MĀNOA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 7

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2026 AT 6:30 P.M.
NOELANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA
2655 WOODLAWN DRIVE, HONOLULU, HI 96822
AND ONLINE VIA WEBEX

Meeting Link: https://cchnl.webex.com/cchnl/j.php?MTID=m0703b535a40c894de5b9cd9e2a50ae05
Meeting Number/ Access Code: 2483 095 1817
Password: NB07 (6207 from phones and video systems)
Join by Phone: 1-408-418-9388

Meeting Materials: Find a monthly archive of handouts and referenced materials relating to the Mānoa Neighborhood Board No. 7 at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NO7LXTCebl7VkAMZ8–ocGHcb14-omUL

Board Meeting Recordings can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/@NeighborhoodCommissionOffice

Rules of Speaking: Address the Chair, be recognized before proceeding, and confine remarks to the subject under discussion. Speakers are asked to keep their comments under one (1) minute. Please listen for the direction of the timekeeper and mute yourself if not recognized by the Chair to speak.

Note: The Board may act on any agenda item. As required by the State Sunshine Law (HRS 92), specific issues not noted on this agenda cannot be voted on, unless added to the agenda. A two-thirds vote of 12 of this 17-member Board is needed to add an item to the agenda. Items may not be added if they are of major importance and will affect a significant number of people.

Neighborhood Board Boundaries: https://www.honolulu.gov/nco/boards-and-sub-district-boundary-descriptions;
https://honolulu-cchnl.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/cchnl::neighborhood-board-subdistricts/explore

I. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Pro-Tem Dave Nagaji (davenagaji@gmail.com)

II. FIRST RESPONDER MONTHLY REPORTS
a. Honolulu Fire Department (HFD)
b. Honolulu Police Department (HPD)

III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMFIRMATION OF BOARD DETAILS
a. Election of Officers – To serve from August 2026 to Wednesday, June 30, 2027: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and any other officers the Board determines it needs to conduct its business.
b. Meeting Date, Time, Location, and Format (Virtual Option) – Mānoa Neighborhood Board No.07 presently meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Noelani Elementary School Cafeteria and via WebEx.
c. Determination of Recess Schedule – Up to three (3) per year. Mānoa Neighborhood Board No.07 presently has a recess schedule of December 2026 and July 2027.
d. Rules of Speaking and Time Limits.
i. Rules of Speaking: “§2-14-117 Order and decorum. When a board member or person properly before the board wishes to speak, the member or person shall address the chair, be recognized before proceeding, and shall confine remarks to the subject under discussion, avoiding personalities and abusive language. Remarks that include profanity, are disrespectful, disparaging, or abusive will be considered violations of order and decorum and the maker of such remarks may be removed as provided for in §2-14-117(b).”
ii. Time Limits: The formal time limit is 60 seconds for any questions or comments. The Chair and/or Timekeeper have discretion to allow people additional time.

IV. MANDATORY BOARD BUSINESS
a. Three Absence Letter for Member Whitney Bosel. Due to at least three absences in the last year by Member Bosel, the Board is required to consider this agenda item. Member Bosel will be allowed to make a statement or explanation for her absences. After that, any member of the Board may make a motion to vacate the seat. If no such motion is made or passed, then Member Bosel shall remain on the Board.
b. Three Absence Letter for Member Dave Fields. Due to at least three absences in the last year by Member Fields, the Board is required to consider this agenda item. Member Fields will be allowed to make a statement or explanation for his absences. After that, any member of the Board may make a motion to vacate the seat. If no such motion is made or passed, then Member Fields shall remain on the Board.
c. Three Absence Letter for Member Robert Fox. Due to at least three absences in the last year by Member Fox, the Board is required to consider this agenda item. Member Fox will be allowed to make a statement or explanation for his absences. After that, any member of the Board may make a motion to vacate the seat. If no such motion is made or passed, then Member Fox shall remain on the Board.
d. Three Absence Letter for Member Joseph Mishreki. Due to at least three absences in the last year by Member Mishreki, the Board is required to consider this agenda item. Member Mishreki will be allowed to make a statement or explanation for his absences. After that, any member of the Board may make a motion to vacate the seat. If no such motion is made or passed, then Member Mishreki shall remain on the Board.

