No 05 Diamond Head-Kapahulu-St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting November 2025
Waikīkī Neighborhood Board Meeting – November 2025
Call to Order and Opening Remarks
Acting Chair Arlene Velasco convened the meeting, welcomed board members and attendees, and confirmed that the session would follow standard procedures. She set the agenda by introducing public safety updates first, followed by various reports from city and state representatives, board committees, and upcoming events impacting the Waikīkī area.
Honolulu Fire Department Report
Captain Joshua Chies from the Waikīkī Fire Station on Kapahulu Avenue provided statistics for October 2025, including three structure fires, one wildland brush fire, two nuisance fires, five activated alarms with no fire, 59 medical emergencies, seven motor vehicle crashes, and two mountain rescues. He focused on cooking safety tips for the upcoming holiday season, urging everyone to stay in the kitchen while cooking, use timers, and keep flammable items away from stovetops. He noted that cooking fires remain a leading cause of home injuries and advised residents to remain alert when preparing meals.
Honolulu Police Department (District 6) Report
Lieutenant Hanuna presented the monthly crime statistics for District 6 in Waikīkī. Assaults decreased from 48 to 35, burglaries rose from 11 to 19, and drunk driving arrests moved from 22 to 19. Thefts dropped significantly from 163 to 109, while burglaries and robberies showed varied figures. Total calls for service were 3,324 for the month, down from 3,683. Concerns were raised about defecation at community garden plots on La Pia Avenue, prompting a request for more night patrols. Another resident brought up a growing presence of tents and illegal campers near a state facility by the Blind Library, describing unsanitary conditions affecting recreational and canoe club activities. The lieutenant pledged to relay these concerns to the appropriate agencies and to pursue collaboration with state law enforcement.
Honolulu Police Department (District 7) Update
A representative from District 7 was not present. The Acting Chair noted that if a District 7 officer arrived later, the board would revisit District 7 updates.
Vacant Board Seat
The board announced there was still one at-large seat available for immediate appointment. No volunteers came forward at this meeting, so the seat remains open.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Acting Chair Velasco brought up that board member Winston had recommended approval of the July, August, and September 2025 minutes, while October minutes were still under review. Board Secretary Michelle confirmed that she had examined the July through September minutes and made revisions. The board voted unanimously to approve the three sets of minutes. October’s draft minutes will be evaluated at a future date.
Board of Water Supply Update
Kathleen from the Board of Water Supply reported two main breaks in the neighborhood, both occurring on October 21. One was a six-inch line on Montserrat Avenue caused by ongoing construction; the contractor repaired the damage. The other was a significant 20-inch line break on Dole Street that caused major disruptions. The Board of Water Supply apologized for the inconveniences and emphasized that design and replacement of the affected main are being accelerated, though completion will take time. Concerns surfaced about ongoing drought conditions and a request for a 20% reduction in water usage, prompting a reminder that recent rains had not fully resolved the islands’ water shortage. Kathleen also noted the continuing issue of irrigation being shut off around Diamond Head, which led to dried-out naupaka plantings, and she pledged to share these concerns with the relevant agencies.
Kapiʻolani Community College Report
A representative from Kapiʻolani Community College stated there were no pressing updates. A board member commended the new campus buildings, noting that the selected colors seamlessly blend with surrounding greenery. The college representative conveyed appreciation and promised to share the positive feedback with campus leadership.
Community Events and Announcements
Representatives of various races and parades shared information on upcoming athletic and community gatherings. Organizers of the Honolulu Marathon Clinic Turkey Trot described their Thanksgiving Day event, including the running route at Kapiʻolani Park, its 7 a.m. start time, and estimated participant counts. They requested and received the board’s support. A Kapahulu neighborhood cleanup was confirmed for mid-November; while exact details about meeting sites and equipment provision were unclear, a participant noted it would be a city-led volunteer sign-up event. Officials of the Nahwahini Race announced their women’s 10K and 5K in January 2026 around Kapiʻolani Park, highlighting the tradition of organizing these runs to promote fitness and community engagement.
