No 30 Kāneʻohe Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting October 2026
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30 Kaneohe Neighborhood Board Meeting – October 16, 2026
September Crime Statistics and Police Recruitment
Honolulu Police Department Lieutenant Drew Okage reported Kāneʻohe crime and service-call statistics for September. Motor-vehicle thefts fell from three in August to zero, burglaries increased from two to three, thefts declined from 20 to 12, vehicle break-ins decreased from four to two, and no robberies were reported. HPD handled 1,178 calls for service, down from 1,421 the previous month. Okage also promoted HPD’s paid cadet program as a career option for high-school graduates. Participants may enter at age 18, receive medical coverage and benefits comparable to recruits, remain in the program until age 21, and then transition into the police academy.
Police Interaction with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Drivers
A board member asked how officers communicate with deaf drivers in light of Senate Bill 2051 CD1, signed by Governor Josh Green, which allows a driver’s or rider’s registration to indicate that the person is deaf. Lieutenant Okage said HPD officers already carry communication cards that use basic wording and visual cues to address matters such as identification and driver’s licenses. The new registration notation is intended to alert officers to a person’s hearing status before or during an encounter and reduce misunderstandings.
Āhu o Laka and Kāneʻohe Bay Rescues
A resident raised concerns about frequent emergency sirens near the pier and reports that visitors had been left at Āhu o Laka, the Kāneʻohe sandbar, and later required rescue. Lieutenant Okage said he had no statistics showing HPD rescues of people abandoned there, although he was aware of a disabled boat that lost power and was towed by the military. The resident said the Coast Guard had reported sandbar rescues during a recent Makai Watch meeting. HPD agreed to research the matter and provide additional information.
Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi Conservation Partnerships
Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi thanked Councilmember Esther Kiaʻāina for organizing a late-September land-conservation program attended by the base and partners in the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration, or REPI, program. REPI provides funding for community conservation projects that also protect military readiness and installations. Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi, the Ulu Aʻe Learning Center or foundation referenced in the report, and Herb Lee’s fishpond initiative were identified as funding recipients. The event drew broad participation and was scheduled for rebroadcast on ʻŌlelo Community Media.
Shearwater Protection, Base Lighting, and Community Feedback
The base announced that shearwater season was underway and described educational efforts for military units and residents. Measures include closing hangar doors and reducing park lighting to prevent birds from becoming disoriented. Community members were encouraged to use the base’s existing noise-complaint form not only for noise but also for lighting concerns and other suggestions. Collecting those reports allows installation leadership to identify patterns and consider operational changes.
Marine Corps Participation in the Christmas Parade and Military Open House
The Marine Corps confirmed that representatives had connected with parade organizers and expected Colonel DeTrinis, the sergeant major, and the Marine Forces Pacific Band to participate in the Kāneʻohe Christmas Parade. The base also publicized a Military Affairs Community Relations Office open house scheduled for November 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ulupō or the Heʻeia State Park venue identified during the meeting. The office serves as a liaison between the governor and the military.
Marine Corps Community Services Employment and Artificial Reef Update
In response to questions about representation for Marine Corps Community Services employees following the loss of union representation, the base said Human Resources had issued new directives to both current and incoming workers. New MCCS Director Ed Hanlon, who has more than ten years of experience at the base in several roles, is reorganizing operations to address the representation and support gap. The base also clarified that a previously discussed artificial reef would not be placed off Kāneʻohe or Fort Hase. The project has moved to the Leeward Coast, is no longer military-affiliated, and is now being advanced by the University of Hawaiʻi and private partners; site work had begun within the preceding several weeks.
Windward Community College Theater Production
Windward Community College announced an upcoming production of Local Heroes of Hawaiʻi at the end of October and beginning of November. The show features local stories about people who made significant contributions across Hawaiʻi and is performed by students in the Hawaiʻi Conservatory for Performing Arts. The conservatory was described as the state’s only program of its kind and offers one year of intensive preparation intended to help local actors qualify for roles in productions staged in Hawaiʻi.
