No 20 ʻAiea Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting October 2026
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20 Aiea Neighborhood Board Meeting – October 14, 2026
Honolulu Fire Department
The Honolulu Fire Department reported confirmed incidents in the ʻAiea Neighborhood Board area for September 2026. Fire-related calls included no structure, wildland, brush, or cooking fires; one nuisance fire; and 11 activated alarms where no fire was found. Emergency responses included 97 medical incidents, four motor-vehicle crashes or collisions, one hazardous-materials incident, and no pedestrian collisions, mountain rescues, or ocean rescues. Nuisance fires were defined as rubbish fires outside a structure or vehicle. With the holiday season approaching, HFD advised residents to use electrical decorations and devices certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, follow manufacturers’ instructions, remain present and alert while cooking, keep combustible materials away from heat and flames, and exercise added caution while walking or driving between dusk and dawn. Detailed incident maps remain available through HFD’s Fire Response Search Tool at fire.honolulu.gov.
Police Crime and Traffic Statistics
HPD reported mixed crime trends between August and September 2026. Motor-vehicle thefts increased from four to nine, thefts rose from 11 to 19, burglaries declined from seven to three, and vehicle break-ins fell from four to two. Calls for service in the local area decreased from 1,337 in August to 1,141 in September, while District 3 calls declined from 5,240 to 4,738. Police identified a recurring pattern involving stolen Hyundais and Kias, with September theft locations including Mauna Loa Road, Koaka Loop, Kaonohi Street, ʻAiea Heights Drive, and Iwaena Street; a Honda Civic was also among the vehicles taken. Reported burglary locations included Magru Loop, ʻAiea Heights Drive, Ohekani Loop, and Lawehana Street, while thefts and shoplifting incidents were reported around Ohekani Loop, Kaonohi Street, Kahekana, Target, and Koaha Place. HPD’s seasonal safety guidance addressed heavy-rain hazards, pedestrian awareness during Halloween, and safe storage of lithium-ion batteries.
HPD also reported a substantial reduction in traffic deaths. At the same point in 2025, there had been 68 fatalities, compared with 30 in 2026, a 56 percent decrease. District 3 personnel and specialized traffic units have been conducting weekend DUI operations and enforcing laws against speeding and street racing. Police expressed hope that these efforts were contributing to the lower fatality count.
Excessive Vehicle Noise and Street Racing
A board member described severe and persistent noise from amplified vehicle sound systems along Moanalua Road near two elementary schools and a densely populated concentration of apartments and condominiums, including a 300-unit building. The noise reportedly occurs at all hours, reaches upper floors, interferes with television and sleep, and affects families, children, shift workers, and others who need uninterrupted rest. HPD acknowledged that loud stereo challenges have become popular among teenagers and young adults on Instagram and TikTok, often overlapping with the street-racing community. A recurring gathering point is the Pearl City Shopping Center near Foodland Farms, where officers are commonly posted overnight on weekends and issue citations when sound can be heard from the legally actionable distance of approximately 30 feet. The resident asked HPD to position officers not only at gathering points but also along the densely populated routes where the noise is experienced. HPD said the problem is actively being enforced and that officers would continue addressing both loud stereos and racing activity.
Neighborhood Parking Enforcement
Several board members and residents raised illegal and hazardous parking concerns. On Pomoho Place off Nalopaka, vehicles continue to park in posted no-parking areas despite earlier police outreach that temporarily improved conditions. A resident said an officer had previously indicated that issuing a citation was discretionary, while an assistant chief later advised the resident to continue calling 911 whenever violations occurred. HPD encouraged repeated calls, including to the nonemergency line, explaining that consistent reports direct patrol attention to the street and repeated citations generally change behavior. The lieutenant agreed to send sector officers back to Pomoho Place and remind them to check the area when call volume allows.
On Lupea Street at Ileea, a vehicle was reported parked immediately beside a stop sign, creating a line-of-sight hazard for drivers turning uphill. HPD said vehicles should remain approximately 20 feet from an intersection and about 25 feet from a stop sign and agreed to inspect the location. On Hapuʻu Street near 98-870, a large trailer and other business-related vehicles were reportedly being stored continuously on the roadway. HPD said officers had marked and cited trailers and a dually truck as abandoned vehicles and referred them to the abandoned-vehicle section, but the vehicles may have been moved before removal and later returned. Police agreed to reinspect the location.
