No 08 McCully Mōʻiliʻili Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting April 2026
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8 McCully-Moiliili Neighborhood Board Meeting – April 28, 2026
Meeting Opening, Attendance, and Early Technical Delay
The meeting was called to order at 6:16 p.m., though the chair verbally stated April 27 during opening remarks despite the meeting being the regular late-April board meeting. The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format and was being transcribed and summarized. Roll call showed 12 members present, including several participating online, enough to establish quorum. The chair explained that an earlier delay was caused by the need to retrieve a hotspot for the virtual connection, and apologized to online participants for the lack of advance notice. That early explanation set the tone for a meeting that repeatedly balanced in-person and remote participation while moving through a long agenda of public safety updates, development presentations, board resolutions, and constituent concerns.
Honolulu Fire Department Report and Emergency Preparedness Guidance
Captain Keith Endo of Engine 29 at the McCully Fire Station delivered the Honolulu Fire Department report for March 2026. Engine 29 responded to one rubbish fire, two cooking fires, 18 activated alarms with no fire, 100 medical calls, and five motor vehicle crashes or collisions. The fire department’s April safety message focused on evacuation planning, including maintaining an emergency preparedness plan for environmental emergencies, fires, and natural disasters; identifying at least two escape routes from the home; planning evacuation routes out of the neighborhood; and choosing a predetermined meeting place such as a trusted neighbor’s home, relative’s home, low-risk area, shelter, or evacuation center. Residents were encouraged to sign up for alerts at hnlalert.gov and keep a go bag ready with supplies for family members and pets as part of a broader 14-day disaster supply kit. A board member also asked whether to request ambulance or fire assistance when calling 911 after encountering a person who appeared passed out; Captain Endo advised saying “ambulance,” noting that fire personnel would still typically co-respond on the dispatch.
Honolulu Police Department District 1 Statistics and Public Safety Questions
Sergeant Lee, appearing with Major Paul Okamoto and other District 1 leadership, presented March 2026 crime statistics for the relevant District 1 area. The reported figures were one motor vehicle theft, one burglary, eight thefts, zero unauthorized entry to motor vehicle cases, two assaults, zero sex assaults, zero graffiti incidents, zero drug incidents, and 381 calls for service, compared with 407 the previous month. The police safety tip emphasized pedestrian safety and use of crosswalks in response to pedestrian collisions and motor vehicle crashes. The District 1 segment quickly expanded into resident concerns about quality-of-life offenses, suspicious activity, and enforcement procedures in and near the neighborhood.
Sexual Harassment and Indecent Exposure at the Ala Wai Community Garden
A major community safety issue raised during the police discussion concerned repeated inappropriate sexual conduct at the Ala Wai Community Garden Association area along the canal, where approximately 160 garden plots are located. A resident reported that a city parks employee recently called HPD after encountering two individuals having sex in a walkway and also described a separate increase over the prior month to six weeks in men masturbating in front of female gardeners working in their permitted plots. Major Okamoto said the best course was to call 911 immediately, provide a detailed description and location, and remain available to meet responding officers. He stressed that complainants would need to identify the suspect, provide a statement, and be willing to prosecute in order to build a prosecutable case. Because the garden lies within District 7, he said he would ensure the issue was relayed there for follow-up enforcement attention. Later in the meeting, District 7 confirmed it would also pass the matter to nightwatch officers.
Parking Enforcement, Tire Marking, and Ezenberg Street Tensions Near Hale Moiliili
Board members asked police about ongoing parking conflicts along Ezenberg Street involving local residents and the Hale Moiliili development, as well as what appeared to be permit-based or limited parking arrangements discussed at a prior meeting. Police said they were not aware of any special permitting arrangement and recommended checking with Representative Old’s office, which had reportedly helped free up three additional community parking spaces after prior discussions. A second part of the exchange focused on the process by which parked vehicles are marked for possible citation. Police explained that street-parked vehicles generally must move every 24 hours. Officers may mark a tire with a yellow chalk mark and note the date and time if a vehicle is believed to have remained in place too long, often after complaints from neighbors. If the same vehicle remains there on a follow-up visit after the 24-hour threshold, a citation can be issued. Residents were encouraged to call again if a marked vehicle still had not moved, especially where ongoing neighborhood parking pressure is displacing local users.
