No 07 Mānoa Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting January 2026
Listen to this article:
Manoa Neighborhood Board Meeting – January 7, 2026
Call to Order and Roll Call
Chair David Nagajic officially convened the meeting at 6:03 p.m., confirming that a quorum was present. Board members responded to roll call in person and via online connection, with some members noting that Subdistrict 4 continued to have vacant seats. The meeting took place at Noelani Elementary School cafeteria, and remote attendees joined through a WebEx platform.
First Responder Reports
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD)
Captain Chris Edwards from the Honolulu Fire Department’s Manoa station presented December statistics that included four activated alarms where no fire was found, 48 medical alerts, seven motor vehicle collisions, and one hazmat incident. He discussed electrical safety in both residential and commercial contexts, explaining best practices such as using only one heat-producing appliance per outlet, ensuring major appliances are plugged directly into receptacles instead of extension cords, and verifying that cables do not run under carpets or through doorways. He also reminded residents to consult licensed electricians for any electrical work. No questions were raised about the specific incident data, and Captain Edwards concluded by reiterating that HFD would return to present at the following monthly meeting.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD)
Lieutenant Taro Nakamura shared December crime statistics compared to the previous month. Motor vehicle thefts rose from 8 to 11, burglaries went from 1 to 5, general theft declined from 12 to 9, and thefts from automobiles increased from 3 to 5. The total calls for service in the district numbered 5,968. HPD’s safety tip focused on driving carefully in the rain, emphasizing heightened caution immediately after dry spells when water mixes with oils on the road. He advised tapping brakes to clear them after driving through deep puddles. Questions arose about hearing clarity for online viewers, prompting suggestions about adjusting lighting and camera positioning. The board noted a request for HPD to attend in person, though Lieutenant Nakamura explained scheduling challenges because of officer shift changes at 6:30 p.m. He agreed to relay the board’s request to HPD leadership.
Board of Water Supply (BWS)
BWS representative Dominic Diaz announced no water main breaks in Manoa for December. He reported that construction on the Kekela Drive and Mohalla Way Water System Improvement Project was complete, with only paperwork and billing closeouts pending. Residents were informed of expanded rebate programs for both residential and commercial properties, covering items such as Energy Star-rated appliances, water-sensible toilets, and smart water monitoring systems. These rebates aim to conserve water and curb utility costs. No board members raised additional questions, and Diaz concluded with an invitation to visit the BWS website for further information.
Mayor’s Representative – Office of Rick Blangiardi
City representative Gavin Thornton followed up on a concern from a previous meeting about intersection signage near Oahu Avenue, Manoa Road, and Lowery Avenue. He explained that federal regulations require the use of “all-way” signs instead of specific numerical references such as “five-way.” He provided the relevant federal directives but noted there was no flexibility for changing “all-way” to “five-way.” Regarding park improvements, he was asked about the Manoa Valley swimming pool and whether repairs would conclude before March. Another official from a council office provided an update that work on the pool continued, contingent on a sufficient dry spell to complete painting. There were additional questions about the state of tennis court resurfacing at Manoa Valley Park, which Thornton agreed to investigate.
City Council Member Scott Nishimoto’s Office
Council staff member Heath reported on recently received resolutions from the board, including one requesting additional stop signs. He noted that the council office had inquired about the matter with the Department of Transportation Services. Highlighting recent “park cleanups” around the district, he invited the board to recommend a suitable weekend for one at Manoa District Park. Several community members raised ongoing concerns about homeless individuals camped at the entrance of Manoa Valley, on both private and public property, specifically near Wilder and Metcalfe as well as by Beretania and McCully Streets. Some residents expressed frustration about a lack of long-term enforcement or placement in shelters, especially for individuals who appeared to suffer from mental health issues. Another attendee noted issues at Manoa Valley Park, where people had repeated incidents of camping in baseball scorekeeper sheds. Heath explained that their office would follow up with the Department of Parks and Recreation and other agencies to ensure these concerns were examined and addressed.
State Reports
Senator Carol Fukunaga
Senator Fukunaga commenced by mentioning that fireworks complaints had decreased in Manoa and citywide over the holidays. She credited increased drone surveillance, community tip lines, and coordinated efforts among law enforcement agencies. She expressed optimism that illegal fireworks usage might continue to decline. The senator confirmed that the legislative session’s bill introduction deadline was near, and she was working on prospective measures that the board or community might support, including a draft related to clarifying certain state-level requirements. Board members raised questions about whether upcoming legislation would address instances of questionable financial dealings or corruption at the Legislature; Fukunaga noted that inquiries should be directed to the offices handling those investigations.
Representative Andrew Takuya Garrett
No one from Representative Garrett’s office was present in person or online. The chair mentioned that Representative Garrett may have been off-island for official business.
