Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting FEBRUARY 2026 Minutes

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Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting FEBRUARY 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, February 5, 2026, 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=5qIiprnGFZ4

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 five (5) members present. Note: This nine-member Board requires five (5) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action.

Members Present: Ernest Caravalho, Sean Fitzsimmons (arrived at 6:14 p.m.), Kevin Lye, Dan Mestas, Nicole Shintani, Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, and Laura Sturges (appointed).

Members Absent: Robert Armstrong and Ross Isokane.

Guests: Firefighter Kaleo Kia (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant Lee (Honolulu Police Department); Stephen Downes (Governor Greenʻs Representative); Will Duke (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam); Nestor Garcia (Congressman Ed Case); Haleina Beltran (Senator Karl Rhoads); Representative Kim Iwamoto (State House District 25); Iris Oda (Honolulu Board of Water Supply); Harry Cho (HART); Ed Korybski (Fort Street Mall Improvement District); Mike Buck (C.O.R.E); Patrick Smith (Neighborhood Commission Chair); Ron Lee (i2c Realty Ltd.); Mai Wilkes, Thomas Anderson, Phan Thanh Phuc (Vietnamese Community Organization); Sergio Alcubilla, Mandy Fernandez (ACLU of Hawaii); Ziriela (Walk for Peace); Christina Whinnery (Kekaulike Courtyard); Jasmine Mancos (Proof Social Club); Lei Sakamoto (SHADE Institute); Roberta Hickey-Gomez, Kevin McDonald, Doug Pyle, Melissa Gibo, Ronald Higa, Casey Ishitani, Kevin Fujioka, Wilbert Lyn, Jane Turner (Residents); Camilia Epa Gomes (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 51 total attendees.

2. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS -- [0:01:19]

Honolulu Fire Department -- [0:01:19]: Firefighter Kaleo Kia provided statistics and tips.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19LNutOcJXC5Ueoi_lzeVB5jQK2An1CXs/view?usp=sharing

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:04:20]

• Fort Street Mall Fire Access Route: Chair Caravalho

Honolulu Police Department -- [0:07:00]: Sergeant Lee provided statistics.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:08:17]

• HPD Coordination with Federal Enforcement: Community Member Roberta Hickey-Gomez

• HPD Walking Patrols in Chinatown: Resident Candice

• Questions on applicability/enforcement of various ordinances: Board Member Lye

• Nuisance laws enforcement: Vice Chair Fitzsimmons

• Sit-Lie Ordinance Enforcement and Public Drug Use: Chair Caravalho

• Sit-Lie Ordinance Enforcement: Board Member Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock

Member Fitzsimmons joined the meeting at 6:14 p.m.; 6 members present.

3. FILLING OF VACANCY -- [0:23:28]

Board Action to Fill One (1) At-Large Seat -- [0:23:28]: Laura Sturges and Kevin McDonald volunteered.

[0:26:20] -- Lye nominated Kevin McDonald to fill the vacant at-large seat. [0:26:27] -- Shubert-Kwock nominated Laura Sturges to fill the vacant at-large seat. A roll call vote was conducted. Laura Sturges was elected to fill the at-large vacant seat. 5-1-0 (Sturges: Fitzsimmons, Mestas, Shubert-Kwock, Shintani, Caravalho; McDonald: Lye) -- [0:27:33].

[0:27:40] -- Chair Caravalho called for a recess to allow the Neighborhood Assistant to administer the Oath of Office.

[0:27:44] -- Chair Caravalho called the meeting back to order.

Member Sturges joined the meeting at 6:27 p.m.; 7 members present.

Chair Remarks -- [0:28:00]: Chair Caravalho welcomed Laura Sturges to the board and acknowledged former board member Lori McCarney who resigned due to focusing on her service with the National Alzheimer's Association.

4. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:28:23]

Economic Driver -- [0:28:24]: Ron Lee (President, i2c Realty Ltd.) presented a conceptual plan for revitalizing Chinatown through transit-oriented development and new economic attractions.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:44:45]

• Community Engagement and Tangible Steps: Board Member Lye

• Cruise Ships Economic Impact on Chinatown: Vice Chair Fitzsimmons

• Support for Local Businesses: Chair Caravalho

Vietnam Statue -- Erection of Admiral Hoàng Cơ Minh Statue on College Walk -- [0:51:27]: Mai Wilkes (Vice President, Vietnamese Community Organization), along with President Thomas Anderson and sculptor Phan Thanh Phuc, presented a proposal to install a statue of Admiral Hoàng Cơ Minh on College Walk (Downtown Honolulu).

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:00:10]

• Statue Permitting, Costs, Maintenance and Historical Significance: Board Member Lye

• Similar Statues in Neighborhood: Chair Caravalho

[1:05:22] -- Shubert-Kwock MOVED and Sturges SECONDED to support the installation of the Admiral Hoàng Cơ Minh Statue on College Walk. A roll-call vote was conducted. The motion was ADOPTED; 7-0-0 (Aye: Fitzsimmons, Lye, Sturges, Mestas, Shubert-Kwock, Shintani, Caravalho; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [1:08:26].

ACLU of Hawaii -- ICE Enforcement and Immigrant Rights [1:08:37]: Sergio Alcubilla (Director of Community Engagement) and Mandy Fernandez (Director of Policy), ACLU of Hawaii, presented on current ICE enforcement trends and the ACLU's Campaign for Immigrant Justice at the Hawaii State Legislature.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:17:26]

• Deputization Legislation and Fire Departments: Community member Roberta Hickey-Gomez

• Secret Police Act and Due Process: Vice Chair Fitzsimmons

• Multilingual Outreach to Community: Board Member Shubert-Kwock

• Upcoming Legislative Hearings: Kaili Morala

• Compliance with Laws: Board Member Lye

5. PUBLIC CONCERNS -- [1:26:50]

• Walk for Peace Honolulu: Community member Ziriela

• Security and Public Health Concerns at Kekaulike Courtyard: Christina Whinnery

• Fort Street Mall Events and Permitting Burdens: Ed Korybski (Fort Street Mall BID)

• Neighborhood Commission Updates: Patrick Smith (Neighborhood Commission Chair)

• Seeking Clarity on Perceived Inconsistency and Lack of Official Guidance from City Regarding Noise Ordinance Enforcement Against Proof Social Club: Jasmine Mancos (owner, Proof Social Club)

• Candidacy for State House District 28: Ernest Caravalho

[1:39:46] -- Chair Caravalho asked Vice Chair Fitzsimmons to serve as presiding chair temporarily.

[1:40:12] -- Chair Caravalho resumed as Chair upon returning to his seat.

6. BOARD BUSINESS -- [1:40:23]

Chinatown Parade -- Saturday, February 14, 2026 -- [1:40:23]: The Board announced/discussed details on annual Chinatown Parade on Saturday, February 14, meeting at 3:00 p.m. as well as weekend events surrounding parade.

Neighborhood Board Cleanup Discussion -- [1:42:24]: The Board discussed scheduling a neighborhood cleanup (potentially for March) to be discussed/finalized in future meeting.

7. ELECTED OFFICIALS -- [1:44:56]: Priority is given to elected officials/representatives who are present

in person at the meeting.

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [1:45:00]: Stephen Downes provided responses to prior meeting questions.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GhUqyAgw8I_hPIzlpsbh77DRJ1WaJTTP/view?usp=drive_link

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PNtJC1jiu20IxHARRi4_15mBO2ziOQ4j/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:46:30]

• Potential Prohibition on Cruise Ships and Impact on Chinatown's Economy: Vice Chair Fitzsimmons.

