Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting JANUARY 2026 Minutes

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Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting JANUARY 2026 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, December 4, 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=2E7vzXQtXCk

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at:

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

1. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:01]

Chair Ernest Caravalho called the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was established with seven (7) 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, Ross Isokane, Kevin Lye, Lori McCarney, Dan Mestas, Nicole Shintani (arrived at 6:04 p.m.), and Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock.

Members Absent: Sean Fitzsimmons.

Guests: Firefighter C. Yamaguchi (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant Freeman (Honolulu Police Department); Stephen Downes (Governor Greenʻs Representative); Will Duke (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam); Senator Karl Rhoads (State Senate District 13); Representative Kim Iwamoto, Janel Fujinaka (State House District 25); Kelly (Representative Daniel Holt); Iris Oda (Honolulu Board of Water Supply); Harry Cho (HART); Barinna Poon (Hong Kong Business Association); Nathan Hokama, Lacey Shimabukuro, Audrey Awaya (Pacific Housing), Rona Fukumoto (Lanakila Pacific) Spencer Bates (WRNS Studio); Ed Korybski (Fort Street Mall Improvement District); Mike Buck (C.O.R.E); Zosimo Arista (Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities); Donald Sakamoto (Deaf & Blind Task Force); Patrick Smith (Neighborhood Commission Chair); Shoushawna Kahikikala Laanui Wilcox, Doug Pyle, Dorothy Aiwohi, Miriam Swann, Anthony Nagatani, Kevin Fujioka, Scott Ishikawa, Karen Arakawa, Justin Limasa, Annette C. Tashiro, M. Gibo (Residents); Camilia Epa Gomes (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 41 total attendees.

2. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS -- [0:01:00]

Honolulu Fire Department -- [0:01:06]: Firefighter C. Yamaguchi provided statistics and tips:

Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G_j0K-ZVmklZKQzeaNMrKSa35qQlOyQb/view?usp=sharing

Honolulu Police Department -- [0:03:10]: Sergeant Freeman provided statistics

Member Shintani joined the meeting at 6:04 p.m.; 8 members present.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:04:11]

• City Council Settlement Decision (Sykap case): Board Member Isokane

• Hotel Street Enforcement and Collisions: Chair Caravalho

• Improved Signage for Bus-Only Lane: Resident Shoushawna Wilcox

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- [0:09:40]

Board Vote to Approve NCO Draft Regular Meeting Written Summary for Video Record (Thursday, November 6, 2025 -- [0:09:50]:

[0:11:08] -- Lye MOVED to make various amendments to the written summary. There was NO SECOND.

[0:11:58] -- Mestas MOVED and Isokane SECONDED to approve the November 2025 drafts. Lye objected.

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

• Recommendations to reconsider proposed amendments: Board Member Lye

Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a roll-call vote on the motion to approve the agenda item. The motion was ADOPTED; 7-1-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Isokane, McCarney, Mestas, Shubert-Kwock, Shintani, Caravalho; Nay: Lye; Abstain: None) -- [0:14:18].

4. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:14:20]

The Inaugural 2026 Honolulu Hong Kong Festival -- [0:14:30]: Barinna Poon (Hong Kong Business Association of Hawaii) outlined the 30th Anniversary festival series to be held Saturday, January 31, 2026 to Sunday, March 1, 2026.

• Festival Series Info Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dMwAlWFE8Q0qDAbt4PhZHrPUCxhLiEuD/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:26:00]

• Festival App for Dining Month: Board Member Lye

• Tour Registration Information: Board Member Mestas

[0:28:15] -- Shubert-Kwock MOVED and Mestas SECONDED to support the Hong Kong Business Association's 30th Anniversary Hong Kong Festival. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 8-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Isokane, Lye, McCarney, Mestas, Shubert-Kwock, Shintani, Caravalho; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:28:40].

Fort Street Mall Lions Dance; Fort Street Mardi Gras -- [0:28:50]: Ed Korybski announced:

• Fort Street Lions Dance: Friday, February 13, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (route will go through Downtown core)

• Fort Street Mardi Gras Festival: February 17 from 4pm to 10pm (funding not secured yet).

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:31:10]

• Event Scaling and Safety Measures: Board Member Shubert-Kwock

• Financial Viability of Events: Board Member Armstrong

• DTS Resistance to Street Permitting for Events: Board Member Isokane

• Event Research for Other Jurisdictions: Board Member Lye

• Sponsorship Needs, Expenses, and DTS Resistance: Board Member McCarney

• Support for DTS Policies: Board Member Shubert-Kwock

• Gratitude for event: Chair Caravalho

[0:42:50] -- Shubert-Kwock MOVED and Armstrong SECONDED to support the Fort Street Mall Lions Dance Event and Fort Street Mall Mardi Gras Event. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 8-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Isokane, Lye, McCarney, Mestas, Shubert-Kwock, Shintani, Caravalho; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:43:27].

Kamaliʻi Mini Park Update -- [0:44:00]: Representative from Pacific Housing (Nathan Hokama), Lanakila Pacific (Rona Fukumoto), and WRNS Studio (Spencer Bates) were present to share about the process; community concerns theyʻve heard; vision of the project; and site/design approach for the project.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:03:16]

• Cultural Sensitivity and Historic Use: Resident Shoushawna Wilcox

• Support for Housing and Project Timeline: Resident Anthony Nagatani

• Opposition to the Location of Project and Alernative Sites: Resident Miriam Swann

• Resolution to Save the Park: Resident Doug Pyle

• Continued Support for Housing: Zosimo Arista, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities

• Eligibility for Section 8 Housing and Alternative Sites: Board Member Armstrong

• Unit Sizes: Board Member Shubert-Kwock

• General Opposition, Disability Set-Asides, Rent Levels, Rooftop, Traffic: Board Member Lye

• City Council Approval, Public Hearing, and Process Timing: Board Member Isokane

• Gratitude for Information and Participation: Chair Caravalho

5. PUBLIC CONCERNS -- [1:23:25]

Drug Activity Near School Corridor and Kukui Plaza Frontage -- [1:23:56]: Resident Doug Pyle

6. BOARD BUSINESS -- [1:27:27]

State DOT Traffic Summit: Board Member Shubert‑Kwock reported on October 8--9 HDOT Transportation Summit

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:31:30]

• Supporting Bus Routes to Promote Safety: Board Member Isokane

7. ELECTED OFFICIALS -- [1:33:30]: Priority is given to elected officials/representatives who are present

in person at the meeting.

