MĀNOA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 7

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025 at 6:30 P.M.
via WEBEX Platform and
Noelani Elementary School Cafeteria
2655 Woodlawn Dr, Honolulu, HI 96822
This is an alternate meeting location open to the public for those without private internet capabilities.

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

Recordings of Board Meetings can be found 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.

Written Testimony: All written testimony must be received in the Neighborhood Commission Office 48 hours prior to the meeting. If within 48 hours, 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, 530 South King Street, Room 406, Honolulu, HI 96813. Fax: (808) 768-3711. Email: nbtestimony@honolulu.gov

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.

I. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Dave Nagaji

II. FIRST RESPONDER MONTHLY REPORTS
a. Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): (1) summary of fire statistics relating to the neighborhood and (2) Safety Tip
b. Honolulu Police Department (HPD): (1) summary of crime statistics relating to the neighborhood and (2) Safety Tip

III. STATE MONTHLY REPORTS
a. Senator Carol Fukunaga
b. Representative Andrew Takuya Garrett
c. University of Hawaii at Manoa Updates – Elmer Kaai
d. Governor Josh Green’s Representative – Laci Goshi
e. Congressman Ed Case’s Representative – Julia Anuszewska

IV. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS
a. Board of Water Supply (BWS) – Dominic Dias
b. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Office
c. City Councilmember Scott Nishimoto

V. RETURNING BUSINESS
a. Decisions from the City Department of Planning & Permitting
i. Manoa Banyan Court: In late January, DPP issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
ii. Aria Lane at the Former Saint Francis School Location: On February 24, DPP issued a decision, which has approved the project subject to certain conditions. Further details will be shared during the meeting.

VI. BOARD BUSINESS
a. Open Forum to Discuss Legislation and Make Suggestions or Requests to Area Lawmakers
b. Noelani Elementary School and Manoa Elementary School Listed as Among the Best Elementary Schools in Hawai’i.
i. May include a motion to send these schools a congratulatory letter.
c. Filling of Vacancies: Sub District 4 (Three Vacancies). – 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.
d. Approval of the Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Meeting Minutes
e. Update on the Primary Urban Center Development Plan
f. Ala Wai Flood Mitigation
g. Three Absence Letter for Member Ellen Watson

VII. PRESENTATION
a. Sewer Fee Increases – Honolulu Department of Environmental Services

VIII. COMMUNITY CONCERNS
a. Checking on Status of the Manoa Valley District Park Pool Area
b. Other Concerns Not Otherwise Listed

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. Neighborhood Board Elections for the 2025-2027 Term. Late February was the deadline for people to register as candidates for the Neighborhood Board system. Voting begins April 25, 2025; voting ends May 16, 2025. The subdistricts of the Manoa Neighborhood Board are as follows:
i. Subdistrict 1: 5 candidates running for 3 available seats; there will be a competitive election.
ii. Subdistrict 2: 3 candidates running for 3 available seats; no competitive election.
iii. Subdistrict 3: 5 candidates running for 5 available seats; no competitive election.
iv. Subdistrict 4: 5 candidates running for 6 available seats; no competitive election.
b. Next Meeting: Next regular board meeting will be held on April 2, 2025. It will be held in person at Noelani Elementary School Cafeteria 2655 Woodlawn Dr, Honolulu, HI 96822
, as well as online via WebEx, starting at 6:30pm.
c. Olelo Re-Broadcast: Watch on second and fourth Saturdays of the month at 3:00 p.m.,or every third Tuesday at 9:00 p.m, or online: https://olelo.org/tv-schedule/ or https://www.honolulu.gov/cms-ncomenu/site-nco-sitearticles/1657-board-meeting-videoarchive.html.

X. 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, Hawaiʻi 96817; Telephone (808) 768-3710 Fax (808) 768-3711; or call Neighborhood Assistant Anson Wu at (808) 768- 3706 or e-mail anson.wu@honolulu.gov. Agendas and minutes are also available on the internet at 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, 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, Hawaiʻi 96817. Fax: (808) 768-3711. Email: nbtestimony@honolulu.gov.

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 be possible to fulfill requests received after this date.

