Last Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting FEBRUARY 2026 Minutes

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Last Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting FEBRUARY 2026 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 3/18/2026.

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, FEBRUARY 18, 2026 AT 6:30 P.M.

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

AND ONLINE VIA WEBEX

Meeting Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4QmCd6FFzs&list=PLfqRwVpRroom3zp43KJkZZ4nynu8uuap1

Meeting Materials: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Wt9pOrbakhHBtITFDEP84GlbdXeCis0s

1. CALL TO ORDER [0:00:08]: Chair Kang called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

2. ROLL CALL [0:00:12]: Neighborhood Assistant Hayashi conducted a roll call of board members. Quorum was established with nine members present. This 11-member board requires six members to establish quorum and to take official board action. Chair Kang announced that James Logue resigned from the Board and the Board would seek a volunteer to fill the vacant subdistrict 1 seat (East Kaimukī & Business District) at the next meeting.

Board Members Present: Kelsie Aguilera, John Arnest, Becky Gardner, Calvin Hara, Paul Hoe (Vice Chair), Sean Koegel, Carole Mandryk, Audrey Abe (Secretary), and Brian Kang (Chair).

Board Members Absent: Christine Otto Zaa.

Guests: Lieutenant Leonard Nishimura (Honolulu Police Department); Lorna Heller (Board of Water Supply); Eric McCutcheon (Kaimukī Vision Zero); Robert "Bob" Dewitz (Hawaiʻi Kyūdo Foundation); Director Brian McKee (Mayor Blangiardi); Tasha Luke (Council Chair Waters); David Patterson (Governor Green); Stephanie Smith Eisenstat (Senator Chang); Senator Les Ihara Jr. (Senate District 10); Representative Jackson Sayama (House District 21); David Ross, Heidi, Kauʻi, Ranell Asuega Fualaau, Andrew Phomsouvanh, Juanita Liu, and Leolani Iwaki (Residents/Guests). About 62 participants joined the meeting.

3. HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD) [0:01:07]: No representative was present.

• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u9jF2c_iMtw5eJhDd05kuOierP2ceAcG/view

4. HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD) [0:01:37]: Lieutenant Nishimura provided crime statistics for the month of January 2026. There were 11 motor vehicle thefts, five burglaries, 23 thefts, five unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMVs), and 5,804 total calls for service in District 7. Lieutenant Nishimura's safety tip for the month addressed scams, including DMV-related scams and impersonation scams where callers pose as law enforcement demanding payment. He emphasized that law enforcement will never solicit payment online or by phone, and urged residents who have concerns to call 911 and request an officer. Lieutenant Nishimura confirmed that parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk or intersection and 30 feet of a stop sign can be enforced at any time by any on-site officer, with a $35 fine.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:03:54]:

1. Appreciation for Enforcement Update: Member Gardner thanked Chair Kang for including the parking enforcement question on the agenda and thanked Lieutenant Nishimura for the clarification.

2. Sign Waving Event: Chair Kang announced a Drive With Aloha traffic safety sign waving event co-sponsored by HPD District 7 and Representative Jackson Sayama, scheduled for the following morning, Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 7:15 a.m. to 7:55 a.m. on Waiʻalae Avenue between 6th and 7th Avenues in front of Aliʻiolani Elementary School.

5. COMMUNITY REPORTS [0:05:03]

Board of Water Supply (BWS) [0:05:03]: Lorna Heller reported one main break on Monday, January 12, 2026 on 13th Avenue involving a 6-inch main installed in 1935. Heller announced the BWS 2026 Poster and Poetry Contest. The poster contest is open to students in grades kindergarten through 6th grade; the poetry contest is open to 7th through 12th grade students. The theme is "Everyday Conservation." The entry deadline is Friday, February 27, 2026.

6. PRESENTATIONS [0:06:29]

Kaimukī Vision Zero: Road Rights and Safety for Everyone [0:06:58]: Eric McCutcheon provided an update on road safety legislation during the current legislative session. He reported that statewide traffic fatalities through February 11, 2026, totaled 13, compared to 16 during the same period last year. He outlined legislative proposals including the installation of Leading Pedestrian Interval signals, all-walk crossings at schools, helmet requirements for bicyclists through age 18 and e-scooter riders through age 16, and Department of Education requirements to teach e-bike safety. Additional proposals include modified parking standards for affordable and transit-oriented housing and free or reduced-cost transit. McCutcheon encouraged residents to share feedback with legislators.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:16:22]:

1. High-Speed Electric Devices: A resident asked whether high-speed electric devices capable of reaching 70 mph are legal. McCutcheon confirmed they are not.

