No 21 Pearl City Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting January 2026
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21 Pearl City Neighborhood Board Meeting – January 28, 2026
Call to Order and Roll Call
Chair Larry Veray officially called the meeting to order, expressing gratitude to attendees who navigated traffic delays. Although there were preliminary concerns about canceling the gathering, enough board members were on hand to establish a quorum. A roll call confirmed that nine members were present, meeting the requirement for conducting official business. Several board members noted conflicting schedules, and Dan Smith, attending virtually from off-island, experienced connectivity issues. Nonetheless, a full agenda was set for the evening, with the Board prepared to address various community concerns and initiatives.
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Update
Firefighters from Pearl City’s Station 20 presented their statistics from December 2025. The area recorded one structure fire, one wildland brush fire, one nuisance fire, one cooking fire, and three fire alarm activations with no actual fires. Medical emergencies numbered 133, coupled with one motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian, 13 additional vehicle crashes, and no hazardous material incidents. HFD emphasized electrical safety in the home, advising that large appliances be plugged directly into wall outlets rather than extension cords. They reminded residents to ensure cords are not run under carpets or doorways and warned against daisy-chaining power strips. Their appearance concluded with an invitation for questions, a note of appreciation toward the community, and confirmations that they encourage the public to heed all safety tips.
Public Testimony: Hawaiian Immersion and Local Pathways
Two testifiers addressed the Board regarding the need for expanded Hawaiian language immersion programs. Currently, the local immersion pathway ends after sixth grade, compelling families to travel outside the district for continued immersion. Parents requested formal support in urging state educational authorities to pilot seventh-grade immersion locally and ultimately develop a K–12 approach within Pearl City itself. Board members agreed to monitor the process, referencing an earlier resolution in favor of language immersion. They stressed that establishing a clear outline and procedure with the DOE and BOE would help communities move these requests forward.
Public Testimony: Homeless Garbage Collection
An attendee named Mariko testified virtually about homelessness along the rail corridor and proposed a pilot program offering dedicated dumpsters marked for “unhoused garbage collection only.” The suggestion rested on the belief that if displaced individuals had accessible waste disposal, it might reduce the accumulation of debris and lessen the need for disruptive sweeps. The Board noted details of her plan and indicated it would liaise with city officials to explore the feasibility of implementing a pilot study in Pearl City, starting with areas heavily affected by rubbish buildup.
Proposed Agenda Change and Resolution on Community Design (7D)
Board members adjusted the agenda to discuss a resolution introduced by Dan Smith that supports community-based design processes for future facilities, including a proposed swimming pool at Pearl City High School. With Smith temporarily unable to read the resolution himself, Vice Chair Charmaine Duran summarized it, highlighting the benefits of community-driven projects, such as the successful collaboration on a dog park proposal. The Board voted, and the resolution passed with a roll call. The discussion underscored the Board’s ongoing aim to involve students and residents in shaping neighborhood improvements.
Pearl City High School’s Dog Park Proposals
Pearl City High School’s architecture students delivered four dog park concepts for Blaisdell Park. Each plan addressed fencing layouts, areas for large and small dogs, double gates for safety, water features, benches, storage sheds for dog show equipment, and landscaping. The students initially consulted with professional architects, ensuring their proposals accounted for features like shade from existing monkey pod trees and ADA-accessibility. Each concept included cost estimates, with some under $30,000 and others nearing $100,000 once structural details were factored in. The Parks and Recreation Committee intends to use these student-created designs as they coordinate with city and external partners. Board members formally recognized the students and their teacher, praising the creative, professional approach and noting that further coordination with the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation and local dog show organizations is planned.
City Administration Updates
Honolulu’s Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) Director, Gene Abano, summarized key points from the Mayor’s monthly newsletter. He noted new flood risk maps that take effect on June 10, 2026, a renovation at the Waianae Police Station, and updated 311 technology that enables more efficient property and infrastructure issue reporting. Abano responded to queries about waste disposal and homeless encampment challenges, indicating that the city’s new Department of Law Enforcement and other relevant agencies may analyze proposals for homeless support and trash collection, such as those suggested during the meeting. He underscored that while staff resources and logistics remain to be determined, the administration is seeking sensible and sustainable solutions.
City Council Office Reports
A legislative aide for Councilmember Val Okimoto reported on City Council legislative outcomes. One notable measure, Bill 46, requires the Honolulu Police Department to make certain information more readily available to the media and the public. The Council’s Budget Committee is also considering proposals to create a searchable online database of city revenues and expenditures, updated monthly. The aide relayed the councilmember’s intention to meet with Board leadership to establish current community priorities, especially regarding traffic, public safety, and planned facility upgrades.
