HAWAI‘I KAI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 1

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA – Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Time and Location: 7:00 p.m., Hahaʻione Elementary School Cafeteria, and Web Access:
Meeting Link: https://cchnl.webex.com/cchnl/j.php?MTID=mc6784c3106d34ccaa8d4be9e29f3279f
Meeting Number/Access Code: 2498 556 8981
Password: NB01 (6201)
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
2.5. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation

3. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS – Brief announcements by board members and the public on events, activities, and general information directly relating to Hawaiʻi 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. Hawaiʻi Youth Prevention – Presenter: Victoria Schlesinger, Hawaiʻi Youth Prevention Team (Program supported through High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA))

6. VACANCIES: Three (3) At Large Seats
Appointment through June 2027. Three (3) minutes per candidate. See endnote.1

7. OFFICIALS’ REPORTS – Three (3) minutes per speaker. Reports should relate to issues of interest to residents of Hawaiʻi Kai. Questions to follow.
7.1. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – Amy Asselbaye
7.2. City Council Chair Tommy Waters – District 4
7.3. Governor Josh Green’s Representative – Cameron Black
7.4. Senator Stanley Chang – District 9
7.5. Senator Chris Lee – District 25
7.6. Representative Joe Gedeon – District 18
7.7. Representative Mark Hashem – District 19

8. BOARD BUSINESS – For discussion/action. Five (5) minutes per item.
8.1. Request the Department of Parks & Recreation Provide Adequate Shelter from Severe Weather Events for the Staff on Duty at the Entrances to Hanauma Bay and Koko Crater Botanical Gardens
8.2. Update on Kaiwi Coast Scenic Byway
8.3. Update on Kamilonui Valley Agriculture
8.4. Update on Koko Crater Stables

9. BOARD COMMITTEES
9.1. Board Committees: Transportation; Education; Parks & Recreation; Planning, Zoning & Environment
9.2. Announcements by committee chairpersons or members as needed:
Report from Joint Committee Meeting of Parks & Recreation, and Planning, Zoning & Environment on their meeting of Tuesday, August 11, 2026 (6:00p.m.-7:30p.m.), held at the Hawaiʻi Kai Library Meeting Room on the topic of Wawamalu Beach on the Kaiwi Coastline.

10. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – Minutes for Meeting of Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

11. OTHER BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS
11.1. Board Member Announcements
11.2. Board Chairperson Announcements
11.2.1. Correspondence

12. CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS
12.1. The next regular meeting of the Hawaiʻi Kai Neighborhood Board is on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Hahaʻione Elementary School Cafeteria and on Webex.
12.2. Hawaiʻi 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 “Hawaiʻi Kai Board”), or via www.honolulu.gov/nco/boards (“Board Meeting Video Archive”).

13. ADJOURNMENT

1 VACANCIES: Three (3) At-Large Seats. Appointment through June 30, 2027. Candidates must be 18 or older and reside in the district (bring official ID). Residents interested in filling a vacant board seat must bring current proof of residency to the board meeting or contact Neighborhood Assistant Anson Wu [anson.wu@honolulu.gov] to verify residency in advance. Board majority of at least eight votes is needed for appointment. More than one round of voting may occur. Successful candidate(s) will take the Oath of Office upon appointment. Boundary descriptions are available online at http://www.honolulu.gov/cms-nco-menu/site-nco-sitearticles/20115-board-subdistrict-descriptions.html.

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, Hawaiʻi 96817; call 768-3710 or fax 768-3711; or go to www.honolulu.gov/nco.

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, or complete the form on https://www.honolulu.gov/nco/board-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.

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2026, AT 7:00 PM
IN PERSON AT HAHA’IONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA, 595 PEPE’EKEO ST, HONOLULU, HI 96825 AND ONLINE VIA WEBEX

Video recording of this meeting is found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCSnSQVq_sE 

Meeting materials are found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZNUDkxp2QU3dU9HjritG0vz3iFWRBceU

1. CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:01]: Chair Pro Tem Roberta Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Quorum WAS established with 8 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: Robbie Allen, Lisa Bishop, Tiffany Donnelly (online), Greg Knudsen, Roberta Mayor, Herbert Schreiner, Samuel Wolff, Paula Bender, Elizabeth Reilly (arrived online 7:22 p.m.), and Paige Altonn (arrived online 8:59 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: Elijah Lee and Johanna Ward.

