No 34 Makakilo Kapolei Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting February 2026
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34 Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board Meeting – February 26, 2026
Call to Order, Roll Call, and Meeting Procedures
Chair Anthony Makana-Paris called the hybrid meeting to order, welcoming in-person attendees at Kapolei Hale conference rooms A and B, as well as participants joining via WebEx. He reminded everyone of basic decorum, including raising a hand—virtual or in-person—before speaking, addressing all comments to the chair, and adhering to allotted speaking times (three minutes for comments, ten minutes for official reports). A roll call confirmed seven board members present, establishing quorum. Participants were encouraged to engage respectfully and help keep the meeting to under three hours.
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Report
An HFD captain reported on fire-related incidents and newly updated internal systems for classifying data. According to the latest statistics, the neighborhood board area (No. 34) had zero significant fire incidents on December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026. January data included 2 structure fires, 8 nuisance fires, 18 activated alarms, 205 medical emergencies, and 6 motor vehicle collisions. The department recently switched to a new National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), which may cause shifts in how incidents are categorized. HFD emphasized wildfire preparedness for Makakilo, explaining that addressing wildfire risks requires collaboration among government agencies, large landowners, and residents through the FireWise USA program, which promotes “home hardening,” vegetation management, and consistent property maintenance. They also addressed concerns about water availability for wildfires, emphasizing that fighting brush fires depends on factors such as terrain, fuel load, and weather conditions, not just hydrant capacity. Residents were encouraged to keep gutters clear, maintain defensible space, and consider property upgrades to minimize wildfire hazards. Finally, HFD reminded the public to call 911 instead of driving directly to the nearest fire station, and they noted that texting 911 is available when cell reception for voice is weak.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) Report
A sergeant with HPD District 8 gave crime statistics for January 2026, noting 27 motor vehicle thefts (including 5 in Kapolei), 12 burglaries (3 in Kapolei), 113 thefts (42 in Kapolei), and 24 car break-ins (8 in Kapolei). There were 70 speeding citations, 655 other moving violations, 102 parking violations, and a total of 1,231 citations issued. HPD responded to 8,450 calls for service across District 8, with 2,732 calls in Kapolei alone. The sergeant clarified that citations are tracked by time, type of violation, and patrol beat, making it challenging to break down exact street-level data. HPD’s speed-alert trailer, having been out of service for repairs, is now operational again. They plan to rotate it throughout the district, including deployment on Makakilo Drive.
Assistant Chief Nakasato presented data on 2025 traffic fatalities, revealing trends: many involved motorcycles, mopeds, or pedestrians; key contributing factors included speeding, no seatbelts, and not wearing helmets. About 19- to 25-year-olds were the group most often affected. HPD requested community input on ways to reduce accidents, such as sign waving, social media campaigns, or traffic safety events. Several board members and community members discussed concerns like disappearing crosswalks on Makakilo Drive and the need for crosswalk reinstallation. HPD clarified that pedestrians may legally cross at unmarked crosswalks if they move from corner to corner and are visible to drivers, reminding everyone to be vigilant, especially after dark.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) Report
A BWS representative announced that no water main breaks occurred in the Kapolei area in January. BWS is holding its 2026 Poster and Poetry Contest with the theme “Everyday Conservation,” open to K-6 for posters and 7-12 for poetry. The deadline was imminent, though BWS acknowledged the community’s request for earlier notification in future years. To commemorate World Water Day on March 22, BWS plans to publish educational material on water scarcity and how it affects communities globally.
The representative also addressed questions about wildfire water supply after the discussion at previous meetings. She explained that no hydrant system is designed for large-scale wildfires, but BWS regularly maintains fire hydrants and tests water systems. A final update confirmed ongoing plans for the Ke‛ekuhiwa (Ka‛ala Iloa) desalination facility, which aims to expand local water supply options. BWS is also reviewing community concerns about long-term infrastructure sustainability to keep pace with new developments in Kapolei.
Mayor’s Representative Report
Deputy Director Zeisman joined remotely to provide extensive updates. First, on Makakilo Drive speed and safety issues, the City Department of Design and Construction is evaluating ways to achieve partial ADA compliance despite the area’s steep grade. Sidewalk widenings around certain problematic light posts are planned. The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) continues to explore “road diets” on Makakilo Drive to calm traffic, but board members expressed concerns about reducing lanes and the effect on emergency egress. DTS is also planning raised pavement markers and adjusting existing striping to improve visibility, especially at night.
Further updates included:
• No funding is currently allocated to the long-desired Makakilo Drive extension, though the City continues monitoring federal grants.
• DTS has repaired a speed trailer for the area and is studying Park and Ride usage along the skyline rail route.
• Several follow-up issues on crosswalk legality, utility box beautification, and Makakilo Bluffs are still under review.
• The City is fine-tuning traffic light timing near Kapolei Parkway and Kalailoa Boulevard to alleviate congestion, especially during peak hours around major retailers.