• State Marketing Funds for Chinatown: Board Member Shubert-Kwock

• Sit-Lie Enforcement at State Capitol Grounds: Board Member Lye

City Council (District 6) -- Tyler Dos Santos Tam -- [1:49:38]: Will Duke provided updates.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:51:10]

• Road Conditions in Honolulu: Resident Kevin McDonald

• Kamaliʻi Mini Park Development Status + Feral Roosters: Board Member Lye

• Kamaliʻi Mini Park and Construction Gridlock: Vice Chair Fitzsimmons

• Chinatown Rail Station Bike Ramp Width Accessibility: Board Member Shubert-Kwock

• Public Restrooms in Chinatown: Board Member Sturges

Congressman Ed Case's Representative -- [1:59:27]: Nestor Garcia provided updates.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:02:17]

1. Congressman Ed Case's Position on ICE Enforcement: Vice Chair Fitzsimmons

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [2:04:55]: Ian Santee provided updates.

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

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:05:48]

• Road Conditions: Resident Kevin McDonald

• Dangerous Sidewalk Cutout at 1047 Maunakea Street: Board Member Shubert-Kwock

• Vehicle Accidents at Smith and Hotel Streets: Board Member Mestas

• Feral Rooster Cage Program: Board Member Lye

• Roosters Disregarding Appropriate Times and Residents' Need to Sleep: Chair Caravalho

State Senate (District 13) -- Karl Rhoads -- [2:12:24]: Haleina Beltran provided updates.

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13654v-fd05SjITs6oKrixiipwpR_BmJT/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:16:15]

• Parks Department Determination on Kamaliʻi Mini Park: Board Member Lye provided comments on the City Parks Department's characterization of the park, noting it was a park for over 30 years with little investment. He thanked the Senator for pursuing this and making the response public.

• Kamaliʻi Mini Park: Chair Caravalho

State House (District 25) -- Kim Coco Iwamoto -- [2:18:00]: Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto provided updates.

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S8tN-aQ-QCjp9m8B9KdG1Dx4QDo5Jis-/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:22:14]

• Free Bus Fare and Service Management: Community member Patrick Smith

• Legal Action Against ICE: Resident Roberta Hickey-Gomez

• Various Legislative Bills and Activities: Board Member Lye

• Request to Reconsider Feral Rooster Bill: Resident Richards

• Desire to Ensure Maintainance of High Quality Bus Service: Board Member Shintani

• HPD as Legal Observers of ICE: Vice Chair Fitzsimmons

State House (District 28) -- Daniel Holt -- [2:37:10]: No representative present at this time.

8. MONTHLY REPORTS -- [2:37:36]

Honolulu Board of Water Supply -- [2:37:40]: Iris Oda provided updates and responses to prior questions.

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VjPuExcKiA7FdWC1yOLU_ZAD6qZDA72z/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:42:58]

1. Question on Red Hill Spills: Chair Caravalho

2. BWS Generator and Water Leaks: Board Member Lye

Member Fitzsimmons left the meeting at 8:45 p.m; 8 members present.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation -- [2:45:33]: Harry Cho shared updates.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m5AafUdtGA8Bjbodros7tGjWdoI_WmXR/view?usp=drive_link

Chinatown Improvement District -- [2:46:40]: No representative present at this time.

Chinatown Business Community Association (CBCA) -- [2:46:52]: Board Member Shubert-Kwock provided updates.

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ImQU5Opj33KaOxEBwhBJVbqFRy4umdZP/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

Neighborhood Citizen Patrol -- [2:48:48]: 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, February 10, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

Member Shubert-Kwock left the meeting at 8:49 p.m; 7 members present.

9. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- [2:50:02]

Approval of Regular Meeting Summary for Video Record (Thursday, December 4, 2025) -- [2:50:00]: Board Member Lye requested two amendments to the draft.

[2:51:30] -- Lye MOVED and Caravalho SECONDED to approve the December 2025 minutes with the two amendments as stated from Lye. Hearing no objection, the motion was ADOPTED; 5-0-0 (Aye: Lye, Mestas, Shintani, Sturges, Caravalho; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [2:52:15].

10. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [2:52:18]

The next Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 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 <Downtown>.

11. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:52:58] 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

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Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting FEBRUARY 2026 Minutes

First Friday Hawaii
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