No 03 Waiʻalae Kāhala Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting March 2026
Listen to this article:
3 Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board Meeting – March 20, 2026
Opening and Member Introductions
Chair Brian Wong and Vice Chair John White convened the meeting, greeting board members and residents who attended in person and online. The board acknowledged that weather conditions could delay some participants’ arrivals. Members introduced themselves, noted the smaller group present, and encouraged participation from the community. The importance of promptly addressing the evening’s agenda was emphasized in order to respect everyone’s time and ensure that pressing matters would be discussed.
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Update
Firefighter 3 Darrell Osato from Engine 5 in Kaimukī reported on February’s statistics, which included 10 activated alarms, 1 structure fire, 40 medical calls, 1 hazardous materials incident, and 2 ocean rescues. He provided a monthly fire safety tip emphasizing proper smoke alarm maintenance. HFD remained dedicated to community education and fielded a follow-up question about a previously emailed inquiry that had not yet been resolved. Although no immediate answer was available, HFD indicated it would relay the question internally and respond at a future date.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) Report
Lieutenant Taro Nakamura shared HPD’s February statistics, comparing them to the prior month. Motor vehicle thefts decreased from 6 to 3, burglaries dropped from 4 to 2, theft cases rose from 10 to 22, and thefts from automobiles (UEMVs) decreased from 6 to 3. Of the approximately 5,229 calls for service in the district, weather-related issues and ongoing challenges with power outages during a recent storm contributed significantly to reports. Lieutenant Nakamura also reminded residents to prepare for unexpected events such as tsunamis, citing a magnitude 7.0 earthquake off the South Shetland Islands that fortunately posed no threat. Questions from the board addressed homeless individuals living in vehicles—a recurring issue that HPD handles case by case. Other concerns included parking enforcement and the recurring community calls regarding individuals occupying rundown or abandoned properties. HPD underscored that addressing homelessness often touches on broader political and social issues, prompting reminders from Lieutenant Nakamura to call 911 whenever situations escalate or appear unlawful.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) Announcement
Lorna Heller from BWS reported no main breaks in Waialae-Kahala for the previous month. She highlighted World Water Day on March 22, explaining how it raises global awareness for the more than 2.2 billion people worldwide who lack access to safe drinking water. The 2026 theme, “Where water flows, equality grows,” underscores the close ties between reliable water resources and community well-being. She reminded everyone to view updates on the BWS website and social media pages, and to consider water’s finite nature when making everyday decisions about conservation.
Department of Transportation Updates and Community Reports
A representative from the Department of Transportation (DOT) was unable to attend, leaving board members to revisit questions on a requested crosswalk at Hunakai and Waialae. This busy intersection has been the site of accidents and near-misses, prompting the board to seek redesigns or greater safety measures, such as a pedestrian scramble or dedicated turning light. A vacant seat in Sub-District 1 was also addressed, though no candidate stepped forward.
Governor’s Representative and Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Updates
Andrew Lawrence, communications director at DLNR, stood in for the governor’s office. He shared updates on the post office’s revised postmark procedures, reminding residents to mail important documents early or seek alternate methods like certified mail. Lawrence mentioned DOT’s ongoing efforts to include diacritical markings on street signs, inviting public review and feedback. He also presented a letter from the Department of Education (DOE) about the long-overlooked property on Puʻu Panini Avenue, revealing that discussions on maintenance and erosion control are ongoing. Residents expressed frustration over minimal tangible progress and asked state agencies to coordinate more effectively. Lawrence was asked for clearer pathways to address debris, homelessness, and illegal dumping in streams that ultimately pollute local beaches. He encouraged residents to continue forwarding photos, locations, and concerns to DLNR, so staff can direct resources appropriately.
