Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting APRIL 2026 Minutes

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Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting APRIL 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, April 2, 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=yPh8cYdzaYQ

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at:

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

1. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:08]

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, Sean Fitzsimmons, Ernest Caravalho, Ross Isokane, Kevin Lye, Dan Mestas, Nicole Shintani, Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, and Laura Sturges.

Members Absent: None.

Guests: Firefighter Kaleo Kia (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant Freeman (Honolulu Police Department); Stephen Downes (Governor Greenʻs Representative); Will Duke, Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos Tam, (City Council District 6); Haleina Beltran (Senator Karl Rhoads); Kate Ozawa (Representative Kim Iwamoto); Iris Oda (Honolulu Board of Water Supply); Harry Cho (Honolulu Authority Rapid Transportation); Ed Korybski (Fort Street Mall Improvement District); Barinna Poon (Hong Kong Business Association); Evan Wright (Garden Art LLC) and Desiree Malabed (Wilson Okamoto Corporation); Patrick Smith (Neighborhood Board Commission); Kekaulike Courtyard; Ronald Higa, Juan Maldonado, Lei Ahua Isa, Anthony Nagatani, Doug Pyle, Lyn Pyle, Dale Krupa (Residents); Camilia Epa Gomes, Dylan Whitsell, Travis Saito (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 37 total attendees.

2. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS -- [0:01:10]

Honolulu Fire Department -- [0:01:12]: Firefighter Kaleo Kia provided statistics and tips.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_-Oe06eawAKx2at0o2WJXqAjKdBvMLrB/view?usp=sharing

Honolulu Police Department -- [0:02:48]: Sergeant Freeman provided statistics and follow-ups.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:04:39]

• HPD Downtown Substation Condition: Resident Dale Krupa

• Bicycle, motorcycles, e-scooter rules, et. al.: Member Lye

• Chinatown Sit-Lie Enforcement & Illegal Vendors: Member Shubert-Kwock

• HPD Protocol for Machetes: Member Fitzsimmons

• Broken Window Near AC Hotel: Member Sturges

[0:13:00] -- Shubert-Kwock MOVED and Sturges SECONDED to amend the agenda to include Item 7.6 for the Chair's announcement to vacate the position of Chair to be immediately followed by a board vote to elect a new Chair. Further discussion followed. Hearing no further discussion, a roll-call vote was conducted. The motion was ADOPTED; 7-2-0 (Aye: Fitzsimmons, Isokane, Mestas, Shubert-Kwock, Shintani, Sturges, Caravalho; Nay: Armstrong, Lye; Abstain: None) -- [0:15:44].

3. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:16:44]

Hong Kong Festival -- Updates and Report -- [0:16:44]: Barinna Poon (Hong Kong Business Association) presented a recap of the inaugural 2026 Honolulu-Hong Kong Festival held in February 2026.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eqowf8nLfHAuIJIE-B_fEzH4gaS4Yj7R/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:20:40]

• Praise & Food Vendors: Member Shubert-Kwock

• Additional highlights of the festival: Member Lye

• Trip Giveaway Winner Inquiry: Chair Caravalho

Garden Art Project -- Pier 7 & HECO Site Presentation -- [0:25:08]: Evan Wright (Garden Art LLC) and Desiree Malabed (Wilson Okamoto Corporation) presented a proposal to revitalize Pier 7 and the former HECO power plant site at the Aloha Tower complex.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:33:26]

• Parking: Attendee Patrick Smith

• Local Artists Involvement: Resident Kepa Barrett

• Garden Access & Admission Fee: Online attendee Lynn

• Parking Safety & Admission Rate: Member Shubert-Kwock

• Project Intent & Community Input: Member Armstrong

• Admission Pricing Compared to Former Maritime Center: Member Fitzsimmons

• Permit Approval Process & Funding: Member Isokane

• Glass Workshops: Member Shintani

• HECO Site Contamination: Member Lye

[0:47:07] -- Armstrong MOVED and Isokane SECONDED for the board to express initial support for the Garden Art Project. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 9-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, Lye, Mestas, Shubert-Kwock, Shintani, Sturges, Caravalho; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:47:23].

