No 09 Waikīkī Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting May 2026
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9 Waikiki Neighborhood Board Meeting – May 13, 2026
Board Vacancy Filled Amid Sunshine Law Dispute
The meeting opened with acknowledgement that Managing Director Mike Formby is leaving public service for a private company, with board leadership thanking him for past support. The board then moved to fill a vacancy in Sub-District 2. Ken nominated Jacob Weincheck, a six-year Waikīkī resident who said he has been involved with the board and community since 2020, previously served on active duty in the Navy, and currently serves on the board’s public safety committee. Weincheck said he wanted to continue giving back to the neighborhood and help make Waikīkī “the best Waikīkī ever.” Before the vote, public testimony challenged whether the item had been properly noticed under the Sunshine Law, with one speaker stating that the Office of Information Practices had issued a written opinion saying the vote should be deferred because the agenda item did not adequately alert the public to the vacancy-filling action. Neighborhood Commission Chair Patrick Smith responded that no opinion had been produced to the commission and said, in his view, the agenda wording was sufficiently clear under the usual “neighbor test” standard. The board proceeded with the vote, and Weincheck was elected by a tally of 9 yes and 4 abstentions, after which he was sworn in as a board member. The exchange reflected ongoing tensions over agenda drafting and procedural compliance.
Fire Department Report: April Incident Totals and Wildfire Preparedness
The Honolulu Fire Department reported April 2026 incident statistics for the Waikīkī area, showing no structure fires and no wildland or brush fires, but three nuisance fires, two cooking fires, and 16 activated alarms without fire. Emergency responses included 160 medical emergencies, two motor vehicle collisions involving pedestrians, one motor vehicle crash, one ocean rescue, and two hazardous materials incidents. The department’s monthly safety message focused on wildfire prevention and preparedness as Hawaiʻi enters a period of elevated wildfire risk due to dry conditions, tall grass, and shifting winds. Residents were advised to clear dry vegetation around homes, avoid parking on dry grass because hot exhaust can ignite it, avoid spark-producing activities in hot, dry, windy weather, and monitor weather and fire conditions. The presentation linked broader state wildfire concerns to everyday household and property maintenance in urban neighborhoods as well.
Police Department Report: Crime Trends, Sidewalk Riding Enforcement, and Fort DeRussy Crackdown
Honolulu Police Department District 6 reported that in April 2026 Waikīkī had 2 robberies, 6 burglaries, 126 thefts, 8 unauthorized motor vehicle entries, 38 assaults, and 14 sex crimes. Compared with the previous month, robberies, thefts, UEMVs, assaults, parking citations, park closure citations, and DUIs all declined, while burglaries and sex crimes increased. HPD also issued 19 speeding citations, 2 loud muffler or prohibited noise citations, 38 park closure citations, made 16 park closure arrests, and handled 4,160 total calls for service. Major Paul Okamoto followed up on prior board questions by citing Revised Ordinance 15-4.6, which prohibits bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, and similar devices throughout the Waikīkī peninsula, including the Ala Wai area, except in crosswalks; they are not permitted on sidewalks or roadways there. He also said HPD had contacted the Department of Transportation Services regarding buses parking near Kapahulu crosswalks in a way that obstructed pedestrian visibility.
Okamoto reported significant recent enforcement at Fort DeRussy Beach Park, especially around Friday night fireworks, targeting peddling and homelessness with HPD and state law enforcement partners. He said “tons of arrests” and citations were made over two consecutive Fridays, and the homeless encampment there had been reduced sharply, with only one or two empty tents seen in a recent count. He also shared point-in-time count results showing a 91 percent reduction in homelessness in Waikīkī’s “major area of commerce” since September 2022, dropping from 111 people to 10, crediting officers and social workers. HPD has also begun warning moped riders and rental companies about helmet law enforcement, with warnings set to transition into citations.
Board and public questions centered heavily on quality-of-life enforcement. One board member pressed HPD to increase loud muffler enforcement, noting the month’s total of 2 citations was far below historical peaks of around 30 per month. Residents also asked about amplified and reproduced music used by street performers, aggressive sidewalk sales tactics by a cosmetics business on Kalākaua, possible peddling violations, and fire dancing at Kapiʻolani Park and the Natatorium. HPD said it has cited some performers using amplified sound and is trying to use available ordinances creatively, including sit-lie enforcement where applicable, and promised follow-up on the fire dancing issue. A resident also described ongoing severe disruption from a man at a Kuhio bus stop near 2420 Kūhiō who allegedly uses fentanyl and alcohol, yells through the night, and leaves human waste nearby; HPD said sleeping at a bus stop is enforceable and pledged outreach and cleanup in the area. Another resident raised a fire-access and illegal parking issue on Cartwright Road involving a private-road-type situation, and HPD agreed to look into it.