V. COMMUNITY UPDATES
a. Flooding in Mānoa and on Oahu. There was a Town Hall on Emergency Preparedness on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at Noelani Elementary School. Some of the major takeaways were:
i. Director Ed Sniffen (representing State Dept Transportation) mentioned plans to increase flood monitoring and stream monitoring around the island. Mānoa is not currently slated for this plan.
ii. Colonel James Barros (representing Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA)) talked about “green fee” revenue becoming available for the first time this year, which can be used to make homes more resistant to hurricanes and other disasters. Due to the lack of hurricane-rated shelters on Oahu, HIEMA believes the more viable alternative is to make more residential buildings hurricane-resistant, so that people can shelter in place. He talked about how the current stream gauge in Mānoa Stream is monitored by the National Weather Service. Apparently, on the day when Noelani School was flooded, the NWS had gotten a reading from the stream gauge that the stream was going to overflow, but this advance information was not disseminated to Noelani School in time.
iii. Director Randal Collins (representing Honolulu Department Emergency Management) encouraged people to download HNL Alerts and use this to get time-sensitive information on emergencies, including natural disasters.
iv. Director Gene Albano (representing Honolulu Department Facility Maintenance) explained how different parts of Mānoa Stream have a mixture of City, State, or private ownership and jurisdiction. He said that the March flooding occurred in parts of the stream that are under City and State jurisdiction.
v. Councilman Scott Nishimoto noted that the City and State have jointly agreed to fund a study to develop a plan for stream maintenance in Mānoa. In addition, funding has been secured for Honolulu Department Facility Maintenance to begin flood mitigation efforts in Mānoa Stream.
vi. Previously, during the April 2026 meeting immediately after the flooding, community member Scott Snider shared a letter regarding the need to enforce certain laws to keep Mānoa Stream clear of debris. According to Director Albano, Honolulu Department Facility Maintenance is going to be enforcing the laws mentioned in that letter, using a drone to survey the stream area for violations.
vii. Kevin Mukai (from Hohonu, Inc.) talked about the possibility of installing additional detection devices within Mānoa Stream, to give more frequent readings on the water level during potential flooding situations.
b. Mānoa Banyan Court
c. Aria Lane
d. Ala Wai Flood Mitigation
e. UH Ewa Property. On Friday, July 17, 2026, the University of Hawaiʻi News posted the following update online: “The University of Hawaiʻi and the University Laboratory School (ULS) have finalized new facilities use and occupancy agreement, cementing their shared commitment to Hawaiʻi students and educators. The agreement establishes an initial three-year term through Saturday, June 30, 2029, with a mutual option to extend for an additional five years through Friday, June 30, 2034.” … “Under the agreement, UH will continue providing land and facilities without charging standard rental fees. However, ULS will transition to covering its direct operating expenses, including utilities, internet and custodial services, which the university previously subsidized.” The full article can be read at the following weblink: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2026/07/17/new-agreement-uh-uh-lab-school/

VI. BOARD BUSINESS
a. Presentation & Discussion: “DRAFT Resolution in Support of Lowrey Avenue Pedestrian Safety Risk Mitigation and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance” – Requested by Member Moylan (No Voting at this Time; Discussion Only)
b. Approval of the Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Meeting Minutes

VII. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS
a. Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Dominic Dias
b. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – Deputy Director Gavin Thornton
c. City Councilmember Scott Nishimoto

VIII. STATE MONTHLY REPORTS
a. Senator Carol Fukunaga
b. Representative Andrew Takuya Garrett
c. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa – Elmer Kaai
d. Governor Josh Green’s Representative – Laci Goshi

IX. COMMUNITY CONCERNS (other concerns not listed on the meeting agenda)
Questions for HFD, HPD, BWS, city officials, and state officials should be asked after their report. Per the “Sunshine Law” (HRS 92), concerns not on the agenda may be presented, but the Board cannot take action.

X. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. Next Meeting: The next regular board meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in person at Noelani Elementary School Cafeteria and online via Webex.
b. Agenda Items for Future Meetings: Board members and residents may contact the Chair in order to request that a new item be added to the agenda. Due to mandatory deadlines, please make any such agenda requests more than a week in advance of the meeting. Several agenda items were requested or planned for the present meeting but couldn’t fit due to time constraints, and these items may be considered for the September 2026/October 2026 meetings:
i. Ala Wai Canal Ferry Resolution (Requested by Member Sofio)
ii. Presentation on Coqui Frogs in Pālolo (Requested by Member Fukumoto)
iii. Informational Presentation by the Sex Abuse Treatment Center
iv. Possible Resolution on Flood Mitigation
c. Watch Mānoa Neighborhood Board Meetings:
i. Olelo Channel 49 (televised on the 4th Saturday at 3:00 p.m.) (https://olelo.org/tv-schedule)
ii. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfqRwVpRroonJXWsEipv9KdtRyQdcF87p

XI. ADJOURNMENT

A mailing list is maintained for interested persons and agencies to receive this board’s agenda and minutes. Additions, corrections, and deletions to the mailing list may be directed to the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) at Kapālama Hale, 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Suite 160, Honolulu, HI 96817, by telephone on (808) 768-3710, fax (808) 768-3711, or emailing nco@honolulu.gov. Agenda, documents, minutes are also available online: https://www.honolulu.gov/nco/boards.

