Palolo Neighborhood Board JULY 2026 Minutes

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Palolo Neighborhood Board JULY 2026 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 8/12/2026.

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

PĀLOLO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 6

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2026 at 7:00 P.M.
PĀLOLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAFETERIA, 2106 10TH AVENUE, HONOLULU, HI 96816
AND VIA WEBEX

Video Recording of Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8apwRPWZ7Z8

Google Drive Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mRIiZ-kR00PVW8z-q2zHi9L60YE1mXmR

1. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:22]: Chair Ranell Asuega-Fualaau called the Pālolo Neighborhood Board No. 6 meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Quorum was established with seven (7) members present. Note: This 13-member Board requires seven (7) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present Randolph Hack, Catalina Hanamura, Kaleolani Leo, Darlene Nakayama, Andrew Phomsouvanh,, Earl Shiraki and Ranell Asuega-Fualaau.

Board Member(s) Absent: Sean Aronson.

Guests: Captain Miller (Honolulu Fire Department); Lieutenant T. Nakamura, Sergeant Fujita (Honolulu Police Department); Dominic Dias, Rhea Quezn (Board of Water Supply); Juanita Liu, Leolani Iwaki (Kaimukī Neighborhood Board Transportation Committee); Aloha McGuffie (Kāhala Initiative for Sustainability, Culture, and the Arts); Mike Shiroma (Pālolo Coqui Volunteer Group); Representative Jackson Sayama (State House District 21); Angie Knight (Diamond Head Neighborhood Board), Janel Fujinaka (Makiki Neighborhood Board); Derek Turbin, Jake Takaya Morrow, Robbie Snyder (Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee); Jo Nishiki, Hoku Akiu, Debbie Snyder, Geroge Russell, Jay Silberman, Dahlia Asuega, Dorothy Mau, Beverly Mau, Khamloth Phomsouvanh, Kai Phomsouvanh, Julia Erin Bishop (Residents); Camilia Epa Gomes (Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 34 total participants.

2. MONTHLY REPORTS -- [0:00:25]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) -- [0:00:30]: No representative present at this time.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) -- [0:00:42]: Lieutenant T. Nakamura highlighted the following:
• Crime Statistics for June 2026 Compared to May 2026: 7 motor vehicle theft (unchanged); 2 burglaries (down from 3); 10 thefts (down from 12); 7 unauthorized entry to motor vehicle (up from 3); and total calls for service were 5,315 for the district.
• Safety Tips -- Hurricane Season Outlook: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts an above-average, "Super El Niño," tropical cyclone season this year. Residents are encouraged to make preparations in advance of potential storms

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:02:11]
1. Traffic Speeding Concern: Member Shiraki raised an ongoing concern about vehicles speeding on 10th Ave in the valley near Pālolo Chinese Home. Lt. Nakamura acknowledged the concern as an ongoing, continuing enforcement matter.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) -- [0:03:25]: Dominic Dias highlighted the following:
• Main Breaks: Nine (9) main breaks were reported in June 2026, mostly associated with ongoing construction work along Pālolo Avenue rather than pipe failures; all have been repaired and replaced.
• Construction Updates: The Waiomao Homestead Road 8-inch main waterline installation is complete and pending final paving and project closeout. Pālolo Avenue Water System Improvements Part 3 (Orchid Street to Carlos Long Road) is approximately 10% complete; RMY is the contractor.
• Illegal Dumping Signage: Following a resident request at the prior meeting, BWS has installed "No Dumping" signage on its fence at the corner of Carlos Long Road and Pālolo Avenue.
• General Announcement -- Unthirsty Plant Sale : BWS will host its annual plant sale on Saturday, August 1, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at its Xeriscape Garden in Hālawa (99-1268 Iwaena Street), featuring xeriscaping workshops, rain barrel catchment workshops, and free compost giveaways.
• Personnel Update: Mr. Dias announced this was his final meeting representing BWS after approximately two decades; incoming representative Rhea Quezon was introduced and will serve as the primary BWS representative going forward, with Mr. Dias remaining as alternate.
• Event Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fQPUi7rCpXS9M9ClnksGqm_W_ZHf8lY1/view?usp=drive_link
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wqg34lfhval4h10HtRwy8h0J-MDU3XIY/view?usp=sharing

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:07:30]
1. Road Repaving Timeline: A question was raised regarding when roads disturbed by waterline construction will be repaved. Mr. Dias explained that final repaving occurs after project completion via a separate paving contractor, and that BWS can provide temporary fixes for unsafe conditions upon request in the interim.

