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Waikiki Neighborhood Board Meeting AUGUST 2026 Minutes
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WAIKĪKĪ NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 9
DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.
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=gZNHBq-WbC8
Reports and other meeting materials can be found at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1U5LqhO7cjTWUAsZeSiesn99MJa87ouZE?usp=drive_link
I. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:02]: Chair Robert Finley called the Waikīkī Neighborhood Board No. 9 regular meeting to order at 6:02 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 (Via WebEx), Robert Finley, Kathryn Henski, Tim Huycke, Daniel Jacob, Ken Jacob, Shannon Smith, Sarah Worth (Via WebEx), and Nate Serota (Via WebEx (6:03 p.m.).
Board Members Absent: Jacob Wiencek and Jeffery Merz.
Guests: Lieutenant Kitagawa (Honolulu Police Department); Director Nola Miyasaki (Mayor's Representative); Flora (Representative Adrian Tam); Yvonne Hunter (Governor's Representative); Rob Hale (Honolulu Rotary Club's Centennial Park Committee); Council Member Tommy Waters; Alika; Adam Doo; Gregory Misakian (via WebEx), Blane Andrade (via WebEx), Laura Ruby (via WebEx), Caroline Brimblecombe (via WebEx), Geisa (via WebEx), Wayne Swan (via WebEx), Sisillia (via WebEx), Jason Liang, John Deutzman, Tim Garry, Bulla Eastman, Aliaksandr Bazaikin, Arslan Kallowax, Denise Bolsver, Richard Byron, Ken Hiraki, David Chung, Hector, Serge Nicholson, Gilbert, and Nichole Enchetta (Residents); and Anson Wu (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 43 total participants.
Serota arrived to the meeting at 6:03 p.m. 15 members present.
II. CITY MONTHLY REPORTS -- [0:01:36]
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) -- [0:01:38]: No representative was present at this meeting; a report was provided.
• Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FK8hKrBAHZYKUmM5lNszYIW0NqUF7wgJ/view?usp=drive_link
Honolulu Police Department (HPD) -- [0:01:58]: Lieutenant Kitagawa provided the July 2026 statistics and highlighted the following:
• July 2026 Statistics: 2 robberies; 13 burglaries; 145 thefts; 7 Unauthorized Entry Motor Vehicles (UEMV); 43 assaults; 7 sex crimes; 1 bike/skateboard-on-sidewalk citations; 6 speeding citations with 0 warnings and 0 arrests; 1,409 parking citations; 2 loud muffler/prohibited-noise citations; 94 park closure citations with 0 warnings and 12 arrests; 4,681 total calls for service; and 11 Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence (OVUI) arrests.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:03:16]
1. Motorcycle Noise at the Zoo Parking Lot: Member Henski reported repeated late-night gatherings of motorcyclists revving engines and racing down Kapahulu Avenue, disrupting residents' sleep, and asked HPD to increase enforcement. Lieutenant Kitagawa acknowledged the issue, said officers had been stationed at the zoo parking lot on several recent nights, and committed to continued enforcement.
2. Streetlight Outages and Houseless Concerns Near Kapahulu: Member Filek reported prolonged streetlight outages near Domino's on Kūhiō Avenue extending to Kapahulu Avenue, which she linked to an increase in houseless individuals sleeping in the area, and asked that the outage be reported. Lieutenant Kitagawa agreed to have dispatchers request that the traffic-signal/streetlight repair be looked into.
3. Post Office Encampment Resolved: Resident Deutzman thanked HPD for coordinating with the Waikīkī Business Improvement District (WBID), which obtained trespass authority from the post office, resulting in the encampment being cleared over the preceding weekend. Lieutenant Kitagawa explained that because the post office is federal property, HPD lacked jurisdiction until WBID coordinated a representative agreement allowing officers to trespass-warn or arrest on the property.
4. Commercial Loading Zone Enforcement Process: Resident Hector described the slow, non-emergency 911 process (30 minutes to an hour) required to cite vehicles improperly parked in permitted commercial loading/unloading stalls, particularly on metered streets such as Nāmāhana Street, and asked whether a more efficient enforcement option exists. Lieutenant Kitagawa said HPD would look into the relevant regulations to see what could help.