At Kaʻahele and KQL/Kikili, residents said workers from a nearby business repeatedly park too close to the corner, obstructing visibility around the clock as employee shifts change. Although residents had called police multiple times, they were unsure whether officers responded. A new sign extending the restricted area from approximately 25 to 30 feet had reportedly been approved but not yet installed. HPD agreed to inspect the location and asked residents to report back if the sign had not appeared within several weeks. A retiring board member recommended clearer signs stating that parking is prohibited and tickets will be issued, coupled with consistent follow-through after license plates and violations are documented.
Halawa Public Housing Shooting and Enforcement
The board discussed a recent shooting at Halawa public housing, also referred to as Poʻovai Momi Housing, involving young people who were outside at night. HPD confirmed that curfew restrictions apply to certain ages and said officers have been assigned to patrol and remain at the property whenever radio traffic permits. Curfew violations are treated as status offenses, and minors may be arrested and released to their parents. Police also enforce laws against underage drinking and drinking on the property. The specific shooting remained with homicide investigators, so HPD could not say whether the victims would face any curfew-related charges. Officers reportedly arrested the shooting suspects the following day.
The chair argued that families whose children repeatedly violate housing rules, participate in dangerous conduct, or contribute to chronic violence should face housing consequences, including possible eviction, because other families remain on waiting lists for public housing. He described several years of shootings, stabbings, assaults, and other incidents at the property and questioned how much District 3 police time is diverted there from the rest of ʻAiea. HPD said the area currently receives considerable attention because of the shooting and its history of criminal activity. Police also disclosed that a major operation several months earlier resulted in arrests of adults and minors connected to gangs, guns, and drugs. The lieutenant agreed that coordinated enforcement and housing management can improve conditions, citing earlier eviction-based efforts at Mayor Wright Homes and Kūhiō Park Terrace, and said Halawa’s current housing director has been cooperative. The chair planned to ask the housing administration and state representatives about enforcement of tenancy rules and consequences for families associated with repeated violations. Senator Brandon Elefante later suggested inviting Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation Executive Director Kim Onosaki to explain the applicable rules and procedures, while noting that the property lies within the districts of Senator Glenn Wakai, Representative Linda Ichiyama, and Council Member Radiant Cordero.
Board Membership and Public-Safety Comments
Board member May announced that this was her final meeting and that she was resigning from the board. During several reports, she urged clearer penalties and stronger enforcement for illegal parking, park vandalism, curfew violations, and violent crime. She also advocated locking park restrooms during closed hours if vandalism cannot otherwise be controlled and expressed concern about the public cost of repeatedly repairing damaged facilities. The chair thanked her for her service and comments.
Water Main Breaks and Outage Preparedness
The Board of Water Supply reported three eight-inch water-main breaks during September. One occurred on September 14 at 98-380 Kamehameha Highway near Seafood Cartel, and two occurred on Apollo Loop in Newtown on September 19 and September 28. BWS also explained that power outages limit its ability to pump groundwater to reservoirs. During an outage, residents should use water only for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene because the water already stored in reservoirs may be the community’s only available supply. Conservation should continue after electricity is restored so pumps can replenish reservoirs; pressure and full service may take additional time to recover after prolonged or widespread outages.
Kaʻamilo Wells PFAS Treatment
BWS provided an update on the temporary PFAS treatment system at Kaʻamilo Wells, across from the ʻAiea High School football stadium. PFAS was initially detected below the enforceable maximum contaminant level but later trended toward or above the federal threshold of four parts per trillion. The well was shut down in May 2025 while BWS installed a temporary granular activated carbon treatment system. Residents had seen two large treatment vessels, temporary tanks, and frequent truck traffic during construction. The temporary system entered service on August 26, 2026, and is now supplying treated water to the community; most temporary support equipment has been removed.
A permanent system remains in design. Unlike the two-vessel temporary arrangement, it would use four vessels in two pairs, allowing one pair to continue treating water while the carbon in the other pair is replaced. It would also include permanent water-handling equipment, reducing the need for large temporary tanks and truck deliveries. The temporary system will operate until at least one pair of permanent treatment vessels is available, after which it can be removed. BWS did not have the current construction-cost estimate at the meeting and agreed to follow up. The agency also could not say whether federal reimbursement might be available if the contamination is eventually attributed to a federal source. The origin of the PFAS remains unknown, and BWS said it could not currently connect the contamination to Red Hill. Its immediate project is focused on preventing PFAS from reaching customers while broader investigations examine possible sources.