• The representative reminded residents to use the new Honolulu 311 app for swift reporting of potholes, illegal dumping, and other local concerns.
O‘ahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OahuMPO or OMPO) Update
Frank Genadio, the board’s UMPO liaison, noted that the February Citizen Advisory Committee meeting covered the recent Transportation Forum and leadership changes on the Policy Board. He reiterated the difficulty in getting the Makakilo Drive extension added to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). DTS indicated they would conduct a planning and environmental study (a Planning and Environmental Linkages report) to see if the Makakilo Drive extension is feasible from a cost-benefit standpoint before requesting TIP inclusion. Genadio cautioned that this could render the extension an “illustrative project” without immediate funding. He also observed that projects like a $79 million bikeway in Nanakuli are moving forward while Makakilo Drive remains unfunded.
Presentation: Exceptional Tree Program
Dr. Heather McMillan, from the State Urban and Community Forestry Program, introduced the City and County’s Exceptional Tree Program. Since the 1970s, specific trees or groves with cultural, historical, or ecological significance can be nominated for special protections and a $3,000 tax deduction to assist in maintenance. She underscored community benefits of large-canopy trees, such as improved air quality, lower surface temperatures, and enhanced overall health. However, the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale area has a relatively low tree canopy percentage (ranging from 7–23%), which increases heat risks and reduces environmental benefits. Questions centered on how to plant more trees, maintain existing street trees, and protect them against drought, invasive pests, and damage. The board encouraged Dr. McMillan to coordinate with developers, the City’s Division of Urban Forestry, and community groups to support increased canopy coverage and the nomination of outstanding specimens as Exceptional Trees.
Presentation: ENV Solid Waste Management Campus
Representatives from the City Department of Environmental Services (ENV) provided updates on the proposed expansion of the Public Infrastructure Map (PIM) to include property adjacent to the existing H-Power site in Campbell Industrial Park. ENV wants to develop a new Solid Waste Management Campus to reduce landfilling, improve recycling, and streamline operations.
• PIM Expansion: The City hopes to acquire the old AES coal plant property to co-locate various waste-handling facilities, including advanced materials recovery.
• H-Power Operations: H-Power currently processes about 2,000 tons of trash per day, providing nearly 10% of O‛ahu’s power capacity. Ash residue remains a disposal challenge, prompting ongoing studies about metals recovery and ash use as aggregate.
• Future Facilities: ENV envisions advanced recycling, a materials recovery facility that handles construction and demolition debris, and an onsite education center to foster public awareness. They have also been in discussions with Aloha Carbon, which proposes conversion of C&D waste into fuel.
The board offered a unanimous endorsement, lifting a prior “conditional support,” noting that ENV had addressed their requested concerns such as outreach, planning for host community benefits, and partnering with innovative technologies.
Presentation: Hawai‘i Airspace Modernization Project
A community liaison presented details on the Federal Aviation Administration’s modernization efforts, explaining that federal funding will significantly upgrade radios, radars, and flight procedures throughout Hawai‘i. Of particular concern is aircraft noise over rapidly developed areas in Makakilo and Ewa, where flight paths were established decades ago when population density was far lower. The presenter encouraged residents to submit public comments before March 15 regarding noise mitigation, runway usage, and helicopter altitude minimums. The board unanimously passed a resolution including a request to update procedures so that neighborhoods experience reduced jet air traffic overhead, keep helicopter routes appropriately high, and upgrade control tower infrastructure at Kalaeloa to improve safety.
Presentation: Touch a Truck Event at Kapolei Commons
A Kapolei Commons representative described the upcoming Touch a Truck community event on March 7 from 9:00 AM–noon, promising more than 30 vehicles for children to explore, including fire engines, construction trucks, and command vehicles. Organizers have arranged a quiet hour for those with sensory sensitivities. This year’s improvements include better traffic flow planning, partnerships with HPD and the Department of Transportation Services to manage peak arrivals, a shuttle service from UH West O‛ahu for participants coming from the skyline station, and an overflow parking area at the Star-Advertiser lot. These measures aim to reduce congestion along Kapolei Parkway and adjacent streets.
Community and Elected Official Updates
Representatives from the State Legislature and City Council offered updates on upcoming bills, including measures to expand tax credits for concrete homes to bolster fire safety, create clearer guidelines for hazardous waste, and reintroduce legislative proposals that could expedite Makakilo Drive extension financing. Additionally, the board announced its intention to participate in the upcoming Prince Kūhiō Day parade in Kapolei, set just after the next scheduled neighborhood board meeting on March 25, 2026. Community members were encouraged to volunteer.
Adjournment
With time constraints carefully observed, Chair Makana-Paris adjourned the meeting, noting the next regular Neighborhood Board session is scheduled for March 25, 2026. Participants were thanked for their attendance and reminded of their continued responsibility to remain engaged, share concerns, and maintain the spirit of community collaboration.