5. Motorcycle Muffler Noise Documentation: Resident Nicholson, whose family suffers from sleep loss due to loud motorcycle mufflers, presented data from a personal noise-monitoring device showing motorcycles account for roughly 72% of measured neighborhood noise and disturb residents up to 16 times per hour in the evening, and asked HPD or the Board to consider restricting motorcycle access to sections of Kalākaua Avenue. Lieutenant Kitagawa acknowledged citations for illegal mufflers were down this month due to competing enforcement priorities, said HPD lacks authority to close streets, but committed to stepping up muffler enforcement.
6. Public Parking Stalls Used by a Commercial Vendor: Resident Gilbert reported that a hot dog stand near the Ilikai pedestrian ramp has, for roughly two years, occupied adjacent public parking stalls (two stalls on one recent night) for commercial use, and asked whether this could be enforced and whether residents should call 911 to report it. Lieutenant Kitagawa said HPD would look into whether the vendor holds a permit.
7. Early-Morning Trash Truck Noise: Resident Misakian reported being woken as early as 4:30 a.m. by refuse trucks that refused to leave when asked, described the practice as a violation of Department of Health regulations (Title 11, Chapter 46), and asked when incoming HPD Chief David Lazar might visit Waikīkī. Lieutenant Kitagawa said he was not certain of the collection company's coordination agreement with the City but would look into the timing rules.
8. Noise-Data Follow-Up: Member Daniel Jacob highlighted Resident Nicholson's noise-monitoring device, noting it recorded 546 loud-muffler noise events (filtered to exclude sirens and other sounds) at approximately 90 decibels between Friday, August 7, 2026 to Tuesday, August 11, 2026, and suggested the Public Safety Committee examine appropriate staffing levels for responding to such incidents.
9. Public Safety Committee Reminder: Member Huycke reminded attendees that the Board's Public Safety Committee meets for an hour and a half dedicated to public-safety topics and encouraged residents with law-enforcement concerns to attend in person or online rather than using meeting time, noting the Board's new 8:30 p.m. end time. The committee is looking into legislative issues including loud mufflers.
Board of Water Supply (BWS) -- [0:22:54]: No representative was present at this meeting; a written report was not provided.
III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS -- [0:22:57]
Subdistrict 2 Chair -- [0:22:59]: Chair Finley noted that Member Anderson had been nominated for the Subdistrict 2 Chair position at the July 14, 2026 meeting but was not in attendance to be voted on at that time. Hearing no other candidates and no objection, Anderson was elected as Subdistrict 2 Chair; (ANDERSON: Ah Moo, Anderson, Nordahl, Cabanero, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Henski, Huycke, Daniel Jacob, Ken Jacob, Serota, Smith, and Worth; ABSTAIN: None) -- [0:23:26].
IV. CITIZENS CONCERNS NOT COVERED IN REGULAR AGENDA -- [0:24:20]
Kūhiō Beach Bathroom Closure -- [0:24:41]: Resident Enchetta described a four-year run around on repairing the long-closed Kūhiō Beach bathroom, including repeated promises of parts and an announced reopening that never occurred, and asked for a specific update, noting deteriorating showers and sanitation conditions at the site.
EAH Housing Area Median Income (AMI) Commitment and Property Tax Committee -- [0:26:47]: Resident Liang, following up on a question from the prior meeting, asked the Board to press developers of the proposed 426 Ena Road EAH Housing project to commit to serving a meaningful share of units at 30% Area Median Income (AMI) or below, and announced the Friday, July 17, 2026 inaugural meeting of a property-tax committee discussing a Proposition 13-style cap limiting annual property-tax assessment increases to 2%.
City Council Bills 52 and 53 -- [0:28:19]: Resident Garry previewed City Council Bill 52 (addressing illegal peddling) and Bill 53 (banning shopping carts outside retail premises) being introduced the next morning, described the cost that stolen and abandoned shopping carts impose on grocery prices, and urged support.
Nullified Primary-Election Votes -- [0:30:20]: Resident Garry separately objected that his vote had been nullified in the recent election and asked the Board to place the issue on a future agenda.
