HAWAI‘I KAI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 1

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA – Tuesday, June 24, 2025
7:00 pm Haha’ione Elementary School Cafeteria, 595 Pepe’ekeo St, Honolulu, HI 96825
Web Access:
Meeting Link: https://cchnl.webex.com/cchnl/j.php?MTID=mb04ad07200c8fdcab312f72181833403
Meeting Number/Access Code: 2492 606 3385
Password: NB01
Join by Phone: +1-408-418-9388
Meeting Materials: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZNUDkxp2QU3dU9HJritG0vz3iFWRBceU
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeighborhoodCommissionOffice

1. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Roberta Mayor
1.1. Introduction of Board members

2. STATUS REPORTS –Three (3) minutes maximum per department. Questions to follow.
2.1. Honolulu Fire Department
2.2. Honolulu Police Department
2.3. Board of Water Supply
2.4 Kaiser Complex Schools

3. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS – Brief announcements by board members and
the public on events, activities, and general information directly relating to Hawaii Kai.

4. PUBLIC-GENERATED ISSUES – Two (2) minutes per speaker. Questions to follow.
Issues/concerns not listed elsewhere on the Board’s agenda may be raised but no Board action may be taken because of the “Sunshine Law.”

5. PRESENTATIONS – Ten (10) minutes per presentation. Questions to follow. Discussion
or action as needed.
5.1. City & County’s Crisis Outreach, Response and Engagement Program (C.O.R.E.) – Presenter: Mike Buck, Senior Planner, C.O.R.E. Division of the Department of Emergency Services, City of Honolulu
5.2. Hawaiian Electric Company’s Wildfire Safety Strategy – Presenters: Michelle Chang, HECO Community Relations Specialist, and Kurt Tsue, HECO Director of Community Affairs
5.3. Traffic Study Concerning Left Turns from Koko Marina Shopping Center Onto Kalaniana’ole Highway – Presenter: Galen Wong, Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT)

6. OFFICIALS’ REPORTS – Three (3) minutes per speaker. Reports should relate to issues of interest to residents of Hawai’i Kai. Questions to follow.
6.1. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – Amy Asselbaye
6.2. City Council Chair Tommy Waters– District 4
6.3. Governor Josh Green’s Representative – Cameron Black
6.4. Senator Stanley Chang – District 9
6.5. Senator Chris Lee – District 25
6.6. Representative Joe Gedeon – District 18
6.7. Representative Mark Hashem – District 19
6.8. Congressional Representatives

7. BOARD BUSINESS – For discussion/action. Five (5) minutes per item.
7.1. Update on Kaiwi Coast Scenic Byway
7.2. Update on Kamilo Nui Valley Agriculture
7.3. Consider Designating a Section of Kamiloiki Neighborhood Park As “Dog-Friendly.” Community Input Welcomed.
7.4. Consider Action on Commercial Vehicles and Boats/Boat Trailers Parked on Residential Streets, Constricting Traffic Flow. Community Input Welcomed.
7.5. Consider Requesting the Department of Parks and Recreation to Close the Kamiloiki Neighborhood Park Restrooms from 10:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. Community Input Welcomed.

8. BOARD COMMITTEES
8.1. Board Committees: Transportation; Education; Parks & Recreation; and Planning, Zoning, & Environment
8.2. Announcements by committee chairpersons or members as needed.

9. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – Minutes for May 27, 2025.

10. OTHER BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS
10.1. Board Member Announcements
10.2. Board Chairperson Announcements
10.2.1. Correspondence
10.2.2. Other Announcements

11. CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS
11.1. The next regular meeting of the Hawai’i Kai Neighborhood Board is on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 7:00 pm at the Haha’ione Elementary School Cafeteria and on Webex.
11.2. Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board regular meetings are cablecast on Olelo Ch. 49 on the 2nd Monday of the following month at 9:00 p.m. and repeating on that month’s 3rd Friday at 7:00 a.m. Videos can also be seen online at www.olelo.org/olelonet (search “Hawai’i Kai Board”), or via www.honolulu.gov/nco/boards (“Board Meeting Video Archive”).

12. ADJOURNMENT

For agenda, minutes, member contact directory, and other information, go to www.honolulu.gov/nco/boards.

To receive this Board’s agenda and minutes by mail or email, visit the Neighborhood Commission Office, 925 Dillingham Blvd., Suite 160, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817; call 768-3710 or fax 768-3711; or go to www.honolulu.gov/nco.

