No 02 Kuli'ou'ou-Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting March 2026
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2 Kuli'ou'ou-Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board Meeting – March 6, 2026
Opening of Meeting
Chair Burkhart called the meeting to order, welcoming attendees in person and online and expressing appreciation for everyone’s interest in community affairs. The Chair explained that residents’ comments would be heard throughout the meeting and encouraged everyone to participate respectfully. The meeting’s intention was to address a range of issues affecting daily life and well-being in the Kuliouou-Kalani Iki area.
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Report
Captain Emmett Hall from Wailupe Fire Station provided the monthly statistics for February 2026. There was a single nuisance fire, two activated alarms with no fire, 33 medical calls, and one motor vehicle accident. He also reminded everyone about the importance of functioning smoke alarms. They should be installed in each bedroom and outside each sleeping area, tested monthly, and replaced every 10 years. Attendees asked questions about faulty smoke alarms that react to humidity, and Captain Hall referred them to the HFD website for possible troubleshooting tips. He concluded by thanking the Board for its support and offering to answer any additional questions.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) Report
Lieutenant Nishimura of District 7 delivered the monthly crime statistics. The district responded to one motor vehicle theft, three burglaries, six thefts, no car break-ins, and a total of 5,229 service calls. The HPD safety tip for the month focused on ATM safety, urging residents to remain aware of their surroundings, avoid large cash withdrawals, and promptly contact the police if threatened. Questions arose about recent sexual assault cases in the community. The Lieutenant confirmed that two suspects were arrested, and these incidents mainly involved individuals known to the victims. This update offered some reassurance that there was no outstanding threat at large. Questions also touched on whether schools receive presentations on personal safety. The Lieutenant explained that HPD’s community policing team does visit schools to discuss general safety topics, though not necessarily sexual assault prevention in particular. Residents thanked the Lieutenant for her report and for HPD’s ongoing vigilance.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) Announcement
BWS representative Lorna Heller gave a brief announcement recognizing World Water Day on March 22. She noted that the 2026 United Nations theme is “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” which emphasizes that the global water crisis often takes its greatest toll on women and girls. Heller encouraged everyone to visit BWS social media and website for more information and to remember that water is a finite resource. She invited further questions and concluded her remarks by emphasizing the need to conserve water island-wide.
Board Business: Vacancies
Multiple sub-districts remain vacant within the Kuliouou-Kalani Iki Board: Sub-Districts 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8. Despite invitations to community members, no one present volunteered to fill those roles. The Chair encouraged any resident who wishes to become more involved to contact the Board. The meeting also briefly reviewed and approved the previous month’s minutes with no corrections offered.
Board Business: Attendance Concern
A three-absence notice had gone out to Board Member Heolani Sonata-Pauly. The Chair asked if there was any motion from the Board to declare her seat vacant. No member made such a motion, so Ms. Sonata-Pauly retained her seat. Several community members spoke on her behalf, noting that difficult family circumstances had prevented attendance, and they requested greater consideration and communication among Board volunteers. A tense exchange arose regarding communication protocols, with some speakers expressing frustration over whether Board members were afforded sufficient outreach during personal hardships. The Board acknowledged these concerns, pledged to handle similar issues more sensitively in the future, and moved on to other agenda items.
Kalani‘anaʻole Highway Speed Calming Measures
An extended discussion involved speeding, crashes, and pedestrian safety along Kalani‘anaʻole Highway. Some residents reported recent collisions and near-misses involving joggers and drivers. Suggestions included adding speed tables (similar to those in Portlock) and studying alternative traffic devices such as additional traffic lights or stricter traffic enforcement. Board members noted that any permanent changes would require polling the broader community to determine which measures would be accepted or considered effective. They stressed that if support emerged for speed tables or lights, a formal request to the State Department of Transportation would follow. Residents shared testimonies of accidents and their desire for safer passage, whether on foot, in a car, or by bicycle, prompting the Board to consider forming a resolution and further investigating public sentiment.
Public Input on Community Concerns
Residents voiced opinions about a variety of ongoing matters. Several brought up the need for better communication when personal tragedies prevent Board members from attending meetings, while others advocated more flexible speaking opportunities for the public during the monthly sessions. One attendee mentioned that the deadline for submitting comments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding overhead aircraft noise is March 15, urging neighbors to get involved if they are experiencing noise disturbances.
Officials’ Reports
• Mayor’s Representative: Dita Holyfield previewed the Mayor’s initiatives, highlighting a commitment to sound fiscal management. She noted ongoing improvements with the new H&L 311 system and discussed the schedule for the Frank Fasi Municipal Building project, explaining that the visible progress would begin soon, though certain permit phases and utility coordination cause delays. She also confirmed that the Honolulu Fire Department remains interested in potentially using a portion of the Coast Guard property near Wailupe Fire Station to build a modern facility, but no formal decision or partnership had been made. • Governor’s Representative: David Aquino was unavailable, but attendees were encouraged to forward any gubernatorial questions or concerns through the Board. • Senator Stanley Chang’s Office: A legislative update indicated progress on housing legislation and capital improvement projects in District 9. Residents were urged to submit testimony on Senate Bill 2423 and other contested bills. The Senator’s staff emphasized the session’s timeline, explaining that further committee debates and crossovers remain before final decisions in May. • Representative Mark Hashem’s Office: Jane Taylor announced that efforts continue on water and land bills as well as specific local issues, including rockfall mitigation and the tracking of invasive fire ants. She explained that residents can request detection kits to test their properties for fire ants and clarified that the state has dedicated funding to address control and eradication.
FAA Airspace Changes and Overflight Noise
Amy Fuller and Chad Wazden from Neighborhood Board 5 explained that the FAA is updating flight routes across Hawaii starting in 2026. Public comments are being solicited on how air traffic, including tour helicopters, commercial jets, and small cargo planes, impacts neighborhoods. The presenters noted routes such as the “Maggie 3” arrival, the “Simon 1” departure, the “freeway” path along the H-1 corridor, and lower tours along the coastline. They urged the community to request that flights remain farther offshore whenever possible, that nighttime flights be heavily restricted, and that helicopter tours be bound to a practical coastal limit. They also encouraged residents to submit feedback through a provided QR code or FAA comment portal prior to the mid-March deadline. There was discussion of potentially drafting a resolution specific to Kuliouou-Kalani Iki at a future meeting.
Closing and Future Meetings
The meeting wrapped up with a reminder about an upcoming Mayor’s Town Hall scheduled for May 21 at the Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse, where residents can engage directly with City officials. All were invited to submit agenda items for the next regular Neighborhood Board meeting, which will convene on April 1, 2026, at the same location. Chair Burkhart thanked everyone for their input, apologized for any procedural misunderstandings, and formally adjourned the meeting.