Last Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting AUGUST 2026 Minutes

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Last Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Meeting AUGUST 2026 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 9/16/2026.

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, AUGUST 19, 2026 AT 6:30 P.M.
KAIMUKI PUBLIC LIBRARY MEETING ROOM -- 1041 KOKO HEAD AVENUE, HONOLULU, HI 96816
AND ONLINE VIA WEBEX

Meeting Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iMxtEAOBFg&list=PLfqRwVpRroom3zp43KJkZZ4nynu8uuap1

Meeting Materials: 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.

2. ROLL CALL [0:00:14]: Neighborhood Assistant Hayashi conducted a roll call of board members. Quorum was established with 9 members present. This 11-member board requires six members to establish quorum and to take official board action.

Board Members Present: Kelsie Aguilera (Treasurer), John Arnest, Ann Castelfranco, Becky Gardner, Calvin Hara, Paul Hoe (Vice Chair), Sean Koegel, Christine Otto Zaa, Carole Mandryk (joined at 6:31 p.m.), and Brian Kang (Chair).

Board Members Absent: Audrey Abe (Secretary).

Guests: Lieutenant Michael Thompson (Honolulu Police Department); Department of Information Technology Director Brian McKee (Mayor Blangiardi); Council Chair Tommy Waters; David Patterson (Governor Green); Representative Tina Grandinetti; Representative Jackson Sayama; Senator Les Ihara Jr.; Lot Lau and Lori Yamada (EnVision Kaimuki); Jason Liang, Peter, and Amy Brown (Residents/Guests); Curtis Hayashi (Neighborhood Commission Office). About 35 participants joined the meeting.

3. PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY REPORTS [0:00:57]

A. HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT (HFD) [0:00:57]: No representative was present.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ULnlRQ2xpzzOOzHYGknXqmt6hJiqRV9b/view

Member Mandryk joined the meeting at 6:31 p.m.; 10 members present.

B. HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD) [0:01:17]: Lieutenant Thompson provided crime statistics for July 2026: three motor vehicle thefts, two burglaries, 43 thefts, six unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (UEMVs), and 5,475 total calls for service in District 7. In light of recent storms, the safety tip for the month focused on disaster preparedness. Lieutenant Thompson encouraged residents to prepare a 14-day disaster supply kit including water, food, utensils, a radio for weather updates, a flashlight with extra batteries, a cell phone, sanitation items, tools for cleanup and securing property, important documents, cash, medical items, pet supplies, hygiene items, and personal valuables. Additional information is available at www.honolulu.gov/dem.

C. BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY (BWS) [0:03:22]: No representative was present.

4. ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS [0:03:38]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative [0:03:38]: Director McKee provided the report. Hawaiʻi driver's licenses and state IDs have a new look with enhanced security features for the first time in 17 years. The City advanced its reimagined ʻEwa transit-oriented development vision with architects reviewing plans along the transit corridor. David Lazar was officially sworn in as HPD's 13th Chief of Police. The City celebrated the 250th anniversary of America with a concurrent reading of the Declaration of Independence alongside mayors across the country. School zone speeds have been lowered to 20 miles per hour (MPH) island-wide. The City received a national award for its greener City parks. The Youth Climate Action Fund, administered by the Mayor's Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency (CCSR) and the Honolulu Youth Commission, offers Oʻahu youth up to $4,999 to design and implement a climate project (https://www.resilientoahu.org/youthclimateactionfund). Director McKee provided a follow-up on TheBus Route 200: the City's Department of Transportation Services (DTS) has engaged with residents and Neighborhood Boards No. 4 and No. 5 extensively since 2024 through formal meetings, informal calls, and in-person visits; DTS understands the concerns, continues to monitor the service, and will make adjustments as needed in the future.
• Newsletter: www.honolulu.gov/mayor/newsletter

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:08:04]:
1. Trash at Mauʻumae Nature Park: Member Koegel reported finding excessive accumulated trash bags at multiple sites in the heavily wooded area west of 16th Avenue across from the main section of Mauʻumae Nature Park that would require trucks or industrial dumpsters to remove. Director McKee offered to create a work order for City crew removal and asked Koegel to send the specific locations to him.
2. Pedestrian Signal Timing: Member Mandryk raised a pedestrian signal timing conflict at the intersection of Makapuu Avenue and Diamond Head Road, where drivers with a left-turn green face pedestrians simultaneously crossing Diamond Head Road. He requested a review of the signal timing for pedestrian safety. Director McKee acknowledged the concern and committed to follow up with DTS.
3. TheBus Route 200 Transit Access: Member Hara asked what specific guidance could be offered to kupuna who have lost transit access through central Kaimuki.
4. Queen Theater: Member Gardner noted recent news of an artist group in active discussions with the owner about acquiring the Queen Theater and asked whether the Mayor's office might support the effort through grants, tax credits, or other assistance.

