Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting JUNE 2025 Minutes

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting JUNE 2025 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 7/16/2025.

With Permission / Courtesy of: City and County of Honolulu Neighborhood Commission Office

KAIMUKĪ NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 4

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025 AT 6:30 P.M.

KAIMUKĪ PUBLIC LIBRARY MEETING ROOM -- 1041 KOKO HEAD AVENUE, HONOLULU, HI 96816

AND ONLINE VIA WEBEX

Video Recording of Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC7c7gjIyvE

Google Drive Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Wt9pOrbakhHBtITFDEP84GlbdXeCis0s

1. CALL TO ORDER [0:00:00]: Chair Kang called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Quorum was established with 7 members present. Note: This 11-member Board requires six (6) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action. Board members must be in person or have video access.

Board Members Present: Brian Kang (Chair), Paul Hoe (Vice Chair), Kelsie Aguilera (Secretary), Audrey Abe (Treasurer), Franklin Chung, Becky Gardner, Travis Saito, and Judi-Ann Smith-Kauhane (joined 6:40 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: James Logue, Woody Salhi, and Joyce Murakami.

Total Guests 73 (33 live, 40 remote): Fire Fighter Patelli (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant M. Thompson (Honolulu Police Department); Civil Engineer Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply); CIO and Director Brian McKee (Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative); Adam Doo (Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters' Representative); Amanda Stevens (Governor Josh Green's Representative); State Senator Les Ihara, Jr., District 10; State Representative Tina Grandinetti, District 20; State Representative Jackson Sayama, District 20; Mallory (Congressmember Ed Case's Representative); Kaimuki Fire Station; Olelo Virtual; Carol, Dutch, KI, MNP, Ashley Bare, Mike Buck, David and Laurie Callies, Emily Cristobal, Elaine Evans, Zoe Finn, Max Kalhammer, Mr. Koorimbala, Michael Krijnen, Alana Lee, Jeannie Lum, Eric McCutcheon, Lily Ochoco, Bekah Stinehour, and Lori Yamada (Residents/Guests); Brandon Tsark (Neighborhood Commission Office).

2. CITY/STATE MONTHLY REPORTS [0:02:00]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) [0:02:10]: Fire Fighter Patelli provided the monthly statistics for May 2025 (1 activated alarm, 53 medical responses, 1 modern-vehicle collision, and 5 vehicle collisions). He also shared fire-safety tips and shared the new online tools: Incident Trend Dashboard and Fire Response Search Tool (fire.honolulu.gov) for neighborhood-level emergency data and incident look-ups.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) [0:04:20]: Lieutenant M. Thompson from District 7 provided crime statistics for May 2025 (7 vehicle thefts, 11 burglaries, 17 thefts, 10 unauthorized entries, and 5,892 calls for service). He also provided best practices for home security, such as securing windows with locking clips, keeping valuables out of sight, and coordinated neighborhood watch efforts.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:06:30]

3. PUBLIC INPUT [0:08:10]

Certificates of Accomplishment to Valedictorians [0:08:10]: Hearing no objections, Chair moved item 5A to present timeslot. Certificates of Accomplishment were presented to valedictorians of Kaimukī Christian School and Sacred Hearts Academy.

Construction on Hillside Properties [0:09:55]: Resident Mr. Douglas K. raised concern about new construction grading on hillside properties, in particular, regarding builders flattening lots contrary to code. He also inquired how residents could verify City approvals on accurate lot elevations.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:13:10] Question was fielded directly by Director Dawn T. Apuna from Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP).

Designating Dog-Friendly Park Sections [0:13:50]: Resident Ms. Juanita L. provided an update on her group's report on Department of Parks and Recreation's (DPR) dog-friendly park inventory, provided their recommendation, and invited further discussion from Treasurer Abe.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:18:15]

"Monster Home" Redevelopment Projects [0:21:45]: Resident Mr. Bill Lane raised concern about new redevelopments and how such projects threaten to displace long-term residents.

Board of Water Supply (BWS) [0:23:30]: Civil Engineer Lorna Heller announced annual water-quality reports will now be mailed out biannually in July and December (also available at boardofwatersupply.com).

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:24:40]

4. COMMUNITY UPDATES [0:26:00]

Kaimukī Business and Professional Association (KBPA) [0:26:00]: No representative present.

5. PRESENTATIONS [0:26:20]

3615 Sierra Dr Property/Status [0:26:20]: Director Dawn T. Apuna from DPP provided a full status report and led community discussion regarding original permit and current status for property at 3615 Sierra Dr. She provided further information regarding "garage loopholes" whereby residents are able to add to their floor area ratio, as well as departmental strategy along with Honolulu City Council (HCC) Chair Tommy Waters to close such loopholes.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:38:45]

Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization [0:49:55]: Ms. Ashley Bare introduced the nonprofit's fire-wise educational outreach and announced an upcoming wildfire preparedness meeting on June 25, at Kaimukī Middle School.