3. RESIDENT/COMMUNITY CONCERNS -- [0:09:34]

Pālolo Community Update on Coqui -- [0:09:37]: Mike Shiroma, Pālolo Coqui volunteer group co-chair, highlighted the following:
• Program Overview: The Pālolo volunteer group began in late February 2026 and has since conducted fifty-five (55) hunts, drawing approximately 436 total participant visits and capturing 3,619 coqui frogs to date.
• Work Days & Volunteers: The group has held fifteen (15) work days (trail clearing, etc.), including one event with twenty-six (26) U.S. Navy sailor volunteers; the group is recruiting additional volunteers to run simultaneous hunts in multiple locations.
• Statistics: Hunts average approximately 66 frogs captured; the single-night record is 337 frogs, and the individual volunteer record is 75 frogs in one outing.
• Efforts: Mike Shiroma stressed the importance of getting more resources to stop the invasive species from spreading all over the island. He dispelled misinformation and noted that coqui frogs can survive in hot, dry climates and referenced friends who live on Kona, Big Island where the climate is warm and dry but still deal with coqui frogs.
• Contact: Residents interested in volunteering may email palolococqui@gmail.com.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:13:57]
1. Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Concerns: Resident Debbie Snider asked whether the group also addresses coconut rhinoceros beetles. Mr. Shiroma clarified the group's focus is coqui frogs, that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity leads rhinoceros beetle efforts. Chair Asuega-Fualaau offered to share information on a past presentation on the topic.

Hearing no objections, Chair Asuega-Fualaau took the agenda out of order to hear Item 2.1 at this time.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) -- [0:16:16]: Captain Miller from the Pālolo Fire Station highlighted the following:
• June 2026 Incident Statistics: One (1) nuisance fire, one (1) activated alarm, thirty-five (35) medical calls, one (1) motor vehicle collision, and one (1) mountain rescue.
• Safety Tip -- Hiking Safety: Plan ahead and choose trails within your skill level; check the weather forecast; stay on the trail; hike with a buddy and share your plans with someone; and watch the time to ensure you can return before dark.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d9zfAT8TrSIf8sqGvTwMadVsaw68V5xT/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:18:16]
1. Causes of House Fires: Resident George asked about common causes of house fires in the valley. Capt. Miller identified illegal or unattended burning, overloaded electrical circuits, and dryer lint buildup as common causes, and encouraged residents to regularly clean dryer lint traps.

Hearing no objections, Chair Asuega-Fualaau returned to the regular order of business.

4. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:21:17]

Bus Route 200 Revised Resolution -- [0:21:25]: Juanita Liu, joined by Leolani Iwaki of the Kaimukī Neighborhood Board Transportation Committee, presented an updated resolution -- previously passed by the Kaimukī and Diamond Head Neighborhood Boards -- requesting restoration of an essential bus route through central Kaimukī (post office, library, Kaimukī Middle School, and commercial corridor), which current Route 200 bypasses. The updated version incorporates new ridership and route data and adds removal of the Kapiʻolani Park loop, a change requested by the Diamond Head Neighborhood Board to reduce congestion.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:26:45]
1. Confirmation of Update Scope: Member Phomsouvanh asked whether the resolution simply updates data from the earlier version. Ms. Liu confirmed the update also adds removal of the Kapiʻolani Park loop.
2. Consistency of Resolution's Intent: Member Hack asked whether the resolution's core intent remains consistent with the version previously reviewed. Ms. Liu confirmed the resolution still seeks to restore the essential bus trunk route through Kaimukī for Pālolo, Diamond Head, Kapahulu, and Kaimukī residents.
3. St. Louis Heights Support: Angie Knight, representing the Diamond Head-Kapahulu-St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board, shared that the St. Louis Heights Community Association submitted a letter supporting the revised Bus Route 200 resolution.

[0:31:18] -- Hack MOVED and Phomsouvanh SECONDED to adopt the revised resolution regarding TheBus route 200. No further discussion followed. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 7-0-0 (Aye: Hack, Hanamura, Leo, Nakayama, Phomsouvanh, Shiraki, Asuega-Fualaau; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:31:40].

East Oʻahu Community Action Network (ʻEO-CAN) Climate & Resiliency Mandate -- [0:32:11]: Aloha McGuffie, Executive VP of the Kāhala Initiative for Sustainability, Culture and the Arts (sponsored by the Kahala Hotel), presented a draft framework covering six East Oʻahu neighborhood boards (Kaimukī, Pālolo, Waiʻalae-Kāhala, Diamond Head, Hawaiʻi Kai, and Waimānalo):
• Background: A September 2025 Symposium for Climate Resilience drew approximately 100 attendees over two days, including ten breakout roundtables that shaped the draft framework's priorities.
• Framework: The 39-page draft plan, ʻEO-CAN: Building a Better East Oʻahu with Aloha," is available on the board's Google Drive; it outlines goals through 2050, with near-term planning through 2027, guided by a steering committee of approximately 20 members.
• Next Steps: Ms. McGuffie will return on August 12, 2026, to present part two and answer questions; a community survey is available via the posted PDF.
• Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nrwY9lxhFssId1y0JZQWcSyhKiNWI1vJ/view?usp=drive_link
• Draft Plan: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DJvd31xS2XYyP5NcveKTXJMZEQYdPzWg/view?usp=sharing

5. BOARD BUSINESS -- [0:45:00]

Filling of Vacancies -- [0:45:05]: No volunteers at this time.

