No 30 Kāne‘ohe Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting January 2026
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30 Kaneohe Neighborhood Board Meeting – January 20, 2026
Opening
Chair Radke called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the January session of the Kāne‘ohe Neighborhood Board No. 30. He outlined the agenda and indicated that meeting participants could address various community issues and proposals during resident concerns and official reports.
Board Vacancies
The Board identified three ongoing vacancies in Sub-Districts 2 (Crown Terrace), 8 (Kapunahala), 13 (Kokokahi), and 14 (Yacht Club Terrace). The Chair asked if there were any interested community members present or online. With no volunteers forthcoming, the Board moved forward.
Honolulu Fire Department
A fire captain reported statistics for December, including three structure fires, one nuisance fire, one cooking fire, eight activated alarms, and 143 medical emergencies. There was one motor vehicle versus pedestrian incident and six additional crashes. The captain highlighted electrical safety suggestions, urging homeowners to avoid overloading outlets, running cords under carpets, or using temporary extension cords for permanent solutions. A question arose about evacuation assistance policies in apartment-building fires, and the captain explained that residents might be instructed to shelter in place or be physically assisted downstairs, depending on the fire situation.
Honolulu Police Department
Lieutenant O’Fleur introduced Sergeant Nakagawa and Officer Solomon, explaining that they oversee operations throughout the Windward area. For Kaneohe's monthly statistics, motor vehicle thefts increased from one to two, burglaries decreased from three to two, thefts remained at 11, and there were two unauthorized entries into motor vehicles and one reported robbery incident. Residents asked about enforcement of a new state law mandating 20-foot minimum clearance at crosswalks and intersections, and police confirmed they had been issuing citations where violations occurred. Another concern regarding high-speed, noisy motorcycles on the Pali Highway was discussed, and officers stated that surveillance and traffic enforcement continue but that officers often face challenges with rapid-moving violators.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii
A community liaison provided updates on upcoming events, including a leadership appearance at the State Capitol opening and a February ceremony marking the close of the Makahiki season with community and cultural participants. She announced publicly available 5K races on base, explaining that non-military participants could use a QR code to register for background checks and base access. The liaison also referred to the recently released military impact statement, previewing a March 11 open house at Windward Community College to share information and collect community input. The Marine Corps representative then answered questions about base housing, new construction such as the recently opened Mokapu Elementary School with elevator access, and daycare facility demands.
Windward Community College
A college representative announced two events: the Aloha Giveaway on Saturday, intended as a grassroots exchange for community members to share and collect used items, and the “Kīkilo Lani” exhibit opening at Gallery ‘Iolani later in the month. The display, curated with Robert Cazimero’s input, runs from January 23 through May 18. Regular gallery hours were shared, and the representative encouraged attendance.
Special Recognitions
The Board honored Chancellor Ardis for her leadership at Windward Community College and her warm support of local gatherings, including neighborhood board meetings and campus events. She was presented with a “Person of the Year” certificate. Similarly, the Board recognized community advocate “Aunty Rocky” Kaluhiva for championing local responsibilities and for her mentorship of youth and longtime residents alike, also naming her a “2025 Person of the Year.” Both recipients expressed gratitude, praising collaboration across Kaneohe.
Resident and Community Concerns
Certain areas throughout Kaneohe were noted for concerns about potholes, including Kawa Street and Keahala Street near Jack in the Box. A resident reported hazards for pedestrians, especially those who are visually impaired, near the Taco Bell and Pizza Hut stretch of Kamehameha Highway. The Department of Facility Maintenance will be asked to address these areas. A meeting for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training was announced, with subsequent sessions encouraging new volunteers. Issues related to accessible transit, speeding, cell phone usage while driving, and e-bike noise were also raised, with some residents asking for greater enforcement or new ordinances.
Elected Officials’ Reports
Staff from U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda’s office reported upcoming federal-level initiatives, including in-person town halls and new casework submitted to the Department of Defense. A Governor’s Office representative shared news of “Year of Our Coastal Kuleana” initiatives and other statewide programs. The City administration (Mayor Blangiardi’s representative) informed the Board of improvements to the HNL 311 reporting system for potholes and repairs, plus gave updates on raised crosswalks as part of upcoming Complete Streets projects. Councilmember Esther Kia‘āina detailed guardrail upgrades on segments of Kaneohe Bay Drive from January through March, a major road improvement project for Kamehameha Highway, and several local FEMA flood map meeting dates.
At the state legislative level, Senator Brenton Awa’s staff briefed attendees on pre-filed bills, capital improvement project allocations for the Hawaii State Hospital, and the final phase of Genki Ball drops in area ponds. Representatives from the offices of Representatives Kitagawa, Matayoshi, and LoPresti relayed priorities for finance, commerce, worker protection, and environmental legislation. Updates included proposals on Ama‘ama fishing limits, planned expansions of local healthcare facilities, and expectations for opening day at the Legislature on January 21.
Mangrove Removal and Odor Concerns
The Board considered a resolution addressing noxious odors and potential airborne toxins resulting from invasive mangrove removal near Kāne‘ohe Bay. Some community members described the unpleasant smell and shared that hydrogen sulfide or other compounds might be released when mangroves are pulled out near a sewage treatment plant. The Marine Corps Base Hawaii representative clarified that roots are generally cut at soil level and hauled away to minimize soil disturbance and that final cleanup should be done by February. The Board ultimately adopted a resolution encouraging transparent air quality monitoring, stronger coordination among agencies, meaningful community communication, and use of established frameworks to better anticipate and mitigate potential hazards.
Empty Homes Tax Resolution
The Board revisited a proposed resolution seeking to support or highlight legislative proposals for an empty homes tax, with noted exemptions for local owners in special circumstances. After deliberation, the resolution did not reach the nine affirmative votes required to pass; several Board members opposed it out of concern for long-standing homeowners and families residing part-time on Oahu.
Announcements and Adjournment
Committees briefly updated the Board on transportation, emergency preparedness, and other matters. The next meeting was announced for February 19, 2026, possibly in a different campus meeting room due to upcoming renovations. The Chair then adjourned the meeting after confirming key follow-up items for Department of Health coordination, Marine Corps ongoing communication, and future legislative inquiries.