No 24 Wai'anae Coast Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting October 2026
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24 Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board Meeting – October 7, 2026
Opening, Meeting Protocol, and Lack of Quorum
The chair called the meeting to order and reminded participants that public testimony was limited to two minutes, speakers should line up at the microphone, and comments should be directed through the chair rather than at other participants. Because the sergeant-at-arms was absent, the chair was simultaneously running the meeting, timing testimony, and taking notes. Board member Cross Crabb offered the opening oli, and board member Haupu delivered a prayer asking for safe travel, guidance, and pono deliberations for the community’s benefit. Only four of nine board members were present: three members had reported that they would not attend, and another was delayed by car trouble. The board therefore lacked quorum and could not take formal action. No board member declared a conflict of interest when that agenda item was called, and all pending board-business items were ultimately deferred.
Honolulu Police Department Crime and Service Report
District 8 Community Policing Corporal Corey Makino, joined online by Sergeant Fumi Morioka, reported September crime and service statistics. District 8 recorded 15 motor-vehicle thefts, including five in Waianae; 16 burglaries, including 10 in Waianae; 85 thefts, including 27 in Waianae; and 11 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles, including three in Waianae. Police issued 923 citations, including one for speeding, 328 for moving violations, and 312 for parking violations. District 8 received 7,255 calls for service, of which 1,990 originated in Waianae. In response to prior board questions, HPD found three burglaries during the two most recent major Waianae power outages—two residential and one commercial. A review of the previous two months identified six cases in which witnesses reported that firearms were used or observed. HPD also clarified that it generally cannot tow abandoned vehicles on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property unless a vehicle obstructs access; otherwise, removal must be handled through DHHL, although HPD may issue citations.
HPD Workforce Data and Community Follow-Up
Resident Jermaine Myers asked HPD to provide demographic information on current officers and applicants, including how many are Native Hawaiian, what other ethnicities are represented, and whether Hawaiian officers speak ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. Myers also asked whether former Chief Louis Kealoha spoke Hawaiian. HPD said those questions would need to be referred to human resources because the statistics were not immediately available. Myers emphasized that, as a Native Hawaiian resident, he placed the greatest priority on police responding effectively to emergencies and protecting the public, regardless of whether an officer speaks Hawaiian. Johnny Mae Perry followed up on a previously reported “Hey, sexy” roadside sign along Farrington Highway in Nanakuli; Sergeant Morioka said the matter was still being worked on. The chair requested HPD’s written statistics and was told they had been emailed shortly before the meeting for distribution to the public. Community members also thanked officers for responding under difficult workloads and conditions.
Ocean Safety Incidents and Lifeguard Staffing
Ocean Safety District 4 Captain Kelly “KK” reported 29 emergency calls during September. Two CPR incidents occurred: one involved a tour-boat patient brought into Ko Olina for transfer to emergency medical services, and another occurred in the restroom at Maile Point, where the person was reportedly resuscitated. Ocean Safety responded to a capsized small fishing boat at Lahi Lahi Beach Park, multiple high-surf rescues at Maile Beach Park, a canoe in distress while traveling from Nanakuli to Makaha during hurricane-related southwest winds, and an overturned vehicle at Ko Olina. Lifeguards assisted multiple people ashore near beach area 43, treated breathing difficulty and a scooter crash at Makaha Beach, and transferred a nine-year-old who had swallowed water at Pokai Bay to EMS; the child was believed to be recovering. Shark sightings were reported at Pokai Bay, Maile Beach Park, and Makaha, while monk seals or pups were seen in Nanakuli, Pokai Bay, and near the Ocean Safety substation. Box jellyfish were reported near area 43. Other incidents included a blue Tacoma reportedly firing shots into the air at Maile Beach Park, trash-bin fires at Tower 45 in Pokai Bay and at Maile, and two men removed from a beach for engaging in sexual activity in front of children. A large kiawe tree fell near the fire station and substation during storm conditions, temporarily requiring staff to hike around it; the tree was cleared, the phone line remained down, and operations continued throughout the storm. KK also reported that all occupants of the capsized fishing boat were safe and that Ocean Safety recently recovered another Waianae vessel near Kaena Point after its anchor apparently slipped. Asked about chronic lifeguard shortages, he said a recruit class expected to finish around November 1 should provide five additional personnel to the district.
