Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board Meeting JUNE 2026 Minutes

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.
PRINCESS RUTH KE‘ELIKŌLANI MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY -- 1302 QUEEN EMMA STREET, HONOLULU, HI 96813
AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx5BVHK3NgM

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F4DdI9R8Er12TNf6Bl-yb4p4EW0-68vu

1. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:20]

Chair Pro Tem Ross Isokane 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, Hey Ho, Ross Isokane, Kevin Lye, Dan Mestas, Nicole Shintani (arrived 6:02 p.m.), Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, and Laura Sturges.

Members Absent: None.

Guests: Firefighter Yamaguchi (Honolulu Fire Department); Major Paul Okamoto, Sergeant Lee (Honolulu Police Department); Honolulu Emergency Services Department Deputy Director Ian Santee (Mayor's Representative); Will Duke (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam); Sarah (Representative Cov Ratcliffe); Stephen Downes (Governor Greenʻs Representative); Glen Young (Senator Karl Rhoads); Kate Ozawa (Representative Kim Iwamoto); Iris Oda (Honolulu Board of Water Supply); Harry Cho (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation); Ernest Caravalho, Charles Jonsson, Ian Nguyen, Ronald Sturges, Jamie Barboza, Kevin McDonald, Ronald Higa, Dale Head, Derek Wheeler, Skye Wheeler, Robert Stellmacher, Connor Spires, and Dale Krupa (Residents); Camilia Epa Gomes (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 40 total attendees.

2. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS -- [0:01:15]

Honolulu Fire Department -- [0:01:20]: Firefighter Yamaguchi highlighted the following:
• May 2026 Statistics: 1 wildland brush fire; 4 nuisance fires; 16 activated alarms (no fire); 90 medicals; 1 motor vehicle collision with pedestrian; 1 motor vehicle crash/collision; 1 mountain rescue; 1 hazardous materials incident.
• Public Safety Tip -- Hurricane Season: Hurricane season runs June 1 -- November 30 in Hawaiʻi. Residents are advised to build a 14-day disaster supply kit, know their family plan, and sign up for storm alerts at hnlalert.gov. More information at https://www.honolulu.gov/dem.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WjYFlXA1EUdjDJqMQtXU94z8IOHQDf49/view?usp=sharing

Member Nicole Shintani joined the meeting at 6:02 p.m.; 8 members present.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) -- [0:03:20]: Sergeant Lee and Interim District 1 Major Paul Okamoto highlighted the following:
• Crime statistics for May 2026: 10 Motor vehicle thefts; 6 burglaries; 28 thefts; 9 car break-ins; 19 assaults; 1 sex assault; 1 graffiti case; 8 drug cases; 83 motor vehicle collisions; 2,077 total calls for service. Statistics can be found on https://www.honolulupd.org/.
• New Services: HPD highlighted two new apps -- Honolulu 311 (for non-emergency reports such as abandoned properties, broken street lights, and illegal dumping) and HNL Alert (for severe weather, road closures, and water main breaks).
• Kekaulike Mall Enforcement Update: Major Okamoto reported that HPD coordinated with the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) and HART at Kekaulike Mall and King Street to identify signage and curb-painting improvements. Once new signs are installed, HPD will conduct commercial vehicle enforcement to set expectations and educate the public.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:06:35]
1. Chinatown Gateway Noise: Resident Ernest Caravalho asked for HPD patrols near Chinatown Gateway between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. due to excessive screaming and yelling near the Hawaiʻi Theatre. Major Okamoto acknowledged the concern.
2. Hotel Street Safety Signage Delay: Member Armstrong commended HPD's swift response to the Kekaulike Mall issues but questioned why Hotel Street safety signage (bus-only markings) has been unresolved for over a year. Major Okamoto committed to restarting conversations with DTS, noting GPS misdirection as a likely factor.
3. HPD Enforcement Truck Program: Member Mestas asked about the results of the HPD enforcement truck program. Major Okamoto confirmed officers have been conducting daily enforcement -- removing business shopping carts, enforcing untaxed bicycle violations, and addressing sit-lie violations -- and reported visible improvement. Continuation is contingent on restored funding.
4. Weekend Noise -- Bethel St. & Chaplain Lane: Member Lye thanked HPD for forwarding prior responses and raised two issues: late-night noise on Bethel Street and Chaplain Lane on Fridays and Saturdays around 2:00 a.m., and recurrent loud motorcycles in the Downtown area. Major Okamoto committed to enforcement for loud mufflers and a follow-up report next month.
5. Homeless Outreach & MH3 Program: Member Shubert-Kwock thanked HPD and multiple agencies for homeless outreach efforts on Hotel Street and noted that the MH-3 team will expand to five days per week in the summer.

