No 02 Kuli'ou'ou Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting May 2026
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2 Kuliouou-Kalani Neighborhood Board Meeting – May 7, 2026
Meeting Opening, Attendance, and Quorum
Chair Clarissa Burkert opened the May 7, 2026 regular meeting of the Kuliouou-Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board with a review of speaking rules, including two-minute limits for public testimony, three minutes for reports, and five minutes for presentations unless otherwise extended. Participants were reminded that the board may take action on agenda items and that the meeting was being recorded. Roll call showed eight members present, which was not enough for a quorum at that moment, though the meeting continued with reports and later board business. The meeting also tested an electronic timer visible to some attendees and WebEx users, though it did not function reliably for everyone, leading to discussion about how speaking time would be managed in future meetings.
Fire Department Report and Wildfire Prevention
Representatives from Wailupe Fire Station 23, including firefighter Cole Castor, Captain Emmett Hall, and firefighter Cory Mullen, presented the Honolulu Fire Department’s April 2026 update. Residents were directed to the department’s online fire response search tool for incident maps and additional details. The month’s safety message focused on wildfire prevention as Hawaiʻi enters a period of elevated risk driven by dry conditions, tall grass, and shifting winds. The firefighters emphasized that most wildfires are caused by people and are preventable, urging residents to clear dry brush around homes, avoid parking on dry grass because hot exhaust systems can ignite it, and refrain from spark-producing activities during hot, dry, windy weather. The message reflected broader islandwide concern over wildfire conditions and the need for preventive action before the peak summer season.
Police Report, Crime Statistics, and Hurricane Preparedness
Lieutenant Thompson of Honolulu Police Department District 7 reported April 2026 crime statistics for the area: two motor vehicle thefts, three burglaries, eight thefts, and three unauthorized entry into motor vehicle cases. HPD also recorded 5,614 total calls for service during the month, a figure that shows the substantial workload placed on district officers. The department’s monthly safety advice focused on hurricane preparedness ahead of the June start of hurricane season. Residents were encouraged to use May to prepare by signing up for alerts, making family emergency plans, practicing drills, testing communications plans, safeguarding documents, coordinating with neighbors, making homes safer, identifying evacuation routes, updating emergency supplies, getting involved in the community, and documenting and insuring property. Additional preparedness information was referred to the state emergency management website.
Question About HPD Coordination with Military Police in Waikīkī
During questions to HPD, a resident asked about a recent reported joint operation involving HPD, DLNR DOCARE, and U.S. military police in Waikīkī near Hale Koa and whether a new agreement or training arrangement exists between HPD and military police. Lieutenant Thompson said he was not familiar with that specific incident but explained that law enforcement coordination can occur around military installations, especially where cases involve non-military personnel on military property. He suggested the activity likely related to jurisdictional responsibilities in an area such as Fort DeRussy. The exchange showed public interest in how local, state, and federal enforcement agencies coordinate in places where military land and public access overlap.
Board of Water Supply Report, Main Break, and Summer Water Conservation
Jimmy Llanos of the Board of Water Supply reported one water main break in April 2026, involving an 8-inch pipe at 14 Niuhi Street on April 12. He then shifted to water conservation messaging, noting that recent rainstorms did not eliminate the need for careful water use, especially with warmer summer months ahead. Residents were advised to water plants early in the morning to reduce evaporation, take shorter showers, check for toilet leaks such as faulty flappers, avoid running faucets unnecessarily, and seek BWS rebates for water-efficient appliances and systems. The report framed conservation as both a resource protection measure and a way to reduce household water bills.
Resident Concern About Data Centers and Water Demand
A resident raised a newer issue by asking whether Oʻahu’s growing number of data centers are consuming large amounts of water. She referred to a report stating there are roughly seven to nine data centers on Oʻahu and noted rising national concern over water use associated with data processing and artificial intelligence. The Board of Water Supply representative said he did not have the data immediately available but agreed to consult with his team and report back at a future meeting. The discussion introduced an emerging infrastructure and utility issue that may become more prominent as digital industries expand and resource demands become more visible to the public.