All written testimony must be received in the Neighborhood Commission Office 48 hours prior to the meeting. If within 48 hours of the meeting, written and/or oral testimony may be submitted directly to the Board at the meeting. If submitting written testimony, please note the Board and agenda item(s) your testimony concerns. Send to: Neighborhood Commission Office, 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Suite 160, Honolulu, HI 96817, fax (808) 768-3711, email nbtestimony@honolulu.gov, or complete the form on https://www8.honolulu.gov/nco/testimony.

If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability or an interpreter for a language other than English, please call the Neighborhood Commission Office at (808) 768-3710 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or send an email to nco@honolulu.gov as soon as possible, preferably at least three (3) business days before the scheduled meeting. If a request is received with fewer than three (3) business days remaining before the meeting, we will try to obtain the auxiliary aid/service or accommodation, but it may not be possible to fulfill requests received after this date.

NAME SUBDISTRICT CONTACT
Ellen Watson 1 (Woodlawn) pehi@hawaii.rr.com
Seth Kamemoto 1 (Woodlawn)
Whitney Bosel 1 (Woodlawn) wboselmnb@gmail.com
Elton Fukumoto (Timekeeper) 2 (Upper Mānoa) etfukumoto@gmail.com
Dave Nagaji (Chair) 2 (Upper Mānoa) davenagaji@gmail.com
Dave Fields 2 (Upper Mānoa) dave3@hawaii.edu
Christopher R. Moylan (Vice Chair) 3 (Middle Mānoa) drcmoylan@gmail.com
Diane Chong (Treasurer) 3 (Middle Mānoa) dchonghawaii@gmail.com
Joan Koff (Secretary) 3 (Middle Mānoa) joankoff@yahoo.com
Ellen Sofio 3 (Middle Mānoa) honsofio@aol.com
Philmund “Phil” Lee 3 (Middle Mānoa) philmund@gmail.com
Robert Fox 4 (Lower Mānoa) rfoxent@gmail.com
Patty Kawano 4 (Lower Mānoa) lowermanoa@gmail.com
Joseph Mishreki 4 (Lower Mānoa) joseph.mishreki@gmail.com
Lisa Carter 4 (Lower Mānoa) lisakealacarter@gmail.com
Jane Fyrberg 4 (Lower Mānoa)
Dylan Armstrong 4 (Lower Mānoa)

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2026 at 6:30 P.M.
NOELANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA – 2655 WOODLAWN DR, HONOLULU, HI 96822 AND VIA WEBEX

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xd9lSQinVE

Meeting materials: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NO7LXTCebl7VkAMZ8–ocGHcb14-omUL

I. CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:07]: Chair Nagaji called the Mānoa Neighborhood Board No. 7 regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Quorum WAS NOT established with 8 members present. Note: This seventeen-member Board requires nine (9) members to establish quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Ellen Watson, Dave Nagaji, Elton Fukumoto, Phil Lee, Diane Chong, Christopher Moylan, Ellen Sofio, Patti Kawano, Whitney Bosel (6:33 p.m.), Joan Koff (6:33 p.m.), Seth Kamemoto (6:57 p.m.), Dylan Armstrong (6:57 p.m.), and Robert Fox (7:09 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: Whitney Bosel, Dave Fields, Joseph Mishreki, Lisa Carter, and Jane Fryberg.