3. MEMBERSHIP VACANCY -- [0:14:50]: Chair Pro Tem Isokane announced that former Vice Chair Sean Fitzsimmons resigned creating a board vacancy. Four candidates introduced themselves. Member Lye and Member Armstrong both asked the candidates a question. Chair Pro Tem Isokane confirmed all candidates' residency were verified by the Neighborhood Assistant.

[0:29:11] -- Shubert-Kwock nominated Ian Nguyen; Sturges nominated Ronald Sturges; Mestas nominated Jamie Barboza; Shintani nominated Charles Jonsson. A roll-call vote was conducted. No candidate received the required five votes resulting in no appointment; 3-3-1-1 (Jonsson: Armstrong, Isokane, Shintani; Nguyen: Ho, Lye, Shubert-Kwock; Sturges: Sturges; Barboza: Mestas) -- [0:31:35].

[0:31:40] -- Hearing no objections, Chair Pro Tem Isokane called for the vote a second time. A roll-call vote was conducted. No candidate received the required five votes resulting in no appointment; 3-3-1-1 (Jonsson: Armstrong, Isokane, Shintani; Nguyen: Ho, Lye, Shubert-Kwock; Sturges: Sturges; Barboza: Mestas) -- [0:33:55].

[0:33:05] -- The vacancy was not filled and will be carried over to the July 2026 meeting.

4. CHAIR ELECTION -- [0:33:17]

[0:33:30] -- Isokane nominated himself and also nominated Member Shubert-Kwock to serve as Chair; Lye nominated Mestas, which Mestas declined. Further discussion followed.

[0:37:55] -- Armstrong MOVED that the agenda item be deferred to next month's meeting when the board starts their new term. Hearing no second, the motion failed. The board returned to their original motion.

Member Lye left the meeting at 6:38 p.m.; 7 members present.

[0:38:36] -- A roll-call vote was conducted. Shubert-Kwock was elected as Chair; 5-1-1 (Shubert-Kwock: Ho, Mestas, Shintani, Shubert-Kwock, Sturges; Isokane: Isokane; Abstain: Armstrong) -- [0:40:00].

[0:40:25] -- Shubert-Kwock nominated Mestas to serve as Vice Chair. Hearing no further nominations and discussion, the board conducted a roll-call vote. Mestas was elected as Vice Chair; 6-1 (Mestas: Ho, Isokane, Mestas, Shintani, Shubert-Kwock, Sturges; Abstain: Armstrong) -- [0:41:30].

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- [0:42:00]

[0:42:15] -- Isokane MOVED and Mestas SECONDED to approve the May 2026 minutes as written. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 7-0-0 (Aye: Armstrong, Ho, Isokane, Mestas, Shintani, Shubert-Kwock, Sturges; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:42:30].

6. ELECTED OFFICIALS -- [0:42:44]

Congressman Ed Case -- [0:42:50]: No representative at this time.

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [0:43:15]: Stephen Downes provided follow-up responses to questions from the prior month regarding: the Lāhainā wildfire settlement, stadium construction, noise detection cameras, the state auditor's report, and the Kauhale program.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v7VqV-osrCo8pgaVrG0xIvuppQ6XlG0K/view?usp=drive_link
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OTIzTtmrh8byZJlmHtbvrX0hdTvMdYiG/view?usp=sharing