City Council Chair Tommy Waters (District 4) [0:16:46]: City Council Chair Waters confirmed substantial trash at multiple sites in Mauʻumae Nature Park and he offered to help with a cleanup of the park area. The City will provide special green-waste pickups on Saturday, August 22 and 29, 2026, for excess storm debris; residents must schedule appointments with the City's Departmwent of Environmental Services (ENV). Chair Waters sent the City's Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Director Randall Collins a letter seeking the cause of 16th Avenue flooding in April 2026. He shared information about applications related to storm-damage tax remission and the property-tax circuit breaker, which caps taxes at 3% of household income for residents earning $80,000 or less; applications are due September 30. Bills 45 and 46 increase homeowner exemptions, while Bill 47 lowers vehicle taxes. Finally, City Council Chair Waters honored Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Chair Kang for his Neighborhood Board service since 2013 and Kaimuki Neighborhood Board Chair since 2023.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uyucEPA25sVMxBVaLJojTPmDA-ZxBn4P/view

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:25:10]:
1. Diamond Head Crater Project: Member Castelfranco asked about a notice regarding planned improvements to the Diamond Head Crater, including the replacement of an underground fuel tank. Chair Waters stated he was not aware of the notice.
2. CERT Training Expansion: Jason Liang asked whether the City could request DEM to expand the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training and noted that two scheduled sessions in September and October 2026 are full. Chair Waters expressed strong support and committed to request DEM to expand the program, noting that community CERT volunteers play a vital role in storm response.

Governor Josh Green's Representative [0:28:17]: David Patterson reported that Governor Green and the State are focused on storm recovery, with the Governor expected to hold a press conference regarding an approaching storm system similar to Hurricane Lala. Patterson noted he was working at the Joint Information Center, coordinating with public information officers from all relevant agencies. He stated federal assistance is being pursued for storm damages. Patterson provided additional updates from the legislative session were provided: SB 3125 (tax cuts for lower-income residents), SB 3157 (expanded red light and speed camera enforcement), and the fireworks enforcement task force remain active.
• Newsletter: https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsletter

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:29:57]:
1. Hawaiian Electric: Member Hara asked and Patterson responded that Hawaiian Electric is at the command center during emergencies.
2. Diamond Head Crater Projects: Member Castelfranco asked about improvements to the emergency operations center, Building 303, and the underground fuel tank and generator at the Diamond Head Crater.
3. Electric Infrastructure and Storms: Member Koegel shared concerns about Hawaiʻi's electrical infrastructure and noted widespread outages following the recent storm. He asked what proactive approach the State is taking with Hawaiian Electric. Patterson acknowledged the concern and noted that infrastructure resilience has been a longstanding issue.
4. Emergency Shelter Adequacy: Member Mandryk raised concern that shelters may not meet structural or capacity standards for a major storm. Patterson acknowledged the concern and offered to look into the status of shelter readiness across Oʻahu.
5. Undergrounding of Power Lines: Member Gardner asked about plans to underground power lines from 2018. Patterson offered to ask Hawaiian Electric representative Darren Pai to provide an update at a future meeting.

Senate District 9: Senator Stanley Chang [0:41:15]: No representative was present.

Senate District 10: Senator Les Ihara, Jr. [0:41:15]: No representative was present at this time.

House District 20: Representative Tina Grandinetti [0:41:38]: Representative Grandinetti reported that her office hosted a July 2026 disaster preparedness town hall featuring the Hawaiʻi Hazards Awareness and Resilience Program. She is seeking Kaimuki participants, especially neighborhood watch members and street-level communication volunteers, for training that strengthens resilience at the block and neighborhood levels. The Legislature appropriated $4 million from the Green Fee for a Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency pilot program providing hurricane clips and related improvements to low-income homeowners and kūpuna. Citing Alabama's $75 million investment over ten years and Florida's $200 million investment, she called this hurricane season a wake-up call to accelerate disaster-preparedness funding in Hawaiʻi.

