No 09 Waikīkī Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting September 2025
September 2023 Waikīkī Neighborhood Board Meeting
Call to Order and Initial Announcements
Chair Finley began the meeting by noting an issue with insufficient tables for attendees and mentioning that the Waikīkī Community Center provided water on stage. He then verified that no Honolulu Fire Department representative was present, moving on to the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) report as the first item on the agenda.
Honolulu Police Department Report
Lieutenant Steve Keough and Lieutenant Cyrus Hanuna, representing Waikīkī’s Lightwatch and Daywatch shifts, presented crime statistics from August compared to July. They reported three robberies (up from one), six burglaries (down from 12), 148 thefts (up from 133), seven unauthorized entry into motor vehicles (down from 13), 48 assaults (up from 43), and five sex crimes (up from four). They noted significant changes in traffic enforcement, including 13 speeding citations in August where there had been none in July. Parking citations remained high, at 2,296 in August compared to 2,332 in July, while loud-muffler citations rose to 14 in August from four in July. Park-closure citations, handled mostly by ATV details, went from 74 to 34, with 25 related arrests in August. Officers handled 4,926 calls for service, a notable increase from 4,400 in July. They added that 26 people were arrested on suspicion of DUI in August. The lieutenants took questions about various topics, including bird-feeding complaints at private and public properties, improved handling of noise at the zoo parking lot, and ongoing challenges posed by homeless encampments. They emphasized that moving and reappearing encampments remain a difficult “shell game,” requiring continuous enforcement. They also explained that HPD does issue parking citations in certain areas of the Ala Wai Boat Harbor, although private lots there fall outside their usual ticket authority. A community member praised HPD’s presence in curtailing loud motorcycles. Lieutenant Keough affirmed that, while officers have some discretion, certain crimes like domestic violence mandate arrests. He addressed a concern about alleged inconsistent approaches to domestic-violence incidents by referencing an old case in which officers were disciplined for not following required arrest protocols. The department, he said, has checks and balances for officers who fail in their duties.
Bird-Feeding Complaint
A resident raised concerns about a woman feeding birds around Lili‘uokalani Gardens and other nearby spaces, causing noise, waste, and an overall disturbance. HPD noted that violations can be addressed if official “no feeding” signs are posted. They encouraged the resident to call the police when witnessing feeding in prohibited areas, although on private property it falls under owners and boards to issue directives.
Zoo Noise and Late-Night Disturbances
Attendees thanked HPD for reducing the noise and rowdiness in and around the zoo parking lot. A resident mentioned fewer instances of music blasting and reckless motorcycle revving late at night, attributing the improvement to deliberate police patrol presence. HPD pledged to maintain this level of enforcement and preventive efforts in the zoo area and surrounding streets.
Homeless Encampments Along the Ala Wai
Multiple residents and board members described the movement of homeless encampments around the Ala Wai Golf Course and Ala Wai Promenade. They noted that once the city cleared one side, the encampments simply shifted across the street. Complaints included nightly screaming, the presence of tents and dogs in violation of posted rules, and inconsistent enforcement. HPD officers recognized the challenges of encampments relocating in response to enforcement sweeps and agreed to look into nighttime patrols in areas that may be overlooked.
Domestic Violence and Accountability at HPD
A community member discussed media reports of an HPD officer facing discipline over alleged domestic violence and criticized the lack of arrests in certain cases. HPD reiterated its requirement to arrest in domestic-violence calls when the facts dictate. They acknowledged that while past violations may have been mishandled, officers who fail to uphold the law face internal discipline and possible dismissal, and the department maintains policies aimed at enforcement consistency.
Board of Water Supply Update
Dominic Diaz, from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS), reported that there were no water main breaks in Waikīkī the previous month, nor were there ongoing construction projects in the area. BWS plans to participate in the “Imagine a Day Without Water” event at Windward Mall on September 20, featuring interactive displays, water-conservation education, and potential prizes. Diaz offered a monthly written report as an alternative to appearing at every single meeting, explaining that BWS still wants to stay informed of any water-related concerns in Waikīkī.
Ocean Safety Absence
The meeting agenda listed a report from Ocean Safety, but no representative attended. Chair Finley noted that such a report had been requested. He indicated the board would either try again at a future date or coordinate via written updates if attendance continued to be challenging.
Citizens’ Concerns: Feeding and Traffic Management
During the dedicated citizens’ concerns segment, a resident complained that the traffic light at ‘Ōhua and Kūhiō gives little time for pedestrians heading Diamond Head-bound and leads to confusion and honking. Another resident shared data from a “Safe and Sound” initiative, tracking arrests and showing that 64 individuals were arrested three or more times over the past year in Waikīkī, stressing that a small number of repeat offenders cause large disruptions. Others reemphasized that calling HPD promptly about any illegal or “bad” behavior aligns with the mayor’s zero-tolerance approach.
Waikīkī Street Events and Liquor License Updates
Chair Finley listed a series of major parades and street festivals expected in the coming months, including the Aloha Festivals Ho‘olaule‘a, the annual Floral Parade on September 27, and the Honolulu Century Bike Ride. He noted that exact traffic closure times might vary. He then detailed liquor-license hearings and applications, including a one-day license for the International Marketplace in October and another for a relocated Cajun Crab on Lū‘ers.
