WAI‘ALAE – KĀHALA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 3

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026 at 7:00 P.M.
ALA WAI GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE
404 KAPAHULU AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR, HONOLULU, HI 96815
AND VIA WEBEX

WEBEX MEETING LINK: https://cchnl.webex.com/cchnl/j.php?MTID=m90ba0cc0c06385379f06455c91322e2f
MEETING NUMBER/ ACCESS CODE: 2499 473 0796
PASSWORD: NB03 (6203 from phones and video systems)
JOIN BY PHONE: +1-408-418-9388

Other available options include participating by WebEx and phone; instructions listed above.

Meeting Materials: Find a monthly archive of handouts and referenced materials concerning to the Waiʻalae-Kāhala Neighborhood Board No. 3 at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17LXJxz95TzKD5-I_NellIitTwSrY6MBr

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

Rules of Speaking: Anyone wishing to speak is asked to raise their hand, and when recognized by the Chair, to address comments to the Chair. Speakers are encouraged to keep their comments under three (3) minutes, and those giving reports are urged to keep their reports under three (3) minutes. Please silence all electronic devices.

Note: The Board may take action 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 (2/3) vote six (6) of this nine (9)-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 Pro Tem Christian de Quevedo

II. CITY / STATE MONTHLY REPORTS: Limited to three (3) minutes each
a. Honolulu Fire Department
b. Honolulu Police Department
c. Board of Water Supply – Lorna Heller
d. Department of Transportation Services – Casey Abe

III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
a. Election of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and other officers of the Waiʻalae-Kāhala Neighborhood Board No. 3 for the 2026-2027 board year. Possible board action.

IV. FILLING OF VACANCIES
a. (One Vacancy) Subdistrict 1: Residents interested in serving must provide current proof of residency or contact Neighborhood Assistant Anson Wu (anson.wu@honolulu.gov) in advance. In the absence of volunteers, discussion and possible board action to request that the Neighborhood Commission temporarily convert the Subdistrict 1 seat to at-large for the remainder of the 2025-2027 term.

V. REPORTS OF MEMBERS’ ATTENDANCE AT OTHER MEETINGS

VI. ELECTED OFFICIALS’ REPORTS: Limited to three (3) minutes each
a. Governor’s Representative
b. Mayor’s Representative – Hong Li
c. Councilmember Tommy Waters
d. Representative Mark Hashem
e. Representative Tina Grandinetti
f. Senator Stanley Chang

VII. RESIDENTS’ COMMUNITY CONCERNS: Limited to three (3) minutes each

VIII. BOARD BUSINESS / UNFINISHED BUSINESS / PRESENTATIONS
A. Board Business
a. Approval of Thursday, June 18, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes
b. Discussion on, and invitation for interested residents to participate in, re-establishing the investigative permitted interaction group to review the PUCDP and the EHSCP with formal action anticipated at the September 2026 meeting.
c. Formation of a Permitted Interaction Group (PIG), Department of Education Lot, Puʻu Panini Avenue: Establishment of an investigative permitted interaction group regarding conditions and improvement of the Department of Education lot along Puʻu Panini Avenue, including identification of the group’s purpose and its members (maximum of four board members plus interested residents). Possible board action.

B. Unfinished Business / New Business / Presentations
a. 949 Kealaolu Place, Non-Permitted Fence and Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) Enforcement Status: Continued discussion of the DPP enforcement status on the non-permitted fence at 949 Kealaolu Place, and status of formal Chair correspondence to DPP. Possible board correspondence or action.
b. Kīlauea Avenue, Chronic Vehicle Occupation and Street Maintenance, Status Update: Update on HPD and Department of Facility Maintenance response regarding long-term vehicle occupation, street sweeping obstruction, and street tree maintenance along Kīlauea Avenue. Possible board action or referral.
c. Waiʻalae Nui Stream, Homeless Encampment Response Update: Update from HPD and/or the Mayor’s Representative on the Request for Immediate Services and Response (RISR) regarding homeless encampments within the Waiʻalae Nui Stream corridor.
d. Board Correspondence Submission Process: Discussion and possible adoption of a standard process for residents and organizations to submit correspondence to the board for review and agenda placement. Possible board action.
e. Red Hill Registry, Community Presentation (10 Minutes Requested): Presentation by Tara Sutton, Director of Community Engagement, Red Hill Registry, University of Hawaiʻi System Office of Strategic Health Initiatives, introducing the registry, its resources, and opportunities for community participation.
f. Val Nolasco Half Marathon (Sunday, November 8, 2026), Event Notification: Notification from Shaka Racing Hawaiʻi regarding the annual event starting at 5:30 a.m. and affecting Kīlauea Avenue, Kāhala Avenue, and surrounding roadways, provided to satisfy City and County permit requirements.

