No 28 Ko`olauloa Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting November 2025
Koʻolau Loa Neighborhood Board Meeting (November 13, 2025)
Meeting Opening and Agenda Format
The meeting began with a formal call to order and a reminder of time limits for presentations and public comments. Board members encouraged participants to keep questions concise due to a busy agenda. The Chair proposed a new format for government representatives, suggesting that representatives form a panel to present their reports in succession, followed by a unified Q&A to reduce repetitive inquiries. Although some representatives were absent, the board proceeded with city and state updates, stressing the importance of respectful, efficient use of meeting time.
City Updates and Mayor’s Newsletter Highlights
A city representative named Kat shared three major announcements from the Mayor’s newsletter. First, Skyline Segment 2 has opened, extending five miles to include stops at Pearl Harbor and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Second, the Early Education Center is relocating while the municipal parking structure undergoes multi-year repairs. Third, Oʻahu’s new sewer rates will take effect January 1, 2026. Residents can read further details in the November 2025 newsletter online. Kat also announced a free concert by the Royal Hawaiian Band scheduled for November 28th at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. The following evening, November 29th, the Mayor’s Office will hold the opening of Honolulu City Lights and the electric light parade on King Street.
Kat then reported on past community concerns. She explained the city administration’s opposition to Bill 56, which would add steps to SMA minor permit processes, stating that it would make approvals slower and less efficient. Regarding an inquiry about accessible parking meters for the elderly, she outlined how the city maintains and repairs meters weekly, and encouraged the public to report coin jams or card-reader faults directly to HPD. Finally, Kat addressed shoreline setback regulations, clarifying distances range from 60 to 130 feet based on historical erosion rates, and advised that SMA permits are mandatory for new dwellings near the ocean.
City Council District Updates
Chelsea, from Councilmember Weyer’s office, highlighted recent resource announcements, including a city mailing list that provides up-to-date information on food access, the Hawaiʻi Relief Program, and Aloha United Way assistance. She announced a talk-story session with Councilmember Weyer set for December 10th at the Courtyard by Marriott in Lāʻie, from 10 a.m. to noon. The Councilmember and his entire team plan to listen to concerns, gather solutions, and provide direct follow-up with departments as needed. Chelsea also addressed a community question about a collection of cars near Crouching Lion, clarifying that her office is investigating whether it is a legitimate business.
State and Congressional Offices
Erica, representing the Governor’s Office, offered extensive updates. She noted preliminary talks between DLNR and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs regarding Kahana Valley lands and reported on the shortened grant-in-aid deadline for nonprofits, suggesting future informational sessions to aid local organizations. From discussions with the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, she explained new film production and integrated marketing strategies, and reiterated statistical data that visitor spending continues to generate significant tax revenues for the state. HTA is also working on building the local music industry through licensing deals facilitated by the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT).
Department of Transportation’s Mel updated the board on various bridge projects in the region: Kaipapa Bridge construction is nearly complete, while Haʻula revetment upgrades have concluded. Different projects—including Waipilopilo Bridge and Kaunui Bridge—remain in planning or design phases, with timetables stretching into 2027. Residents raised concerns that any new bridge construction should include protective walkways for pedestrian safety.
A representative for Senator Brenton Awa discussed ongoing efforts to fix malfunctioning tsunami sirens in Koʻolau Loa communities, especially in Kahana and Punaluu Beach Park. Although funding and maintenance timelines are unclear, the office committed to continued updates. Additional updates included attempts to release crucial grant funds for the Koʻolau Loa Resiliency Hub and continuing coordination with DLNR and OHA over lease arrangements in Kahana Valley.
Kahuku Emergency Leadership Team: Beautification and Outreach
A local community leader named Evelyn requested authorization for an upcoming spring cleanup on city-owned property behind Kahuku Senior Housing. She described a plan to remove fire hazards, reduce tension between residents and unhoused individuals, and beautify the area. The board unanimously approved a motion supporting access and beautification, with the intent of organizing volunteers to collaborate with city and state agencies. Nonprofits like Hale Ofa emphasized the importance of providing housing documentation, hygiene materials, and ID fees for local homeless individuals, and there were calls for better coordination among existing local outreach groups, the Family Assessment Center, and state-contracted providers.
