No 32 Waimānalo Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting October 2025
Waimānalo Neighborhood Board Meeting
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) Monthly Statistics and Neighborhood Safety
Lieutenant Akagi and Officer Atkins presented law enforcement statistics for Waimānalo in September 2025. There was one motor vehicle theft (up from zero the previous month), one burglary (same as last month), three thefts (down from four), four unauthorized vehicle break-ins (up from three), and zero robberies reported. Officers stressed that they are available for questions or safety concerns and emphasized the need for continued community involvement. Residents raised multiple safety issues, especially at Hunānāniho Park, including dangerous ATV use on the beach, vandalism, and graffiti. HPD agreed to step up patrols, issue warnings and citations, and encouraged Parks and Recreation to better manage locked gates at night. Questions were also raised about recent incidents along Makapuʻu to Kailua, such as a truck damaging beautification barriers and threatening the integrity of iwi kūpuna. HPD explained that, while officers are engaged in regular patrols, community members are encouraged to call in disturbances so that proper action can be taken.
Community Perspectives on Law Enforcement Presence
Many residents supported an increased police presence. One attendee shared that officers often protect vulnerable community members who are houseless or experiencing a crisis. Others noted that having more officer visibility, including the use of ATVs, would help deter vandalism and reckless driving in parks and residential areas. Some suggested that HPD move its call staging areas from the local elementary school to more public spaces like Hunānāniho Park, believing this shift could reduce unauthorized vehicle activity and overall mischief.
Discussion on Surveillance Cameras on Coastal Areas
HPD reported on a pilot project involving new surveillance cameras along specific coastal areas. Although intended to reduce crime, some residents expressed concerns about bright strobe lights that run throughout the night, arguing that these lights affect dark-sky visibility, may confuse drivers, and diminish the natural landscape. HPD clarified the project runs for six months—until February 2026—and that they would document resident concerns for review at the pilot’s conclusion.
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) and Ocean Safety Updates
While HFD was called away for an emergency, a City and County Ocean Safety lieutenant, ‘Aka Tamashiro, provided an update for September 2025. With the end of summer and fewer visitors, rescues remain moderate, including 27 at Makapuʻu and minimal rescues at Hunānāniho and Waimānalo Beach Park. Bellows Beach, open only on weekends and holidays, saw no rescues. Ocean Safety recently added a 40-foot storage container to better store and protect essential equipment, though the container experienced mild vandalism. Officials praised coordinated efforts with HPD to deter further damage and thanked the Parks Department for assisting with placement and management of the new container.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) Report on Conservation
A BWS representative reported one water main break on Mahailua Road, likely from an older line dating back to the 1960s. The Board continues urging all residents, visitors, and businesses to reduce water usage by 20%. Strategies include taking shorter showers, using garden hoses with nozzles, and irrigating early in the morning. Questions arose about hotel industry conservation efforts. BWS clarified that hotels have largely retrofitted for low-flow fixtures, but that irrigation and pool maintenance remain high water demands. The Board also noted concerns about climate and drought conditions, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning.
Mayor’s Representative: New City Initiatives and Infrastructure
Director Laura Thielen provided updates from the City administration. She highlighted the expansion of the rail system’s second segment, running from the Stadium to Middle Street via the airport, and encouraged residents to try the rail for free during its opening weekend. The City’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency is seeking a new Chief Resilience Officer, a position established by charter to advance sustainable policies. The popular Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, overwhelmed by high visitor volumes, will close each Thursday starting in January 2026 to allow for conservation work. She also reminded residents to safely dispose of flammable propane canisters after a recent fire at H-Power. Finally, the City continues pushing forward with a Waimānalo Beach Park pavilion construction project and is considering new routes for water and electrical lines servicing a local bathroom facility. Those new routes raise questions from the community about environmental sensitivity and potential impact on iwi kūpuna, prompting suggestions that the City consider alternative paths or maintain existing lines while respecting potential cultural sites.
Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) Maintenance and Safety Projects
HDOT’s representative, Casey Abe, outlined recent and ongoing projects: crews cleared trash and vegetation, addressed new graffiti, and engaged with homeless encampments near guardrails. A new flashing beacon was installed near Waimānalo Elementary and Intermediate School, but additional repairs are needed to fix a partially working light. Discussions continued about speed tables on Kalanianaʻole Highway near St. Matthew’s Church, with community members clarifying which existing crosswalks could be raised for pedestrian safety. Residents also suggested rethinking no-turn and traffic flow policies to tackle congestion and reduce dangerous driving maneuvers. HDOT will consider these references and continue using data from its traffic safety summit, aiming to reduce accidents and fatalities.
Education and Community Organization Updates
Local schools and organizations reported on enrollment, upcoming events, and community service projects. Mālama Honua Public Charter School showcased its students’ cultural and science-based learning, including field trips to historic sites, scientific exploration of lunar phases, and ongoing partnerships for community service. Windward Community College thanked the community for supporting a successful paniolo-style barbecue fundraiser, announced its upcoming Makahiki-related programs, and reminded residents to register early for spring semester before a temporary system maintenance shutdown in December. The Hawaiʻi Job Corps Center confirmed it is fully open for enrollment and staffing, highlighted job openings in residential, security, and academic instruction, and invited local youth to visit the campus each Thursday morning for tours.
Waimānalo Health Center and Neighboring Services
Waimānalo Health Center encouraged community members to use its free smoking cessation program and reported it is hiring in medical, dental, outreach, and cultural health divisions. Other groups in attendance, such as animal outreach volunteers, announced free spay and neuter clinics for low-income families. Organizers of the 33rd Annual Waimānalo Christmas Parade scheduled for December 13 welcomed community participation and spelled out parade details, from entry forms to the final holoholo route. A follow-on ho‘olaule‘a at Waimānalo Beach Park will celebrate local kupuna, scholarship opportunities, and ways to foster financial literacy, continuing the event’s tradition of community-building and cultural pride.
Community Concerns and Ongoing Coordination
Community members raised broader concerns about lighting along the Ka Iwi coastline, citing potential harm to sea birds, aesthetic impacts, and driver safety. Some residents questioned the fairness of extending certain military uses at Bellows Air Force Station, advocating for the return of prime coastal property to civilian or Hawaiian trust control. Elected officials, including Councilmember Esther Kiaʻāina, Senator Chris Lee, and Representative Lisa Marten, each gave updates on legislation and funding priorities, with special attention to housing, homelessness, agricultural sustainability, and potential expansions of infrastructure. They promised future community meetings on proposed developments, including the planned adaptation of Weinberg Village for additional houseless services and the ongoing search for solutions to water infrastructure around sensitive cultural sites.
Board Actions and Next Steps
The Board voted on several resolutions supporting regional and statewide initiatives, including reforming pesticide use reporting and restricting hazardous chemicals, championing open government reforms at the state legislature, and aligning with other neighborhood boards to oppose a proposed gondola project in Waialua. Members also discussed necessary water and electrical line upgrades at Waimānalo Beach Park, ultimately deferring a decision to allow for more consultation regarding cultural sensitivity and alignment with Department of Hawaiian Home Lands protocols. The meeting ended with a reflection on the board’s long-standing service—now marking fifty years of neighborhood-level governance—and a renewed commitment to community engagement as members prepare for the next scheduled gathering.