No 03 Waiʻalae-Kāhala Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting October 2025
Kahala Waialae Neighborhood Board Meeting
Introductions and Quorum
The meeting began with a welcome from the chair, who noted it was Thursday evening and confirmed a quorum was present. The chair recalled learning about a ballroom dance class in the same room on Wednesdays before the board meeting. A lighthearted tone set the stage, but the chair quickly pivoted to official business. The board attempted to call representatives from the Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Police Department to offer their monthly reports, but no one was present from either agency. The next invited representative was from the Board of Water Supply.
City and State Monthly Reports
Lorna, from the Board of Water Supply, provided a brief announcement on water conservation. She asked residents to reduce water usage by 20 percent due to lower-than-normal rainfall and high water demand. Strategies included turning off the tap while brushing teeth or washing hands, shortening shower times, irrigating gardens in the early morning, and using hose nozzles. She directed the community to the Board of Water Supply website for more tips on water conservation. A board member recounted a positive recent experience with the Board of Water Supply when a crew hit an unmarked water pipe in Ala Moana, and praised the agency’s quick and professional response. Lorna thanked them for the recognition and promised to pass the gratitude to the individuals involved.
The meeting proceeded to the Department of Transportation (DOT) report delivered by Casey Abe. He recounted updates on graffiti remediation and trash cleanup efforts along Waialae Avenue and the H1 eastbound on-ramp. He noted that DOT maintenance crews had patched potholes and addressed a tree needing trimming for safety reasons. Casey then highlighted a plan regarding planter boxes above Waialae Avenue on the H1 viaduct. Due to ongoing maintenance challenges with overgrown vegetation, DOT intends to concrete the area around existing rocks to prevent regrowth. He explained that drainage issues must be resolved so rainwater does not overflow onto Waialae Avenue. DOT also continues to coordinate with the city to address homeless encampments along Waialae Avenue’s underpasses and overpasses, acknowledging the limitations on enforcement. Finally, Casey clarified the red light speed camera system, describing the transition from a warning period to issuing official citations for speeding and red-light infractions. He noted citations can now come from a Honolulu address, correcting past confusion regarding mainland addresses. The chair and community members praised Casey for his thorough follow-up.
Filling of Board Vacancies
The board noted vacancies in Subdistricts 1 and 2 but received no immediate volunteers. The chair invited anyone interested to step forward, emphasizing the important role that board members play in representing the community and helping shape local priorities. When no one wished to fill the positions, the board proceeded to the next items on the agenda.
Elected Official Reports
Patti Jetty, from Governor Josh Green’s office, provided the Governor’s newsletter link in the chat and addressed a recurring concern regarding a Department of Education (DOE) property on 22nd Avenue. She read an update indicating that DOE janitors are clearing outside sidewalks three days a week, with volunteer assistance on select weekends. She stated DOE is seeking external contractors for additional maintenance and relocation of some shipping containers on the property. The chair thanked her for the progress and requested that affected neighbors be included in scope-setting discussions for potential contracts.
No representative from the Mayor’s office spoke, so Tasha from Council Member Tommy Waters’ office offered updates regarding a homeless encampment cleared at Waialae Beach Park. She also noted that the Department of Facility Maintenance and the Department of Community Services have been notified of other concerns in the area. Tasha further explained that a property on Waialae, which has an outstanding Notice of Violation from the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), is still undergoing inspection, complicated by boarded-up doors and windows. Tasha noted recent legislation sponsored by Council Member Waters increasing homeowners’ property tax exemptions to provide additional tax relief. She also described council resolutions reaffirming support for the May 9 Red Hill Unified Statement and for Kamehameha Schools’ mission to serve Native Hawaiian communities.
Representative Tina Grandinetti arrived in person after attending another event. She described a recent lawmaker listening session at Liholiho Elementary School, which featured House leadership who spoke with approximately 60 community members about state budget priorities, climate change, water resource management, and balancing development with environmental considerations. She underscored the legislature’s focus on addressing wealth inequality and strategizing for federal funding shortfalls. Residents and board members thanked her for her community engagement.
Resident Community Concerns
The chair invited the public to share questions or announcements. A representative from Kapi‘olani Community College announced an open forum for the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services finalist. The forum will be held on Wednesday, October 29 from 11 AM to noon in the NĀIO Building, Room 202A, and is open to the public. The college emphasized the importance of community input given that the position oversees facilities, security, and campus grounds.
Another resident, Dallin, voiced concerns about bus route frequency. Specifically, he mentioned the Route 1 bus, which he feels should run more often in the late evening to match the new Skyline rail service that now operates until about 10:30 PM. He proposed an increase to a 20-to-25-minute interval. The board acknowledged this concern and invited further discussion with transit officials.
Shangri-La CUP Modification Request
The evening’s most detailed topic was a request from the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art (Shangri-La) for a letter of support to modify their Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Executive Director Ben Witts (spelled in the transcript as Weitz) summarized Shangri-La’s mission to host more events aligned with cultural, diplomatic, and philanthropic goals. He explained the CUP modification seeks to increase flexibility for evening events, expand attendance limits in a carefully managed manner, and reduce the need to cancel daytime tours whenever evening gatherings occur. The foundation pointed to its long history of community service, significant grants contributed to local organizations, and an emphasis on sound and parking controls intended to minimize disturbances.
Several neighbors expressed concern, emphasizing that the proposed changes would bring large-scale events—potentially with hundreds of attendees and multiple shuttle vans—into a quiet residential neighborhood. Neighbors asserted that the request was a major modification rather than a minor one, based on the number of potential evening activities and the increased visitor capacity. They worried about traffic, parking, noise, and heightened activity infringing on their quality of life. Some shared personal stories of being disturbed by tour vans, late evening headlights, and amplified sound in the past year. Others in the community noted Shangri-La’s positive contributions and unique potential to foster cultural and diplomatic exchange, but acknowledged the need to address neighbors’ legitimate concerns.
Planning consultant Jim Hayes explained that CUP “minor” applications can be elevated to a “major” or at least trigger a formal hearing if DPP decides it is warranted. He reassured those present that DPP tends to be thorough in evaluating complaints and may impose, or alter, permit conditions if negative community impacts exceed allowable limits.
After lengthy discussion, board members agreed to postpone any formal vote on issuing a letter of support. They encouraged Shangri-La and its neighbors to convene directly to clarify details, seek compromises, and devise solutions that address both the foundation’s goals and residents’ concerns. The matter was deferred to a future meeting to allow more collaborative outreach and efforts toward potential consensus.
Other Agenda Items and Adjournment
Under new business, the chair announced an upcoming event, “Sip, Shop, and Sparkle at Kahala Mall,” a ticketed shopping and liquor event scheduled for November 8 from 5 to 7 PM. The board also acknowledged the Val Nolasco Half Marathon set for November 9, noting potential road closures in the Diamond Head and Kahala areas. Participants were directed to Shaka Racing’s information channels for race maps. The Honolulu Charter Commission continues to invite public input, with proposals due by November 7. The next regular board meeting will be on November 20, where some of these discussions are expected to resurface. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, and attendees expressed appreciation for the engaged dialogue throughout the evening.