Noise Complaints About Early Morning Music at a King Street Gym
Residents also raised concerns about loud music beginning around 5:45 a.m. at a gym on King Street near Down to Earth, identified during discussion as “GoFit” or “Mofit/Mofin” by speakers in the room. Major Okamoto said police do not generally carry sound meters or have a straightforward decibel-based enforcement system for such complaints, so the most likely applicable law would be disorderly conduct, which depends on reasonableness and officer judgment. He advised residents to call 911 so officers can respond, assess the situation, and ideally speak with the manager informally before escalating toward criminal enforcement. District 7 later stated it would pass the concern to nightwatch officers and try to approach the gym as a neighborhood nuisance issue, recognizing that the operator may not fully understand the extent of community frustration.
Questions About a Large Police Presence Near University Avenue and UH Housing
A board member asked about an incident during the week of April 10, in the early evening around 5:30 to 5:45 p.m., when approximately 12 or 13 police officers were lined up on University Avenue near UH dorms or rentals. District 1 representatives said they were unable to identify the event based on the limited details provided and requested more specific information if available in the future. Although no explanation was given at the meeting, the question reflected continued resident concern about visible police activity in the university area and the desire for more context when unusual law enforcement deployments occur nearby.
District 7 Police Report, Distracted Driving Campaign, and Crime Levels
Lieutenant Thompson then delivered the District 7 report, which covered the larger area that includes many of the concerns raised earlier. For March, District 7 recorded 16 motor vehicle thefts, four burglaries, 21 thefts, and three unauthorized entry to motor vehicle cases, with a total of 5,697 calls for service during the month. The safety message focused on distracted driving as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s campaign. He noted that in 2024 there were more than 3,000 deaths and 315,000 injuries nationwide attributed to distracted driving. Residents were reminded that distraction includes not only cell phone use but also eating, adjusting the radio, and other actions that take attention from the road. Suggested strategies included pulling over before texting, assigning a passenger as the designated texter, or placing the phone in the trunk while driving. The discussion underscored how traffic behavior remains one of the most immediate daily safety issues in the neighborhood.
Moped Theft, Chop-Shop Activity, and Frustration Over Responses in the Mini Park
A board member described repeated observations of individuals sanding off VIN numbers from mopeds and dismantling mopeds in a mini park, with discarded parts later found in underbrush and nearby areas. The resident said 911 had been called three or four times, including one occasion when six officers responded, but no lasting resolution followed, leading the resident to stop reporting the issue. Public safety personnel from UH had more recently noticed one discarded moped bearing university stickers and were said to be coordinating with HPD detectives. Lieutenant Thompson acknowledged that the area gets a fair share of moped theft, especially with the university population, and said stolen ownership can be difficult to verify because many mopeds are unregistered. The resident challenged that explanation, noting visible signs of theft and parts stripping. Police encouraged continued reporting, emphasizing that traceability often depends on whether a moped is officially registered or reported stolen. The exchange highlighted resident frustration when repeated visible disorder appears to produce little visible enforcement outcome.
Governor’s Representative Update: Disaster Relief, Tax Extensions, Fraud Warnings, and Quality-of-Life Survey
Governor’s representative Gary brought several statewide updates with local relevance. In the aftermath of severe weather, including the Kona Low, the governor had requested and received a disaster declaration. One practical consequence was tax relief: Hawaii taxpayers significantly affected by the storms may request a filing and payment extension to July 20, 2026, using Form L-115, with penalties and interest waived if eligible. At the federal level, the IRS extended the filing and payment deadline automatically to July 8. Gary also warned of fraudulent groups posing as charities following disasters and pointed residents toward the Federal Trade Commission, the Attorney General’s Tax and Charities Division, the IRS tax-exempt search tool, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs business search, and the Office of Consumer Protection as ways to verify organizations before donating. He further promoted a statewide quality-of-life survey being conducted through the Office of Wellness and Resilience in partnership with the University of Hawaii Manoa’s Health Policy Initiative. The confidential survey, available to residents age 18 and older at health-study.com, asks about health, well-being, education, work, cost of living, and daily experiences and is intended to inform a public dashboard used by policymakers and agencies.
Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes and Corrections to Voting Records
The board then turned to internal business regarding approval of minutes from prior meetings. November, January, and March minutes were said to be approvable as written. February’s minutes, however, contained multiple errors, especially in the recorded roll-call results on resolutions. Specific corrections were read into the record for sections on page 3 and page 4, including mismatched names, vote categories, and totals that did not add up. Because some voting had not been done directly into microphones, at least some corrections could not be fully reconstructed in the room. The discussion illustrated the importance of clear audio capture and vote procedures in hybrid meetings, especially where neighborhood board resolutions can later be cited in formal communications with city and state agencies.
Defeated Resolution on Higher Taxes for Long-Vacant Lots
Board member Dale returned with a revised resolution addressing vacant lots and encouraging development through changes in property taxation. He said the revised draft mostly reorganized language, removed repetitive wording, and changed the section on tax rate structure to state the intent rather than exact numbers, leaving technical details to experts. He also circulated a list of vacant lots he had researched, saying most were owned by companies, wealthy individuals, or foreign owners, with one Fern Street property apparently held in a private trust and vacant for at least a couple of decades. Dale said he had considered other mechanisms such as forced building, fines, city acquisition, or eminent domain, but landed on tax policy because in his view existing incentives already favor development and owners can profit simply by letting land appreciate. He argued that vacant land can yield greater returns through rising values over a decade than owners pay in property taxes. Questions from board members explored whether incentives other than taxes might encourage public-serving uses such as food production, gardens, or parking, and whether the proposal could unintentionally help larger developers assemble land that smaller family owners might someday want to retain. After limited additional discussion and a motion to vote, the resolution failed on a 2-3-8 tally, with two yes votes, three no votes, and eight abstentions.
Cortec Development Affordable Housing Proposal at 2118 Citron Street
Representatives from Cortec Development, along with consultants and architects, presented a proposed affordable housing project at 2118 Citron Street called Kauwela Apartments. The project would include 42 rental units and 26 parking stalls in a five-level structure consisting of one parking level and four residential floors. The unit mix would be one studio and eight one-bedroom apartments on the second floor, with additional one-bedroom-heavy typical floors above; unit sizes were described as about 377 square feet for studios and 548 square feet for one-bedrooms. Amenities would include a garden terrace, community room, shared laundry, a loading zone, and 16 long-term bicycle parking spaces. The project team said the site is in a walkable area served within a quarter mile by bus routes 1, 4, and 6, as well as a nearby Biki station.
Deep Affordability, AMI Targets, and Long-Term Rent Restrictions
The project is being advanced as a Bill 7 development but is also applying for Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation financing, including low-income housing tax credits and Rental Housing Revolving Fund support. The developers said that combination would allow deeper affordability than a standard Bill 7 project, with units targeted from 30% area median income up to 80% AMI rather than more typical 80% to 120% ranges. Although the team initially framed affordability in AMI terms, the chair pressed for actual rent figures. The presenters said 2025 limits suggested rent levels roughly ranging from around $800 to $855 for a studio at the lower end and up to nearly $2,300 per month for some one-bedroom affordability categories, with annual adjustments set by HUD and modified by HHFDC. Importantly, the developers said the project is proposing affordability in perpetuity rather than for a limited compliance term, meaning units would remain income-restricted over the long term, with future tenants also benefiting from regulated rents.
Questions About Homeownership, Family Housing, and the Limits of the Site
Board members questioned whether affordable for-sale housing could be a better wealth-building model than perpetual rental housing, especially for people trying to escape long-term economic precarity. The development team responded that some firms specialize in affordable ownership while others, including Cortec in this case, primarily produce affordable rental housing. They acknowledged broader state interest in affordable ownership models, including leasehold ideas and homebuyer assistance, but said heavy subsidy is usually necessary to make for-sale units feasible. Additional questions focused on the project’s lack of two-bedroom units. The team said this infill site is tightly constrained, and that in order to make the project financially feasible they chose a mix of studios and one-bedrooms. They noted that other Cortec projects do include two- and three-bedroom units where the site and program allow it. The exchange reflected recurring neighborhood concerns about whether affordable projects are serving singles and couples more than families.