Guests: Lieutenant Taro Nakamura (Honolulu Police Department); Iris Oda (Board of Water Supply); Principal Shannon Goo (Kaiser Complex Schools); Management Analyst Galen Wong (Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation); Michael Garrison (Hawaiʻi Running Lab); Van Matsushige (Department of Housing & Land Management); Captain Waipa Parker (Honolulu Fire Department); Executive Director Amy Asselbaye (Mayor’s Representative); Councilmember Tommy Waters; Ella Matsui (Senator Stanley Chang); Leo Rodascorado (Representative Joe Gedeon); Representative Mark Hashem; Tom Cooper (Hāhaʻione Advocates for Respectful Development); Kahi Paccaro, Jason Liang, Bobby Silva, James Wataru, Gavin Antonio and Paul Dela Balazs (Kaiser HS), Emma, Gavin Antonio, Reese Liggett, Antonio Esquivia, Sharon Clayton, Laura, Inga Gibson, Bree Fong, NY, Tam Nguyen, and Elena Bryant (Residents); and Anson Wu (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name not included if not legible or stated for the record. There were approximately 40 total participants.

2. STATUS REPORTS – [0:01:34]

Honolulu Fire Department – [0:01:39]: No representative present at this time.  Arrived later in the meeting.

Honolulu Police Department – [0:01:56]: Lieutenant Nakamura provided the June 2026 statistics and the July 2026 safety tips.
● June 2026 Statistics: 0 motor vehicle thefts, 1 burglary, 8 thefts, 2 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMV), and 5,315 total calls for service.
● July 2026 Safety tip: Lieutenant Nakamura noted that despite avoiding a recent close call with Tropical Storm Fausto, he reminded residents to be aware that it is hurricane season, with more than ten storms forecasted.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:03:35]
1. Human Waste and Homeless Encampments at Wāwāmalu Beach: Member Wolff reported observing multiple piles of human waste and toilet paper along the tide pools near Alan Davis Beach, apparently linked to a homeless population living out of parked vans in the area, and asked how often HPD patrols the area. Lieutenant Nakamura initially indicated the area fell under State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) jurisdiction. Resident Reese Liggett and Chair Mayor clarified that the area in question — the Wāwāmalu Beach section of Sandy Beach Park up to the Alan Davis wall — is actually City Park land. Lieutenant Nakamura will look into it, but the park cleanup will fall under the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). Member Wolff asked how often the area is being patrolled and are officers doing regular vehicle checks. Lieutenant Nakamura noted receiving multiple complaints and encouraged residents to call 911 when vehicles are observed so officers can respond and document violations. Chair Pro Tem Mayor offered to email DPR to report the concern as well.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [0:10:05]: Iris Oda provided the report and highlighted the following: she announced the 2026 Annual Unthirsty Plant Sale on Saturday, August 1, 2026, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the Hālawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1268 Iwaena Street, featuring drought-tolerant and native plants (credit card only), free admission, shuttle service, master gardener advice, and free-soil conditioner while supplies last. She will email the report to the Board.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:12:41]
1. Recurring Water Main Breaks Near Kuliouou: Member Bender referenced recent main breaks along Kuliʻouʻou toward Kamilo Nui Valley and asked whether it might be time for a more permanent fix rather than repeated patch repairs. Oda said BWS does not receive main-break data until the following month but would look into the location and noted that BWS tracks recurring breaks and, where warranted, packages full-line repairs rather than repeated spot repairs.
2. Navy Red Hill Water Discharge: Member Wolff referenced a Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Civil Beat article reporting the Navy’s discharge of an estimated 4.5–5 billion gallons of filtered water from the Red Hill crisis rather than diverting it for irrigation, and asked whether BWS has any ability to press the Navy to reduce this impact given ongoing conservation messaging to the public. Oda said BWS has no jurisdiction over federal water use, noting BWS itself answers to the State Commission on Water Resource Management along with other water users on Oʻahu, but agreed to raise the question.

[0:17:09] – Chair Pro Tem Mayor called a 5 minute recess to address a technical online issue.

[0:17:27] – Chair Pro Tem Mayor called the meeting back to order.

Member Reilly arrived online to the meeting at 7:22 p.m. 9 members present.

Kaiser Complex Schools – [0:17:42]: Hāhaʻione Elementary School Principal Shannon Goo, representing the Kaiser Complex Schools, provided the report and highlighted the following: Tuesday, July 28, 2028 was the first day back for teachers ahead of orientation nights and the start of the school year. Kaiser High School’s fall sports season is beginning (football, cross country, Junior Varsity softball, air riflery, soft tennis, bowling, volleyball, and cheer); a Kaiser Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) Night Market is planned; work continues on the International Performing Arts Center, with sounding, surveying, and core sampling completed; Niu Valley Intermediate is offering Spanish as a new world language starting in sixth grade, joining existing Mandarin and Japanese offerings, and has planned a Tuesday, August 4, 2026 transition day for incoming sixth graders and newcomers. Hāhaʻione Elementary’s Japanese dual-language immersion program, a one of its kind in the Department of Education (DOE), aims for students to be fluent in both English and Japanese by eighth grade. Kaiser High School student body president Gavin Antonio announced that Kaiser High School’s homecoming week runs Monday, September 14, 2026 to Saturday, September 19, 2026, with a homecoming parade and community spirit events (including the Powderpuff flag football game and the Flaming K tradition) on Thursday, September 17, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Koko Head District Park and proceeding to the Kaiser High School parking lot. Antonio said the school is coordinating with the DTS, DPR, the DOE Office of Facilities and Operations, and the HPD, and will provide the Board and neighbors with flyers in advance. He also noted Kaiser’s student council received a national Gold Council of Excellence recognition and a Hawaiʻi Oscar award this past year, and said student representatives plan to attend Board meetings monthly this year.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:23:38]
1. Future Board Service: Member Wolff asked Antonio whether, once he turns 18, he might consider joining the Neighborhood Board, and encouraged him to give it consideration.

Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) – [0:24:34]: Galen Wong, Management Analyst HDOT, reported on legislation signed into law this past session, including: Act 12 (House Bill (HB) 1510), prohibiting license-plate covers/shields obstructing plates and authorizing state and county citations, effective Friday, January 1, 2027; Act 132 (HB 1667), lowering the age to obtain a state civil ID card without parental/guardian signature from 18 to 16; Act 95 (HB 1692), a “move-over” law for drivers approaching stationary vehicles with warning signals and raising the minimum age to ride in a pickup truck bed from 12 to 16; Act 259 (HB 2021), establishing rules, labeling, and speed regulations for electric bicycles and motor scooters; and Act 260 (HB 2023), directing implementation of intelligent speed-assistance systems for habitual speeding or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offenders by Saturday, January 1, 2028.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:29:09]
1. Abandoned Vehicle Near Kaʻiwi State Scenic Shoreline: Chair Pro Tem Mayor followed up on the vehicle that went through a guardrail and remains in the gulch near Sandy Beach/Kaʻiwi State Scenic Shoreline. Wong said the crash site is on DLNR property beyond HDOT’s right-of-way, and that HDOT would need to coordinate with DLNR to remove the vehicle and restore the guardrail; he committed to contacting DLNR and reporting back next month.
2. Additional Red-Light Cameras: Wong also reported that ten additional locations are being considered by year’s end for red-light and speed cameras with two possible locations on the Kalanianaʻole Highway.
3. Information on DLNR: Member Schreiner asked if the DLNR is under the State. Wong clarified that DLNR is State but if the property belongs to DLNR, HDOT has to work with DLNR and vice versa.
4. Damaged Delineators near the H-1 Off-Ramp: Member Schreiner reiterated a prior request that HDOT address delineators being repeatedly struck where drivers exit the H-1 freeway, suggesting a double solid white line further back to discourage lane changes over the delineators. Wong agreed to follow up.
5. Abandoned Vehicle Near Kaʻiwi State Scenic Shoreline: Member Knudsen suggested more cooperation between HDOT and DLNR to remove the wrecked vehicle.
6. Kalanianaʻole Highway Traffic and Lane Closures: Member Knudsen reported on numerous slowdowns on Kalanianaʻole Highway, including a recent Hawaiian Electric utility project near Kalani High School that backed up traffic into Hawaiʻi Kai, or when the church’s food distribution forces vehicles to queu in the through lanes.  He asked whether HDOT could manage these activities that close a through lane, in order to keep traffic flowing. Member Knudsen also asked for a status update on the Kalanianaʻole Highway resurfacing project near Makapuʻu, noting that the project seems to be well underway, and there have been unreported lane closures in the past. Wong said he would look into the status of the project and the lane closure reports to the public and report back to the board.

3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS TO SERVE FROM JULY 1, 2026 TO JUNE 30, 2027 – [0:38:38]

Chair – [0:39:07]: [0:39:29] – Knudsen NOMINATED and Bender SECONDED Mayor as Chair. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Mayor was ELECTED as Chair; 9-0-0 (MAYOR: Allen, Bishop, Donnelly, Knudsen, Mayor, Reilly, Schreiner, Wolff, and Bender; ABSTAIN: None) – [0:39:54]

Vice Chair – [0:41:08]: [0:41:14] – Schreiner NOMINATED and Bender SECONDED Knudsen as Vice Chair. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Knudsen was ELECTED as Vice Chair; 9-0 (KNUDSEN: Allen, Bishop, Donnelly, Knudsen, Mayor, Reilly, Schreiner, Wolff, and Bender; ABSTAIN: None) – [0:41:34]

Secretary – [0:42:13]: [0:42:19] – Bender NOMINATED and Schreiner SECONDED Bishop as Secretary. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Bishop was ELECTED as Secretary; 9-0 (BISHOP: Allen, Bishop, Donnelly, Knudsen, Mayor, Reilly, Schreiner, Wolff, and Bender; ABSTAIN: None) – [0:42:49]

Treasurer – [0:43:22]: [0:43:30] – Schreiner NOMINATED and Knudsen SECONDED Reilly as Treasurer. Hearing no other nominations, the board conducted a roll call vote. Reilly was ELECTED as Treasurer; 9-0 (REILLY: Allen, Bishop, Donnelly, Knudsen, Mayor, Reilly, Schreiner, Wolff, and Bender; ABSTAIN: None) –
[0:43:52]

4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS – [0:44:42]

Hanauma Bay Sewer System Improvements – [0:44:57]: Member Bishop announced a DPR $1.8 million sewer improvement project of the 35-year old sewer system serving the beach and parking-lot-level comfort stations at Hanauma Bay in two phases: Phase 1 will close Hanauma Bay from Monday, August 3, 2026 to Tuesday, August 11, 2026 for major sewer upgrades; Phase 2 is planned for early 2027 (date to be determined), per a DPR press release issued Thursday, July 2, 2026.