Board of Water Supply Operations and Outage Conservation
Board of Water Supply representative Koihilo reported one September water-main break: an eight-inch main on Kowili Street on September 12. No upcoming BWS construction was expected to affect traffic. The agency reminded residents that electric outages limit its ability to pump groundwater into reservoirs, leaving only stored reservoir water available until electricity returns. During outages, residents were asked to restrict use to drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene and to continue conserving after power is restored so pumps can refill reservoirs. Pressure and service may recover slowly after prolonged or widespread outages. Updates are available through the BWS website and official media channels. A water-conservation petition previously submitted by board member Jo Jordan remained before the Commission on Water Resource Management, with no hearing date. BWS also explained that “Imagine a Day Without Water” is a national observance intended to highlight water’s role in daily life, emergency preparedness, watershed protection, and the “one water” concept—not a warning that Oahu is expected to lose water service. Long-term reliability is being addressed through groundwater sustainability, watershed protection, system capacity, conservation, infrastructure investment, the Water Master Plan, the Waianae Watershed Management Plan, partnerships, and capital projects.
Water Use by Tourism, Military, Agriculture, and Makaha Development
Residents asked BWS for a sector-by-sector accounting of water consumption by households, tourism and hotels, agriculture, and the military, along with information on whether tourism and military users contribute proportionately to infrastructure costs and what measures prevent visitor-related waste. BWS agreed to research the matter for the next meeting. Higinani Naluwai also asked whether BWS had met with Anamira Makaha, KH Group, or Makaha Valley Country Club LLC entities 1, 2, 3, or 5 concerning water demand from the proposed Makaha development and, if so, what resulted from those discussions. The representative recorded the question for follow-up.
Army Training, Kolekole Pass, and Aircraft Noise
Lieutenant Colonel Stroh reported no significant Army training impacts to Waianae during October. He gave advance notice of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center rotation scheduled for November 7–16, primarily affecting Dillingham, Kahuku, Schofield Barracks, Barbers Point, YPO Point, and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam; Waianae’s most likely impact would be rotary-wing flight activity. The Army agreed to send the chair written information about the exercise and a biography of the new commanding general. Addressing earlier questions, Stroh said Kolekole Pass may open during a crisis when coordinated, but he knew of no current plan to open it. Army helicopter movements are planned before takeoff, but once airborne they are governed by Federal Aviation Administration requirements and local air-traffic control; pilots are instructed to maintain altitude and avoid communities where possible. A Maile resident reported a helicopter gunship flying unusually low over his home at approximately 10 a.m. that day. Stroh advised residents to use the noise-complaint number listed on the board agenda so incidents can be investigated promptly.
Military Role, Emergency Preparedness, and Conduct Concerns
Community testimony reflected both support for the military’s role in protecting Hawaiʻi and concerns about environmental harm, historic occupation, and local disaster readiness. Jermaine Myers thanked service members while noting the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Pearl Harbor, September 11, and the community’s inability to provide adequate evacuation sites during recent storms. Myers said the military should remediate harms it causes, including fuel contamination and unexploded ordnance. Another resident described an incident at Kiahuaula Beach near Second Dips where lifeguards ordered people out of the water after a blacktip shark sighting, but a group believed to be military personnel argued with the lifeguard, threw rocks into the ocean, shouted that they were unafraid, and reentered the water while swearing. Stroh said he was unaware of the incident but that military disciplinary mechanisms could apply if those involved were identified. Residents were directed to retain the Army contact number listed on the agenda. Other participants thanked the military for assisting during repeated hurricanes and storms.
Hawaiian Electric Critical Pole Hardening Program
Nakoa Garcia of Hawaiian Electric presented the company’s Critical Pole Hardening Program for the Waianae Coast. The project is intended to reduce wildfire ignition risks, strengthen the grid against high winds and coastal deterioration, improve reliability, and preserve ingress and egress routes for residents and emergency responders. Hawaiian Electric is prioritizing poles according to wind exposure, vegetation density, proximity to critical infrastructure, wildfire risk, and the importance of evacuation and access corridors. Up to 30 poles in Makaha are targeted during 2026 along Farrington Highway from Kaulubaha Road to just beyond Kili Drive. As of the day before the meeting, 10 high-priority poles between Kili Drive and Makaha Valley Road had already been replaced without lane closures or outages. Depending on site conditions, aging wood poles will be replaced with fiberglass composite or steel poles, structural hardware will be strengthened, and some lines will receive covered conductors with heavy-duty insulation to reduce faults from line-to-line or object contact. Vegetation management is also part of the larger wildfire strategy.