University of Hawaiʻi Tuition Proposal
Windward Community College explained the University of Hawaiʻi’s proposed tuition changes. Community-college tuition would remain level for two additional years, resulting in seven consecutive years without an increase. Tuition would then rise by 3% in each of years three and four. For a full-time community-college student taking 12 credits per semester, the increase would be approximately $96 annually, or roughly $4 more per credit, against current annual tuition of about $3,200. The college emphasized that its tuition remains below the national community-college average, while acknowledging that even an additional $100 can burden students because Hawaiʻi households already devote a disproportionately large share of income to housing and other living costs. A comparison offered during the discussion indicated that a Mānoa student could face an increase of approximately $500.
University System Reorganization
Windward Community College will retain its name and remain a two-year institution under the University of Hawaiʻi’s reorganization. The principal change is that the campus chancellor will report directly to the UH president rather than through a vice president for community colleges, and the separate UH Community College system structure will be eliminated. Central community-college functions such as Human Resources and business administration will move to the overall university-system level. No employees are expected to lose their jobs; affected positions will be reassigned within the system. Windward recently restored its third campus HR position after operating with only two for approximately two years, but it will continue to depend on centralized support for hiring, salary comparisons, tenure, promotion, and other higher-level processes.
Hale Aʻo Renovation and State Hospital Partnership
Renovation of Hale Aʻo was delayed by heavy rain. Completion had originally been anticipated in March but was revised to approximately June. The college said the project was still progressing relatively quickly compared with other campus renovations, with an expected duration of about one year rather than two or three years. Windward also reported no current security problems involving Hawaiʻi State Hospital patients. The college and hospital maintain a close working relationship, share information during emergencies and major events, coordinate parking, and provide education for hospital employees. A three-course mental-health technician certificate covers basic psychology, trauma-informed care, and conflict resolution and mediation, with additional coursework available in areas such as abnormal and developmental psychology.
Windward Community College Fundraiser
The college reported that its recent community event sold all 500 barbecue plates and also sold out of chili bowls, raising $13,000 for scholarships and institutional advancement. Activities included horseback riding, which gave many attendees their first opportunity to ride, and hat restoration by Maui-based participants from Uncle Vic’s. The college credited outreach through the Neighborhood Board with helping generate attendance.
Police Staffing Reorganization and Service Tradeoffs
Police Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan or Chief Lazar, as identified throughout the transcript, appeared with Deputy Chief Brandon Nakasato, District 4 Commander Major Randall Platt, and other HPD personnel. The chief discussed a newly announced decision to transfer more officers from administrative assignments back to patrol. He said the department must ensure sufficient staffing in every district while controlling overtime and remaining fiscally responsible. The change will produce tradeoffs, including possible delays or reductions in public-records processing, firearms registration, Police Activities League programming, youth engagement, and other administrative services. Board members supported prioritizing patrol and suggested greater community participation in youth programs where possible.
HPD Strategic Plan and Community Input
The chief invited residents and board members to submit recommendations directly to the department through the HPD website or by emailing the chief’s office at the address provided during the meeting, identified as the HPD chief’s office at Honolulu.gov. HPD is developing a five-year strategic plan informed by community feedback and workshops involving rank-and-file personnel. Approximately 200 modernization ideas emerged from employee workshops at Koʻolau, including proposals related to technology, recruitment, and retention. The plan had just been posted online, and HPD said progress reports would remain publicly available.
Website Accessibility and Crime-Mapping Tools
A legally blind board member noted that HPD’s crime-mapping and other web resources are difficult to access. He referenced federal accessibility requirements that had reportedly been postponed until April 2027 after Department of Justice delays or staffing cuts. The chief agreed that accessibility for visually impaired users should be incorporated into the department’s strategic work and committed to documenting the issue and following up with HPD’s technology staff.
Traffic Enforcement, Fatalities, and District 4 Recognition
HPD praised District 4 for enforcement against high-speed motorcycles and noisy vehicles on H-3 and for broader traffic-safety work. The chief said 34 traffic fatalities had occurred islandwide as of the meeting date, compared with 68 at the same point the previous year. Major Platt had recognized officers for citation and enforcement performance earlier that day. HPD said its objective remains “Vision Zero,” with no traffic deaths considered acceptable. The department also acknowledged District 4 officers for arresting a suspect in a case involving an elderly Windward resident who was allegedly persuaded to convert retirement savings into gold and surrender it to a scammer.
