Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting NOVEMBER 2025 Minutes

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Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting NOVEMBER 2025 Minutes
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With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

DOWNTOWN - CHINATOWN NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 13

[DRAFT] REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

THURSDAY, November 6, 2025, at 6:00 P.M.

Keʻelikōlani Middle School Library

1302 Queen Emma Street, Honolulu, HI 96813

AND VIA WEBEX

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh4T_b_aNg8

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu

1. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:00]

Chair Ernest Caravalho called the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was established with nine (9) members present. Note: This nine-member Board requires five (5) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action.

Members Present: Robert Armstrong, Ernest Caravalho, Sean Fitzsimmons (arrived at 6:03 p.m.), Ross Isokane, Kevin Lye, Lori McCarney, Dan Mestas, Nicole Shintani (arrived at 6:11 p.m.), and Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock.

Members Absent: None.

Guests: Sergeant Kaleo Hosaka, Detective Alison Lynch (Honolulu Police Department); Ed Korybski (Fort Street Mall Improvement District); Adam L. (Governor Greenʻs Representative); Will Duke (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam); Edith Njuafack Dees (Senator Karl Rhoads); Ian Santee (Mayor Rick Blangiardi); Iris Oda (Honolulu Board of Water Supply); Harry Cho (HART); Greg Payton (Maunakea Villages); Jacob Chung Jr. (New Life Church); Ronald Higa (Neighborhood Board No.14); Mike Buck (C.O.R.E); Laura Sturges, Alexander Silvert, Nicole Reid, Sunshine Kuhia Smith, Doug Pyle, Lyn Pyle (Residents); Camilia Epa Gomes (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 49 total attendees.

2. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS -- [0:01:20]

Honolulu Fire Department -- [0:01:00]: No representative present at this time. A report has been submitted.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z3iPWSiCCDwlP-uwvSrwtAN-lBH2QAF3/view?usp=drive_link

Honolulu Police Department -- [0:01:30]: Sergeant Kaleo Hosaka provided statistics.

Member Fitzsimmons joined the meeting at 6:03 p.m.; 8 members present.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:03:38]

• Crime Statistics Methodology: Vice Chair Fitzsimmons

• Halloween Jaywalking Enforcement: Board Member Mestas

• Halloween Weekend: Board Member Isokane

• Halloween Crowds: Board Member Armstrong

3. MOTION TO AMEND SOMETHING PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED: Rules of Agenda, Rules of the Meeting, Rules of Presentation/Reports/Public Concerns-- [0:08:28]: Chair Caravalho noted options were listed in Google Drive. Board Member Lye provided overview of options.

[0:10:16] -- Lye MOVED to adopt Option 2 of the posted alternatives.; there was NO SECOND. The motion was not considered.

Member Shintani joined the meeting at 6:11 p.m.; 9 members present.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- [0:11:45]

Board Vote to Approve NCO Draft Regular Meeting Written Summary for Video Record (Thursday, September 4, 2025 and Thursday, October 2, 2025) -- [0:11:45]:

[0:12:00] -- Armstrong MOVED and Shubert-Kwock SECONDED to adopt the September 2025 and October 2025 minutes as written. Chair Caravalho opened the floor to discussion.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:12:15]

• Questions on different versions and recommendations to consider corrections: Board Member Lye

• Clarifications on different versions: Board Member Isokane

• Follow up requesting amendments to drafts: Board Member Lye

• Intention to vote to approve drafts as written: Board Member Isokane

[0:16:12] -- Lye MOVED to adopt the amendments he stated for the Sept 2025 and Oct 2025 minutes; there was NO SECOND. The motion was not considered.

Chair Caravalho asked if there were any objections on the original motion. Board Member Lye objected. Chair Caravalho opened the floor to discussion.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:19:30]

• Disappointment: Board Member Lye

Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a roll-call vote on the original motion. The motion was ADOPTED; 8-1-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, McCarney, Mestas, Shubert-Kwock, Shintani, Caravalho; Nay: Lye; Abstain: None) -- [0:21:04].

5. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:21:10]

HPD Presentation on Crime in Chinatown -- [0:21:20]: Detective Alison Lynch updated the community.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:27:55]

• Cameras Coverage and Effectiveness: Ming (resident).