Board Vacancies and Appointment of Sandra Fund
The board turned to a major governance issue: multiple open seats limiting its ability to fully represent the community. Vacancies were announced in Lower Waiʻalae Iki, Mid Waiʻalae Iki, Waiʻalae Iki/Wiliwilinui, Kainani/Wailupe Peninsula, Hawaiʻi Loa Ridge/New Valley, and Kuliʻouʻou. Sandra Fund volunteered to serve. She introduced herself as a 30-year resident of Analʻiʻi Place in Lower Waiʻalae Iki and described a long professional background in real estate development, land transactions, land development, and affordable housing. She previously served as director of the city Department of Land Management, where she worked on acquisitions for affordable housing and on conservation-related efforts such as preserving the Kānewai Spring property and Aina Haina lands on Hao Street from further development. She disclosed current service on the boards of Mālama Maunalua and Homes Hawaiʻi, Inc. After no objections were raised, she was appointed to fill the Lower Waiʻalae Iki seat and was sworn in during a brief recess, bringing the board to nine members and strengthening its capacity.
Resolution on FAA Flight Path Changes and Aircraft Noise
The board then discussed a resolution supporting changes to FAA flight paths to reduce aircraft and helicopter noise over residential communities. Chair Burkert noted that Chad Waston and Amy Fuller had previously appeared before the board on March 4 and had drafted the measure. The resolution supported eliminating certain routes and shifting others as far south as possible to keep aircraft away from homes, especially during nighttime hours. It also included a recommendation that tour helicopters, tour airplanes, and private pleasure aircraft remain two miles offshore from Hawaiʻi coastal communities. Discussion revealed mixed views. Some members wanted to move ahead to ensure the board registered its position, while others raised questions about safety, emissions, whether the two-mile standard was too broad, and whether the proposal reflected a compromise position or an aspirational one. One participant who had attended prior meetings on the issue said industry resistance was largely tied to the cost of equipment needed to support offshore routing and argued operators were prioritizing profit over neighborhood quality of life. The board also learned that the public comment period on the FAA matter had apparently ended on March 16, reducing the urgency of immediate action. Because of unanswered questions about safety, applicability, and details, the board leaned toward postponing a final vote until more information could be obtained from the resolution’s author.
Rules Change on Presentation Time Limits and Meeting Management
The board addressed its own procedures for presentations and approved a change allowing certain agenda items to receive up to 10 minutes instead of the usual five, with the extended time to be approved in advance on a prior agenda. Chair Burkert explained that a lengthy future presentation prompted the adjustment and that extensions would not be granted spontaneously once a speaker’s time expired. Questions were raised about fairness and whether presenters would be preselected for extra time. The chair responded that the board would be informed beforehand about requests for additional presentation time and could vote on them transparently. The debate highlighted an ongoing effort to balance thorough public discussion with the time constraints of monthly board meetings. Technical issues with the electronic timer, including one online participant’s inability to see it, showed the board is still working through the practical side of hybrid meeting management.
East Oʻahu Community Climate and Resilience Mandate
Aloha McGuffie presented an introduction to a draft East Oʻahu climate and resilience mandate intended to bring together six neighborhood board areas: Kaimukī, Pālolo, Waiʻalae-Kāhala, Kuliʻouʻou-Kalani Iki, Hawaiʻi Kai, and Waimānalo. She explained that these communities are linked mauka to makai through shared watersheds draining from the Koʻolau Range into Maunalua Bay and Waimānalo Bay, making coordinated planning necessary. The draft responds to conditions already being experienced in East Oʻahu, including flooding in Kuliʻouʻou, wildfires in other areas, impacts to reefs and watersheds, strong winds, power outages during the recent Kona low, coastal erosion, and sea level rise. McGuffie said these are local challenges requiring local solutions.
She traced the mandate’s origin to a two-day climate resilience symposium held September 18–19, 2025, organized by the Kīpuka Kisku Hui and attended by roughly 100 people, including residents, educators, cultural practitioners, businesses, government agencies, Governor Josh Green, neighborhood board members, and Representative Tina Grandinetti. The symposium featured 32 speakers and 10 roundtables on topics including policy alignment and advocacy. One major takeaway was that city, county, and state plans strongly influence funding and infrastructure decisions, so East Oʻahu communities need their voices reflected in those plans. McGuffie emphasized that the effort is not a one-size-fits-all proposal and is meant to be shaped by each neighborhood board’s specific concerns and goals. She pointed to alignment with several formal plans, including the East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan, the Koʻolau Poko Sustainability Plan, the Primary Urban Center Development Plan, and the Board of Water Supply East Honolulu Plan. She said the mandate had been reviewed by Hawaiʻi Green Growth to ensure consistency with the state’s Aloha+ Challenge goals. The presentation was introductory only, with a fuller discussion and public feedback process planned for July. Residents and board members were asked to review the posted draft documents before then.