Pole Replacement Schedule and Traffic Impacts
The Waianae work is part of a three-year program that began in late July 2026 and is expected to address more than 100 poles overall. The next five Farrington Highway poles were scheduled for replacement during November and December 2026 and were expected to require partial lane closures. Hawaiian Electric said traffic advisories would be issued in advance, while exact timing could change because of permits, field conditions, weather, traffic control, and operating needs. Night work may be requested when it would reduce community impacts, but approval depends on coordination with the state Department of Transportation and site-specific safety considerations. The chair noted that Hawaiian Electric regularly sends the board notices about pole work, including replacements on Waianae Valley Road, and that those notices are circulated to available community email lists. Residents who believe a pole is in imminent danger of falling were urged to contact Hawaiian Electric so the condition can be investigated as a possible emergency replacement.
Pole Ownership, Funding, and Public Safety Shutoffs
A resident reported approximately 13 deteriorating utility poles between Hakimo Road and Sea Country and asked which company should be contacted. Hawaiian Electric explained that not every attachment or pole belongs to the electric utility—lower bundled lines commonly belong to telephone or cable providers—but agreed to help identify ownership and initiate investigation. Board member Crabb asked whether funding for the hardening program had already been secured or whether customers would face higher rates. Garcia said funding varies by project: some work is previously budgeted, while other projects require Public Utilities Commission approval, and he offered to connect the board with staff who could provide a project-specific answer. A resident asked whether the upgrades would eliminate Public Safety Power Shutoffs, described as disproportionately affecting Waianae. Hawaiian Electric said grid hardening is intended to reduce the conditions that make shutoffs necessary, but PSPS remains an ongoing statewide safety program influenced by weather, terrain, access, climate, and other risks.
Electric Bills, Storm Recovery Charges, and Reliability Concerns
Several residents objected to “emergency cost recovery,” reconnection, or re-energization charges they said appeared on bills after storm-related outages, with reported amounts ranging from more than $100 to approximately $300. Residents argued that customers should not be charged for restoration after disasters outside their control and requested immediate explanations rather than waiting for a Public Utilities Commission meeting. Others asked whether the program had full funding, why hardening had not occurred decades earlier after Hurricane Iniki, how many poles would be upgraded on the mauka and makai sides of Farrington Highway, whether outside utility crews could accelerate the work, and whether upgrades would prevent outages. Hawaiian Electric said its crews have mutual-aid relationships with other utilities, including PG&E, whose personnel have assisted Hawaiʻi after emergencies, but it did not provide a precise mauka-versus-makai count. The critical hardening work is concentrated mainly along Farrington Highway, with some nearby poles included. Garcia committed to forwarding billing and funding questions to appropriate staff.
Vegetation Management and Wildfire Prevention
Resident Aaron Boettcher warned that heavy rainfall and a developing strong El Niño pattern could accelerate invasive grass growth around transmission corridors, increasing wildfire danger when vegetation dries during spring and summer. He asked whether Hawaiian Electric planned additional vegetation management beyond pole replacement. Garcia said the utility’s broader wildfire program includes vegetation-management work, collaboration with landowners and government agencies, AI-enabled cameras used to detect smoke, sparkless fuses, lightning arresters, and other ignition-reduction measures. Because he was not the vegetation-management specialist, he offered to connect residents with that department for detailed plans. Community members also urged Hawaiian Electric and the PUC to meet directly in Waianae so kūpuna and residents without internet access or QR-code familiarity could participate without traveling to Kapolei.
Public Utilities Commission Meeting and Community Access
Hawaiian Electric announced a Public Utilities Commission informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. the following Thursday in the Kapolei High School cafeteria. Topics were to include the utility’s response to the Konalo storms and Hurricanes Lala and Lowell, resilience and reliability options, and opportunities for public feedback on planning. The PUC was conducting a statewide series of meetings, recording the proceedings, accepting online and email submissions, and planning a written-comment period after the final meeting. Residents argued that Waianae-specific concerns should be addressed locally and promptly through the neighborhood board, elected officials, and direct utility contacts rather than requiring travel to Kapolei. Hawaiian Electric agreed to provide contact information, work through the board and elected leaders, and route specialized questions to responsible staff. One speaker also questioned Hawaiian Electric’s ownership and historical relationship to the Hawaiian Kingdom; the chair asked that any available response be emailed for public distribution.
