Waikiki Neighborhood Board Meeting NOVEMBER 2026 Minutes

WAIKĪKĪ COMMUNITY CENTER -- 310 PAOAKALANI AVENUE, HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI, 96815

AND VIA WEBEX TELECONFERENCING

Video recording of this meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0hLR-DlFMI

Reports and other meeting materials can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1U5LqhO7cjTWUAsZeSiesn99MJa87ouZE

I. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:06]: Chair Robert Finley called the Waikīkī Neighborhood Board No. 9 regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Quorum was established with 14 members present. Note -- This 17-member Board requires 9 members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action. Board members must be in-person or have video access.

Board Members Present: Reine Ah Moo, Jillian Anderson, Rolf Nordahl, Lisa Cabanero, Cory D'Orazio, Louis Erteschik, Melissa Filek, Robert Finley, Kathryn Henski, Tim Huycke, Daniel Jacob, Nate Serota, Shannon Smith, and Sarah Worth.

Board Members Absent: Shotaro Dabbs, Louis Erteschik; Ken Jacob, and Jeffrey Merz.

Guests: Lieutenant Angela Kitagawa (Honolulu Police Department); Captain L. Shiroma (Honolulu Fire Department); Dominic Dias (Board of Water Supply); Director Nola Miyasaki (Mayor's Representative); Tasha Luke (Office of Council Chair Tommy Waters); Flora (Office of Representative Adrian Tam); Martin Nguyen and Tony Wong (Centre Urban Real Estate) and Phil Camp (Hierarchy LLP); David Chung, Mike and Jean Butel, Shelley Oates-Wilding, Jacob Wiencek, Greg Misakian, John Deutzman, Tim Garry, Patsy Vasquez, Linda Dewey, Justin Limasa, Corinne, Anthony A., Michelle, Sally Manglicmot, and Daisy Murai (Resident); and Anson Wu (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 56 total participants.

II. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS -- [0:01:04]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) -- [0:01:07]: No representative, was revisited at a later time.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) -- [0:01:36]: Lieutenant Angela Kitagawa reported the October 2025 statistics. There were 6 robberies, 19 burglaries, 108 thefts, 6 Unauthorized Entry Motor Vehicle (UEMV), 35 assaults, 4 sex crimes, 2 sidewalk device violations, 60 speeding citations, 1,590 parking citations, 3 loud muffler prohibited noise citations, 84 citations with 29 arrests Park closures, and 4,610 total calls for service.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:02:56]

1. Traffic Control During Outages: Resident Wiencek commended HPD's proactive traffic control during the recent stoplight outage and urged similar presence during parades and festivals.

2. Enforcement vs. Citations and Prosecution: Resident Garry urged making arrests where appropriate, concerns that citations often are not pursued by prosecutors.

3. Unlicensed Weed Buggy Vendor: Member Smith asked how to report a pop-up cannabis vendor operation near Cartwright Road. Lieutenant Kitagawa advised reporting to the Narcotics Division via the HPD website.

4. Appreciation for Noise/Motorcycle Enforcement: Residents Deutzman and Ralph thanked HPD for mitigating motorcycle revving and loud music near the Zoo lot, noting improvements for animals and visitors.

5. Fort DeRussy Encampments & Jurisdiction: Member Serota asked about when the last SPO enforcement at Fort DeRussy beach took place? He noted a growing encampment near Fort DeRussy on the beach side. Lieutenant Kitagawa is not sure when a SPO has been enforced, explained that signage and jurisdiction had been under clarification, she will provide a follow up.

6. Trespass/Outreach at Keoniana/ Kalākaua/Paoa Area: Resident Misakian requested increased patrols and outreach for people loitering/sleeping near Keoniana/ Kalākaua/Paoa Street. Lieutenant Kitagawa recommended issuing trespass warnings to strengthen enforcement and have officers investigate the area.

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) -- [0:10:16]: Captain L. Shiroma reported the October 2025 statistics. There was 0 structure fire, 0 brush fires, 1 nuisance fire, 1 cooking fire, 17 activated alarms (no fire), and 224 medical emergencies, 1 motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian, 2 multiple-vehicle collision, 0 mountain rescues, 0 ocean rescues, and 0 hazmat responses. The November 2025 safety tip focused on cooking safety: remain alert; avoid cooking if impaired; never leave cooking unattended; use timers; keep combustibles away from stovetops; and keep children and pets away from cooking areas.

· Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1woyvdmRvvymS19MwSea5pNkupomhVgFM/view?usp=drive_link

Board of Water Supply (BWS) -- [0:12:25]: Dominic Dias reported no main breaks in Waikīkī last month and no construction. He directed the community to BWS's main breaks page, social updates, and HNL alerts for timely information.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:12:58]

1. Hobron Lane Water Leak: Member Serota asked about the water leak along Hobron Lane. Dias said he would investigate and will provide an update at the next meeting.

III. CITIZENS' CONCERNS NOT COVERED IN REGULAR AGENDA -- [0:13:54]

W Line Terminus and Stop Spacing -- [0:14:05]: Resident Wiencek supports the W line, but expressed concerns about traffic management at the Kapahulu bus stop near the zoo, where the W line terminates and starts. He also noted the W Line long gaps between stops near Ala Moana and the Ritz-Carlton.

Pedestrian Safety at W Line Staging -- [0:15:47]: Resident Butel submitted testimony to the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) and the Board regarding three buses blocking the marked crosswalk near Kapahulu by the Zoo. This forces pedestrians to walk around buses and he requests relocating the busses staging area.

Waikīkī Safety Activation Progress -- [0:17:31]: Resident Deutzman noted progress on safety committee items regarding McDonald's adding security and removal of the cement picnic table, however the church continues to feed the homeless. He also noted a decrease in homeless count in Waikīkī. Resident Garry echoed the need to address the church feeding impacts.

Ala Wai Boulevard Street Sweeping and Towing -- [0:21:15]: Resident Oats-Wildings raised concerns of the twice a week street sweeping on Ala Wai Boulevard and the post-sweep car towing. She suggested hiring an area ambassador to reduce debris and reduce the need for frequent sweeping.

IV. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE -- [0:23:38]

[0:23:44] -- Committee Chair Jillian Anderson reported that the committee met on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 with Director Tommy Johnson Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) and advanced two resolutions to the Board.

Resolution supporting crisis intervention and travel assistance teams at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport -- [0:24:27]: Committee Chair Anderson read the resolution.

· Drafted Resolution: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YGtjWvCzO_bfWYydnIiJW1HWoPnrA5fj/view?usp=drive_link

[0:26:32] -- Anderson MOVED and Erteschik SECONDED to adopt the resolution supporting a crisis intervention and travel assistance teams at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Discussion followed. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 13-0-1 (AYE: Ah Moo, Anderson, Nordahl, Cabanero, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Huycke, D. Jacob, Serota, Smith, and Worth; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: Henski) -- [0:34:46]

Resolution urging the State of Hawaiʻi to join the Reentry 2030 initiative -- [0:36:17]: Committee Chair Anderson read the resolution.

· Drafted Resolution: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pQISobVZ3ifgzlbp0k6QlMM3-jremVXp/view?usp=drive_link

[0:38:18] -- Anderson MOVED and Erteschik SECONDED to adopt the resolution urging the State of Hawai'i to join the Reentry 2030 intiative. Discussion followed. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 12-0-2 (AYE: Ah Moo, Anderson, Nordahl, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Huycke, D. Jacob, Serota, Smith, and Worth; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: Cabanero; Henski.) -- [0:41:34]

V. OʻAHU SCHEDULE OF MAJOR PARADES AND STREET EVENTS -- [0:42:53]

[0:42:56] -- Chair Finley noted that times reflect official street closure times from the Honolulu Department of Transportation for closure of Kalākaua Avenue or areas around Kapiʻolani Park. HPD and others may start road closures about 30 minutes prior.