University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa
Elmer Kaʻai from UH Manoa provided a brief update: the spring term would begin the following week, likely intensifying traffic patterns around campus. He mentioned ongoing collaborations between UH and federal agencies concerning educational programs for Native Hawaiian and Filipino students. Kaʻai also encouraged community members to attend Kennedy Theatre’s upcoming production from January 28 to February 16. A resident asked about a prolonged alarm that recently disrupted nearby neighborhoods. Kaʻai said there had been a power surge affecting some facilities and apologized for the inconvenience while affirming the university was working on better response measures.
Governor’s Representative – Office of Josh Green
Lacey Goshi joined remotely and offered state-level updates. She described expanded loan opportunities from the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority aimed at nonprofits, small businesses, and others to assist with lowering power bills and promoting renewable energy. She also highlighted a pilot wellness initiative for keiki under Med-QUEST, granting a fifty-dollar incentive card following an annual child check-up. She directed interested families to the state’s website and reminded attendees that the public could use engage.hawaii.gov to submit ideas and concerns directly to the Governor’s Office.
Board Business
Subdistrict 4 Vacancies
The board has had ongoing difficulties filling three vacant seats in Subdistrict 4, reflecting the larger population base there and the challenge of recruiting permanent residents. The chair invited any interested individuals to volunteer, but no new members stepped forward. Concerns were raised that resident transience near UH Manoa might hinder consistent representation.
Timekeeper Appointment
Because of the difficulty in tracking timed speaking limits while running the meeting, the chair asked for a volunteer to serve as timekeeper. Board member Elton Fukumoto volunteered, pledging to enforce the standard time limits. Attendees were reminded to request additional time if needed.
Possible Configuration Changes to the Board
A renewed discussion took place regarding potential permanent adjustments to Manoa Neighborhood Board seats. Some members favored reducing the number of seats or redrawing subdistrict lines due to persistent vacancies that threaten quorum. Others argued that the current structure reflects population distributions and should remain intact if the board continues to recruit neighbors. The matter remained unresolved, with the possibility of a formal vote in advance of the next board term.
Roundabout Proposal at Oahu Avenue, Manoa Road, and Lowery
Board member Chris Moylan revisited earlier ideas for a roundabout to ease congestion at the five-way intersection near Manoa Marketplace. He reported meeting with a city traffic engineer who indicated that installing a roundabout was technically possible but likely complex, involving detailed surveys to confirm property lines and potential small-scale eminent domain acquisitions. Some residents and board members voiced safety concerns, referencing instances in other areas where roundabouts led to confusion and accidents. Others questioned whether such a measure would truly improve traffic flow. The board intends to examine the engineer’s preliminary diagrams and possibly vote on a resolution in a future meeting.
Donation Trucks in Manoa Marketplace
Board member Vanessa Bosel informed attendees that a truck parked near Longs Drugs was operated by a for-profit entity that gives a minimal amount of its proceeds to charity. Concern was expressed that the vehicle occupies a busy parking lot space and could mislead donors who believe they are contributing to a charitable cause. Bosel suggested the board might encourage the shopping center’s owner to provide that spot instead to a genuine nonprofit donation collection operation. Brief commentary reminded the public that organizations such as Assistance League of Hawaiʻi accept donations that more substantially benefit the community.
Approval of Minutes
The board reviewed two sets of previously deferred minutes. The October 1, 2025, meeting minutes were approved by acclamation, followed by the same result for the November 5, 2025, minutes. There were no requested amendments.
Proactive Solutions Committee
Committee chair Chris Moylan reported that the group continues working on potential resolutions related to sidewalks on Lowrey Avenue, neighborhood parking strategies, and overall right-of-way priorities. The committee hopes to bring recommendations for board votes in upcoming months. There was a reminder that an earlier effort to consider undergrounding utilities might also be revisited.
Returning Business
Manoa Banning Court and ʻĀpio Lane
No new updates were available regarding proposed redevelopment plans. It was noted that the Department of Planning and Permitting staff member who had overseen the application was transitioned, so any future submittals would be reassigned. The project thus has remained in limbo.
ʻĀlewa Flood Mitigation Project
There was no significant progress, with one board member suggesting the flood control effort and stormwater utility fee were “on life support.” No immediate city action is anticipated, and the issue remains under watch.
University Lab School and Campus Town
The board had not heard new details about the possible mixed-use project known as Campus Town. There was no further information regarding the lab school redevelopment plans, so the topic was deferred until additional data emerges.
Community Concerns
Residents shared worries about cars parking too close to active traffic along Manoa Road, particularly near Wailēa Tea Room, forcing pedestrians into the street. Others noted instances of parked cars blocking grassy public shoulders or corners, reducing walkability and creating safety hazards. Attendees were urged to call HPD if they see vehicles obstructing sidewalks or designated pedestrian routes. A community member also reported that construction for a large-scale project known as Pohor Ridge might begin soon, although there were calls for more official clarification on future developments.
Announcements and Adjournment
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, beginning at 6:30 p.m., both in person at Noelani Elementary School cafeteria and online. Audience members and board members were reminded to submit suggested agenda items to the chair at least one week prior to the meeting. The session adjourned without objection, concluding with a reminder that recordings would be broadcast on public access channels and online archives.