Hana Street Residential Replacement and SMA Environmental Review
Environmental consultant Mark Howlin conducted the required public hearing on a draft environmental assessment and Special Management Area major application for a condominium-property-regime development on Hana Street. Applicant Tony Hernandez proposes to demolish and replace only the front dwelling of a four-home CPR project, retaining the existing footprint and foundation; the other three units would remain unchanged. The estimated cost exceeds $500,000, triggering SMA major review, and the parcel covers 22,852 square feet at the end of Hana Street. The master condominium owner is Hana Plantations, and neighboring owners were mailed notice of the hearing. Because the property contains more than two dwellings, it must undergo an environmental-assessment process before the SMA review. The site is not on the shoreline, lies about 105 feet beyond projected erosion impacts, is outside mapped high-wave and hurricane-surge effects, and is within an AE flood zone requiring flood insurance.
Hana Street Design and Environmental Conditions
The Hana Street replacement would use the same foundation and would not increase the ground elevation, addressing concerns that raising the lot could redirect runoff onto neighboring properties. The existing second-floor enclosed lanai would become part of a full second floor, but it would not create a separate dwelling unit and would remain within the same overall footprint. Proposed conditions include verifying clean imported soil, using dark-sky lighting to reduce effects on migratory birds, stopping work and contacting the Department of Land and Natural Resources if protected wildlife enters the site, and stopping work and notifying the State Historic Preservation Division if cultural artifacts are discovered. Because the property contains clay soils with rapid runoff potential, erosion controls would be required to prevent sediment from leaving the site. Howlin said the project involves a local owner replacing a termite-damaged residence and would not become an illegal vacation rental.
2026 Candidate Forum and Legislative Responsibilities
Austin Saucedo announced a 2026 general-election candidate forum for state House Districts 44 and 45 at Kamaile Academy Charter School on October 8. Doors were scheduled to open at 5:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 6 p.m. District 44 candidates were to participate first, followed by District 45 at 7 p.m. Incumbents and challengers would receive the same moderated questions and equal response time; District 45 candidates were expected to answer nine questions. Materials distributed to the board described six responsibilities of state legislators: changing state laws, approving funding and capital improvements, participating in the state budget, conducting legislative oversight, working with departments and agencies, and representing district residents.
Proposed Rule for Resolving Tied Elections
Jermaine Myers alerted the community to an Office of Elections public hearing scheduled for October 26 at 9 a.m. Testimony could be submitted in person, in writing to elections@hawaii.gov, or orally by Zoom. Myers encouraged written testimony because virtual connections could fail and the meeting would continue, while the chief election officer retained discretion to limit oral testimony. The proposed administrative rule, HAR §3-177-62, would establish a method of deciding tied elections by lot. Myers opposed resolving elections through random methods such as drawing from a basket, flipping a coin, or rolling dice and argued that voters should decide a tie through a special election. A 277-page agenda and supporting packet were available from the Office of Elections.
Drilling, Illegal Dumping, and Land-Use Enforcement Questions
Community members continued asking which government body regulates drilling in Waianae Valley, including alleged drilling on or near historically significant lands and concerns that deep wells could reduce water availability at higher elevations. The mayor’s representative said drilling is not regulated by the city and advised contacting the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Michael Eli requested confirmation of who issued or would issue permits for drilling near properties associated with Kahala Farm, Hoomau Ke Ola, and the area above a reported junkyard. Another resident asked the city to explain how a property associated with SMA Resolution 26-168, described as authorizing a two-story commercial building, had allegedly become a junkyard instead. The mayor’s representative agreed to review previously submitted photographs and information and provide an answer.