Sewer Charges
A board member said sewer charges on the combined water bill appeared disproportionately high and asked how they could be lowered. BWS clarified that the Department of Environmental Services, not BWS, establishes sewer rates; BWS only places the sewer charge on the water bill. Because sewer charges are tied to water consumption, reducing water use can lower both portions of the bill. Residents with policy concerns about sewer pricing were directed to the city’s Department of Environmental Services.
Mayor’s Office and Citywide Updates
The mayor’s representative highlighted expansion of the MH-3 crisis-response program across Oʻahu, HPD’s selection of new deputy chiefs, city assistance on Kauaʻi, Kona low recovery work, and upgrades to the Honolulu Zoo’s penguin and hippopotamus exhibits. Residents were also reminded that the general election is November 3, 2026, that Oʻahu votes by mail, and that active registered voters were scheduled to begin receiving ballot packets on October 16.
The office addressed several pending neighborhood matters. Trenching at 99-230 Moanalua Road is authorized under renewed permit TP20258080, issued to Structural Hawaii Inc. for a new water meter and relocation of an existing fire hydrant. The applicant must restore the roadway, and the Department of Planning and Permitting will monitor compliance. At Newtown Park, Parks and Recreation has no current improvement plan for the on-leash dog area. Locking the restroom between the park’s 10 p.m. closing and 5 a.m. reopening is pending funding for a security contract. The chair questioned why locking a restroom requires new funding, and the representative agreed to seek a clearer explanation, including whether personnel, doors, or locks are the issue.
The city reported that vegetation along Newtown Park’s left-field side was cleared on September 15 after heavy rain caused overgrowth. The Newtown Recreation Center driveway at 98-456 Kaʻahele Street belongs to Newtown Estates and is not a city maintenance responsibility; residents were directed to contact the association at 808-487-3806 or through newtownestates.net. Concerns were also raised about employee morale at DPP and whether higher compensation could aid recruitment and retention. The mayor’s representative could not address salary policy immediately but agreed to refer the question to DPP leadership.
Skyline Columns and Bridge Monitoring
The city revisited concerns about cracks in Skyline columns 277 and 278 near Pearl Highlands Station. According to a 2025 Department of Transportation Services response, their condition is documented in the city’s biennial bridge inspection report and is monitored for changes in size and severity. Preventive sealing is planned to limit water intrusion. A separate concern involved whether rail construction or operations could affect the structural integrity of the Kamehameha Highway bridge near Pali Momi Street. The board again requested access to inspection information and continued monitoring.
Moanalua Road Slope Mitigation
The city will undertake erosion-control work along Moanalua Road near Pearl Ridge Elementary School beginning October 19, 2026, with completion anticipated in March 2027 if no unforeseen conditions arise. Work includes removing sediment from slope benches, restoring and hardening concrete drainage ditches, clearing trees and overgrown vegetation, and reinforcing slopes with geosynthetic matting. Construction hours are scheduled for weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The westbound right lane between the Pearl Ridge Elementary driveway and Pono Street will close on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding holidays. Access to the school and Pearl Ridge Community Park may be affected, and drivers, pedestrians, and residents were advised to expect delays and follow posted traffic controls.
Council Member Cordero’s Office
Council Member Radiant Cordero’s office reported that the Honolulu Charter Commission was conducting public meetings concerning 20 proposed charter amendments on the November ballot. The final in-person session was scheduled for October 15 at Windward Community College, and explanatory materials were available through the City Council’s Oʻahu Votes website. The office was following community complaints involving a damaged guardrail, dumping, and vegetation on Kaʻamilo Street; encampments and abandoned items near the Kalauao/Pearlridge rail station and Lipo Place; and potential building or housing-code violations on Waiakea Place, ʻAiea Heights Drive, and Uluni Street.
At Makalapa Park, a dirt pile was removed from the basketball court. Work orders were submitted for an additional bollard at the maintenance entrance to keep mopeds, electric bicycles, and other vehicles off the field after they created ruts. Two reported water leaks are also awaiting repair, and a project request was submitted for benches and tables. The council passed Bill 16, increasing fines for owners who allow dogs to become stray. Resolution 26-193, introduced by Council Member Cordero, urges the EPA and Hawaiʻi Department of Health to require the Navy to conduct more frequent groundwater testing over a wider area and for a broader range of PFAS and petroleum chemicals around Red Hill. The expanded testing is intended to clarify the location, movement, and potential sources of contamination.