Poetry From Ridge to Reef Project and Wetlands Event
During public input, Sue Cowling announced progress on another mauka-to-makai arts and education project titled “Poetry From Ridge to Reef.” The project places poetry boxes at natural and cultural sites to deepen public appreciation for those places. She explained that the first unveiling had originally been planned for World Wetlands Day at the Hawaiʻi Kai wetlands but was canceled when heavy rain flooded the site. The event was rescheduled for May 30, when the first poetry box would finally be unveiled. Cowling noted that public access to the wetlands is usually limited because the site must remain protected, so this ceremony offers a rare chance for residents to visit. Attendance requires a safety waiver, and she distributed flyers with contact information. The announcement underscored continuing efforts to connect environmental stewardship, culture, and public engagement.
Candidate Introductions for City Council and State House
Two candidates briefly introduced themselves during public input. Jason Liang announced that he is running for City Council and made campaign literature available without presenting his platform in detail. Kahi Picarro also announced his candidacy for the state House of Representatives seat serving the district and invited people to speak with him afterward. Their appearances signaled the start of election-season outreach within the neighborhood board setting.
Mayor’s Office Report, Storm Recovery, and Joint Enforcement at Fort DeRussy
Dita Holifield, representing Mayor Rick Blangiardi, provided a broad city update. She first responded to the earlier question about law enforcement activity at Fort DeRussy, explaining that the operation involved the Sheriff’s Department, HPD, and the Army and focused on illicit and illegal activity such as unauthorized pop-up vending. She said she would follow up regarding the exact nature of the interagency cooperation. Holifield then summarized the city’s ongoing response to three consecutive severe weather systems, including Kona low storms that caused major flooding around Oʻahu, particularly on the North Shore. She said the city launched a centralized recovery website, oneoahu.com, where residents can report home damage, find health and safety guidance, access assistance information, and learn ways to support affected communities. Cleanup remained active with debris hauling, dump trucks, heavy equipment, and disposal operations, with H-POWER and Waimānalo Gulch accepting certain categories of waste. Previously planned Mayor’s Town Hall meetings were postponed indefinitely while departments focus on storm response and preparation for further weather events. She also highlighted the mayor’s State of the City address, expansion of housing options in Chinatown, the accreditation of the Honolulu Zoo by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the appointment of Deputy Director Tricia Dang to the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency.
Streetlight Repairs on Analʻiʻi Place
Sandra Fund used the officials’ question period to ask about the status of streetlight infrastructure on Analʻiʻi Place after a prolonged outage had finally been corrected. She explained that multiple light poles had failed because the infrastructure inside the poles was old and “fried,” and the eventual solution was to string thin overhead wiring to restore lighting even though the area originally had underground service. She asked whether the current arrangement is temporary or whether the city plans a full project to repair the poles and return the system underground. She also relayed neighborhood concern that the overhead fix may not withstand strong winds. Holifield said she would investigate and report back in July. The issue reflected ongoing concern about aging public infrastructure and whether repairs are being made as permanent fixes or temporary workarounds.
Burned Property Near Lāwae and Ongoing Safety Hazards
A city follow-up item concerned a burned property near Lāwae that had previously been the subject of complaints. Holifield reported that remaining debris had been removed under a building permit and that the task had been marked closed. Resident Andrea Wagner immediately clarified that the site still contains broken glass, metal shards, and other hazards, and that the owner who was associated with the fires had returned and was camping on the property. She said she had raised concern because children were entering the lot, but was told by a DPP representative that any resulting injury would be a civil matter. Holifield said she would revisit the issue with the Department of Planning and Permitting and report back. Board member Shelly Hamm asked what options exist for nearby residents who are worried about their own safety because the property appears to involve someone in need of help and a continuing hazard to neighbors. Holifield said she expected the matter would require coordination among several agencies, potentially including HPD, and promised to seek a more complete answer. The exchange centered on public safety, code enforcement, and the limits of current agency response when a nuisance property remains dangerous even after partial cleanup.
Speeding Concerns Near Pālolo? No, Kalanianaʻole Highway Area and Need for Traffic Study
Janine Johnson asked the mayor’s representative to revisit resident concerns raised at an earlier board meeting about speeding on a curved section of Kalanianaʻole Highway. She said the community wants a study on where speed humps or other traffic calming could best be placed and contrasted the lack of action there with traffic-calming installations in Hawaiʻi Kai and Waimānalo. Holifield said she needed the exact location to determine whether the road falls under city or state jurisdiction and then would direct the matter to either DTS or the state Department of Transportation. The exchange highlighted lingering concern about high vehicle speeds and crash risk on a major corridor serving East Honolulu communities.