St. Patrick's Day Celebration Update & Cinco de Mayo Preview -- [0:47:46]: Ed Korybski (Fort Street BID) provided a recap of the St. Patrick's Day event held on Fort Street Mall between Hotel and King Streets and information on the upcoming Cinco de Mayo Street Festival on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

• Cinco de Mayo Event Details: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y7PxosiridRuPe7KciAZVMdqIeNpSCUs/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:53:42]

• Wristband Charge at St. Patrick's Day: Member Shubert-Kwock

• Landowner Letter of Concurrence & Grant Funding: Member Isokane

• Event Safety & Family Attendance: Member Fitzsimmons

• Buskers & Street Performers: Member Armstrong

• Post-Event Noise & Beer Garden Design: Member Lye

• Crowd Overflow into Chinatown: Member Shubert-Kwock

• Questioning Beer Garden Format: Member Fitzsimmons

4. PUBLIC CONCERNS -- [1:13:10]

• Preservation of Kamaliʻi Mini Park -- [1:13:15]: Lyn

5. BOARD BUSINESS -- [1:14:32]

Board Member Three Absence Letter -- Consideration to Vacate Seat -- [1:14:35]: Chair Caravalho introduced and Member Fitzsimmons provided context.

[1:19:00] -- Armstrong MOVED and Lye SECONDED to vacate the seat. A roll-call vote was conducted. The motion was NOT ADOPTED; 0-8-1 (Aye: None; Nay: Armstrong, Fitzsimmons, Isokane, Mestas, Shubert-Kwock, Shintani, Sturges, Caravalho; Abstain: Lye) -- [1:20:11].

Neighborhood Board Cleanup with The Chinatown Lions Club -- [1:20:14]: The board confirmed participation in the neighborhood cleanup scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026. The meetup time is 9:00 a.m. at Sun Yat-sen Park.

6. ELECTED OFFICIALS -- [1:20:40]: Priority is given to elected officials/representatives who are present

in person at the meeting.

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [1:20:50]: Stephen Downes provided follow-up responses.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cv0dzooJA3AMsg0TTikxihLzIc-w1uaH/view?usp=drive_link

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V_e2XejuR4iK-UYGt3PSO6_K7c32ucoT/view?usp=sharing

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:22:03]

• Preservation of Trees & State Settlement: Resident Doug Pyle

• Hawaiian Electric Rate Increase: Resident Kevin McDonald raised

• Commendation for Senator Rhoads & Public Safety Legislation: Member Shubert-Kwock

• DOT Noise Cameras & Highway Sign Language: Member Lye

• Kona Low Presidential Disaster Declaration Status: Member Isokane

State House (District 25) -- Kim Coco Iwamoto -- [1:31:22]: Kate Ozawa provided updates.

• Survey: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DBz9WjHkJF0Zdzd8UhsmFnKFy69HB55c/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:32:19]

1. Free Bus Fare Bill: Attendee Patrick Smith

2. OHA Public Land Trust & Aha Moku Advisory Committee: Member Isokane

Congressman Ed Case -- [1:35:05]: No representative at this time.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [1:35:25]: Deputy Director 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 -- [1:38:40]

• Road Conditions & Crime vs. Traffic Cameras: Resident Kevin McDonald

• Half Staff Flag Protocol at Thomas Square: Member Lye

• ADA Curb Cut at 1027 Maunakea Street: Member Shubert-Kwock

• 1705 North Pauahi Street Affordable Housing Clarification: Member Armstrong

• Chinatown Safety Measures: Member Fitzsimmons

• Empty Homes Tax & City Budget: Member Isokane

• Office of Economic Development Budget and Personnel cuts: Member Shubert-Kwock

City Council (District 6) -- Tyler Dos Santos Tam -- [1:49:20]: Will Duke provided updates.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kh2_O_h542_QzW7yKX8grNz5ELtt0P2M/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:51:53]

• Road Safety & Pothole Accountability: Resident Kevin McDonald

• HART Workshop Transparency & Chinatown Station Accessibility: Member Shubert-Kwock