Distracted Driving and Road-Safety Education
A board member described stopping bicycle travel around Kāneʻohe because drivers using phones had repeatedly drifted toward or struck him. Major Platt said distracted driving, speeding, and alcohol are leading factors in fatal crashes. Officers must generally observe a driver using a mobile device to issue a citation, but even legal hands-free systems and in-vehicle screens can dangerously divert attention. District 4 had recently recognized an officer for issuing the district’s highest number of mobile-device citations, and the fine was described as substantial. The board asked HPD to consider short videos showing the consequences of distracted driving and suggested adding more related questions to driver-license examinations. HPD said its media team could produce educational content, although the state and city transportation departments generally have greater resources for such campaigns.
Deputy Chief Nakasato and the “Three E’s”
Deputy Chief Brandon Nakasato, scheduled to be sworn in the following morning at Honolulu Hale along with Deputy Chief Parker Bode, described the “three E’s” of traffic safety: enforcement, education, and environment or engineering. HPD addresses enforcement; families, schools, agencies, and community organizations contribute to education; and city and state transportation agencies improve roadway design and conditions. He urged residents to remind family members that arriving late is preferable to speeding and to put phones away while driving.
Keoneʻula Road Culvert and Channel Repair
State Department of Transportation Highways District Engineer Ryan Nakata updated the board on the Keoneʻula Road culvert and channel project, which began after April storms damaged the roadway. Crews were forming and reinforcing the concrete-lined channel walls, with a major concrete pour scheduled for the following week. The town-bound H-3 on-ramp was expected to be repaved during the first week of November, followed by guardrails and permanent pavement markings during the second week, with reopening targeted for November 16. Work through December would include new streetlights, fencing, guardrails, landscaping restoration, construction-site removal, final road repaving, and permanent markings. Full completion and contractor demobilization were targeted for December 31, weather permitting.
Culvert Failure, Costs, and Inspection Practices
The Keoneʻula repair was estimated at $26 million, with approximately 80% reimbursable through federal funding and 20% borne by the state. Board members recalled that large corrugated-metal drainage pipes were installed during H-3 construction and questioned whether corrosion protection and earlier inspections could have prevented the failure. Nakata explained that older corrugated-metal pipes can deteriorate over decades without sufficient maintenance. At the failure location, two culverts join before discharging into the channel. The collapsed side has been replaced with a concrete box culvert, while the remaining original metal pipe has only minor damage and is receiving spot repairs by Hawaiian Dredging. HDOT uses consultants to inspect inventory: bridges are generally reviewed every two years, while culverts are inspected on cycles of roughly two to five years depending on classification. Reports generate maintenance work or future capital projects.
Kamehameha Highway Complete Streets Project
City Complete Streets Administrator Renee Espiau reported that Rehabilitation of Streets Phase 73A, covering Kamehameha Highway from Likelike Highway to Haʻikū Road, began in spring 2026 and is expected to continue through fall 2027 as an approximately 18-month project. Work includes new and repaired sidewalks, shared-use paths, curbs, curb ramps, gutters, bus pads, lighting, traffic-signal modifications, pedestrian buttons and beacons, signage, asphalt reconstruction, detector loops, pavement markings, and bicycle lanes. Concrete work will precede roadway paving and final striping. Planning began through a community process in 2018, illustrating the long lead time for major capital improvements. Construction is occurring on weekdays outside peak travel periods and in phases intended to preserve traffic flow.
Pāhia Road Pedestrian Beacon
The city plans an interim solar-powered rectangular rapid-flashing beacon at the Pāhia Road crossing after the roadway is paved. The left-turn lane will be replaced with a striped or hatched median, although physical delineators cannot be installed because some vehicle movements must remain available. Councilmember Kiaʻāina placed $50,000 in the current budget to support the installation. Espiau explained that a permanent, hardwired beacon with major poles and median work can require six or seven years and cost approximately $600,000. The quick-build model uses ordinary signposts and solar power, making it cheaper and easier to replace, although it may be less durable and cannot function reliably under heavy tree cover. Residents were asked to monitor and report how well it works.