Company Background, Guam Experience, and Questions About Development Practices
Cortec representatives described the firm as Guam’s largest real estate developer, with a Hawaii office established in 2023. They said the company manages roughly 2,000 apartment rentals, commercial centers, and major institutional facilities, and has delivered more than 20,000 affordable units in Guam over a period of more than 20 years. The team emphasized that Hawaii-based staff working on the project are local residents. Board members then pressed the company about broader business practices, including a reported land dispute in Guam involving a wastewater treatment plant and questions about how the company approaches development in politically and culturally sensitive settings involving militarization and ancestral land. The Hawaii-based presenters said they were not familiar enough with the litigation or Guam operations to discuss those matters in detail, though one consultant described the owner as entrepreneurial and active in public-private partnerships involving schools, solar projects, police facilities, and other developments. The exchange suggested some residents were evaluating not only the proposed building but also the track record and values of the developer behind it.
Flood Zone Design, Stormwater Management, and Green Space Constraints
Stormwater management was a central infrastructure question because of flooding concerns in the area and the impact of recent Kona Low storms. A board member noted the lack of city-owned drainage infrastructure nearby and asked whether the project would include green infrastructure such as bioswales or a rain garden. The project architect responded that current city requirements for stormwater management are much stricter than in the past and that the development would retain all rainfall that hits the site. They described underground chambers beneath the parking area sized to handle large storm events and planters on the amenity deck designed to hold water as a kind of elevated bioswale system. Another question addressed the limited green and permeable space along narrow Citron Street. The architect said the site is in a flood zone, and new base flood elevation standards require habitable space to be raised, resulting in more ramping, an elevated entry condition, and less room for landscaping at grade. Even so, the team said it was trying to include as much greenery as possible within the buildable envelope.
Meaning of the Project Name “Kauwela”
When asked why the project is named Kauwela, the chair explained that Cortec’s projects in Guam often use “summer”-related naming themes and that “kauwela” means “summer” in Hawaiian. That small exchange was one of several moments when board members and the chair pushed the development team to explain how the project was being framed for the local context rather than simply imported from the company’s broader branding approach.
Support Resolution for the Kapahulu-Moiliili Lions Club Santa Parade
Representatives of the Kapahulu-Moiliili Lions Club requested board support for their annual Santa parade, a longstanding community event dating back to the 1950s. The 2025 parade had included 25 marching groups and about 575 marchers, among them Neighborhood Board No. 8, the St. Louis High School and Sacred Hearts Academy marching band, St. Louis JROTC, Mother Rice Preschool, Prince Kuhio Elementary School with more than 100 marchers, and Santa riding on a Hui Nalu racing canoe. For 2026, the club announced that the Royal Hawaiian Band would join the lineup. The parade is planned for December 10, 2026, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Prince Jonah Kuhio Elementary School, proceeding along South King Street to South Beretania Street, and ending at Old Stadium Park. Organizers said the event has mayoral support, HPD traffic and pedestrian control, required permits, and insurance through Lions International. A question was raised about whether the parade route could be expanded, but organizers said younger participants and candy distribution logistics make a longer route difficult. The board unanimously approved the support resolution, continuing its tradition of participation.
Ala Wai Community Garden Rule Changes and Call for More Time to Comply
Community gardener Flora gave a detailed presentation on the Ala Wai Community Garden, located at the end of University Avenue near Ala Wai Elementary School inside Ala Wai Community Park. The site contains about 160 plots, each approximately 12 by 15 feet, and she described it as an unusually rich community space used by kupuna, immigrants, families, and many others for food, recreation, social ties, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing. She explained that the city and county rolled out new garden rules about a year earlier with goals including improved safety and aesthetics, fairer turnover of plots, and less volunteer burden, while giving gardeners a one-year grace period to comply. In practice, she said, gardeners’ plots vary widely, from well-maintained growing spaces to plots functioning partly as storage areas, and most participants are not intentionally trying to violate rules.