Update on Kyūdojo (Archery Training Facility) at Mauʻumae Nature Park [0:17:14]: Robert "Bob" Dewitz of the Hawaii Kyudo Foundation provided an update on the proposed archery training facility at Mauʻumae Nature Park. He explained that the project would occupy only about one-half to one percent of the total park area and would not affect the lower section used by dog walkers. Dewitz addressed several community concerns. For safety, the facility will have a full-time range master, security fencing, landscaping, buffer zones, and archery netting to prevent stray arrows. Flooding and runoff will be managed through an on-site drainage basin as required by building codes. Adequate parking will be provided, and the facility will mainly operate during off-peak hours. Dewitz contacted the mayor's office to request a Department of Transportation Services review of speeding on the adjacent roadway. The Hawaii Kyudo Foundation will gift the $850,000 facility to the City, and it will be operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation as a public asset for community groups. Dewitz reported seven board appearances, outreach to 63 nearby residents, door-to-door surveys, and meetings with Council Chair Waters. Of those surveyed, 66% supported the project while 6% opposed it. An archaeological study found no significant historical issues, and the Board of Water Supply reported no aquifer concerns.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:30:56]:

1. Appreciation from Member Gardner: Member Gardner acknowledged Dewitz's six prior board presentations, expressed that concerns raised by residents in January, including traffic, dogs, noise, and parking, had been addressed over the course of those visits, and asked that residents suspend judgment until concerns are fully resolved.

2. Land Area Clarification: Secretary Abe clarified that according to the environmental assessment report, the project occupies 8.2% of the total Mauʻumae park parcel. Dewitz responded that the development footprint is 4.8% of the specific parcel below Koko Drive and a much smaller fraction of the total 29-acre park.

3. Safety Concerns: Secretary Abe expressed continued concerns about the safety of archery netting, stating that netting is not equivalent to steel. She also questioned the use of a park that has long been used for picnicking and dog walking. Chair Kang clarified that the dog park in the lower section of the park would not be disturbed and that the project area is above that section.

4. Facility Access and Capacity: David Ross, a nearby resident, asked about the primary functionality of the facility and how many residents could access it. Dewitz stated the foundation initially expects to train 40-80 people per year and intends to grow teaching capacity over time.

5. Project Concerns: Heidi raised concerns about procedural fairness, public access, environmental impact, and zoning. She stated that plans appeared to be approved before community notices were sent, that the project would result in the clear-cutting of trees on a 2.45-acre parcel, and that the proposed building coverage may exceed the 5% maximum allowed under preservation zoning. She called for a moratorium on the permit, broader community input, and engagement with organizations such as the Trust for Public Land and the University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center.

6. Land Significance: Kauʻi spoke to the cultural and spiritual significance of the land. She urged the Board and community to consider Native Hawaiian perspectives on stewardship of the land.

7. Facility Scheduling: A resident asked who would have scheduling priority for the facility.

8. Response to Community Concerns: Dewitz clarified that the plans have not yet been approved and must still go before the Department of Planning and Permitting. He stated that the environmental assessment comment window is set by law and outside his control, that the project does not envision clear-cutting 2.45 acres, and that P-2 zoning requirements mandate a percentage of tree coverage per parking stall.

9. Park Infrastructure: A resident questioned how infrastructure can be adequately maintained in a park that is already poorly maintained, given that relying on volunteers is not a sustainable long-term solution.

7. DISCUSSION [0:58:00]

Update (or Request for Update) from DPP on the Approval of Permits for 3615 Sierra Drive [0:58:00]: Chair Kang noted that DPP (Department of Planning and Permitting) was invited to the Board meeting. Member Aguilera shared that neighbors observed construction had resumed at 3615 Sierra Drive over the prior two weeks. Permits at the site had previously been revoked due to violations involving the floor area ratio, an excessive number of wet bars and bathrooms, and insufficient side yards. The Building Board of Appeals denied the owner's appeal to reinstate the permits. Member Aguilera stated that the community's question is how those four violations were remedied to allow construction to resume. Chair Kang requested that Mayor Blangiardi's representative and Council Chair Waters' office follow up with DPP on the matter.

8. ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS [1:00:01]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative [1:00:01]: Brian McKee, Department of Information Technology Chief Information Officer, shared City updates. Mayor Blangiardi issued a proclamation for Black History Month, reaffirming the City's commitment to equality. The Honolulu Fire Department marked its 175th anniversary, established in 1851 as the oldest fire department west of the Mississippi. Jimmy Barros was named the City's Deputy Chief of Ocean Safety. A new off-leash dog park opened at Punahou Street and Wilder Avenue, and a new ultraviolet (UV) water treatment system was commissioned in Kaneohe, doubling efficiency. McKee also noted the 3615 Sierra Drive concern and agreed to follow up with DPP.