Hāhaʻione Advocates for Respectful Development (HARD) – [0:46:44]: Resident Cooper provided the monthly HARD update, reporting continued petition  and survey efforts (goal of 10,000 signatures) regarding the future of the JAIMS/7-Eleven, Boston Pizza, and Koko Head Plaza buildings, a Saturday, August 1, 2026 gathering for JAIMS Building alumni (“JAIMS Bond”) with pizza and drinks provided by Boston Pizza and 7-Eleven, and thanked elected officials, candidates, and Board members for their support.

Hawaiʻi Kai Mile Scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026 – [0:50:15]: Michael Garrison, Hawaiʻi Running Lab, announced the fifth annual Hawaiʻi Kai Mile fun run/walk on Sunday, October 25, 2026, starting at the skate park and finishing at Kaiser High School, with a lane closure of approximately 45 minutes on the Koko Head side of Lunalilo Home Road; a team cash prize is available for the most registered runners.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:51:22]
1. Registration Numbers: Chair Mayor asked how many numbers are registered. Garrison said registration stood at 38 with an expected total around 250 (the largest to date), aided by a new registration platform integrated with Strava.

Candidate Announcements – [0:52:29]: Kahi Pacarro (Candidate, State House District 19) shared district voter-turnout figures (2,860 of 19,560 registered voters had returned ballots, about a 15-16% turnout to date) and encouraged voting; Bobby Silva (Candidate, State Senate District 25) introduced himself; Jason Liang (Candidate, City Council District 4) announced the Friday, July 17, 2026 inaugural meeting of a property tax reform committee discussing a Proposition 13-style proposal, chaired by Bruce Wong; and James Wataru (Candidate, State House District 18) described a November 2026 ballot charter initiative that would redirect an existing half-percent real property tax allocation toward food-security programs, emphasizing it is not an additional tax.

Hawaiʻi Kai Marina Sign Graffiti Response – [0:56:35]: Member Reilly thanked the Hawaiʻi Kai Marina Association, resident Malia Marquez, and Charlie Hunter for their swift response in removing graffiti from the Hawaiʻi Kai entrance sign within hours of its discovery.