Security, Resource Limitations, and the Burden on Kupuna Gardeners
Flora stressed that the Ala Wai garden faces unique challenges compared with other community gardens, including nearby homelessness, theft, drainage and flooding issues, and the need for protective fencing because gardeners are investing labor, materials, and money into vulnerable plots. She said retaining the six-foot fence limit had been important, since theft, vandalism, and plant destruction can be devastating, especially for older or disabled gardeners. One significant difficulty is that many gardeners have relied on found or reused materials over the years to build fences and planting structures. According to Flora, the city had just completed inspections and issued notices to all plots, with some corrections due by May 12 and other items given longer timelines. She argued that the recent extremely wet weather had reduced workable gardening days while accelerating weed growth, making the two-week deadline unrealistic. She repeatedly emphasized the burden on kupuna and lower-income gardeners, many of whom may not be able to purchase new compliant materials quickly and have only volunteer help, not financial assistance.
Debate Over Fairness, Wait Lists, and Garden Turnover
A board member asked how long the wait list is for plots at the Ala Wai Community Garden, and Flora replied that more than 200 people may be waiting. The board member suggested that extending compliance could be seen as unfair given the high demand for plots, but Flora responded that using the wait list as leverage was unproductive and that plot turnover already happens regularly because people often underestimate the work gardening requires. She said the bigger concern is preserving access for long-term gardeners, especially kupuna who have held plots for years and lack the resources to make rapid changes. She also criticized what she described as threatening messaging from the city and asked for more dignity, flexibility, and practical assistance in bringing gardeners into compliance.
Resolution Extending Community Garden Compliance Deadline to December 31, 2026
After discussion, the board voted on a resolution asking the city Department of Parks and Recreation to extend the compliance deadline for the new community garden rules and regulations to December 31, 2026. The resolution passed 9-0-3, with three abstentions and one absent member not voting. The vote formally aligned the board with gardeners seeking more time to adapt to the new standards, particularly in light of weather disruptions, physical limitations, and the cost of compliance.
Resolution for Safer Conditions at University Avenue and Kuulei Street
Board member Daniela introduced a resolution about unsafe conditions at the intersection of University Avenue and Kuulei Street. She described the area as too dark, with deteriorated crosswalk striping, poor pedestrian accommodation, and vehicles parked near the corner despite signage, all creating hazardous visibility for drivers and pedestrians. She said she had personally experienced difficulty both turning there and crossing there and wanted improvements made before an accident occurred. In response, the mayor’s representative reported that the issue had already been referred to the Department of Design and Construction, which found that a median tree was blocking light from nearby streetlights. DDC planned to coordinate with Parks and Recreation to trim branches so that light would reach the pavement.
Expanded Safety Requests: Tree Monitoring, Crosswalk Repainting, No-Parking Enforcement, and Sidewalk Improvements
Daniela and other board members were not satisfied with tree trimming alone and amended the proposal during discussion. The revised direction included maintaining and checking the tree regularly, repainting the crosswalk lines, enforcing the existing no-parking area near the corner, and improving the pedestrian pathway or sidewalk condition there. The mayor’s representative also noted that the Department of Transportation Services is planning a quick-build crosswalk upgrade at that intersection under a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, while a longer-term Complete Streets upgrade for University Avenue includes possible pedestrian refuge features and a rectangular rapid flashing beacon. With those additions, the board unanimously adopted the amended resolution with 12 aye votes, making pedestrian and visibility improvements at the intersection an official board priority.
Proposal for an Ala Wai Canal Ferry Crossing
During community concerns, Laura floated a concept for a ferry across the Ala Wai Canal as a low-cost, low-infrastructure alternative to a bridge for bicyclists and pedestrians. She described it as something like a wider bus without a roof for short crossings, capable of carrying bicycles in the center and accommodating ADA access through simple ramps and docks. She argued that such a ferry would preserve view planes, avoid large concrete structures, and be a fun and practical way to cross the canal. She asked that the concept be placed on a future agenda as a formal presentation. Although no action was taken, the suggestion added to the continuing neighborhood conversation about canal crossings and multimodal access.