Mayor’s Representative Report
Deputy Director of the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) Hong Li delivered extensive updates from city departments. He spoke about the city’s HNL 311 system for reporting issues, the ongoing town hall meetings scheduled by the mayor, and the city’s annual food drive efforts. Li summarized the department’s follow-up to various issues brought up at previous board meetings: homeless concerns requiring coordination with CORE (the city’s Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement program); traffic light retiming on intersections along Kilauea Avenue; installation of no-parking signs at multiple locations, including near Kahala Towers; and progress toward relocation or replacement of aged signage. DTS responded to requests for traffic calming by explaining it must balance vehicle flow along major corridors with neighborhood needs, and also noted that the timeline for sign installation and roadway improvements depends on departmental work order queues. The board expressed thanks for DTS’s responsiveness, especially regarding repeated calls for better pedestrian safety and updated signage.
Elected Officials’ Reports
City Council Chair Tommy Waters attended remotely, emphasizing the current city budget review process. He invited the public to provide input during upcoming hearings and highlighted several local issues. Waters reiterated his support for addressing the Waialae-Hunakai intersection, suggesting a dedicated left-turn arrow and improved pedestrian controls. He noted that city policy on homelessness demands multiple strategies, including potential crackdowns on stolen shopping carts, though the broader solutions still require consistent interagency coordination. Waters also addressed department citations for derelict housing, volunteer efforts to correct sidewalk obstructions, and the city’s continuing goal of removing homeless encampments while working to house as many people as possible.
Representative Mark Hashem’s staff shared legislative updates, including the ongoing flurry of committee hearings. They promoted the spring book sale at the Aina Haina Library and outlined ways the office assists constituents with issues relating to flooding in streams, infrastructure maintenance, and general quality of life. Representative Tina Grandinetti appeared in person to detail her legislative priorities around consumer protections, data privacy, and family tax credits. She mentioned House initiatives to preserve existing social services amid federal cuts. Senator Stanley Chang’s office representative, Zephanie, discussed recent housing legislation chaired by Senator Chang, CIP (Capital Improvement Project) updates relevant to the district, and the importance of raising local concerns about homelessness and property maintenance at the state level.
Homelessness and Ongoing Community Concerns
Community members reiterated that homelessness, illegal dumping, and resulting debris continue to affect daily life, particularly due to storms that washed trash from encampments into canals and the ocean. There were renewed calls for better coordination between city and state agencies, pointing out that each tends to redirect responsibility elsewhere. A recurring complaint involved the difficulty residents face when contacting HPD and other agencies over property encroachments and sidelined vehicles used for human habitation. Specific reference was made to the visible spread of debris during the most recent storm, prompting renewed requests for immediate collaboration among DLNR, the Department of Emergency Management, HPD, and community volunteers.
Proposed Archery Range at Maumai Nature Park
Dr. Grace O’Neill outlined concerns regarding a proposed archery range and facility (a kyūdō dojo) at Maumai Nature Park in Kaimukī. She provided a historical overview of the area’s significance, including heiau sites and the land’s function in ancient Hawaiian communications. O’Neill and other residents worried that constructing a dojo with concrete slabs and large netting would compromise the site’s preservation-zoned land, potentially displace current recreational uses, and intensify runoff and flooding on residential streets. Opponents also questioned the advisability of a private group operating on public parkland, fearing potential precedent-setting for future private development in preserved spaces. A representative from the Hawaii Kyūdō Foundation requested a chance to present a counterpoint at a future meeting. The board agreed to defer any resolution on the matter until both sides could be fully heard, with a plan to add it to the next meeting’s agenda.
Closing and Adjournment
Because of the lengthy discussions on homelessness, public safety, and the proposed archery range, the board could not accommodate all scheduled presentations before the meeting’s close. Chair Wong pledged to prioritize presentations from any individuals or groups who were unable to speak. Attendees were reminded of the importance of consistently attending neighborhood board meetings to stay aware of local developments. The meeting adjourned with gratitude extended to local officials, agency representatives, and residents for their active involvement and cooperation.