Water Board Absent and Citizen Concerns Open Floor
No representative from the Board of Water Supply appeared, so the meeting moved directly into citizen concerns. Several declared or prospective candidates used the public comment period to introduce themselves, including congressional candidate Della Au Belatti, city council candidate Jason Liang, House District 24 candidate Bula Eastman, and city council candidate Tara Malia Gregory, who emphasized disaster preparedness and described community-led mutual aid efforts during the recent Kona low storms. Neighborhood Commission Chair Patrick Smith then reminded the board that the citizen concerns period was not really intended for campaign activity, though it had already occurred, and he also gave procedural advice about handling off-topic or disruptive testimony. He explained that members can raise points of order if speakers stray from the agenda item, but said such interventions should be used sparingly.
Ala Wai Canal Ferry Proposal and Ongoing Sunshine Law Friction
During citizen concerns, Laura Ruby proposed that the board consider a resolution supporting an inexpensive ferry-style conveyance across the Ala Wai Canal. She described an open-air, accessible, bus-like vessel that could transport pedestrians, bicycles, and people with disabilities over the shortest canal crossing distances with minimal construction and a small ADA ramp, arguing it could be implemented more quickly and cheaply than bridge options. She said she had already sent a draft resolution to the board chair and wanted it placed on a future agenda. Ruby stressed that the proposal was not necessarily in opposition to any bridge concept and could even coexist with bridges or multiple ferry locations. The discussion then drifted back into Sunshine Law disputes when another speaker again accused the board of violating notice requirements, particularly regarding the earlier vacancy vote. The acting chair responded that anyone who believes the law has been violated is free to pursue available remedies.
Beach Access and Commercial Use Concerns at Kūhiō Beach
A resident raised concerns about the two surf and beach boy stands at Kūhiō Beach, asking how much the permit holders pay and whether it is legal for canoes, umbrellas, and chairs to be pre-positioned in ways that reduce public access to the beach. The testimony focused on transparency around permit fees and on whether the regular placement of commercial equipment interferes with how residents and visitors can use shoreline space. The board sought clarification on what action the resident wanted and received the response that both permit transparency and legality of the canoe placement should be addressed.
Legislative Session Ends with No Board-Supported Bills Passing, but Harbor Towing Resolution Advances
In the unfinished business section, board member Jillian Anderson gave a final report on the 2026 legislative session. She said the board had voted to support or oppose 12 bills and collectively submitted 13 pieces of testimony, but none of the specific bills the board formally tracked ended up passing final reading. She noted that some measures never received hearings, while others advanced further but ultimately died. In response to a question, Anderson said two board-tracked bills reached conference committee: one was Representative Adrian Tam’s bill to create a noise detection pilot program that could lead to citations for excessive vehicle noise, and the other involved annual reports from the Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions. She said conference committee members were emailed with the board’s positions on both.
The acting chair added that although the board had not formally endorsed it, Senate Concurrent Resolution 58 did pass. That resolution addressed towing practices at Ala Wai Harbor, where residents had objected to vehicles being towed without warning or a citation. Earlier in the year, the board had sent DLNR a letter urging a more graduated parking enforcement process rather than immediate towing. The adopted resolution similarly urged DLNR to create a ticketing structure and warning-based approach, aligning with the board’s prior concerns.
Public Safety Committee Reorganized and New Legislative Committee Created
The board voted unanimously to switch leadership of the Public Safety and Civil Defense Committee, with Jillian Anderson stepping down as chair to remain a member and Tim taking over as chair. The change was explained as part of a broader effort to distribute responsibilities and allow Anderson to focus on legislation. The board then approved formation of a new standing committee focused on state and city legislation engagement. Anderson said the goal was to create a year-round structure that could more closely monitor state legislative proposals as well as Honolulu City Council matters, since one monthly board meeting is not enough to sort through the large volume of bills. She said the committee would help identify priority proposals, develop ideas before session begins, and bring recommendations back to the full board for formal action and testimony.
Discussion on the new committee included support for narrowing focus to the most relevant measures instead of trying to tackle hundreds of bills. It was also clarified that the committee would operate under Sunshine Law requirements with public notice and public participation. The board amended the proposal to designate Jillian Anderson as chair, with Lou Erdoshek and Tim as members, and then approved the committee unanimously. As with earlier items, one speaker objected that the agenda wording could mislead the public by referencing “2027” and argued that the board was again falling short on notice requirements, but the acting chair and others rejected that interpretation.