· Saturday, November 8, 2025, 2:00p.m.-midnight, Oʻahu Festival

· Sunday, November 9, 2025, 5:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Val Nolasco Half Marathon (Kapiʻolani Park Area)

· Thursday, November 27, 2025, 6:30-9:30 a.m., Honolulu Marathon Turkey Trot and Fun Run

· Friday, November 28, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Waikīkī Holiday Parade

· Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10:30 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m., Street Bikers United Toys for Tots Caravan

· Sunday, December 7, 2025, 5:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m., Pearl Harbor Memorial Anniversary Parade

· Saturday, December 13, 2025, 4:30 a.m.-8:00 a.m., Annual Kalākaua Merrie Mile Run

· Sunday, December 14, 2025, 2:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Honolulu Marathon

VI. APPLICATIONS FOR LIQUOR LICENSE -- [0:45:38]

· Thursday, November 6, 2025, Transfer of name from Bombay Palace Restaurant to Namaste, 1778 Ala Moana Blvd. Cat 2

· Thursday, December 11, 2025, Dean and Deluca, 383 Kālaimoku, Second Floor, Cat 2

VII. ELECTED OFFICIALS OR OFFICIALS' REPRESENTATIVES -- [0:46:32]

Mayor's Representative -- [0:46:57]: Director Nola Miyasaki reported Skyline's extension to Middle Street and announced a Royal Hawaiian Band free holiday concert called the Kalikimaka Ho‘omau held at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on Friday, November 28, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. She noted new sewer rates effective by Thursday, January 1, 2026, with flyers had been mailed to residents. She also provided answers to questions asked in the previous meeting, which include: Kūhiō Beach restrooms, Ala Wai Street sweeping, W line outreach, HandyVan strike, left-turn study at Kūhiō/Walina, event signal retiming, red light cameras, McCully Bridge pedestrian counts, and suggestion to add bike lanes along Ala Wai Blvd between Kalākaua and Ala Moana.

· Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CFdhMOLMIbonpSr_S32N7v4yjVOThjqm/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:59:20]

1. Bike Lane and Contactless Transit Payments: Resident Wiencek supports the idea of a bike lane on the Ala Wai and suggested of adding other ways to pay for TheBus and Skyline such as tap-to-pay and card payments.

2. Royal Hawaiian Event and Bike Lane: Member Serota clarified that the Royal Hawaiian Band event is first come first serve, doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the show starts at 7:00 p.m. He also voiced his support for a bike lane on the Ala Wai.

3. Kūhiō Left-Turn Arrows: Member Huycke, Smith, and Reine Ah Moo raised concerns regarding the left turn signals on Kūhiō. Huycke provided more context on the situation and expressed frustration with DTS. Smith questions when will the board receive the study. Reine Ah Moo agrees with both board members and had already sent emails regarding this issue. Director Miyasaki agreed to receive details and convey them to DTS.

4. Bus Staging on Kapahulu: Member Henski, Filek, and Nordahl raised concern that three buses parking near the stoplight near Dennys instead of the bus stop across from Queen Kapiʻolani. The three parked buses are blocking a lane, crosswalks, and removing street parking. They suggested to move the staging back to the established bus stop.

5. Kūhiō Avenue Survey: Chair Finley requested DTS to do a complete survey of Kūhiō Avenue. Director Miyasaki agreed to receive details and convey them to DTS.

Council Chair Tommy Waters -- [1:13:54]: Tasha Luke from Council Chair Tommy Waters's office reported a safety hazard puddle at the crosswalk of Hobron and Ena Road and is currently being fixed by the Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM). DFM also has launched the Kūhiō Beach shower runoff project and are seeking for community feedback.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:14:58]

1. City Legislative Initiatives and Station Activation: Resident Wiencek encouraged passage of Bill 71, 72 and 73 which modernize shared streets and affordability housing reforms. He also suggested allowing small vendors in Skyline stations to activate space and serve riders.

Senator Sharon Moriwaki -- [1:17:31]: No representative present.

Representative Adrian Tam -- [1:17:39]: Flora from Representative Tam's office summarized a joint town hall with Senator Moriwaki and speakers from the Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) and Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT). The Red Cross talked about disaster preparedness and Commissioner Psyche talked about insurance/hurricane relief fund.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:19:02]

1. Permitted Interaction Group (PIG): Chair Finley informed Flora that the board plans to form a PIG for the upcoming legislature and asked Representative Tam to be available for the PIG. Flora noted the legislative session is coming up and are seeking input on bills. Resident Misakian suggested creating the PIG now due to the board not meeting in December 2025.