School-Zone Speed Humps and Kāneʻohe Bay Drive
Upcoming state-supported safety work on city streets includes speed humps or raised crossings on Mokulele Drive near Kāneʻohe Elementary School and Puʻōhala Street near Castle High School, both of which have documented speeding. Speed humps are also programmed for Kāneʻohe Bay Drive near the yacht club and near the curve toward Mōkapu Road, but more than 20 school-area projects are ahead of them. A remote board member cautioned that speed humps also slow fire engines and ambulances, potentially costing critical response time. The city acknowledged that every treatment involves tradeoffs and invited alternatives, while noting that few measures other than enforcement have consistently reduced speeding.
Haʻikū Road, Keaʻahala Road, and Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation of Localized Streets Phase 27 is planned after the current Kamehameha Highway project. Haʻikū Road from Kahekili Highway to Kamehameha Highway would be reduced to one travel lane in each direction, bicycle lanes would be added, and parking would become full-time rather than being prohibited during peak traffic periods. The city said the present restrictions appear designed for rush-hour capacity rather than school pickup and agreed to examine conditions near Heʻeia Elementary School. Keaʻahala Road from makai of Kahekili to Kamehameha is included, with sidewalk improvements planned along the side where an asphalt path currently exists. Additional sidewalk work is planned on ʻĀnōʻi Road between Keaʻahala and Pālēka. Smaller resurfacing locations include Puʻuloko, Mahalani, and Luana Place. Design is underway, with bidding expected after Phase 73A is complete and construction tentatively anticipated in 2028–2029. Potholes may receive interim repairs, but comprehensive milling and paving will wait for the capital project.
Kāwa and Mehana Bus-Center Pavement
Kāwa and Mehana Streets near Windward Mall were added to the rehabilitation package because heavy bus use has damaged pavement that was not designed for that loading. The area now functions as Kāneʻohe’s de facto bus center and requires structural pavement reinforcement, not just surface repair. Residents also requested better nighttime lighting and attention to a large failed or sunken pavement section that has been coned off and reduced traffic to one lane. The city agreed to investigate whether near-term repairs are possible before the full 2028–2029 project.
Accessible Temporary Bus Stops
A visually impaired resident asked the city to provide audible wayfinding when bus stops are temporarily closed or relocated. He said a spoken device at the original stop could direct blind riders to the temporary location, such as 50 feet to the right, rather than leaving them dependent on visual signs. The city was asked to follow up with Department of Transportation Services Director Roger Morton or the transit official identified in the discussion and to respond to an inquiry from Senator Schatz’s staff member Dale Hahn.
Long-Term Kamehameha Highway Realignment
Rehabilitation of Streets Phase 73C, covering Kamehameha Highway from Haʻikū Road to Kahekili Highway through Heʻeia, remains in early planning. Portions of the road are being undermined by coastal erosion, and the city is considering realignment. Because such a project may require a full environmental assessment or environmental impact study, no schedule was offered and implementation is expected to take years.
Līlīpuna Road Erosion and Vegetation
Residents reported erosion near Līlīpuna Road and the Coconut Island entrance, where a landing ramp had reportedly been compromised for more than a year. Overgrown grass was said to cover as much as one-third of a lane and obstruct visibility, particularly around the curve. The city asked residents to email the specific Honolulu 311 report so Complete Streets staff could elevate the issue to the Department of Facility Maintenance. Concerns were also raised about active construction on the makai side and poor visibility on the mauka side.
Kawahipa Street, City Mill, and Intersection Safety
The board revisited safety near City Mill on Kawahipa Street. The city said crash records do not currently show the location as unusually dangerous, even though drivers may perceive it as hazardous and approach cautiously. Officials were reluctant to remove curbside parking because parking supply is already limited, but said they might reconsider if City Mill formally requested improved driveway sight lines. Another resident requested dual left-turn lanes from Haʻikū Road onto Kahekili Highway, with the middle lane also retaining a through movement, to reduce backups on Haʻikū and Kawahipa. The city said the intersection appears to fall within a project area and would be reviewed.