Homeless Service Updates and Family Assessment Center
Representatives from Corazon Hawaiʻi, which manages the Hauʻula Family Assessment Center under a state contract, explained that their program prioritizes unsheltered families from Koʻolau Loa. The center provides housing navigation, rental assistance, and wrap-around services like mental health referrals, though they cannot compel individuals to accept everything offered. The state’s Homeless Programs Office is exploring a more integrated framework so that local outreach, transitional shelters, and families on limited incomes can receive timely assistance. However, a local nonprofit leader raised concerns over lapses in communication and follow-up services. Board members urged everyone to unite in cooperative working groups and reminded providers to collaborate more effectively with community advocates who know the area’s unsheltered individuals.
Hawaiʻi Youth Transportation Council Legislative Package
A council member representing the Hawaiʻi Youth Transportation Council highlighted five proposed state bills intended for 2026. They include a plan to keep bus fares free for youth up to age 18 (Keiki Ride Free), a tax credit incentivizing sustainable aviation fuels, potential clean vehicle incentives paired with fees on high-emission vehicles, and expanding electric vehicle charger rebate systems. The board asked how these ideas would address local infrastructure, particularly roads that degrade quickly and require more resilient paving materials. The council member agreed to forward those concerns to advisors in the state Department of Transportation.
Proposed Improvements for Mālaekahana State Recreation Area (Kalani Section)
G70 representatives presented a draft environmental assessment for renovations to the Kalani Section of Mālaekahana State Recreation Area. Planned upgrades include replacing outdated comfort stations, addressing wastewater issues with improved leach fields, reconfiguring campground sites, adding a covered pavilion, and possibly introducing camper van areas. Community members questioned how the camper vans would be regulated to avoid unpermitted overnight parking along neighborhood roads. The meeting guests from DLNR assured residents they would seek feedback to finalize amenities that balance visitor demand and local preferences.
New Format for Neighborhood Board Government Panel
Reflecting on repeated questions, the board discussed permanently adopting a government panel format to enhance clarity and efficiency. Members want to ensure each agency remains available online or in person until the board can address community questions collectively, aiming to reduce confusion and time spent repeating similar discussions.
Charter Commission Planning
The board missed an initial November deadline for formal Charter Commission submissions but agreed to pursue major advocacy points for upcoming hearing dates in early 2026. They identified six priorities: granting more authority to neighborhood boards, adopting resident-focused policies to keep Oʻahu livable for local people, improving environmental protections (particularly water safety), guaranteeing equitable services for rural areas, advancing transparent governance, and strengthening emergency preparedness budgets and mandates. A working group of several board members will examine the 250+ proposals already submitted and return with recommendations before the Commission’s public hearings in 2026.
Dog-Friendly Parks and Local Ordinance Proposals
The board received a letter from the City Department of Parks and Recreation seeking input on designating specific dog-friendly parks. The board referred it to the Parks Committee Chair to gather community feedback and report back with possible recommendations. Members emphasized the importance of balancing recreational dog access with health, safety, and cleanliness.
Attendance and Board Member Clarifications
Because of repeated absences at earlier meetings, which led to concerns about achieving quorum, two board members explained that recent family tragedies affected their ability to attend. Both affirmed their commitment to continue serving, and the board concluded the matter by acknowledging that personal circumstances and the statutory attendance requirements must be balanced.
Public Announcements and Upcoming Events
Residents announced a variety of local events. Kaʻaʻawa School’s Bazaar is slated for November 18th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and there is a December 23rd Mele Kalikimaka Paʻina for houseless and low-income families in Koʻolau Loa. A free bed giveaway by Lāhui Foundation will take place on November 22nd in Kahuku. The Polynesian Cultural Center will open a “giving machine” for holiday donations on November 24th. Additionally, board members and residents are urging the community to participate in a critical hurricane preparedness meeting in Pearl City on November 25th to advocate for safer shelters, updated building norms, and better state-wide emergency response infrastructure.
Adjournment
Concluding with an approval of the previous meeting’s minutes, the board adjourned after reiterating the importance of community participation in future meetings. The next regular board meeting is calendared for January 8th, with no December meeting. The Chair expressed gratitude to all attendees and presenters, emphasizing that continued community engagement remains vital to address ongoing infrastructure, public safety, and housing challenges throughout Koʻolau Loa.