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. Permitted Interaction Group Status: The Chair will announce the discontinuation of the permitted interaction group formed Thursday, February 19, 2026 for the PUCDP and EHSCP review, in anticipation of the re-establishment described under Board Business.
b. Fraud Advisory: Fraudulent emails impersonating the Board Chair and requesting payments have circulated. The board never solicits payments by email; verify any unusual request directly with the sender through a known telephone number or email address.
c. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, September 17, 2026, 7:00 p.m. at Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse, 404 Kapahulu Avenue, 2nd Floor, Honolulu, HI 96815, and via WebEx.

X. ADJOURNMENT

Waiʻalae Kāhala Neighborhood Board
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 (808) 768-3710 or e-mail. 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, 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 MEMORANDUM FOR VIDEO RECORD
THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2026 at 7:00 P.M.
ALA WAI GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE 404 KAPAHULU AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR, HONOLULU, HI 96815
AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwE8NMWD7vM

Reports & other meeting materials can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17LXJxz95TzKD5-I_NellIitTwSrY6MBr?usp=drive_link

I. CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:33]: Vice Chair Brian Wong called the Waiʻalae-Kāhala Neighborhood Board No. 3 meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Quorum WAS NOT established with 4 members present. Note – This (9)-member Board requires (5) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action. Board members must be in-person or have video access.

Members Present: John White, Richard Turbin, Brian Wong, Lee Castonguay, Aloha McGuffie (7:08 p.m.), Peter Dudgeon (7:11 p.m.), and Colin Fujiki (7:20 p.m.).

Members Absent: Christian De Quevedo.

Guests: Firefighter Peter Akiona (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant Miura (Honolulu Police Department); Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply); Deputy Director Hong Li (Mayor Blangiardi); Councilmember Tommy Waters; Tasha Luke; Casey Shoji (Senator Stanley Chang); Matt Lippard and Keola Cheng (Wilson Okamoto Corporation); Ben Weitz (Shangri La); Barrett Francis, Randy Port, Jason Liang, Dalan Kam, Keenan and Chris Kinimaka, Randall Port, C Fuller, Matt Lippert, Kahi Pacarro, John Black, Spencer, Traci, Ben, Peter and Carol Greenwell, Paul Hogan, and Mike Buck (Residents); and Anson Wu (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were approximately 30 total attendees.

II. CITY / STATE MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:00:37]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – [0:00:51]: Firefighter Peter Akiona provided the May 2026 statistics and June 2026 safety tip and highlighted the following:
• May 2026 Statistics: 7 activated fire alarms with no fire; 27 medical emergencies; and 1 ocean rescue.
• June 2026 Safety Tip: Hurricane season runs Monday, June 1, 2026 through Monday, November 30, 2026. Residents were encouraged to build a 14-day disaster supply kit, review insurance policies for hurricane-related coverage, obtain window protection supplies, and sign up for storm alerts. Incident information is available via the fire response search tool under the news and info tab.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:02:07]:
1. All-Hazard Information Website: Vice Chair Wong referenced a news report on a new all-hazard information website covering flood, fire/wildfire, and tsunami risk areas and asked HFD for the site name. Firefighter Akiona did not have the information on hand and offered to follow up at the next meeting.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – [0:03:45]: Lieutenant Miura provided the May 2026 statistics and highlighted the following:
• May 2026 Statistics: 2 motor vehicle thefts; 4 burglaries; 6 thefts; 4 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMVs); and 5,573 total calls for service.
• June 2026 Safety Tips: Hurricane season reminders were reiterated, including building a 14-day disaster kit, reviewing insurance policies, considering shelter-in-place versus evacuation (noting older single-wall homes are common in Hawaiʻi), pre-planning an evacuation destination, and arranging generators in advance for residents with medical devices such as oxygen tanks.