Additional Pedestrian and Traffic Hazards
Residents identified several other locations needing attention. One speaker described being rear-ended near Hawaiian Memorial Park after vehicles stopped for bus passengers crossing toward the residential area and requested a flashing warning device; the city said that segment is likely under state jurisdiction. Another resident reported repeated near-misses at the crosswalk by Mui Kwai restaurant, including a driver passing stopped vehicles and nearly striking a pedestrian. The board also raised rough pavement near the Pālēka Road and Kamehameha Highway intersection by the fire station and asked the paving contractor to extend work several hundred feet if feasible. The city agreed to examine the project limits and whether a contract adjustment would be possible.
Kāneʻohe Christmas Parade Route and Road Conditions
Parade organizers described the December 5 route as beginning near Haʻikū, using all four lanes before merging near the fire station, proceeding south on Kamehameha Highway, switching near St. Mark’s, and turning onto Kāneʻohe Bay Drive. Organizers were concerned that potholes could injure children, musicians, and other participants who may be looking ahead or reading music rather than watching the pavement. Horse groups had also expressed reluctance to participate because of roadway conditions. The city agreed to review a route map and determine whether temporary repairs could be made, while cautioning that major repairs may be difficult to justify shortly before full repaving.
Keaʻahala Road Affordable Workforce Housing Proposal
Planning consultant Tay Yong Kim and architect Brian Fujiwara introduced an early concept for a rental workforce-housing project at 45-511 Keaʻahala Road, immediately mauka of Fresh Catch and below the park and baseball field. The approximately 32,425-square-foot site consists of three vacant parcels already zoned for apartment use. It is located outside mapped flood zones and on somewhat elevated ground between stream areas. The proposal would proceed through the state Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation’s Chapter 201H process rather than the city’s Bill 7 program.
Proposed Building Size, Units, and Parking
The initial concept calls for an 11-story building containing 205 rental units: 104 studios and 101 one-bedroom apartments. All units would be workforce or affordable housing, with rents targeted at no more than 80% of area median income, although the exact income mix has not been finalized. The design includes 216 resident parking stalls, 21 guest stalls, two loading areas, six motorcycle spaces, and required accessible parking. The first several floors would be parking, partly cut into the sloping site to reduce apparent height, with residential floors beginning at approximately the sixth level around a central atrium that would provide light and ventilation. The property’s current height limit is 40 feet, so the project would require a height exemption. The consultant compared it with nearby 14- and 15-story apartment buildings on Kawahipa Street.
Housing Market, Scale, and Community Character
The project team described the intended residents as working people, including younger adults leaving multigenerational homes but wishing to remain in Kāneʻohe, as well as couples able to occupy a one-bedroom unit. The developer said approximately 205 units are needed for the project to be financially feasible at affordable rents and that substantially reducing the building’s size could make it unworkable. Several residents and board members considered the design too large and said an 11-story building would resemble a high-rise inconsistent with Kāneʻohe’s character. One resident called for a town-wide height limit to prevent increasingly tall buildings from becoming the norm.
Housing Traffic, Parking, and Required Studies
Board members emphasized that Keaʻahala Road is narrow, already experiences backups at both ends, has little or no on-street parking, and connects to congested Kamehameha Highway. They warned that overflow vehicles could spill into the park, Fresh Catch, the community garden, and surrounding streets, particularly if households own more than one car. The project team said a traffic study was underway, counts had been completed, and the analysis would determine whether mitigation such as turn restrictions is needed. A market analysis will assess demand and parking assumptions, and an archaeological reconnaissance is being performed because of the site’s location in Kāneʻohe. Board members expressed skepticism that traffic studies always reflect actual congestion. The consultant committed to returning repeatedly as the studies and design advance; no total development cost was yet available.
Vintage Hawaiian Getaway
A proposed discussion regarding “Vintage Hawaiian Getaway” at 45-201 Nohonani Place did not proceed because no representative or resident was present to speak about the property. The chair indicated that additional information was expected later.
Yacht Club Terrace Crossing
The city clarified that speed humps, not a raised crosswalk, are currently programmed on Kāneʻohe Bay Drive near Yacht Club Terrace and the Kāneʻohe Yacht Club. Recent requests from the yacht club and residents have prompted pedestrian counts and further data collection. A marked crosswalk without a traffic signal or stop sign must meet established crossing-volume criteria. If installed, the crossing would require removal of some curbside parking where it meets the sidewalk.