5. PUBLIC-GENERATED ISSUES – [0:57:14]: No issues were presented.

6. PRESENTATIONS – [0:57:25]

City & County of Honolulu’s Clean Water & Natural Lands Program (CWNL) – [0:57:49]: Van Matsushige, Program Manager, Department of Housing & Land Management (DHLM) Conservation Office, presented an overview of the CWNL Program, a fund established by 2007 charter amendment dedicating one-half of one percent of real property tax revenue to conservation land acquisition. He described program milestones (a 2016 charter amendment establishing a seven-member advisory commission; a 2022 amendment creating a 5%-of-annual-deposit stewardship fund; a 2023 move to DHLM; and creation of a dedicated three-person Conservation Office in 2025); the seven statutory conservation values required for funding eligibility (watershed protection, coastal access, habitat protection, cultural/historic sites, recreation/parks, hazard mitigation, and open space); the two acquisition types used (fee-simple conveyance and conservation easements); and the multi-step approval process (staff vetting, advisory commission review, City Council approval of funding, easement negotiation, due diligence, and closing), which typically takes 12–24 months. He reported the program currently protects 14 properties (four more in due diligence) covering over 1,400 acres and roughly $38 million in fund commitments, including five East Honolulu properties totaling just over $11 million: Keawāwa Wetland (5 acres), Ka Iwi Mauka lands (180 acres), East Honolulu Kanewai Springs, East Honolulu Lower Paiko Ridge (3.5 acres), and East Honolulu Wailupe Nature Reserve (9.5 acres). He closed by emphasizing that community engagement, advocacy, and vigilance drive the program’s success.
• Presentation:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10n6ROvtslwdw_1AD8w2vw-ESXcfDN70y/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:10:04]
1. Stewardship Funding for Nonprofits: Member Wolff asked whether stewardship funding is available to nonprofits doing planting or invasive species removal work. Matsushige said stewardship funds are limited to groups whose land acquisitions were originally funded through the program, and confirmed East Honolulu’s stewarding groups qualify.
2. Program Budget: Chair Mayor asked to confirm the program’s roughly $70 million fund balance, referenced from a prior presentation by the state’s counterpart program. Matsushige confirmed the figure, noting land acquisition costs (sometimes exceeding $20 million per project) make the reserve necessary.
3. Administrative Costs and Charter Commission Changes: Member Reilly asked whether office operating costs are drawn from the half-percent revenue, and about pending Charter Commission proposals affecting the program, including a possible name change and expanded eligible uses. Matsushige confirmed administrative costs are funded (by ordinance) at 5% of the account, and said a Charter Commission proposal under consideration would allow the fund to also support acquisition and improvement of historic buildings and could change the program’s name; a final recommendation is expected in the coming weeks. Member Reilly asked are there any opportunities to testify before the Charter Commission and voiced concerns that any restructuring of the program doesn’t change the integrity of the initial intent of the fund, and that cultural and natural resources should be ranked higher than anything that’s being added, such as historic buildings. Matsushige confirmed opportunities remain to testify before the Charter Commission but was uncertain how much the ballot question’s final form might still change.
4. Additional East Honolulu Acquisition Targets: Member Wolff asked whether other East Honolulu parcels are currently being pursued; Matsushige cited one property in Wailupe, a burial cave recently approved by the City Council, where the Office of Hawaiian Affairs will hold fee title and lineal descendants will serve as stewards, currently in due diligence.
5. Budget Testimony Timing: Member Bishop asked when in the City budget process residents could best testify in support of program funding. Matsushige explained funding levels are set departmentally (DHLM as a whole, not the Conservation Office separately) with public hearings closer to the fiscal year.
6. Preservation-Zoned Land Near Koko Crater Stables: Member Bender asked whether the office can influence development proposals on conservation-designated land, citing land near Koko Crater Stables. Matsushige said the office does not proactively advocate, but reviews and funds applications submitted by the community; Member Reilly added that the “Group 70” Koko Villas development site includes a Tax Map Key (TMK) for the area along the base of the Koko Crater that has been flagged to the landowner, with Representative Gedeon’s office, and with Councilmember Waters.  Her own outreach is ongoing, and noted her organization has offered stewardship and firebreak assistance if the parcel is preserved.
7. Historic Building Interest Behind Charter Proposal: Resident Liang asked whether a specific building prompted the historic-preservation charter proposal. Matsushige said no particular building or list currently exists; the program has never received an application for a cultural/historic building.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – [1:23:23]: HFD Captain Parker provided the June 2026 statistics, July 2026 safety tips, and follow-ups.
• Follow-ups: The Captain provided information previously requested regarding a Wednesday, June 27, 2026 water rescue: HFD received a 911 call at 9:17 a.m. for a vessel in distress offshore of Hanauma Bay involving three canoes that capsized in high seas approximately one mile offshore; HFD responded with six units and 20 personnel, and together with Honolulu Ocean Safety Division watercraft and nearby boaters, safely transported all 20 paddlers to shore, with HFD Air-1 and rescue craft later recovering the canoes.
● June 2026 incident statistics: 0 structure fires, 0 wildland/brush fires, 0 cooking fires, 2 activated alarms with no fires, 65 medical calls, 0 motor-vehicle-pedestrian collisions, 1 motor vehicle crash, 4 mountain rescues, 1 ocean rescue, and 0 hazardous materials incidents.
● July 2026 Fire Safety Tip – Hiking Safety: The Captain shared hiking-season safety tips, including planning ahead and choosing trails within one’s skill level, checking weather (rain, wind, and swell), staying on marked trails, and letting others know your plans and expected return time.
● Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11lwu9slpgDtdGj4NfF4NRiASbsYF6EAJ/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:26:00]
1. Mountain and Ocean Rescue Locations: Chair Mayor asked where the month’s mountain and ocean rescues occurred. The Captain did not have the location on hand and said he would provide it at next month’s meeting.
2. Fire Engine Sirens at Night: Chair Mayor relayed a resident’s question about whether sirens are necessary when fire apparatus exits the station late at night with no other traffic present. The Captain explained that state law requires lights and sirens whenever responding faster than the posted speed limit for an emergency, for safety reasons, though crews do sometimes turn off sirens briefly near the station at night out of consideration for sleeping neighbors before accelerating; he said the department would keep the concern in mind.