2. Free Smoke Detectors Contact: Member Filek asked for the contact information from the town hall presenter that was offering free smoke detectors. Flora informed member Filek the presenter was from Red Cross and a request can be filed through Hawaii Red Cross online request form. Resident Anthony A. informed that Daniel Anderson was present at the town hall and his contact information can be found by searching up Hawaiʻi Chapter Pacific Island Region.

3. PIG (Continued): Member Huycke would like to make the motion to form the PIG.

Governors Representative -- [1:25:05]: No representative present.

VIII. WAIKĪKĪ IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION -- [1:25:13]: No representative present.

IX. NEW BOARD BUSINESS -- [1:25:17]

Hawaiʻi Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (ROH) Chapter 32 (Kamaʻāina Housing): 1615 Ala Wai Blvd (40 Units) -- [1:25:42]: Martin Nguyen from Center Urban Real Estate and Phil Camp from Hiarchy LLP presented on the proposed workforce housing and kamaʻāina at 1615 Ala Wai Boulevard and 2533 Kāneloa Road. The six-story structure at 1615 Ala Wai Blvd will house 40 one-bedroom rental units for kamaʻāina earning up to 60% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The building will include elevators and seven on-site parking spaces. The project is scheduled to begin construction in Q4 2026 and end in Q4 2027.

· Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x9sXUUe7FV4QIWOq0PRn7bu-cUSpLw5l/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:39:30]

1. Parking Stalls vs. Demand: Member Felik asked why 1615 Ala Wai provides only about seven stalls for forty units in an already constrained area. Nguyen noted that despite retaining the original seven stalls, tenants are expected to use other means of transportation such as walking, transit or biking.

2. Displacement and Existing Buildings: Member Erteschik asked whether anyone would be displaced. Nguyen replied the prior three-story walk-up at 1615 Ala Wai was long vacant and demolished; no one lives there now, so no displacement is anticipated.

3. Community Amenities Proposal and Occupancy per Unit: Resident Oats-Wildings suggested converting three floors to community services such as kūpuna care, childcare, and a community hub and reducing units to maintain feasibility. Nguyen explained the site is narrow and the zoning is apartment precinct; such a program is not feasible on this parcel. Oats-Wildings also asked whether more than one person can live in the apartment. Nguyen emphasize the project is to create more housing options and noted that occupancy up to three persons per one-bedroom is allowed.

4. Rent Estimation: Member Serota suggested of having the rent estimation for the presentation and asked if the rent is tied to the AMI Index. Nguyen confirmed the rent is tied to the AMI index and the rental cap will follow the annual Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rental allowances both for income and rent limits.

5. Ownership, Management, and Room Information: Resident Misakian asked about the duration of the long-term land lease. Nguyen noted the ground lease is for 75 years. Misakian questioned who will be the owner of the property and who will manage the property. The developer haven't determined to have in-house management or third-party management. Nguyen noted that the developer owns the improvements, the city owns the land, and on-site management will be provided. Misakian asked further questions regarding the room size and maintenance fees. Nugyen noted the room is 13 feet by 30 feet, and the inclusion of maintenance or utility fees have not been decided.

6. Building information and Project Opposition: Resident Littlefield questioned if the first floor of the building is being used, the number of units, whether the building has balconies, whether the units come with washers and dryers, how far the building is being moved, the distance between the front of the building and the sidewalk, and expressed opposition to the project because of the number of units. Nguyen confirmed that due to building code the first floor cannot be used for residential use; each story will have eight units per floor; said that the building will not have balconies, that a central laundry room is being considered for the project, that the building will be tilted because of the existing sewage easement, and the distance between the frontage of the building to the sidewalk will be 10 feet.

