No 08 McCully-Mōʻiliʻili Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting July 2026
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8 McCully-Moiliili Neighborhood Board Meeting – July 28, 2026
Honolulu Fire Department Report and Hiking Safety
The Honolulu Fire Department reported June 2026 activity for the Kaimukī/Kāhala station area serving the neighborhood: no structure, brush, cooking, mountain-rescue, or ocean-rescue incidents; nine nuisance fires, including outdoor rubbish and vehicle fires; seven activated alarms; 86 medical emergencies; one motor-vehicle collision involving a pedestrian; seven other motor-vehicle crashes; and one hazardous-material incident. The monthly safety message focused on summer hiking. Residents were advised to select official trails appropriate to their skill and stamina, consult hawaiitrails.org, check rain, wind, and ocean-swell forecasts, remain on marked trails, avoid risking injury for photographs, hike with a companion, tell someone their plans, and allow enough time to return before dark.
District 1 Police Statistics and H-1 Racing
District 1 reported one motor-vehicle theft, no burglaries, 13 thefts, no unauthorized entries into motor vehicles, four incidents in a category that was unclear in the recording, and no sexual assaults, graffiti cases, or drug cases during June. The district received 404 calls for service, compared with 409 the previous month. A resident living near Kapiʻolani Medical Center said drivers continue to use H-1 as a racetrack after midnight and asked which police unit has jurisdiction. HPD said residents should call 911 when racing or associated noise is occurring; jurisdiction depends on the location along H-1 and may involve the applicable district and traffic officers.
Illegal Game Rooms and Repeat Neighborhood Crime
Residents pressed HPD for follow-up on a raid involving an alleged illegal game room on Isenberg Street and expressed concern that gambling, drugs, illegal parking, and related criminal activity repeatedly return after enforcement actions. District 1 explained that game-room investigations are handled by another division and agreed to seek an update for the next meeting. District 7 later clarified that police need time to investigate, establish probable cause, and secure search warrants before entering and closing suspected game rooms. Police said community members can help by reporting suspected locations and useful details, while residents and lawmakers could advocate for stronger penalties because existing consequences provide little deterrence; rooms are frequently reopened in the same locations, forcing police to rebuild cases. Several speakers asked for written, concrete follow-through and argued that repeated calls without visible resolution have damaged confidence in public safety efforts.
District 7 Statistics and Hurricane Preparedness
District 7 reported 5,315 calls for service during the reporting period, along with four unauthorized-entry-to-motor-vehicle cases; part of the preceding crime-statistics statement was inaudible in the recording. With Hurricane Foster expected to approach the area within days, Lieutenant Thompson urged residents to register for HNL Alert through HonoluluAlert.gov to receive emergency weather information, road closures, traffic notices, and other urgent updates. Residents were also directed to the Oʻahu Department of Emergency Management at honolulu.gov/dem for guidance on assembling a 14-day emergency kit and preparing adequate food, water, and supplies for an extended disaster.
Old Stadium Park, Isenberg Street, and Homeless Encampments
Residents of Isenberg Street described recurring theft, trespassing, drug activity, and late-night disturbances associated with people camping in and around Old Stadium Park. One resident recounted a recent incident in which a suspected moped thief hid in her apartment garage before moving to a neighboring building and being arrested. She reported seeing drug deals and drug use in the pavilion, finding baggies and paraphernalia where residents walk their dogs, and experiencing repeated entries into her building’s garage and damage to a bathroom. She also reported abandoned vehicles and a trailer near the Mōʻiliʻili baseball field, as well as cars repeatedly parked in the King Street tow-away area near Down to Earth between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. HPD said its ATV team rotates through parks and agreed to refer Old Stadium Park, abandoned vehicles, and tow-zone violations to the appropriate officers.
