No 21 Pearl City Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting August 2026
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21 Pearl City Neighborhood Board Meeting – August 26, 2026
Fire and Emergency Response
Honolulu Fire Department firefighter David Towne of Engine 38 at the Wai‘ao Station reported the station’s July 2026 activity. Crews responded to no structure fires, two wildland or brush fires, three nuisance fires, no cooking fires, and four activated alarms where no fire was found. They also handled 121 medical emergencies, one collision involving a pedestrian, four other motor vehicle collisions, one mountain rescue, no ocean rescues, and two hazardous-material incidents. Towne emphasized the need to know how official warnings will be delivered during an emergency. Residents can register at HNLAlert.gov for text, email, or app notifications based on their preferences, while immediate threats may also trigger the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, or outdoor warning sirens. Board members thanked HFD for its response during the recent storms, particularly in Wai‘ao, where high winds toppled many trees. Members noted that firefighters worked with police to clear roads and jokingly praised them for acting as firefighters, roofers, and tree trimmers during the emergency.
Police Statistics and Storm Preparedness
Lieutenant Keoni Hong of the Honolulu Police Department presented July crime and service statistics. Motor vehicle thefts increased from one in June to five in July, burglaries fell from seven to one, thefts rose slightly from 29 to 31, and vehicle break-ins declined from eight to four. Calls for service increased from 1,510 in June to 1,648 in July. Hong advised families to prepare emergency communication and reunification plans, maintain medications, food, water, flashlights, batteries, touch-tone phones, and portable chargers, secure outdoor items, check vehicle fuel, and plan for outages, flooding, road closures, and disruptions to normal routines. He also urged residents to rely on official weather and emergency-management sources rather than unverified social media and referred the public to the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency’s “Get Ready” resources. The board commended HPD for quickly helping clear storm-damaged roads after winds reportedly reached 70 to 80 miles per hour, especially along Komo Mai Drive, and recognized Lieutenant Everett Sakai and board member Gaius Tupio for helping open blocked routes.
Pearl City Senior League World Champions
The board held a community recognition ceremony for Pearl City’s 2026 Senior League Baseball World Series champions. Councilmember Val Okimoto and board member Heidi Weber joined the presentation, with certificates recognizing team manager Ty Takahashi and the players and staff who represented Pearl City and Hawai‘i. The roster read during the ceremony included Aaron Fox, Brady Amatsuka, Evan Potts, Grayson Abe, Boston Schweiger, Justin Reen Kamanau, Kaisen Hueu, Kaisen Kitagawa, Logan Kalyan, Maddox Osei, Noah Propios, Ryden Kohagura, Riley Omine, Kaitlyn Takahashi, and other team members whose names were announced. Takahashi thanked the community and said the team was proud to represent Pearl City at the World Series. Representative Gregg Takayama praised not only the championship but also the team’s sportsmanship and teamwork, while Senator Brandon Elefante congratulated the players for putting Pearl City “on the map.” Officials said the team would receive additional recognition at Honolulu Hale and the State Capitol on September 9. A group photograph was taken during a brief recess.
Mayor’s Updates and Youth Climate Grants
Department of Facility Maintenance Director and Chief Engineer Gene Albano delivered highlights from the August 2026 mayoral newsletter. The city announced redesigned Hawai‘i driver’s licenses and state identification cards with enhanced security features, the first major redesign in 17 years; progress on the Iwilei-Kapālama-area transit-oriented development vision; the swearing-in of David Lazar as Honolulu’s 13th police chief; events commemorating America’s 250th anniversary; reduced school-zone speed limits; and national recognition for greener city parks. Albano also announced that the Youth Climate Action Fund was accepting applications from July 27 through September 7, 2026. The program, administered by the Mayor’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency with the Honolulu Youth Commission, offers O‘ahu youth grants of up to $4,999 to design and implement climate-related projects. Information and applications are available through Resilience Honolulu.
Missing Sidewalks Near Pearl City Highlands Elementary
Albano provided a Department of Transportation Services response to resident Alvin Wong’s concern that children are forced to walk in the roadway where sidewalks are missing along No‘ilani Street near Pearl City Highlands Elementary School. The city has approximately 900 miles of missing walkways along local roads and uses the 2022 O‘ahu Pedestrian Plan to prioritize projects according to such factors as nearby schools, bus routes, and crash history. The proposed No‘ilani Street walkway between Waimano Home Road and Ho‘omalu Street is classified as a Tier 3 project. Subject to funding, the Complete Streets Program will evaluate whether walkways can be constructed in coordination with a future road and pavement rehabilitation project so that related improvements can be completed together.
