No 02 Kuli'ou'ou Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting December 2025
Kuliʻoʻo Kalaniʻiki Neighborhood Board Meeting
Call to Order and Introductions
The December meeting of the Kuliʻoʻo Kalaniʻiki Neighborhood Board convened with a greeting of aloha and an expression of gratitude to community members and officials in attendance. The chair welcomed everyone, thanked them for their participation, and reiterated the board’s commitment to improving neighborhood life. The board then proceeded with the scheduled reports and presentations, noting that there would be no January meeting, with a return set for February.
Reports from First Responders
A representative from the Honolulu Fire Department arrived after responding to an auto fire. The captain provided November response statistics, including one ocean rescue, two vehicle collisions, two activated fire alarms, and 34 medical emergencies. The department also shared holiday season safety tips, urging residents to dispose of dry Christmas trees quickly due to fire risks, obtain permits for firecrackers, and consider attending public fireworks displays. No specific questions were posed, but the board thanked the firefighters for their continued service.
A Honolulu Police Department lieutenant briefly appeared at the start of the meeting to provide an update and field questions, but most topics relating to law enforcement emerged later under separate discussions. The board expressed its appreciation for the police department’s presence and commitment to public safety throughout the neighborhood.
Poetry Box Initiative
A community member described a project involving a public “poetry box” that shares poems from residents, surfers, bikers, and passersby. The concept gained attention during the pandemic as a means to lift morale and promote neighborhood connections. Plans are underway to include student poetry from local elementary schools, with possible expansion if the initiative proves successful. Questions arose about publicizing the project through online forums like Nextdoor. There was agreement that sharing it broadly could encourage more community members to create and submit their own poems.
Concerns Over the Honolulu Marathon
Board members discussed the organization of the Honolulu Marathon and its effects on local traffic. The marathon committee had been invited to speak but did not attend the meeting. Participants recounted an incident in which a member of the public allegedly interfered with race officials and public safety personnel at an intersection, prompting the marathon organizers to emphasize that obstructing or disregarding police directions on race day could lead to arrest. Residents also voiced broader frustrations with long-standing road closures that make it difficult for them to leave the neighborhood during the race. Concerns included the placement of barricades on Kalanianaʻole Highway, a lack of effective communication about permitted egress times, and the perception that the marathon has not fully addressed or mitigated problems for those who live along the racecourse.
Mayor and Congressional Reports
A staff representative reported that Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s office had sent follow-up information on city matters, including streetlight repairs on ʻĀnaliʻi Street and a report on a building at 419 Seaside Avenue in Waikīkī. However, specific details on these matters were not voiced at length. No representative for Congressman Ed Case was present to deliver an update.
Governor’s Representative and SNAP Discussion
Dave Day, Special Assistant to the Attorney General and a resident of Kuliʻoʻo Valley, provided updates from Governor Josh Green’s office. He addressed recent questions about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, confirming that recipients had received state-funded assistance of $250 during the federal government shutdown, as well as timely benefits once federal funds resumed. He further explained that Hawaii supports mail-in voting and that any elimination of mail-in voting would require legislative action. Questions arose about potential federal moves to withhold SNAP funding in certain states, and Day reported on a preliminary injunction that halts any punitive withholding while litigation continues.
Regarding local concerns, residents relayed marathon-related frustrations to Day and requested that the governor’s office help publicize new race protocols so the community can be better informed about egress, police coordination, and the removal of barricades. Day took notes and promised to pass these concerns along. Community members also voiced ongoing worries about the Wailupe Stream area and asked for clearer guidelines on resident rights and obligations during major city events like the marathon.
City Council Chair Update
A staff member from Council Chair Tommy Waters’ office shared that the council is working with community groups and Kamehameha Schools on the future of the James Building in Hawaiʻi Kai, with discussions of potentially repurposing the property for city operations or a community center. The council unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement for Honolulu police officers, granting a 27 percent raise through 2029, including annual pay increases and a one-time retention bonus. A new measure, Bill 46, was passed to require the police department to make public announcements during emergent situations, such as active shooter incidents, to ensure timely alerts for residents and media.
Questions for the council’s office included an update on long-planned cleaning and maintenance of Wailupe Stream, which has seen recent work to remove vegetation and debris. There were also inquiries about compliance with the Disposable Foodware Ordinance, as some neighborhoods have observed businesses still using banned plastics. The council staff pledged to follow up on these matters and report at future meetings.
Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center Annual Update
Chris Kramer, president of the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, gave an overview of ongoing restoration efforts at Kanewai Spring and related areas. He discussed the replacement of the heritage center’s roof and improvements to dry-stacked fishpond walls, thanking the community for fundraising support. He highlighted a new fish nursery to restock and cultivate native species such as amaʻama, intending to replenish fishponds and reefs in Maunalua Bay. The center is collaborating with Waimānalo Limu Hui and Waianae High School Sea Grant for these projects. Kramer also raised traffic concerns along Kalanianaʻole Highway between Paiko Drive and Kuliʻoʻo Road due to several accidents, requesting that the Department of Transportation evaluate potential safety measures. He acknowledged the need for better coordination with the state regarding rules around the Paiko Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary, given the rise in unpermitted dogs and habitat disturbance.
Little Fire Ants Presentation
A specialist from the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab joined remotely from Hilo to explain little fire ant biology, prevention, and management. She detailed how the ants nest from ground level up to treetops, thrive in moist, shady areas, and can form supercolonies with multiple queens. Their painful stings often occur when ants fall from overhead vegetation, and they can pose serious risks to pets, sometimes causing partial blindness in cats and dogs. The speaker emphasized that the ants are commonly spread via potted plants, green waste, mulch, and construction materials.
The discussion covered four known infestations in the Aina Haina area, especially along Wailupe Stream, and the importance of promptly surveying neighboring properties to find infestation boundaries before they spread. The specialist explained how to perform peanut butter stick tests, urged residents to submit samples for identification, and advised quarantining any new plant or material deliveries. She described state-funded control efforts in which Terminix is contracted for one-year treatment cycles on affected properties. The board thanked her for providing a comprehensive overview and encouraged the neighborhood to remain vigilant.
Closing Announcements
Board members reminded the community that there will be no meeting in January. The next scheduled gathering is set for February, with a promise to raise outstanding concerns and review ongoing initiatives. Attendees were thanked for their engagement and wished a safe and pleasant holiday season. The meeting then adjourned.