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [1:33:32]: Stephen Downes provided responses to prior meeting questions.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19rcfKAGPRx5QRHZzysUiXFpyXDS1e_gT/view?usp=drive_link

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XgQUhjV2KJgW-QbnDU_iCSKbngpaK9fs/view?usp=drive_link

[1:34:00] -- Chair Carvalho asked Board Member Isokane to serve as Presiding Officer temporarily. Chair Caravalho was re-instated as Presiding Officer upon returning to his seat -- [1:36:40].

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:36:50]

• Tree Canopy Preservation and Climate Plan Alignment: Resident Doug Pyle

• Short Term Rental Regulation and Housing on Maui: Board Member Isokane

• Safety Concerns at Iwilei Tiny Homes Village: Chair Caravalho

State Senate (District 13) -- Karl Rhoads -- [1:41:00]: Senator Rhoads shared updates.

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

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RZRP1PZ0-6aldMuFGvkyf4r1z5vRgOS/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:43:14]

• Invasive Species Control: Resident Shoushawna Wilcox

• Deaf-Blind Task Force Meeting Schedule: Resident Donald Sakamoto

• Judiciary Assisted Community Treatment (ACT) Implementation: Board Member Shubert-Kwock

• Nuisance Noise Concerns: Chair Caravalho

City Council (District 6) -- Tyler Dos Santos Tam -- [1:53:19]: Will Duke provided updates.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:54:20]

• Affordable Rent Definition vs. Marked Rent: Resident Doug Pyle

• Position on Kamalii Mini Park: Board Member Armstrong

• Resolution 25-103 and Sykap Settlement: Board Member Shubert-Kowck and Chair Caravalho

• Hotel Street Repaving Timeline: Board Member Isokane

Member McCarney left the meeting at 8:02 p.m.; 7 members present.

Congressman Ed Case's Representative -- [2:02:13]: No representative at this time.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [2:02:22]: No representative at this time.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sPo0tGmi4j2s7hS4hHQfTgx5FSlTLBoK/view?usp=sharing

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

State House (District 25) -- Kim Coco Iwamoto -- [2:03:21]: Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto provided updates.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:08:24]

• Immigrant Protection, ICE Documentation, Homeless Crisis: Resident Doug Pyle

• Ethics Issues Regarding Coercion and Seperation of Powers: Board Member Isokane

• Union Plaza Timeline and Safety: Chair Caravalho

State House (District 28) -- Daniel Holt -- [2:20:54]: Kellie Kala (Office Manager) provided updates.

• Questions or Concerns: Email repholt@capitol.hawaii.gov or call (808) 586-6180.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:24:34]

• Assigned Committees for 2026 Legislative Session: Resident Donald Sakamoto

• Native Hawaiian Advocacy: Board Member Isokane

• Sports Gambling Bill: Board Member Armstrong

• Homeless, Drugs, Kamali‘i Park: Chair Caravalho

8. MONTHLY REPORTS -- [2:28:24]

Honolulu Board of Water Supply -- [2:28:34]: Iris Oda provided updates

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_zDbc_IVmtjMUjyvqJclajzzdgs9O6Y-/view?usp=sharing

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:30:14]

• Smart Metering Availability: Patrick Smith (Neighborhood Commission

• Water Taste Differences: Resident Shoushawna Wilcox

• Red Hill Monitoring Costs and Federal Reimbursements: Board Member Isokane

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation -- [2:36:10]: Harry Cho provided updates.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:38:25]

• Public Restrooms at Stations: Resident Shoushawna Wilcox

• Dillingham ADA Sidewalk Compliance Contact: Resident Donald Sakamoto

• Lack of Community Input: Board Member Shubert-Kwock

• Workshop Voting, Emergency Protocols: Board Member Lye

• Design of stations: Chair Caravalho

• Nimitz Hwy to Bethel Street Turn Safety Concern: Board Member Isokane

Chinatown Improvement District -- [2:45:23]: No representative present.

Chinatown Business Community Association (CBCA) -- [2:45:29]: Board Member Shubert-Kwock provided updates

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SQieNhlDlIG7S3incP7XgJGJRvl__Fn/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:50:00]

1. Public Needle Disposal Reporting: Resident Shoushawna Wilcox

Member Shubert-Kwock left the meeting at 8:52 p.m; 6 members present.

Neighborhood Citizen Patrol -- [2:52:00]: Board Member Lye invited public participation to join the scheduled patrol meet-ups that occur every second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. departing from outside the Diamond Head Tower lobby of Kukui Plaza (55 S. Kukui St.); next patrol will occur Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [2:54:25]

Opening of New Distillery -- [2:54:25]: Royal Hawaiian Spirits (RHS) 36 N. King Street, Honolulu, HI, 96817.

The Downtown--Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 will recess in January 2026. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2026, 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.

10. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:55:12] The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 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

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Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting JANUARY 2026 Minutes

First Friday Hawaii
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