City Council Chair Tommy Waters (District 4) [1:04:08]: Tasha Luke, representing Council Chair Waters' office, provided updates. Chair Waters' office reported that the administration reviewed the Queen Theater property and determined redevelopment would be extremely challenging due to lack of parking, structural issues, and significant financial constraints; however, Chair Waters remains committed to the theater's restoration and cited the Hawaiʻi Theatre as a comparable success model. HPD conducted speed enforcement on Wilhelmina Rise between Waiʻalae Avenue and Sierra Drive from January 26 to February 4, issuing one citation, and will continue to monitor the area.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [1:05:55]:

1. Hawaiʻi Theatre Reference: Member Gardner asked the name of the theater cited as a rehabilitation model. Luke confirmed it was the Hawaiʻi Theatre.

Governor Josh Green's Representative [1:06:51]: David Patterson introduced himself as the new Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Department of Law Enforcement (DLE), representing the governor's office for the first time. He noted that DLE will assist HPD with patrols near schools and on freeways on weekends, as identified through a safety study. He also noted that illegal fireworks enforcement is an ongoing focus.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [1:08:23]:

1. ICE Activity and State Policy: Member Gardner asked whether the governor or DLE had developed a policy on how to respond should ICE activity increase in Honolulu, similar to situations in Minneapolis. Patterson stated that DLE would assist federal agents if members of the public were interfering with a lawful federal enforcement action, but would not conduct immigration enforcement operations on ICE's behalf. He confirmed that DLE sheriffs would not arrest individuals based on suspected immigration status, and that federal agents must enter courthouses through the same public entrances as everyone else.

Senate District 9: Senator Stanley Chang [1:11:18]: Zephanii Smith Eisenstat reported that Senator Chang chairs the Housing Committee and also serves on the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, Judiciary, and Water, Land, Culture, and Tourism committees. She noted that SB 2203, which would prohibit the use of face masks by federal agents unless certain conditions are met, was the first bill this session to pass out of the Senate and is now before the House. She highlighted a community scam awareness event on February 23 and encouraged constituents to subscribe to the senator's newsletter at www.senatorchang.com/newsletters.

Senate District 10: Senator Les Ihara, Jr [1:15:06]: Senator Ihara reported that the legislature is on Day 17 of a 59-day session, shortened by one day due to a storm. He noted that committees are under pressure due to the lost hearing day. Senator Ihara described his role as facilitating coordination between the House and Senate to avoid procedural conflicts during the conference committee period. He serves on the Labor and Hawaiian Affairs committees. Senator Ihara also acknowledged library volunteers who embody the legacy of public stewardship dating to the Kingdom era.

House District 20: Representative Tina Grandinetti [1:17:14]: No representative was present.

House District 21: Representative Jackson Sayama [1:19:19]: Representative Sayama reported that his Labor Committee is holding its final hearing before the lateral deadline the following morning. He announced a Kyūdojo archery range town hall on Sunday at the Kaimukī Public Library from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 10:15 a.m. He noted that his February 2026 newsletter, to be distributed the following week, will include community grant resources from AARP and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation for Kūpuna aging in place, as well as a QR code and link for the FAA Hawaiʻi Airspace Modernization survey, with comments due by Sunday, March 15, 2026.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [1:21:40]:

1. Sign Waving Concern: Eric McCutcheon noted that sign waving as a traffic safety awareness strategy could itself be a driving distraction and challenged the representative to find alternative methods to convey the message. Representative Sayama acknowledged the feedback.

U.S. Congressman Ed Case [1:22:40]: No report.

9. COMMUNITY CONCERNS FROM RESIDENTS [1:23:00]

State Senate District 10 Candidacy: Jackson Sayama announced that he will not seek re-election to State House District 21 and will instead run for State Senate District 10. He thanked the community for six years of service and stated he will continue to serve as a state representative through November 2026. Les Ihara, Jr. welcomed Jackson Sayama's Senate candidacy and encouraged the community to embrace civic values rooted in collaboration and aloha.

Business Signage Near Kaimukī District Park: Ranell Asuega Fualaau, Chair of Neighborhood Board No. 6 (Pālolo), speaking as a resident, expressed concern about a new business near Boston Pizza whose signage she found inappropriate given its proximity to Kaimukī District Park, where children play. She suggested this illustrates the need for a design district ordinance to establish community standards for commercial signage.

State House District 21 Candidacy: Andrew Phomsouvanh, a Pālolo resident, announced his candidacy for House District 21, which includes St. Louis Heights, Pālolo, Wilhelmina Rise, Mānoa Heights, and parts of Kaimukī up to Harding Avenue. He noted prior experience working for Calvin Say during his time on the City Council.

