No 03 Waiʻalae Kāhala Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting April 2026
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3 Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board Meeting – April 17, 2026
Opening Remarks
Chair Christian Bakevedo welcomed attendees and highlighted that several agenda items were moved to accommodate speakers who were not heard at the previous meeting. He reminded everyone about the one-minute speaking limit for most reports and clarified that adjustments to the schedule were necessary due to a recent storm affecting standard timelines.
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Report
A Honolulu Fire Department representative provided service statistics for the month of March, reporting 15 activated alarms, 39 medical incidents, one motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian, and no other fires. The department’s safety tip centered on evacuation planning, encouraging households to develop multiple escape routes and keeping “go bags” with essential items to ensure timely evacuation in emergencies. Resources such as honolulufire.honolulu.gov and honolulu.gov/dem/buildakit were shared for more information on 14-day disaster kits and community alerts.
Board members and residents asked about specifics of the pedestrian accident, including street details; the HFD representative did not have exact data but promised to follow up. The HFD also reiterated the importance of staying informed through official channels like hnlalert.gov and social media feeds during emergencies.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) Report
Lieutenant Nakamura from HPD compared crime statistics for March with those from the previous month. Motor vehicle thefts remained at three, burglaries stayed at two, general thefts decreased from 22 to 13, and unauthorized entry into motor vehicles (UEMV) rose slightly from three to four. HPD handled 5,697 total calls for service in March.
The HPD safety tip focused on tsunami preparedness, recommending residents check the Department of Emergency Management website (honolulu.gov/DEM) to determine if their home or workplace lies in an evacuation zone. They also highlighted the importance of “go bags” and having a plan ready in the event of a tsunami or other urgent scenario.
A board member raised concerns about a small spike in burglaries in sub-districts 3 and 4, though HPD indicated there was no discernible broader trend. Another board member asked about vacant houses and construction sites attracting criminal activity, and HPD noted that ongoing vigilance and community policing remain vital. Community members also inquired about ways to report and remove oversized commercial vehicles parked longer than legally permitted on public streets. HPD shared that callers should alert officers to mark the vehicle accordingly and return to cite or move it after the legal time limit.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) Update
BWS representative Lorna reported one March main break on Hale Koa Drive. She announced “Detect a Leak Week,” a partnership with City Mill focusing on identifying common household leaks, especially faulty toilet flappers. Events were held at Kahala Mall, and free leak detection dye tablets were distributed there and at other locations, including Board of Water Supply offices and City Mill stores.
A community member described a significant water loss at a neighborhood sprinkler system, stating attempts to contact BWS were unsuccessful by phone. Lorna took note of the address (4240 Kaikoo Place) and promised to investigate. She reiterated that the public should provide specific addresses when reporting leaks so BWS can direct crews efficiently.
Department of Transportation (HDOT) Updates
Casey Abe from the State Department of Transportation followed up on previously reported problems of trash and graffiti in the neighborhood. Maintenance crews addressed graffiti, filled potholes, and are monitoring overgrown vegetation. Abe noted that, due to recent storms, new potholes have emerged and are scheduled for repairs. He also reported on tactile mats for safe pedestrian crossings—and discovered additional missing mats that HDOT is planning to replace. Homeless encampments on state land remain a challenge, and HDOT continues coordinating with its homeless coordinator for outreach and possible relocation of encampments.
Hibiscus Half Marathon
A representative for the Hibiscus Half Marathon announced the 18th annual race taking place on Sunday, May 24. Runners will traverse Kahala-Waialae neighborhoods from 5:30 AM until about 9:30 AM, with no planned full road closures. The event plans to employ around 44 HPD officers for traffic control. The representative also mentioned shorter options such as a 15K or 5-mile run for those seeking a lesser distance.
City and County of Honolulu: Mayor’s Representative and CORE
Mayor’s representative Hong Li addressed responses to recent community concerns:
• Pedestrian Crosswalk Safety: The city Department of Transportation Services (DTS) confirmed that improvements to areas at Hunakai Street and Waialae Avenue fall under the state’s jurisdiction. DTS offered assistance if HDOT pursues upgrades.
• Flashing Beacon and Road Resurfacing: A flashing beacon at Kahala Avenue and Papu Circle was repaired, and upcoming street rehabilitation (Unit 94) aims to improve multiple streets in the area with safety features that align with Complete Streets principles.
• Homelessness: Community members requested an appearance from the city’s Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement (CORE) unit. Assistant Chief of Operations Jeffrey Zukunik from EMS explained CORE’s mission to provide medical and outreach services to the unsheltered population and reduce frequent use of emergency rooms. CORE teams coordinate with HPD, attempt to place willing individuals in shelters, and address urgent needs on-site to help mitigate the burden on traditional EMS. They also partner with mental health professionals for those in crisis who may require involuntary treatment if deemed a danger to themselves or others.
Community members asked about protocols for when an individual repeatedly declines shelter or exhibits disruptive behavior, and the city underscored that constitutional rules limit enforcement if the person is deemed capable of making decisions unless they pose an immediate risk.