Guests: Captain J. Nakajima (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Miura (Honolulu Police Department); Tom Eisen (Senior Planner with the State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development); Dominic Diaz (Board of Water Supply) Gavin Thornton (Mayor’s Representative); Heath Williams (Office of Councilmember Scott Nishimoto; Hector Venegas (Senator Carol Fukunaga); Representative Andrew Takuya Garrett; Laci Goshi (Governor’s Representative); Tom Heinrich; Daniel, Alan Lau, Raelene Tenno, Ruth D. Crocket, Brett and Melvina Kurashige, Vanessa Distajo, Tom Eisen, Veneeta Acson, John Quincy Adams, Glenn Otaguro, Cory Kataoka, Sharon Omizo, Linda, Ed Chung, Brenda, Mike Buck, Paul M., Russell Fujita, Johnnie Mae L. Perry, Howard Luke, Tom Benedict, Lydia Nakada, Laura Ruby, Beverly Smith, Vernelle, and Betty (Resident); and Anson Wu (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name not included if not legible or stated for the record. Note: Name not included if not legible or stated for the record. There were 48 total participants.

II. FIRST RESPONDER MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:01:51]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – [0:02:17]: Captain J. Nakajima provided the May 2026 statistics and June 2026 safety tips and highlighted the following:
• May 2026 Statistics: 6 activated alarms with no fires; 31 medical calls; 1 motor vehicle crash; and 1 mountain rescue.
• Safety Tip for June 2026: Hurricane season has begun (Monday, June 1, 2026 – Monday, November 30, 2026). Residents are urged to build a 14-day disaster supply kit; check insurance coverage for hurricane/flood damage; protect windows with properly-sized supplies purchased in advance; and sign up for storm alerts at hnlert.gov.
• Answers to Questions from May 2026: The representative clarified, in response to a prior question, why HFD responds to medical calls: per City and County of Honolulu Charter Section 6-104(C), the fire chief is required to provide emergency medical care. HFD is dispatched to medical emergencies when its response time is faster than Emergency Medical Services (EMS), or when the call is life-threatening or potentially life-threatening.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C5NWgmUEcJpKpoZmBA7EFLNmwerI4dbQ/view?usp=drive_link

Bosel and Koff arrived to the meeting at 6:33 p.m.; 10 members present.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:04:47]
1. Motor Vehicle Crash Statistic: A resident asked if the motor vehicle collision is the same collision that occurred near his house. Captain Nakajima was unsure due to not working on that day.
2. HFD Storm Response at Woodlawn Bridge: Resident Kurashige asked about HFD’s role during the Kona low storm. Captain Nakajima explained that the area near Woodlawn Bridge flooded, a van of people tried to drive through and got stuck, and a woman who subsequently drove through was rescued by a firefighter. HFD also helped move vehicles once water levels dropped and attempted to respond to an additional call on Woodlawn but was unable due to debris and water flow.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – [0:07:41]: Lieutenant Miura provided the May 2026 statistics and June 2026 safety tips and highlighted the following:
• May 2026 Statistics: 10 motor vehicle thefts; 4 burglaries; 9 thefts; 3 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles; 5,573 total calls for service.
• Safety Tip for June 2026: Echoing HFD’s hurricane preparedness message, Lieutenant Miura advised residents to consider shelter-in-place versus evacuation options, especially if living in a pre-1995 single-wall home. Residents should pre-plan with friends or family for possible evacuation and consider generators if medically necessary equipment is in use.

[0:09:59] – Hearing no objections Chair Nagaji took the agenda out of order and moved up Filling of Vacancies up the agenda.

Subdistrict 1 (One Vacancy) – [0:10:41]: Chair Nagaji explained that a vacancy exists in Subdistrict 1 following the departure of longtime member Zane. Two candidates came forward: Makana Hicks, Seth Kamemoto, both of Subdistrict 1. Corey Katoka, expressed interest in joining the board for Subdistrict 4

[0:13:08] – Watson NOMINATED Seth Kamemoto.

[0:13:32] – Koff NOMINATED Makana Hicks. Both candidates gave brief introductions.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:15:52]
1. Voting Procedures: Member Fukumoto questioned if a quorum majority is needed. Chair Nagaji clarified that a quorum vote is needed and that there are currently 10 members present.

[0:17:06] – Hearing no discussion, the board conducted a roll call vote. Seth Kamemoto filled the vacancy for Subdistrict 1; 9-1 (Seth: Watson, Bosel, Nagaji, Fukumoto, Lee, Koff, Chong, Sofio, Kawano; Makana: Moylan) – [0:17:44]

Subdistrict 4 (One Vacancy) – [0:19:22]: Corey Katoka provided a brief introduction about himself; however, it was determined that Corey Katoka lives in Subdistrict 3. Dylan Armstrong volunteered to fill in the vacancy for Subdistrict 4.