Park Sweep Notifications and Enforcement Limitations
A lengthy discussion addressed why park sweeps often appear ineffective. Residents said people are notified two or three days in advance, move directly outside the park during the sweep, and return immediately after officers and cleanup crews leave. Lieutenant Thompson initially said he was unaware of a public website announcing sweeps, then clarified that advance notice is part of the required protocol: officers notify occupants and give them an opportunity to comply before citations or property removal. The timing also depends on the city unit that retrieves and stores property, whose islandwide schedule limits how long teams remain in each district. Residents characterized the process as temporary cleanup rather than lasting enforcement and suggested officers remain in the area for an hour after a sweep or conduct immediate follow-up. HPD said follow-up usually occurs during subsequent days, and the board concluded that a broader discussion should include HPD’s homeless coordinator and the Department of Facility Maintenance.
Reporting Crime, Evidence, and Unresolved Police Calls
Community members asked HPD to identify specific actions residents can take and to explain which laws apply when reporting drugs, paraphernalia, chop shops, stolen bicycles, and dismantled mopeds. HPD said anonymous reports can be difficult to enforce when officers arrive after the reported conduct has stopped and no witness is willing to participate. Residents responded that they have supplied video showing bicycles and mopeds being cut apart, locks removed, and identifying numbers filed down, yet officers sometimes leave without taking action. Lieutenant Thompson explained that police may be unable to make an arrest if the bicycle or moped owner cannot be located or the property cannot be confirmed as stolen, particularly when vehicles have been informally bought, sold, or abandoned by students. He offered to review specific cases if residents provide the date and time of the call by emailing mthompson2@honolulu.gov. Residents also asked HPD to report how many of District 7’s 5,315 calls remained unresolved or could not be investigated; the lieutenant said he would need to determine whether that information can be compiled.
Parking Enforcement, Police Staffing, and Community Coordination
Residents continued to report chronic illegal parking that blocks sight lines and creates collision risks. Lieutenant Thompson said hundreds of citations had been issued in areas previously identified by residents, including more than 100 citations by one officer in a single week, but acknowledged that violations continue. One resident proposed keeping a log of repeated police calls and unresolved problems for submission through the board and to the police chief. Another argued that Waikīkī appears to receive more officers and specialized initiatives, such as Weed and Seed and Safe and Sound, than Mōʻiliʻili. The chair said neighborhood board chairs were scheduled to meet the new police chief the following week and invited residents to email questions concerning parking, illegal gambling, homelessness, and enforcement, while also offering to ask the chief to attend a future board meeting. A community member described reducing encampments around his clinic by consistently reporting observable violations, using homeless-service hotlines and 311, coordinating with neighboring property owners, and improving private security; HPD agreed that coordinated, repeated reporting can help.
Kapiʻolani Boulevard Fatality and Traffic Safety
Residents discussed a recent fatal collision on Kapiʻolani Boulevard involving a motorist who reportedly exited at high speed and attempted an illegal U-turn in front of a motorcyclist. Speakers asked HPD and the Department of Transportation Services to consider stronger physical speed controls near the off-ramp and school zones, arguing that reduced posted limits alone will not stop speeding. Suggested measures included speed humps, rumble strips similar to those near the airport, barriers, planters, and other traffic-calming devices. HPD was asked to relay the concerns to DTS. The incident later became central to the Kuile Place traffic discussion because residents fear that a major increase in vehicles entering and leaving the development could encourage more illegal U-turns.
Board Vacancy and Community Participation
The board’s vacant seat remained unfilled and had reportedly been open for approximately two months. Board members encouraged residents from different streets, housing types, backgrounds, and perspectives to apply, explaining that regular service generally involves attending the monthly meeting and reviewing emails between meetings. Members said board service provides more assured time to question speakers and gives members greater ability to place resolutions and other matters on the agenda. The secretary described reviewing video and written summaries to ensure that community comments are accurately preserved in the public record. Although a community member was informally encouraged and nominated, he declined because of his work schedule.