Council Member Okimoto’s Office
Council Member Val Okimoto’s office summarized several measures before or approved by the council. Bill 16-2026, CD2 strengthens penalties related to stray dogs and other dog-control violations. Bill 30-2026, CD1 permits nonprofit farmers markets and food-distribution events in city parks. Bill 31-2026, CD2 establishes a stewardship process for cultural sites in public parks, including places such as the Mauna Lahilahi Cultural Garden. Bill 32-2026, CD2, FD1 revises park and botanical-garden fees, authorizes Parks and Recreation to establish commercial and noncommercial charges after a public hearing, and excludes camping fees from the new framework. Bill 33-2026, CD2 creates special funds for those revenues. The office also noted the proposed reappointment of Nā‘ālehu Anthony to the Board of Water Supply and the appointment of Acting Police Chief Carrie Okimoto to the Civil Service Commission.
Traffic-signal malfunctions at Kahumana Street and Moanalua Road were referred for investigation, potentially in coordination with the state. An inspection of the mauka sidewalk near Kilinoi Street and Kaʻahele found numerous sunken sections caused by ground settlement, and a repair request was sent to the Department of Facility Maintenance on September 10. The office cautioned that DFM has a substantial backlog from Kona lows, Tropical Storm Lala, heavy rain, fallen trees, damaged sidewalks, and rapidly growing vegetation; some vegetation work originally expected in May remained unfinished. Residents were encouraged to report trees, sidewalks, and other hazards so the requests can at least enter the city’s work queue.
Ulune and Kaimakani Overgrowth
A board member reported that vegetation at Ulune and Kaimakani near the T-intersection and traffic light was forcing schoolchildren off the sidewalk and toward the roadway. Jurisdiction was initially uncertain because the area includes city roadway right-of-way and adjoining federal property. Senator Elefante later clarified that the overgrown area abutting Aliʻi Poi Drive is controlled by the Navy. The Navy had delayed cutting during Hawaiian hoary bat season, which ended September 15, and was seeking a contract for a one-time clearing. The Halawa sewer, water, and drainage project is expected to mobilize in February 2027 and then assume maintenance responsibilities in the area. The Navy was asked to provide nearby residents with a written timeline and contact information.
Elevator and Escalator Safety
The director of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations explained that the state does not own, operate, or maintain elevators. Its role is to inspect electrical, mechanical, door, and fire-safety systems; issue operating permits; and enforce applicable safety standards. Unsafe elevators are placed out of service until repairs satisfy the requirements, and penalties may be assessed. The department also investigates after accidents, although building owners remain responsible for maintaining their equipment. Hawaiʻi has many aging elevators, and delays can occur when replacement components are expensive or unavailable.
The board raised concerns about elevator failures during storms and power interruptions, especially in high-rise housing occupied by seniors and people with disabilities. The department said it gives priority to buildings serving those populations where possible, provided the equipment can safely return to service. A question about whether city or state senior housing must place residents in hotels when an elevator cannot be repaired promptly was left for follow-up, likely involving Department of Health or accessibility requirements. A board member also described escalators near Regal Cinemas and 24 Hour Fitness that have reportedly remained broken for years, making access difficult for people with limited mobility. The discussion clarified that these were privately owned escalators and that repair responsibility rests with the property or businesses, although a more distant elevator is available.
State Highway and Stream Maintenance
The governor’s and Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation representative reported that crews cleared and dredged approximately 24,000 square feet beneath the Waimanu Stream bridge on Kamehameha Highway using money from the state’s major disaster fund. The board identified Halawa Stream between Salt Lake Boulevard and Kamehameha Highway as another concern because rock, sediment, and storm debris from Tropical Storm Lala and other heavy rains have reduced channel capacity and increased flooding risk. Although much of that segment is under city or federal jurisdiction, HDOT agreed to coordinate with the city’s Department of Facility Maintenance and explore whether disaster funding could assist.
Board members cited Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes requiring counties to maintain publicly owned channels, stream beds, banks, drainage ways, and ocean outlets so stormwater can flow safely. They asked whether government agencies inspect channels proactively before hurricane season or act only after residents report obstructions. The state said HDOT routinely monitors known trouble spots associated with its facilities, while the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency has broader authority under HRS Chapter 127A to enter property and evaluate hazards. Locations not already identified as recurring flood risks may need community reports. The state offered to provide its priority-stream presentation and consider additional waterways suggested by the board.