McGuffie arrived to the meeting at 7:08 p.m. Quorum was established, 5 members present.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:05:17]:
1. Crime Mapping Tool Not Updating: Member White asked whether Lieutenant Miura was aware that the online crime mapping tool had not been populating data for the past week. Lieutenant Miura had not heard of an issue but agreed to check with the department.
2. New Police Chief Transition: Member Turbin asked how the transition to the new police chief was progressing. Miura noted the new chief had not yet been sworn in and that operations remained status quo in the interim.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [0:07:04]: Lorna Heller provided the report and highlighted the following: one water main break in the past month (a 12-inch main on Diamond Head Road, Monday, May 11, 2026); and the upcoming semiannual water quality report, mailed to all customers by Wednesday, July 1, 2026 (second report in December 2026), also available online, including a new large-print booklet describing water origin and substances tested. Additional information is available by calling (808) 748-5041.

Dudgeon arrived to the meeting at 7:11 p.m. 6 members present.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:08:25]:
1. Kaikoʻo Place Irrigation Leak Repaired: Hogan thanked Heller for resolving a leaking median irrigation line, noting it saved thousands of gallons of water. Heller thanked the community for reporting the issue and helping get it addressed.

Department of Transportation Services (DTS) / Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) – Casey Abe – [0:09:46]: No representative was present.

III. FILLING OF VACANCIES – [0:10:11]

Subdistrict 1 – One Vacancy – [0:10:13]: No volunteers.

Election of Board Secretary – [0:10:42]: [0:11:08] – Castonguay NOMINATED McGuffie as Secretary. Hearing no further nominations, the Board conducted a roll call vote. McGuffie was ELECTED as Secretary; 7-0 (MCGUFFIE: Dudgeon, Fujiki, White, Turbin, Wong, McGuffie, and Castonguay; ABSTAIN: None) – [0:11:34]

IV. REPORTS OF MEMBERS’ ATTENDANCE AT OTHER MEETINGS – [0:12:32]:

Member Turbin reported attending the City-sponsored art and poetry celebration at Triangle Park (funded through the Bloomberg Foundation), hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts. He described a poetry presentation by mostly younger Hawaiian community poets, hula, live music, and strong attendance, cover topics related to Hawaiian sovereignty and the upcoming military lease expirations. Member McGuffie added that the event centered on the history of Leʻahi (Diamond Head), including a song written by Robert Wilcox whose descendant Gaylor Wilcox lives nearby, and that she found the music and poetry, some of it slam poetry, to be excellent.

V. ELECTED OFFICIALS’ REPORTS – [0:15:52]

Governor’s Representative – [0:15:56]: No representative present.

Mayor’s Representative – [0:16:11]: Hong Li, Deputy Director of the Department of Transportation Services, provided the report highlighted the following: the City’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency (CCSR) has released a draft of the first-ever Oʻahu Food System Plan, outlining more than 70 actions the city can take to improve food production, distribution, access, and disposal, with the comment period ending at the end of June 2026. Highlights from the Mayor’s newsletter included the selection of David Lazar as the new Honolulu Police Chief (not yet sworn in at the time of this report), a city initiative to reduce homelessness on Oʻahu, the departure of Managing Director Mike Formby, expanding access to local food on Oʻahu, and new city microloans for local small businesses.

Fujiki arrived to the meeting at 7:20 p.m. 7 members present

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:18:53]:
1. Kāhala Triangle / Kāhala Avenue Pedestrian Safety Study Extension: Member White followed up on a prior pedestrian safety inquiry, asking whether a planned safety study would continue down Kāhala Avenue past Black Point Road toward the Kāhala Resort, per correspondence from Director Morton indicating the study would stop at Black Point Road. Deputy Director Li stated the scope of work may already include this area and committed to confirming directly.
2. Honolulu Zoo Elephant Litigation: Member Castonguay asked about the City’s position regarding ongoing litigation concerning elephants at the Honolulu Zoo under its new director. Deputy Director Li stated he could not comment on ongoing litigation but would relay the concern.
3. Kīlauea Avenue / Pūʻeo Street Traffic Light Repair: Member Turbin thanked DTS for repairing the malfunctioning traffic light at Kilauea Avenue and Pueo Street, noting the commute for Mauka-side Kāhala residents has improved significantly. Deputy Director Li acknowledged the issue and encouraged residents to also use the City’s 311 app to report similar issues in real time.
4. No-Parking Sign Replacement at Kāhala Towers Driveway: Hogan followed up on a previously approved no-parking sign at a Kāhala Towers driveway that has been delayed roughly three months. Deputy Director Li confirmed staff had investigated and agreed a replacement sign is needed; a work order was submitted to the Department of Facility Maintenance, but resources were diverted during the March 2026 and April 2026 storm season. Deputy Director Li committed to personally following up and reporting back.

