No 09 Waikīkī Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting February 2026
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9 Waikiki Neighborhood Board Meeting – February 11, 2026
Board Introductions
Chair Bob Finley opened the meeting by welcoming attendees and having each board member introduce themselves, including members participating via Webex. The board confirmed the attendance of various sub-district representatives, noted apologies from members unable to attend, and reaffirmed the procedure for public testimony, whereby community members have two minutes to present comments. The board also acknowledged its Olelo producer, Jordan, and neighborhood assistant, Anson, who help facilitate meeting operations.
Honolulu Fire Department
Captain Keone Abayal from the Waikiki Fire Station presented January 2026 statistics, listing three structure fires, two nuisance fires, one cooking fire, 11 activated fire alarms without a fire, 186 medical calls, one vehicle collision, and three hazardous material incidents. He stressed the importance of calling 911 first in an emergency instead of driving to a fire station, explaining that firefighters could be out on other calls, inspections, or training. He also highlighted that HFD can receive 911 messages via text for situations where voice communication may be limited. The department encouraged emailing hfdenhb@honolulu.gov for any further questions.
Honolulu Police Department
Acting Lieutenant Jared Spiker shared District 6’s January crime numbers, noting three robberies (down from six the previous month), 11 burglaries (down from 16), 115 thefts (up from 85), nine motor vehicle break-ins (up from seven), 31 assaults (down from 37), six sexual assault cases (up from three), six citations for bicycle/skateboarding violations on sidewalks, and 1,975 parking citations. HPD made 23 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) and issued nine loud muffler citations. Major Paul Okamoto discussed special operations targeting noisy mufflers, bicycle violations, and the deployment of officers in UTVs (golf-cart style vehicles) along Kalākaua. Board members and the public raised concerns about e-bikes and mopeds in parks, the decrease in certain crimes, ways to increase foot patrols, and ongoing noise complaints from loud music, vehicles, and early trash pickups. HPD responded that while they prioritize enforcement, some violators can be difficult to stop without risking injury or pursuit-related accidents. There were also questions about ride-along procedures for board members, which require forms processed through HPD’s Community Affairs Division.
Board of Water Supply
Dominic Diaz announced no main breaks in Waikiki for the month of January. He invited children in grades K–12 to participate in the Poster and Poetry Contest promoting water conservation. Diaz also noted that the Board of Water Supply is finalizing its six-year capital improvement plan and offered to share highlights of any local water infrastructure projects at future meetings. The board agreed to discontinue having a BWS representative attend meetings in person each month in favor of a written report, unless an in-person update is specifically requested.
Community Concerns
Residents and board members voiced multiple issues affecting daily life in Waikiki. Several individuals criticized the prolonged closure of public restrooms along Kalākaua Avenue near the Kuhio statue, with complaints that repairs had been promised but remained unfulfilled for three years. Some called the situation a systemic failure, as bathroom closures inconvenienced residents and tourists alike, creating additional sanitation problems. Other concerns included unsafe tree grates creating tripping hazards for pedestrians, mopeds and bicycles racing through sidewalks and parks, loud music at night, and homeless individuals creating safety risks. A representative from a community group discussed potential changes to flight paths and helicopter routes, urging Waikiki residents to give feedback to the Federal Aviation Administration before a mid-March deadline that could reduce overhead noise. Coastal erosion and hazardous rocks near the Waikiki groin were also highlighted, along with a potential dip forming in the walkway fronting the Sheraton, prompting requests for state attention and repairs.
Events and Parade Announcements
Chair Finley listed upcoming Waikiki events, including the Honolulu Rainbow Ekiden Race on March 13, the Honolulu Festival Parade on March 15, and the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17. Additional parades scheduled later in March, such as Kuhio Day and Vietnam Veterans Day events, will be discussed at the next meeting. A representative of the Honolulu Festival’s Grand Parade confirmed the parade route, road closure times, and other logistics for the March 15 event, noting that fireworks would follow the parade.
Elected Official Updates
• Mayor’s Representative: Nola Miyasaki read updates from multiple city departments. HPD had stepped up enforcement on vehicles abusing bus lanes and playing loud music, although they reported limited violations during targeted checks. The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) is considering lowering speed limits from 35 mph to 25 mph on the Ala Wai and adjusting or installing left-turn signals, but must finalize work orders. City officials also continue to investigate ambulance wait times after reports of extended delays.
• City Council: Adam Du from Chair Tommy Waters’ office announced a $1 million donation from Hilton Grand Vacations to the Waikiki Business Improvement District for improvements at Kuhio Beach Park, with an event scheduled to publicize the funding. He also noted that recent city ordinances aim to increase oversight of unspent funds in various city departments.
• Representative Adrian Tam: He encouraged attendance at a March 2 town hall meeting with Senator Moriwaki to discuss proposed bills and local needs. Tam explained recent measures exploring restructuring the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the push for a “destination management” approach. He also fielded questions about ethics concerns involving statewide officials, recommending patience as investigations proceed.
• Governor’s Representative: Yvonne Izu shared the governor’s focus on affordability and reported that proposed “green fees” could yield funding for Waikiki environmental projects, including beach improvements. Multiple speakers cited concerns about the lieutenant governor’s campaign finance revelations and asked for thorough investigations and potential ethics reviews.
• Additional Legislative Discussion: Residents raised questions about allegedly lenient bail reform bills, the possibility of more robust enforcement of disorderly behavior laws, and the complicated process of drafting new measures related to noise complaints and homelessness. Legislators and community members discussed the need to balance crime reduction with fair treatment of low-level offenders.
Legislative Proposals Discussion
The board moved through an array of state legislative bills, debating bail reform measures, homelessness reporting requirements, crime prevention frameworks, and potential expansions of enforcement against noisy vehicles. Some bills received strong opposition from board members concerned about releasing repeat offenders, while others, aiming to close mental health treatment gaps, gained acceptance. A cluster of bills related to condominium governance generated extended debate due to Waikiki’s high density of condo owners. Several board members requested more details before taking a definitive stance, leading to a decision to postpone further condominium bill votes until the next meeting. Requests to shift trash pickup times and reduce early morning disturbances also emerged, reflecting residents’ desire for quieter nighttime hours.
Ala Wai Boat Harbor Letter
A letter urging the Department of Land and Natural Resources to be more transparent about towing practices, citations, and user fees in the Ala Wai Boat Harbor area was introduced. Community members pointed to thousands of towing incidents in a single year and fewer than 30 citations, raising concerns about fairness. The board voted unanimously to forward the letter to the acting DLNR director, seeking a clearer enforcement strategy, respectful communication with users, and regular citation reporting. The board plans to invite DLNR representatives to a future meeting to address ongoing parking, mooring, and infrastructure questions.
Meeting Conclusion
Although a range of legislative topics remained on the agenda, the board decided to table them until the next meeting due to time constraints. In final motions, the board appointed members Jillian Anderson and Lou Erdichek as legislative liaisons authorized to track priority bills and represent the board’s positions at the Legislature. The meeting adjourned shortly after 9:00 p.m., with the board expressing hopes for continued collaboration on the pressing issues of homelessness, noise, facility maintenance, and public safety that affect Waikiki’s residents, businesses, and visitors.