[0:23:30] – Moylan NOMINATED Dylan Armstrong. Armstrong provided a brief introduction about himself. Hearing no further discussions, the board conducted a roll call vote. Dylan Armstrong filled the vacancy for Subdistrict 4; 10-0 (Armstrong: Watson, Bosel, Nagaji, Fukumoto, Lee, Koff, Chong, Moylan, Sofio, and Kawano; Abstain: None) – [0:25:21]

[0:26:11] – Chair Nagaji called a brief 2-minute recess. Neighborhood Assistant Anson Wu conducted the oath of office to Seth Kamemoto and Dylan Armstrong; 12 members present.

[0:26:21] – Chair Nagaji called the meeting back to order at 6:57 p.m.

III. PRESENTATIONS – [0:26:47]

Reminders About Decorum and Respect – [0:26:58]: Chair Nagaji addressed a recurring pattern of disrespectful behavior among some board members, citing three recent escalations: a board member covertly recorded a committee meeting two weeks prior without others’ knowledge; board members have been reported arguing in parking lots on at least two occasions; and multiple board members have requested that others be expelled or have expressed intent to file formal accusations with the city. Chair Nagaji recommended that the Proactive Solutions Committee be discontinued and allowed to sunset in August 2027, noting that nearly all major conflicts have involved topics arising from that committee.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:31:13]
1. Healthy Disagreement and Conflict Resolution: Secretary Koff acknowledged that honest differences of opinion are healthy in a community setting, and suggested the key is allowing people to express their views while accepting that others may not be persuaded.
2. Advisory Role and Misunderstood Threat Level: Member Armstrong, drawing on his experience as a former Board Chair, attributed much of the conflict to a persistent misunderstanding of the neighborhood board’s advisory-only role. He noted that board resolutions carry no enforceable power, and that exaggerated perceptions of the board’s authority have fueled unnecessary hostility.

[0:34:35] – Chair Nagaji concluded by citing §2-14-118(a) and announcing he will enforce its prohibition on personalities and abusive language going forward.

Presentation on Hawaiʻi’s Environmental Review Process – [0:36:28]: Tom Eisen, Senior Planner with the State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, presented an overview of Hawaiʻi’s environmental review process, commonly referred to as “Chapter 343”. He emphasized that the process is a disclosure mechanism — not a permit or approval — intended to produce objective information about a proposed project’s environmental effects for decision-makers, and that it applies only when specific triggers are met, most commonly the use of state or county lands or funds. There are three levels of review: an exemption, an Environmental Assessment (EA) with a 30-day public comment period, and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is required if any one significance criterion is met and includes two comment periods (a 30-day scoping period and a 45-day comment period on the draft). The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development publishes the Environmental Notice twice monthly and maintains a publicly accessible online library of documents dating to the 1970s. The public may submit comments during review periods and may legally challenge agency determinations in court.
• Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FjVupDvzyAHWAwtJmzQqhwpPaINBrdq_/view?usp=drive_link

Fox arrived to the meeting at 7:09 p.m.; 13 members present.

Fox left the meeting at 7:13 p.m.; 12 members present.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:00:14]
1. EA vs. EIS Distinction: Member Sofio asked whether meeting only one significance criterion triggers an EIS. Eisen confirmed that meeting even one criterion requires a full EIS. Member Sofio also asked about the difference in depth between an EIS and an EA: Eisen explained that an EIS involves original research (archaeological and botanical studies, etc.) and is a much richer document, whereas an EA relies on pre-existing information. Member Sofio asked if there is a difference of participation. Eisen explained that an EA is only 30-day public comment period, and an EIS, which is required if any one significance criterion is met and includes two comment periods (a 30-day scoping period and a 45-day comment period on the draft).
2. Positive vs. Adverse Impacts: Vice Chair Moylan asked whether positive impacts are included in environmental documents. Eisen confirmed they can be, but noted the significance criteria only trigger the process for adverse impacts. Decision-makers do consider positive impacts when making their approval decisions.
3. Environmental Review as a Tool for Opposition: Vice Chair Moylan asked whether using the process to oppose a project is appropriate or effective. Eisen noted that while the process has been used this way in Hawaiʻi, it was not designed as an opposition tool and its intent is for disclosure.
4. Request for Presentation Slides: Member Fukumoto requested that Eisen provide a PDF of the presentation slides. Eisen agreed to send a PDF to Chair Nagaji.
5. Federal Parkland Replacement Requirements: Resident Ruby asked about a federal law requiring replacement of parkland taken for other uses. Eisen stated he is not an expert in federal law and could not speak to that specific provision.
6. Army Corps Flood Plan and EIS Review: A resident asked whether Eisen’s office would review an Army Corps of Engineers flood mitigation plan. Eisen clarified that his office would not; the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is the agency that reviewed the prior Ala Wai watershed EIS. The resident expressed urgency about the Mānoa flooding problem, referencing the 2004 flood that caused $98 million in damage and urging action.

