No 31 Kailua Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting December 2025
Kailua Neighborhood Board Meeting
Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting convened at 7:02 PM, with a hybrid in-person and remote format. A quorum was established with 13 members attending in person and three members joining remotely. Several members were noted absent. The board confirmed intentions to recess in January and resume its regular meeting schedule in February. Attendees were reminded that because the holiday potluck was ongoing, remaining food was available to all.
Announcements and Scheduling
The board announced it would recess in January, with its next full meeting slated for early February. Members also noted that the first Thursday of January fell on a holiday date, prompting this recess. The audience and remote participants were given opportunities to share any upcoming community events or concerns before official reports began.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) Report
HPD representatives provided statistics for November, stating there were three motor vehicle thefts (an increase from one the previous month), seven burglaries (up from two), 30 thefts (up from 18), five car break-ins (down from seven), and zero robberies (unchanged). HPD cautioned the public about seasonal scams targeting kupuna and advised residents to keep doors locked to deter burglaries, noting that several recent burglaries resulted from unsecured entrances. They encouraged community members receiving suspicious calls (especially those demanding wire payments) to contact the police, as these are often fraudulent. HPD emphasized awareness of unlocked doors and vigilance during the holiday season.
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Report
A fire captain from the Kailua Fire Station reported statistics for November 2025 (as listed on the official log):
• 0 structure fires, 1 wildland brush fire, 0 nuisance alarms, 0 cooking fires, 10 activated alarms, 80 medical alarms, 7 motor vehicle collisions, 2 mountain rescues, and 1 ocean rescue.
HFD also shared fire safety tips for the holiday season, focusing on the extreme flammability of dried Christmas trees and wreaths. They advised homeowners to recycle trees as soon as possible and take care when using New Year’s fireworks, reminding everyone of permit requirements for firecrackers.
Ocean Safety Department Report
A representative of Honolulu Ocean Safety from the Kailua district highlighted that local beaches saw around 80,000 visitors in the previous month. Lifeguards performed about 5,000 preventative actions, 750 first aids, and 3–6 major rescues involving jet ski deployment for ocean-goers in distress. The department plans increased ATV patrols during the holidays due to rising beach attendance. They also stressed shark safety protocols after a recent “aggressive shark” sighting prompted a cautionary beach closure. The shark was reportedly seen thrashing close to shore, but after monitoring for several hours, the beach was reopened.
Board Business and Committee Motions
Meeting Procedures and Organizational Updates
Following agency reports, the board discussed housekeeping items. Upcoming schedules were clarified, emphasizing that future resolutions or motions should be processed through the relevant committees.
Motion 1: Charter Amendment for Historic Preservation Funding
The board introduced a motion in support of a proposed charter amendment (number 148) to rename the Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund to the Land, Natural Resources, and Historic Preservation Fund. The rationale was that projects such as restoring historic landmarks can be costly and currently lack dedicated funding. By allowing the existing fund to include historic preservation, more city-level preservation could be achieved. The board passed the motion by a vote of 13–0, with one abstention, endorsing the proposal for further consideration by the Charter Commission.
Motion 2: Call for Public Database of Discretionary Permit Applications
A second motion proposed supporting a resolution (25-268) that urges the Department of Planning and Permitting to create a publicly accessible database of all discretionary permit applications, such as SMA Minor or Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Minor. Some board members felt the timing might be premature given other demands on DPP’s resources. Others argued that timely transparency was essential. After discussion, the board vote was 9–3 in favor, with two abstentions, failing to meet the threshold it needed to pass under board rules. The motion did not carry.
Motion 3: Concern Over Single-Family Dwelling Permit on Silt Basin
A third motion addressed concerns with a permit application for a single-family home on conservation-zoned land near the Keopu Silt Basin. The basin acts as a sediment catchment before runoff enters Kaelepulu Pond. The board worried that construction on this flood-prone area could compromise drainage and water quality. Members mentioned that private owners at the site historically have not maintained the area. The motion urging agencies to preserve the basin’s capacity and address such development impacts passed unanimously with 15 votes.
Board of Water Supply Report
A Board of Water Supply representative shared details on four water main breaks that occurred in November, all involving eight-inch lines installed in the 1960s. She warned customers about scams, underscoring the board’s official policies for collecting payments and verifying identification. Updates on future major infrastructure projects, including a water tank, were deferred for future announcement. The department reminded everyone to conserve water over the holidays.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) Report
A civilian liaison from MCBH updated the board on recent events. The base participated in a Makahiki Ceremony in partnership with neighboring restoration groups, continued to host the annual Holiday Classic with Special Olympics Hawaii, and prepared for upcoming December 7th commemoration events. Questions arose about ongoing mangrove removal near the base’s fence line, specifically regarding the method and monitoring. The liaison pledged to follow up on contract details and removal protocols, especially regarding community concerns about potential environmental impacts.
Key Presentation: Lanikai Transportation Management Plan Implementation
City transportation officials presented an update on implementing the long-debated Lanikai Transportation Management Plan. The approved plan includes installing consistent “no parking anytime” signs along the main loop of Mokulua and Aalapapa Drives and introducing one-way conversions on side streets with wider paved shoulders to allow for more controlled parking. The dilemma is whether to install no-parking signage on the loop immediately or wait for the full budget allocation in July to pave and mark side streets simultaneously.
• Community members urged immediate signage on the loop, citing ongoing safety issues and daily congestion, particularly around popular beach accesses.
• Others cautioned that if the loop became fully restricted while cross streets are unprepared, parked cars would crowd side streets even more, exacerbating congestion.
• Suggestions included temporary enforcement expansions, loading zones, and evaluating how best to reduce the volume of cars in Lanikai without completely cutting off public beach access.
The board will revisit the topic in committee meetings to find a consensus, aiming to balance resident safety and public access.
Resident and Community Concerns
• Olamana Youth Program: A group of youth and staff from a program called Kinaia, currently operating in buildings at the Kawai Nui facility, shared how their vocational, cultural, and community service projects have positively impacted justice-involved youth. They requested recognition and inclusion in any master plan changes, urging decision-makers to acknowledge ongoing rehabilitation efforts that already align with the broader vision for the site.
• Mangrove Removal Impacts: A resident from Kaneohe raised concerns about odor and potential health effects from large-scale mangrove uprooting near Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The board scheduled this concern for further discussion in an upcoming committee meeting.
Reports from Agencies and Elected Officials
Representatives from the City and State updated the board on a range of issues, including progress on road maintenance, traffic signal installations, and budgeting concerns. A City Councilmember confirmed support for new stormwater improvement proposals in Kaelepulu, while State officials cautioned about potential budget shortfalls in the upcoming legislative session. Topics also included the rapid growth of homelessness assistance programs, improved property insurance coverage options for condos, and tax incentives to increase long-term rental housing availability.
Additional Motions and Other Board Actions
Two final motions were addressed:
- A resolution asking the city to increase reserved residential parking in a publicly owned elderly apartment complex, supported by complaints that many stalls sit unused while tenants cannot secure parking. This carried with 10 votes in favor and 3 abstentions.
- A resolution calling on the legislature to convene an investigative committee regarding alleged campaign finance irregularities. The board voted unanimously in favor.
Conclusion and Adjournment
With meeting time extended past its usual close, the board speedily concluded all remaining items and adjourned at 10:03 PM. Members reminded all present that the Neighborhood Board will recess in January and reconvene in early February, urging community members to stay connected through committee meetings and continue providing input on pressing neighborhood issues.