Storm Debris and Blocked Sidewalks
Several residents and board members pressed the city for a timetable to remove downed trees and branches left by the storms, including debris in Pearl City Palisades and elsewhere. Albano said the Department of Parks and Recreation was leading tree-debris removal, with the Department of Facility Maintenance assisting. Crews had temporarily shifted attention toward flooding preparations for Tropical Storm Moke but resumed tree removal after the storm moved south. A resident manager from Waiau Gardens described two sidewalk sections completely blocked by dead tree debris, forcing parents with strollers and other pedestrians into the roadway. He warned that the dry material could be easily ignited and that leaves could wash into storm drains and obstruct culverts. The city had received assistance from Kaua‘i County and had already used available contractors, but Albano explained that broader private contracting is restricted unless a federal emergency is declared; state emergency procurement authority is narrower. The resident suggested emergency contracting, while the board asked that specific locations and photographs be submitted to Councilmember Okimoto’s office for follow-up.
Crosswalks, U-Turns, and Road Safety
Board members raised several transportation concerns for referral to DTS. One member asked about pedestrian-safety construction near the Pearl City bus facility, believed to include a flashing crosswalk warning system. Another proposed relocating the Nanakai Street crosswalk closer to the intersection of Moanalua Road and Waimano Home Road so pedestrians could cross in coordination with the traffic signal, potentially reducing exposure to turning or through traffic. Board member Heidi Weber questioned a recently installed no-U-turn sign on Kuala Street near Raising Cane’s and the bus facility. She said drivers leaving the restaurant who need to return toward upper Pearl City must now travel to the Foodland-Walmart intersection to turn around, adding traffic to that area. Albano agreed to refer both concerns to DTS. Representative Takayama later confirmed that electrical work near the library was for a pedestrian-activated warning light and suggested similar devices for other Waimano Home Road crossings where fatalities have occurred.
Palisades Park and Drainage Maintenance
The vice chair thanked Albano and the Department of Facility Maintenance for work at Palisades Park, noting that the park looked much better. Particular appreciation was expressed for a two-person crew that entered and cleared a culvert. The discussion reinforced the need to keep culverts and storm drains free of fallen leaves and tree debris during hurricane season, especially because blocked drainage systems can increase flooding risks in steep areas such as Pearl City Palisades.
Councilmember Okimoto’s Community and Storm Report
Councilmember Val Okimoto distributed her monthly report and encouraged residents to use the newsletter’s QR code to subscribe by email. Her report included recovery resources following Hurricane or Tropical Storm Lala and preparedness information for the remainder of hurricane season. She thanked residents who cleared neighborhood areas themselves before city crews could arrive. Okimoto and her staff conducted two site visits along the Pearl City bike path, including areas affected by Wai‘awa Stream and the ABC junkyard. Her office is coordinating with state agencies, the Department of Transportation, and the city Department of Facility Maintenance to address city-owned property, clear debris, and improve stream conditions ahead of additional storms. She asked residents to provide exact street locations and photographs, especially where storm debris blocks school access or forces children and other pedestrians into traffic.
City Council Actions and Capital Projects
Okimoto reported that committee hearings had begun and that the next full City Council meeting would be September 9. Actions approved at the August 12 council meeting included Bill 35 concerning streets, sidewalks, and other public places; Bill 41 concerning transportation; and Resolution 26-129 confirming Krishna Jayaram as managing director, replacing Managing Director Formby. She also responded to a list of Pearl City project requests. Funding for lighting at the Pearl City lower baseball field was included in the current capital improvement budget, although implementation depends on the administration releasing the funds. A requested bus shelter was also added to the CIP, with DTS evaluating whether the site has enough sidewalk and landscaped space. A request to alter signal operations at Komo Mai Drive and Waimano Home Road was previously sent to a traffic engineer; according to DTS Director Roger Morton, the requested change would reduce intersection capacity and worsen congestion. Board members asked that the underlying traffic-throughput study be provided and noted that other DTS staff had viewed aspects of the proposal more favorably.
Pearl City High School Bus Service and Recreation Access
Okimoto said DTS had examined possible city bus routes serving Pearl City High School, but no closer routing was currently considered feasible, leaving students to walk from the nearest stop. A board member suggested that the Pearl City High School student council adopt a resolution formally requesting city bus service closer to the campus or community center, and Representative Trish La Chica’s staff offered to help advance that idea. The board also revisited longstanding concerns about city recreation services. Pearl City Little League has repeatedly sought better permit treatment for legacy youth organizations, field lighting, and a batting cage, while board members said park services have not consistently reflected youth athletics’ needs. Okimoto noted that DPR had just announced a revised online permitting process and invited further questions. She asked for the exact location of the requested batting cage so it could be considered in the next CIP cycle. Members also said the Manana and Pearl City District Park pools close too early and are not available enough on weekends for student activities. Okimoto agreed to investigate operating hours and lifeguard staffing, while clarifying that a pool at Pearl City High School would be a Department of Education matter. She contrasted this with the Kahuku pool project, which is a city-supported public-private community facility rather than a school-only pool.