Annual Election of Board Officers
The board conducted its annual officer election. Morgan Lee was reelected chair by 11 votes. Kealoha Helani Wong was nominated for vice chair but declined, after which Drew Erickson was nominated, accepted, and was elected with 11 votes. Erendira Aldana was elected secretary without opposition. Members discussed whether a treasurer was necessary because the Neighborhood Commission Office handles most financial administration; the treasurer primarily reviews costs for board projects requiring money and becomes fourth in the succession order if the chair, vice chair, and secretary are absent. The board retained the position and reelected Justin Menina as treasurer with 11 votes.
Meeting Schedule, Recess, and Temporary Venue
The board discussed whether to continue meeting on the last Monday of each month. A member noted that meetings previously occurred on Thursdays but were moved to Mondays to avoid noise from karate activities at the current venue. Because a schedule change was not listed on the agenda, the board agreed to place the issue on the August agenda after members identify preferred days and verify venue availability. The board postponed deciding its annual recess schedule until the regular meeting day is settled. McCully District Park is expected to be unavailable from approximately October 2026 through March 2027 for renovation or modernization, so the city has explored Makiki District Park as a temporary location even though it lies outside the neighborhood. Members and residents were asked to identify government or nonprofit spaces that might host meetings during the six-month closure.
Kuile Place Electrical and Road Work
Representatives of Albert C. Kobayashi, the project’s general contractor, and Kobayashi Group, the developer, presented an update on Kuile Place. Permitted underground electrical work remains underway around the project frontage on Kapiʻolani Boulevard and Mahiʻai Street, using approved lane closures and contraflow plans. Work is scheduled Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with uniformed police officers on site and a covered pedestrian walkway in front of the property. Future improvements are expected to include drainage, sidewalks, landscaping, underground utilities, and repaving toward Date Street. Representatives thanked nearby residents for cooperating after advance notification. Kobayashi Group said it had not purchased additional properties along Kapiʻolani Boulevard or adjacent streets.
Kuile Place Housing, Parking, and Commercial Space
Kuile Place will contain 1,005 units, replacing 142 former units on the site. Of the new units, 603 are designated affordable and must be purchased by Hawaiʻi residents who occupy them for 10 years and may not rent them; the developer said it did not believe limited-liability companies could purchase those units. The board requested a future breakdown of how many market-rate units were purchased by local versus nonresident buyers. The project will provide more than 1,000 parking stalls, approximately 600 bicycle racks, and about 9,100 square feet of commercial space. The eventual commercial tenant has not been selected, although uses could include retail or a restaurant, subject to restrictions. Some residents welcomed the project as an improvement to the neighborhood and asked that local buyers receive favorable opportunities, while others emphasized that two- and three-bedroom units could produce a population considerably larger than 1,005 people.
Kuile Place Access and Traffic Concerns
The development’s primary access will be from Kapiʻolani Boulevard, with no entrance on Mahiʻai Street. Representatives described three Kapiʻolani access points: one limited to right turns out, a central access allowing right turns in and both right and proposed left turns out, and another serving right turns in and service traffic. A left-turn storage lane is under review with the Department of Planning and Permitting’s Traffic Review Branch and the city, while city reviewers reportedly do not want a new traffic signal because they prefer to maintain traffic flow. The developer said its traffic study found no change in the roadway’s level of service but did not provide projected vehicle counts or percentage increases. Board members and residents challenged that conclusion, noting the increase from 142 to 1,005 units, nearby schools and UH Mānoa, and existing congestion. They warned that left turns could be dangerous, urged right-turn-only access, and asked how residents coming from H-1 would reach the property without making illegal U-turns. The likely legal route would require continuing toward University Avenue or Date Street and circulating back, but no additional access solution has been established.