Ocean Safety Headquarters Proposal
Managing Director Michael Formby explained a plan to address ongoing concerns surrounding the Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division’s headquarters near Leahi Avenue, which currently sits on Kapiʻolani Park Trust land. The administration hopes to remove the 0.35-acre site from the trust and substitute a 2.21-acre parcel near Kapiʻolani Park’s entrance, ensuring the trust gains more usable park acreage. He emphasized the cramped conditions at the current Ocean Safety building and the need for temporary mobile offices to alleviate overcrowding. Some residents suggested finding alternate city or state lands for a permanent facility, while others voiced reservations about continuing a non-park use on trust property. Formby underscored that this swap was intended as a practical, near-term measure until a fully suitable headquarters location could be planned and financed.
Mayor’s Representative’s Report
Director Anton Krucky provided several city-wide updates. He detailed the expanded rail service of Skyline to the Honolulu Airport, new bus route changes, and the city’s ongoing early childcare initiatives at Honolulu Hale. Krucky highlighted the upcoming sewer rate adjustments, holiday events, and the Royal Hawaiian Band’s free Christmas concert on November 28 at the Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall, followed by seasonal displays in Thomas Square. He tackled neighborhood-specific issues, including traffic congestion, illegal parking near Leonard’s Bakery on Kapahulu Avenue, and recurring homeless encampments along Ala Wai Canal. He revealed that HPD continues to enforce park-closure rules, issuing citations for violations. He also confirmed that no plans exist for a city or state homeless shelter at the Ala Wai Golf Course, clarified the absence of developments at Makalei Beach Park for restrooms, and pledged to inspect persistent road erosion concerns along Diamond Head Road.
City Council Updates and Legislative News
Adam from Council Chair Tommy Waters’ office shared that the City Council approved a contract providing HPD officers a 27% salary increase through 2029, which the council believed necessary to address staffing shortages. He also promoted the Climate Resiliency Fund, noting it is a special fund supporting projects that confront climate impacts and enhance sustainability. He invited community members to propose project ideas for the Waikīkī district. Kylie, representing Council Member Scott Nishimoto, reported no substantial changes to the council’s reorganization other than a standard shift in leadership responsibilities. Board members raised questions about communication with the St. Louis Heights Community Association and followed up on ongoing roadway issues.
State Officials’ Reports
Representatives from Governor Josh Green, Senators Stanley Chang, and House Members Jackson Sayama and Andrew T. Garrett’s offices discussed programs for SNAP beneficiaries, early childhood education developments, and legislative priorities. The governor’s office noted an additional $250 allotment to SNAP recipients remains intact even after the federal government’s budget extension. Several legislators provided dates for local holiday parades and community events, including the large Palolo Stream cleanup led by environmental nonprofits. Representative Sayama shared details about the Kaimuki Community Park’s Thanksgiving festivities, while Representative Garrett made note of upcoming legislative staffing needs. Representative Ol’s office updated everyone on statewide funding sources for rent and utility relief programs and encouraged residents to stay informed as the new legislative session approaches.
Public and Community Concerns
During open forum, residents revisited traffic congestion at Kapahulu Avenue, questioned possible land developments near Diamond Head, and spoke about the need to protect park lands in Kakaʻako Makai from residential high-rise proposals. Another participant urged the board to stay updated on the neighborhood plan revisions happening at the Neighborhood Commission level, and there were cautions about the continuing presence of feral chickens and partial fencing that might not fully deter them on certain city-owned properties.
Board Business and Committee Work
The board took action on a resolution presented by Representative Amy Perruso’s office, urging the state legislature to prioritize comprehensive pesticide reforms. The resolution passed unanimously after a final review of its wording. A permitted interaction group on property taxes, led by several board members, was acknowledged, though no formal findings were yet available. Various committee chairs noted that they would convene additional meetings to address ongoing matters such as traffic safety, environment, and park usage, with members agreeing to keep the public informed on any steps forward.
Next Meeting and Adjournment
Board members reminded the community that the next Waikīkī Neighborhood Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the same location and via web conference. They also encouraged people to visit the Neighborhood Commission Office website or the board’s online drive for official minutes, future agendas, and additional resources. With no further topics to address, the board adjourned after thanking all attendees for their engagement in local community affairs.