Board of Water Supply: Main Break and Continued Conservation Messaging
Stephen Olscham from the Board of Water Supply reported that in March there had been one water main break in the board district, a six-inch break on March 16 near Burger King at 2570 South Beretania Street. His main message was that despite recent heavy rains, conservation still matters, especially heading into warmer summer months. He said rainfall alone is insufficient to offset daily water use patterns and directed residents to boardofwatersupply.com/sevenways for conservation tips. During questions, a resident referenced concerns from Kuilei Street residents who had received notices urging water conservation and suspected that water allocation was being affected by a large new nearby high-rise development. The Board of Water Supply representative said he would take the concern back for a more detailed response, while noting that new developments are often required to incorporate conservation measures such as gray-water systems.
Mayor’s Representative: Service Requests, Staffing Vacancies, Bus Stop Maintenance, and Bus-Rail Planning
Dan Brick from the mayor’s office again promoted the HNL311 system as the best route for reporting neighborhood issues directly to relevant departments. He highlighted city newsletter items including first responder training in Waianae, the city food drive, the start of the GROW food-waste recycling pilot, the opening of affordable kupuna housing, the appointment of a new DTS deputy director, public input on selection of the next police chief, and increased Skyline ridership after passage of Bill 60. He also addressed several follow-up items from prior meetings. For Varsity Place and Varsity Circle, he said illegal dumping on certain segments involves state Department of Transportation property and advised residents to contact HDOT public affairs. For bus stop trash and power washing concerns at 1649 and 1670 Kalakaua Avenue, he said the Department of Facility Maintenance has limited resources and that overflowing bins are often caused by illegal dumping rather than bus riders, but service requests can be made through HNL311 or email.
City Staffing Vacancies and Recruitment Across Departments
A notable portion of the mayor’s office report addressed workforce shortages. Vacancy rates for civil service positions were reported at 25.2% for the Department of Facility Maintenance, 13.2% for the Department of Transportation Services, and 22.6% for HPD. Dan noted that HPD’s vacancy rate could fall to 16.5% if all personnel in “ghost positions” transition into civil service roles after training and if attrition remains limited. He also listed current job openings, including civil engineer, environmental technician, plumber, planner, police recruit, police communication officer, evidence specialist, service officer, and radio technician positions, indicating active recruitment amid continuing strain on city capacity.
Bus Connection Planning for Skyline Segment 3
The mayor’s representative also responded to earlier questions about community workshops on TheBus changes tied to future Skyline expansion. He said input from those workshops is being used to prepare a proposed transit improvement plan coordinated with the opening of Skyline Segment 3, extending from Middle Street to downtown. That plan is expected to be completed in summer 2026 and posted for public comment on the city website, with another opportunity for public review before the segment’s expected opening in 2031. The discussion reflected the long lead time of major transit changes and the importance of public participation in shaping bus service before those changes take effect.
Panda Proposal for the Honolulu Zoo and Tour de Trash Invitation
In a lighter portion of the mayor’s office exchange, the chair asked about rumors that the city might obtain pandas for the Honolulu Zoo. Dan said that is indeed the intention, linked to the mayor’s trip to China, though he did not provide further details. He also urged residents to join the June 25 Tour de Trash, a free city-organized behind-the-scenes tour of island refuse facilities, including H-Power and the landfill, with participants meeting in Kapolei and traveling by bus. He explained that the tour helps people understand that most local trash is burned to generate electricity, reducing waste volume by about 90%, with only ash usually going to the landfill.
Lighting Problems Along the Ala Wai Promenade and Parking Lot
Residents raised persistent issues with lighting along the Ala Wai promenade and adjacent parking lot near the Ala Wai Clubhouse. One resident praised the upgraded walkway lighting overall but reported that one fixture was strobing and that multiple lights had recently been off. The chair said she had already submitted an HNL311 request after noticing the same problem at dusk and added that the parking lot had been almost entirely dark for close to a month. Another resident confirmed that condition had persisted for several weeks. The issue was folded into the mayor’s office follow-up list as an infrastructure and nighttime safety concern affecting park users and walkers.