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 at least three (3) business days before the scheduled meeting. It may not possible to fulfill requests received after this date.

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025
ONLINE VIA WEBEX AND IN PERSON AT HAHA’IONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA

Video recording of this meeting is found at: No 01 Hawai’i Kai Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting May 2025 – YouTube

Reports and materials are found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZNUDkxp2QU3dU9HJritG0vz3iFWRBceU

CALL TO ORDER [0:00:00] Chair Roberta Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. A quorum was established with 11 of 15 members of the Board present. Note: This 15-member Board requires eight (8) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Paige Altonn, Chelsea Chae (arrived 7:20 pm, online), Greg Knudsen, Ilse Silva-Krott, Elijah Lee, Holly Lyons (left 8:12 pm during Public Generated Issues), Roberta Mayor, Joseph Pugh, Elizabeth Reilly (arrived 7:10 pm), Herb Schreiner, and Samuel Wolff.

Board Members Absent: Lisa Bishop, Joel Brilliant, Dixon Park, and Gene Tierney.

Guest Total 48 (29 live, 19 online): Fire Captain Waipa Parker (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Miura (Honolulu Police Department); Civil Engineer Iris Oda (Board of Water Supply); Principal Shannon Goo (Kaiser Complex Schools), Management Analyst Galen Wong (Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation), Executive Director Amy Asselbaye (Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative), and Cameron Black (Governor Josh Green’s Representative); Cynthia, Emily, JT, Marilyn, NY, Mike Buck, Roberta Hickey-Gomez, Deanna Leon Guery, D. Johnson, Natalie Iwasa, Scot Lang, Julian Lipsher, Judith Nii, Rudy Park, Cheryl Park, Lorena Vogeler, and Johanna Ward; Olelo Virtual, Jeffrey Jones and Brandon Tsark (Neighborhood Commission Office). (Name may be omitted if illegible or not provided).

STATUS REPORTS [0:04:20]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) [0:04:20]: Fire Captain Parker provided April 2025 statistics, including 1 wildland fire, 4 fire alarms, 79 medical calls, 7 motor-vehicle collisions, 3 mountain rescues, and 1 hazmat incident.

Questions, comments, and concerns: Fire-safety tips focused on sprinklers. The captain answered questions about sprinklers in condos, retrofitting requirements, an April wildland fire, and fire-wise prevention. Chair Mayor announced a presentation by HECO on fire safety and preparedness at the next neighborhood board meeting.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) [0:11:20]: Lieutenant Miura from District 7 provided April crime statistics (8 motor-vehicle thefts, 24 unauthorized entries into a motor vehicle, 11 thefts, and 2 burglaries), evacuation tips, and enforcement updates regarding abandoned vehicles at Sandy Beach and the overnight use of Joe Lukela Beach Park.

Questions, comments, and concerns: The lieutenant responded to questions about camping at Joe Lukela Beach Park, about e-bikes and reckless riding, about possible closure hours for Kamilo’iki Community Park (KCP), and about boat trailer violations on Kalalea St. Member Altonn asked about overnight use of Joe Lukela Beach Park, and member Knudsen mentioned reckless e-bike riders on residential streets. Member Schreiner mentioned e-bike riders without safety equipment in the Kamiloiki neighborhood park. DLNR is responsible for the removal of the burnt-out vehicle at Wawamalu.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) [0:21:00] Civil Engineer Iris Oda provided an update on a main break near Honokahua St. and summer water conservation tips. For more information, check on the Board of Water supply web site at https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/.

Questions, comments, and concerns: Civil Engineer Oda responded to questions about water usage at condos and at vacant homes.

Kaiser Complex Schools [0:35:39] Principal Shannon Goo shared many student and staff achievements from Kaiser Complex Schools, including state and national awards in academics, sports, and other extracurricular activities, noting that 57 graduates were named valedictorians this year at Kaiser High School. Goo announced that Kaiser High School is an authorized TedEd student talks school for the next school year. Elliana Schiffner earned the O’ahu HS Girl’s surf championship for short board! Teacher Paul Balaz was named a National Life Group’s “Life Changer of the Year” Runner Up, one of 15 awardees of 750 entries nationwide. Student Ethan Yang earned the top Citizen Scholar Award. Junior Tim Lorge made history as the youngest person to cross the Ka Iwi Channel.

