Palolo Neighborhood Board SEPTEMBER 2026 Minutes

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Palolo Neighborhood Board SEPTEMBER 2026 Minutes
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NEXT MEETING - Click here to read next meeting agenda scheduled for 10/14/2026.

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

PĀLOLO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 6

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 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=e44f30mK_C4

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

1. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:00]: Chair Pro Tem Nakayama called the Pālolo Neighborhood Board No. 6 meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Quorum was NOT established with five (5) members present. Note: This 13-member Board requires seven (7) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Sean Aronson, Catalina Hanamura, Kaleolani Leo, Darlene Nakayama, and Elizabeth Weitz.

Board Members Absent: Randolph Hack, Andrew Phomsouvanh, Earl Shiraki, and Ranell Asuega-Fualaau.

Guests: Rhea Quezon (Board of Water Supply); Aloha McGuffie (Kāhala Initiative for Sustainability, Culture, and the Arts); Cyrus Howe (Hawaiʻi Green Growth); Representative Jackson Sayama (State House District 21); Dominic Dias, Lisa Lee, Kiana Lu, Andi Charuk, Johnnie Mae L. Perry (Residents); Kelly Nakamura, Camilia Epa Gomes (Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 19 total participants.

2. MONTHLY REPORTS -- [0:00:30]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) -- [0:00:30]: No representative present at this time. A report was submitted.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10tkL5tlLt7FGFg8_frCh4iruf_b5aweU/view?usp=drive_link

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) -- [0:0:55]: No representative present at this time.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) -- [0:01:05]: Rhea Quezon highlighted the following:
• Main Breaks: No main breaks were reported in Pālolo for the month of August 2026.
• Waiomao Homestead Road: Installation of the 8-inch waterline and road restoration are complete; a pre-final inspection is being scheduled.
• Pālolo Water System Improvement Project, Part 3: Installation of the main from Orchid Street to Carlos Long Street is complete; the line has been chlorinated and the contractor is transferring services.
• Imagine a Day Without Water Event: Scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Ark of Safety, Waiʻanae Mall, in partnership with the Office of State Representative Chris Muraoka and more than 25 city, state, and nonprofit/community groups; features hands-on activities including a rain barrel workshop, food, and prize giveaways. Flyers were distributed and a PDF emailed to the Board.
• Follow-Up: Jarrett Intermediate School Lead Testing: Responding to a question from a prior meeting, Ms. Quezon reported that lead testing at the school was conducted under the federal WIIN Act (Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act), administered by the U.S. EPA with the Hawaiʻi Departments of Health and Education -- not by BWS. Results (published online by searching "WIIN results Hawaii") indicate the lead originates from the school's internal plumbing (a small number of samples exceeded the EPA threshold, while others showed no detection); water entering the school is lead-free and BWS does not control plumbing installed after the meter. Residents were referred to that website or the Department of Health for more information.
• Event Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MHuLgJg9EIKcU1lFqu1ORn6s6mIGhd3A/view?usp=drive_link
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eUvEL8CBrC3e8nWDO6xg6tJb8cf5WJpw/view?usp=drive_link

3. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:04:55]

Pālolo Water Supply: Sources and Systems -- [0:04:55]: Rhea Quezon, Board of Water Supply (BWS), highlighted the following:
• Water Cycle & Source: 100% of BWS drinking water comes from groundwater, which is percolated rainwater collected before it evaporates or runs off to streams and the ocean.
• System Overview: BWS serves approximately 170,000 service connections (about one million people) using 194 groundwater wells, 13 tunnels, five shafts, 13 treatment facilities (concentrated in Central Oʻahu and the North Shore due to historical agricultural use), 172 potable water reservoirs, roughly 192 booster pumps, about 2,100 miles of pipeline, and 21,000 fire hydrants.
• Pālolo's System: Water is pumped from Central Oʻahu into a Pālolo reservoir fed also by a local well, then gravity-fed to most homes; a second pump/reservoir serves higher-elevation homes, and a small number of homes at the back of the valley are served directly by a tunnel. Conserving water during power outages helps maintain reservoir pressure, since prolonged outages prevent pumps from refilling reservoirs.
• Water Quality Testing: Sources are tested quarterly, and a water quality report is issued every July and December (mailed to homeowners; not sent to condo/townhome residents, but available online via a QR code/address lookup on the BWS website). EPA and the Hawaiʻi Department of Health set maximum contaminant thresholds, and BWS proactively shuts down any source approaching those limits, as was done with Red Hill.
• Residential Rebates: BWS offers rebates for water-efficient washers, rain barrels, toilets, and similar fixtures; details are on the BWS website (search "BWS residential rebates").
• Find Your Water Quality Report:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L0SrNNas4QLSdq-xNOJjdItLsrUntEXl/view?usp=sharing

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:11:25]
1. Appreciation for Follow-Up: Member Leo thanked Ms. Quezon for her quick follow-up on the Jarrett Intermediate School lead-testing question raised at a prior meeting.