Kāneʻohe Christmas Parade Participation
The board had previously supported the Christmas parade’s permitting effort but had not formally decided whether members would participate as a board. Because applications were due by October 30 or 31, before the next meeting, a member agreed to submit an application and said he would walk as a Kāneʻohe Neighborhood Board representative even if no one else joined him. Formal participation was to be placed on the November agenda.
Congressional Update
Congresswoman Jill Tokuda’s representative reported that the congresswoman had recently held a town hall from Washington, D.C., addressing Social Security, veterans’ benefits, voter suppression, housing, everyday affordability, and immigration enforcement. Applications for congressional nominations to the federal service academies were due October 18 at 11:59 p.m.
Governor’s Office: Sandbar Enforcement
The governor’s representative reported that the Department of Land and Natural Resources was working with Representatives Lisa Kitagawa and Scot Matayoshi regarding alleged illegal commercial activity at Āhu o Laka. DLNR division administrators conducted a boat survey in late September to observe conditions and understand community concerns. The department was evaluating next steps and continuing communication with the legislators.
Physician Shortage and Health-Care Investment
In response to a previous board question, the governor’s office acknowledged Hawaiʻi’s physician shortage, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Nearly 1,000 health professionals had been accepted into the state’s health-care education loan-repayment program, with more than 900 receiving funding intended to help them practice and remain in Hawaiʻi. The administration had also secured $58 million through a rural-health transformation initiative, including $45 million for the HOME Run program to expand medical education, residency opportunities, nursing pathways, recruitment, retention, and provider wellness. Broader investments include new ambulances in every county and modernization of emergency communications.
Conservation-District Rule Amendments
DLNR’s Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands proposed six amendments to Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules Chapter 13-5, which governs approximately two million acres of public and private conservation land statewide. An informational briefing was scheduled for October 21 at 5 p.m. at the Kalanimoku Building and online. An Oʻahu public meeting was scheduled at Windward Community College’s Hale ʻĀkoakoa on November 5 from 5 to 7:30 p.m., followed by another Kalanimoku meeting on November 19. Written comments were due November 30, 2026.
Teacher Retention, Emergency Hires, and Preschool Access
The governor’s representative described a new Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association collective-bargaining agreement signed July 13 that significantly increased pay and added retention incentives. House Bill 1890, enacted as Act 233, provides a legal structure for annual salary-step increases based on satisfactory service and longevity raises for teachers who have remained at the highest step for three or more years. As of September 1, more than 1,200 Department of Education teachers were working under emergency permits, representing less than 10% of filled statewide teaching positions. Emergency hires must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and demonstrate annual progress toward licensure; nearly 500 had completed teacher-education programs and held licenses elsewhere but not yet in Hawaiʻi. Act 30 extended the emergency-hire period to allow more time for advising, mentoring, and licensure. The Executive Office on Early Learning disputed the characterization of preschool trends in a recent news article and said simple comparisons of seat totals over six years do not capture the full expansion of early-learning access.
Mayor’s Office Updates and Keoneʻula Vegetation
The mayor’s written report directed residents to the city newsletter for updates on HPD’s new deputy chiefs, the CORE outreach team’s response on Kauaʻi, Kona low recovery on Oʻahu, and improvements to the Honolulu Zoo’s penguin and hippopotamus exhibits. The report also reminded residents of the November 3 general election. In response to a previous request, the Department of Facility Maintenance’s Kāneʻohe yard planned to address vegetation overgrowth along Keoneʻula Road near the end of October, with work expected to take approximately two weeks.
Councilmember Kiaʻāina and Charter Amendment Question 13
Councilmember Esther Kiaʻāina’s office highlighted the 20 proposed City Charter amendments on the general-election ballot. Question 13, proposed by the councilmember, would clarify that the Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund may be used to preserve or restore historically and culturally significant buildings, sites, and objects. Existing language primarily supports land acquisition and protection and may not clearly authorize preservation of structures or artifacts. Printed explanatory material was available through the Kāneʻohe Public Library reference desk, and online materials described the consequences of both “yes” and “no” votes.
