NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION

NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.
Kapālama Hale – Room 153
925 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96817
AND VIA WEBEX

This meeting location is open to public participation.
Other available options include participating by computer, phone or by video system.
WebEx and phone-in instructions are as follows:

Meeting Link: https://cchnl.webex.com/cchnl/j.php?MTID=mfb3983970d0b202c4430a1f3f1a27eb1
Meeting Number / Access Code: 2485 626 8948
Password: NC00 (6200 from phones and video systems)
Join by Phone: +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll

MEETING POLICIES – Adopted July 25, 2023

Recordings of Board meetings can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/@NeighborhoodCommissionOffice

Meeting Materials can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LS8mfBOkIKp5hqr6Fwr5Kn1HCYCURUu0

Rules of Speaking: Anyone wishing to speak is asked to raise his or her hand, and when recognized by the Chair, to address comments to the Chair. Speakers are to keep their comments under two (2) minutes. Public testimony taken on each agenda item. Please silence all electronic devices.

Note: The Commission may take action on any agenda item. As required by the State Sunshine Law (Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92), specific issues not noted on this agenda cannot be voted on, unless properly added to the agenda.

I. CALL TO ORDER – Committee Chair Larry Veray

A. Time Limit Policy and Procedures

B. All participants are to sign in for in-person or virtually identify yourself on WEBEX

C. Roll Call of Neighborhood Plan Committee Members (All committee members must have their video turned on)

II. APPROVAL OF COMMITTEE MINUTES

A. Monday, July 20, 2026 Written Summary for Video Record

III. NEW BUSINESS

A. Discussion item on the requested boundary change between Neighborhood Board No. 13 Downtown-Chinatown and 14 Liliha-Alewa on the requirement to take responsibility as a Neighborhood Board for A’ala Park area.
B. Discussion item on the requested boundary change between Neighborhood Board No. 4 Kaimuki and 5 Diamond Head-Kapahulu-St Louis on the requirement to take responsibility as a Neighborhood Board for the St. Louis Heights Community Association area.
C. Committee to continue to review Chapter 14 Rules of Neighborhood Boards of the Neighborhood Plan and determine if any changes or updates are required. Committee Review:

1. §2-14-114 Quorum and majority vote
2. §2-14-115 Voting
3. §2-14-116 Disclosure
4. §2-14-117 Order and Decorum
5. §2-14-118 Discussion
6. §2-14-119 Adjournment
7. §2-15-120 Officers
8. §2-16-121 Removal of an Officer

IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Next Meeting of the Neighborhood Commission: The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 24, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. on Webex, and at Kapālama Hale First Floor Conference Room 153.

B. Next Committee Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. on Webex, and at Kapālama Hale First Floor Conference Room 153.

V. ADJOURNMENT

DRAFT NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN COMMITTEE MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
MONDAY, JULY 20, 2026 – 6:00 P.M.
KAPĀLAMA HALE CONFERENCE ROOM 153 – 925 DILLINGHAM BOULEVARD, HONOLULU, HI 96817
AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2x-Fvf92p8

Meeting materials can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LS8mfBOkIKp5hqr6Fwr5Kn1HCYCURUu0

I. CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:00]: Committee Chair Veray called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Neighborhood Assistant Rachel Cristobal conducted a roll call. Quorum WAS established with 5 members present. Chair Veray recited the rules of speaking.

Committee Members Present: Mahealani Bernal, Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui, Patrick Smith, Larry Veray, and Lloyd Yonenaka.

Committee Members Absent: Angie Knight and Cross Crabbe.

Guests: Kevin Lye (Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board No.13); Michelle Matson (Diamond Head Neighborhood Board No.5); Travis Saito, Dylan Buck, and Rachel Cristobal (Neighborhood Commission Office). There were 10 total participants. Name not included if not legible on sign-in sheet, not signed in and/or not participated in discussion.

II. APPROVAL OF COMMITTEE MINUTES – [0:01:57]

Monday, May 11, 2026 Written Summary for Video Record – [0:01:57]: Chair Veray opened the floor for any corrections. Kevin Lye noted that while the committee minutes document is correctly labeled on its face, the file’s internal metadata/title field displays “agenda” rather than “minutes,” which is confusing when the document is viewed in programs such as Adobe Acrobat or in a Windows title bar. He noted the same issue has occurred with other neighborhood board documents and asked that it be corrected before publication. Chair Veray thanked Lye for flagging the issue and agreed to have it corrected. Hearing no corrections, the minutes were approved as written; 5-0-0 (Aye: Bernal, Elliott-Pahinui, Smith, Veray, Yonenaka; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

III. NEW BUSINESS – [0:04:01]

§2-14-110 Executive Meetings – [0:04:22]: Chair Veray read the section, which allows a board to hold executive meetings closed to the public in accordance with HRS §92-4. No changes were recommended.