Homelessness in Parks and Along Kamehameha Highway
The board discussed homelessness at several locations. Okimoto’s office had not recently received specific reports from Pacheco Park, but she urged residents to call HPD whenever incidents occur so a documented record can support enforcement and service responses. At Lehua Park, her staff visited on August 14 and found conditions serious enough that students reportedly could not use the field because unhoused individuals were present while inappropriately dressed or engaging in unsuitable conduct. CIP funds have been allocated for park lighting and restroom improvements, and the office is treating the situation as a priority. Okimoto initially explained that encampments along Kamehameha Highway usually fall under state jurisdiction, though a board member noted that a particular parcel may actually be city property and asked officials to verify ownership. She said her office was not aware of any planned expansion of Kauhale housing projects within the district.
Waimano Stream and Flood Mitigation
Okimoto reported that a fallen-tree obstruction in Waimano Stream had been cleared by August 14 after repeated requests from her office, restoring stream flow and reducing flood risk to nearby homes. She cautioned that the work occurred before the latest storms and that stream maintenance remains ongoing, particularly near the junkyard. Representative Cory Chun later described multiagency inspections of lower Pearl City and Wai‘awa Stream before and after the storms. DLNR cleared the footbridge and three identified obstructions before one storm, yet the area still flooded, suggesting an additional blockage farther upstream or a channel that has narrowed over time. After the storm, six more obstructions required removal. Chun explained that departments have regular maintenance budgets, but emergency proclamations allow agencies to suspend some procurement rules and obtain labor and equipment more quickly. Board members urged agencies to inspect upstream conditions rather than focusing only on lower channels, citing severe flood destruction elsewhere in Hawai‘i as a warning of what concentrated runoff could do in Pearl City.
Stream Ownership, Trees, and Inspection Challenges
During the Wai‘awa Stream discussion, Chun clarified that the state owns and manages waterways, but adjoining private parcels may extend to the stream edge. Trees rooted on private property remain the owner’s responsibility, including when they fall into the channel, although identifying their origin can be difficult. A board member proposed using drones to inspect stream corridors. Chun said drones had been tried, but dense vegetation and tree canopy often prevent a clear view of the water and obstructions, making physical inspection necessary. The chair also asked for a letter calling on the city to trim hazardous trees along Komo Mai Drive without removing roots needed for erosion control, particularly where falling branches or trees could again bring down power lines along a vital access route.
Storm Damage and Komo Mai Drive Power-Line Failure
The chair described a post-storm damage assessment covering Wai‘ao, Manana, Momilani, and Pearl City Palisades. Wai‘ao sustained substantial tree damage and crushed vehicles, while Palisades remained a concern because of large albizia trees. Immediately before the high winds, a power line fell on Komo Mai Drive near Children’s House, backing traffic down to Waimano Home Road and leaving vehicles trapped for roughly five to six hours. Hawaiian Electric reportedly could not safely reach the line during the strongest winds, and police eventually counterflowed traffic. Nearby emergency shelters were a considerable distance away. The chair said the report was meant to document Pearl City’s storm impacts and the need for continued coordination, rather than request a specific immediate action.
Accessible Handi-Van Concerns
Donald Sakamoto, president of Citizens for Fair Americans with Disabilities and a member of another neighborhood board, raised safety concerns about newer Handi-Van vehicles. He said 58 vehicles purchased in 2024 have rear wheelchair lifts that may discharge riders directly into active traffic, onto sloped roads, or at locations without curb cuts. He also described Ford Transit vehicles purchased in 2025 as having narrow side stairs, difficult boarding arrangements, inadequate seating, and poor storage space. Sakamoto asked Councilmember Okimoto to inspect the vehicles with him and inquire with DTS Director Roger Morton and John Lucci about fleet design and deployment. Because portions of the remote discussion were difficult to hear, the chair asked Sakamoto to submit the details in writing for referral and follow-up.