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:43:50]
1. 2024 Election Wait Times & 2026 Midterm Preparedness: Resident Kevin McDonald asked what improvements have been made to address the long voter wait times experienced in 2024 (some exceeding
midnight), given that this is a midterm election year. Mr. Downes committed to follow up.
2. Geothermal Energy Policy: Member Isokane asked about the governor's position on geothermal energy as a renewable and reliable power source, noting a recent conversation with Mayor Kawakami of Kauaʻi about energy solutions. Member Mestas echoed the request, also urging the state to prioritize energy efficiency and replace fluorescent lighting at the State Capitol. Mr. Downes committed to follow up.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [0:47:30]: Honolulu Emergency Services Department Deputy Director Ian Santee provided follow-up responses from the prior month regarding: road conditions; failure of flags at half-staff at Thomas Square for Congresswoman Hanabusa; Union Mall lamp lighting (two of four light poles restored); Kekaulike Street intersection crosswalks (work order initiated); Hotel Street signage (work order initiated for No Turn sign on Smith Street; pavement markings deferred to DTS); Kamaliʻi Mini Park (no change; negotiation ongoing); rooster relief (city expends budgeted funds; Senate Bill 2892 pending governor's signature for additional funds); 1027 Maunakea Street curb ramp (Department of Design and Construction found no damages requiring repair; American with Disabilities Act ramp assessed compliant in 2012); decision on Mayor town hall meetings; and Mayor Blangiardi continues community engagement via radio and events.
• Link to Sign-up for News Updates via Email: https://www.honolulu.gov/mayor/newsletter-signup/
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pKmmrBL0fxv_vE2XYOU87VMQojqKj6pU/view?usp=drive_link
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LvCjhdrfspMHfhhcZ5RmJ9XAP_Grtw1i/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [0:52:40]
1. Business Permitting Delays/Liquor Licenses: Resident Kevin McDonald raised concerns about permitting timelines in Honolulu, citing the Liquor Commission's reported approval time of up to one year for new liquor licenses. He asked what the city is doing to reduce these delays. Mr. Santee committed to follow up.
2. Bus Stop Lighting -- Nimitz Hwy & Kekaulike St. Intersection: Member Mestas requested a status update on Work Order R2026-15221 regarding the lack of adequate lighting at the ewa-bound temporary bus stop at Nimitz Hwy and Kekaulike Street. Mr. Santee committed to follow up. Member Armstrong later echoed Member Mestas's concerns about the unsafe, poorly lit, and tight bus stop location on the curve at Nimitz Hwy and Kekaulike Street, urging the city to relocate it further ʻewa for safety. Mr. Santee acknowledged the suggestion.
3. Charter Commission & Empty Homes Tax: Member Isokane highlighted the Honolulu Charter Commission's work, noting the drafting committee's first meeting is Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Member Isokane advocated for the Empty Homes Tax (Bill 46), supported by 74% of voters in a survey, and asked if the administration would support it, should it advance to the charter.
4. 1027 Maunakea Street Sidewalk Ramp Hazard: Chair Shubert-Kwock pushed back on the city's determination that the curb ramp at 1027 Maunakea Street (in front of Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery) is compliant, stating it is a known trip hazard that needs to be flattened, and the director of housing and land management who personally took measurements. Mr. Santee committed to refer the matter back to both the Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) and the Department of Design and Construction (DDC).

City Council (District 6) -- Tyler Dos Santos Tam -- [1:01:40]: Will Duke reported the following: Councilmember Dos Santos-Tam's proposed BMX zoning changes for Downtown (to facilitate more housing and mixed-use development) are progressing. The recently adopted budget includes LED downlighting for Chinatown hot spots. The Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) will be fully operational starting Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:02:40]
1. Honolulu Road Quality & Comprehensive Plan: Resident Kevin McDonald reiterated his request for a comprehensive road improvement plan from the councilmember, noting Honolulu is consistently ranked among the worst cities in the country for road quality despite residents paying the highest taxes in the nation. Mr. Duke committed to relay the question and follow up.
2. HPD Settlement Costs: Member Isokane cited a Civil Beat article reporting the City and County of Honolulu paid over $46 million in settlement claims over the last five years, with HPD accounting for more than 75% of that amount. He asked the Councilmember to track this metric and pursue accountability measures to reduce payouts. Mr. Duke acknowledged and expressed hopes that new police leadership would lead to improvement.
3. City Budget -- Office of Economic Revitalization Staffing Cuts, Chinatown Funding & Task Force: Chair Shubert-Kwock raised several budget concerns: (1) disappointment that the Mayor's Office of Economic Development and Recovery (OEAR) was slated to lose 18 staff following the Kona Low storms; (2) requested confirmation that the $1 million Chinatown allocation remains in the budget; (3) asked about funding for the HPD Chinatown Task Force foot patrol; and (4) requested an update on Chinatown Improvement District research. Mr. Duke committed to follow up and noted the budget is not yet finalized given the mayor's line-item veto authority.

State Senate (District 13) -- Karl Rhoads -- [1:12:25]: Glen Young noted the senator's office announced a $150,000 Grant-in-Aid (GIA) was released for repair and improvements to the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials.
• Questions or Concerns: Email senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov or call (808) 586-6130.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BsMGbpO4Yapp25TkqgE--Kca0k6nshrp/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:13:10]
1. Grants-in-Aid Tied to Civil Service Scholarships: Member Isokane proposed the idea of tying state GIAs to scholarship pledges requiring recipients to work in civil service for a set period, as a strategy to address government staffing shortages. Mr. Young suggested routing the idea through Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, who chairs the Ways and Means Committee (WAM).