Bridges, Road Repairs, and Highway Projects
HDOT reported that inspection of the Nimitz Highway structure near harbor Slip 4 found a deficiency requiring a right-lane closure and a 10-ton weight restriction. Work requiring the closure has been completed, although underwater repairs remain and the weight limit is still in effect. State bridge-condition ratings of good, fair, or poor are available online. Bridges on Kamehameha Highway that were raised by the board are currently rated fair, and an inspector was asked to revisit them after receiving photographs from a member.
Repairs to damaged delineators on the Moanalua Road ramp to H-1 west were scheduled for October 31, and pothole work on the Kaonohi Street overpass in the inbound direction was scheduled for October 16. A request for grass trimming at the ʻAiea Heights Drive overpass was submitted. At Heliconia Place, an H-1 frontage road, the state had installed no-parking signs along the freeway fence in July 2025; an inspector will determine whether they were removed or obscured by vegetation. Six projects remain active along H-1, H-2, and H-201. The final major eastbound paving closure for the Salt Lake rehabilitation project was expected during the coming weekend, with overall completion projected for late November after repeated schedule changes.
Senator Brandon Elefante’s Report
Senator Elefante introduced Hele Imua intern Amar Razik, a UH Mānoa senior studying political science, philosophy, and law and society. The DLIR workforce initiative places students and recent graduates in state agencies. The senator also thanked Council Member Cordero’s staff for handling numerous city-related constituent requests.
At ʻAiea Elementary School, covered walkways were under construction and expected to be completed in fall 2026. At ʻAiea High School, indoor gym bleachers had recently been completed, while work continued on the girls’ locker room and weight-training facility. A contract has been awarded for a new synthetic athletic field and track, with a notice to proceed expected. The construction has prevented the school from hosting home football games in 2026, requiring games to be moved to Radford High School. ADA-accessible campsites at Keaīwa Heiau State Recreation Area and the ʻAiea Loop Trail vicinity were also nearing completion.
Senator Elefante’s Capitol office was undergoing its first major renovation in roughly 30 years, including paint, cabinets, and sink work. His staff was working remotely and in temporary spaces, with a return to a permanent office expected in early December. He invited residents to submit proposals for the 2027 legislative session, particularly proposals involving labor and technology, the committee he chairs. He also reported meeting new Police Chief David S. Lazar and discussing consistent enforcement, community engagement, and the possibility of the chief attending an ʻAiea board meeting. Residents were encouraged to call 911 when they observe a problem and not be discouraged by past customer-service experiences.
Hawaiian Electric Rate Case
A resident asked whether state legislators could limit Hawaiian Electric’s proposed rate rebasing in Public Utilities Commission docket 2026-0162. Senator Elefante said legislators generally do not intervene in pending PUC proceedings but shared concern about increasing electricity, water, sewer, and other household costs. He encouraged residents to submit testimony directly to the PUC because the commission is responsible for evaluating and approving or rejecting the utility’s proposal.
Representative Garner Shimizu’s Office
Representative Garner Shimizu’s office reported on safety improvements planned for Mauna Loa Road near Alvah Scott Elementary School following complaints about speeding. The project includes a rectangular rapid-flashing beacon at the crosswalk, ADA-accessible curb ramps, a pedestrian refuge island in the median, updated striping, and new traffic and pedestrian signs. Completion has been delayed because underground traffic-signal conduits require redesign. The Department of Transportation is coordinating with Hawaiian Electric, and the current completion estimate is March 2027, subject to final approvals.
The office also addressed vegetation and drainage maintenance near the Pearl Harbor Bike Path and the ʻAiea Kai subdivision. Although the underlying parcel is federally owned, the city holds an easement for the bike-path corridor and is responsible for maintaining the drainage ditch within that easement. The office is coordinating with the Department of Facility Maintenance. Another overgrown parcel near 99-029 Iwaena Way initially appeared to belong to DLNR but was later linked to a highway project and referred to HDOT maintenance. Residents were given the state transportation complaint line, 808-831-6700, extension 113, for similar maintenance requests.
Youth Supervision and Community Traffic Outreach
Residents followed up on previous Department of Health materials concerning supervision at a youth residential program. They asked whether “line-of-sight” supervision requires credentialed staff to remain physically close enough to intervene immediately or whether camera monitoring may substitute under a case-by-case “clinical deviation.” They requested definitions of clinical deviation and credentialed staff, clarification about who authorizes deviations, and whether a paraprofessional with a high school diploma qualifies as credentialed. A resident also cited an August 4, 2025 police report in which a youth allegedly threw a brick and handled broken pieces, questioning how officials could conclude that the program presented no community risk. The questions were recorded for written follow-up.
