MĀNOA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 7
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 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/@cityandcountyneighborhoodc2559
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. Manoa Banyan Court & Aria Lane. In January, the Department of Planning and Permitting issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Manoa Banyan Court. In February, the Department of Planning and Permitting issued a decision that approved the Aria Lane project subject to certain conditions. At previous meetings, the Chair was authorized by this Board to give testimony AGAINST both projects in any future approval proceedings or appeals.
i. Member Fukumoto and the Chair are currently working on a resolution to ask the City and State to jointly consider the cumulative impact of both projects during any future approval proceedings or appeals.
b. Ala Wai Flood Mitigation
i. Concerns regarding potential flooding caused by the narrowing of Manoa Stream alongside Manoa Valley District Park – Member Fukumoto
VI. BOARD BUSINESS
a. Presentation: Empty Homes Tax – Ross Isokane, Empty Homes Coalition
b. Resolution: “RESOLUTION STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 13 IN SUPPORT OF ESTABLISHING AN EMPTY HOMES TAX IN HONOLULU” – Ross Isokane, Empty Homes Tax Coalition
c. Open Forum to Discuss Legislation and Make Suggestions or Requests to Area Lawmakers
d. Selection of Recess Month for Summer of 2025. Each year, this Board typically selects either June or July to be a “recess month.” Motions will be entertained for June 2025 or July 2025 to be designated for recess.
e. 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.
f. Approval of the Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Draft Meeting Minutes
g. Update on the Primary Urban Center Development Plan
h. Update Regarding the Manoa Valley District Park Pool. The Department of Parks & Recreation has announced via email that the Manoa Pool is “now scheduled to reopen by the beginning of Summer Fun 2025 in early June.”
i. Creation of a “Follow the Money” or “Follow the Issue” Committee, as well as appointment of a chair and vice chair for this committee – Member Watson
j. Report: Proactive Solutions Committee – Member Moylan
VII. COMMUNITY CONCERNS
a. Other Concerns Not Otherwise Listed
VIII. 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 only competitive election for the Manoa Neighborhood Board will be in Subdistrict 1, where there are 5 candidates running for 3 available seats.
b. City and County of Honolulu and Hawai’i Foodbank are Partnering to Fight Against Hunger: Neighborhood Assistant Anson Wu will be collecting donated canned goods at Tonight’s meeting.
c. Next Meeting: Next regular board meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. It will be held in person at Noelani Elementary School Cafeteria, as well as online via WebEx, starting at 6:30pm.
d. Agenda Items for the Next Meeting: In May, there will be (1) a resolution asking the City and State to jointly consider the cumulative impact of Manoa Banyan Court and Aria Lane during any future approval proceedings or appeals and (2) a presentation by the Department of Transportation Services on potential changes to TheBus routes. Other new items may be added, if space on the agenda permits.
e. 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.
IX. 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.
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DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025 at 6:30 P.M.
NOELANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA 2655 WOODLAWN DR, HONOLULU, HI 96822
AND VIA WEBEX
Video Recording of Meeting Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2Gr21dx7I0
Google Drive Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NO7LXTCebl7VkAMZ8–ocGHcb14-omUL
I. CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:02]: Chair Dave Nagaji called the Mānoa Neighborhood Board No. 7 meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
Quorum was established with 10 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, Ellen Watson, Whitney Bosel, Dave Nagaji, Elton Fukumoto, Clyde Lewman, Diane Chong, Christopher Moylan, Jason DeMarco, Robert Fox, Phil Lee (6:51 p.m.); and Joseph Mishreki (6:55 p.m.).
Board Members Absent: Joan Koff and Patti Kawano.
Guests: Fire Captian Jacob I. Nakajima (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Taro Nakamura (Honolulu Police Department); Senator Carol Fukunaga; Representative Andrew Garrett; Elmer Kaai (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa); Dominic Dias (Board of Water Supply); Deputy Director Gavin Thornton (Mayor Rick Blangiardi); Councilmember Scott Nishimoto and Heath; Laci Goshi (Governor Josh Green); Wes Oda, Ted Churchill, Seth Kamemoto, Teri Mitchell, Laci Goshi, Courtney Sugai, Tom Heinrich, Lori, Bev Smith, Dana Senaha, Kurt Takara, Janyce Mitchell, William Brown, Linda Legrande, Matsumura, Paul M., Dana Harvey, Ally A.V., Paul, Jan, Betty, Courtney Sugai, Annette Shimizu, Kelly, Jonathan, Dave, Seth Kamemoto, Glenn Otaguro, Ted Churchill, Brett and Melvina Kurashige, Jona Anderson, Vanessa Distajo, Christine Kaneshin, Alan Lau, Howard Luke, Tania Rochell, J.L., Ron Brown; Jolyn Okimoto, Ellen Sofio, Hector, Celaste Ibara, Wesley Oda, and Alison Yasunoka (Resident); and Anson Wu (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name not included if not legible or stated for the record. There were 72 total participants.