Mayor’s Representative
Mayor’s Representative Nola Miyasaki explained recent city news, such as the continued push for solutions to Honolulu’s homelessness and affordable-housing crisis, and the ongoing progression of the rail project. She addressed board questions from prior meetings. Regarding repaving ‘Tuasitala Street, she confirmed it is on the list of candidate streets for rehabilitation, and in-house repairs may happen by the end of 2025. The defective sidewalks along Kūhiō are being reconstructed under contract, but closures and tiling cause disruptions. The city is trying to balance safety with swifter progress. On feral chickens, she said Sandwich Isle Pest Control can trap on city property at no cost, though traps are often tampered with. Further updates included a mention of the double-decker tour buses and the need to check if tree trimming is required to accommodate their height.
Council Chair Tommy Waters’ Representative
Adam Du outlined Council Chair Waters’ legislative updates. He highlighted Bill 50-24, now Ordinance 25-10, which will limit street festivals to protect Waikīkī residents’ quality of life by reducing non-legacy events from twelve to six per year starting in 2026. He also covered new property tax relief measures (Bills 49 and 50-2025), increasing homeowner and kupuna exemptions by $20,000 beginning in 2027. Residents expressed concern over any proposals resurrecting parking minimums. Attendees also raised questions about how best to coordinate street closures during large-scale parades or festivals, calling for better traffic management.
Senator Sharon Moriwaki’s Representative
Alexander Ozawa, from Senator Moriwaki’s office, announced a disaster-preparedness fair planned for September 16 at the Ho‘okupu Center in Kewalo Basin, featuring multiple agencies like the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, Department of Emergency Management, and nonprofits. He also reminded attendees of a Waikīkī town hall on October 7 with Representative Adrian Tam, inviting everyone to share legislative ideas and feedback. Residents urged more state funding for jail improvements and for addressing mental illness and crime problems that frequently spill into Waikīkī.
Waikīkī Improvement Association
Rick Egged updated the board on upcoming Waikīkī events, including the Aloha Festivals Ho‘olaule‘a street parties, the Aloha Festivals Floral Parade on September 27, the resumption of free hula performances at Kūhiō Beach most Saturday evenings, and a beach cleanup on October 25. He explained continued efforts, in partnership with the Waikīkī Transportation Management Association, to improve traffic flow, loading zones, and overall pedestrian safety in Waikīkī.
Coral Reef Restoration Project
A team from Conservation International and other partners introduced “Reef Frame,” a reef-restoration initiative in 40–60-foot depths off Waikīkī near the Halekulani Channel. They plan to place large concrete modules on sandy bottoms to serve as new habitats for corals of opportunity (detached or damaged corals), as well as to attract fish species. The project is funded by a NOAA award, with scientific and community input from various experts. They stressed that these modules would not interfere with surfing or shoreline erosion as they are placed in deeper water specifically to restore marine biodiversity.
Hawai‘i Bicycling League Safety Initiative
A representative from the Hawai‘i Bicycling League remotely shared a video (audio issues limited playback for in-person attendees) promoting pedestrian and cyclist safety. She noted the recent increase in statewide traffic fatalities and reminded drivers about vulnerable-road-use laws, including giving cyclists at least three feet of space and respecting marked bike lanes or sharrows. She also acknowledged rising e-bike use and expressed the need for more education and potential regulation to prevent accidents.
Public Safety Committee Discussion and Letters
Public Safety Committee Chair Jillian Anderson summarized a meeting in which HPD, WBID, and other stakeholders identified hotspots for recidivist behavior, including the St. Augustine Church free-food area, the concrete picnic tables at Kūhiō Beach, and McDonald’s on Kalākaua. The committee recommended three letters. One to St. Augustine urged the church to partner with city outreach, citing daily food service as a magnet for criminal activity. Another letter to McDonald’s corporate suggested reinstating private security at its Kalākaua location, and the last letter to the city requested considering removal or repurposing of the concrete tables at Kūhiō Beach, where drug and violent behavior had been documented. After vigorous debate—especially concerning the church’s charitable mission—the board approved sending all three letters by majority vote.
Bill 46 (HPD Communications Transparency)
The board considered supporting Honolulu City Council Bill 46, which would require HPD to develop procedures for releasing certain dispatch radio communications to media in real time. Some members argued this would improve transparency, while others raised concerns about privacy, officer safety, and whether any media outlet or only select operators should access that information. After discussion, the board did not adopt a formal support position.
Wrap-Up, Approval of Minutes, and Adjournment
In closing, the board approved the previous meeting’s minutes with minor grammatical corrections. Due to time constraints, certain items regarding city board or commission appointments were left unaddressed. Chair Finley adjourned the meeting with thanks to board members, community attendees, elected officials, and presenters for their time and input. The next Waikīkī Neighborhood Board meeting is scheduled for October, with several follow-up items and the promise of continued dialogue on major community topics affecting safety, infrastructure, and quality of life in Waikīkī.