No 18 Āliamanu-Salt Lake-Foster Village Neighborhood Board Meeting February 2026
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18 Aliamanu-Salt Lake Neighborhood Board Meeting – February 13, 2026
Opening Ceremony and National Anthems
Chair welcomed attendees and invited everyone to stand for the presentation of the flag by the Moanalua High School ROTC Honor Guards. Navy Petty Officer MU3 Jasmine Rodriguez sang the National Anthem and the Hawaiian anthem, Hawaiʻi Ponui. Upon completion, the chair thanked both the color guard and Rodriguez for their contributions in commencing the meeting with a sense of respect and unity.
America’s 250th Anniversary Celebrations
The chair referenced the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, highlighting that July 4, 2026, marks this milestone in American history. Neighborhood Board 18 will recognize various branches of the military and essential services in each meeting of 2026. The chair explained this would be an opportunity to honor U.S. armed forces, first responders, and the many societal contributions that have shaped the nation. Meeting attendees watched a brief tribute to the U.S. Navy as part of the board’s monthly recognition program.
Tribute to the U.S. Navy and Captain White
The board presented a special tribute to Captain Samuel White, the commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, who is retiring after over thirty years of service in the U.S. Navy. The presentation recounted his efforts to build local partnerships, address community concerns such as emergency evacuation routes for the Waianae coast, and focus on renewable energy initiatives. Captain White expressed his gratitude to the community and announced his plan to reside on the Big Island after retirement. Board members commended him for his leadership and extended their best wishes.
Honolulu Fire Department Report
Captain Ryan Bump from Mokulele Fire Station provided incident statistics for January 2026. There was one rubbish fire, four activated alarms, one hazardous material incident, 119 medical service calls, one motor vehicle crash, and one mountain rescue in the neighborhood. He explained that HFD has transitioned from the older National Fire Incident Reporting System to the newer National Emergency Response Information System, which may cause changes in how incidents are classified. He advised residents to call 911 before attempting to drive to a fire station, as personnel may be out on calls. He also reminded the community about HFD’s ability to receive 911 text messages in areas with poor phone reception.
Honolulu Police Department Report
Lieutenant Keoni Hong reported District 3 statistics for January, noting zero motor vehicle thefts, one burglary, two thefts, zero car break-ins, and 285 calls for service. He shared details of a single burglary and theft incident in Aliamanu, where a suspect was identified from a photo lineup, and an arrest is pending. In District 5, Corporal Jocelyn Manson reported eight auto thefts, zero burglaries, two sex assaults, three simple assaults, five thefts, and a total of 508 calls for service. She emphasized the need to lock vehicles, remove valuables, and avoid using lock boxes, especially in secured parking areas, to minimize auto theft opportunities. She also described collaborative efforts with military police to apprehend felony theft suspects at the Navy Exchange.
Warrior of the Month Award
Board Secretary Chandra Kanemaru received the February 2026 Warrior of the Month Award. The chair recognized her for organizing quarterly community cleanups, coordinating the Good Neighbor Program for the Country Club Villages area, and leading Operation Clean Sweep to remediate the Salt Lake Waterway using Genki Balls. Kanemaru highlighted her upcoming efforts to hold a two-part cleanup in April 2026 for Earth Month, including Genki Ball tosses and environmental awareness events with the help of local volunteers, elected officials, and military teams.
Neighborhood Commission Office WebEx Announcement
Executive Secretary to the Neighborhood Commission, Lloyd Yoninaka, discussed future plans to provide WebEx coverage during Neighborhood Board 18 meetings. The board’s meetings will remain in-person for members, while the public will soon have the option to attend virtually. Yoninaka clarified that under this setup, board members who are not physically present would not participate in votes or discussions, ensuring the meeting’s official classification remains in-person. He asked for continued community engagement once the WebEx option is introduced.
Red Hill Registry Updates
A representative spoke about the voluntary Red Hill Registry, encouraging enrollment from anyone, regardless of whether immediate health effects from the 2021–2022 water contamination were observed. The registry tracks health outcomes, helps inform medical providers about potential symptoms, and gathers data on the overall timeline of possible long-term health impacts. The speaker clarified that the Red Hill Registry remains distinct from the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ survey on environmental remediation awareness.
US Military Updates
Army updates included a hiring fair on March 17, 2026, at Mililani High School Cafeteria, ongoing training advisories near Schofield Barracks, an upcoming Kolekole 10K run on February 25, and prescribed burns scheduled for April. They also acknowledged a reported overgrowth concern and noted that a work order had been placed to trim vegetation. A Navy representative announced that regular Pearl Harbor white boat tours continue for community members who register. He also emphasized that Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam is committed to attending Board 18 meetings in person. Questions arose about Red Hill fuel tank defueling, and the Navy pointed to available online resources, including an app to track progress by the Joint Task Force Red Hill.
Mopuna Puna Flooding and Cleanup Discussion
Extensive time was spent reviewing persistent flooding, debris, homeless encampments, and infrastructural neglect in Mapuna Puna. The board chair displayed photos of abandoned cars, accumulated rubbish, and homeless settlements under highway overpasses. He cited concerns that businesses have been hindered by repeated floods, deteriorating sidewalks, and repeated illegal dumping. Some owners hesitate to file official complaints for fear of enforcement letters that assign private responsibility for certain repairs. The chair shared a wish list of measures, including additional duck bill valves, regular street sweeping, and programs to support local businesses. City representatives explained that multiple agencies coordinate the drainage infrastructure, storm drain cleaning, and homeless outreach. They described City Council ordinances governing driveways, sidewalks, street parking, and the ongoing search for major long-term flood mitigation that includes sea level rise considerations.
City Department Updates
City officials covered topics such as pedestrian safety, continued hydrant maintenance schedules, and a need for community reporting through the 311 app. They reminded the public that maintenance teams face challenges because industrial dumping, homeless activity, and rising tides compound the drainage problems in areas originally built on fill. The administration indicated that certain potential solutions are constrained by budget limitations and legal complexities but affirmed a willingness to meet with business owners to develop a more collaborative approach. The mayor’s representative summarized actions to address illegal parking, improved lighting, and acknowledging how the area’s long-term usage might be reimagined in conjunction with private property owners and state-level planning.
Council and Legislative Updates
Councilmember Radiant Cordero announced parks improvements at Kahuku District Park, a new off-leash dog park in Makiki, and the city’s recent installation of a UV wastewater disinfection system at the Kailua treatment plant. She commended efforts to enhance security at Salt Lake District Park with new cameras and recognized continuing budgets for advanced sidewalk and park maintenance. Senator Glenn Wakai shared that demolition at the current Aloha Stadium site is scheduled to start on February 17, with full demolition targeted by August 2026. He further addressed potential changes to power generation, emphasizing that Hawaii Electric’s infrastructure is unreliable if left unmodernized. Other legislators, including Representative Ichiyama and Representative Shimizu’s staff, provided updates on budget proposals, educational measures, and pilot programs designed to address homelessness, encouraging community members to submit formal testimony online for bills of interest.
Closing and Next Meeting
The board voted to approve the January 2026 minutes without amendment. Members set the next Aliamanu-Salt Lake-Foster Village Neighborhood Board Meeting for March 12, 2026, to be held at the National Guard Association Building at 6:30 p.m. The chair thanked all presenters, recognized the importance of community collaboration, and adjourned the meeting.