7. VACANCIES: THREE (3) AT-LARGE SEATS – [1:28:51]: There were no volunteers for a vacant board seat.

8. OFFICIALS’ REPORTS – [1:29:14]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – [1:29:15]: Amy Asselbaye provided the report and highlighted the following: the Department of Transportation Services is lowering school-zone speed limits (pursuant to Ordinance 24-32) from 25 mph to 20 mph, 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. on school days, with signage being installed/replaced in phases across more than 200 schools citywide, prioritized by enrollment, Title I status, walkability, crash history, and speeding data; the Mayor’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability & Resiliency and the Honolulu Youth Commission opened the Youth Climate Action Fund (up to $4,999 per youth-led project), accepting applications Monday, July 27, 2026–Monday, September 7, 2026. She also provided follow-ups on prior resident requests: HPD confirmed the recent multi-officer presence at Sandy Beach and along Kalanianaʻole Highway near Koko Marina reflected routine patrol and proactive enforcement, with specific deployment details not publicly disclosed; no update on Koko Crater Stables; Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) indicated the uncovered trash bins at Hālona Blowhole were donated by Japan Tourist Bureau (JTB) and are frequently misused or blown open, but the department will continue to monitor and replace lids as needed; DPR has no capital improvement plans for Maunalua Bay Beach Park restroom accessibility upgrades at this time, though the comfort station is cleaned twice daily (6:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.); no update yet on the Hanauma Bay reef fish statue maintenance; and DPR’s Urban Forestry Division has treated coconut palms at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve for Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) with systemic insecticide in November 2024 and December 2025 (next treatment December 2026), and is unaware of CRB treatment by other City agencies at this time.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:37:18]
1. Beach Park Sanitation and Homelessness: Member Wolff asked whether DPR could increase regular cleanup of the Wāwāmalu Beach area near Kalanianaʻole Highway and Baby Makapuʻu, citing ongoing human waste, trash, and homeless encampments, as well as a similarly trashed men’s restroom (graffiti, non-working sink, needs power-washing) at the Hawaiʻi Kai Recreation Center/Hāhaʻione Elementary.
2. Hanauma Bay Statue Maintenance Update: Member Bishop followed up on the status of the reef fish statue maintenance at the Hanauma Bay Visitor Center. Asselbaye said there was no update yet but that Director Jennifer Santos planned to reach out to schedule a meeting.
3. Koko Crater Stables Meeting Status: Chair Mayor asked whether any meetings have occurred or are scheduled between the City and the concessionaire regarding Koko Crater Stables. Asselbaye said there was no update to report at this time.

City Council Chair Tommy Waters – District 4 – [1:41:25]: City Council Chair Tommy Waters provided his report and highlighted the following: he reported on a meeting with Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) regarding recurring power outages and flickering lights in Hāhaʻione Valley and Portlock, with HECO attributing it to deteriorating insulation of underground lines which lack protective conduits; three cost-of-living bills he is championing (Bills 45 and 46 raising homeowner property tax exemptions, and Bill 47 lowering vehicle registration fees, funded in part by identifying over $200 million in annually unspent City budget funds); a request for HPD Driving Under the Influence (DUI) checkpoints near China Walls following speeding complaints in Portlock; the CWNL (approximately $8 million/year) and a related Affordable Housing Fund (also roughly $8 million/year); City Council approval of $7 million in CWNL funding toward the Keikilani Circle rockwall/preservation project above ʻĀina Haina; a bill he introduced to expedite the DHLM due-diligence process; City Council passage of Resolutions 26-159 and 26-160 opposing resumption of commercial aquarium collection, on which Member Bishop testified; and the pending court ruling affecting his eligibility for re-election, with an appeal decision expected soon and unresolved questions about how already-cast primary ballots would be handled if he is disqualified.

Member Altonn arrived online to the meeting at 8:59 p.m. 10 members present.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:50:51]
1. Vehicle Registration Fee System Limitations: Member Bishop asked about reported City system limitations preventing a reduction (though not an increase) in vehicle registration fees under Bill 47. Chair Waters agreed the explanation seemed inconsistent and said the department has cited a need to modernize aging systems.
2. HECO Grid Reliability: Member Wolff described a recent hour-and-a-half outage in Hawaiʻi Kai affecting refrigerated food at local businesses and asked what pressure the City can bring on HECO to improve grid reliability. Chair Waters said the City lacks direct authority over the grid but said he continues to raise the issue and suggested the Board could invite HECO to present, and noted the State Public Utilities Commission may also be a point of pressure.
3. Dave Matthews Memorial Bench at Sandy Beach: Member Reilly raised concern that a community-funded bench honoring the late Dave Matthews (Save Sandy Beach advocate), previously approved through City Council under a former councilmember, was removed under revised DPR gift-acceptance procedures, and asked for help restoring it. Chair Waters said the City Council must approve gifts above a certain value and offered to help.
4. Thanks for Aquarium Collection Resolutions: Resident Bryant thanked Chair Waters for co-introducing Resolutions 26-159 and 26-160 banning commercial aquarium collection.

Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [1:58:13]: No representative was present.

Senator Stanley Chang’s Office – District 9 – [1:58:31]: Ella Matsui provided the report and highlighted the following: she reported on bills recently signed into law by Governor Green, including Senate Bill (SB) 2866 (Act 250), establishing permanent kūpuna rent assistance, and House Bill (HB) 1721 (Act 177), establishing expedited housing permits. She also announced Senator Chang’s second annual “There Ought to Be a Law” contest, inviting residents to submit bill ideas for the 2027 legislative session by Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Senator Chris Lee – District 25 – [2:00:23]: No representative was present.