The community’s next traffic-awareness sign-waving event was announced for October 22 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Kaʻahele Street near the Newtown Recreation Center entrance. Organizers invited youth participants but asked whether photographs could include them. The representative agreed to check with Catholic Charities about photo-consent requirements. Residents also confirmed that public records and agency responses could generally be shared with the community, while being cautioned not to reproduce selected portions in a misleading or out-of-context manner.
Stadium Authority Events
The Stadium Authority announced its second annual Halloween trick-or-treat event in partnership with Skyline. On October 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., families could visit five stations between Middle Street and East Kapolei, collecting candy at each stop. At the Hālawa/Aloha Stadium station, children were to receive swap-meet coupons, giveaways, and prize-entry opportunities, while accompanying adults would receive free swap-meet admission. Approximately 400 children participated in the previous year’s event.
The authority also reported that more than 200 people attended a September 26 community art day despite tropical-storm conditions. Participants ranging from young children to kūpuna painted a construction wall with a lei design representing the stadium’s past, present, and future. The project was completed with the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and artist Solomon Enos. Organizers are coordinating with Department of Education schools in the area so students can add further artwork to the wall.
Aloha Stadium Demolition and Design
Demolition of the former Aloha Stadium was nearing completion. Most of the north end had been removed, and crews were concentrating on the south end zone using one of the island’s largest cranes. Heavy rain saturated the ground and high winds prevented some lifting operations, causing delays. Major demolition was expected to finish by the end of October, followed by cleanup through mid-November.
The development team apologized for overnight noise when a subcontractor began removing an elevator shaft late in the day and could not safely leave the partially dismantled structure overnight. Crews continued working through the night to bring it down safely. The contractor was directed not to begin similar operations late in a shift. Stadium design was moving from schematic design toward design development, permitting, and eventual construction bidding.
RISE Bond Constitutional Amendment
The stadium development team discussed Question 2 on the November ballot, commonly called the RISE bond amendment. The measure would permit counties to issue bonds for public infrastructure and repay them using future growth in property-tax revenues generated within a designated district. Eligible infrastructure could include roads, water, sewer, drainage, utilities, parks, and resilience improvements. The proposal itself would not establish a district, change tax rates, or automatically issue debt; each district would still require County Council approval and locally established oversight rules. Voters were reminded that leaving the question blank counts as a no vote. A board member opposed the amendment, arguing that it could direct additional public financing to the stadium district outside the original promise of a $350 million state contribution cap.
New Oʻahu Community Correctional Center
The acting OCCC warden reported that the replacement jail remains in the layout and design phase. Conceptual drawings are available at newoahujail.hawaii.gov. In response to questions about recent escapes from work-furlough programs, he said the work-furlough population is not expected to move into the new jail. Instead, inmates currently divided between OCCC and the Puʻuhale facility across the street would be consolidated at a rebuilt or improved Puʻuhale site. The future use of the existing OCCC property after the jail relocates has not been confirmed.
Navy and Red Hill Updates
Navy Region Hawaiʻi reported continuing community ship tours, volunteer work, and recent cleanup activity along the Pearl Harbor Bike Path involving approximately 20 volunteers. On September 4, the Department of Health gave conditional approval for reactivation of the Navy’s ʻAiea-Halawa shaft, and customers served by that water system were notified. The Navy is also conducting environmental reviews for training, testing, and landing ship medium activities and continues efforts to remove invasive species from Pearl Harbor.
The board requested access coordination near Makalapa for examination of the downstream Halawa Stream area. Navy public-affairs and community-planning personnel were assigned to work on access. The board also requested a future presentation, potentially in December or January, on the Navy’s major dry-dock construction project.
The Navy Closure Task Force–Red Hill reported that it held a community town hall and open house in September. Recordings and presentation materials are available on the task force website. Residents seeking information about tank closure, pipeline removal, and tank cleaning were encouraged to use the task force’s mobile application and online dashboards. The board reiterated that Red Hill representatives should continue attending neighborhood meetings.
