Palolo Neighborhood Board DECEMBER 2025 Minutes

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Palolo Neighborhood Board DECEMBER 2025 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 2/11/2026.

With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

PĀLOLO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 6

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2025 at 7:00 P.M.

PĀLOLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA, 2106 10TH AVENUE, HONOLULU, HI 96816

AND VIA WEBEX

Video Recording of Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zthvFXfeuUA

Google Drive Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mRIiZ-kR00PVW8z-q2zHi9L60YE1mXmR

1. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:01]: Chair Ranell Asuega-Fualaau called the Pālolo Neighborhood Board No. 6 meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was established with eight (8) members present. Note: This 13-member Board requires seven (7) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Sean Aronson, Randolph Hack, Catalina Hanamura, Kaleolani Leo, Darlene Nakayama, Earl Shiraki, Keenan Tydingco, Ranell Asuega-Fualaau.

Board Member(s) Absent: Andrew Phomsouvanh.

Guests: Captain Kēhau Lau (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant T. Nakamura (Honolulu Police Department); Dominic Dias (Board of Water Supply); Kylie Tokujo (Councilmember Scott Nishimoto); Kīele Amundson (Governor Green's Representative); Senator Ihara, Mike McCartney (State Senate District 10); Mike Buck (C.O.R.E); William Malina, Joann Nishiki, Philip Akiu, Reuben Asuega, Dahlia Asuega, William Tatola, Joann Fujio (Residents); Camilia Epa Gomes (Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 22 total participants.

2. MONTHLY REPORTS -- [0:00:23]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) -- [0:00:28]: Captain Kēhau Lau from Pālolo Fire Station highlighted the following:

• November 2025 Statistics: 2 nuisance fire, 2 activated alarms (no fire), 28 medical emergencies, 2 motor vehicle collisions with pedestrians; 5 motor vehicle crash/collisions.

• Safety Tip -- Holiday Safety: Promptly remove dried trees/wreaths and recycling at green waste centers; leave

• fireworks to licensed pyrotechnic professionals; on O'ahu, firecrackers require permits via https://www1.honolulu.gov/hfdfireworks/.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12Rfrwp208WlnlV6xDI7lK-nG115uYcHO/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:02:09]:

1. Smoke Emitting from School: Board Member Shiraki mentioned on Thanksgiving he noticed a large smoke cloud observed near Ānuenue school and concerns about fire size/location near trees/stream. HFD noted imu/permits are typically coordinated with dispatch; if conditions become unsafe, HFD is dispatched. For any doubts or emergencies, call 911.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) -- [0:05:39]: Lieutenant T. Nakamura highlighted the following:

• November 2025 Statistics Compared to October 2025: 6 motor vehicle thefts (down from 8); 5 burglaries (down from 7); 9 thefts (down from 17); 4 unathorized entries of motor vehicles (up from 2); and 5,540 total calls for service.

• Safety Tips -- Holiday Safety: Do not use indoor-rated lights outdoors to prevent electrical/fire issues; hide valuables; remain vigilant around shopping centers; drive with aloha.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:07:46]:

1. Curve Speed and Signage on 10th Ave/Pālolo Ave Near Pālolo Chinese Home: Board Member Shiraki requested more 15 mph warning signs; Lt. Nakamura clarified HPD handles enforcement and suggested calling 911 to request officer contact and monitoring. For additional signage, the city roadway/signage agency should be engaged; HPD community policing can consider sign-waving/education efforts.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) -- [0:15:20]: Dominic Dias highlighted the following:

• Main Breaks: No main breaks reported for November 2025.

• Waiomao Homestead Road 8-inch Waterline: Final chlorination and activation is still pending, then Palolo WSI Part III Contractor will mobilize to begin work.

• BWS Tips -- Avoid Holiday Scams: BWS never requires gift cards/wire/app payments; staff wear BWS logo attire, marked vehicles, City badges; verify calls at 808-748-5000 ext. 2; business hours 7:45 a.m.--4:30 p.m. Mon--Fri. Continue to conserve water.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:17:35]:

1. Fire Hydrant on 10th Ave: Board Member Shiraki asked when will the fire hydrant on 10th ave/Makanui Pl. Will be installed. Mr. Dias responded the proposed fire hydrant is within Pālolo WSI Part III Project; start awaits Waiomao Homestead Road waterline project completion. BWS will provide monthly schedule updates as available.

3. BOARD BUSINESS -- [0:19:52]

Approval of Minutes for Wednesday, November 12, 2025 -- [0:20:12]: Nakayama MOVED and Shiraki SECONDED to approve the November 2025 minutes. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 8-0-0 (Aye: Aronson, Hack, Hanamura, Leo, Nakayama, Shiraki, Tydingco, Asuega-Fualaau; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:20:17].

Filling of Vacancies -- [0:20:20]: Chair Asuega-Fualaau announced vacancies in the following areas: one (1) At-Large, one (1) Sub-district One, and two (2) Sub-district Two. No volunteers at this time.