Follow the Drop Stormwater Project -- [0:11:50]: Cyrus Howe, Operations Manager, Hawaiʻi Green Growth, highlighted the following:
• Purpose: The project aims to recharge aquifers, ease flood risk, and reduce polluted stormwater runoff across the densely developed Ala Wai watershed (from Diamond Head/Lēʻahi to Punchbowl, mauka to the reef), covering about 200,000 residents, 11 neighborhoods, and eight neighborhood board districts, including Pālolo.
• Green Stormwater Infrastructure: Includes rain gardens, bioswales, and rain barrels; a project was recently completed at Aliʻiōlani Elementary School.
• Free Rainwater Assessments: Sponsored by the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation; Hawaiʻi Green Growth visits homes to map impervious surfaces (roofs, driveways) using an app and calculate runoff volume to recommend appropriate green infrastructure.
• Rain Barrel Program: Began in 2024 under a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant; roughly two dozen rain barrels have been installed in partnership with Mālama Mānoa. A new Hawaiʻi Department of Health Section 319 grant will fund about 100 additional rain barrels across the watershed; a completed rainwater assessment is a prerequisite to receiving one.
• Goal & Incentive: The program aims to capture 1 million gallons of rainwater by 2030 (about 10% complete; an estimated 300--500 more barrels needed). A rain barrel painted by local artist Mari Izumi will be raffled at year-end among assessment participants.
• Follow the Drop Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HGCxovsv14AznZHN4vmhF2bDIeg159vS/view?usp=drive_link
• Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xEGuw037DEBUREU4Q35MSQ6rVnftyBTy/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:17:10]
1. Rain Barrel Program Availability: Member Aronson, previously accepted into the Mālama Moanalua rain barrel waitlist, asked whether new applicants can still apply. Mr. Howe explained the Hawaiʻi Green Growth Rain Barrel Program is still finalizing its Department of Health contract and will be promoted publicly for new applications once that process is complete.

Climate & Resiliency Mandate Part 3 -- [0:18:04]: Aloha McGuffie, Executive Vice President of Ulumau, provided an update on the ʻEO Oʻahu Community Action Network (ʻEO-CAN):
• Progress: The initiative has now visited all six East Oʻahu neighborhood boards (Pālolo, Kaimukī, Waiʻalae-Kāhala, Kuliʻouʻou-Kalanianaʻole, Hawaiʻi Kai, and Waimānalo) and is moving from planning into implementation.
• Survey: The first set of survey results has been received, with additional collection planned for September 2026 and October 2026. The top community priority identified was green infrastructure and water management, which will become a new working group.
• Working Groups, Resilience Hubs, & Steering Committee: Shared the various working groups and partnerships with community organizations. The initiative is working is also working towards three (3) resilience hubs in East Oʻahu. Ms. McGuffie noted Pālolo currently has no representative on the steering committee; Ms. McGuffie asked the board to identify a member to join (meetings are held the first Monday of each month, 1:00--2:30 p.m., via Zoom). About 178 people have joined the broader Kāhala Initiative for Sustainability, Culture, and the Arts (KISCA) group.
• Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lV3oWGquPQfLpzMadU7hgqw_nO8RrB6f/view?usp=drive_link
• ʻEO-CAN Framework: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d0SyDO89LHxzZmsNvlvgNMDmv4_X8Tp7/view?usp=sharing

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:28:50]
1. Pālolo Steering Committee Representation: Member Leo volunteered to represent Pālolo on the ʻEO-CAN steering committee. Ms. McGuffie welcomed the interest and asked that they coordinate with the Board Chair and provide an email address so she could be added to KISCA and the steering committee.
2. Criteria for a Resilience Hub Facility: An attendee asked what makes a good resilience hub facility, including size and location. Ms. McGuffie said the criteria are still developing but generally include shared or dedicated space with internet access, backup generator power, and roughly 14 days of food storage capacity, citing a recent City and County resolution outlining resilience hub standards and an $18 million grant that funded Kāhala's hub as the first of its kind.
3. Possible Hub Site Suggestion: An attendee suggested a gym facility near Kīlauea Avenue (reported in the recording-- exact location unconfirmed) as a possible site, noting it is underused and has ancillary meeting rooms, and asked about pursuing renovation funding. Ms. McGuffie said the facility would need renovation but that Hawaiʻi Green Growth and other funders may be able to help identify grant opportunities.