City Parks, ADA Access, Encampments, and Derelict Vehicles
Residents asked whether restrooms at Pokai Bay Pavilion, built in 1966, meet current Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Others complained that people living in park encampments leave rubbish in surrounding bushes and that park staff have refused to remove trash outside designated receptacles. Residents said community volunteers were performing maintenance on city land out of aloha and should not be expected to substitute indefinitely for city services. Board member Jo Jordan raised safety concerns along the damaged, narrowed portion of Farrington Highway near Waikomo, where disabled or staged vehicles and encampments have increased since the Konalo weather events. She said the city had not conducted a full cleanup there since 2019 and that a planned September 30–October 1 Stored Property Ordinance action had been canceled because of rain, potentially postponing cleanup until the following year. The mayor’s office was asked to address derelict vehicles and hazards before a serious collision occurs.
City Park Legislation and Makili Cleanup
Council Member Andria Tupola’s representative, Tika Tupani, reported passage of three park-related measures introduced by Tupola. Bill 30 permits farmers markets and nonprofit food distributions in public parks, supporting community events, local agriculture, and food access. Bill 31 establishes an Important Cultural Resource Area program within city parks, including stewardship plans and protective rules. Bill 32 changes how the city establishes fees and charges for parks, recreational facilities, and botanical gardens and adds reporting and rulemaking requirements. The office also announced the fourth cleanup of the year, targeting the final guardrail section in Makili. A Stored Property Ordinance action was planned for November 13, followed by a community cleanup on November 14. The office said the cleanup had been delayed for one to two years to allow outreach and housing work with affected residents.
Park Improvements, KL Beach Park, and Other District Requests
Residents asked Council Member Tupola’s office for progress on a memorandum of understanding with DHHL, the originally planned swimming pool at Waianae District Park, school-zone speed-limit signs, Bill 59 concerning campaign signs on public transportation, and longstanding Resolution 22-151 for KL Beach Park in Makaha. Multiple speakers said the KL Beach Park resolution remained incomplete and requested a defined “rest period” for nearby kūpuna and residents who share a fence line with the park. They also called for stronger enforcement against persistent illegal activity and encampments on city and private lands, including KL Beach Park and acreage associated with MAʻO Farms. The office was asked to distinguish between people priced out of housing and those refusing available services, while addressing drug activity, sex trafficking, fire risks, and the continuing burden on surrounding neighborhoods.
Homelessness Outreach, Sweeps, and Service Outcomes
Residents challenged the effectiveness of repeatedly sweeping houseless people from beaches, parks, bridges, and brush without securing permanent housing. One speaker said the number of houseless children had approximately doubled from 300 to 600 and asked for outcome data on people contacted before cleanups. Tupola’s office identified its Restore, Reconnect, Revive program, operating since 2023 through coordinated Waianae service providers, and said reports for each of its nine cohorts were available through the City Council or council member’s website. The office also said it was developing a larger community-informed houselessness plan. Residents argued that repeated sweeps simply shift encampments while consuming public funds, that HONU costs approximately $6 million annually, and that some transitional facilities reportedly charge as much as $800 for a bed without providing meals. Others called for stronger accountability for nonprofit providers and for long-term housing that does not force people back onto streets during the day.
Adaptive Reuse and Permanent Housing Proposals
Community members asked city and state officials to use adaptive-reuse tools for houseless residents rather than primarily for commercial or hospitality projects. Examples cited included conversion of a downtown office building into the AC Hotel by Marriott and conversion of 1060 Bishop Street into rental apartments for low- to moderate-income households. Residents argued that vacant or underused buildings could similarly provide permanent housing rather than relying on temporary kauhale, HONU sites, or beach encampments. They also objected to what they viewed as the normalization or “glorification” of long-term encampments at Waianae Boat Harbor and elsewhere. Testimony emphasized that coastal encampments face direct danger from storm surge, high surf, hurricanes, and flooding and that policy should recognize the dignity and value of people experiencing homelessness while developing durable shelter, health, and recovery options.
Makaha Development and Campaign-Contribution Questions
Aaron Boettcher asked Council Member Tupola’s office whether Tupola or any campaign committee had received contributions or financial support from KH Group, KH Gangwon Development, Makaha Development, Makaha Golf and Resort 3 LLC, or affiliated owners, executives, employees, or companies involved in the Makaha Valley development. The chair noted that campaign contributions are publicly searchable through campaign-spending records, while the council office took the question for follow-up. Later, a separate question submitted to Representative Chris Muraoka asked for his position on the Anamira Makaha project and whether his business was affiliated with Makaha Valley Country Club, KH Group, Healani Homes, or related entities. Muraoka answered no and clarified that his company performs landscaping and grass cutting, not general construction.
