No 11 Ala Moana Kaka'ako Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting January 2026
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11 Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board Meeting – January 28, 2026
Welcome, Roll Call, and General Opening
Chair Lee called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m., noting that it was still January 27th and extending New Year greetings. A quorum was confirmed with eight members present initially, rising to 10 once additional members arrived. Chair Lee thanked everyone for being there, and board members expressed appreciation for the chance to serve the community.
Honolulu Fire Department Report
Captain Casey Ferreira presented Honolulu Fire Department’s January statistics for the neighborhood. There was one structure fire, 29 activated alarms, 154 medical incidents, one motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian, nine other motor vehicle collisions, and one nuisance fire such as rubbish or curbside burning. Captain Ferreira delivered an electrical safety home tip, recommending that homeowners check cords, avoid overloading outlets, and contact licensed electricians for permanent wiring needs. A question arose regarding a pedestrian accident on Kalakaua, but exact details were not immediately available. Captain Ferreira directed board members and the public to the HFD website for incident specifics.
Honolulu Police Department Absence
No representative from the Honolulu Police Department was present. The board noted the desire for an HPD representative at future meetings, especially because of concerns about recent armed robberies in the area.
Presentation: Oahu Resilience Hub Learning Community
Mr. Sage Murakami from the Sustainability Lab at UH Manoa recapped the work of the Oahu Resilience Hub Learning Community (HLC). He explained that HLC seeks to develop “resilience hubs,” defined as trusted community gathering places that not only meet year-round neighborhood needs but also have plans to activate during emergencies. He discussed “blue skies” readiness for everyday wellbeing and “gray skies” plans for responding to disasters. Murakami outlined how communities could register as official hubs, offered details on coordinated monthly meetings, and mentioned opportunities for future volunteer engagements, trainings, and an upcoming summit in June 2026. Board members thanked Murakami and acknowledged meeting HLC representatives at recent farmers market outreach events.
Presentation: Walk, Bike, Drive Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety
Board Member Eduardo Hernandez gave a presentation in his capacity with the Hawaii Bicycling League (HBL). He emphasized that road fatalities in Hawaii reached a multi-decade high in the previous year, emphasizing ways for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to share the roads safely. He cited state law clarifying that bicycles are vehicles and highlighted the requirement that motorists allow three feet to pass cyclists. He described various traffic signals and lane-sharing norms, stated that bad behaviors like driving too fast or failing to signal can lead to crashes, and explained the importance of always being vigilant before opening car doors into bike lanes. He concluded by encouraging drivers to reduce speeds, remain predictable, and respect cyclists’ rights to occupy a full lane when necessary.
Board Statements for 2026
Chair Lee reintroduced a tradition of sharing reflections and goals for the new year, noting that a Thanksgiving board statement had been missed due to a power outage in November. Each board member voiced gratitude for fellow members, city agencies, first responders, and the opportunity to serve. Some expressed aims for increased community engagement, more volunteer outreach, and advocacy for quality-of-life issues. Others thanked the board for its support in past initiatives and stressed looking forward to major changes in the neighborhood.
Approval of October 28, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
The board approved the October 28, 2025 meeting minutes by unanimous consent, with no edits or objections.
Legislative Bills Discussion
Second Vice Chair Vanderbrink presented a detailed overview of selected bills introduced or carried over by Representatives Ikai Ka Olds and Kim Koko Iwamoto. He explained each bill’s relevance to the neighborhood, stating that he had chosen them independently based on local impact. The board voted unanimously to support all listed proposals. Representative Olds’ supported bills included measures to preserve waterway safety, remove encampments near bus stops, keep entrances free of obstructions, and establish assistance to help vulnerable youth. Representative Iwamoto’s included condo-related education funds, mental health check-ins for students, and other transparency provisions. Members encouraged these legislators to reference the board’s endorsements during testimonies at the State Capitol.
Consideration of a 2026 Candidate Forum
The board discussed hosting a candidate forum for the upcoming election cycle. Consensus emerged to hold an event near either the primary or the general election, possibly both, for races that affect the neighborhood. The board unanimously voted to proceed with planning a forum and agreed to finalize details and dates in collaboration with other neighborhood boards if feasible.
Resolution on Investigating a Reported $35,000 Payment
Board members introduced a resolution calling on the Hawaii State Legislature to investigate newly publicized allegations that an unnamed “influential legislator” received $35,000 in a paper bag. They stressed the importance of subpoena powers and preserving public trust. The resolution encourages the legislature to convene an investigative committee, hold hearings, identify the legislator if permitted by law, refer findings to appropriate authorities, and recommend policy reforms. The board adopted this resolution unanimously, adding a provision urging the state Attorney General to assist.
