No 01 Hawaiʻi Kai Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting November 2025
Hawaiʻi Kai Neighborhood Board Meeting
Board of Water Supply: Water Pressure and Pipe Concerns
In response to resident complaints about water pressure and “singing” in home pipes, a Board of Water Supply representative addressed ongoing issues tied to Kai Laku Street, where lateral replacements have been performed for years. The representative suggested opening all faucets and flushing toilets simultaneously to clear trapped air, which can cause noise and reduced pressure. While no specific timeline was offered, the Board of Water Supply agreed to investigate any broader causes beyond trapped air. They will report back to the board in an upcoming meeting.
Kaiser Complex Schools: Holiday Events, Town Halls, and New Menus
Representatives from the Kaiser Complex of Schools announced participation in the Hawaiʻi Kai Holiday Parade, showcasing student spirit from four elementary schools along with the local middle and high schools. They also outlined two annual town hall meetings for each school. The first receives community and family input on school improvement, while the second shares a draft plan addressing that feedback. School lunches across the Department of Education have undergone a refresh, collaborating with Chef Roy Yamaguchi to create 70 redesigned menu items. These include orange chicken and rice, kalua pork nachos, chicken pasta Alfredo, and other varied choices. Youth breakfasts have also expanded to items like mini blueberry pancakes and chicken and waffles. The Kaiser Complex reported that children increasingly enjoy these fresh offerings, which required coordinating local produce with farmers well in advance.
Moped and Bike Safety Initiatives
Concerns arose about students riding mopeds with multiple passengers. School officials acknowledged the danger, noting that new policies now ban e-bikes at elementary and middle school levels, requiring registration and helmets at the high school level. The schools are also working with the Hawaiʻi Bicycling League to conduct “bike ed” sessions for younger students. Fourth graders learn bike safety over several lessons, aiming to encourage responsible ridership and obey local traffic rules.
Cell Phone Restrictions During School Hours
School representatives confirmed heightened restrictions on student cell phone use. At elementary schools, phones must remain in backpacks and only be used after dismissal. Parents can reach children through the school office instead. Middle schools follow a policy of off-by-7:30 each morning, encouraging other morning activities rather than cell phone use. This approach, they explained, helps students stay focused during classes and fosters healthier social engagement.
Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Updates
A Department of Transportation representative reported on several regional issues. Dead manila palm trees in medians along Kalanianaʻole Highway are scheduled for removal within two weeks following the Thanksgiving holiday. No replacement plantings are scheduled yet due to the lack of irrigation. Roadside weed control remains a challenge, compounded by residents’ concerns over chemical spraying near vehicles and homes. The department observed that approved EPA pesticides are used sparingly, but leading public sentiment favors minimal spraying. Finally, board members were reminded that repaving the stretch of road from Makapuʻu Point through Sandy Beach has been planned for a future date, and DOT officials will provide precise timelines once they finalize schedules.
Community Announcements: Events, Wetlands, and Celebrations
Residents mentioned volunteer events and restoration projects, particularly at Kiaʻi Kai Wetland, which hosts monthly cleanups and family-friendly activities. A special event commemorating World Wetlands Day is planned for February 7th, welcoming families and conservation experts statewide. The Waimānalo Christmas Parade on December 13th was also highlighted. Roads will close at 9 a.m. from Humuʻnīkē to Waimānalo Beach Park, and parade organizers encouraged the public to plan alternate routes. The day will also feature Makalehua Waimānalo, a community hoʻolauleʻa event celebrating local vendors, music, and scholarship fundraising. Organizers encouraged all East Oʻahu residents to enjoy Waimānalo’s festive day.
Updates from the Heart Advocacy Group
A Heart representative offered a status update on ongoing petition efforts, emphasizing the desire to preserve tranquil spaces in East Oʻahu neighborhoods. They are aligning community leaders, including local legislators, to garner more support. Heart’s speaker reminded attendees of the petition’s availability online and welcomed additional endorsements. No specific completion date was mentioned, but the group remains active in outreach.