Waianae Boat Harbor Encampment and October 16 Deadline
The future of Puʻuhonua o Waianae at the state boat harbor was a major concern. Residents and board members said the relocation deadline had been extended several times without adequate notice and was then set for October 16. They requested a written statement from the governor before that date confirming whether another extension would be granted. Board member Jordan said most residents appeared to be relocating, with approximately seven encampments remaining, but DLNR lacked sufficient funds to remove accumulated debris and might not receive additional money until the next legislative budget cycle. Residents also complained about discarded mattresses, security problems near Waianae High School, Waianae Intermediate School, a city playground, and boat-ramp facilities, and the failure to notify people living in exposed coastal areas to move to higher ground during recent storms. They asked state and city officials to stop crossing jurisdictional lines without consulting District 44 and 45 residents and legislators.
DHHL Modular Housing and Digital Assistant
Governor Green’s and DHHL’s representative, Diamond, announced that on October 24 the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands would award 24 project leases through a modular-housing pilot for people on the Oahu residential waitlist. Eight of the homes would be in the Waianae area. DHHL had also launched a virtual assistant at dhhl.hawaii.gov that can answer basic questions around the clock, including a beneficiary’s waitlist position, route users to appropriate divisions, and record messages for follow-up by responsible staff. Community members separately continued to seek progress on a city–DHHL memorandum of understanding and asked that Hawaiian homestead lands and other upland areas be considered for community-directed housing, evacuation, elder-care, and group-home uses rather than locating vulnerable people at sea level.
Senator Samantha DeCorte on Boat Harbor Transition
Senator Samantha DeCorte said October 16 remained the operative deadline for Puʻuhonua o Waianae to leave the harbor property, although previous extensions had been approved without consulting her or the community. She said she had secured $500,000 for the Division of Aquatic Resources to support cleanup and perimeter fencing. Fencing is intended to prevent new encampments from entering while DOCARE officers remove unauthorized newcomers. Waianae High School plans to use the approximately 20-acre parcel to expand marine-science and agroforestry programs, but repeated relocation extensions have delayed those plans and could jeopardize the timing of future legislative funding. DeCorte said she would use the media if agencies continued to bypass the community. Asked whether the school had hired an aquatics teacher, she said her priority was securing the site and that staffing and program implementation were school decisions. She also confirmed receipt of five constituent bill proposals for consideration in the next legislative package.
Emergency Planning for the Waianae Coast
Representative Chris Muraoka reported meeting on September 25 with city Department of Emergency Management Director Randy Collins and community members to discuss evacuation and emergency planning. The city currently operates under a 2014 emergency plan but is revising it. Collins provided Muraoka with a draft too large to email, and the representative planned to distribute it on flash drives to community participants and collect feedback by late December for submission in January. The goal is a community-specific “96792 plan,” not an individual office’s plan, with separate evacuation considerations for Makaha, Lualualei, Waianae, Maile, and other areas. Muraoka and Collins visited local schools to assess potential sites and discussed coordination with residents trained through CERT and HARP. Potential measures include redirecting Handi-Vans already operating along the coast into evacuation loops for kūpuna and people without transportation. Residents emphasized that previous storms exposed the lack of safe local evacuation centers and the impracticality of directing vulnerable residents only to Nanakuli.
Shoreline Sand Clearing and Beach Work
Muraoka thanked state transportation officials, particularly Ed Sniffen, for responding after storm-driven sand accumulated three to five inches deep on Makaha sidewalks. Work was performed at night despite temporary noise impacts. The city also planned sand pushing at Lahi Lahi Beach Park across from 7-Eleven and Longs near the end of October to reduce sand washing onto Farrington Highway during high surf. Sand pushing was already underway at Makaha Beach and was expected to finish by the end of that week, after which crews would complete a previously scheduled North Shore project and return to Lahi Lahi. Because sand movement could uncover iwi kūpuna, the city was coordinating with the State Historic Preservation Division to have an appropriate cultural monitor present and halt or adjust work if ancestral remains or cultural resources were found.
