No 03 Waiʻalae-Kāhala Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting November 2025
Kahala Wildlife Neighborhood Board Meeting
Introduction
Chair Christian De Quevedo opened the meeting by welcoming attendees to the Kahala Wildlife Neighborhood Board session. After asking everyone to sign in, he introduced himself as chair and acknowledged the other board members present. He noted some lighter remarks about attendees’ attire, expressed the desire for everyone to be heard, and announced that several city and state agency representatives were on the agenda. He also reminded the public that certain items, notably a major discussion on the proposed Shangri-La Conditional Use Permit (CUP), would take place later. The chair established procedural guidelines, particularly emphasizing that questions and comments would be entertained after each agency report.
Honolulu Fire Department
Captain Ahuna from the Climate Key Fire Station provided incident statistics for October 2025: zero structure fires, zero wildland brush fires, zero nuisance fires, zero cooking fires, and two activated alarms. For emergencies, there were 38 medical calls, zero motor vehicle collisions involving pedestrians, three motor vehicle collisions, zero mountain rescues, one ocean rescue, and zero hazardous material incidents. He delivered a fire safety tip focused on cooking safety, reminding everyone of the increased risks during the holiday season and advising residents to remain in the kitchen while cooking, keep children away from heating appliances, and avoid using the stove when sleepy or under the influence of alcohol. No pressing questions were raised aside from general requests for more detail and thanks for the department’s work.
Honolulu Police Department
A request was made for representation from HPD, but no officer or official was present. Attendees were asked to hold any police-related questions until a later time or the next meeting.
Board of Water Supply
A representative named Lorna reported that one main break occurred on October 2 along Alea Loa Place. She provided information on the Board of Water Supply’s protocol for repairing main breaks four inches or larger, encouraging residents to monitor the Board of Water Supply website and social media for updates. She also addressed a question regarding a water main project near Wildlife Beach Park and committed to returning with more details at the next meeting. Residents reiterated that updates on all major projects in the neighborhood would be appreciated.
Hawaii Department of Transportation Highways
Mr. Casey Abe, representing the state’s Department of Transportation (DOT), offered updates on recent and scheduled maintenance. He noted that trash had been cleared along the fence line between Wildlife Avenue off-ramp and the H1 eastbound lanes. Graffiti has been an ongoing issue, but crews recently repainted over defaced structures, and he pledged continued vigilance. DOT addressed potholes at the intersection of Wildlife Avenue and Kilauea Avenue, patching the largest ones until full resurfacing (planned for 2028) can occur. He suggested anyone seeking an expedited project timeline contact state legislators who help shape the DOT’s budget.
Filling of Vacancy
The board mentioned a vacancy in Sub-District 1, encouraging community members from the Kahalanu‘i area to join the board. No one stepped forward at this meeting, and the chair invited interested persons to volunteer in the future.
Attendance at Other Meetings
A board member reported on attending a gathering between neighbors and the Shangri-La representatives, noting the turnout was high and the dialogue substantial. He summarized that the meeting centered around Shangri-La’s proposed CUP changes and indicated that Shangri-La would be submitting updates soon. The board asked residents interested in speaking on the Shangri-La matter to wait until later in the evening.
Governor’s Representative
Ms. Patty Jetty, representing the Governor’s office, had no specific reports but shared the Governor’s newsletter and offered to relay any community concerns back to the office. There were questions about late-night helicopter noise; she explained that military training exercises often cause helicopter traffic but could not confirm details. Residents also voiced concerns that the state Department of Education had not been maintaining a six-and-a-half-acre lot near Puʻupanini Avenue, causing a dangerous sidewalk blockage. Ms. Jetty agreed to follow up with DOE, acknowledging the frustration over lengthy delays.
Mayor’s Representative
Deputy Director of Transportation Services, Mr. John Nouchi, provided highlights from the mayor’s newsletter, including the recent expansion of the Skyline rail to Pearl Harbor and the Honolulu International Airport, temporary relocation of the city’s Early Education Center, new sewer rates set for January 2026, and an upcoming Royal Hawaiian Band concert. Beyond that, he offered details on bus Route 1, stating frequency is already high during peak hours and they will continue monitoring ridership data. For traffic signals in the neighborhood, the city found that some signals are in “demand mode,” meaning they stay green unless triggered for crossing, but residents believe further adjustments are needed. He also addressed concerns about the school drop-off congestion at Wilson Elementary, suggesting “walking school bus” programs and exploring possible engineering solutions to longtime traffic problems. Finally, the mayor’s representative pledged to look into homeless encampments, notably at Ocean View Cemetery, as well as to coordinate with other departments to ensure community safety.