Questions, comments, and concerns: The Board showed interest about Safe Routes to School and a safety assessment for Niu Valley Middle School. Chair Mayor spoke highly of the high school graduation. Kaiser High School has been reaccredited for another six years. Concerns continue about student safety as students walk to school, and the Safe Routes to School Program will perform a walking audit for Haha’ione and Kamilo’iki Elementary schools. Member Joseph Pugh asked to include Nui Valley Middle school in the audit.

Hawaii State Department of Transportation (HDOT) [0:33:15] Management Analyst Galen Wong reported on plans for traffic safety at the Koko Marina Shopping Center driveway onto Kalaniana’ole Highway. Six options for increased safety were reviewed in the study, however, all were deemed too expensive for implementation.

Questions, comments, and concerns: Board member Altonn and Chair Mayor showed interest about a more detailed presentation of the report. Analyst Wong agreed to provide a full presentation at the next board meeting in June.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS [0:45:55]
Hawaii Advocates for Respectful Development (HARD) [0:45:55] Ms. Cheryl Park provided updates on the JAIMS property, discussions with Bishop Estate and Senator Lee about a possible charter school lease of the property, and asked for support for the Hahaione Advocates for Responsible Development JAIMS property petition. She reported that City Council Chair Waters will include the topic in a future townhall meeting.

Miscellaneous Announcements: Chair Mayor shared that a letter from the board opposing the use of general fund dollars to mitigate the increase in sewer fees was sent to the City Council members. The chair shared that email responses were received from Hawaii Kai Strong, Hawaiian Electric Company and Kamehameha Schools to the board’s inquiries on wildfire mitigation and evacuation plans for the neighborhood. She shared part of the responses with the audience and indicated that HECO would be making a presentation at the June meeting on their wildfire safety strategies and their infrastructure upgrades. Member Reilly mentioned the work of volunteers to create firebreaks for Firewise Communities such as in Mariner’s Ridge.

PUBLIC-GENERATED ISSUES [1:02:25]

Resident Julian Lipsher on Illegally-Parked Vehicle on Kawaihae St [1:02:25] Mr. Lipsher, resident, raised concerns of possible traffic safety and an emergency access impediment caused by a wide commercial vehicle with a trailer that is illegally parked on a residential street. He provided three possible solutions to resolve the issue, including tagging and issuing fines to the owner, amending the City’s towing contract and supporting legislative change to current law.

Questions, comments, and concerns: Board members suggested involvement with the Mayor’s Representative, HPD, and the Department of Customer Services (CSD) to amend the City of Honolulu’s (City) towing contracts. Board members requested the issue be placed on the next month’s agenda for further discussion.

PRESENTATIONS [1:13:15]

Mediation Center of the Pacific [1:13:15] Program Manager Roberta Hickey-Gomez provided information on Early Eviction Mediation. The process achieves resolution of conflicts without additional cost to owners/landlords and renters, as it impartially represents both parties and provides information and consultation in order to find solutions to problems. Roberta mentioned an 85% success rate in helping the involved parties come to a mutual agreement. Legislation to mandate mediation before eviction is waiting for the Governor’s signature. Chair Mayor and member Knudsen asked about neighborhoods with greater requests for mediation, and Hawaii Kai is not one of these areas.

OFFICIALS’ REPORTS [1:26:40]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative [1:51:13] Executive Director Amy Asselbaye at the Office of Economic Revitalization (OER) provided follow-ups from the various city departments to issues raised at the Board’s April meeting: the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) responded on the bus service to Niu Valley Middle School and provided no resolution to the problem and no changes to the bus routes; DTS installed a trash receptacle at Kalaniana’ole Highway and Paiko Drive on May 16; the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) responded to loose utility covers; the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) responded to questions of disaster preparedness in the Hawaii Kai community; the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is seeking more dog-friendly parks; DPR and the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) responded to the questions on Koko Crater Stables; DPR and HPD responded to the request for bathroom closures at KCP; and HPD responded on enforcement of illegal fireworks.

Follow ups for the June 24th meeting will include: the Honolulu Department of Emergency Services (HESD) response on ambulance services and transportation rules; DPR’s response on a request to make changes to the security patrol to service KCP for restroom closures; DPR regarding the Hanauma Bay transportation contract; DDC and Department of Enterprise Services (DES) on the Koko Crater stables concessions contract and the needed work to demolish the condemned structures; and DPP regarding a possible violation at 404 Portlock Drive where tile on the driveway may be encroaching on the sidewalk.