Governor’s Office
Jeff Hickman, representing Governor Josh Green, recapped the Governor’s recent State of the State Address, emphasizing concerns about healthcare, housing, and budget cost-sharing arrangements at both the federal and state levels. He acknowledged ongoing coordination with Pearl City on topics such as the local bus lane feasibility and the prospective homeless pilot programs. Hickman also confirmed he would follow up on items from the last meeting, including suggestions involving the new Department of Law Enforcement, the potential for using drone technology to address homeless encampments, and the city-state collaboration for traffic congestion reduction.
Department of Transportation (HDOT)
Casey Abbe from the Highway Division responded to several longstanding concerns. He clarified that a new digital sign near Leeward Community College—reminding vehicles entering from campus to yield to traffic from the rail station—is not recommended because the roadway already has signage requiring yielding. He also addressed graffiti concerns around certain skyline support columns, explaining that portions of the columns are under HART’s jurisdiction but that HDOT personnel would collaborate with HART to remove graffiti and keep trash cleared. Abbe showed technical diagrams evaluating a third dedicated left-turn lane at Acacia Road, concluding that it poses challenges if Home Depot continues to have two left-turn lanes. He outlined ways the Board could consider a new capital improvement project should merchant support and community consensus be reached on the redesign.
Legislative Reports
Multiple state legislators provided updates:
• Senator Brandon Elefante introduced his staff, noted a new role as Chair of the Labor and Technology Committee, and affirmed his continued service on the Ways and Means and Transportation Committees. He praised community sign-waving initiatives designed to deter speeding and reported that illegal fireworks incidents appear reduced. Elefante noted that budget decisions are influenced by post-pandemic economic data and asked residents to stay active in the legislative process by submitting timely testimony.
• Senator Rachel Lamasso outlined her goals following her December appointment. She highlighted a push for “Mauka to Makai” stream cleanup and fire-break strategies. She remains interested in forging agreements among government agencies and the military to leverage federal funding for environmental projects and aims to assist kupuna on fixed incomes, noting plans to introduce a new general excise tax break for seniors.
• Representative Gregg Takayama summarized his Health Committee work. He highlighted a measure offering tax credits to private businesses who install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), explaining it could expand lifesaving capacity throughout the community. He is championing legislation to broaden Alzheimer’s support networks and promote online mental health assistance for students as depression rates among youth rise. Takayama also addressed issues at Highlands Intermediate related to speeding and collisions on Ho‘olaulea Street, announcing that he worked with state sheriffs and HPD to increase enforcement.
• Representative Corey Chun, now Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems, emphasized the urgency of biosecurity efforts to manage pests like coconut rhinoceros beetles. He has introduced bills to modify Hawaii’s social gambling statutes after recent illicit gambling house reports in Pearl City, and he is pursuing measures to help residents dispose of trapped feral chickens by streamlining collection and removal protocols.
• Representative Trish LaChica, Vice Chair of the House Education Committee, recapped her ongoing Safe Routes to School program, which expanded a $5 motor-vehicle surcharge to help fund crosswalks, sidewalks, and other improvements statewide. She is seeking clarifications in crosswalk legislation, upgraded bus lane opportunities, and introduced a bill to protect minors by setting guardrails on artificial intelligence chatbots. She reaffirmed her commitment to supporting Pearl City’s education initiatives and invited collaboration from local families and neighborhoods.
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
Navy Region Hawaii liaison Chris Tanahara announced the resumption of community harbor tours and scheduled pier-side ship visits on select Saturdays. She noted that this summer will see the biennial RIMPAC naval exercise and promised updates as the date approaches. A representative from the Navy Closure Task Force Red Hill updated the Board on new leadership transitions and the ongoing tank degassing process. Air quality monitoring data is shared hourly via a mobile app and daily online.
Pearl City Public Library
Pearl City Public Library Manager Vicki Bui confirmed the facility’s planned closure dates and highlighted an upcoming winter reading challenge for K-12 students, conducted in partnership with Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream nonprofit. The library is also offering free classes to introduce the public to 3D printing using donated printers. Renovation planning at the library continues, and Bui said an announcement on a temporary pop-up location would be forthcoming once arrangements are final.
Board of Water Supply
Arlen Ledward, Board of Water Supply representative, reported no water main breaks in December 2025. He focused on expanded rebate programs designed to encourage water conservation, doubling the amounts that residents and businesses can receive for installing certain smart water monitors, high-efficiency toilets, or Energy Star washing machines. Ledward also noted that community members have posed inquiries about underground water flow problems in Pearl City’s cemeteries and indicated that hydrologists could be consulted for more technical analysis.
Closing and Next Steps
Before adjourning, Chair Veray confirmed that minutes from the prior meeting were accepted without amendment. The next Neighborhood Board Meeting is set for February 24, 2026, again in hybrid format at the Momilani Community Center. The meeting ended with reminders of upcoming community events, continued requests for legislative testimony, and assurances of further collaboration with state and city entities. The Chair acknowledged the Board members’ work and thanked the public for their ongoing engagement with important issues affecting the Pearl City community.