Food Court Noise and Odor Complaints -- [0:31:11]: Resident Kalloway reported ongoing noise from non-stop music and strong food odors from a roughly eight-vendor food court near Keoniana Street and Kalākaua Avenue, said police had been called twice, and asked what steps residents could take to enforce noise-decibel limits. Chair Finley noted a related bill was pending at City Council and recommended the residents also raise it with a member from City Council later in the meeting.
Concerns /Kūhiō Beach Bathroom Closure (Continued) -- [0:33:23]: Member Worth suggested for Chair Finley to explain to residents that their concerns could also be brought up to representatives and council member. She also suggested informing the president and executive director of the Waikīkī Business Improvement District (WBID) Trevor Abarzua regarding the the Kūhiō Beach closure.
Food Court Noise and Odor Complaints (Continued) -- [0:34:13]: Member Daniel Jacob knows the owner and can relay Resident Kalloway's concern. He also noted a possible proposed building that will be built at the location by a private school, but he is unsure the plan is still moving forward.
Towing Enforcement Near Ilikai Public Parking -- [0:35:50]: Resident Gilbert reported photographing a City contracted towing company removing a vehicle from the Ilikai public parking area before the posted 10:30 p.m. closure time, and asked the City to review the contractor's compliance.
Board Endorsement of Peddling and Shopping Cart Bills -- [0:36:44]: Resident Deutzman asked whether the Board could formally support Council Member Waters' peddling and shopping-cart bills. Chair Finley noted the items were not on the current agenda but encouraged individual Board members to testify, and Member Anderson agreed to add the topic to the Legislation Engagement Committee's future agenda.
Ferry, Clean Elections, Flood Mitigation, and Rail Transit Committee Requests -- [0:37:32]: Resident Ruby requested a future presentation on a low-cost ferry crossing the Ala Wai Canal, asked the Board to consider sponsoring clean-elections legislation, suggested forming a flood-mitigation committee similar to those of the McCully-Mōʻiliʻili and Mānoa boards, and recommended a transportation committee focused on the rail extension's design through Waikīkī.
Food Truck Site Clarification -- [0:39:24]: Resident Misakian also raised concerns of the two food-truck clusters. Resident Misakian had technical issues on his end.
444/448 Keoniana Street Development Concerns -- [0:40:05]: Resident Misakian raised concerns about a 50-unit affordable-housing project under construction at 444 and 448 Keoniana Street, stating it is proceeding under a "special assignment inspection" rather than a standard building permit, that the site's A-frame barricades appear to lack posted parking permits, and that graffiti covers the construction fence; he asked the Board to look into the project's permitting status.
Objection to Meeting End-Time Change Process -- [0:41:19]: Resident Misakian objected that the Board's prior vote to shorten the regular meeting end time to 8:30 p.m. was not posted on the agenda in advance and was adopted without public input, and asked the Board to be more mindful of public participation given fewer items now appear on agendas.
V. OʻAHU SCHEDULE OF MAJOR PARADES AND STREET EVENTS -- [0:42:43]
Chair Finley reviewed the upcoming schedule (times approximate):
• Saturday, September 19, 2:00 p.m. -- Midnight, Aloha Festivals Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa
• Saturday, September 26, 8:30 a.m. -- 1:00 p.m., Aloha Festivals Floral Parade
• Friday, August 14, 2026 -- Monday, August 24, 2026, Duke's Ocean fest Events
VI. APPLICATIONS FOR LIQUOR LICENSE -- [0:43:58]
• Osteria Mamma Waikīkī, 2490 Kalākaua Avenue, Special License Tuesday, September 1, 2026 -- Tuesday, August 31, 2027
VII. ELECTED OFFICIALS OR OFFICIALS' REPRESENTATIVES -- [0:44:35]
Mayor's Representative -- [0:45:04]: Director Nola Miyasaki provided the report and highlighted the following: a newly designed, rainbow-themed all-Hawaiʻi driver's license and state ID card with enhanced anti-counterfeiting and anti-fraud features (current cards remain valid until expiration); the arrival of new Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar, formerly of the San Francisco Police Department, who is expected to visit all neighborhood boards; a new Purple Heart specialty license plate available to eligible combat-wounded veterans for a one-time $5.50 fee; the City's reduction of the school-zone speed limit from 25 to 20 miles per hour when children are present (6:00 a.m. -- 6:00 p.m. on school days), with new signage to be installed within 1,000 feet of the more than 200 schools on Oʻahu over the next several years; the Department of Environmental Services' Oʻahu Clean Water Survey, open through Sunday, August 23, 2026, seeking community input on water-quality priorities to guide wastewater and stormwater funding; and the conclusion of the summer's Ocean Safety Junior Lifeguard Program.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:49:25]
1. New Managing Director Follow-Up on Trash Pickup: Resident Liang asked whether the new Managing Director could attend a future meeting to follow up on the early-morning trash-pickup issue previously assigned to former Managing Director Mike Formby. Director Miyasaki noted a past Townhall Meeting and asked if there was a follow-up action needed. Chair Finley confirmed a meeting was held at the Waikīkī Community Center, but the board is waiting on a follow-up.
