No 07 Mānoa Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting October 2025
Manoa Neighborhood Board Meeting – October 1, 2025
Opening, Roll Call, and Quorum
Chair David Noguchi called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Members present performed a roll call; after confirming nine people were in attendance, the board had quorum. Several board members were absent, and some seats remained vacant in subdistricts 3 and 4. Former Chair Dylan Armstrong briefly spoke before leaving, and Captain GR of the Honolulu Fire Department also appeared briefly to offer a safety reminder on preventing slips and falls.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) Report and Statistics
Lieutenant Taro Nakamura presented the latest crime data. Motor vehicle thefts rose from 5 to 7, burglaries stayed at 3, overall thefts rose from 15 to 18, and theft from autos (UEMVs) increased from 1 to 5. The total calls for service in the area were 5,864. HPD’s safety tip emphasized the dangers of jaywalking and reminded drivers and pedestrians alike that it takes a shared effort to reduce accidents. Questions from the board included concerns about motor vehicle theft, particularly increases in thefts of certain models like Kia and Hyundai. HPD noted that such thefts often fluctuate depending on known offenders’ release from custody.
Community Policing and ICE Enforcement Discussion
Several members expressed concerns regarding rumored federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. One member asked if HPD had received any directive from the mayor on how to interact with ICE. The lieutenant explained that the police department has not been instructed to enforce federal immigration laws and typically focuses on state and city laws. Other members noted that federal, state, and local jurisdictions operate separately. Additional questions arose about HPD’s constitutional responsibilities and the limits of local enforcement authority in immigration matters.
Pesticide Use in Hawaiʻi: Climate Future Forum Presentation
Interns from Representative Perruso’s office provided an in-depth presentation on restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) in Hawaiʻi. They highlighted Act 45 (2019), which mandates certain users of RUPs to report usage to the Department of Agriculture, including details about buffer zones near schools. Chemicals such as 1,3-Dichloropropene (1,3-D) and metam sodium were singled out for their toxicity, potential to contaminate groundwater, and their ability to drift as far as a mile. The presenters discussed shortfalls in the law, including minimal required reporting details, a lack of environmental testing, and only 100-foot buffer zones, which may not be sufficient. They encouraged the board to consider supporting larger buffer zones, stricter reporting, and classification of neonicotinoids as restricted use. They also mentioned Rewild Your Campus, a program aimed at removing synthetic pesticides from school grass and landscaping, thereby reducing exposure risks.
Updates on Manoa Banning Court and Aria Lane
No new information was available on these recurring concerns. They remain in a holding pattern and will stay on future agendas until there is progress or an update from relevant agencies.
Flood Mitigation and the Primary Urban Center Development Plan
Members requested status reports on flood mitigation efforts in the area, but no new updates were provided. On the Primary Urban Center Development Plan (PUC DP), one board member questioned how much money the city spent on an earlier consultant study and why the plan appears to be ignored in city development decisions. The council office pledged to inquire about costs and the plan’s official role, noting that PUC DP is frequently used more as a “guideline” than binding law.
Proposed Campus Town Project (University Lab School)
A representative informed the board that results from an online survey about the University Lab School redevelopment and nearby “Campus Town” concept would not be ready until the next meeting. The board will continue monitoring the project and its potential for affecting local traffic and housing around the campus.
Board Vacancies and Subdistrict Structure
The board continues to struggle with multiple vacancies in subdistricts 3 and 4. Members described the difficulty of attracting new participants, leading to concerns about maintaining quorum. Discussion arose over possibly shifting the board from a subdistrict-based model to an at-large model, with references to other neighborhood boards that have made similar changes. The topic will appear on the next agenda to consider a formal resolution or request to the Neighborhood Commission.
