No 02 Kuli'ou'ou Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting November 2025

Kulioʻo Klāniʻiki Neighborhood Board Meeting

Introduction and Expressions of Gratitude

The chair called the meeting to order, welcoming everyone and emphasizing the spirit of gratitude during the holiday season. Attendees were reminded of the importance of caring for the community and helping one another. The board acknowledged the peaceful character of the neighborhood and praised first responders for their ongoing support in ensuring safety and wellbeing. The chair expressed hope that this place remains a thriving home for families and loved ones, with community members working together to maintain and improve conditions.

Honolulu Fire Department Report

A captain from the Wailupe Fire Station introduced a fellow firefighter and provided the station’s statistics for October 2025. The captain noted one brush fire, one rubbish fire, four activated alarms without an actual fire, 29 medical calls, one motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian, three other motor vehicle collisions, and one mountain rescue. The department’s cooking safety tip included remaining vigilant in the kitchen, keeping flammable items away from open flames, and taking care to prevent children and pets from getting too close. Community members asked for details about a recent mountain rescue, but only the overall count was immediately available. The captain was thanked for saving a local resident’s nephew and encouraged everyone to enjoy a safe holiday season.

Honolulu Police Department Report

A lieutenant representing District 7 gave monthly statistics for October 2025, noting no motor vehicle thefts, seven burglaries, five thefts, and two car break-ins, with 5,987 total calls for service in the broader district. The Safer Roads Together campaign was highlighted, urging drivers to maintain safe speeds, avoid distractions, and wear seat belts, while pedestrians were encouraged to use crosswalks, remain alert, and wear reflective clothing at night. Board members asked whether speed cameras would be introduced on local highways, and the lieutenant explained their current placement is limited, implemented by the Department of Transportation, and not confirmed for this neighborhood. Concerns about drivers failing to use turn signals and cutting across traffic were discussed. A report of a new homeless encampment near Paiko Lagoon prompted assurances that officers would investigate. Questions arose about break-ins and how residents could protect themselves; the lieutenant advised locking vehicles, removing valuables, and being mindful over the holiday shopping period. He mentioned that camera trailers have proven effective in other hotspots on the island, resulting in zero reported break-ins in those areas.

Board of Water Supply Report

A Board of Water Supply representative addressed questions about construction on Laukahi Street at the Waialae Iki 180 Reservoir, noting structural system replacements, seismic upgrades, reservoir painting, and the building of a new booster station to replace the Kuliʻoʻo booster station. The timeline has been delayed, and no new completion date was confirmed, though updates will be provided. Four main breaks occurred in October—on Kuliʻoʻo Road (installed 1948), Hikino Street (1988) on two occasions, and Okoa Street (1988). The representative explained that main breaks can result from various stressors, such as sudden changes in water flow. Repairs are made as quickly as possible, and updates can be found on the Board of Water Supply website. Community members thanked the agency for prompt response to a recent main break in Niu Valley and for restoring water service quickly.

Neighborhood Board Vacancies

The board announced vacancies in four sub-districts: Lower Waialae Iki, Mid Waialae Iki Ridge, Kainani and Wailupe Peninsula, and Hawaiʻi Loa Ridge and Niu Valley. The chair encouraged residents to consider serving or to invite neighbors to participate, emphasizing that the neighborhood board provides a direct means to communicate local concerns to government and civic leaders.

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

The board reviewed the meeting minutes from October 1 and adopted them as presented. No corrections were offered. The approved minutes will be recorded and made available to the public.

Disaster Preparedness Resolution

A resolution was introduced urging federal, state, and local officials to address the lack of catastrophic hurricane infrastructure on Oʻahu. The resolution noted that many homes are not built to withstand a major storm and there are currently no designated hurricane shelters meeting necessary standards. It called for the coordination of resources and construction of facilities better equipped to shield residents in natural disasters. The resolution was unanimously adopted without opposition, reflecting broad agreement that future preparedness measures are needed.

Public Input and Community Announcements

A resident who has been renting in ʻĀina Haina sought advice on staying in the neighborhood after learning her current property will soon be managed by an estate. Board members suggested neighborhood-focused online forums and community platforms like Nextdoor and Zillow to find rental listings. Representatives from Holy Nativity School thanked the board for its help securing a safe street closure during their recent Pumpkin Festival, which drew larger-than-expected crowds and benefited from improved traffic controls. The chair reminded everyone that members of the community can bring issues or concerns to board meetings, offering a flexible format for dialogue.

City Administration’s Report

The mayor’s representative listed community updates, including the new Skyline rail segment extension serving the Pearl Harbor area and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, a relocation of early education programs during municipal parking structure repairs, and upcoming sewer rate changes effective January 2026. Planned holiday events and city lights festivities were announced, with concerts and family activities scheduled around Honolulu Hale and Thomas Square. The city arborist plans to remove a leaning wisteria tree on Analiʻi Street deemed unsafe by early 2026. The chair and several board members raised concerns about a persistent lighting outage on Analiʻi Street. The mayor’s representative pledged to seek clarification after initial reports indicated a permitting delay due to a wastewater conflict. Questions arose about installing a temporary lighting solution to alleviate safety risks, and the city committed to exploring possible workarounds.

Governor’s Representative Report

The governor’s special assistant, who resides in Kuliʻoʻo, responded to a prior inquiry regarding library security. He explained that the library system reports directly to the Board of Education and had replaced its security contractor, resulting in higher costs that limited coverage to branches experiencing the most incidents. Additional funding is being requested in future budget cycles, and in the meantime, Ina Haina Library may lack full security staffing. Suggestions included relying on patrol checks by law enforcement or forging partnerships with nearby merchants. There were also questions raised about SNAP benefit distribution timelines and rules for discounts, and the representative promised to investigate and report back once more information becomes available. Community members expressed the desire for any interim measures that could address both library safety and ongoing social service needs.

Council Chair Waters’ Office Report

A legislative aide delivered updates on ongoing city measures, including the completion of a conservation transaction at Pāiko Ridge to protect key environmental and cultural resources. Requests for speed enforcement along Kalanianaʻole Highway were addressed, and the city council will continue seeking statewide solutions such as speed cameras to curb traffic violations. The aide noted Chair Waters’ recognition of Malama Maunalua’s 20th anniversary for its volunteer-driven ecosystem restoration efforts, which have had a notable impact on ocean health in the region. Further coordination with the Department of Transportation and the neighborhood’s state representative will be pursued to enhance pedestrian and driver safety.

Closing and Next Meeting

The chair concluded the meeting by thanking board members and the community for their participation, emphasizing collective efforts to keep the area safe and vibrant. Attendees were reminded of the next scheduled meeting on December 3, which is expected to include several presentations, including one from a local radio personality. The meeting adjourned with well-wishes for a happy Thanksgiving and forthcoming holiday season.

View the full-length video on YouTube