Coconut Coalition and the Koko Crater Stairs Mural
A Coconut Coalition spokesperson described recent maintenance and painting at the Koko Crater summit. Because graffiti had become widespread within the World War II-era command facility, the group worked with a muralist to cover walls in bright green ocean-themed designs, preserving older artworks that seemed well-regarded by local tagger communities. While some found the vibrant colors noticeable from afar, the coalition views the mural as a significant improvement over graffiti. Safety concerns related to an accident in which a young hiker fell through a vent shaft remain a top priority. The group fortified barriers and installed fencing, encouraging all visitors to heed posted rules around the structure.
Adventist Health Castle’s New Urgent Care Clinic
A medical director from Adventist Health Castle introduced their new urgent care facility in Hawaiʻi Kai, located in the same center as Roy’s restaurant. Equipped with on-site x-ray, EKG, and lab work, the center offers quick service for acute illnesses and minor injuries. Staffed daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the clinic accepts most major local insurance plans and provides referrals for advanced testing or specialty care at Castle Hospital if needed. Officials noted they aim for an average visit time under an hour and regard urgent care as filling the gap between crowded emergency rooms and often overbooked primary care offices.
Protecting the Koaeʻula (Red-Tailed Tropic Bird) Along Ka Iwi
A conservation researcher detailed the plight of Koaeʻula nesting sites on the Ka Iwi Coast, their only breeding ground on Oʻahu beyond various offshore islets. Monitoring since 2005 showed the population rising steadily until 2023, when predation killed many birds, including adults and chicks. Evidence of feral cats, including paw marks near carcasses, coincided with new cat feeding stations near Lanai Lookout, an area also lacking suitable irrigation or waste management. Conservationists stressed that feeding feral cats at the site results in danger for the wildlife and the cats themselves, which often risk highway crossings. Volunteers and cat rescue organizations agreed to explore relocating the cats and removing feeding stations, though obstacles persist. Board members debated whether stricter policies are needed to ban feeding statewide on public property. A formal motion was introduced to urge city and county leaders to prohibit all feral feeding. However, the motion did not pass due to lack of consensus, with several members seeking broader dialogue and community engagement on the issue.
Officials’ Reports
City and county representatives offered updates on utility and recreation improvements. The Mayor’s office reported safety enhancements at the Koko Head Shooting Complex, including higher berms, posted rules, and measures to mitigate lead exposure. The council chair’s office was not present to answer inquiries on cat feeding regulations, while the Governor’s liaison reaffirmed efforts to follow up on malfunctioning emergency sirens in East Honolulu after residents noted they could not hear the alerts. The Governor’s representative also pledged to bring relevant state agencies to a future board meeting, clarifying execution timelines for regional road and harbor renovations. The local House representative, meanwhile, promoted upcoming legislative “Talk Story” sessions on food sustainability and sought community input for the next legislative package, acknowledging local deficits in grocery supply for emergencies.
Board Business and Subdistrict Vacancies
Board members discussed vacant subdistrict seats in areas such as Kalama Valley and Lunalilo Park Mauka. Noting past success, the board voted to request converting those seats to at-large positions for the remaining term, hoping that broader eligibility would attract more participation. A short status report on Koko Crater Stables was deferred until January as city departments compile information on stables’ lease and maintenance obligations.
Closing and Adjournment
The board thanked presenters, community members, and local officials for attending. Though a cat-feeding ban on city property was proposed, members opted to gather more input before taking final action. They encouraged residents to attend the Hawaiʻi Kai Christmas Parade, ongoing wetland volunteer events, and the Waimānalo holiday festivities. The board announced it would be in recess during December, reconvening on January 27th with updates on outstanding issues, including Koko Crater Stables, emergency sirens, and potential legislative changes. Community members were wished a safe and happy holiday season before the meeting was adjourned.