Pālolo ʻĀina & Community Growing Assessment -- [0:33:14]:
• Background: More than six years ago, Member Leo began asking why Pālolo lacked a community garden, which led to founding Long Spoon Farms to encourage residents to grow and freely share food.
• Proposed Assessment: A Pālolo ʻĀina & Community Growing Assessment would build a connected, valley-wide growing network by identifying what grows well and where; which yards, balconies, and underused community spaces could voluntarily participate; who has land, knowledge, supplies, or time to share; and barriers to safe growing, including water flow, flooding, erosion, soil health, past land use, and where soil testing may be needed.
• Outcome: Findings would form a roadmap for what and where to grow, needed support, and potential partnerships. The network could include, but would not depend on, a single community garden site, and could support apartment-dwelling growers, share surplus harvest, and strengthen food security and disaster preparedness.
• Request: Member Leo asked the Board to support forming a community working group to guide the assessment.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:36:11]
1. School Garden Partnership Oppurtunity: Ms. McGuffie offered to connect Member Leo with Jennifer Ryan, the Department of Education's coordinator for school gardens (a member of the KISCA group), noting that local schools could benefit from garden partnerships.

4. RESIDENT/COMMUNITY CONCERNS -- [0:36:55]: No concerns at this time.

5. BOARD BUSINESS -- [0:37:00]

Filling of Vacancies -- [0:37:00]: One resident came forward and had their residency reviewed by the Neighborhood Assistant. Due to the board not meeting quorum, Secretary Nakayama noted that no official vote could be taken on the appointment and encouraged the resident to return at the Wednesday, October 14, 2026 meeting.
Approval of Regular Meeting Written Summary for Video Record: Wednesday, August 12, 2026 -- [0:37:48]: This item was skipped unintentionally. However, due to the lack of quorum, the board cannot take official board action.

6. ELECTED OFFICIALS -- [0:37:48]

Representative Jackson Sayama -- [0:37:48]: Representative Sayama highlighted the following:
● Storm Preparedness: Echoed guidance from the Governor's office and emergency management agencies to check properties for storm-related issues (citing water flow affecting his own property's foundation) and to check in with neighbors during hurricane season.
● Pālolo Gym Renovation: Said that, if elected to the State Senate in November, he hopes to work with federal, state, and city partners to renovate Pālolo Gym as both a recreational space and an emergency shelter for the Pālolo Valley, citing a statewide shortage of adequate emergency shelters.
● Community Projects: Hopes to organize a cleanup at Azama Park after the current hurricane season subsides, and noted interest in a nearby parcel -- already home to avocado and other fruit trees -- as a possible community garden site.
● Coquí Frog Control: Thanked Coquí frog control volunteers for their work and said he has personally helped with citric acid spraying; noted a joint meeting with state and community organizations on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Pālolo Chinese Home, and encouraged residents to attend.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:40:47]
1. Upvcoming Meeting: Secretary Nakayama also added on to the report that Pālolo Chinese Home will be hosting a meeting with State officials and organizations on Wedenesday, September 16, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Pālolo Chinese Homes. The meeting is open to the public to attend.

Congressman Ed Case's Representative -- [0:41:37]: No representative present at this time.

Councilmember Scott Nishimoto -- [0:41:37]: No representative present at this time.
• To sign-up for Councilmember Nishimoto's e-blast please go to: http://eepurl.com/dl6xMz
• For questions or concerns please email: scott.nishimoto@honolulu.gov or call the office at 808-768-5005.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi's Representative -- [0:41:37]: No representative present at this time.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PoidbRWhrmaCNHzIJP2RsdRRxCT47JCL/view?usp=drive_link

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [0:41:37]: No representative present at this time.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jCu4u-BT3uW6Dhz7msNM79CYt3dX9_pQ/view?usp=drive_link

Senator Les Ihara, Jr. -- [0:41:37]: No representative present at this time.

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [0:42:30]

Next Meeting -- [0:42:30]: The next Pālolo Neighborhood Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at Pālolo Elementary School and online via WebEx.

ʻŌlelo Rebroadcasts -- [0:42:50]: Rebroadcasts of Pālolo Neighborhood Board No. 6 meetings air monthly on ʻŌlelo channel 49, the fourth Thursday at 9:00 p.m. and the first and third Sundays at 12:00 p.m.; archived meetings are available at https://olelo.org/olelonet/ by searching in the archives search box <Pālolo>.

New Neighborhood Assistant -- [0:43:30]: Secretary Nakayama introduced incoming Neighborhood Assistant Kelly Nakamura, who will succeed Camilia Epa Gomes, and thanked Ms. Epa Gomes for her work.

8. ADJOURNMENT -- [0:43:40]: The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m.

Submitted by: Camilia Epa Gomes, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Rachel Cristobal, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Finalized by:

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Palolo Neighborhood Board SEPTEMBER 2026 Minutes

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