IV. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS – [1:14:16]

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [1:14:20]: Dominic Dias provided the report and highlighted the following: no main breaks in May 2026 and no active BWS construction in the valley. He reminded residents that BWS conducts thousands of water sampling tests annually to ensure compliance with federal and state safe drinking water laws. Water quality reports are issued twice yearly in July 2026 and December 2026, and residents may access the most recent report at any time online by entering their address. Reports include a full chemical analysis and explanations of water constituents.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – [1:15:59]: Deputy Director Gavin Thornton provided the report and highlighted the following: announcing that the Mayor’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resilience has released a draft Oʻahu Food Systems Plan outlining over 70 city actions over five years; public feedback is requested by Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The Department of Facility Management (DFM) responses to prior Kona low follow-up questions remain outstanding, though Member Fox has a meeting scheduled with the DFM Director. On the Ala Wai Bridge, Department of Transportation Services (DTS) clarified that its Request for Qualifications was issued before National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) completion as permitted by federal law, and that community engagement included an alternatives analysis (2018–2019), three public open houses, 304 attendees, 900 in-person surveys, and public charettes in November 2024. DTS could not identify the source of spray paint markings on Lowrey Avenue and will investigate the malfunctioning pedestrian signal at University Avenue and Maile Way. The Mānoa District Pool reopened on Monday, May 18, 2026.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:22:54]
1. Tree Banding and Rock Wall Flags at Mānoa District Park: Member Sofio described banding on two trees and pink flags on an ancient rock wall along the walkway near Mānoa Stream at the district park. Thornton agreed to relay the inquiry to the appropriate department.
2. After-Action Reports for Flooding and Tsunami Traffic: Member Armstrong asked whether the city’s Department of Emergency Management has made available an after-action report on the recent Oʻahu flooding, as well as one for the prior summer’s tsunami-related traffic snarl in Waikīkī. Thornton indicated he was not aware of one but would inquire.

City Councilmember Scott Nishimoto – [1:25:52]: Heath Williams reported the report and highlighted the following: the City Council passed the city’s operating and Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budgets. The district secured $1.4 million for a comprehensive watershed debris management and flood risk reduction strategy, matching state funds. The CIP request for Mānoa sidewalks was withdrawn given the board’s lack of consensus on the matter.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:26:50]
1. Sidewalk Funding Withdrawal: Vice Chair Moylan asked for confirmation that the sidewalk CIP request would have been funded had the board’s resolution passed. Williams confirmed the office had made the request but withdrew it.

V. STATE MONTHLY REPORTS – [1:27:38]

Senator Carol Fukunaga – [1:27:53]: Hector Venegas provided the reported and highlighted the following: the state budget includes funds for storm repairs and strengthening of public facilities, including Mānoa; Hawaii Emergency Management Agency funds to retrofit public buildings with hurricane protection and for statewide siren maintenance; Ala Wai watershed debris management money; and Mānoa Stream watershed risk reduction and debris management allocations. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance is available to residents and businesses impacted by the Kona low, with an application deadline of Sunday, June 14, 2026. A community Town Hall on Emergency Preparedness is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Noelani Elementary School Cafeteria, co-sponsored by Senator Fukunaga, Representative Garrett, and Councilmember Nishimoto, and will feature the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) Director, Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) Administrator, Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Director, Department Facility Management (DFM) Director, and others.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:30:46]
1. Hawaiʻi Builds Pilot Program (Senate Bill (SB) 2544): Resident Kurashige raised concerns about SB 2544, the Hawaiʻi Builds Pilot Program, which would expedite approval of affordable housing projects. He asked why Mānoa’s legislators voted for it, as he believes it removes the county’s role in approving qualifying projects. Venegas stated he was not familiar with the specific bill and asked the resident to submit the question in writing so it could be researched before the next meeting.