Council Chair Tommy Waters’ Town Hall and Youth Commission Recruitment
Council Chair Tommy Waters’ office, through staff member Tasha, announced an upcoming Kuliʻouʻou–ʻĀina Haina Town Hall on Thursday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the ʻĀina Haina Elementary School cafeteria. The event was framed as an opportunity for residents to raise concerns about community safety and infrastructure directly with key officials. Invited participants include DTS Director Roger Morton to discuss traffic safety issues such as speeding in front of Holy Nativity School and speed mitigation near ʻĀina Haina Elementary, DFM Director Gina Bonanno regarding Oʻahu stream concerns, Homeless Solutions Director Roy Miyahira, HPD Major Yamamoto, and Emergency Services Director Dr. Jeff Ireland. The office also announced that a replacement would soon be sought for the District 4 Youth Commission seat as current Chair Asa Shimizu’s term ends. Applicants must be 14 to 24 years old and would serve a one-year term, with parental permission required for minors.
Question About Wailupe Stream Maintenance Before Hurricane Season
Chair Burkert asked Waters’ office for an update on maintenance of Wailupe Stream, noting that work had previously been expected by April 2026 and that hurricane season begins in about a month. Tasha said she would bring the question back to the chair’s office and suggested that Director Gina Bonanno might also address it at the May 28 town hall. The inquiry tied directly to recurring local concern about stream condition, flood prevention, and whether maintenance schedules are keeping pace with storm risks after the severe weather of recent months.
Senator Stanley Chang’s Legislative Session Update
Stephanie from Senator Stanley Chang’s office gave what she described as her last formal board report of the session, noting that the 2026 legislative biennium was nearing adjournment. She said most final votes had taken place that day, with one more floor session scheduled for Friday. Residents were encouraged to follow the status of Senator Chang’s bills online and to contact the Public Access Room for help navigating legislative information and preparing ideas for the next session. She emphasized that the office had already begun collecting proposals for future bills and that the senator’s work extends beyond housing into public safety, culture, and community resilience. The office’s May newsletter includes federal recovery resources for homeowners affected by Kona low storms, including mortgage relief protections and related information. Stephanie also noted an upcoming ceremony honoring the life and legacy of former Congresswoman and Senator Colleen Hanabusa, and she publicized both a general legislative wrap-up event and a housing-focused post-session briefing to review major housing bills, implementation, and next steps. The report conveyed that although session was ending, constituent input remained important for future policy development.
Representative Mark Hashem’s Legislative and District Update
Jane Taylor, representing Representative Mark Hashem, reported that the office has been working on several district priorities. She said funding has been secured for ʻĀina Haina Library and Maunalua Bay, and that the office is also trying to obtain money for Wailupe Stream flood mitigation, potentially through the green fee, though final details were still pending. She also said the office continues trying to get more information on the Kuliʻouʻou traffic issue before construction begins so the community can be informed in advance. Beyond capital and transportation issues, the office has been helping residents with culvert cleaning and drainage problems and strongly encouraged use of the city’s 311 mobile app, while also inviting residents to call the office directly if they prefer not to use online tools.
New Valley Middle School Field Access and Community Use
Janine Johnson asked Representative Hashem’s office about new signage at Niu Valley Middle School stating that residents must stay off school property. She said the neighborhood had used the field respectfully for many years, mainly for walking dogs and informal recreation, and that residents were shocked by the signs. Jane Taylor said the office had contacted the school and eventually received a response from the principal explaining that the signs were meant to deter vandalism and misuse, including dirt bikes and e-bikes on the grounds, not to permanently exclude the community. She said normal community use could still be arranged through the school’s usual channels and offered to forward the principal’s written explanation to the board. The issue reflected tension between preserving open community space and responding to damaging behavior by a smaller number of users.
Library Safety and Security Concerns
Board member Bill Kilcoyne asked about the loss of the security guard at the local library, arguing that the absence of incidents may have been the result of having security present rather than evidence that the position was unnecessary. Jane Taylor said she did not have information on current plans but would raise the matter with Representative Hashem. This was part of a broader discussion of library safety, reinforced by her earlier mention of a possible Honolulu-wide library security budget and confirmed capital funding for upgrades at ʻĀina Haina Library.