4. RESIDENTS'/COMMUNITY CONCERNS -- [0:20:52]

Cell Towers -- Health, Siting, and Oversight: Resident Liz Tatola expressed concerns about the increase of 5G cell towers/ small cells since 2019, proximity to homes/schools, potential health impacts, and possible tree impacts; cited federal bills to streamline deployments and asked the Board to consider a resolution urging opposition. She requested to know who approves tower locations and whether trees are trimmed to accommodate Radiation Frequency propagation. Chair Asuega-Fualaau noted interest in obtaining answers from City/Mayor's Rep and City Council; matter to be reviewed since the item is not on the agenda for action. Board members and residents asked further questions and comments on the topic.

Narcissus Street Forest Reserve Overgrowth and Canal Maintenance: Resident Joann Nishiki requested status/action on Albizia/overgrowth behind Narcissus Street and clearing plant debris from the cement canal. She described multi-year efforts since 2019, shifting agency responsibility (BWS to DPR/Division of Urban Forestry) and concern about access constraints delaying work, especially before heavy rains.

5. ELECTED OFFICIALS -- [0:48:27]

Congressman Ed Case's Representative -- [0:48:33]: No representative present at this time.

Councilmember Scott Nishimoto -- [0:48:37]: Kylie Tokujo highlighted the following:

• Pālolo Valley District Park Court Lighting: Per City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), a draft consultant contract was scheduled to be submitted to City Budget and Fiscal Services (BFS) on October 9, 2025; design plans have not yet been submitted to DDC; the office would be happy to help facilitate a discussion with DPR regarding plans; designs are still in progress; DPR awaits further action from DDC and consultant.

• Narcissus Street Forest Reserve Overgrowth Update: City Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Division of Urban Forestry is researching alternatives due to vehicular access constraints; the office will submit another status update request and report any new information.

• To sign-up for Councilmember Nishimoto's e-blast please go to: http://eepurl.com/dl6xMz

• For questions or concerns please email: scott.nishimoto@honolulu.gov or call the office at 808-768-5005.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:48:40]

1. Pālolo Valley District Park Court Lighting Discussion: Chair Asuega-Fualaau requested DPR contact to discuss court lights next steps; Councilmember Nishimotoʻs staff will coordinate.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [0:51:56]: No representative present at this time.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17LAl10IDF8IC605l4Vk-DZLwGSRxIbEy/view?usp=drive_link

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [0:52:08]: Kīele Amundson highlighted the following:

• SNAP Benefits: With federal government reopened, Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services confirmed all SNAP benefits reinstated for recipients.

• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OJHeQ8JXbi55mizloKhyvH6TOZ0duSLJ/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:53:04]

1. Radiation Monitoring: Resident Liz Tatola inquired on how is the state actively moitoring the levels of radiation from cell towers and electrical grids. Ms. Amundson shared she will follow up and report at the next Board meeting; also will inquire about the feasibility of emergency actions if significant health impacts were verified.

2. Fencing: Board Member Shiraki requested for a field inspection to be done to determine if additional fencing is needed alongside the sidewalk by Ānuenue School. Ms. Amundson replied they would have to investigate to check if the issue is within City or State property.

Representative Jackson Sayama -- [0:58:48]: No representative present at this time.

Senator Les Ihara, Jr. -- [0:59:00]: Senator Ihara highlighted the following:

• Legislature: The State Legislature reconvenes January 21, 2026; open house customarily at midday on opening day; staff transitions and recruitment underway.

• Sidewalks/Canal Maintenance Clarification: Sidewalks are generally a city function; the State may construct canal infrastructure but the City typically maintains; advised routing the sidewalk/fencing hazard concern to City/Mayor's representative for action.

• Radiation Concerns: Open to receiving recent studies and coordinating with colleagues as appropriate.

City's CORE Program: Board Member Aronson asked if a representative from CORE services was attending online and if he is available to provide an update at the next board meeting on the program, resources, and services they offer and if they are available for those houseless in the Pālolo district. He requested for the inquiry to be relayed to the Mayor's Representative.

6. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [1:07:55]

Next Meeting: The Pālolo Neighborhood Board will recess in January 2026. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at Pālolo Elementary School and online via WebEx.

ʻŌlelo Rebroadcasts: Rebroadcasts of the Pālolo Neighborhood Board No.6 meetings are scheduled each month on ʻŌlelo channel 49 on the fourth Thursday at 9:00 p.m. and the first and third Sundays at 12:00 p.m. and that an archive of meetings may be found on https://olelo.org/olelonet/ by searching <Palolo>.

7. ADJOURNMENT -- [1:08:33] The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.

Submitted by: Camilia Epa Gomes, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO

Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy, NCO

Finalized by:

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Palolo Neighborhood Board DECEMBER 2025 Minutes

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