§2-14-111 Meeting Notice and Agendas – [0:04:50]:
● §2-14-111 Meeting Notice and Agendas (a): Chair Veray read paragraph §2-14-111(a) out loud.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:05:26]:
1. Sunshine Law Clarity in Agenda Items: Pahinui raised whether the plan should more explicitly address Sunshine Law requirements for descriptive clarity in agenda items. Chair Veray noted that all 33 boards are currently using a standard agenda template. Dylan Buck shared that this could be added to the guidebook’s draft. No further discussion, so there were no changes made.

● §2-14-111 Meeting Notice and Agendas (b) – [0:07:06]: Chair Veray read paragraph §2-14-111(b) out loud.

Yonenaka MOVED and Smith SECONDED to be more specific when agendas should be received by the Neighborhood Commission Office. It’ll state by noon, seven calendar days before the meeting. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 5-0-0 (Aye: Bernal, Elliott-Pahinui, Smith, Veray, Yonenaka; Nay: None; Abstain: None).
Yonenaka MOVED and Smith SECONDED to include something such as failure to provide timely or failure to provide a timely submission may require cancellation. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 5-0-0 (Aye: Bernal, Elliott-Pahinui, Smith, Veray, Yonenaka; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:10:56]:
1. Removal of On-Site Notice Posting Requirement: Yonenaka proposed striking the requirement that notice should also be posted at the meeting site “whenever feasible,” noting the agenda is always available at the meeting itself. Pahinui raised a concern that removing the language could implicate Sunshine Law; the committee agreed to confirm the change would not violate Sunshine Law before finalizing it.

● §2-14-111 Meeting Notice and Agendas (c) – [0:12:21]: Chair Veray read paragraph §2-14-111(c) out loud. There was a brief discussion on the different types of issues that would occur with different Chairs.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:17:39]:
1. New Subsection on Agenda Amendment: Lye proposed separating the process for creating an agenda from the process for later amending a published agenda by inserting a paragraph break and creating a new subsection (d), with the existing “once filed with the city clerk” language moving to (d) and the executive secretary’s recordkeeping duties becoming new subsection (e).
2. Remote/Hybrid Meeting Notice Language: Lye proposed new language for §2-14-111(a) addressing notice requirements for remote or hybrid (“interactive technology”) meetings to reflect newer legal mandates, and indicated he would submit the specific proposed text as written testimony for later review.
3. Multiple Notice Delivery Methods – Office of Information Practices (OIP) Guidance: Lye raised an OIP position that if a person signs up to receive meeting notices through more than one method (e.g., both email and mail), NCO must send notice through both, and may not state a preference for one method over another. Lye shared a section that he drafted that would change the current section §2-14-111(d) into a new section (e) if the Committee supports it. Dylan Buck responded that NCO already delivers notice through whichever method(s) a person requests and does not withhold either method. After the discussion, the committee agreed to retain the current language, including the statement that electronic mail is preferred, since it does not restrict a person’s chosen method(s) of delivery.

The Committee clarified that they are in agreement with the addition of the new section (d) proposed by Lye and changing the current (d) to (e) as written in the current plan. There were no objections. 5-0-0 (Aye: Bernal, Elliott-Pahinui, Smith, Veray, Yonenaka; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

4. Timeline for Adding an Agenda Item: Lye provided a reworded version of §2‑14‑111(c), splitting it into two clearer parts governing how a chair handles a written request to add an agenda item — include it on the next agenda, having the board decide to have it placed onto the next subsequent meeting, or, if received fewer than 10 days out, defer it to the following meeting. Pahinui flagged a concern: the word “shall” would force a chair to defer even genuinely urgent, late-breaking community items, something she’d personally had to override before. The other commissioners agreed, and the group decided to change “shall” to “may,” giving the chair discretion to still add a time-sensitive item within the 10-day window rather than being bound to defer it. 5-0-0 (Aye: Bernal, Elliott-Pahinui, Smith, Veray, Yonenaka; Nay: None; Abstain: None).
5. Verbatim Publication of Agenda Item Wording – [0:34:22]: Lye proposed an addition of sections §2‑14‑111(c)(4), (5), and (6) which has the language requiring that when a board member’s written request is placed on the agenda, the chair must publish the item’s wording verbatim as submitted, without editing it or appending the requestor’s name, to prevent a chair from biasing the board or public based on an item’s wording or submitter. Smith MOVED and Pahinui SECONDED to keep the current language in the plan as is. The motion was ADOPTED; 5-0-0 (Aye: Bernal, Elliott-Pahinui, Smith, Veray, Yonenaka; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

§2-14-112, Priority of Business – [0:47:55]: Chair Veray read the section out loud.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:48:34]:
1. Order of First Responders and Elected Officials: Yonenaka expressed strong support for keeping Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) and Honolulu Police Department (HPD) first in the order of business, followed by City and State Elected Officials, reasoning is so that the public would be able to speak to their government or ask questions. Chair Veray and Pahinui shared that they have community concerns before City/State elected officials, reasoning that elected officials sometimes leave a meeting before public concerns are heard if those concerns are placed later on the agenda. Pahinui and Chair Veray recommended that the order should remain flexible from board to board, since each community’s priorities and typical attendance differ, but concurred first responders should generally go first.
2. Priority for Vacancies and Officer Elections: Lye referenced an issue previously raised by Deputy Whitsell regarding ambiguity over which items take precedence when a Board has vacant seats or vacant officer positions. He proposed new default-order language — first responders, then filling of membership vacancies, then election of officers (for initial, reconvening meetings, or due an officer resigning) — while still allowing a board to designate items as a special order of business by motion. Pahinui expressed a concern on §2-14-112(b) proposed by Lye that an agenda item would need to be added in order to change the order of business, which would take time from the meeting.