Councilmember Tommy Waters – [0:26:10]: Councilmember Tommy Waters presented a certificate recognizing board member White for founding the Kāhala Diamond Head Neighborhood Board Security Watch in 2018 and noted attending the gathering at Kāhala Triangle and suggested to have more similar events.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:29:07]:
1. Triangle Park Art Event Feedback: Member Turbin, Member McGuffie, and Councilmember Waters discussed the positive turnout, atmosphere, and community response to the Triangle Park art and poetry event and agreed the City should consider sponsoring similar events in the future.
2. Mauʻumae Nature Park Archery Range Withdrawal: Member Turbin asked for the backstory on the withdrawal of a proposed archery range from Mauʻumae Nature Park. Councilmember Waters explained he surveyed roughly 2,500 residents, finding 80% opposed, and presented the results to the administration and Parks Department, which led to the City and the proponent withdrawing the proposal; Councilmember Waters is helping identify an alternative site, such as near Koko Crater. He also noted the community has since partnered with the Aloha Tree Alliance to clear invasive grass and plant native trees, including koa, in the area.
3. Queen Theater Sale Update: Member Turbin asked whether any sale conditions would require the buyer to include community space, referencing the Queens theater’s history. Waters confirmed the property is privately owned and for sale, the City cannot impose use restrictions on a private sale, and he hopes future owners retain it as a theater or community performance space rather than redevelop it.

Representative Mark Hashem – [0:40:14]: No representative present.

Representative Tina Grandinetti – [0:40:27]: Port relayed that Representative Grandinetti was hosting a disaster preparedness town hall that same evening at Liholiho Elementary School, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, the Wildfire Management Organization, the Department of Emergency Management, and the Center for Resilient Neighborhoods. Port noted the event was well attended and that one of the participating organizations may be able to answer Vice Chair Wong’s earlier question about hazard-area information.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:41:40]:
1. Town Hall Availability: Member McGuffie confirmed also attending the town hall and noted the full program was filmed by ʻŌlelo and would be available on ʻŌlelo’s schedule or Representative Grandinetti’s office/website.

Senator Stanley Chang – [0:42:29]: Senator Stanley Chang representative Casey Shoji provided the report and highlighted the following: he noted that Senator Chang’s district newsletter (summarizing bills passed this legislative session) and housing newsletter, and announcing an upcoming Senator Chang webinar featuring Sir Michael Lyons, Chair of the New Towns Task Force (an independent advisory panel in England), regarding a plan to build approximately 300,000 new homes.

VI. RESIDENTS’ COMMUNITY CONCERNS – [0:43:54]

Representative Gradinetti’s Town Hall/ Talk Story Announcement – [0:44:31]: Liang offered to obtain and share the recording of Representative Grandinetti’s disaster preparedness town hall with the board chair and vice chair for distribution. He also announced a “Talk Story” event at Kuliʻouʻou Beach this Saturday, June 19, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., open to all.

VII. BOARD BUSINESS / UNFINISHED BUSINESS / PRESENTATIONS – [0:45:18]

A. Board Business – [0:45:23]

Approval of Thursday, May 21, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes – [0:45:25]: Member McGuffie noted a correction to page 7 of the draft minutes, changing a reference to the next Climate & Resiliency Mandate for East Oʻahu presentation date from August 2026 to reflect that the Board’s recess had shifted from June 2026 to July 2026, meaning she was presenting again that same evening.

[0:46:44] – Castonguay MOVED and Fujiki SECONDED to adopt the Thursday, May 21, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes with amendments. Hearing no objections, the motion WAS adopted; 7-0-0 (AYE: Dudgeon, Fujiki, White, Turbin, Wong, McGuffie, and Castonguay; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None) – [0:46:52]

Get Out and Vote Event – [0:48:06]: Pacarro announced a Get Out and Vote event on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at the Kawaikui Beach Park.

Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) Update – Primary Urban Center Development Plan (PUCDP) and East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan (EHSCP) – [0:49:09]: Member McGuffie reported that the PIG met via Zoom on Friday, June 5, 2026, with members each reviewing an assigned section of the two plans: Member White (clean energy transformation); Nicolay (housing, watersheds, and water quality); Kam (smart sustainable communities, green workforce, and education); Chair De Quevedo (solid waste reduction and local food production); and Member McGuffie (natural resources management). The PIG’s next meeting is Friday, July 3, 2026, when the Friday, June 5, 2026 minutes are expected to be approved and posted, along with the full review report, to the NCO website for board and community review.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:51:33]:
1. Report Posting Location: A resident asked where the report would be posted. Member McGuffie confirmed it will be posted to the Neighborhood Commission Office website under the Waiʻalae-Kāhala Neighborhood Board documents.
2. PIG vs. Committee Clarification: Neighborhood Assistant Anson Wu asked whether this body is a PIG or a committee. Member McGuffie confirmed it is a PIG.
3. PIG Meeting Schedule: Member Castonguay asked about the PIG’s meeting schedule. Member McGuffie explained the group meets the first Friday of each month, generally from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with designated members assigned to review specific topic areas.