Pālolo Valley / Pia Valley Restoration Support Project
Protect and Preserve Hawaiʻi President Tyrone Moniz and planner Ryan Ringuette of G70 presented an early overview of a proposed support facility for restoration work in Pia Valley above Niu Valley. Protect and Preserve Hawaiʻi currently stewards 330 acres in the valley, where it has conducted ecosystem restoration, invasive species removal, guided hikes, and workshops since beginning active restoration in October 2020. The proposed project would occupy a small part of the organization’s parcel at the mauka end of Hāleʻola Street. The currently vacant site contains non-native vegetation and has been used for dumping construction debris, trash, and abandoned vehicles; Moniz noted it had once functioned as a pig farm.
The concept includes an education center and office, a plant nursery, parking and access driveway, a caretaker’s residence, circulation improvements, landscaping, and a subdivision and land swap with an adjacent parcel so that the needed access area is folded into the nonprofit’s property. Because the site is in the state conservation district general subzone and city P-1 restricted district, the project requires an environmental assessment under HRS 343 and a conservation district use application through DLNR. The team said it is in early consultation and expects to complete the draft environmental assessment around September 2026, open a public comment period in October, finalize the EA by February 2027, and then proceed with the conservation district use application, with a possible public hearing in April 2027 and project processing continuing through the end of next year.
Questions focused on the land swap, possible traffic impacts, invasive species, and cultural and environmental review requirements. The presenters said traffic would be evaluated in the draft EA and that they had not seen little fire ants in the project area, though coconut rhinoceros beetles had been found in nearby Kamilonui and parts of Niu Valley. Residents asked whether the project had Native Hawaiian participation, whether there were truly no native plants at the site, whether archaeological inventory and cultural impact work were being done, and whether federal funding might trigger National Environmental Policy Act or Section 106 review. The project team said a biological survey, archaeological literature review and field inspection, and cultural impact assessment were being prepared, and that they would look more closely at whether federal funding through larger ridge-to-reef work could trigger additional review. Resident comments also expressed concern about any new construction and ground disturbance on conservation land because of possible impacts to cultural sites and the precedent of installing infrastructure there. Chair Burkert asked that the board receive another update before the public hearing stage next year.
Rain Barrel Incentive Program and Green Stormwater Infrastructure in Wailupe
Veronica Gibson, science and planning manager for Mālama Maunalua, presented a green stormwater initiative centered on free rain barrels. She explained that Mālama Maunalua, 3Rwater, the City and County of Honolulu, the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, and the state Department of Health are partnering on two related efforts: an islandwide rain barrel distribution program and a targeted Wailupe watershed initiative. The purpose is to capture and store roof runoff on site so more water can soak into the ground and recharge the aquifer rather than rushing immediately into streams and nearshore waters. While rain barrels would not prevent the kind of extreme flooding seen during recent Kona low events, Gibson said they can reduce stormwater flow in smaller storms and collectively make a measurable difference. Each barrel stores 55 gallons.
For the Wailupe-specific project, the goal is to install 200 rain barrels within the watershed, defined roughly as the area between Wiliwilinui Ridge and Hawaiʻi Loa Ridge, including about half of Hawaiʻi Loa Ridge. Residents in that area can apply for a free barrel and installation through rainwaterhawaii.com, with applications processed in the order received and the sign-up period closing July 1. She urged people to apply as soon as possible and to tell neighbors, since the program depends on sufficient participation. A broader islandwide program is also distributing 250 free barrels across Oʻahu, subject to eligibility and the presence of a usable downspout. Gibson described several benefits: reduced runoff, aquifer recharge, lower energy use because less treated water is needed, lower utility bills, an emergency non-potable water source during disasters, and added irrigation support for gardens. She noted that each household is currently limited to one free barrel, though additional units might be possible later if demand in the Wailupe program falls short. Residents were also reminded that the Board of Water Supply offers rebates for self-purchased rain barrels. One board member said Puʻuhonua o Wailupe intended to request a barrel.
Closing Announcements and Next Steps
The meeting closed with several reminders. The board will recess in June, and its next regular meeting is scheduled for July 1, 2026. Residents were encouraged to attend the May 28 town hall at ʻĀina Haina Elementary School, especially if they want to raise issues involving traffic, stream maintenance, homelessness, safety, or emergency services. Chair Burkert asked anyone unable to attend to send her concerns in advance so they could still be brought forward. She ended by thanking attendees for their participation and welcoming newly appointed member Sandra Fund to the board.