State House (District 25) -- Kim Coco Iwamoto -- [1:15:20]: Kate Ozawa shared Representative Iwamoto's constituent survey link and reported final Capitol Improvement Project (CIP) and GIA awards for District 25.
• Survey Link: https://forms.gle/CE4BhRgnJkrQVib48

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:16:05]
1. Civil Service Scholarship Idea: Member Isokane asked whether GIA grants could be tied to civil service work pledges, similar to the medical school grant model. Ms. Ozawa took note for the representative.

State House (District 28) -- Michael Covenant Ratcliffe -- [1:17:20]: Sarah distributed a district map and shared Representative Ratcliffe's 2026 state budget highlights, including CIP funding for the Downtown Art Center ($200K) and the United Chinese Society, and a GIA for Weed and Seed. She also shared a letter from TECO (Taiwan Economic Cultural Office) regarding the Chinatown Cultural Plaza, which is being reviewed with no definitive decision yet on its future. Representative Ratcliffe and Council Member Dos Santos-Tam are collaborating on installing yellow truncated dome mats at the Vineyard and Maunakea crosswalk to aid visually impaired pedestrians.

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:20:20]
1. District 28 Grant-in-Aid Accountability: Chair Shubert-Kwock asked for detailed explanations of what the GIAs to the United Chinese Society ($200K), Institute of Human Services ($160K), Downtown Art Center ($200K), and Catholic Charities were used for, and whether they received similar amounts last year. Sarah committed to follow up. Member Armstrong noted the GIA process is public and that funds are already allocated, cautioning against over-scrutiny. Member Isokane responded that engaging in oversight of how district tax dollars are spent is within the board's proper advisory role.

7. PUBLIC CONCERNS -- [1:24:45]: No members of the public raised concerns during this item.

8. MONTHLY REPORTS -- [1:25:00]

Honolulu Board of Water Supply -- [1:25:05]: Iris Oda highlighted the following:
• 2026 Semi-Annual Water Quality Report: BWS conducts thousands of tests annually. The first 2026 report will be mailed Wednesday, July 1, 2026; the second in December. Reports also available at https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/WQR. Customer care line: (808) 748-5041.
• Follow-ups from last month: Responding to a prior question from Former Vice Chair Fitzsimmons, Ms. Oda confirmed no water system damage occurred within the board's boundaries during the recent Kona Low storm. The main impact was a North Shore power outage that drained the Waialua 225' Reservoir, leading to a temporary boil water notice -- since lifted after testing showed no water quality impact.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pzu9rNUoDvFQauTPkZK6W9kyuxrWgMGw/view?usp=sharing

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) -- [1:28:05]: Harry Cho announced the final Downtown Station Design Workshop, scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 6:00 p.m.--8:30 p.m. at Aloha Tower Marketplace, Multi-Purpose Room 3. This is the last of two workshops for each of the six segment 3 stations.
• Neighborhood Design Workshop Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kgbcV48EqXQPfiyPFK4x7J1r4jWHhVkN/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:29:30]
1. HART Escalators at Downtown-Chinatown Station: Resident Kevin McDonald expressed strong disappointment that the Downtown station may not include escalators, and reminded Harry Cho that his role includes conveying community concerns back to HART leadership -- not just reporting HART decisions to the board. Mr. McDonald called on HART to address the escalator issue given the project's cost escalation from $3.7 billion to over $15 billion, covering only two-thirds of the originally planned route. Mr. Cho acknowledged and will report back next month.

Chinatown Business Community Association (CBCA) -- [1:32:30]: Member Mestas presented the CBCA report from the Tuesday, May 12, 2026 meeting attended by several city agencies. Key issues that were discussed were: homelessness and safety, MH-3 outreach, and cleanliness. The next CBCA meeting will be Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a2GXDeFOrXPDQlafrrrSh_LiBFlR70mr/view?usp=sharing

Questions, comments and concerns followed -- [1:33:20]
1. Drug Activity Near Kukui Street -- Partnership Request: Resident Doug Pyle asked about drug activity (foil/opioid use) in his area that is not captured in the CBCA report's coverage area, and inquired about community partnerships. Chair Shubert-Kwock explained the CBCA Security Team is stretched thin, fully volunteer-based (since September 2024), and cannot expand to Downtown due to the new Downtown BID having its own security. She encouraged Mr. Pyle to organize a local group and offered logistical support. Member Mestas noted drug activity on the makai side of Maunakea Street (low foot traffic) is harder to address and emphasized that more patrols and 911 calls to establish records are essential. The team also maintains a cleaning crew for waste and is seeking renewed funding for the HPD Chinatown Task Force foot patrol.

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [1:38:10]

The next Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No. 13 regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Keʻelikōlani Middle School Library and virtually via WebEx.

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

10. ADJOURNMENT -- [1:39:4] The meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m.

Submitted by: Camilia Epa Gomes, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, NCO