Upcoming Waikīkī Parades and Street Events
The board reviewed upcoming scheduled street events, including the Kanikapila Festival on May 23 from 1:30 p.m. to midnight, the Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run on June 5 from 7 to 8:30 a.m., the 43rd Annual Pan-Pacific Ho‘olaule‘a on June 12 from 5:30 p.m. to midnight, the King Kamehameha Floral Parade on June 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the 43rd Annual Pan-Pacific Parade on June 14 from 9 to 11 a.m. A resident noted that Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi, one of the island’s largest and most emotional annual events, was missing from the list. The board responded that it had been mentioned at the previous meeting and may not have appeared this month because it is held at Magic Island, which falls under the Ala Moana board area rather than Waikīkī.
Mayor’s Office Update: Zoo Accreditation, Youth Climate Grants, and Storm Recovery
A representative from the mayor’s office said the administration remains focused on recovery from the recent Kona low storms, which also caused cancellation of some mayoral town halls. She highlighted two other developments. First, the Honolulu Zoo received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a major credential that helps secure the zoo’s long-term standing and operations. Second, Bloomberg Philanthropies awarded Honolulu $50,000 to fund youth-led climate projects. The program will support residents ages 15 to 24 in proposing and implementing city-aligned climate, sustainability, and resilience projects, with selected projects under $5,000 receiving funding and technical assistance. Honolulu will join a network of 300 cities in six continents participating in youth-government climate partnerships, with the city’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resilience working alongside the Honolulu Youth Commission.
Transportation Department: Ala Wai Pedestrian Bridge Procurement, Moped Parking, Bus Apps, and Traffic Requests
Transportation Director Roger Morton attended to answer questions, especially about the Ala Wai pedestrian bridge project. He said the city has reached a significant milestone: on June 25 it completed the federally required Section 106 historic preservation consultation process, and the final NEPA document is now under federal review in Washington. Morton said the city has moved to a design-build procurement model partly because of controversy over bridge height and related design concerns. Under the current process, the city is qualifying contractors first and has tentatively identified three qualified teams. These teams will receive stipends so they can prepare serious design proposals rather than minimal bid concepts, with the expectation that the city can then choose the strongest overall design. Members of the federally recognized consultation group for the project will participate in reviewing design elements such as aesthetics and community value. Morton said some procurement details cannot be discussed publicly now that the process is underway.
Board comments on the bridge included a request that the final design include substantial shade, since summer heat on an exposed bridge would be severe. Morton also responded to transportation issues beyond the bridge. He said the city is open to reviewing requests for more moped parking if residents suggest specific sites. On bus apps, he explained that the city’s older official “TheBus” app had been retired because its architect retired and the app needed ADA compliance updates, while numerous private-sector apps now use publicly available city transit data. He said the city provides this data at no cost and pointed riders to alternatives such as the HEA/TheBus app.
Residents and board members raised several traffic and pedestrian safety issues. One asked for stronger protections at Kapahulu crosswalks near the zoo, especially at Lemon Road, where faded markings, damaged signs, and fast-moving left-turn traffic from Kalākaua create danger for pedestrians. Another requested dedicated left-turn arrows for Ewa-bound traffic on Kūhiō because the bus lane and lack of protected turns cause backups and tempt drivers to enter the bus lane illegally. Morton said his staff is already reviewing at least two intersections in the area and had previously made changes at others, though he did not have all details on hand. He also said the city is likely to lower the speed limit on Ala Wai Boulevard from 35 mph to 25 mph because the current speed is too high for the level of bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicle activity there. A resident asked about adding crosswalk signage near Hobron, and Morton invited direct email requests for review. Another speaker urged use of speed humps near the merging section off Kapahulu onto the Ala Wai due to high speeds and bicycle safety concerns; Morton said speed humps are only one possible tool and often create noise impacts, especially in residential areas.
Questions from critics of the bridge project focused on park impacts, consultation eligibility, and project cost. One speaker argued that replacement park acreage must be designated on both sides of the canal before construction because of parkland impacts and demanded more information on consultant stipends and review criteria. Another asked about inflation and whether the project still reflected the low-profile bridge preference expressed by prior public input. Morton said he did not have updated cost information beyond the approved budget and emphasized that the city is trying to obtain a better community outcome through the more robust design-build process.