Federal Storm Emergency Declaration
Governor Josh Green’s representative, Jeff Hickman, announced that the president had signed the governor’s requested federal emergency declaration that day. The declaration authorizes Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance and generally provides a 75 percent federal cost share. Although significant work was expected in Ka‘ū, Hickman said all counties would have access to assistance for eligible needs. This directly addressed earlier concerns about exhausted local resources and limits on emergency contracting. Hickman credited residents for preparing well in advance and said state and county agencies had adopted a more proactive posture after previous disasters, positioning personnel and resources even though Tropical Storm Moke did not cause the feared level of damage. Board members commended the state’s more visible preparation and response.
Oke‘eke Street and Possible Teacher Housing
Senator Brandon Elefante reported that he and Representative Takayama are working to resolve ownership and jurisdiction issues on Oke‘eke Street, which fronts Momilani Elementary School and Pearl City High School. The state currently owns the roadway, and the long-term objective is to bring it up to city standards so it can eventually be dedicated to the City and County of Honolulu. Residents may report illegal dumping there to either legislator while jurisdictional issues are being resolved. A board member asked about the state-owned or Department of Health property near Komo Mai and Pumakeke, formerly associated with services for people with disabilities, and suggested using the underutilized parcel for teacher workforce housing. Elefante and Takayama agreed to verify ownership and explore the proposal. The chair noted that the board had adopted a resolution approximately six or seven years earlier supporting housing that would allow teachers to live near where they work.
ABC Junkyard Enforcement and Disposal Questions
Representative Takayama reported that the Department of Health cited the ABC junkyard near the Pearl City bike path in mid-July, imposed a $460,000 fine, and ordered the removal of the accumulated material within 60 days. Although the owners are challenging the order, Takayama said he understood the 60-day cleanup requirement to remain in force and would continue checking with the Department of Health and Attorney General’s Office. The chair had observed trucks hauling away cars and scrap. Former Wai‘anae Neighborhood Board chair Johnny May Perry questioned whether any debris was being taken to an apparent residential dumping location on Piliuka Place in Wai‘anae Valley, where trucks had recently been seen. Officials agreed that illegal dumping would be unlawful regardless of where the material originated and recommended reporting the site to the Department of Health. Participants noted that metal should normally go to a licensed Campbell Industrial Park recycler, but the junkyard also contained appliances, tires, demolition debris, and potentially hazardous materials, making confirmation of lawful disposal necessary.
Illegal Camping on the Palisades Trail
The vice chair reported an increase in illegal camping and homelessness along the Pearl City Palisades trail. A recent encampment included a large tent only inches from the trail. DLNR officers responded, and the campers reportedly said they were hearing impaired, prompting the agency to consider whether specialized housing accommodations might be needed. Neighbors later reported that an individual from the encampment was using a nearby homeowner’s address for deliveries without permission, confronted the owner when packages were returned, and may have entered private property to obtain water. Representative Takayama agreed to follow up with DLNR and determine what laws or enforcement options apply to the unauthorized use of a residential mailing address.
Representative La Chica’s District Activities
A staff member representing Representative Trish La Chica reported continued constituent outreach, storm recovery, and community engagement throughout District 37. After Tropical Storm Lala, La Chica and her staff helped residents connect with agencies for tree removal, road repairs, potholes, and other storm-related problems. Her office helped organize two nights of hot-meal distribution at Kipapa Neighborhood Park, serving more than 800 families with assistance from community organizations, restaurants, city agencies, police, and volunteers. Two postponed graffiti cleanups were rescheduled for September 5 along Waipio Uka Street and September 26 at Rainbow Tunnel in Mililani. La Chica also attended the National Conference of State Legislatures annual meeting in Chicago and participated in the National Asian Pacific American Caucus of State Legislators meeting. Her office introduced interns Jacob Noon, a sophomore involved in the Hawai‘i State Youth Commission, Youth and Government, and student leadership, and Sydney Taisei, a Pearl City High School senior active in band leadership, health-care organizations, mock trial, National Honor Society, blood drives, and community service.
Leeward Community College and UH West O‘ahu
Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza reported that Leeward Community College’s enrollment was flat at the start of the semester, a positive result amid broader population and enrollment declines, while UH West O‘ahu enrollment was down approximately 3 percent. Leeward had nearly 1,100 Early College students—local high school students taking college courses. Campus storm damage was limited mainly to trees and debris. UH President Wendy Hensel was scheduled to visit Leeward’s Pearl City campus on September 16 and UH West O‘ahu on October 7, with a visit to the Wai‘anae Moku Education Center on December 8. Leeward’s Wahiawā site was also scheduled to host the UH Board of Regents on September 17. The Pearl restaurant would serve lunch Wednesdays through Fridays from September 4 through October 9. The “Honolulu in the Heart” exhibit at the Hō‘ikeākea Gallery was scheduled to open August 29 and run through November 14, while an ‘Āina to Mākeke value-added product cohort showcase would be held September 2 at the Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center. Leeward would host Mega Bon on September 12. Peñaloza also described closer coordination between Leeward and UH West O‘ahu, a teacher-education pathway for employed Department of Education educational assistants, and exploration of accelerated 90-credit bachelor’s degrees that recognize workforce experience. UH West O‘ahu is celebrating its 50th anniversary, with major activities planned for October. A board member encouraged UH to move more courses westward to reduce commuting, and Peñaloza said that is part of the institutions’ strategy.