7. Project Support: Resident Wiencek voiced his support for the project.

Hawaiʻi ROH Chapter 32 (kamaʻāina housing): 2533 Kāneloa Road (32 Units) -- [2:06:09]: The 2533 Kāneloa project will also include 32 workforce and kamaʻāina housing units spread across six stories. There are 24 one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments and 8 two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom apartments with an elevator, ground-level basic building amenities, and 7 parking spaces. Construction is expected to begin by January 2026 and be completed by October 2026.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:12:19]

1. Public Hearing/Community Input: Resident Oats-Wildings asked if the 1615 Ala Wai Boulevard will have another public hearing or community input. Nguyen said 1615 Ala Wai will have another public hearing run by the city Department of Housing and Land Management, this will likely go to Council committee hearing, and then goes to City Council for resolution approval.

2. Funding and Alternative Program Mix: A resident asked if the developer would ever consider her suggestion on having fewer units with three levels of amenities. Nguyen said that discussions are welcomed, but due to constraints with financing, building width, and zoning make such alternatives unlikely on this site.

3. On-Site Residential Manager: Member Henski asked about on-site management. Nguyen said an on-site representative will be present for resident and neighbor concerns and haven't determined to have in-house management or third-party management.

4. ADA Parking: Member Henski asked if accessible parking is required. Nguyen confirmed ADA parking requirements will be met.

5. 2533 Kāneloa Unit Sizes: Member D' Orazio asked about sizes at Kāneloa. Nguyen and Camp said one-bedrooms are similar in size to Ala Wai's, and two-bedrooms are roughly 650--730 square foot.

6. Climate, SLR, and Tsunami Zones: Resident Anthony A. asked about projects compliance within inundation zones. Camp said the Ala Wai project will not have occupiable first floor areas; Kāneloa's finished floor elevation is above local flood thresholds, however the first floor will not be occupiable.

7. Waikīkī Special District: Chair Finley asked if the project is in compliance with the Waikīkī Special District plan. Camp noted that according to Bill 7 this is not a requirement.

8. Zoning and Mixed Use: Member Ah Moo asked if there are any plans to have the both lots to allow mix uses. Nguyen believes the area is apartment precinct zoning which restricts non-residential uses.

Worth left the meeting at (8:15 p.m.); 13 members present.

[2:23:42] -- Serota MOVED and D'Orazio SECONDED to support the concept Hawaiʻi ROH Chapter 32 (kamaʻāina housing): 1615 Ala Wai Blvd and 2533 Kāneloa Road. Hearing no further discussion, the board conducted a roll call vote. The motion WAS ADOPTED; 13-0-0 (AYE: Ah Moo, Anderson, Nordahl, Cabanero, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Henski, Huycke, D. Jacob, Serota, and Smith; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None) -- [2:24:13]

[2:26:49] -- Huycke MOVED and Nordahl SECONDED to amend the agenda to consider forming a permitted interaction group for 2026 legislative. Discussion followed. The board conducted a roll call vote, the motion WAS NOT ADOPTED; 11-0-2 (AYE: Ah Moo, Anderson, Nordahl, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Huycke, D. Jacob, Serota, and Smith; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: Cabanero and Henski) -- [2:29:18]

X. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- [2:30:54]

[2:31:20] -- Hearing no objections, the board conducted a show of hands. The Tuesday, October 14, 2025 drafted regular meeting minutes WAS ADOPTED as written; 13-0-0 (AYE: Ah Moo, Anderson, Nordahl, Cabanero, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Henski, Huycke, D. Jacob, Serota, and Smith; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: None)-- [2:31:21]

XI. REPORTS -- [2:31:40]

Sub district 1 Report -- [2:31:42]: No report.

Sub district 2 Report -- [2:31:47]: No report.

Sub district 3 Report -- [2:31:50]: No report.

Chair Report -- [2:32:06]: Chair Finley will add the formation of the PIG in January 2026 agenda and reminded members to complete NCO contact forms and ensure constituents can reach them via email, with flexibility for privacy concerns.

XII. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [2:33:30]

NCO and Toys for Tots -- Toy Drive -- [2:33:33]: Your Neighborhood Assistant will be collecting donated toys for children at tonight's meeting on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

The Waikīkī Neighborhood Board will recess in December 2025. The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Paoakalani Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:34:18]: Chair Finley adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:38 p.m.

Submitted by: Anson Wu, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO

Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relation Specialist, NCO

Finalized by: Melissa Filek, Waikiki Neighborhood Board Secretary