Questions, comments and concerns: Member Schreiner mentioned a problem with a utility cover and how it was repaired within two days after informing the appropriate agency. Member Reilly criticized the lack of appropriate outreach and scheduling for the City’s public art initiative Wahi Pana, as the event at Hanauma Bay was scheduled for the same night as the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board Meeting. Board members discussed the allocated funds for the Koko Crater stable repairs, and the lack of action or funds from the City in the last three years. Member Altonn emphasized the promise by Mayor Blangiardi to address the issues at the stables and the lack of follow-through and action, even as funds were allocated for the project. Questions were raised about the projected Hanauma Bay Ticket allocation to Roberts Hawaii Company, and the perceived lack of transparency of the process and whether opportunities were available for other tour companies to bid. Roberts company should be prohibited from sale of tickets to other transportation companies. Member Knudsen and Chair Mayor mentioned the danger of crossing Kalanianaole Highway by Niu Valley Middle School students and that a minor route change for buses during the mornings and afternoons would allow buses to drop off students at the school. A dedicated bus route would not be needed. Member Reilly mentioned an open cable box by Spectrum on Ka Iwi land and the need for the company to respond to phone calls and mitigate the situation for the safety of residents. The open cable box is a fire hazard.

Governor Josh Green’s Representative [2:09:20] Mr. Cameron Black provided updates on the burnt-out vehicle on the coast, the Portlock emergency siren repair, HECO’s wildfire safety strategy, and more. Member Altonn emphasized that the siren in Portlock is still not functional. HECO will provide a presentation at the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood board meeting in June.

BOARD BUSINESS [2:19:20]

Update on Ka’iwi Coast Scenic Byway [2:19:20] Board Member Reilly requested that Chair Mayor send the “no name change” letter that was sent to State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Chair Dawn Chang be resent to Kurt Cottrell.

Update on Kamilo Nui Valley Agriculture [2:20:30] Farmer Judith Nii raised several concerns regarding Kamehameha Schools’ lease policies and how short-term and month-to-month agreements compromise farmers’ investments in infrastructure and planting schedules and threaten the Valley’s agricultural history and continuity, especially for new farmers.

Closure Hours for Kamiloiki Community Park [2:32:25] Following discussion on whether Kamiloiki Park should be closed at night, many board members preferred to keep the park open but to pursue the remedy of closing the park restrooms at night. The Board agreed to wait for an update from the Mayor’s Representative and DPR regarding restroom closures.

DPR Request for Feedback to Designate Hawaii Kai Parks as “Dog Friendly” [2:35:10] The Board discussed the pros and cons of the issue alongside the public. Board Member Schreiner and resident Ms. Natalie Iwasa from Subdistrict #6, along with others, voiced support for the Kamiloiki Community Park (KCP) to be dog friendly. The Board will continue to seek community input and Chair Mayor will place this particular park as a possible “dog-friendly” park as an agenda item for the next meeting.

Update on Koko Crater Stables [2:49:35] This issue was amply discussed during the Mayor’s Representative’s Report. The Board will await response from DDC and DES.

BOARD COMMITTEES [2:49:45]

The Committee on Planning/Zoning/Environment [2:49:45] Lead Member Reilly provided an update on the committee’s meeting to consider renaming a section of Hawaii Kai Drive that leads towards Kalama Valley. Consultation is underway with City departments and a small working group will be gathering information on the impact of a name change. Several naming options were suggested, e.g., Kamilo’iki Street and retaining the name “Hawaii Kai” but changing the street type.

Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes [2:52:50] Hearing no issues or revisions, the April 29, 2025 regular meeting minutes were approved as written.

OTHER BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS [2:53:20] No other board announcements were shared.

CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS [2:53:20]
● Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board is Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 7:00 p.m., at Haha’ione Elementary School Cafeteria and on WebEx.
● Olelo: The Hawai’i Kai Neighborhood Board’s regular meetings are cablecast on Olelo Ch. 49 on the 2nd Monday of the following month at 9:00 p.m. and repeating on that month’s 3rd Friday at 7:00 a.m. Videos can also be seen online at www.olelo.org/olelonet (search “Hawai’i Kai Board”) or via www.honolulu.gov/nco/boards (“Board Meeting Video Archive”).

ADJOURNMENT [2:54:30] Chair Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:54 pm.

Submitted By: Brandon Tsark, Neighborhood Assistant (NCO)
Reviewed By: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy (NCO)
Reviewed By: Ilse Silva-Krott, Board Secretary
Reviewed and Finalized By: Roberta Mayor, Board Chair

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.