Climate and Resiliency Mandate for East Oʻahu (CRM-EO) – [0:53:33]: Member McGuffie then presented Part Two of the draft Climate & Resiliency Mandate for East Oʻahu (CRM-EO) on behalf of the Kāhala Initiative for Sustainability, Culture and the Arts (KISCA) Hui. Highlights included: the mandate’s grounding in the 1986 Aloha Spirit Law; a grassroots initiative connecting the six East Oʻahu neighborhood boards that share the Koʻolau Mountain watershed down to Maunalua Bay; plans to form community working groups (e.g., clean streams/storm drains, beach cleanup) based on upcoming survey results; a roughly 150-member KISCA Hui volunteer network drawing on partner organizations such as Livable Hawaiʻi Kai, Protect and Preserve Hawaiʻi, Mālama Maunalua, 808 Cleanups, Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, and the Aloha ʻĀina Tree Alliance; distribution of a written survey (available at the NCO website or in person) to gather community climate priorities; a project timeline moving from symposium findings through strategic actions (April 2026 – August 2026 neighborhood board presentations) toward working-group implementation beginning in 2027; and reminded residents to take the survey and read the drafted mandate.
• Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DWTMDuSq8DX2HdLTuaCFyOSPs0XiFjG2/view?usp=drive_link

B. Unfinished Business / New Business / Presentations – [1:10:26]

949 Kealaolu Place, Non-Permitted Fence and Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) Enforcement Status – [1:10:55]: Councilmember Waters reported that the unpermitted fence at 949 Kealaolu Place was denied a variance by the DPP; the homeowner has appealed to the Building Board of Appeals, which he noted is backed up. Councilmember Waters is committed to provide an update to the board.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:11:24]:
1. Board of Appeals Information: Member Fujiki asked when this was sent to the Board of Appeals. Councilmember Waters does not have the date of when it was sent and noted the Board of Appeals were lacking quorum at their meetings. Member Fujiki also asked if the 949 Kealaolu Place is still being assessed damages despite being delayed from the Board of Appeals. Councilmember Waters believes so.

Department of Education (DOE) Lot Sidewalk Safety and Maintenance, Puʻu Panini Avenue – [1:12:29]: Randall Port, representing the neighborhood group tracking this ongoing issue, presented a three-slide update: DOE weed-whacked the property perimeter on Friday, June 5, 2026, a 25-day interval following the Thursday, April 16, 2026 and Monday, May 11, 2026 cuttings, an improved and unprecedented frequency, but the cut debris (branches, thorns, cuttings) is not being removed, continuing to block the sidewalk within days of each cutting and forcing pedestrians into the street, while curb areas and a storm drain at the corner of Pōlīkahūla and Puʻu Panini remain uncleared entirely. Following a street-side meeting arranged by Representative Grandinetti with DOE (Superintendent Audrey Hidano and staff), Superintendent Hidano assigned a staffer to provide results within two weeks, but written follow-up requests Port sent on Friday, June 12, 2026 and again Monday, June 22, 2026 asking for a status update ahead of tonight’s meeting went unanswered, and DOE’s Office of Facilities has since transitioned to a new Superintendent, Richard Farardo. Port thanked Councilmember Waters’ office (staff Adam and Tasha) for prompting a DPP site inspection on Thursday, April 23, 2026; DPP found no violation at that time because DOE had recently cut the area, but the inspection established a working enforcement process going forward. Volunteers offer to sweep debris alongside DOE crews during weed-whacking was declined by DOE’s risk management staff over liability and safety concerns. Port closed by requesting board discussion and consideration of possible action – including a potential Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) – addressing either the immediate sidewalk safety issue, the broader question of DOE’s use of the 6.5-acre property, or both.
• Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gO1YEvhE5MDnXQQceVPUG59q7A1yrYQX/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:21:32]:
1. DOE Liability Rationale Criticized/Suggestions: Member Turbin, a personal injury attorney, called DOE’s liability rationale for declining volunteer help “ridiculous,” cited a past case in which a similar landowner paid a significant settlement after a fall, and urged the community to keep pressing DOE and elected officials, suggesting a signed liability waiver or write a resolution and the Board could adopt it.
2. Governor’s Representative: Member White question about the Governor’s Representative’s prior involvement. Port noted it was reported that former Representative Patty had assisted with the DOE issue before departing; Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has not named a replacement.
3. DOE Property Stewardship Criticized: Port criticized DOE’s overall property management, describing delays in green-waste disposal, lack of routine inspections (citing furniture left on the property for four working days), broken picnic benches used by Variety School children (including a child in a wheelchair), and unfavorably compared current conditions to the site’s upkeep when it was managed by the National Guard. Member Turbin suggested meeting with Representative Grandinetti and Senator Chang on creating a strategy.
4. Letter Clarification: Vice Chair Wong wanted clarification if Port had sent a letter to the DOE. Port clarified that he had sent Friday, June 12, 2026 and again Monday, June 22, 2026 asking for a status update, but have not received a response. Member Wong asked the Board can ask Chair De Quevedo write a letter to the DOE. Member Fujiki clarified that a motion needs to be made. Member Fujiki and Member Turbin suggested that they should wait until Chair De Quevedo is present at the meeting.
5. Letter Specifics/Formation of a PIG: Member Fujiki asked Port to define specifics for their request and how it could apply to the rest of the Neighborhood Board. Francis wanted clarification on formation of PIG. Neighborhood Assistant Anson Wu provided information of forming a PIG. clarified there are two related but distinct issues: (1) the immediate sidewalk/perimeter safety and maintenance issue raised in the meeting with Representative Grandinetti and DOE, and (2) the longer-term question of the property’s overall use.
6. Next Steps – Draft Resolution for August 2026 Agenda: Member McGuffie and Member Turbin suggested that Port and Francis to prepare a short, focused draft resolution and present it to the August 2026 meeting.

