Fax: (808) 768-3711. Email: nbtestimony@honolulu.gov

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2024 7:00 P.M.
KAPĀLAMA HALE CONFERENCE ROOM 260 – 925 DILLINGHAM BOULEVARD, HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI, 96817 AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFOa8gt_hoc

Reports and other meeting materials can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Th_r5SpEofyVf6k1XoeuiP9z_Xfa77xN

I. CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:03]

Chair Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Neighborhood Assistant Rachel Cristobal conducted a roll call [0:00:15]. Quorum was established with 8 members present. (Note – This 15-member Board requires eight (8) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action.)

Board Members Present – Patrick Smith, Paula Kurashige, Sylvia Young, Katherine Grebe, Mason Aiona, Michael Lum, Rae Gee, Audrey Hidano, and Kaapuni Kama (joined at 7:05 p.m.).

Board Members Absent – Jill Easley Allen, Adrienne Dillard, Phillip Soon, and Meghan Kenny.

Guests – Lieutenant James – District 1, Lieutenant Hatico – District 5 (Honolulu Police Department); Captain R. Silva (Honolulu Fire Department); Jimmy Yanos (Board of Water Supply); Director Kim Hashiro (Mayor Blangiardi’s Representative); Kayla S. (Governor Green’s Representative); Brayden Cheung (Senator Rhoads’ Office); Lisa Leonardo (Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam’s Office); Representative Jenna Takenouchi; Jarett Lau (Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture); Roger Babcock (Department of Environmental Services); Mike Wallerstein (Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission); Cathy C., Ellen, Kaulana, Pat Taira, Scout, Taylors, and Ronald Higa (residents and guests); Rachel Cristobal (Neighborhood Commission Office-NCO).
Note: Name was not included if not legible. Total of 32 participants.

II. ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUNSHINE LAW RULES FOR BOARD MEMBERS AND PUBLIC – [0:01:18]

Chair Smith provided a quick review on the Sunshine Law Rules.

III. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:01:53]

Honolulu Fire Department – [0:01:55]: Captain R. Silva reported the monthly statistics for the month of October 2024. The fire safety tip for the month was in regards to cooking safety.
● Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1apqWy1mhwgNsUCQa0AwsVT2gydDtWlSo/view?usp=drive_link

Honolulu Police Department – [0:03:56]:
● District 1 – [0:04:03]: Lieutenant James reported the monthly statistics for the month of October 2024 and the safety tip regarding Christmas shopping during the holiday season.

Member Kama joined at 7:05 p.m.; 9 members present.

● District 5 – [0:05:52]: Lieutenant Hatico reported the following:
○ Apologized for not having a representative for the last meeting as there was a substitute Lieutenant and was not aware that there was a meeting until later.
○ Monthly Statistics for the month of September and October 2024
○ Echoed the safety tip provided by District 1 regarding the Christmas Holidays.

Neighborhood Security Watch Reports – [0:08:52]: Member Kurashige reported the following:
● Reminded the community to contact District 5 from the Honolulu Police Department if there is someone suspicious that goes to their house.
● Reminded that there was a possible house invasion when 3 men pretended to be the Department of Land and Natural Resources and asked if there were squatters in the house. She also reminded that the staff should have their badges.
● Recommended that the 5-year plan on the Pali Highway should be worked on now.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [0:12:01]: Jimmy Yanos reported the following:
● Responses to concerns that were raised at the previous meeting regarding the water system improvements project in lower Nuʻuanu, new patches on the road after a main break, and cleaning the street before water main breaks occurrs.
● Reported Main Breaks: www.boardofwatersupply.com/mainbreaks
● One main break during October 2024
● Board of Water Supply recruitment
● Report:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-m09zZtP8Trlfp98f5DzEcj8tkehtc0l/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=101205618811575423434&rtpof=true&sd=true

IV. FILLING OF VACANCIES – [0:16:36] – No volunteers.

V. REPORT FROM NONBOARD EVENTS – [0:17:03]

OahuMPO (Metro Planning Org) – [0:17:13]: Member Gee provided a brief report on what was discussed at the last meeting such as their overall work program for the next year. There were no projects in the Nuʻuanu Neighborhood.

Papakolea Community Updates – [0:18:25]: No representative present.

VI. RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS – [0:19:13]

Cited for Storm Drain and Sidewalk Damages – [0:19:35]: Resident Cathy Chock wanted to know why she will be cited and being told that it was her responsibility to pay for the repair of a City Sidewalk by the City Inspector. She was confused and frustrated since she provided her concern regarding the uneven sidewalks to the Neighborhood Commission Office and the Mayorʻs Rep, but later finds out that she is responsible for the repairs close to her property.

VII. ELECTED OFFICIALS – [0:24:49]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – [0:24:52]: Director Hashiro reported the following:
● Highlights from the Mayor’s Newsletter such as the City’s proposal to raise sewer fees, recapping Mayor’s presence in the Pride Parade, and an updated flood maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
● Neighborhood Plan Review
● Provided responses to concerns raised from the last meeting which included a faded “stop”, status on approved speed bumps for 2100 and 2600 Tantalus Drive, uneven storm drains due to trees, status update on a 311 case, and a light pole repair.
● Responded to Cathy Chock’s concern
● Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_5OrcrjZH_vFj36yzs12xO8LeMfYeHBt/view?usp=drive_link

Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam – [0:36:12]: Lisa Leonardo reported the following:
● Little Fire Ant Community meeting during the month of September 2024 in the Papakolea area
○ More Information: stoptheant.org
● Legislation that Council Member is working on
○ Bill 52 – Focuses on regulation for e-bikes
○ Resolution 24148 – Reevaluate what types of apartment projects can be built in existing apartment zones around O’ahu.

Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [0:40:38]: Kayla S. announced the following:
● Highlights for the month of November 2024 such as the Hawai’i County made further investments into their renewable energy and the island is projected to become the 1st of Hawaiian Islands to reach a 100% renewable portfolio standard.
● The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will be holding a job and resource fair.
● Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12SvErszFIe0M-o3d7XUs_C-ET02MTPPW/view?usp=drive_link

District 13 Senator Karl Rhoads – [0:42:50]: Brayden Cheung reported the following:
● Updated 2024 to 2025 COVID vaccine has been approved to use
● Senator Rhoads is planning to introduce a bill requiring individuals under the age of 16 to wear a helmet.
● Capital invest improvement project funds was released to Nu’uanu Elementary
● Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ErrnoSHnw4dDMXnk0IVp7Hf-MalR3yje/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=101205618811575423434&rtpof=true&sd=true

District 27 Representative Jenna Takenouchi – [0:45:00]: Representative Takenouchi announced that there hasn’t been an update on the previous concerns. She highlighted a program for individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues, particularly homeless people, to receive court-ordered help if they pose a danger to themselves or others.

Federal Elected Officers & other Elected Officials – [0:48:12]: None.

VIII. BOARD BUSINESS – [0:48:24]

Presentation by Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) Relating to Little Fire Ants – [0:48:39]: Jarett Lau the Acting Anthomologist from the Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch provided a slide presentation. The presentation provided information on Little Fire Ants such as where to test and what to do when they are found.

Questions, Comments, and Concerns – [0:57:18]

Presentation by Department of Environmental Services (ENV) Discussing Plans to Increase its Sewer Service Charges for Residential and Commercial Customers in Fiscal Year 2026 – [1:00:21]: Director Roger Babcock from the Department of Environmental Services (ENV) provided a presentation. Included in his presentation were the following: What does ENV do; why sewer fees are going up; changes in the fee structure; new low-income assistance program; and how the additional money will be used.
● Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dyWImE0f0k7cXl0UpuXyO92G_FcfF27o/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, Comments, and Concerns – [1:11:30]

Presentation by State of Hawaii Public Utilities Commission on Energy Equity Docket – [1:18:29]: Mike Wallerstein the Attorney for the Public Utilities Commission provided a presentation on Energy Equity Docket. He shared that Hawai’i has the highest electric bill and informed that there are existing programs for individuals that lives in condos, in which owners are not able to install solar panels onto the roof.

Questions, Comments, and Concerns – [1:30:01]

Pali Highway Pedestrian Safety Concerns – [1:35:51]: Member Kurashige raised concerns such as there was no bus and no light at the bus stop on the Pali Highway. Other things that she mentioned was that why was the community not informed that the State Department of Transportation (DOT) was planning to install a raised sidewalk and wondered if they were planning to install a raised sidewalk on the other side of the road. She also stated that wheelchairs are 32 inches, so currently the sidewalks do not provide enough space. This causes wheelchair users to go through the mud or grass.

Questions, Comments, and Concerns – [1:40:40]

Discussion of Recent Office of Informational Practices Interpretation of the Sunshine Law – [1:44:08]: Chair Smith announced that hopefully going through the legislature that the Neighborhood Boards can be exempt from the Sunshine Law. He had enforced the Sunshine law which allows no Board Members to ask questions unless the item is listed on the agenda or if they are in Board Business.

Questions, Comments, and Concerns – [1:46:48]

Consider of Adding NB #10’s Resolution concerning 1617 ALAPAʻI STREET PROJECT to Upcoming Meeting Agenda – [1:51:45]: The Chair didn’t have the resolution on hand, but due to Member Young expressed that the location is a part of their neighborhood as well, the Chair announced that he will add it to the next agenda.

Approval of Tuesday, September 17, 2024 Meeting Minutes – [1:54:56]: Chair Smith asked the Board if anyone would like to propose any amendments for the September 2024 minutes. Hearing none; The minutes was ADOPTED as distributed 9-0-0 (Aye: Smith, Kurashige, Young, Grebe, Aiona, Lum, Kama, Gee, Hidano; Nay: None. Abstain: None.) [1:55:12].

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS – [1:55:28]

Nuʻuanu ʻAuwai Group – Will be meeting at Queen Emma Summer Palace on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
Run for the Neighborhood Board! – Candidate and Voter Registration for the 2025 Neighborhood Elections begins on December 20, 2024, for more information visit: https://web5.hnl.info/nbe, or contact the Neighborhood Commission Office at (808) 768-3710 or at NCO@honolulu.gov.
Next Regular Board Meeting – The next Nu’uanu/Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12 meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
Opening Day for State Legislature – Wednesday, January 15, 2025
X. ADJOURNMENT – [1:56:59]: Chair Smith adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m.

Submitted by: Rachel Cristobal, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy, NCO
Finalized by:

To view agenda and minutes, visit our board website.

Event shows physical location; however, other options of participation may also include WebEx and phone.  If available, instructions for WebEx and phone can be found at the top of the agenda.