Formation of Permitted Interaction Groups (PIGs)
A board member requested forming several PIGs to study issues including private parking lot configuration, streetlights, and potential traffic signage changes. Other members recommended handling these via existing committees or direct requests to agencies, cautioning that PIGs must follow strict procedures. After extensive discussion, no motions were made, and no new PIGs were formed.
Recess Schedule
The board had already designated July 2026 as a recess month and considered recessing for a second month but took no further action. Members agreed they can revisit the question later if needed.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
The board approved its September 2025 meeting minutes with minor spelling and typographical corrections. No substantive changes were introduced.
Be Ready Manoa Updates
A representative shared that “Be Ready Manoa,” now a 501(c)(3), held a recent preparedness fair and continues to promote community hazard awareness. The group is running “Coconut Wireless,” a training program to distribute walkie-talkies and teach families how to communicate during emergencies. Details on upcoming evacuation drills, monthly practice sessions, and sign-up procedures were provided, particularly at the Manoa Innovation Center.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) Report
A BWS representative reported that several water main breaks in one part of the valley were tied to ongoing construction to replace aging lines. With unusually dry weather and rising water consumption, BWS asked residents to cut water use by about 20% through everyday conservation practices. BWS also indicated that they are monitoring capital projects that might affect the community.
Mayor’s Representative: Five Corners Intersection Feasibility
The representative from Mayor Blangiardi’s office responded to a board inquiry about creating a roundabout at the five-way intersection near Oʻahu Avenue and Manoa Road. City traffic engineers found that the acute angles, narrow geometry, and bus/emergency vehicle requirements would make a safe roundabout extremely difficult without substantial reconstruction. Board members expressed further interest in re-examining the plan to see if it is genuinely impossible or merely costly.
City Council Member’s Office
A member of Council Member Nishimoto’s staff reported on various council measures, including Bill 34 concerning real property taxes. The office is open to following up on requests for additional sidewalks and a potential off-leash dog park. The staffer confirmed that they will investigate questions such as the layout or fencing for new dog parks and revisit longstanding demands for better walkways on Lowry Avenue.
State Legislative Updates
• Senator Carol Fukunaga: Described a productive neighborhood security watch meeting addressing crime and overgrowth near Makiki Manoa District Park, with follow-up surveys shared with HPD.
• Representative Andrew Garrett: Spoke about ongoing stream cleanups coordinated with non-profit groups and about removing graffiti near the old Japanese restaurant on University Avenue, noting a potential new lease might revive that commercial location.
University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa
A UH representative addressed impacts of a potential federal shutdown on university funding, explaining that some grants could be delayed. Enrollment trends, especially among international students, were reported to be more stable than at other universities, and Title III and Title VI programs rely on consistent federal support. Questions arose about enforcing the new moped helmet law for students, prompting UH to reaffirm that it will remind riders of the law even though campus officials are not the enforcement authority.
Governor’s Representative
The governor’s office highlighted current initiatives like Engage Hawaiʻi, a website designed to enhance civic participation, and Operation Hire Hawaiʻi, which aims to fill critical state government vacancies. There was also a brief mention of follow-up information on the biosecurity bill, which had been sent to a board member by email.
Community Concerns
Residents raised issues about pedestrian safety, especially near Noelani Elementary School, where speeding drivers pose risks. Some called for raised crosswalks, more stop signs, or stricter enforcement of the 20 mph school zone. Community members also noted a need for sidewalks on Lowry Avenue and other major corridors to protect both students and older pedestrians. Upcoming community events were announced, including the Manoa Community Christmas Parade hosted by the Manoa Lions Club on December 7th and the IHS Thanksgiving Homeward Bound 5K, held annually in Manoa on Thanksgiving morning.
Announcements and Next Meeting
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Noelani Elementary School cafeteria (with a Webex virtual option). Topics to be addressed include a potential vote on dog park proposals and discussion of transitioning from subdistrict-specific seats to at-large representation on the board. Rebroadcasts of this meeting will appear on ʻŌlelo Community Media and will be archived digitally by the city.