Councilmember Nishimoto’s Office: Moiliili Field Cleanup and Houseless Encampment Conditions
A representative from Councilmember Scott Nishimoto’s office thanked volunteers who attended a recent cleanup at Moiliili Field. The effort removed debris, trash, and remnants from houseless encampments and general park use, but planned painting of restrooms and benches could not be completed because of aggressive behavior from some unhoused individuals present that day. The office said HPD assistance would likely be requested for any future cleanup requiring more controlled conditions. A resident who participated noted that cigarette butt litter was surprisingly low, suggesting some improvement in at least one category of park behavior. The chair added that one woman at the park who had several dogs later helped with cleanup work, reflecting the complex and sometimes cooperative interactions that can occur in encampment-impacted public spaces. The council office also noted that the councilmember is focused on finalizing the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget and advocating for community projects.
Representative Old’s Update: End of Session, Failed Bills, Vulnerable Youth Funding, and Waiaka Road Resurfacing
Representative Old reported that the Legislature was nearing the end of session and that negotiations over the state budget were still unresolved, with only nine working days left. She said five bills she had discussed the prior month had all died in the Senate. Among them was a “safe entrance ways” bill that had reached Senate Judiciary but was deferred by the chair, who said a similar bill had already passed. Another was HB 2167, a vulnerable youth housing stability bill, which died after Senate Ways and Means failed to schedule it. She said her office was trying to preserve the program through a budget line item instead, since the program itself did not require statute to operate, and characterized it as a way to prevent vulnerable youth from becoming homeless in the first place. On a local infrastructure note, she announced that Waiaka Road is slated for resurfacing from the stop sign at Kuilei Place to Kapiolani Boulevard, with Nan, Inc. awarded the contract and a projected start date of June 6, subject to schedule confirmation. She also apologized for delays in delivery of a mailed newsletter about a recent urban town hall and encouraged attendance at a May 5 resiliency hub town hall.
Representative Tam’s Update: Tax Cut Debate, Government Positions, and Ala Wai Elementary Crosswalk Safety
Representative Adrian Tam offered a detailed explanation of the House-Senate divide over the state tax package and budget. He said the Senate wants to preserve broad tax cuts but would do so by cutting many government positions, including jobs currently filled by real people. He warned that such layoffs could increase unemployment rolls and raise unemployment insurance burdens on small businesses. He contrasted that with the House approach, which he said aims to preserve tax relief for working families making roughly under $100,000 to $120,000 while asking wealthier residents to contribute more, especially after receiving major federal tax cuts. Turning to district matters, he reported that he and the board chair had recently met with Ala Wai Elementary School staff, DTS, and DFM to discuss speeding and pedestrian safety around the school. According to Tam, DTS data did not show excess speeding at the crosswalk many parents consider dangerous, making it harder to secure speed humps or raised crossings. As alternatives, his office is exploring a median, warning placards, or pedestrian flags, while also seeking outside grant opportunities for traffic safety improvements. A board member criticized the city’s reliance on the 85th-percentile speed rule as outdated and inconsistent with current best practices in traffic calming and pedestrian safety.
Senator Moriwaki’s Office and Capital Improvement Focus
A representative from Senator Moriwaki’s office stated that the senator’s role in the ongoing session is concentrated on capital improvement project budgeting rather than the overall Senate position on taxes and the operating budget. No substantive CIP project details were presented during this meeting, but the office provided a newsletter link and invited follow-up questions. The brief appearance underscored how much of the Legislature’s late-session activity was centered on unresolved budget negotiations.
Meeting Close and Summer Recess Timing
Near the end of the meeting, the chair remarked that despite starting late, the board was ending early, drawing appreciation for the staff member managing meeting logistics. The board reminded participants there would be no meeting in May, with the next regular meeting to occur in the last week of June. That closure followed a meeting heavily shaped by practical neighborhood issues: public safety in gardens and parks, parking pressure, lighting and crosswalk hazards, affordable housing design, stormwater resilience, city staffing shortages, and the ongoing tension between local daily-life concerns and broader city and state policy decisions.