Resolution Opposing Bus Fare Increase
A second resolution opposed Bill 54 (2025), which proposed raising adult bus fares, monthly passes, annual passes, reducing free-transfer windows, and incentivizing the HOLO card in a manner panelists felt would affect low-income riders disproportionately. The resolution noted that most bus riders earn under $60,000, with a significant portion earning under $20,000. The board emphasized that higher transit costs, combined with narrower transfer times, could harm economically vulnerable residents. The resolution passed unanimously, and members encouraged public testimony at the next City Council meeting.
Action Committee Recap
Second Vice Chair Vanderbrink summarized the Action Committee’s work, noting recent follow-ups with Councilmember Nishimoto’s office on Ala Moana Beach Park concerns, including homeless encampments and damaged signage. The committee also sought updates on pavilion repairs, park landscaping, and waterway cleanup. Efforts to host informational booths at Sam’s Club continued, and there were discussions on how to address nearby road and sidewalk conditions.
Sub-district Reports
Multiple board members reported local infrastructure, safety, and cleaning issues in their sub-districts, including areas around Leona, Kiamoku, Makaloa, and Kaheka. One member noted that newly opened developments claiming to be dog-friendly had posted signage disallowing dogs on grassy areas, conflicting with prior statements made to the board. Another highlighted a series of armed robberies in nearby streets, expressing disappointment that HPD was not in attendance to address public safety concerns. The board resolved to invite HPD to attend future meetings for direct updates.
Residents and Community Concerns
Residents raised plane noise near Kaka‘ako and other densely populated neighborhoods. A speaker shared that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is collecting comments for airspace redesign, with a deadline of March 15. She stated that heavy airplane traffic currently affects sleep and daily routines, and she suggested moving flight paths offshore. She asked the board to consider passing a resolution similar to those from other boards, urging the FAA to modify current routes.
Reports from the City Administration
Deputy Director of Design and Construction, Mark Yonamine, provided follow-up on issues around autosource vehicle staging, sidewalk maintenance, and bus stop responsibility. He explained that the property owner is typically responsible for cleanup and might receive a violation notice if damage is linked to vehicles driving over landscaping. He stated that the leaning traffic signal cabinet on Kapi‘olani was stable but might not be replaced until adequate funding is identified. He noted that city departments are coordinating upcoming paving projects and improvements along major roads such as Pensacola and Kapi‘olani. He also confirmed that leashed dogs would be allowed at certain city parks, including Sheridan Community Park, once signage is installed, likely by March 2026.
Council Reports
Councilmember Nishimoto’s office, represented by Sophia, explained ongoing sweeps at Ala Moana Park to address tents and encampments, as well as requests for new and untagged signage. Nishimoto’s office plans a community cleanup day on March 8. Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam’s office, through Malcolm Iwami, noted that Bill 54 on bus fares was up for discussion at the full City Council meeting. They relayed that various traffic and crosswalk projects were delayed due to department vacancies but remained on the agenda.
State Legislators’ Updates
Several state legislators or their staff provided comprehensive bill updates:
• Representative Ikai Ka Olds recapped efforts to address homelessness, environmental impacts, and doorways and bus stop obstructions. He described his Vulnerable Youth Housing Assistance Pilot Program, a mental health prescription access bill, and a separate measure supporting students experiencing homelessness. He also spoke of a proposed 24-year legislative term-limit bill that exempts officials elected before 2024.
• Representative Kim Koko Iwamoto highlighted her initiative for free bus fares statewide through a small increase in the barrel tax, proposed failure-to-report-bribery legislation, and bills confirming condo owners as stakeholders in official forums and allowing for a condo ombudsman. She raised concerns about public ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) actions and advocated for transparency and accountability in any such operations.
• Representative Adrian Tam pointed to legislation aimed at making permanent a noise detection camera pilot program, creating a dementia-informed workforce recognition program, and requiring condominium associations to reduce the costs and administrative burdens of copying essential documents.
• Senator Sharon Moriwaki’s representative, Joseph Kopshi, reported on bills addressing large vehicle registration surcharges, reauthorizing the Violent Offender Law, and ensuring real estate investment trusts that profit from Hawaii properties pay taxes locally rather than out of state.
Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) Report
Spokesperson Francine Murray noted that HCDA commemorates its 50th anniversary in 2026 and pointed to its annual report with updated development information. She confirmed that Kolowalu Park now opens daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., except on Mondays for maintenance. The next HCDA board meetings will be on February 4th.
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) Update
Harry Cho from HART referenced a quarterly newsletter outlining the next steps in rail construction and a flyer on an upcoming station design workshop at Honolulu Community College. Attendees can learn about design features and communicate station-related concerns, such as additional seating for older adults or reduced mobility users.
Closing and Adjournment
Chair Lee reminded the board about upcoming outreach events, emphasized continuing the farmers market efforts, and announced that the next Action Committee meeting would be on February 12th, followed by the next regular board meeting on February 24th. The meeting concluded at 8:45 p.m. after thorough discussion of city and state projects, legislation, community concerns, and future plans to enhance the Ala Moana-Kaka‘ako district.