Representative Andrew Takuya Garrett – [1:34:07]: Representative Andrew Garrett provided his report and highlighted the following: that a session debrief newsletter is arriving in mailboxes shortly, delayed due to a printer issue in the House print shop, and will cover session accomplishments, bills of district interest, and the upcoming Town Hall. He noted expectations of a heavier hurricane season due to El Niño patterns and shared that a nearly $3 million Mānoa Stream debris management study is underway, with $1.4 million from the state matched by $1.4 million from the county.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:37:05]
1. Youth Conservation Corps for Stream Cleanup: Secretary Koff suggested paying youth to clean streams as a conservation corps approach. Representative Garrett acknowledged the idea but noted deeper structural challenges, including logs being intentionally dumped into streams by neighbors upstream, the hodgepodge of jurisdictional responsibilities, and the fact that landowners are legally responsible for the portion of stream abutting their property. He indicated the House is forming an interim working group on stewardship and noted past efforts to centralize waterway maintenance under Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).
2. Stream Maintenance, Dredging, and Albezia Trees: Member Watson urged the city and state to pursue regular stream maintenance, dredging, and the removal of albezia trees, which she identified as a primary source of blockage at Woodlawn Bridge. Representative Garrett praised the work of Mālama Mānoa and Scott Snyder on removing albezia seedlings, acknowledged DFM’s intent to be more proactive, and agree that the state and city needs to work together.
3. Special Session and Governor’s Veto Timeline: Member Armstrong asked whether a special legislative session is anticipated before the board’s August 2026 meeting and inquired about any relevant governor’s office news. Representative Garrett noted the governor must notify the legislature of intended vetoes by Tuesday, June 30, 2026 with a final veto deadline of Wednesday, July 15, 2026. A special session may occur to override vetoes but nothing is confirmed. He noted the solar industry had concerns about SB 3125 but the governor’s Department of Taxation is expected to issue a ruling clarifying that the solar tax credit rollback will not apply retroactively.
4. 90-Degree Turns in Mānoa Stream and Flood Walls: Member Chong identified the 90-degree turns in Mānoa Stream near Longs Drugs and Lowrey Avenue as the structural cause of flooding. Representative Garrett confirmed the Army Corps of Engineers made the same observation and proposed flood walls at those locations.
5. Reducing Impermeable Surfaces: Member Bosel urged residents to reduce impermeable surfaces on private property to help manage stormwater runoff, noting that building right up to stream edges has eliminated natural wetland buffers. She encouraged residents to plant deep-rooted vegetation and redirect gutters away from streets.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa – [1:47:31]: No representative present.

Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [1:48:02]: Laci Goshi provided the reported and highlighted the following: Thursday, May 21, 2026 Governor Green joined with the National Weather Service and Emergency Management officials to present the 2026 hurricane weather outlook and urge residents to prepare before a storm comes. Officials encourage all residents to sign up for county emergency alerts and the Governor’s newsletter is available online.

VI. COMMUNITY UPDATES – [1:49:04]

Flooding in Mānoa and on Oʻahu – [1:49:06]: Chair Nagaji noted that a Town Hall on Emergency Preparedness is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Noelani Elementary School, per Representative Garrett’s newsletter. Chair Nagaji indicated he plans to attend and report back to the board.

Mānoa Banyan Court – [1:49:40]: No updates.

Aria Lane – [1:49:49]: No updates.

Ala Wai Flood Mitigation – [1:49:59]: Member Fukumoto noted this topic had already been addressed during the meeting.

University of Hawaiʻi (UH) Ewa Property Feasibility Study – [1:50:10]: Chair Nagaji read from an email submitted by Elmer Kaai and noted the Demolition of the vacant PBS Hawaiʻi building at the Mānoa Ewa Parcel (2320 Dole Street) is complete, with site work expected to wrap up by summer 2026, and a feasibility study for redevelopment of the 15.43-acre parcel is underway. UH is in active negotiations with the University Lab School (ULS) on facilities use and occupancy agreement; UH and ULS have met weekly since Wednesday, January 7, 2026, with proposed terms including a three-year agreement through Tuesday, June 30, 2029, covering approximately 64,297 gross square feet.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:51:41]
1. Community Involvement in UH Ewa Property Planning: Resident Ruby expressed concern that planning for the Ewa property is proceeding without adequate community involvement. She also noted a discrepancy between the 15.43-acre total parcel size and the relatively small square footage occupied by the University Lab School.

VII. BOARD BUSINESS – [1:53:01]

Proactive Solutions Committee Updates – [1:53:03]: Chair Nagaji noted that the Wednesday, May 20, 2026 committee meeting had defective notice (notice was mailed and emailed but not timely posted to the NCO website). As a result, the meeting and all action taken at it are rendered void. Vice Chair Moylan concurred that the chair’s description was complete. Chair Nagaji clarified that individual members may still bring resolutions to the full board regardless of whether the committee continues.