2. Office of Economic Revitalization Closure and Resilience Hub Programs: Chair Finley asked about reports that the Oʻahu Community Resilience Hub and related websites would close after Friday, August 14, 2026, and noted that several condominiums, including his own, had spent up to $6,000 on contractor-prepared resiliency surveys and wondered whether that money had been wasted or would be put to use by a different department. Director Miyasaki confirmed that budget cuts are eliminating the Office of Economic Revitalization, including its small-business-support, business-connector, and related programs, effective that date, and said she would follow up on the survey-funding question through Amy Asselbaye, the director of the Office of Economic Revitalization, who continues to work for the Managing Director.
3. Condominium Resiliency-Report Reimbursement and Program Identification: Member Henski pressed for specifics: who would reimburse condominiums for the resiliency reports, how the collected data (on electric, water, gas, and garbage usage) is being used, and whether reimbursement amounts would scale with building size, noting that only Waikīkī condominiums appear to have been required to file under the 2022 ordinance sponsored by then-Council Member Tommy Waters. Director Miyasaki said she was not familiar with the specific program (confirming it was administered separately from the Office of Climate Change), but would look into it.
4. Early-Morning Trash Pickup Escalation and 444/448 Keoniana Street Permit Inquiry: Resident Gregory Misakian raised concerns on the early-morning refuse-collection issue, describing continued disputes with drivers who refused to leave when asked, videos he had taken of the encounters, and an email thread with Managing Director Krishna Jayaram; he stated the practice violates Department of Health regulations (Title 11, Chapter 46), called for a town hall on the issue, and said he was prepared to file litigation. He separately asked the Mayor's office to investigate whether the 444 and 448 Keoniana Street development holds proper parking and building permits, noting the project is proceeding under a special-assignment inspection rather than a standard building permit, that A-frame barricades occupy street parking without visible permits, and that graffiti covers the site's perimeter fence.
5. Clarification of Resiliency Report Program Jurisdiction: Member Serota clarified that the resiliency-report program is administered by the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency -- not the Office of Economic Revitalization -- and applies to condominiums and other commercial buildings alike; he noted the office's director, Kealoha Fox, had presented to the Board previously, and read from an Office of Economic Revitalization announcement listing the programs being discontinued, including a $4 million Kōnā Low recovery-business grant, economic-development representation, small-business outreach and incubation support, and workforce-development and tech-innovation support, which he attributed to City Council budget cuts. Director Miyasaki clarified that the report is being facilitated by Kealoha Fox from the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency and not the Office of Economic Revitalization.
6. Follow-Up on Reimbursement, Report Use, and Hotel Compliance: Member Henski returned to her original questions -- who will reimburse condominiums for the expense, how the filed reports are being used to benefit residents, and whether large hotels were held to the same reporting requirement. She also noted that Council Member Waters had previously told her on camera that filing the report Tuesday, June 30, 2026 was not actually required. Director Miyasaki said she did not have enough information, but will offer to provide a follow up.
