KAILUA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 31

KAILUA WATER QUALITY PSPHCD SUBCOMMITTEE
MEETING AGENDA
Thursday, May 14, 2026
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
In-person at the Kailua District Park Arts & Crafts Room or District Meeting Room, with a ZOOM option.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89192870765?pwd=zrj9yLxNvyyKFc6xraQX4J2dX8kxHA.1

Meeting ID: 891 9287 0765
Passcode: 837463

Chair: Levani Lipton levani.knb@gmail.com Members: Kelli Ann Kobayashi, Kate Righter, Steve Trecker, and Gary Weller.

1. Call to Order

2. Approval of Minutes

3. Announcements/Stay Informed on Water Quality Impacts!
a. Windward O’ahu residents eligible for $150 Rain Barrel Reimbursement Program to improve water quality and conserve fresh water. Hui o Ko‘olaupoko (HOK), funded by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF), is launching a new Rain Barrel Reimbursement Program to help Windward O’ahu residents capture and reuse rainwater at home. Through this program, HOK will reimburse 100 eligible households up to $150 each toward the purchase of a qualifying rain barrel system. Additionally, the program offers free installation assistance. To secure your spot and receive a rain barrel purchasing guide, email Volunteer@huihawaii.org . HOK staff are also available to conduct a free rainwater assessment for Windward Oahu Properties. The assessment utilizes the locally developed “Follow The Drop” app to calculate a property’s potential runoff from impervious surfaces and make recommendations on ideal green stormwater solutions and appropriate sizes. Hui o Ko’olaupoko has developed a detailed slideshow of recommended barrel systems, step-by-step installation examples, and a local purchasing guide to simplify the process for participants.
b. Sign up for water quality and ocean condition alerts on the City & County of Honolulu’s HNL Alert App. https://www.honolulu.gov/dem/hnl-alert/
c. Kailua Shoreline Water Quality Data – Honolulu City and County Department of Environmental Services Wastewater Treatment Plant operates a water quality data dashboard. Visit: https://www8.honolulu.gov/env/kailua-water-quality-data/
d. Sign up for brown water advisories with Hawaii State Department of Health: https://eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/cwb/#!/landing. Brown water frequently occurs after storm events. For your safety, it is recommended not to enter the waterways, ocean, or streams if they are brown or after a storm. If you have an open wound or cut, avoid the water until you are healed.
e. Monitor water quality results along Kailua Beach with Surfrider Foundation’s Blue Water Task Force. Visit: https://oahu.surfrider.org/bwtf. Look for trends. If a particular spot consistently tests high for bacteria or poor water quality – it is best to avoid it until the water has cleared.

4. Resident and Community Concerns

5. Old Business:
a. Storm drain maintenance
b. Culvert and channel cleaning maintenance schedule
c. Stormwater Utility (now SWOOSH)
d. BMP violations
e. Mangrove removal
f. Cesspool conversions in Kailua
g. Kapa’a Quarry impacts on water quality
h. Kaelepulu Pond TMDL status

6. New Business
a. Debriefing March and April 2026 Kona Low Storms
b. Discussion of feedback on draft technical memo for Kaelepulu storm water quality alternatives evaluation with City and County of Honolulu Stormwater Quality Division Project Team and Brown and Caldwell Consultants

7. Ongoing Discussion:
a. Sustainability of our natural resources: What steps can we take now to keep Kailua Bay and waterways thriving in the future?
b. Who are our allies in this effort?
c. What community outreach and events are happening to promote awareness?
d. What steps can the public take to minimize pollution and maintain small footprints?

8. Adjournment

Kailua Water Quality PHPSCD Subcommittee
April 2026 Meeting Report
Chair, Levani Lipton

1. The meeting was cancelled by the NCO due to stormy weather.

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.