NAME SUB DISTRICT CONTACT
Ellen Watson 1 pehi@hawaii.rr.com
Robert Zane (2nd Vice Chair) 1 zanero9141@gmail.com
Whitney Bosel (1st Vice Chair) 1 wboselmnb@gmail.com
Elton Fukumoto 2 etfukumoto@gmail.com
Dave Nagaji (Chair) 2 davenagaji@gmail.com
Clyde Lewman 2 Mico22@aol.com
Christopher R. Moylan 3 chris.moylan@honolulu.gov
Diane Chong 3 dchonghawaii@gmail.com
Joan Koff (Secretary) 3 joankoff@yahoo.com
Jason DeMarco 3 jddemarch@gmail.com
Philmund “Phil” Lee 3 philmund@gmail.com
Robert Fox 4 rfoxent@gmail.com
Patty Kawano (Treasurer) 4 lowermanoa@gmail.com
Joseph Mishreki 4 joseph.mishreki@gmail.com
VACANT 4
VACANT 4
VACANT 4

MAP: For a map of the Manoa Neighborhood Board Sub District Boundaries go to: https://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/nco/maps/07_Manoa.jpg.

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2025 at 7:00 P.M.
KAPĀLAMA HALE, 925 DILLINGHAM BLVD, CONFERENCE ROOM 153, HONOLULU, HI 96817
AND VIA WEBEX

Video Recording of Meeting Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awxXFBdetU8

Google Drive Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NO7LXTCebl7VkAMZ8–ocGHcb14-omUL

I. CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:00]: Chair Dave Nagaji called the Mānoa Neighborhood Board No. 7 meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

Quorum was established with 8 members present. Note: This 17- member Board requires nine (9) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Robert Zane, Whitney Bosel, Dave Nagaji, Elton Fukumoto, Clyde Lewman, Joan Koff, Diane Chong, Christopher Moylan, Jason DeMarco (7:02 p.m.), Patti Kawano (7:04 p.m.), and Robert Fox (7:04 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: Ellen Watson, Phil Lee, and Joseph Mishreki.

Guests: Firefighter Fernandez (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Nakamura (Honolulu Police Department); Senator Carol Fukunaga; Representative Andrew Garrett; Elmer Kaai (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa); Laci Goshi (Governor Josh Green); Dominic Dias (Board of Water Supply); Councilmember Scott Nishimoto and Heath; Jessica Lee; Liam Chinn (Reimagining Public Safety Coalition); Helen Nakano, Jenny W.G., Vernelle, June, Janyce Mitchell, Sophia Anderson, Colleen, Brenda Lam, Dylan P. Armstrong, Jolyn Okimoto, Jessica, Kylie Tokujo, Christina, Terri Yoshinaga, Dave, Paul M., Stanton, Betty, Jessica Lee, Izzy, Linda Legrande, Terri Yoshinaga, Liam Chinn, Jackie, Jessica Lee, Beverly Smith, Brett Kurashige, Sophia Anderson, Veneeta Acson, Vanessa, Justin, Thom Benedict, and Lyidia Nakada (Resident); and Anson Wu (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name not included if not legible or stated for the record. There were 42 total participants.

II. FIRST RESPONDER MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:02:04]

Demarco arrived to the meeting at (7:02 p.m.); 9 members present. Quorum is established.

Kawano arrived to the meeting at (7:04 p.m.); 10 members present.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – [0:02:05]: Firefighter Fernandez reported the January 2025 statistics and safety tip for the month concerning Power Outage Preparedness.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ex1DF8EtS5gf92yIMXqqT8SseGXiyZmX/view?usp=drive_link

Fox arrived to the meeting at (7:04 p.m.); 11 members present.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – [0:04:30]: Lieutenant Nakamura reported the January 2025 statistics and safety tip for the month concerning Emergency Preparedness.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed for HFD – [0:06:07]

III. STATE MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:12:33]

Senator Carol Fukunaga – [0:12:33]: Senator Carol Fukunaga provided the report and highlighted the following: the Neighborhood Board requested a hearing for Senate Bill 806 regarding future 201H projects to be focused on Transit Oriented Development (TOD) zones and the introduction of Senate Bill 1632 relating to affordable housing.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_xZfUK9vKils395qdS3elGXuHMPcqSRI/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:14:26]

Representative Andrew Takuya Garrett – [0:15:07]: Representative Andrew Garrett provided the report and highlighted the following: Representative Garrett is serving as the chair of the House of Higher Education; had a hearing that day on House Bill 548 regarding the University of Hawaii to set up a mechanism to acquire Saint the old Francis school property; and information regarding House Bill 541 and House Bill 203.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:17:55]

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Updates – [0:23:17]: Elmer Kaai provided the report and highlighted the following: construction of a new Student Success Center at the former Sinclair Library and targeted to be completed in December 2025; the deconstruction of the Public Broadcasting Service lot; and information on the new College of Education site and Graduate Students of Faculty Housing.

Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [0:25:49]: Laci Goshi provided the report and highlighted the following: Governor Green delivered his third State of the State address last month and reaffirmed the administration’s key priorities.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AR1_F62jS-XWOu9sHt3uT_2x0AEday5I/view?usp=drive_link

Congressman Ed Case’s Representative – [0:26:38]: No representative present.

IV. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:26:53]

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [0:26:58]: Domonic Dias provided the report and highlighted the following: 3 main breaks for the month of January 2025 and the general water announcement regarding Water Waste Hotline.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – [0:28:40]: Chair Nagaji provided the report and highlighted the following: memorial service in Kakaʻako to honor Jeff Fiala; Mayor Blangiardi and members of the mayor’s cabinet are sworn into office, beginning a new four-year term; a new 90-unit Bill 7 affordable housing development breaks ground in Makiki; Repairs begin on the seawall and walkway at Queen’s Surf in Waikīkī near the Barefoot Beach Café; The City unveils a new ʻōpala truck for Leeward Oʻahu parks and beach parks; and Friday, February 21, 2025 Candidate and Voter Filing Deadline for the 2025 Neighborhood Board Elections.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hz_oM4wCW1_0uHitWBLIfpjPPFp9gnrL/view?usp=drive_link

Councilmember Scott Nishimoto – [0:30:33]: Councilmember Scott Nishimoto reminded the residents to sign up for his e-blast for any updates and Councilmember Nishimoto’s staff has taken down Member Fox’s request for a stop sign.

V. RETURNING BUSINESS – [0:32:04]

Decisions from the City Department of Planning & Permitting (DPP) regarding the Manoa Banyan Court and Aria Lane at the Former Saint Francis School Location – [0:32:09]: Chair Nagaji and Bosel provided the report and highlighted the following: no updates since last month’s meeting for Aria Lane; DPP issued a finding of no significant impact on the Manoa Banyan Court; and the environmental review will be published on Saturday, February 8, 2025.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:36:32]

Ala Wai Flood Mitigation’s Potential City Ordinance Establishing an Ala Wai Watershed Special Improvement District – [0:46:45]: No updates.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:47:10]

Motion to Change Time and Location of Monthly Meetings – [0:48:43]: Chair Nagaji provided a brief explanation of the current situation of having a potential physical meeting location at Noelani elementary school, Paki Hale or University of Manoa.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:53:52]

[0:56:22] – Fukumoto MOVED and Fox SECONDED to have the Board, begining in March 2025 and running throught the first meeting of the new term, meet in hybrid mode with in-person location being Noelani Elementary School provided that this board receives funding and would meet from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Discussion Followed. The Board Conducted a roll call vote, the motion WAS ADOPTED; 9-1-0 (Aye: Zane, Bosel, Nagaji, Fukumoto, Koff, Chong, DeMarco, Kawano, Fox; Nay: Moylan; Abstain: None) – [1:27:15].

VI. BOARD BUSINESS – [1:29:38]

Presentation on Korean Language Programs for Public Schools – [1:29:48]: Due to technical difficulties on the presenter’s part, this item was revisited at a later time.

Resolution: Requesting the Department Of Education To Expand The Korean Language Program For Public School Students Within The Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt Complex – [1:29:48]: Due to technical difficulties on the presenter’s part, this item was revisited at a later time.

[1:31:12] – Hearing no objection Chair Nagaji took the meeting out of order.

Filling of Vacancies: Sub District 4 (Three Vacancies) – [1:31:20]: No volunteers

Approval of the Wednesday, January 8, 2025 Meeting Minutes – [1:31:51]: [1:31:59] Fox MOVED and Bosel SECONDED a motion to adopt the Wednesday, January 8, 2025 meeting minutes as written. Hearing no objections, the motion WAS ADOPTED; 11-0-0 (Aye: Zane, Bosel, Nagaji, Fukumoto, Lewman, Koff, Chong, Moylan, DeMarco, Kawano, and Fox; Nay: None; Abstain: None) – [1:32:35].

Member Koff left the meeting at (8:32 p.m.); 10 members present.

Open Forum to Discuss Legislation and Make Suggestions or Requests to Area Lawmakers – [1:33:16]: Member Moylan asked for a follow-up from the Governor’s office regarding climate change resistance and suggested looking into the Pigouvian tax as an example; Member De Marco raised concerns about road stripping along University Avenue to Councilmember Scott Nishimoto and raised concerns to Senator Fukunaga and Representative Garrett regarding education and firearms; Member Kawano questioned 201-H to Senator Fukunaga and Representative Garrett; Resident Ruby asked for any updates on drafted laws on marijuana from Senator Fukunaga; Member Fukumoto asked Senator Fukunaga to provided information to House Bill (HB) 1492; and Member Fox asked for Senator Fukunaga to use Howard Jarvis tax initiative 218 as an example to help structure Hawaii’s property tax.