City Council Chair Tommy Waters: Public Safety, Police Chief Selection, Disaster Planning, and Bathrooms
City Council Chair Tommy Waters attended and introduced himself to newer board members by recounting his background in Honolulu, education, legal career, time as a public defender, service in the state House, and current role leading the council. He highlighted several accomplishments he associates with collaboration in Waikīkī, including a $1 million Hilton Grand Vacations contribution for Waikīkī improvements, work on parade and street closure legislation, the creation of the Safe and Sound Waikīkī initiative, and city action condemning the former 1615 building so it can be redeveloped for senior housing. Waters praised Major Okamoto’s performance in District 6 and said he is working with HPD on legislation to allow portable surveillance cameras in high-crime areas, while also pursuing funding to repair and monitor existing camera systems and support use of drones as a public safety tool.
He said he continues to press for enforcement against disruptive street performers and mobile tour operators, especially those who shift onto private property when police appear. He also provided an update on police chief recruitment, saying the Police Commission had narrowed the search to three finalists and would hold final interviews on May 19, with a final vote on May 20. Members of the public were encouraged to submit comments directly to the Police Commission. On disaster preparedness, Waters said Waikīkī officially follows an “evacuate in place” model, but recent tsunami traffic chaos showed the need to review what happened. He has requested the after-action report from the tsunami warning response and expects it next month, while the after-action report on the Kona low storms may take about six months. He also reported progress on the long-broken public bathroom issue in Waikīkī, saying the pump manufacturer appears ready to provide a replacement and that budgeted temporary bathrooms may be used while the permanent facility is fixed.
Board and public questions to Waters covered several issues. A resident asked about benchmarking requirements for large condominium buildings, saying buildings over 25,000 square feet had received notices requiring detailed utility reporting by June 30 and were worried about the cost of compliance and whether already efficient buildings might be disadvantaged. Waters said he believed the program was voluntary and tied to the Office of Climate Change and Resiliency, but promised to clarify because the resident insisted fines had been threatened. Another board member thanked Waters for helping hold down property taxes in a difficult budget environment and urged support for Resolution 26-39 to increase floor area ratio limits in downtown. Waters noted that measure applies to downtown rather than Waikīkī, but said it raises a broader question about whether Waikīkī’s FAR limit of 1 should remain unchanged, given how it can discourage redevelopment or modernization.
One speaker also criticized the city’s emergency management response to recent storms, arguing that known flood danger should have prompted earlier activation of the emergency operations center and earlier evacuation orders. Waters replied that the council is not finished examining the failures and agreed that the timing of emergency activation was a serious issue.
State Senator’s Office: Session Ended, Focus Turns to Interim Work
A representative for Senator Sharon Moriwaki submitted the senator’s district newsletter and said the 2026 legislative session had ended with 268 bills passed and awaiting action from the governor, who has until roughly July 15 to sign or veto them. The representative said the senator had 13 bills of her own among those awaiting action. With session complete, the office will shift attention to constituent concerns, budget and legislative research, and preparing for the next session. No substantial questions followed.
Representative Adrian Tam: CIP Funding, Teacher Housing Inquiry, and Waikīkī Bills
Representative Adrian Tam said his newsletter had been prepared before the end of session and that a fuller bill digest would come later. He shared a personal note that he once worked making crêpes at the now-closed Crepe House in the old Pacific Beach Hotel. Addressing a prior board question about possible teacher housing at Jefferson Elementary, he said DOE is only in very early stages and will likely hold community meetings similar to the extensive process used in Mililani, where more than 40 meetings were held. Tam said he is trying to schedule a meeting with DOE now that session is over.
He also highlighted capital improvement and grant-in-aid funding affecting the district, including approximately $2.1 million to $2.5 million for Ala Wai debris management, $7 million for the Waikīkī Beach restoration project, and additional CIP funding for Jefferson and Ala Wai Elementary schools. Grant funding was also secured for the Waikīkī Business Improvement Association and the Waikīkī Community Center. Tam said House Bill 2505, which allows the Institute for Human Services to petition the court for assisted community treatment for people who are mentally unwell and need court-mandated support, passed this session. He thanked Trevor Abarzua for helping write and advance that bill after they met in October. In response to a question, Tam confirmed that SB 2367 passed, requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources to hold open hearings so the public can see what it is doing regarding small boat harbors. Another resident asked him to investigate funding sources behind promotional commercials for the Kūkulā project and rail-related advertising; Tam said he would look into it. A caller urged him to work on stronger condominium consumer protections and an ombudsman proposal after objecting to a condominium bill that died in conference.