Representative Joe Gedeon’s Office – District 18 – [2:00:52]: Leo Rodascorado provided the report and highlighted the following: the Kalanianaʻole Highway resurfacing project from the Sea Life Park area to the golf course is nearly complete, with further work toward Hawaiʻi Kai town expected later this year pending completion of the current phase (HDOT has not yet issued the closure updates it previously promised); continued speeding complaints involving cars and e-bikes, prompting new signage to encourage drivers to drive with more caution in Hawaiʻi Kai; upcoming “Talk Story” events (on hurricane preparedness, and a subsequent session with HDOT Director Ed Sniffen and Department of Transportation Services (DTS) at the Oʻahu Club); the Kamilo Nui Valley cesspool-to-sewer conversion project beginning Monday, August 3, 2026, fully funded by Kamehameha Schools; ongoing coordination with HECO regarding underground line deterioration, tied to nearby excavation work; crosswalk repainting requests to DTS/Facilities Maintenance; drainage canal overgrowth concerns; and a request for community bill ideas and resolutions for the coming legislative session.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [2:07:22]
1. Water Quality at Kuliʻouʻou Stream: Member Wolff referenced consistently high enterococcus bacteria levels at Kuliʻouʻou Stream reported by Surfrider’s monthly testing, and asked whether the cesspool conversion in Kamilo Nui Valley might help. Leo said Kamehameha Schools has studied related water-table and water-quality issues since about 2018 and offered to connect Member Wolff with Kamehameha School contacts.
2. Hawaiʻi Kai Marina Water Quality Data: Member Reilly confirmed Kamilonui Valley storm drainage flows into the Hawaiʻi Kai Marina and offered that the Marina Association conducts its own monthly water-quality testing with data available on request.
3. Cellular Network Resiliency During Outages: Member Reilly suggested Representative Gedeon consider a bill requiring cellular carriers to maintain independent backup power (generators or batteries) rather than relying solely on the electric grid, noting that during past Talk Story events with HECO, carriers acknowledged they draw from the grid without independent backup. Leo welcomed the suggestion and said the office would look into it.

Representative Mark Hashem’s Office – District 19 – [2:11:45]: Representative Mark Hashem provided his report and highlighted the following: roughly $1 million is budgeted for planning and design of Phase 2 dredging/bulkhead improvements at Maunalua Bay to allow commercial boats to dock directly rather than using the boat launch, along with repaving the parking lot; he had no information on the Kuliʻouʻou Stream water-quality issue but confirmed his office had submitted a cleanup request to the City that has gone unanswered; and the state has allocated $1.5 million to help residents address Little Fire Ants (LFA), with test kits available at libraries and free treatment available through the Department of Agriculture if infestation is confirmed. He also corrected a typo in his newsletter regarding a bill on merchants and cash acceptance.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [2:14:39]
1. Adequacy of Little Fire Ant Funding: Member Wolff questioned whether $1.5 million statewide is sufficient given the severity of LFA impacts (including risk of blindness) compared to other line items such as library landscaping funding, and urged more proactive outreach such as mailing test kits directly to homeowners. Representative Hashem noted the $1.5 million is a dedicated add-on to broader invasive species council funding and said funding ultimately reflects competing budget priorities.

Congressional Representatives – [2:17:51]: No representatives were present.

9. BOARD BUSINESS – [2:17:58]

Update on Kaʻiwi Coast Scenic Byway – [2:18:01]: Chair Mayor noted that a meeting will be held in early August 2026 to discuss issues about Wāwāmalu Beach. Member Reilly reported that the joint Parks & Recreation and Planning, Zoning & Environment Committee meeting will be at the Hawaiʻi Kai Library, but is unsure when the agenda will be sent out. Chair Mayor clarified that the meeting agenda will be sent out 7 days prior to the meeting and the meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at the Hawaiʻi Kai Library meeting room.

Update on Kamilonui Valley Agriculture – [2:19:48]: Chair Mayor reported receiving information from Kamehameha Schools that the cesspool-to-sewer conversion project in Kamilonui Valley is scheduled to begin the week of Monday, August 3, 2026, involving road excavation, gravity sewer line installation, individual property lateral connections, and utility relocation, fully funded by Kamehameha Schools, with additional phases (including home line sewer actions and road restoration/repaving) to follow; she said contractors would use best management practices to limit disruption to localized sections of the roadway.

Update on Koko Crater Stables – [2:21:50]: Chair Mayor reported no new updates; the Board continues to hope the concessionaire has made contact with the City to resolve outstanding issues.