Council Member Tommy Waters -- [1:03:09]: Alika with Chair Waters Office noted Chair Tommy Waters is running late and asked to be pushed later in the agenda.
Senator Sharon Moriwaki -- [1:03:37]: No representative present.
Representative Adrian Tam -- [1:04:06]: Flora from Representative Adrian Tam's office read a brief statement on his behalf thanking the Board for the opportunity to continue serving and looking forward to working with the Board's legislation committee. Flora also reported that Representative Tam's office remains in contact with the property owner and community-policing team regarding food-truck noise complaints without much traction so far, and highlighted that the office is drafting a bill to make the noise-camera program permanent and enforceable with fines, adding data-privacy protections after concerns raised the prior year.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:05:29]
1. Noise Camera Coverage and Relocation: Resident Nicholson reported that noisy traffic comes from three separate streets in his area, but the existing noise camera covers only one, and asked that cameras be relocated or expanded to capture more traffic. Flora agreed to relay the request to Director Sniffen and noted the office hopes to add locations if the program becomes permanent.
2. 444/448 Keoniana Street Project Information Request: Resident Misakian again raised concerns about the 444/448 Keoniana Street project, describing the special-assignment-inspection process as allowing construction before a standard permit is issued, and asked Representative Tam's office to send information about the project.
3. Existing Permits on File for 444/448 Keoniana Street: Member Smith reported that a quick search showed a demolition permit had been issued for the prior single-family homes and that four additional permits (for trenching and related work) were open and in progress.
Governor's Representative -- [1:09:51]: Yvonne Hunter reported no major updates, noted the record number of Hawaiian Home Lands awards issued in July 2026, and said she would relay ongoing noise and trash-pickup concerns to the Governor's office.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:10:47]
1. Trash Truck Noise Escalation and Litigation Concern: Resident Misakian, noting continued sleep deprivation from early refuse collection, asked Hunter to relay to the Governor that the practice violates Department of Health regulations (Title 11, Chapter 46) and the State Constitution's peaceful-enjoyment protections, and stated he was prepared to pursue litigation on the issue.
2. Metal-to-Plastic Dumpster Suggestion: Member Huycke relayed Council Member Waters' idea of replacing metal dumpsters with plastic ones to reduce collection noise and asked whether the state had considered the idea. Resident Misakian clarified that the noise in question is primarily the trucks' backup-warning beep rather than dumpster clanking.
3. Western Governors' Association Conference: Chair Finley asked whether Hunter was involved with the upcoming Western Governors' Association conference. Hunter said she was aware of the conference. Chair Finley presented a special event 1968 license plates could help avoid traffic citations.
VIII. WAIKĪKĪ IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION -- [1:14:40]: No representative present
IX. NEW BOARD BUSINESS -- [1:14:48]
Centennial Park/Rotary Update/Future Plans -- [1:15:06]: Rob Hale, Chair of the Honolulu Rotary Club's Centennial Park Committee, provided an update on the city-owned park, which the Rotary Club is funding and constructing under contract. He explained that actual costs ran roughly four times the original 2018 estimate, requiring the project to be phased; Phase 1 (turning the park green and opening it to the public) is complete, and Phase 2 is underway, replacing the perimeter chain-link fence with a new rock-wall-and-picket fence set back on the property line, which will create additional green space outside the park. Hail described plans to build a working relationship with WBID to help address ongoing park issues -- maintenance, dogs, houseless individuals, pigeons, and chickens -- since City Parks staff have no independent enforcement authority and must call police for infractions. The Park is closed for construction through the end of October 2026; remaining work includes signage and landscaping improvements, including removal of torch-ginger plantings that required heavy weekly maintenance and had become a hiding spot for houseless individuals.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:21:52]
1. Park Locking Hours: Member Henski asked whether the park is locked at a certain hour. Hail said the park (open until 7:00 p.m.) is not currently locked, as no dedicated staff exists for the task. Henski suggested hiring a local high-school student to open and close it. Hail noted the City has an existing locking arrangement through WBID for other parks that could potentially be extended to Centennial Park once the new gates are installed.