Stadium Marketplace Residential Proposal
McNaughton presented plans to redevelop approximately 12 acres of the 16-acre Stadium Marketplace site, formerly occupied by Kmart and Sack N Save. Queen Emma Land owns the property, and McNaughton holds the leasehold interest. Existing businesses expected to remain include McDonald’s, O’Reilly Auto Parts, AutoZone, Starbucks, Domino’s, the gas station, and other designated commercial uses.
The proposal calls for 524 rental apartments in four four-story buildings, all served by elevators. Units would include studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Sixty percent would be income-restricted for 30 years, with the formal limit set at up to 140 percent of area median income; the current projected rents are all below 110 percent of AMI. The other 40 percent would rent at market rates, with no difference in unit quality other than price. The development would be privately financed through conventional construction debt rather than state or federal affordable-housing subsidies and would proceed under the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes 201H process for certain exemptions and approvals.
Building heights would average approximately 54 to 57 feet and remain under 60 feet. Although the transit-oriented development zoning has no minimum parking requirement, the project proposes approximately one space per bedroom, totaling 692 residential spaces in addition to commercial parking. Planned amenities include a pool, fitness center, clubhouse, dog parks, and substantial landscaped open space, including a central area roughly the size of a football field. Board members welcomed the comparatively low-rise design, open space, parking supply, and mixed-income rental structure. The developer did not yet have specific projected rents by unit size and agreed to provide those figures later.
A traffic-impact report found that the site and its signalized access were originally designed for the heavier traffic generated by Kmart and Sack N Save. Although the residential project would create more traffic than the mostly vacant site does now, the developer said it would remain within the volume for which the road network was originally designed. Design is expected to continue through the end of 2026 or early 2027, followed by permitting. Subject to 201H approval, construction could begin in fall or winter 2027, with occupancy projected for summer or fall 2029.
Halawa Stream and the Marketplace Site
The board asked the Stadium Marketplace developer to establish a regular maintenance plan for mangroves and vegetation along the project’s Halawa Stream frontage. The developer had cleared substantial growth approximately a year earlier, but vegetation was returning rapidly. The chair explained that mangroves trap soil, rock, and storm debris, narrowing the channel and increasing the possibility of flooding at neighboring homes and the future development. The developer agreed to consult its commercial property manager and said the residential project would activate and landscape the stream side, creating a direct incentive to keep it maintained.
The board also described a possible riverwalk along an existing 10- to 15-foot easement beside Halawa Stream, connecting the stadium district toward Kamehameha Highway and the Pearl Harbor area. Such a corridor could provide public access while also allowing the city to reach the stream for maintenance and emergency response. The developer expressed interest in discussing the concept, which would require coordination with the stadium district, city, Navy, and other landowners.
Red Hill Health Registry
A representative of the Red Hill Registry said its purpose is to track long-term health outcomes, guide research and clinical recommendations related to fuel exposure, and connect affected people with resources. As of early October, slightly more than 3,000 people had pre-enrolled, but only 522 had completed baseline and expanded enrollment. Anyone who lived in or was affected by the contaminated-water area was encouraged to complete registration.
The registry collaborated with the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health to create an on-demand accredited course for healthcare professionals. The course summarizes current knowledge about the Red Hill fuel exposure, recognized health effects, and clinical guidance for treating affected patients. Registry personnel also joined HOH 808’s community workday at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Ford Island, assisting with landscaping and beautification.
Community Events
Upcoming family activities included Trunk or Treat at Salt Lake District Park on October 23 from 5 to 8 p.m.; Skyline trick-or-treating on October 31, with the Hālawa/Aloha Stadium station among five participating stops; and the first Salt Lake Neighborhood Trick or Treat at ʻŌhua Aloha Neighborhood Park on October 31 from 3 to 7 p.m. The community traffic-awareness sign-waving event was scheduled for October 22 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. near the Newtown Recreation Center.
Meeting Schedule and Follow-Ups
The board announced that it would be in recess during November. The next regular meeting was scheduled for December 8, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the public library. Items expected to return included the Newtown dog-park matter, responses concerning elevator-related accommodations for senior residents, youth-supervision questions, and various city and state maintenance requests. The ʻAiea High School athletic presentation, Hawaiʻi Youth Prevention Team presentation, and another scheduled presentation were canceled or deferred. Senator Wakai’s and Representative Ichiyama’s offices did not provide reports. The October meeting was scheduled for television rebroadcast on ʻŌlelo Channel 49 on October 28 at 8:30 p.m., November 14 at 3 p.m., and November 26 at 6 p.m.