Consider Sending a Letter of Support for City Council Resolutions RES26-159 and RES26-160 Prohibiting the Harvest of Aquatic Life from State of Hawaiʻi Marine Waters for Commercial Aquarium Purposes – [2:22:04]: Member Bishop explained that Honolulu City Council Resolutions 26-159 (urging the state Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) to adopt rules prohibiting commercial aquarium harvest) and Resolution 26-160 (urging the state Legislature to enact a corresponding statutory ban) passed committee and are scheduled for a full City Council vote on August 16, 2026. She reviewed the resolutions’ background, including an April 2026 First Circuit Environmental Court ruling affirming BLNR/DLNR authority to enact a statewide ban, a 2025 survey finding 84% of Oʻahu residents support a ban, and similar resolutions already adopted by the Hawaiʻi, Maui, and Kauaʻi County Councils. She asked the Hawaiʻi Kai Neighborhood Board to send a letter of support of Resolution 26-159 and 26-160 to the Honolulu City Council. She introduced Wayne Tanaka (Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi) and Elena Bryant (Earthjustice, online) as subject-matter guests available to answer questions.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [2:27:59]
1. Resolution Clarification: Chair Mayor asked if the Resolutions had passed from the committee. Member Bishop clarified that yes, the Resolutions will be going to the full Council on Wednesday, August 16, 2026.
2. Scope of the Proposed Ban: Member Knudsen asked whether the resolutions would restrict individual, non-commercial fish collecting. Tanaka clarified the resolutions target only commercial (for-profit) collection of reef fish and invertebrates; recreational or personal collection would remain unaffected.

[2:30:25] – Bishop MOVED and Schreiner SECONDED to send a letter of support of Resolutions 26-159 and 26-160 to the Honolulu City Council. Discussion followed.
1. Why the Ban Requires Reinforcement: Member Knudsen asked why continued board action is needed if commercial collection has effectively been halted for years, and whether an intermediate, sustainability-based approach might be possible. Tanaka explained that although the trade has been legally closed for roughly a decade, BLNR is currently considering rules that could reopen West Hawaiʻi waters to collection (with Oʻahu likely to follow), which he said would strain enforcement resources and threaten already-stressed reefs. Member Bender asked about ongoing commercial aquaculture of species such as the yellow tang would still continue. Tanaka and Bryant confirmed captive-bred aquaculture fish are not subject to the proposed ban.
2. Supporting Testimony from Advocacy Groups: Gibson added supporting detail, including that a 2021 environmental impact statement submitted by the trade was unanimously rejected by BLNR, that less than 2% of Hawaiʻi residents own a saltwater aquarium, and cited University of Hawaiʻi research (Dr. Gail Grabowsky) finding 93% lower abundance of collected reef-fish species outside the protected waters of Hanauma Bay compared to within it.

[2:38:40] – Hearing no further discussion or objection, the motion to send a letter of support for Resolutions 26-159 and 26-160 to the Honolulu City Council WAS adopted; 10-0-0 (AYE: Allen, Altonn, Bishop, Donnelly, Knudsen, Mayor, Reilly, Schreiner, Wolff, and Bender; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None) – [2:38:59]

Council Meeting Date Correction – [2:39:33]: Member Bishop corrected herself and stated that the City Council meeting will be on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

10. BOARD COMMITTEES – [2:39:47]:

Report from the Committees of Parks & Recreation, and Planning, Zoning & Environment of their Joint Meeting – [2:39:57]: Member Reilly reported that the previously announced Parks & Recreation / Planning, Zoning & Environment joint committee meeting on Wāwāmalu Beach did not take place as planned earlier in the month because the required agenda was not timely submitted or posted as required under the Sunshine Law; she apologized and confirmed the meeting has been rescheduled. Chair Mayor noted a meeting cannot be held without a 7-day notice and reiterated that the committee meeting will be on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 6:00p.m.–7:30 p.m., at the Hawaiʻi Kai Library meeting room.

11. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – [2:41:12]

Minutes for Tuesday, June 30, 2026 – [2:41:16]: [2:41:31] – Hearing no amendments or objections the Tuesday, June 30, 2026 meeting minutes WAS adopted as written; 10-0-0 (AYE: Allen, Altonn, Bishop, Donnelly, Knudsen, Mayor, Reilly, Schreiner, Wolff, and Bender; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None)

12. OTHER BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS – [2:41:37]: No additional board announcements.

13. CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS – [2:41:41]

Next Regular Meeting – [2:41:43]: The next regular meeting of the Hawaiʻi Kai Neighborhood Board is on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hāhaʻione Elementary School Cafeteria, 595 Pepeʻekeo St., Honolulu, HI 96825, and on WebEx.

ʻŌlelo Broadcast – [2:41:57]: Regular meetings are cablecast on ʻŌlelo 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.

14. ADJOURNMENT – [2:42:26]: Chair Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:46 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By: Anson Wu, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed By: Lindon Valenciano, Public Relations Assistant, NCO
Reviewed By: Lisa Bishop, 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.