Kuile Place Sidewalks, Utilities, and Neighboring Properties
The developer said it will construct raised concrete sidewalks, curb and gutter improvements, landscaping, street trees, and drainage along the frontage. The sidewalk was described as at least three feet wide and ADA-compliant, although a board member noted that Honolulu’s pedestrian plan prefers four feet where feasible. Residents questioned whether three feet would safely accommodate people walking side by side, wheelchairs, strollers, children traveling to nearby schools, and shoppers. Monkeypod trees are planned because of city complete-streets direction, although the developer expressed concern that their roots could eventually damage pavement. Residents also objected that work extending toward Date Street could affect driveway aprons or frontage areas without adequate consultation. One nearby owner alleged that heavy project vehicles contributed to a water-main break and a leak that continued for approximately two years, increasing water use and costs. The developer agreed to follow up and coordinate with the Board of Water Supply but did not concede responsibility.
Kuile Place Drainage, Flooding, and Water Reuse
Residents questioned whether the project can handle major storms and a 50-year flood, noting that the area is within the Ala Wai watershed and already experiences flooding. Kobayashi Group said on-site detention facilities will be located beneath the parking system and will satisfy city civil-engineering requirements. Drainage lines are planned from Kapiʻolani through Mahiʻai to Date Street to reduce street flooding. The project will also capture water from showers and laundry for toilet flushing and irrigation. Representatives could not confirm whether the design specifically uses a 50-year-flood standard, stating only that the plans comply with Civil Engineering Division requirements. Residents asked for clearer documentation of detention capacity, gray-water systems, and the relationship between the developer’s engineering plans and city review, and suggested raising these issues with the mayor’s representative.
Kalo/Kālua Mini Park Hours Resolution
A resident presented a resolution to change the hours of the small park identified in the discussion as Kalo or Kālua Mini Park near 1055 Kahalo Place. The park was open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and nearby residents reported regular early-morning and late-night noise, arguments, dogs, suspected drug activity, bicycle and moped chop shops, and occasional violence, including shootings. Because the park is enclosed by buildings, sound reportedly carries directly into neighboring apartments. The presenter said his sleep tracker showed an average of five hours and 23 minutes of sleep over two years and submitted a petition signed by residents from nearly every occupied unit in his building. Parks and Recreation staff had suggested changing the hours to 6 a.m.–7 p.m.; the board amended the proposed closing time to 8 p.m. to preserve evening access while reducing overnight disruption. The board adopted the resolution by 10 affirmative votes, recommending hours of 6 a.m.–8 p.m., and asked for updates on its implementation and effects.
Written Meeting Summary and Community Recognition
Approval of the prior regular-meeting written summary was postponed until August because the secretary was still correcting the record. During community concerns, a resident recognized the late Paul Rabati, recalling that he had listened carefully and responded to neighborhood concerns. The chair said the message would be passed to his daughter. Another resident again encouraged coordinated use of HPD, 311, photographs, neighboring property owners, and legally specific reporting as practical tools for addressing encampments and illegal activity.
Election Participation and Other Community Concerns
Representative Jackson Sayama, speaking as a candidate for Senate District 10, reported that voter turnout stood at 11% and urged residents to return ballots before the August 8 deadline. In-person voting was available at Honolulu Hale Monday through Saturday, and voters were advised not to wait until Election Day because of likely lines. Another speaker briefly suggested that Hawaiʻi lawmakers reviewing marijuana legalization should study the regulatory systems of the 24 states where it is already legal. The same speaker asked residents to envision a quiet water-based crossing of the Ala Wai Canal and distinguished that concept from previously discussed gondolas or aerial systems.
Board of Water Supply Report
The Board of Water Supply reported two June main breaks in the district: an eight-inch break at 902 University Avenue on June 17 and a 12-inch break near Kuile Place at Kapiʻolani Boulevard and Date Street on June 18. The agency promoted its 2026 Unthirsty Plant Sale at the Hālawa Xeriscape Garden, scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring drought-tolerant plants from local vendors, UH Master Gardener plant doctors, rain-barrel information, and free soil conditioner. Residents reported sprinklers running for hours and sending water into streets near Isenberg Street and Market City. Water waste can be reported directly at 808-748-5041 or through the Board of Water Supply website. The agency generally begins with calls or letters to property owners and escalates only if the problem continues; it does not ordinarily impose an immediate fine. Questions about capturing major flood or stream flows were described as primarily within the Department of Facility Maintenance’s jurisdiction, while Board of Water Supply programs focus on groundwater, rain catchment, and recycled wastewater.