The committee agreed to adopt Lye’s proposed language for the first three listed priority items in §2-14-112(a)(1), (2), and (3), subject to removing the word “strict” so the order remains a flexible default rather than a mandatory sequence.

3. Motion to Reorder the Published Agenda: Lye proposed that any deviation from the published order of business, or designation of a special item of business, require the board to adopt a formal motion. There was a discussion earlier how this may take the board’s time if the item needs to be added onto the agenda. The committee agreed to revise the language so such a change may be made by not less than a two-thirds vote or by unanimous consent, and to replace the term “suspend the rules” (which the committee agreed was not technically accurate) with language describing a motion to reorder or move agenda items. Smith also recommended removing the last sentence from Lye’s proposal of §2-14-112(b) which includes, “The presiding officer shall not unilaterally reorder, bypass, or defer published agenda items without the consent of the assembly”. There were no objections.

The Committee also agreed to keep Lye’s proposed version of §2-14-112(c).

§2-14-113, Meeting Minutes – [1:16:55]: Chair Veray read the out loud.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:17:57]:
1. Replacing “True Reflection” with “Fair and Accurate Summary”: Bernal proposed replacing the requirement that minutes give a “true reflection of the matters discussed” with a requirement that minutes “fairly and accurately summarize the proceedings,” explaining that “true reflection” has historically been a source of dispute among board members over minutes’ length and content. Dylan Buck shared that the NCO’s suggestion would be to get rid of sections §2-14-113 (a)(1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) and replace with “the board shall keep written or recorded minutes of all meetings stated in HRS section 92-9 unless otherwise required by law.” Reasoning is when Sunshine Law explains the two forms of minutes, they’re referencing the recorded minutes which is the truest reflection.
2. Committee Meeting Minutes Requirements: Commissioners discussed whether the same minutes standard should apply to committee meetings, which are not video recorded. It was noted that many committees currently produce no minutes at all despite being required to do so under Sunshine Law. Yonenaka proposed that the Neighborhood Plan should make it clear that all committees are also required to keep written minutes summarizing their proceedings.
3. 30-Day vs. 40-Day Minutes Publication Discrepancy: Lye noted that Sunshine Law allows up to 40 days for publication of minutes, while boards have traditionally operated on a stricter 30-day requirement tied to their monthly meeting cycle, and asked that this discrepancy be addressed. Chair Veray and other commissioners agreed the 30-day requirement should be retained, since a board may impose stricter, but not more lenient, requirements than the Sunshine Law minimum. Dylan Buck clarified that the NCO’s position was to get rid §2-14-113 (a)(1), (2), (3), (4), and (5), but keep (b), (c), and (d).
4. Inclusion of Non-Digital Materials in the Written Record: Lye asked how items such as photographs or physical documents presented in person, but not digitally screen-shared, would be reflected in the written record. Smith responded that such materials can be added to the linked meeting materials folder referenced in the minutes, and clarified that a member’s right to request inclusion of specific information applies to traditional written minutes, not to the written summary accompanying a video record.

Finalized language for §2-14-113(A) was agreed upon as follows: the board shall keep written or recorded minutes of all meetings, including committee meetings, as stated in HRS §92-9; unless otherwise required by law, neither a full transcript nor a recording of the meeting is required, but the minutes shall fairly and accurately summarize the proceedings – [1:33:22]. No changes were proposed to existing subsections B, C, and D.

§2-14-114 Quorum and Majority Vote – [1:35:28]: Due to time constraints, the committee deferred further review, beginning with §2-14-114, to the next meeting. Lye noted he had additional comments on §2-14-114(d) and would submit them as written testimony for the Commissioners’ consideration – [1:35:51].

§2-14-115 Voting – [1:36:25]: Deferred to the next meeting.

§2-14-116 Disclosure – [1:36:25]: Deferred to the next meeting.

§2-14-117 Order and Decorum – [1:36:25]: Deferred to the next meeting.

§2-14-118 Discussion – [1:36:25]: Deferred to the next meeting.

§2-14-119 Adjournment – [1:36:25]: Deferred to the next meeting.

IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS – [1:36:25]
Neighborhood Board Boundary Changes: Chair Veray reminded commissioners that several boards are considering boundary changes and asked that any related resolutions be submitted soon so they may be forwarded for consideration at the next regular meeting.

Next Meeting: The next regular Neighborhood Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Kāpālama Hale and via WebEx. The next Neighborhood Plan Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Kāpālama Hale and via WebEx.

V. ADJOURNMENT – [1:37:19]: The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:37 p.m.

Submitted by: Rachel Cristobal, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, NCO
Finalized by: Larry Veray, Committee Chair, Neighborhood Commission

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.