Status of Senate Bill 2397 SD1 HD1 CD1 (2026) Relating to Neighborhood Boards (Quorum Requirement) – [1:55:01]: Tom Heinrich reported on the bill’s status, noting it is now pending before the governor. He offered the following analysis: that the bill as originally introduced by Senator Fukunaga would have (1) lowered quorum requirements when board vacancies exist, and (2) allowed voting by a majority of members present (per Robert’s Rules) once quorum is established. The conference committee removed the Robert’s Rules voting element without explanation, and as currently written, the bill’s quorum reduction only applies to deliberation, not voting – meaning the existing requirement that nine of seventeen members vote affirmatively to pass a motion remains unchanged. Heinrich recommended the governor veto the bill and that the legislature start fresh in January with a properly drafted version. He also noted the NCO Executive Secretary submitted opposition to the bill chairs, contrary to the majority position of the Neighborhood Commission.

Approval of the Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Meeting Minutes – [1:59:30]:

[1:59:39] – Koff MOVED and Watson SECONDED to approve the Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Meeting Minutes. Discussion followed:
1. Name Correction – Member Attribution: Vice Chair Moylan noted that item 2 on page 5 of 8, under the discussion about rescinding the motion, incorrectly attributes a procedural point to “Moylan” and should instead read “Fukumoto.”
2. Resident Name Correction: Resident Adams came to the microphone to request that his last name “Adams” be added wherever he appears in the minutes as “Quincy,” which is his middle name.
3. Additional Corrections: Member Armstrong requested that “Brett Kurashige” be substituted for “Brett” on page 3, and “Linda Lou Grand” for “Linda” on page 8. He also noted that all instances of “Lowry” appear to be misspelled as “Lowry” (without the ‘e’); the correct spelling is “Lowrey.” Note: A community member also submitted minor non-substantive spelling and name corrections.

[2:04:36] – Hearing no further objection, the Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Meeting Minutes WAS adopted with amendments. 12-0-0 (Aye: Watson, Bosel, Nagaji, Fukumoto, Lee, Koff, Chong, Moylan, Sofio, Armstrong, Kamemoto, and Kawano; Nay: None; Abstain: None)

VIII. COMMUNITY CONCERNS – [2:04:51]

Ala Wai Ferry Proposal: Resident Ruby proposed placing an American Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant pedestrian and bicycle ferry across the Ala Wai Canal as an alternative to the proposed bridge, operating like a bus route with a single operator and ramps. Chair Nagaji stated he did not plan to add it to the agenda, as the matter is more appropriately the concern of the Waikīkī and Mōʻiliʻili, Kaimukī, and Kapahulu neighborhood boards. Member Sofio and Secretary Koff suggested to hearing the resolution, as other boards accepted to hear the resolution and the proposal affects University Avenue and the broader community and that other boards have entertained the presentation. Member Watson agreed with the Chair that the matter is premature for any board. Upon a formal request from Member Sofio, Chair Nagaji agreed to place it on the agenda for August 2026 or September 2026 as time allows.

Draft ADA Compliance Resolution: Chair Nagaji acknowledged a draft resolution distributed at the meeting tables requesting ADA compliance improvements in Mānoa. He noted the resolution is similar to the recently rescinded sidewalk resolution, and stated he would add it for discussion purposes (not a vote) upon formal request. Vice Chair Moylan requested the consideration as Chair Nagaji described. Chair Nagaji agreed to schedule it for discussion in a future meeting, with a potential vote to follow. Vice Chair Moylan also indicated that resolutions proposed by Mānoa residents should be prioritized.

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS – [2:11:56]

Next Meeting – [2:11:57]: The Mānoa Neighborhood Board is in RECESS FOR JULY 2026. The next regular board meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in person at Noelani Elementary School Cafeteria and online via Webex. All board officer positions will be up for election in August 2026.

Watch Mānoa Neighborhood Board Meetings – [2:12:26]: ʻŌlelo Channel 49 (4th Saturday at 3:00 p.m.) and on YouTube.

X. ADJOURNMENT – [2:12:38]: Chair Nagaji adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:45 p.m.

Submitted by: Anson Wu, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, NCO
Finalized by: Joan Koff, Secretary

To view agenda and minutes, visit our board website.

Event shows physical location; however, other options of participation may also include WebEx and phone.  If available, instructions for WebEx and phone can be found at the top of the agenda.