Youth Drug-Prevention Initiative
Zachary Kalyulia of the Hawai‘i National Guard Counterdrug Program and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area initiative presented a youth-prevention strategy developed with the Departments of Education and Health. The initiative seeks to delay or reduce youth use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by moving away from fear-based messaging and emphasizing healthy choices, protective factors, and youth strengths. Kalyulia said most young people are already making healthy decisions, so adults should avoid reinforcing the false perception that all youth vape or use drugs. The three-tier model begins with one-hour community workshops on evidence-based prevention, continues with youth summits that help students identify local problems and solutions, and culminates in youth-led community work groups supported by adults and local resources. Workshops had already taken place in Kona, Hilo, Lahaina, Wailuku, and Hāna, with another planned for Nānākuli. A statewide youth summit involving public, private, and charter schools was being developed for October. Board members discussed hosting a workshop at Momilani Community Center and asked that the presentation be shared through the board’s online drive.
Pearl City High School Homecoming Parade
The board considered Pearl City High School’s homecoming parade, scheduled for Friday, September 25. With no objections, the chair was authorized to send a letter to the Department of Transportation Services confirming the board’s support. The date was corrected during discussion after an earlier draft contained an error.
Navy Region Hawai‘i and RIMPAC
Chris Tanahara of Navy Region Hawai‘i reported that monthly ship tours generally take place on Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m., while narrated Pearl Harbor “white boat” community tours are offered every other month, with the next likely in October. The chair expressed interest in arranging a tour for the Pearl City Lions Club. The Navy had published the final environmental impact statement for the Pacific Missile Range Facility and continued developing an EIS for the proposed homeporting of up to nine medium landing ships at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. These vessels are designed to move troops, vehicles, and equipment directly ashore. RIMPAC concluded July 31 after participating forces completed more than 500 training events, flew more than 2,400 sorties, and responded to over 5,000 scenario-based operational problems. Navy Region Hawai‘i was also preparing for a September 2 change of command, when Rear Admiral Brad Collins would be succeeded by Rear Admiral Rich Jarrett, arriving from Navy Region Southwest.
Red Hill Closure and Restoration
The Navy Closure Task Force Red Hill announced an open house and town hall for September 17 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The first hour would allow residents to speak directly with specialists about tank decommissioning, pipe removal, environmental assessment, and remediation, followed by a presentation and public question-and-answer session. Board member Guy Inouye also summarized a Pearl Harbor-Hickam Restoration Advisory Board meeting covering cleanup work at Pearl Harbor, Hickam, and Red Hill. He directed residents to RedHillERN.com, where the Navy posts cleanup locations, contaminants, schedules, and current project status. He noted that Honolulu Board of Water Supply Manager Ernie Lau and engineer Joyce Lee regularly participate, giving the water utility direct representation in restoration discussions.
Pearl City Library Renovation
Pearl City Library representative Vicki Bowie announced that the library would be closed for Labor Day from September 5 through September 7. Building permits for the library renovation had been approved, allowing the project to move forward, although a firm closure date had not yet been set. The planned temporary pop-up library at Pearlridge was still awaiting access and preparation, but the library expected to be operating there by the end of 2026. September programming would continue with tai chi and chair yoga, although story time would pause. The library would also continue accepting new passport applications and applications for minors, but not renewals. Program information remains available at LibrariesHawaii.org.
Community Events and Recognitions
The board announced that Pearl City High School would hold an open house from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the Thursday following the meeting. Mark Takai Day was scheduled for September 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Momilani Recreation Center. Certificates recognizing the Pearl City volleyball team would be delivered directly to the high school because the entire team could not assemble and some players had already left for college. Staff member Melissa was thanked for preparing more than 40 certificates for the Little League and volleyball recognitions.
Minutes, Broadcasts, and Next Meeting
With no requested changes, the board approved the July 28, 2026 regular meeting minutes as written. The next Pearl City Neighborhood Board meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, at Momilani Community Center with Webex access. Meetings are broadcast on Focus Channel 49 on the second Saturday at 6 p.m. and on the first and third Fridays at 1 p.m. The chair adjourned the meeting after approximately two hours and ten minutes.