ʻOhana Ola Services and Proposed Additional Shelter Capacity
Muraoka said his office helped ʻOhana Ola secure community-donated portable toilets and a shower trailer for four months so the organization could house kūpuna and retain a state Grant-in-Aid award. The facility also has a septic-system problem for which possible repairs have been identified. A new staff member who began October 1 was handling required paperwork, and the stated goal was to create capacity for approximately 80 to 100 people by Christmas if approvals and repairs proceed. Residents pressed officials to ensure that such programs lead to safe, stable housing rather than perpetuating temporary shelter cycles.
Debate Over Homelessness Enforcement and Public Costs
Jermaine Myers questioned House Bill 482, introduced by Muraoka, which cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s Grants Pass v. Johnson decision and proposed penalties for unlawful camping or trespass in parks and recreational areas. As described during testimony, penalties included at least $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $400, up to 30 days’ imprisonment, or both for subsequent offenses, along with authority to seize and dispose of unlawfully abandoned property and immediately remove items posing health or safety risks. Myers argued that enforcement proposals were not paired with sufficient permanent housing or geographically distributed alternatives. Muraoka responded that the bill addressed camping and harmful conduct, not homelessness itself, and said permanent housing would require funding that could increase burdens on already struggling taxpayers. He favored auditing nonprofits, reconsidering costly mobile services, and motivating people to accept existing help. Another resident cited estimates that homelessness costs taxpayers about $10,300 per person annually and that housing could reduce that amount by roughly $6,403 per person. She also cautioned against describing all houseless people as drug users, stating that of nearly 5,000 houseless people in Honolulu, approximately 1,095 were active drug users, 802 were children, and 368 were kūpuna. Muraoka said he referred specifically to people who decline assistance and invited further policy discussions at his office.
Department Accountability Legislation
Residents urged Muraoka to hold state and city agencies responsible when they allow unsafe conditions on public lands rather than imposing costs on taxpayers or vulnerable residents. Muraoka said his office was exploring legislation that could make department heads personally accountable for failures, because fines against a government agency ultimately return to taxpayers. He said legal questions about such personal accountability were still being examined. He credited public advocacy with helping secure his meeting with city emergency-management officials but said he wished agencies would respond without requiring repeated confrontation.
Water Education Event, Library Door, and Commercial Trash Security
Muraoka reported that the September 26 “Imagine a Day Without Water” event at the Ark of Safety Community Center drew more than 34 vendors covering water conservation, reuse, rainwater collection, and low-water plants. Johnny Mae Perry asked for updates on the damaged main door at Waianae Public Library and a proposed commercial-dumpster security program modeled on Waikiki. Muraoka said the library was unlikely to reinstall the same door design because of repeated damage and discussed the possibility of a glass entrance protected by a roll-down metal barrier, while expressing concern about the community becoming increasingly fenced and fortified. Regarding locking dumpsters, he said he did not recall receiving the earlier request and would have staff review it. He noted that automatic locking systems can add costs for businesses because they must remain secured while allowing the bin to open during collection.
Representative’s Campaign-Mailer Clarification
Before Muraoka’s report, the chair clarified that a recent campaign mailer had referenced her title as chair of the Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board. She stated that the reference should not be interpreted as an endorsement by her in an official capacity or by the board, and reaffirmed her commitment to impartial board administration. Muraoka apologized, accepted responsibility for the mistake, and said he had contacted the Neighborhood Commission to correct the issue. The chair considered the matter resolved.
Community Events and Civic Participation
Muraoka encouraged residents to attend the “96792 Bowl” and support local youth athletics. He also announced a Charter Commission meeting at Waianae Intermediate School on Monday, October 12, at 7 p.m., where residents could learn about proposed charter amendments appearing on the ballot. The board announced Hot Kūpuna Nights at Kahumana Farms from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 7. Residents were reminded that the general election would be held Tuesday, November 3, and were encouraged to vote.
Absent Reports and Deferred Board Business
The Honolulu Fire Department did not respond when called, and Congresswoman Jill Tokuda’s office was not present for its report. Because the board never obtained quorum, all formal board-business items were deferred rather than discussed or decided. The next regular meeting was announced for Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Waianae Public Library.
Meeting Location and Facility Delays
The chair explained that meetings remained in the library’s small room because contractor problems continued to delay reopening of the multipurpose room near the gym. The satellite location was not considered a workable alternative because of restroom problems and because its meeting room is even smaller. The board expected to continue meeting at the library, possibly through January. The meeting was then adjourned.