Mayor’s Office and City Department Updates
The mayor’s representative highlighted city work on disaster preparedness, appointment of a former Smithsonian National Zoo director to lead the Honolulu Zoo, leadership changes in the managing director’s office, new enclosed refuse receptacles, Kailua infrastructure, and Honolulu’s high public-transportation ranking. DTS is implementing Ordinance 24-32 by reducing school-zone speed limits from 25 to 20 mph between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on school days and installing or replacing signs within 1,000 feet of schools; the work will be phased across more than 200 schools, beginning with public schools. DFM completed new pavement markings and stop/no-parking signs at Kahuna Lane and Pāwili Street on July 1. Drinking fountains at Ala Wai Neighborhood Park and Ala Wai Community Park were reported reinstalled in July. HPD reiterated that enforcement of park closure rules must occur during the legally closed hours, although officers will attempt to minimize neighborhood disruption.
Bus Service, Traffic Reviews, and Biki
The city explained that Route 2 and 2L trips between Kalihi Transit Center and Waikīkī were canceled on June 26 from 2:47 to 3:46 p.m. because of same-day labor shortages and unsuccessful efforts to find replacement personnel. DTS, Oʻahu Transit Services, and bus management are working to better anticipate staffing and equipment disruptions; the city was also asked whether cancellations can be displayed promptly in the bus app. DTS will investigate requests to remove the westbound “No Right Turn on Red” restriction from Kapiʻolani Boulevard onto Date Street and to add a left-turn arrow for northbound Isenberg Street traffic turning onto Beretania Street. The city has entered an agreement with Secure Bike Share Hawaiʻi to support Biki and expects new bicycles and equipment by the end of 2026. Biki currently has approximately 600 active bicycles at 120 stations, but theft, vandalism, normal wear, and damage to its warehouse during recent Kona lows have constrained operations.
HNL 311 Performance Report
The Department of Information Technology presented data for HNL 311, the city’s nonemergency reporting application, which launched December 1, 2025. Through July 27, 2026, the system had received 19,836 requests: 14,334 were closed, 4,759 remained marked received, 687 were in progress, and 56 were canceled because they were duplicates or outside city jurisdiction. Potholes were the most common issue, accounting for 2,967 requests, followed by general “other” reports, abandoned vehicles, and streetlights. The overall resolution rate was 72.3%; average time to the first departmental action was 12 days and 22 hours, and average resolution time was 16 days and three hours. DFM, which receives the largest volume, had a 63.1% resolution rate, an average response time of 20 days and seven hours, and an average resolution time of 20 days and 18 hours. Parks and Recreation had a 72% resolution rate, approximately 13-day response time, and 17-day resolution time. A resident requested that raw 311 data be released through the city’s open-data portal so community analysts can independently examine trends; the presenter said that feature is not currently available but could be considered.
City Council Office Update
Councilmember Nishimoto’s representative reported on an Ala Wai Park cleanup organized with residents and an LGBTQ softball league, with additional cleanups being considered. The office also participated in an e-waste collection and a Mānoa emergency-response event. Residents asked the councilmember to clarify Council Chair Waters’s reported suggestion that Old Stadium Park could become softball fields, noting that fields already exist nearby and that the park is outside Waters’s district. Another resident criticized the office for not responding to repeated inquiries about illegal parking, homelessness, illegal gambling, and concentrations of transitional housing. The representative said Councilmember Nishimoto has pursued legislation to regulate transitional residences through measures such as parking rules and resident-manager requirements, while the resident asked for stronger opposition to further concentration of such facilities in Mōʻiliʻili.