10. BOARD BUSINESS [1:31:17]

A. Discussion of Ways to Increase Neighborhood Board Outreach [1:31:17]: Chair Kang opened a discussion on ways to increase community awareness of and attendance at Kaimukī Neighborhood Board meetings.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [1:31:56]:

1. Personal Invitations: Member Mandryk suggested a peer-outreach model, noting that she first learned about the Board when a friend told her. She proposed a coordinated effort to have every board member invite someone from their network.

2. Local Partnerships: Member Gardner proposed restaurants bringing food samples to meetings. Secretary Abe suggested using signage in parks or street corners, especially when major agenda items are upcoming.

3. Banners and Press Releases: Member Hara recalled the Kaimukī Neighborhood Board used a banner at the former meeting venue at Kaimukī Christian Church and placed posters in shop windows along Waiʻalae Avenue. He suggested reaching out to the Neighborhood Commission for media press releases. Vice Chair Hoe suggested board member photos and posters. Member Mandryk requested the Neighborhood Commission help with radio and person-to-person outreach. Secretary Abe noted the Kaimuki Neighborhood Security Watch network's strength. Member Koegel recommended using signs and word-of-mouth to promote Neighborhood Board meetings. Resident Leolani Iwaki urged Neighborhood Commission collaboration and better signage.

4. News Outreach: Speaking as a media professional with 30 years of experience, David Patterson suggested proactively reaching out to news reporters with highlighted agenda items before meetings, noting that preview news stories can draw broader public attention.

5. Community Connections: Member Gardner expressed support for the signage idea and encouraged civic participation as a way to feel greater agency in the community. She also encouraged neighbors to maintain close community connections and look out for one another.

B. Request from Neighborhood Commission Office to Review Neighborhood Board Boundary and Submit Requests for Any Revisions [1:45:52]: Hearing no board member discussion or public testimony, Chair Kang stated this item would be placed on the March 2026 meeting agenda to allow board members time to review the current boundaries online at https://www8.honolulu.gov/nco/boards-and-sub-district-boundary-descriptions.

C. Approval of Written Summaries for Video Record: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 and Wednesday, January 21, 2026 [1:47:07]: Chair Kang asked if there were any corrections to the draft written summaries. The date of the January 2026 meeting was corrected from January 22 to January 21. Without objection, the written summaries were ADOPTED.

D. Report of Transportation Committee [1:47:42]: Secretary Abe reported that the Board's Transportation Committee members met with the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) on December 10, 2025 regarding TheBus Route 200, which was implemented in August 2024. Juanita Liu presented two key concerns: safety hazards on Alohea Avenue and the impact on residents resulting from the discontinuation of TheBus Route 9, which had historically connected Kaimukī to downtown Honolulu. Liu noted that the Pālolo Neighborhood Board recently passed a resolution of support, joining prior resolutions from the Kaimukī Neighborhood Board and Diamond Head Neighborhood Board. She provided an image showing the current Route 200 alignment and proposed revising TheBus Route 200 to serve the previous Route 9 along 18th Avenue. She stated that key destinations such as the Kaimukī library, Diamond Head Health Center, and commercial areas along Waiʻalae Avenue are no longer accessible by bus for many residents, and that the library has observed a decline in after-school student visits attributed to the reduced transit access. She stated that DTS did not provide a justification for the removal of the original route, which she believes has served the community for over 80 years. The committee requested reinstatement of a bus route through Kaimukī to serve residents, businesses, and kupuna (seniors).

• TheBus Route Image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fClol_J_z9VxKPFqNEIU23ZVo5RDOedR/view

E. Reports of Board Members Attending Other Neighborhood Board and Public Meetings [1:58:29]: Member Hara attended Congressman Ed Case's Talk Story Town Hall meeting at Washington Middle School on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

11. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS [1:59:00]

A. Next Meeting: The Kaimukī Neighborhood Board No. 4 is scheduled to hold its next regular meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in person at the Kaimukī Public Library meeting room and online via Webex.

B. Meeting Agenda Requests: To request a meeting agenda item, please contact Chair Brian Kang (bak.nb4@gmail.com) at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting.

C. ‘Olelo Broadcast: Meetings can be viewed on Channel 49 on the second Sunday at 9:00 p.m. and the third Monday at 1:00 p.m. (https://olelo.org/tune-in).

D. Reporting Neighborhood Issues: Use the HNL 311 app or website (HNL311.com).

12. ADJOURNMENT [1:59:25]: Chair Kang adjourned the meeting at 8:29 p.m.

Submitted by: Curtis Hayashi, Neighborhood Assistant, Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO)

Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO)

Final approval by:

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Last Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting FEBRUARY 2026 Minutes

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