• Identification and Prosecution: Dale Krupa (resident).

• Complaint declines: Vice Chair Fitzsimmons

• Security Cameras: Board Member Armstrong

• Video Archives: Board Member Lye

2026 Hong Kong Festival -- [0:37:44]: There was no representative present.

• Festival Informational Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fIh3SSKp59X6l7irJVgWl76EGP3h3roR/view?usp=sharing

• Festival Details: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JOuAM39AwUxq-k1F51_G8chp_T8zaUEJ/view?usp=sharing

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:39:28]

1. Night Market: Ed Korybski (Fort Street Mall Improvement District)

A Downtown Family Christmas -- [0:41:22]: Jacob Chung Jr. (New Life Church) provided information on event.

• Event Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G55F0MQWpuV5qc3x7Jjv9XneT-0KgU21/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:43:20]

1. Gratitude: Board Member Shubert-Kwock, Chair Caravalho

2. Noise prevention: Board Member Fitzsimmons

3. Gratitude: Board Member Armstrong

4. Community calendars: Board Member McCarney

5. Social Media: Board Member Shubert-Kwock

6. Flyer posting: Board Member Shintani

7. Appreciation: Chair Caravalho

[0:48:20] -- Lye MOVED and Armstrong SECONDED to endorse the Downtown Family Christmas event and to encourage members of the community to attend. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 9-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, Lye, McCarney, Mestas, Shubert-Kwock, Shintani, Caravalho; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:48:40].

6. PUBLIC CONCERNS -- [0:48:50]

Fort Street Mall BID & Upcoming Events -- [0:49:00]: Ed Korybski (Fort Street Mall BID Executive Director).

7. ELECTED OFFICIALS -- [0:51:13]: Priority is given to elected officials/representatives who are present in person at the meeting.

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [0:51:40]: Adam L. provided information.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FbjlhmOF9OBK_r0KOfCYF2vQpNY_8Vuz/view?usp=drive_link

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XN5uoREyXJw694ruOgKJ42bm4xMF3EAq/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:52:55]

• Climate Settlement: Doug Pyle (resident)

• Military Land Leases: Board Member Fitzsimmons

• Military Land Leases: Board Member Isokane

• Food assistance during Federal shutdown: Board Member Armstrong

• Corruption: Chair Caravalho (on behalf of Alexander Silvert's WebEx chat message)

Congressman Ed Case's Representative -- [1:00:47]: No representative present.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [1:00:56]: Ian Santee provided responses to prior questions:

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zFAq8KZZaWS-lh-nm2ao3-riKqcFt70W/view?usp=drive_link

• Link to Sign-up for News Updates via Email: https://www.honolulu.gov/mayor/newsletter-signup/

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:04:50]

• Kamaliʻi Mini Park Decision Process Transparency: Residents and Multiple Board Members

• Halloween Jaywalking and Buses/Ridership Data: Nicole Reid

City Council (District 6) -- Tyler Dos Santos Tam -- [1:23:40]: Will Duke provided reponses to prior questions.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fztmvRrKlNimq0L1SDpRPPEY1V5S2ncW/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:25:30]

• Hotel Street: Nicole Reid (resident)

• Sidewalk riding enforcement: Vice Chair Fitzsimmons

• HART Design Workshop: Board Member Shubert-Kwock

• Bus Only Lane Markings: Board Member Isokane

• Opposition to Bus Only Lane Markings and preference to work with Rideshare companies: Chair Caravalho

• Suggestion to discuss in future meeting: Board Member Isokane

• Larger "Do Not Enter/Buses Only" signs: Board Member McCarney

State Senate (District 13) -- Karl Rhoads -- [1:36:08]: Edith Njuafack Dees provided updates.

• Questions or Concerns: Email senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov or call (808) 586-6130.

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vLGsXBaoDDz5iVOyq5sHUcDRjo2ZDWv/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:38:41]

• Noise Camera Relocation: Board Member Armstrong

• Vineyard/Nuʻuanu Intersection Speeding/Noise and HOA Voting Windows: Member Lye.

State House (District 25) -- Kim Coco Iwamoto -- [1:41:52]: No representative present. A written report was submitted.

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uYCqodTozTWPCemozSvnfOBbOxntXlig/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

State House (District 28) -- Daniel Holt -- [1:42:23]: No representative present.