House District 21: Representative Jackson Sayama [0:45:24]: Representative Sayama visited district schools after Hurricane Lala to assess damage. No public schools or the Hawaiʻi Emergency School were significantly affected, and the Department of Education (DOE) quickly replenished food supplies. He encouraged residents to report storm damage to public property through the City's 311 app or his office. Green Fee funding deadlines were extended to Monday, August 24, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., and Tuesday, September 15 at 2:00 p.m.; details are available through the Hawaiʻi Green Growth Green Fee request for proposals tracker. He plans to develop a Palolo disaster plan and collaborate with City and State agencies to identify nearby emergency shelters.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [0:49:58]:
1. Emergency Shelter Standards: Member Koegel stated that at a prior preparedness meeting, a state official confirmed that current shelters are not up to standard. He asked what is being done to ensure that the community has safe, structurally adequate shelters nearby in the event of a major hurricane. Representative Sayama agreed the shelter situation is urgently important and committed to work with the city and state on identifying additional facilities. Representative Grandinetti confirmed that home hardening is a key legislative focus and that investing early is far less costly than post-disaster response.
2. Hawaiian Electric Food Damage Claims: Jason Liang said Hawaiian Electric has a claims process for food damaged by power outages and encouraged residents to apply. Representative Sayama noted that liability requires negligence, not storm conditions, but urged applications. Links would be shared in the chat. Member Mandryk was directed to Hawaiian Electric's website and the phrase "food damage claim."

U.S. Congressman Ed Case: No representative was present.

5. COMMUNITY UPDATES [0:54:47]

A. Update on Improvements at Mauʻumae Nature Park -- Hui Mauʻumae [0:55:07]: Ann Castelfranco presented on behalf of Hui Mauʻumae, a group of volunteers dedicated to keeping Mauʻumae Nature Park green and resilient for future generations. The group launched in May 2026 and the group's Adopt-a-Park application was approved by the City's Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) in early July 2026. The first cleanup on Friday, July 31, 2026 drew 34 volunteers who cleared the lower trail from the park's green area to Koko Head Drive, collecting over 30 bags of green waste and 500 pounds of hard-wood cuttings. A t-shirt and tote bag fundraiser has raised over $400 with proceeds used to purchase a first aid kit required under the Adopt-a-Park program. The group is currently developing a planting proposal for submission to the Adopt-a-Park program, Division of Urban Forestry, Neighborhood Board No. 4, and City Council District 4. The plan focuses on the lower park section above the lawn area, in collaboration with Aloha Tree Alliance, which has a grant to support three pilot native planting projects and is prepared to include Mauʻumae. An addendum to the Adopt-a-Park agreement to authorize planting activities is in preparation. A second cleanup is scheduled for Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Hui Mauʻumae is also exploring nonprofit status to support long-term operations.
• Slideshow: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q9T36NQyBUbkBMTsKEUsshgFvJaU7f7p/view

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [1:00:25]:
1. Planting Plan Approvals and Shared Vision: Member Mandryk said she attended a Zoom meeting with Aloha Tree Alliance on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Member Mandryk asked whether a shared site plan and priorities would be publicly accessible. Castelfranco confirmed updates will be shared with the community.
2. Lower Trail and Chicken Management: Member Koegel praised the newly cleared lower trail and encouraged community members to walk it. He asked whether the group has a plan to protect new native plantings from the feral chickens that inhabit the park. Castelfranco acknowledged the concern and noted that Aloha Tree Alliance has a lot of restoration experience.
3. Social Media: Member Mandryk asked about the group's social media and online presence. Castelfranco said the group has a website.
4. Backup Date for Cleanup Events: Vice Chair Hoe asked whether a backup date is scheduled in the event of poor weather on Sunday, August 23. Castelfranco stated no formal backup date has been set, but the group would reschedule if necessary.

4. ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS (CONTINUED) [1:05:30]

Senate District 10: Senator Les Ihara, Jr. (continued) [1:05:40]: Senator Ihara noted that this year marks 40 years of attending the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board and welcomed Jackson Sayama as the Senator-elect for District 10. Ihara reflected on the constraints of legislating from the inside and expressed his intention to continue his civic work through his nonprofit, noting that his former legislative experience will allow him greater flexibility and impact as a community member. He stated that the Board can expect to see more of him in the coming years.

5. COMMUNITY UPDATES (CONTINUED) [1:08:05]

B. Presentation of Draft Cleanup Plan for Mauʻumae Nature Park -- EnVision Kaimuki [1:08:05]: Lori Yamada introduced Lot Lau, a volunteer coordinator with EnVision Kaimuki, who presented a rudimentary draft plan for coordinated stewardship of Mauʻumae Nature Park. The plan divides the park into four sections. Section A is the undeveloped mauka area west of Koko Head Drive near 16th Avenue and contains entirely wild growth. Sections B, C, and D were cleared earlier in 2026 to reduce wildfire risk. EnVision Kaimuki will focus on these sections by addressing invasive grass regrowth and fire hazards. Lau said the plan will help Hui Mauʻumae, Aloha Tree Alliance, EnVision Kaimuki, the Neighborhood Board, and the DPR coordinate without duplicating work or creating liability. No work may begin without a DPR permit. Approved vegetation management must also address erosion risks carefully.
• Draft Plan: https://drive.google.com/file/d/181wwqLQyPrefmX_jmbn5ZDmKouvva74Y/view

