No 11 Ala Moana Kaka'ako Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting February 2026
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11 Ala Moana-Kaka'ako Neighborhood Board Meeting – February 25, 2026
Roll Call and Opening
The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m., with the neighborhood board acknowledging its role in providing a platform for community collaboration and discussion. A roll call confirmed nine members present, establishing quorum. The chair reminded everyone of the board’s mission to make the Ala Moana-Kaka‘ako area a great place to live, work, and play. Two members, Fernandez and Brand, were absent at the start of the meeting but their potential arrival was noted for later.
Public Safety Reports
A request was made for updates from the Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Police Department, but neither agency had arrived at the meeting. The board noted that they would return to these reports if representatives from either department ultimately attended. They remained on the lookout for any information that might come in during the remainder of the meeting.
Presentation: Aviation Noise Disturbance
A Diamond Head-Kapahulu Neighborhood Board member, Mr. Chad Wodson, presented concerns about aviation noise over populated areas. He noted that the FAA is redesigning airspace and modernization procedures starting with Hawai‘i. He pointed out that flight paths frequently cross over dense neighborhoods, causing noise, potential safety hazards, and disruptions. Wodson displayed maps spotlighting major flight routes such as the Maggie 3, Simon 1, and the “Freeway Route” that propeller planes use by following major highways. He proposed routing flights five miles offshore wherever feasible, limiting inland routes to last-resort or curfew restrictions, and restricting tour helicopters to two miles off the coast to alleviate constant noise. Board questions addressed safety versus noise trade-offs and the role of the FAA in determining these routes. A subsequent resolution, calling for these offshore flight path adjustments, would be considered and ultimately passed later in the meeting.
Presentation: Pensacola Street Culvert Project
Representatives from DTL and the City’s Department of Design and Construction discussed the Pensacola Street Culvert Project. They explained that the deteriorating box culvert beneath Pensacola Street between Kapi‘olani Boulevard and Waimanu Street must be upgraded to increase flood resilience and neighborhood safety. They displayed visuals showing the extent of the culvert’s structural issues, supported by temporary jacks. The project will begin in spring 2027, with completion projected for 2028. Phased closures of Pensacola Street will occur mainly from Sunday evenings to early Wednesday mornings so that nearby businesses, such as restaurants and retail establishments, can maintain their busiest weekend hours. The project also includes sidewalk improvements, ADA compliance upgrades, and repaving. Board members recognized the necessity of this extended construction timeline and emphasized communication with local residents and businesses, seeking plans to reduce disruptions to traffic flow and community life.
Presentation: Kaka‘ako Makai Plans
A representative from the Hawai‘i Community Development Authority (HCDA), Mr. Ryan Tam, explained that HCDA has initiated a master planning process for Kaka‘ako Makai. The effort involves examining existing zoning, land ownership changes, and infrastructure requirements to ensure that future development meets community needs. HCDA will hold a public visioning workshop on March 7, 2026, at Salt at Kaka‘ako, where stakeholders and residents can learn about the project’s scope and offer feedback on everything from cultural environmental protections to open space planning. A second workshop is planned in the summer to consider multiple land-use scenarios with the goal of amending rules dating back to the mid-2000s. Board members highlighted the importance of engaging a wide range of residents—especially families, immigrant communities, and those who have long-standing concerns about homeless encampments and infrastructure stress in Kaka‘ako Makai.
Board Business: Approval of January 2026 Minutes
The board unanimously approved the January 27, 2026 regular meeting minutes by voice vote. No objections were raised.
Action Committee Reports and Community Projects
The Action Committee co-chairs recapped current initiatives, including neighborhood cleanups, public outreach efforts, and upcoming events. They highlighted a future park cleanup at Ala Moana Beach Park on Sunday, March 8, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., done in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation. Attendees will be supplied with gloves and trash pickers. This monthly subcommittee meeting also laid the groundwork for potential board resolutions, legislative monitoring, and direct outreach on pressing local concerns.
Legislative Overview and Proposed Endorsements
A group of bills introduced by Representative Tam, Representative Olds, and Senator Morawaki, among others, was presented to the board. The proposals ranged from changes to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, better controls on short-term rentals, and the establishment of new offices in Asian cities to promote Hawai‘i exports, to measures addressing homeless services, tax adjustments on vacant lots, and campaign finance. The board approved support of various bills after a thorough discussion. Some saw unanimous consent, while others were approved despite a few no votes or abstentions. The chair and vice chair agreed that board-endorsed positions could be advanced through written and, in some cases, in-person testimony at the legislature.
Candidate Forum Planning
The board confirmed intentions to host a candidate forum ahead of the 2026 primary election, tentatively in June or July. Members stressed the value of continuing a tradition of providing a neighborly, fair forum for local, state, and federal candidates, thereby letting residents directly ask questions and meet potential officeholders. The precise date will depend on candidate availability and a final schedule will be announced in the forthcoming months.
Consideration of Resolutions
In further board action, two resolutions were debated and voted on. The first targeted a vacant lot property tax surcharge for the City and County of Honolulu, aimed at discouraging property owners from leaving parcels languishing, especially in high-density or transit-oriented areas. It set forth a time-based surcharge structure, recognizing exemptions for recorded active construction and agricultural usage. This resolution passed with wide support, acknowledging the concerns of vacant properties diminishing neighborhood character and safety.
The second resolution adopted the recommendations presented by Mr. Wodson on aviation noise abatement. The board approved a formal request that the FAA reroute major flight paths away from populated Honolulu communities, including a curfew on the so-called “Freeway Route” for small planes, once again indicating the impact of noise and safety worries.
Sub-District Reports and Community Concerns
Members reported on neighborhood issues, including consistent challenges with illegally parked vehicles on certain streets, deteriorating road conditions, and improved dog park maintenance in Kolowalu Park. Much of the meeting’s latter portion, however, centered on the newly opened Victoria Ward Park, where dogs are now prohibited. Residents objected strenuously, arguing that Howard Hughes Corporation had previously promised pet-friendly spaces and that the ban feels like unwarranted discrimination against dog owners. Multiple community members spoke of feeling policed by increased security, citing a sense of bait-and-switch tactics, and pressed for the board’s support in asking the developer to rescind the dog ban. The board collected contact information and explained that they plan to follow up with Howard Hughes and relevant agencies regarding possible compromises and improved transparency.
Elected Official and Agency Updates
Representatives Olds, Tam, and Iwamoto provided virtual updates on their respective bills progressing in the House, including measures on homelessness, gender-affirming care protections, and free bus service for minors. Senator Moriwaki’s office reiterated efforts to address homelessness and restrictions on noise from commercial garbage collection. The Governor’s representative highlighted statewide broadband initiatives, and the Mayor’s office reported continuing progress with certain city projects, although some scheduling delays were noted, particularly for a long-requested crosswalk on King Street near One Archer Lane. A Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation spokesperson gave notice of new construction phases on Dillingham Boulevard, while the Hawai‘i Community Development Authority shared dog park updates for Kolowalu Park.
Announcements and Closing
Members reiterated upcoming events, including the King’s Runner 10K, Kaka‘ako Makai vision workshop, the Hapalua half marathon, and the King Kamehameha celebration parade. Farmers market outreach efforts will continue, and the board encouraged residents to participate. The next Action Committee meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2026, and the board’s subsequent regular meeting is confirmed for March 24, 2026. The chair adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m., thanking McKinley Community School for Adults’ facilities and the broader community for their engagement in shaping Ala Moana-Kaka‘ako’s future.