8. MONTHLY REPORTS -- [1:42:43]

Honolulu Board of Water Supply -- [1:42:43]: Iris Oda provided announcements.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RUnP3drTkLkwQR0sYIfUlaA1o1BxA0GX/view?usp=sharing

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation -- [1:44:00]: Harry Cho provided updates

• Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11P_tgbDMtqwewKptgPGORfHqMfPp1qKr/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:45:38]

• Workshop Scope and Accessibility Features: Member Shubert‑Kwock

• Construction Traffic Control Clarity: Board Member Isokane

• Nimitz Hwy/Bethel Street Traffic Control: Board Member McCarney

Chinatown Improvement District -- [1:51:00]: No representative present.

Maunakea Villages -- [1:51:18]: Greg Payton provided updates.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:53:10]

• Gratitude: Board members thank Maunakea Villages for long-time service and responsiveness to community concerns

Chinatown Business Community Association (CBCA) -- [1:54:30]: Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock provided information.

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1742vno2Vezvb7MF7Bg0u26F4qmEMJDTf/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:57:20]

• Organizational Coordination: Board Member McCarney

Neighborhood Citizen Patrol -- [1:58:17]: Kevin Lye invited public participation

9. BOARD BUSINESS -- [1:59:27]

Resolution 2025-04: Urging Increased Police Resources and Pubic Maintenance Funding for Iwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown Honolulu -- [2:00:02]: Board Member Lye noted a corrected floor draft in the Board's Google Drive.

[2:01:05] -- Lye MOVED for the Board to consider adopting the corrected floor draft of Resolution 2025-04; there was NO SECOND. The motion was not considered.

Resolution 2025-05: Urging Opposing All Housing Development at Kamaliʻi Mini Park -- [2:01:19]: Board Member Armstrong and resident Doug Pyle provided the explanation/presentation.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:11:45]

• Multiple Board Members and residents provided extensive discussion

[2:28:45] -- Armstrong MOVED and Fitzsimmons SECONDED to adopt Resolution Opposing all housing developments at Kamaliʻi Mini Park.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:29:45]

• Resolution in conflict with needs of community: Board Member McCarney

• Suggested verbal amendments: Board Member Lye

• Agreeable to verbal amendments: Board Member Armstrong

• Kukui Plaza private park and larger importance of housing: Board Member Shubert-Kwock

• Parks and housing: Multiple residents

• Fire department location: Chair Caravalho and Board Member Armstrong

• Re-directing opposition testimony to City Council with caution of NIMBYism: Board Member Isokane

[2:46:15] Hearing no further discussion, a roll-call vote was conducted. The motion was ADOPTED; 5-4-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Fitzsimmons, Lye, Shintani, Caravalho; Nay: Isokane, McCarney, Mestas, Shubert-Kwock; Abstain: None) -- [2:47:17].

Note: A point of order regarding HRS 92‑3.7(c) (remote member's audio/video) was raised after the roll call vote was finalized. Chair indicated we could void the board member's NO vote, but the motion would still be adopted with five YES votes [2:48:25].

Continued Early‑Morning Leaf Blower Use Near Residential Buildings (Downtown) -- [2:28:40]: Board Member Lye provided updates.

State DOT Traffic Summit -- [2:51:00]: Deferred to next month.

10. EVENTS -- [2:51:10]:

Honolulu City Lights Parade -- [2:51:13]: Chair Caravalho provided information.

11. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [2:51:13]

NCO and Toys for Tots -- Toy Drive: Neighborhood Assistant collected donated toys at the meeting.

The next Downtown--Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Keʻelikōlani Middle School and virtually via WebEx.

Rebroadcasts of Downtown--Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 meetings are scheduled on ʻŌlelo channel 49 for every third Thursday at 9:00 p.m., as well as 9:00 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month. An archive of past meetings may be found on http://olelo.org/olelonet/ by searching on.

12. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:52:18]: The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

Submitted by: Camilia Epa Gomes, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO

Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, NCO

Finalized by: Ross Isokane, Secretary, Neighborhood Board No.13

To view agenda and minutes, visit our board website.

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Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting NOVEMBER 2025 Minutes

First Friday Hawaii
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