Land-Conservation Workshop
Councilmember Kiaʻāina thanked participants in the September 29 land-conservation workshop at Windward Community College. Attendees requested a follow-up program focused on building community organizations’ capacity to pursue conservation projects. Potential Windward initiatives include work with the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology and Kāneʻohe Bay projects supported by the Department of Defense REPI program. Workshop presentations were made available through the councilmember’s website, and the program was rebroadcast on ʻŌlelo Channel 49 during October.
Senator Awa’s Office
Senator Brenton Awa’s representative reported that the Board of Land and Natural Resources approved a 50% rent reduction for 2027 for eligible agricultural permit holders affected by severe weather, although the relief currently applies only to Hawaiʻi Island. The office will monitor possible expansion because Windward farmers have also suffered crop and property losses. HHFDC scheduled an October 23 virtual hearing from 10 to 11 a.m. on rules to restart the state rent-to-own program, which would let qualified residents rent homes with an option to purchase later; written testimony was due the same day. Following recent storms and recurring electrical outages, Hawaiian Electric advised customers with losses to begin claims within 30 days even if all receipts were not yet available. Kahana State Park, previously closed Mondays because of staff shortages, was expected to resume weekday opening after new hires. The office also described an ʻulu-tree giveaway involving schools and organizations to promote local food production.
Student Bus-Pass Access
A resident described major barriers to purchasing a student bus pass. Retail stores referred her to 7-Eleven, which referred her to a satellite city hall, but satellite city halls reportedly sell other passes while requiring student passes to be purchased at Middle Street or Kapolei because a birth certificate must be presented. She spent approximately two hours at Middle Street, encountered limited parking and long lines, and argued that Windward and rural families should not have to cross the island for this service. The concern was directed to the mayor and Councilmember Kiaʻāina for follow-up.
SCET Workers and Public Maintenance
The same resident urged the state and city to revive or expand State-County Employment and Training, or SCET, arrangements by combining city capital funds and state resources. She argued that such workers could address persistent grass overgrowth and blocked sidewalks, including areas near the courthouse, while providing community employment and training.
Campaign-Sign Removal and Flood Insurance
A board member requested clarification on whether removing a federal candidate’s campaign signs is punishable under state or federal law. He also asked elected officials to address residents’ difficulty obtaining required flood insurance in designated risk areas. Responses were deferred for a future meeting.
September Minutes and Candidate Forum
The board unanimously approved the September regular-meeting minutes as written. Members also reviewed the recent candidate forum and praised the accompanying potluck. For future forums, the board suggested earlier or stronger outreach to news organizations and better distribution of a media release. Members reminded residents that explanatory information on the 20 Charter amendments was available online and at the library.
Dog-Park Expansion
The agenda included discussion of possible dog-park expansion, but no substantive update or action was available. The board expected additional information in November.
Emergency Preparedness Storage Resolution
The board considered a resolution seeking city support and funding for an emergency-preparedness storage container or distribution resource at Kāneʻohe District Park, which is often identified as a community assembly location during disasters. Supporters said the purpose was to prompt the city, Councilmember Kiaʻāina, Parks and Recreation, and partner organizations to begin establishing locally accessible emergency supplies. They noted that the Red Cross uses similar arrangements elsewhere and argued that the county must first recognize and fund the need before detailed implementation can proceed.
Preparedness Resolution Concerns and Outcome
Representatives of Koʻolaupoko-Kāneʻohe Community Emergency Response Team said they support the need for emergency storage but had not formally collaborated on the resolution’s operating details, despite earlier general discussions. They questioned whether the facility should be called a “pod,” which normally means a point of distribution, because some listed equipment would be retained rather than distributed. They requested involvement from the Red Cross, Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Parks and Recreation, and other agencies and suggested a permitted interaction group to refine responsibilities, siting, supplies, and operations. Other participants noted that shelter locations vary by emergency: Kāneʻohe District Park may open for rain events, while hardened facilities such as Castle High School or King Intermediate may be used during high-wind events. After discussion was closed, no member moved to advance the resolution, so it did not pass.
Adjournment
Reports from meetings attended by board members were deferred. The next regular meeting was announced for November 19, and the meeting was then adjourned.