• Bill 48 -- Fort Street Mall Expansion & Permitting Flexibility: Member Isokane

• Administrative Rules Process and Public Involvement: Member Lye

• Resolution 39 -- BMX4 Zoning & Kamaliʻi Mini Park: Member Lye

• Sit-Lie Enforcement Extension: Member Shubert-Kwock

State Senate (District 13) -- Karl Rhoads -- [2:11:09]: Haleina Beltran provided updates

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

• Report: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sZazXcxbsjWJSWXRjKvzLoY59_TNSN1e/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

[2:13:45] -- Chair Caravalho stepped away temporarily and asked Vice Chair Fitzsimmons to serve as presiding officer.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:13:50]

• Repeat Criminals & Judicial Committee: Resident Kevin McDonald

• Support for Senate Bill 709 & Opposition to House Bill 2413: Member Shubert-Kwock

• Support for House Bill 1679 -- Condominium Ballot Timeline: Member Lye

7. MONTHLY REPORTS -- [2:19:00]

7.1 Honolulu Board of Water Supply -- [2:19:00]: Iris Oda provided updates.

[2:23:17] -- Chair Caravalho resumed as Presiding Officer upon returning to his seat.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:23:17]

• Kona Low Infrastructure Impact: Member Fitzsimmons

• Generator Running During Daytime: Member Lye

7.2 Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) -- [2:25:35]: Harry Cho provided updates and follow ups.

• Lane Closure Notice: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18lQO9GqHRvfQXPSJBKr6T-3XKfM8-K7h/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:27:25]

• Construction disruption: Resident Kevin McDonald

• HART Workshop Transparency: Member Shubert-Kwock

• Trash Accumulation Near Chinatown Station Site: Harry Cho

7.3 Chinatown Improvement District -- [2:34:31]: No representative present at this time.

7.4 Chinatown Business Community Association (CBCA) -- [2:34:40]: Member Shubert-Kwock provided updates.

• Report:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Kzmu-YHGGGnyKGU9RrTDfZPal4L9imPr/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111917663458444584436&rtpof=true&sd=true

7.5 Neighborhood Citizen Patrol -- [2:37:36]: Member Lye provided updates and invitation to join monthly citizen patrols on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. outside Diamond Head Tower lobby of Kukui Plaza.

7.6 Chair's announcement to vacate the position of Chair to be immediately followed by a board vote to elect a new Chair (added to agenda earlier in the meeting by board vote) [2:40:45]: Chair Caravalho stepped down as chair and passed the gavel to Vice Chair Fitzsimmons to serve as chair pro tem.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:43:30]

• Caution on moving forward on election: Member Lye

• Intention to proceed in accordance with rules and NCO advice: Chair pro tem Fitzsimmons

• Question regarding wording of added agenda item: Member Lye

• Role of unelected individuals influencing board precedents: Member Armstrong

• Advice from NCO: Member Caravalho

• Assertion that Neighborhood Commission makes policies: Neighborhood Commissioner Patrick Smith

• Clarification of wording of added agenda item: Member Isokane

• Added agenda item helps transition new chair to help further community interests: Member Shubert-Kwock

• Insinuations of nefarious intent: Member Armstrong

• Disservice to the community to not elect permanent chair: Chair pro tem Fitzsimmons

[2:53:45] -- Caravalho nominated Member Isokane for Chair. Isokane accepted. Shubert-Kwock nominated Member Mestas for Chair; Mestas accepted.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [2:53:45]

• Assertion that added agenda item did not include election of chair: Member Lye

• Election of a board chair administrative in nature and not directly public impacting: Member Caravalho

• Fundamental disagreement with Member Caravalho: Member Armstrong

[2:56:45] -- Char pro tem Fitzsimmons, given meeting time constraints, deferred the added agenda item.

8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- [2:57:08]

[2:57:08]: Isokane moved and Lye seconded to defer the item. Hearing no objections, item was deferred.

9. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:57:25] The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 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 APRIL 2026 Minutes

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