Governor’s Office: Awaiting Bill Signings and Monitoring Nominations
A representative from Governor Josh Green’s office said about 250 bills were moving to the governor for possible signature, including preservation of tax cuts that required tradeoffs involving programs such as solar tax credits. She characterized the session as a balancing act between affordability and maintaining government programs. In response to a public question, she said she would try to find out whether the governor has any role in stopping a nomination after Senate confirmation, specifically regarding a real estate commission nominee who had drawn concern and several Senate no votes.
Waikīkī Business Improvement District: Safe and Sound Results, Homelessness Trends, Drones, Trash Cans, and Public Space Activation
Waikīkī Business Improvement District President Trevor Abarzua gave the evening’s major presentation on Safe and Sound Waikīkī and related neighborhood initiatives. He said the WBID, in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi urban planning program, conducts a biannual point-in-time homelessness count in Waikīkī and nearby areas at 3 a.m., which is more frequent and more targeted than standard annual statewide counts. The count covers the Waikīkī peninsula, Ala Moana Park, areas near the golf course across the canal, and Kapiʻolani Park. Since September 2022, the total count across that geography has dropped about 25 percent, from 251 people to 201.
The most dramatic change was in Waikīkī’s commercial core, including Kalākaua Avenue, parts of Kūhiō, and the beach areas. There, Abarzua said the homeless population fell 91 percent from 111 people in September 2022 to 10 in the latest count. He credited the reduction to a combination of overnight security, HPD enforcement, outreach, and expanded investment in Waikīkī Health’s street medicine program. WBID has doubled its funding for street medicine, increasing physician-supported outreach from one day a week to two days a week so people on the street can receive medical and psychiatric care. Abarzua said the strategy is deliberately a “carrot and stick” approach: people who want help are offered services, but those who refuse services should not be allowed to continue openly living on the streets of Waikīkī.
At the same time, WBID’s data shows displacement rather than complete resolution. Abarzua said homelessness has increased sharply in the Fort DeRussy, Hilton Hawaiian Village beach, and adjacent residential areas, as well as Ala Moana Park. In one affected zone the count rose 171 percent since Safe and Sound began, from 39 to 106 people. He said the reason is straightforward: as enforcement intensifies in central Waikīkī, people move to places where enforcement is weaker or jurisdiction is less clear. To respond, WBID plans to increase ambassador presence in those edge areas and is working with HPD on a proactive policing concept that would use donated all-terrain vehicles. The idea is for a dedicated team of one sergeant and three officers, not tied up responding to 911 calls, to patrol problem areas more actively. WBID’s board has approved purchasing the ATVs and donating them to the city for District 6 use.
Abarzua also described new and ongoing quality-of-life initiatives. WBID is partnering with the Department of Law Enforcement and property owners to install drones at four sites—Sheraton Waikīkī, the Hyatt, the Waikīkī Grand, and, pending final paperwork, Hilton Hawaiian Village—so the entire peninsula can be monitored using four zones. He said installation is waiting on final contract signatures so the vendor can deploy all equipment at once. On street performers, WBID is working with Council Chair Waters on legislation and enforcement strategies. On St. Augustine Church’s homeless feedings, he said WBID is now collaborating closely with the church and has signed it up for ambassador and private security support to manage trespassing and disruptive behavior during and around the feedings, a significant change from earlier years when the church and WBID were not working together.
Abarzua also promoted public realm improvements. Following a pilot effort at Kūhiō Beach Park, WBID and the city are adding 100 artistically designed trash cans along Kalākaua and Kūhiō in high-foot-traffic areas, replacing older bins and trying to reduce litter blowout. He said the long-term aim is to expand these upgrades into side streets where public trash receptacles are scarce. In Kūhiō Beach Park itself, WBID is using the earlier $1 million contribution to support public space activation and design features, including a Waikīkī-branded sign or art installation intended to attract families and visitors while making formerly problematic areas more active and less hospitable to nuisance behavior. Completion is targeted for November.
During questions, a resident asked whether ambassadors merely sweep around bus stops while ignoring people lying on benches. Abarzua said WBID has different classes of ambassadors, including “elevated safety ambassadors” responsible for sit-lie enforcement and outreach, and claimed roughly a 90 percent compliance rate when people are asked to move. He invited the public to report specific failures. Another exchange touched on possible expansion of WBID’s trespass and patrol services to support residential buildings and HOAs in side streets that are now seeing more homelessness and nuisance behavior. Abarzua said the concept is still being developed but could become one way to extend security coverage into mixed or residential areas if funding can be identified.
Meeting Close and Approval of Prior Minutes
Toward the end of the meeting, the board approved the minutes from the prior meeting without substantive discussion. The chair report was skipped, and the meeting adjourned after reminders about upcoming testimony opportunities and community events.