Hawaiʻi Bicycling League (HBL) [0:52:00]: Mr. Eric McCutcheon presented on "Bills that Make You Go Hmmmmm," regarding 3 bills that HBL endorsed but which fell short this year. He encouraged public with this legislative primer and food for thought regarding upcoming bills for next session and where HBL stands.

Presentation / Exercise on HNL Connect [1:03:00]: Park and Curb Management Coordinator Max Kalhammer and Consultant Bekah Stinehour for Department of Transportation Services (DTS) presented on the City's Transportation Demand Management program, which is aimed at reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips by offering smarter parking solutions, multimodal incentives, and targeted marketing tied to Skyline Phase 2. Key initiatives include restricted parking pilot, new mobile app, free HOLO passes for City employees, and outreach to promote alternative transit options. They also led a game designed to educate participants on how pricing and enforcement drive parking patterns.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [1:31:00]

6. ELECTED OFFICIALS' REPORTS [1:32:55]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative [1:32:55]: Director Brian McKee from Department of Information Technology (DIT) highlighted recent City events in June 2025, including Memorial Day Punchbowl ceremony, 17 new ambulances, 50-year service awards to bus drivers and dispatchers, and progress on joint City and State food drive.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [1:36:20]

Honolulu City Council (HCC) Chair Tommy Waters' Representative [1:40:30]: Mr. Adam Doo voiced HCC Chair Waters office's support for work by DPP and Director Apuna, praised recent bills tightening monster-home regulations, and pledged further action on garage loopholes. He also outlined Bill 45-25 on strengthening HPD's communication with public, announced a joint July town hall, and expressed gratitude to outgoing board members.

Governor Josh Green's Representative [1:43:20]: Ms. Amanda Stevens highlighted a June 18 Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) news release urging dog owners to restrain pets and avoid monk seal pupping areas. She also reported on new law requiring employers of child performers to place 15% of earnings into trust funds and coordinated palm tree pest treatments on North Shore.

State Senator Stanley Chang, District 9 [1:46:45]: No representative present.

State Senator Les Ihara, Jr., District 10 [1:46:45]: Senator Ihara noted Governor Green's early submission of veto list and reported no current push for override session.

State Representative Tina Grandinetti, District 20 [1:49:50]: Representative Grandinetti reported e-bike regulation bill on governor's veto list and urged support to clarify EV exclusions. She also announced her transition to Vice Chair of Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee and focus on tenant protections and insurance issues, as well as joint town hall on July 23, at Liholiho Elementary School, beginning at 6:30 pm.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [1:52:55]

State Representative Jackson Sayama, District 20 [1:53:20]: Representative Sayama encouraged review of veto list and emphasized continued, legislative momentum even if key bills are vetoed, reported on ongoing work as House Labor Chair, and announcement of plans for door-to-door outreach, community cleanups, and site visits regarding constituent concerns, e.g., feral chickens.

Congressmember Ed Case, Congressional District 1 [1:56:15]: Ms. Mallory from Congressmember Case's office shared his Q2 e-newsletter, which covers the first 150 days of Trump administration and federal appropriations, is now available online. She encouraged constituents to visit their website for updates, assistance, and submission of feedback.

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS [1:57:25]: Chair Kang announced Kaimukī Library's 60th anniversary celebration on Sunday, June 22, from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. He thanked NB04 board members for a successful term, as well as NCO for its support, and extended best wishes to non-returning board members.

8. BOARD BUSINESS [1:58:55]

Approval of May 21, 2025 Written Summaries of Video Record [1:58:55]: Chair recognized motion from Vice Chair Kang and second from Treasurer Abe to approve minutes as distributed. After a quick voice vote, the ayes have it, and the motion is adopted.

9. REPORTS [1:59:10]

Traffic and Transportation Committee [1:59:10]: Treasurer Abe reported progress on committee's requested meeting to follow up on March 2025 Joint Transportation Committee with DTS.

10. NEXT MEETING OF THIS BOARD [2:00:00]

The next regular meeting of the Kaimukī Neighborhood Board will be on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kaimukī Public Library meeting room and remotely via Webex.

11. ADJOURNMENT [2:00:00]: Chair Kang adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.

Submitted by: Brandon Tsark, Neighborhood Assistant, Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO)

Reviewed by: Travis Saito, Community Relations Specialist, Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO)

Finalized by:

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Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting JUNE 2025 Minutes

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