235 Kulamanu Place, Special Management Area (SMA) Major Permit – [1:45:14]: Matt Lippard and Keola Cheng Wilson Okamoto Corporation, provided an update on the proposed single-family residence at 235 Kulamanu Place: the project team (including on-site architect Ayaka Thompson) sent a letter to and met with neighboring resident John Black on Monday, June 15, 2026, to address concerns raised at the Thursday, May 21, 2026 meeting, and committed to maintaining open communication with him through permitting and construction.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:46:50]:
1. Neighbor Update and Ongoing Concerns: Black confirmed receiving a letter from the project’s architectural firm acknowledging his concerns, most of which he was told fall under the contractor’s responsibility and cannot be resolved for roughly another year and a half. His more immediate concern is the overgrown, vacant lot itself, which he described as a fire hazard and the source of a persistently vocal rooster disturbing his wife, who has advanced Alzheimer’s. He stated a project representative told him “there’s nothing you can do about it” in response to his concerns, which he found dismissive. He has filed a formal complaint with the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) and plans to contact the Mayor’s Office and Senator Chang’s office.
2. Clarification of Disputed Statement: Cheng disputed Black’s characterization, stating the “nothing you can do about it” remark was a rhetorical response to Black’s statement that he had “friends in high places” who could stop the project. Black believes what he said was being misinterpreted and clarified that he has no intention on stopping the project.

Turbin left the meeting at 8:56 p.m. 6 members present

Shangri La (Doris Duke Foundation), Community Update – [1:54:57]: Ben Weitz provided a brief update: an ongoing partnership with Ballet Hawaiʻi West brought dancers on-site for the opening of Shangri La’s new living room gallery, with another neighborhood partnership initiative to be announced later in the summer, potentially at the August 2026 meeting. Shangri La continues to operate within its permit parameters, provides advance written notice to neighbors ahead of larger events, and plans its first neighborhood briefing of the year in late July 2026 to share updates and hear from surrounding residents.

Na Wahine Festival Sprint Triathlons and 5K Fun Run (July 26, 2026), Event Notification – [1:57:24]:
No representative was present; the item was not discussed further.

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS – [1:57:43]:

Next Regular Meeting – [1:57:46]: The Board will recess for the month of July 2026. The next regular meeting is Thursday, August 20, 2026, 7:00 p.m., Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse, 404 Kapahulu Avenue, 2nd Floor, Honolulu, HI 96815, and via WebEx.

IX. ADJOURNMENT – [1:58:08]: Vice Chair Wong adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.

Submitted by: Anson Wu, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Rachel Cristobal, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Finalized by: Aloha McGuffie, 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.