Election of Officers (July 2026 to June 30, 20270 -- [0:45:28]

[0:46:03] -- Hack nominated Asuega-Fualaau to serve as chair. Hearing no further nominations, the board conducted a roll-call vote.

[0:48:35] -- Due to technical issues, Chair Asuega-Fualaau moved to Item 6 (Elected Officials Reports) at this time.

6. ELECTED OFFICIALS -- [0:48:40]: In light of the scheduled candidate forum, elected officials' written reports were made available to the community via the board's Google Drive.

7. CANDIDATE FORUM -- [0:49:10]: Chair Asuega-Fualaau reminded everyone there will be a candidate forum held after they adjourn the regular meeting.

[0:49:30] -- Hearing no objections, Chair Asuega-Fualaau returned to the regular order of business

Election of Officers (July 2026 to June 30, 20270 -- Continued -- [0:50:50]
[0:50:56] -- The board returned to the original motion. A roll-call vote was conducted. The board elected Asuega-Fualaau as chair; 7-0-0 (Aye: Hack, Hanamura, Leo, Nakayama, Phomsouvanh, Shiraki, Asuega-Fualaau; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:50:55].

[0:51:40] -- Hack nominated Phomsouvanh to serve as vice-chair. Hearing no further nominations, the board conducted a roll-call vote. The board elected Phomsouvanh as vice-chair; 7-0-0 (Asuega-Fualaau: Hack, Hanamura, Leo, Nakayama, Phomsouvanh, Shiraki, Asuega-Fualaau; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:52:37].

[0:52:56] -- Hack nominated Nakayama to serve as secretary. Hearing no further nominations, the board conducted a roll-call vote. The board elected Nakayama as secretary; 7-0-0 (Nakayama: Hack, Hanamura, Leo, Nakayama, Phomsouvanh, Shiraki, Asuega-Fualaau; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:53:45].

[0:54:00] -- Shiraki nominated Hack to serve as treasurer. Hearing no further nominations, the board conducted a roll-call vote. The board elected Hack as treasurer; 7-0-0 (Hack: Hack, Hanamura, Leo, Nakayama, Phomsouvanh, Shiraki, Asuega-Fualaau; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:54:40].

[0:54:55] -- Hack nominated Shiraki to serve as Sergeant-at-Arms. Hearing no further nominations, the board conducted a roll-call vote. The board elected Shiraki as Sergeant-at-Arms; 7-0-0 (Shiraki: Hack, Hanamura, Leo, Nakayama, Phomsouvanh, Shiraki, Asuega-Fualaau; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:55:39].

Proposed Recess Dates -- [0:56:16]: The Board discussed recess months for the remainder of the term. November 11, 2026 (Veterans Day) was proposed per the agenda, with January and June also suggested to align with the Board's required nine meetings per year.

[0:59:37] -- Asuega-Fualaau MOVED and Phomsouvanh SECONDED for the board to recess November 2026, January 2027, and June 2027. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 7-0-0 (Aye: Hack, Hanamura, Leo, Nakayama, Phomsouvanh, Shiraki, Asuega-Fualaau; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:59:49].

Approval of Regular Meeting Written Summaries for Video Record (Wednesday, February 11, 2026 and Wednesday, May 13, 2026) -- [1:00:02]: Hearing no objections, the February 2026 and May 2026 regular meeting written summaries for video record were both approved as written; 7-0-0 (Aye: Hack, Hanamura, Leo, Nakayama, Phomsouvanh, Shiraki, Asuega-Fualaau; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [1:00:40].

8. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [1:00:58]

Next Meeting -- [1:00:58]: The next Pālolo Neighborhood Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at Pālolo Elementary School and online via WebEx.

WebEx Access -- [1:01:06]: A Board member raised a point of order requesting the Board preserve online WebEx access alongside in-person attendance for members and residents who have difficulty attending in person. The Chair confirmed both options will continue to be offered.

9. ADJOURNMENT -- [1:01:58]: The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m. Following adjournment of the regular meeting, the Board hosted a brief, nonpartisan candidate forum for the 2026 election. Five candidates for State House of Representatives, District 21 -- Derek Turbin, Ranell Asuega-Fualaau, Jake T. Morrow, Andrew Phomsouvanh, and Angie Knight -- and one candidate for State Senate, Representative Jackson Sayama, gave one-minute introductions, responded to community questions on topics including affordable housing, small business support, and kūpuna care and healthcare services, and delivered closing statements. The forum concluded at approximately 8:55 p.m. - [1:53:35]. A full video record of the forum is available on the NCO YouTube channel.

Submitted by: Camilia Epa Gomes, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Zhoydell Magaoay, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Finalized by: Darlene Nakayama, Secretary, Neighborhood Board No. 6

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Palolo Neighborhood Board JULY 2026 Minutes

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