No 32 Waimānalo Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting November 2025
Waimānalo Neighborhood Board #32 Meeting
Opening and Purpose
The Waimānalo Neighborhood Board #32 convened its regular meeting on Monday, November 10, at the Waimānalo Public Library meeting room, with a video teleconference option via WebEx. Attendees were reminded of the board’s mission to foster effective citizen participation in government decisions and advised on the protocol for providing testimony. The board highlighted that public meetings are recorded and posted on YouTube, explained how to submit written comments, and asked speakers to state name and affiliation before addressing the board. A brief pule opened the evening, followed by a roll call confirming quorum. It was noted that the board will be in recess for December and resume its regular schedule in January.
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Report
A captain from the Waimānalo Fire Station provided the October statistics, including 42 medical calls, five motor vehicle accidents, and one activated alarm. He emphasized cooking safety tips, noting that cooking fires remain a leading cause of home fires. These tips included staying alert while cooking, keeping a watchful eye on heated appliances, and storing flammable items away from stovetops. The captain also responded to a question about helicopter operations, explaining that any petition to lower civilian helicopter routes would not affect HFD’s search and rescue regulations. The board and community expressed appreciation for HFD’s involvement in local events, including a Halloween block party, and thanked firefighters for their continued service.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) and Ocean Safety
HPD was not present for a report, so the board moved on to the Department of Ocean Safety. A lieutenant shared visitor and preventive action data for various beach zones, covering Makapu‘u, Waimānalo Beach Park, Hūnānāniho, and Bellows. The beach parks had thousands of visitors, many recorded preventive actions, several minor first aid instances, and a few rescues primarily caused by riptides or hazardous shore break conditions. One search operation in Kailua spanned three days for a missing paddler with no successful contact. The lieutenant acknowledged a community question about potentially designating local beach parks as dog-friendly or dog park areas. He offered to participate in future discussions but stressed that existing challenges, including rising numbers of off-leash dogs belonging to people living on park grounds, would need careful consideration.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) Report
A representative of BWS detailed the previous month’s main break on Lūkena‘ela Street, noting that the pipe dated back to 1950. She advised that the board’s website and social media are the best sources for real-time updates on main breaks and water service disruptions. Board members asked about the Kāne‘ohe–Kailua area watershed management plan, including any available grants for aquifer recharge and watershed restoration programs. The BWS representative agreed to seek more information on continued grant opportunities. Questions also arose about the type of pipe used in older infrastructure, prompting a promise to confirm details and follow up at a subsequent meeting.
Mayor’s Representative
With the City Department of Parks and Recreation director traveling, the mayor’s office provided a written update. It included information about improvements requested by the community, such as acquiring an ATV for groundskeepers at Bellows and signage installations in Waimānalo Beach Park and Hūnānāniho. The email confirmed that campsite signage would be installed by the end of November, and printed rules for beach parks would supplement enforcement of prohibited activities. The mayor’s office also discussed plans to replace the electrical and water lines for the Waimānalo Beach Park comfort station, reaffirming that the design phase would avoid major trenching and disruption to culturally sensitive areas. The update addressed questions about the city’s Skyline rail service and associated bus routes, clarifying the main customer service phone line and enumerating recent bus route modifications. Several board members expressed the need for a city representative to attend in person so they could respond to such detailed community inquiries more directly.
Education Updates
Representatives from Waimānalo Elementary and Intermediate, Blanche Pope Elementary, and Kaipuni o Waimānalo did not issue reports. The board heard from the principal of Mālama Honua Public Charter School, who described the school’s first trimester achievements. Students presented their learning in a public showcase, focusing on the theme of identity and community. Several students also traveled to the Hawai‘i Farmers Union conference in Kona, connecting classroom knowledge with local agriculture initiatives. The school gifted new Waimānalo-based mo‘olelo books to community partners and classrooms, and application windows for the next academic year are now open. Plans for celebrating Lā Kū‘oko‘a (Hawaiian Independence Day) on November 25 were outlined, with hands-on activities, traditional arts, and reflections on Hawaiian history.
Windward Community College
The chancellor reported that the University of Hawai‘i’s student records system will undergo significant upgrades from December 11 to January 3, limiting the ability to add or drop classes and view fee statements during that period. Students were encouraged to register before late November, partly to prevent class cancellations for low enrollment. She mentioned a “Backyard Bash” concert planned for December 5, offering free tickets to students who finalize registration early. She also publicized Hawai‘i Food Bank’s ongoing distribution events on campus and described the college’s free or subsidized meal options for students throughout the week.
Waimānalo Health Center
A health center representative noted that November is Diabetes Awareness Month and highlighted services such as a diabetes prevention program for individuals at risk, a monthly talk story session for those managing their blood sugar, and smoking cessation assistance. Further details included the center’s cooking classes and encouragement for more individuals to learn practical skills in preparing healthier meals at home. Questions arose about program age requirements and genealogical patterns of diabetes within local families, prompting the representative to confirm she would gather details and report back on eligibility and potential expansions of existing or new workshops.
Community Concerns and Announcements
A community member representing Ahonui Works updated the board about a proposed pump track at Waimānalo District Park, explaining that higher construction costs arise with asphalt builds. The project will require several hundred thousand dollars, and the group continues to seek volunteers, donations, local partnerships, and culturally appropriate naming for the facility. There was also a mention of local events honoring veterans and calls for improved publicity around ceremonies offered at the state level to recognize military service. Another resident announced the next phase of a local agricultural restoration project, inviting neighbors to take part in work sessions and a commencement ceremony.
Elected Officials Reports
Councilmember Esther Kia‘āina explained that she secured $100,000 of city funding as a starting point for the planned pump track, although she recognized more resources would be needed to realize the project fully. She requested neighborhood board support of her proposed charter amendment to direct a portion of the Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund toward historic preservation. She described progress on a resolution contemplating the return of Bellows Air Force Station to state or community jurisdiction and noted that her staff had gathered documentation relating to historical executive orders and land conveyances. She shared that she intends to introduce a formal resolution in January. Other officials, including the state senator, state representative, and the governor’s and congresswoman’s offices, were not present for updates.
Board Business
Board members approved the previous month’s minutes. They then discussed a proposal to recommend “dog-friendly park” status in selected Waimānalo areas, noting concerns about unleashed animals, public safety, and existing rules on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands parcels. The board decided to defer the decision until January to allow more discussion. Members next considered bundled recommendations to the State Department of Transportation, covering new bus-stop trash bins, raised crosswalks with flashing lights, improved speed regulations on local streets, and delineators near key intersections. The board voted unanimously to send the recommendations to state officials, aiming to reduce speeding and enhance pedestrian safety. A board member presented proposed signage language for Hūnānāniho and Waimānalo Beach Park, clarifying rules on commercial activity, camping permits, parking lot use, and park hours. Action on the signage will appear on a future agenda, with the board encouraging a dedicated committee meeting to refine the details.
Meeting Announcements and Adjournment
Attendees were encouraged to donate to the Toys for Tots drive and reminded that the board will be in recess during December. The next regular meeting is scheduled for January. The meeting concluded with a closing pule, expressing gratitude for the board’s work and seeking continued safety for the community. After final remarks of appreciation for participants, the session adjourned around 9:03 p.m. and participants departed with well wishes for the holiday season.