City Council Updates
Council Member Tommy Waters attended in person. He discussed the high cost of living and property taxes, recently passed bills to raise homeowner exemptions, and the possibility of eliminating the “residential A” category that heavily burdens owners of second homes assessed over one million dollars. On affordable housing, he expressed frustration that many approved projects move slowly and reiterated the concept of an Empty Homes Tax to push unoccupied investment properties into circulation. Council Member Waters also covered the need for a new landfill or an extension of the Waimanalo Gulch site and the planned rise in sewer fees, which he opposed due to concern for residents and an alternative idea of using unfilled city position funds to mitigate rate hikes. He warned of continued vigilance on Red Hill contaminations and the possible expansion of filtration systems for Honolulu’s water supply. Addressing district concerns, he noted that Wilson Elementary’s drop-offs still cause traffic snarls, and he has visited the area with city engineers seeking a potential redesign or safer approach. Finally, he alerted attendees that helicopter overflights might increase due to military training routes. During his question period, neighbors raised concerns about a large tour bus parked illegally and other traffic signal problems. Waters said he would strive to find solutions, remain transparent, and advocate for the community.
State Legislative Updates
• Representative Tina Grandinetti spoke briefly about coordination on the same DOE facility behind Puʻupanini Avenue and promised to keep pressing for action. She shared upcoming legislative priorities such as addressing Hawaii’s housing crisis, pharmaceutical costs, and direct assistance to new mothers under her Working Families Caucus. She also announced staffing changes, noting her Office Manager would soon change. • Representative Mark Hashem was notably absent despite being announced on the agenda, with no update provided. • A staff member from Senator Stanley Chang’s office, Casey Shoji, gave a short overview of upcoming holiday parades and life insurance benefit alerts from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. He referred attendees to the Senator’s newsletter for more details.
Community Concerns
Residents raised various road safety issues, particularly speeding on Keala‘olu and other roads, ongoing homeless encampments, and reductions in EMS services. One ex-EMS worker expressed concern about cuts in ambulance coverage, urging the board to consider the effect on public health and daily life. The board noted that HPD and city representatives will be reminded of these concerns for future updates or enforcement actions.
Other Board Business
The board approved the October 17 meeting minutes without objection. The chair floated ideas for alternate meeting venues, particularly the Kapi‘olani Community College Culinary School, and noted the board will pursue that option. A resolution to establish the Waialae Kahala Neighborhood Board’s Community Advisory Committee on the Primary Urban Center Development Plan and the East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan was introduced. In a rare display of collaboration, two board members who previously disagreed jointly sponsored it, and the board unanimously approved. This committee will review both plans, identify updates, and recommend priorities rooted in ahupua‘a management principles.
New Business
Several matters arose:
- Discussion on 2025 EMS service reductions, mentioning staff shortages and concerns for longer response times.
- A liquor license request tied to the upcoming Sony Open Golf Tournament, which the board noted has historically involved shuttle pick-up and traffic management. No major objections or concerns were voiced at this meeting, though potential bus parking troubles were mentioned.
Shangri-La Conditional Use Permit Discussion
The chair introduced the long-anticipated debate over proposed CUP changes for Shangri-La, originally Doris Duke’s private home but now an Islamic art museum. Shangri-La’s representatives, Deputy Executive Director Lea Major and colleague Ben, summarized the updated request, stating they reduced the originally proposed events by 53% in certain categories after extensive conversations with immediate neighbors. This revised plan would allow up to 30 evening events annually, a daily cap of 250 attendees, four large daytime gatherings, overall smaller meeting sizes, and better communication and staffing to mitigate noise, traffic, and related disturbances.
Neighbors who spoke remained divided. Some expressed gratitude for Shangri-La’s cultural value, philanthropic efforts, and proposed measures to lessen impact. Others directly opposed any commercial-like expansion in an otherwise quiet residential area. Multiple longtime residents complained about noise from increased visitor shuttles, concern for property values, disruptions to everyday life, and the sense that nonconforming use in a residential zone should remain far more limited. Several neighbors called for a cap of 96 visitors—a figure they said aligned with the original Doris Duke vision and previous CUP agreements. Shangri-La supporters — including local arts leaders — highlighted the museum’s importance for diverse, mission-driven cultural events and insisted adjustments would continue to manage noise and traffic.
Board members recognized the tensions, noting that multiple neighborhood meetings had occurred with no definitive resolution. After significant testimony, a motion was made and passed to postpone any final board vote until the subsequent meeting. This move aimed to allow further dialogue between Shangri-La representatives and those opposing the expanded operations. Shangri-La’s CUP request will be revisited in January 2026, though residents expressed concerns about an earlier DPP hearing date in December.
Conclusion and Adjournment
As time constraints mounted and the facility’s closing hour approached, the chair concluded the meeting by acknowledging all participants — from city departments to concerned residents — and stressing the need for ongoing collaboration. The board will recess in December 2025, with the next meeting scheduled for January 15, 2026, at the ʻĀlawai Golf Clubhouse unless venue changes occur. The chair reminded the community to check updates for the Shangri-La CUP discussion and other pressing neighborhood matters on the agenda for early 2026.