Questions, comments, and concerns followed [1:17:04]:
1. Scale of the Project and Coordination: Member Koegel acknowledged the enormity of Section A and applauded the plan's emphasis on multi-organization coordination, noting that no single group can manage the area alone. He called for sustained, long-term commitment and openness to a range of ideas, emphasizing that the details of any vegetation management method must be carefully evaluated before adoption. Member Mandryk commended Lau and shared her confidence in EnVision Kaimuki's cleanup plan. Lau replied that the plan has to go through several agencies.
2. Fire Mitigation: Member Gardner expressed support for goat grazing as a fire mitigation tool, citing a recent Civil Beat article on goats in Kaimuki. She endorsed collaboration among all groups and a community-wide effort including volunteers and officials.
3. Opposition to Controlled Burns and Public Access: Amy Brown raised concerns about controlled burns and the presence of prisoners working in the park, stating that residents on the ridge do not want those activities near their homes. She noted no opposition to goats for vegetation management.
4. Vegetation Removal: Member Castelfranco noted the presence of existing native species in the park and cautioned that vegetation removal must be carefully targeted to protect existing natives and prevent erosion.
5. Erosion Risk: Amy Brown warned that removing vegetation on the ridge without replacing it with root-bearing plants could cause soil slippage, citing the Santa Barbara mudslides. He urged the groups to prioritize replanting alongside clearing to protect the foundations of uphill properties.

6. COMMUNITY CONCERNS FROM RESIDENTS [1:25:50]

Property Tax Cap and Hawaiian Electric Ownership [1:26:10]: Jason Liang proposed two potential resolutions for future consideration: (1) limiting property taxes to 1% of household income (with a raised income ceiling above the current $80,000 threshold and owner-occupancy requirement), paired with a higher tax tier for properties valued at $10 million or more; and (2) a resolution to make Hawaiian Electric (HECO) a publicly owned utility, citing the Hawaii Island utility cooperative model, HECO's for-profit monopoly structure, majority ownership by BlackRock, and a CEO compensation reported at $4 million annually. Member Gardner asked if similar property tax caps exist elsewhere and at what income percentages. Liang proposed reducing the current City property tax from 3% to 1% of household income, with the higher-value property tier offsetting the lost revenue. Liang stated he would draft both resolutions and request they be placed on the September 2026 agenda.

Queen Theater -- Artist Group Acquisition Offer [1:30:43]: Peter, representing an artist group that has been tracking the Queen Theater for several months, reported that after taking a tour of the theater they found the building structurally sound -- concrete block construction in good condition, with the owner having cleaned out the interior. The group has made a formal offer to the owner and is awaiting a response. He expressed intent to provide an update at the September 2026 meeting.

Draft Resolutions [1:33:15]: Liang confirmed he will bring resolution drafts on the property tax cap and Hawaiian Electric public ownership to the September 2026 meeting and requested Chair Kang add them to the agenda.

7. BOARD BUSINESS [1:33:47]

A. Approval of Written Summary of Video Record: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 [1:33:47]: Chair Kang noted two corrections to the July 15, 2026 written summary: (1) attendance of Ranell Asuega Fualaau at the Candidate Forum should be noted; and (2) the presenter for the Transportation Committee Report should be corrected from Carole Mandryk to Audrey Abe.

[1:34:21] Vice Chair Hoe MOVED and Member Arnest SECONDED to adopt the amended Wednesday, July 15, 2026 written summary. The motion was ADOPTED; 10-0-0. (Aye: Aguilera, Arnest, Castelfranco, Gardner, Hara, Hoe, Koegel, Mandryk, Otto Zaa, and Kang; Nay: None; Abstain: None).

B. Report of Transportation Committee [1:34:44]: No report.

C. Reports of Board Members Attending Other Neighborhood Board and Public Meetings [1:34:55]: No reports.

8. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS [1:35:06]

Next Meeting: The next Kaimuki Neighborhood Board No. 4 meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in person at the Kaimuki Public Library meeting room and online via Webex. To request a meeting agenda item, please contact the Chair at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting.

‘Olelo Broadcast: Meetings can be viewed on Channel 49 at 9:00 p.m. on the second Sunday (https://www.honolulu.gov/nco/olelo-broadcast-schedule).

9. ADJOURNMENT [1:35:25]: Chair Kang adjourned the meeting at 8:06 p.m.

Submitted by: Curtis Hayashi, Neighborhood Assistant, Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO)
Reviewed by: Rachel Cristobal, Neighborhood Assistant, Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO)
Final approval by:

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