II. FIRST RESPONDER MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:02:29]
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – [0:02:29]: No representative present, was revisited at a later time.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – [0:02:56]: Lieutenant Taro Nakamura reported the February 2025 statistics and safety tips for the month, reminding residents about the Move Over Laws.
• Crime statistics: https://www.crimemapping.com/map/agency/165#;
• For more information¬: https://www.honolulupd.org/
Questions, comments, and concerns – [0:04:25]
[0:05:38] – Hearing no objections, Chair Nagaji took the agenda out of order and moved up item 6g.
Three Absence Letter for Member Ellen Watson – [0:06:16]: Member Watson provided an explanation of her three absences. No motion was made. Member Watson remains on the board.
III. STATE MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:07:36]
Senator Carol Fukunaga – [0:07:37]: Senator Carol Fukunaga provided the report and highlighted the following: third reading of bills and the Senate focused on invasive species legislation and firework prevention.
Member Watson leaves the meeting at (6:38 p.m.); 9 members present.
Representative Andrew Takuya Garrett – [0:08:56]: Representative Andrew Garrett provided the report and highlighted the following: updates on the legislature regarding bills; State Budget passed the House Finance Committee; and updates on House Bill (HB) 548 regarding the acquisition of the Saint Francis School Campus for the University of Hawaii at Mānoa.
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Updates – [0:11:15]: Elmer Kaai provided the report and highlighted the following: upcoming spring break and no updates regarding the Federal Cuts.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed for HFD – [0:12:04]
Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [0:14:13]: No representative present.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AR1_F62jS-XWOu9sHt3uT_2x0AEday5I/view?usp=drive_link
Congressman Ed Case’s Representative – [0:14:30]: No representative present.
IV. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:14:43]
Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [0:14:46]: Domonic Dias provided the report and highlighted the following: no main breaks for the month of February 2025; Kalawahine Waterline Project in Makiki; and the general water announcement regarding Board of Water Supply is Hiring.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-323sydHaY6jo-XynnYhtBjVus4WDPEw/view?usp=drive_link
Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – [0:16:16]: Deputy Director Gavin Thornton provided the report and highlighted the following: Kumu Ola Hou, a new transitional housing shelter for homeless individuals, opens at Iwilei Center; Mayor Blangiardi introduces Roy Miyahira, the City’s new Director of Homeless Solutions; and update for O’ahu residents on FEMA’s updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM).
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TmbE0Q7uyzbnJTmnYwmSzngR_gXagayC/view?usp=drive_link
Questions, comments, and concerns followed for HFD – [0:18:06]
Councilmember Scott Nishimoto – [0:19:51]: Councilmember Scott Nishimoto reminded the residents to sign up for his e-blast for any updates and announced the16th annual free tax preparation Clinic this Saturday at the Hawaii State Library.
Member Lee arrives to the meeting at (6:51p.m.); 10 members present.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed for HFD – [0:21:25]
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – [0:24:02]: Fire Captian Jacob I. Nakajima reported the February 2025 statistics and safety tip regarding Smoke Alarms.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LN-NbsQk0h49NfxmB1T3_ILNtWknCnWh/view?usp=drive_link
Member Mishreki arrives to the meeting at (6:55 p.m.); 11 members present.
V. RETURNING BUSINESS – [0:26:26]
Decisions from the City Department of Planning & Permitting (DPP) regarding the Manoa Banyan Court and Aria Lane at the Former Saint Francis School Location – [0:26:27]:
Manoa Banyan Court – [0:26:52]: Resident Seth Kamemoto provided a presentation regarding the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) issuing a determination letter Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Manoa Banyan Court Project.
• Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15g9eNvDbR7YD198W7tOcbqdodAf5aBWV/view?usp=drive_link
Questions, comments, and concerns followed for HFD – [0:32:05]
Aria Lane at the Former Saint Francis School Location – [0:47:23]: Resident Ted Churchill from Malama St. Francis Manoa Group provided a presentation regarding updates to the February 24, 2025, DPP decision, which approved the Saint Francis Aria Lane project under certain conditions.
• Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11JSaLZBNPVE3rF6OwgIaz6cyG7ly0BTj/view?usp=drive_link
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:53:02]
VI. BOARD BUSINESS – [1:18:40]
Open Forum to Discuss Legislation and Make Suggestions or Requests to Area Lawmakers – [1:18:43]: No discussion followed.
Noelani Elementary School and Manoa Elementary School Listed as Among the Best Elementary Schools in Hawai’i – [1:19:00]: Member Fukumoto provided an explanation that Noelani Elementary School and Manoa Elementary School were recognized as the best elementary schools in Hawaiʻi and asked the board to write a congratulatory letter.
[1:21:07]: Fukomoto MOVED and Bosel SECONDED to send congratulatory letters to Noelani Elementary School and Manoa Elementary School. Hearing no objections, the motion was adopted; 11-0-0 (Aye: Zane, Bosel, Nagaji, Fukumoto, Lewman, Chong, Moylan, DeMarco, Kawano, Fox, and Mishreki; Nay: None; Abstain: None) – [1:21:30].
Filling of Vacancies: Sub District 4 (Three Vacancies) – [1:21:46]: No volunteers.
Approval of the Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Meeting Minutes – [1:22:29]: [1:22:35] Zane MOVED and DeMarco to adopt the Wednesday, February 5, 2025 meeting minutes as written. Hearing no objections, the motion was adopted; 11-0-0 (Aye: Zane, Bosel, Nagaji, Fukumoto, Lewman, Chong, Moylan, DeMarco, Kawano, Fox, and Mishreki; Nay: None; Abstain: None) – [1:22:48].
Update on the Primary Urban Center Development Plan – [1:22:57]: Councilmember Nishimoto stated that they are analyzing the Primary Urban Center Development plan, and it will be addressed by the committee in early April.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:24:10]
Ala Wai Flood Mitigation – [1:24:44]: Member Fukumoto stated that the Army Core continues to prepare for the release of its Environmental Impact Statement.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:26:46]
VII. PRESENTATION – [1:27:41]
Sewer Fee Increases – Honolulu Department of Environmental Services – [1:27:43]: Director Roger Babcock provided information regarding the increase in sewer fees. The Sand Island Treatment upgrade is to be completed by 2035. Fees will increase by 9% per year for six years beginning on July 1, 2025. ENV’s new program, Customer Assistance for Residential Environmental Services (CARES), will offer a 20 to 25 credit on monthly fixed fee for sewer customers whose household income is less than 80% area median income.
• Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vXAJVeZuqmKIGdlU4gu5Tdc_EV8upGIV/view?usp=drive_link
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:42:32]
Member Fox left the meeting at (8:18 p.m.); 10 members present.
VIII. COMMUNITY CONCERNS – [1:47:33]
Checking on Status of the Manoa Valley District Park Pool Area – [1:47:34]: Chair Nagaji stated that the repairs should be completed in the spring of this year.
IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS – [1:47:51]
Neighborhood Board Elections for the 2025-2027 Term – [1:47:53]: 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:
a. Subdistrict 1: 5 candidates running for 3 available seats; there will be a competitive election.
b. Subdistrict 2: 3 candidates running for 3 available seats; no competitive election.
c. Subdistrict 3: 5 candidates running for 5 available seats; no competitive election.
d. Subdistrict 4: 5 candidates running for 6 available seats; no competitive election.
Next Meeting [1:48:16]: Next regular board meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. It will be held via the WebEx online platform and at Noelani Elementary School’s Cafeteria, 2655 Woodlawn Dr, Honolulu, HI 96822, staring at 6:30 p.m.; location and time subject to change pursuant to agenda item III(c).
Olelo Re-Broadcast – [1:48:32]: 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.
Meeting Location Reminder – [1:48:54]: Member Bosel reminded the residents attending the meeting of house rules.
Round Robin – [1:49:19]: Resident Oda announced a Round Robin exercise in preparation for the Hurricane season on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Mānoa Valley Church.
Food Bank – [1:50:56]: The NA announced that the Neighborhood Boards are collecting canned goods to donate to the Hawaiian Food Bank.
X. ADJOURNMENT – [1:51:14]: Chair Nagaji adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
Submitted by: Anson Wu, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy, 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.
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