Elected Officials’ Reports
Governor’s Representative: Patty Jetty
Governor’s representative Patty Jetty discussed executive office newsletters containing storm recovery updates. She also addressed ongoing concerns about Department of Education (DOE) property maintenance on Pu’u Panini Avenue, where a six-and-a-half-acre DOE-owned lot has caused public frustration due to overgrown vegetation and blocked sidewalks. Jetty promised to relay the board’s and residents’ requests to DOE leadership for ongoing property upkeep and exploration of long-term landscaping solutions. Community members recounted repeated attempts to schedule meetings with DOE officials, seeking a comprehensive maintenance plan and potential community uses for the underutilized lot.
Honolulu City Council Chair: Tommy Waters
Council Chair Waters covered multiple items:
• Proposed Subdivision Bill: Waters thanked community members for opposing Senate Bill 2423, which would have allowed certain property owners to subdivide land into as little as 2,500-square-foot lots by right. He warned that similar proposals might re-emerge in future legislative sessions.
• Primary Urban Center and East Honolulu Plans: Waters stressed how these region-specific plans govern development. He invited the board to consider permitted interaction groups to examine any gaps or amendments that might affect growth in Kahala.
• Homelessness in Kahala: Waters personally toured areas with the board chair to assess encampments, including culverts and other unsuspecting locations. He underscored the difficulty of convincing people to leave the street voluntarily and mentioned his own legislative ideas regarding repeated park offenders.
• Archery Dojo at Maunalani Nature Park: Waters acknowledged strong community concerns and shared that while he originally saw promise in the concept, he now believes a solution must account for widespread neighborhood objections and requires further community engagement.
• Other Items: He highlighted that property tax rates for residential and commercial owners are staying flat, although rising market values may still increase individual bills. He affirmed an ongoing review of a proposed shopping cart ordinance to address abandoned or stolen carts on city streets.
Representative Mark Hashem’s Office
Jane Taylor from Representative Hashem’s office highlighted two legislative topics:
• Stadium Redevelopment: SB 2599 is under review and may significantly shape plans for a new or remodeled stadium.
• Coral Reef Restoration: Several bills would direct additional resources to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) for coral reef management on O‘ahu.
She noted that their office relies heavily on the 311 mobile app for quick tracking of constituent issues such as city maintenance or public safety matters. Those unable to use the app can call the office directly for assistance.
Representative Tina Grandinetti
Chair Bakevedo relayed that Rep. Grandinetti was unavailable to attend but invited the community to an “Art at the Capitol” event, featuring displays throughout the State Capitol along with food and live performances.
Senator Stanley Chang’s Office
A representative from Senator Chang’s office summarized updates on homelessness, stating that enforcement alone will not solve the problem of encampments in Waialae-Kahala and beyond. Housing, mental health services, and support for sobriety are vital as the office works in tandem with city and nonprofit agencies. They also noted ongoing efforts to address repeated power outages in certain areas and recommended that residents promptly report such incidents to Hawaiian Electric for more accurate infrastructure assessments. The senator’s office is compiling resources for homeowners impacted by storm damage.
Proposed Archery Dojo at Maunalani (Maumae) Nature Park
A proposed Japanese archery (kyudo) facility at Maunalani (referred to by some as Maumae) Nature Park generated extensive discussion. Project proponent Bob Dewitz depicted a 0.57-acre facility that would include an open gallery, target house, and meeting room, with range safety and supervised shooting governed by a public-private partnership. Dewitz noted:
• Permanent park ownership by the city.
• Plans for multi-use space (e.g., Tai Chi, yoga), accessible through DPR scheduling.
• Structural features (barriers, walls, netting) designed to eliminate arrow escape.
• Potential synergies with reforestation or park upkeep, including shared irrigation systems.
Opponents argued that Maunalani is a nature park meant for passive use, citing concerns about safety, increased runoff, traffic at a hairpin turn, and environmental changes. Some pointed to a master plan emphasizing minimal development and restricted building in such green zones. Others raised skepticism over whether the city can properly maintain new facilities once donated. Several residents cited a petition with over 1,000 signatures and expressed a desire to keep the area purely for unstructured activities, dog walking, scenic enjoyment, and quiet recreation. Kaimuki Neighborhood Board had previously issued a supporting resolution but more recently formed a permitted interaction group to further investigate both sides and gather wider input. No final vote was taken at this meeting due to lack of quorum.
Other Community Issues and Concerns
Some residents reiterated the need for consistent enforcement of commercial vehicle parking restrictions along residential streets. Others spoke about their desire to see improvements in local parks remain small-scale and oriented toward green space preservation. There were also mentions of the growing burden on city resources when large private or public ventures require long-term maintenance or create additional outlays.
Meeting Conclusion
Chair Bakevedo thanked attendees for their time, emphasizing that while the board could not vote on any matters because of insufficient quorum, the discussions would inform future decision-making. He recognized the upcoming neighborhood board schedule, acknowledged the intensity of opinions on the proposed archery dojo, and extended gratitude to everyone for keeping the debate civil and cooperative despite differing viewpoints. The meeting was adjourned with the understanding that key issues, including park usage, homelessness outreach, and infrastructure concerns, would be revisited at subsequent gatherings.