Public Schools and Adult Education
The Department of Education reminded families that the first day of public school would be Monday, August 3. A new statewide cellphone policy prohibits elementary and middle/intermediate students from using phones during school hours. High school students may not use phones during instructional periods, although each school may decide whether to permit use before or after school, during lunch, recess, free periods, or other breaks. Students from households below 300% of the federal poverty level qualify for a free breakfast and lunch each school day and can apply through easymealapp.com. Hawaiʻi also launched the statewide Hawaiʻi State Community School for Adults on July 20, combining the former McKinley and Waipahu systems into one organization serving adult learners at 10 campuses. Programs include high school diplomas, college preparation, English-language learning, and career skills. A resident asked DOE to ensure that consolidation does not reduce neighborhood access, citing the former Kaimukī High School adult program’s enrollment of more than 1,000 participants.
Senator Les Ihara Jr. Update
Senator Les Ihara Jr. noted that approximately two and a half months remained in his 40-year legislative tenure and made copies of a retrospective newsletter available. He introduced his Senate District 10 election challenger, Representative Jackson Sayama, thanked him for running, and asked voters to give both candidates equal consideration. Ihara said his legislative work has emphasized statewide issues with direct neighborhood effects, including homelessness, kūpuna needs, affordability, and the need for durable public systems that do not rise and fall with changes in governors or political leadership. A resident urged longtime legislators to remind colleagues to represent constituents rather than political allies.
Senator Moriwaki’s Office and Kūpuna Legislation
Senator Sharon Moriwaki’s representative reported that Governor Green’s July 15 deadline for signing or vetoing legislation had passed and highlighted newly enacted measures expanding in-home care, improving hearing-loss services, strengthening dementia support, and examining long-term-care financing. House Bill 1974 was identified as the measure addressing hearing screening and care. District 12 also received investments for public infrastructure, environmental work at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, Waikīkī Beach, and Ala Moana Beach Park, with detailed amounts available in the office’s written report.
E-Bikes, Mopeds, and Road Safety Legislation
A state representative reported that Act 29 established a clearer category for high-speed electric vehicles. Electric bicycles exceeding 750 watts or capable of more than 28 mph are treated differently and are generally prohibited from public spaces where ordinary bicycles are allowed. The law also clarifies that mopeds may not use bicycle paths or bicycle lanes and requires riders younger than 18 to wear helmets on e-bikes. Residents asked whether small electric scooters operating in vehicle lanes are covered; the representative said classification depends on power and speed, while any device used at night must have legally required front and rear lighting or reflectors. The representative also urged motorists not to make illegal U-turns on Kapiʻolani Boulevard and pedestrians to look before entering crosswalks, put away phones, and obey flashing or solid hand signals. He expressed disappointment that no signal is currently planned at the Kuile Place entrance and suggested DTS should revisit the issue.
Ala Wai Canal, Watershed Planning, and Noise Cameras
Representative Adrian Tam reported that the State Department of Transportation had spent the prior two months removing overgrown brush and debris from streams feeding the Ala Wai Canal. The University of Hawaiʻi College of Engineering is developing additional stream, flood, and canal-management models, with an update expected the following month. Capital funding for Ala Wai Canal wall repairs is currently for planning and design rather than construction; after a plan and cost estimate are prepared, the governor would need to release construction funds. Residents asked that the Ala Wai Watershed Collaborative and Hawaiʻi Green Growth be included so planning addresses upstream Mānoa and Mōʻiliʻili conditions as well as Waikīkī. In response to renewed complaints about loud vehicles and racing on H-1, Representative Tam said he intends to introduce legislation giving noise-camera enforcement stronger legal authority after the current state pilot’s data-collection phase. He also encouraged the city to fund noise cameras on city roads without repeating the state pilot process.