Presentation on Korean Language Programs for Public Schools – [1:53:48]: Jessica Lee provided a presentation regarding the implementation of Korean Language Programs for public school students within the Kaimuki-Mckinley-Roosevelt complex. Jessica Lee highlighted the following: Korea’s history with the U.S.; the rise of economic growth; economic ties with Hawaii; and global cultural influences in America. Jessica Lee asks for the Manoa Neighborhood Board’s support to ensure that the Department of Education considers expanding the Korean Language programs

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:56:01]

Resolution: Requesting the Department Of Education To Expand The Korean Language Program For Public School Students Within The Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt Complex – [2:05:44]:
• Drafted Resolution: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MSk1ti2s0jpCS7_dKD1N8-uDRbkkUj_d/view?usp=drive_link

[2:06:05] – Zane MOVED and Fox SECONDED a motion to adopt the Resolution Requesting the Department of Education to Expand the Korean Language Program for Public School Students within the Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt Complex as written. Discussion followed.

[2:24:05] – Zane MOVED and Fukumoto SECONDED to strike out “requested” and insert “encourage” and to remove the first Be It Further Resolved paragraph. Discussion followed. Hearing no objections, the motion WAS ADOPTED; 10-0-0 (Aye: Zane, Bosel, Nagaji, Fukumoto, Lewman, Chong, Moylan, DeMarco, Kawano, and Fox; Nay: None; Abstain: None) – [2:26:00].

Questions, comments, and concerns continued – [2:26:27]

[2:29:31] – Zane MOVED and Fox SECONDED a motion to adopt the resolution with amendments. Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a role call vote. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 9-1-0 (Aye: Zane, Bosel, Nagaji, Fukumoto, Chong, Moylan, DeMarco, Kawano, and Fox; Nay: None; Abstain: Lewman) – [2:29:31].

Questions, comments, and concerns continued – [2:26:27]

Update on the Primary Urban Center Development Plan – [2:35:07]: Bosel provided an update on the Primary Urban Center Development Plan and highlighted the possible hearing of the Primary Urban Center Development Plan from the Zoning Committee.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [2:36:17]

VII. PRESENTATION – [2:37:28]

Criminal Justice Policy Presentation – Reimagining Public Safety Coalition – [2:37:28]: Liam Chinn from the Reimagining Public Safety Coalition provided a presentation advocating for more public health and less over-reliance on policing and incarceration. The presentation provides information on the main causes of the housing crisis; the statistics of the number of people that are homeless in Hawaiʻi’s jails; and the risk of using the police to mitigate situations with people who are homeless or with disabilities. The Reimagining Public Safety Coalition suggested reducing the scale of policing and advancing alternate responses, driving investment into the root causes of poverty and violence, decriminalizing poverty and public health issues, decriminalizing youth and driving investment into youth development and wellbeing, and establishing strong civilian oversight of police. The Coalition’s call to action is to stop the proposed $1 billion Super Jail and to invest in people.
• Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KtKeyxl1x1I3PcIGNzgvHyH2iN9nQHzZ/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [2:54:58]

VIII. COMMUNITY CONCERNS – [2:58:47]
No Concerns

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS – [2:58:51]

Neighborhood Board Candidate Registration – [2:58:52]: The City has opened registration for people who are interested in serving on the neighborhood boards. Online registration is due by February 21, 2025. Mail-in registration must be postmarked by February 21, 2025, and received by February 28, 2025. You can register using the link here: https://www8.honolulu.gov/nco/neighborhood-board-elections/

Next Meeting [2:59:09]: Next regular board meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. It will be held via the WebEx online platform and at Noelani Elementary School’s Cafeteria, staring at 6:30 p.m.; location and time subject to change pursuant to agenda item III(c).

Olelo Re-Broadcast – [2:59:29]: Chair Nagaji announced that ʻŌlelo rebroadcasts of the Board meetings may be viewed on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at 3:00 p.m. or every third Tuesday at 9:00 p.m., or online: https://olelo.org/tv-schedule/ or https://www.honolulu.gov/cms-ncomenu/site-nco-sitearticles/1657-board-meeting-videoarchive.html.

X. ADJOURNMENT – [2:23:17]: Chair Nagaji adjourned the meeting at 9:23 p.m.

Submitted by: Anson Wu, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relation 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.