2. Sidewalk Widening: Chair Finley asked whether the City intends to widen the sidewalks around the park once the new fence is complete. Hail said he was not aware of such a plan, though an earlier design had relocated the sidewalk slightly, and that the goal is to create a substantial green buffer intended in part as a dog-walking area.
Oʻahu Community Resilience Hub -- [1:25:25]: No representative was present.
Council Member Tommy Waters (continued) -- [1:26:00]: Council Member Tommy Waters noted Member Smith's up to vote for Commissioner and presented certificates recognizing the dedicated service of Member Henski and Member Anderson. He then previewed several bills he introduced for the following day's City Council meeting: Bill 52 (raising fines for illegal peddling); Bill 53 (banning shopping carts outside retail premises, giving police authority to confiscate stolen carts); Bill 54 (restricting parking within four feet of driveways near hiking trailheads, primarily affecting other districts such as Kuliʻouʻou); Bills 45 and 46 (raising the general homeowner exemption from $140,000 to $160,000 and the kupuna exemption from $180,000 to $200,000); Bill 47 (reducing the per-pound motor-vehicle weight tax, which he said he may amend to exclude commercial vehicles given its roughly $34 million cost to the City); and Resolution 26-159 (urging the State Board of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources to prohibit commercial aquarium harvest of aquatic life from state marine waters).
Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:34:21]
1. Lack of Action on Garbage Truck Noise and Beach Bathroom; Third-Term Concern: Member Worth pressed Council Member Waters for concrete progress on the recurring complaints about early-morning trash-truck noise and the long-closed Kūhiō Beach bathroom, and separately expressed disappointment that he sought a third term given ongoing litigation over whether his prior partial term counted toward the two-term limit. Council Member Waters responded that funding for the bathroom repair has been appropriated but that execution is an administrative rather than legislative matter, that early collection reflects a safety determination by the prior administration, and that he believes the term-limit question is properly left to the courts and, ultimately, the voters.
2. Peddling/Busking Registration Program Status: Member Serota asked whether Bill 52 was connected to a previously discussed town hall on musicians and peddling. Council Member Waters clarified Bill 52 addresses fines only and is separate from a still-unresolved proposal to register and permit street performers in designated areas, for which no city department has yet agreed to serve as the administering agency.
3. Appreciation for Council Member's Service: Members Erteschik, expressed appreciation for Council Member Waters' work on behalf of the community amid the pending litigation over his term.
4. Term-Limit Opinion, Garbage Truck Noise Clarification, and Litigation Warning: Resident Greg Paul said he had missed Council Member Waters at a recent candidate forum, argued that the charter's two-term limit reflects clear voter intent that should control the litigation, and said he shared Member Worth's frustration on garbage trucks -- clarifying that the disruptive noise is the trucks' backup-warning beep rather than clanking, describing it as a years-long, worsening health issue, and warning the City could be held liable if HPD does not enforce existing regulations; he offered to share supporting video.
5. Evidence of Trash Truck Safety Incidents: Member Daniel Jacob asked whether anyone has ever been injured by a backing-up trash truck in the City and County of Honolulu and asked Waters to look into the safety rationale behind early collection. Council Member Waters said he was not aware of any such injury, but he will look into it.
6. Emergency Management Hearings and Kona Low After-Action Report: Member Huycke asked when the Council would hold hearings on the emergency-management department's handling of the prior tsunami warning and when the after-action report going to be released. Council Member Waters said he had just received the tsunami after-action report (roughly a year after the event) and offered to share it with the Board, said he was still awaiting the Kona Low after-action report, and noted the tsunami response revealed evacuation gridlock on Ala Wai and side streets that needs to be addressed.
7. Alternative to Overnight Collection: Resident Liang suggested that adding a traffic-control employee for a short period could allow trash collection during normal daytime hours without the sleep disruption caused by overnight or early-morning pickup, and asked that legislation address the issue. Council Member Waters noted the department had considered alternatives, including quieter bin materials, and the suggested a pilot program testing daytime collection could be worthwhile.
8. First-Time Attendee's Request to Refocus the Meeting: Resident Jake asked that a disruptive WebEx caller be addressed so the meeting could proceed productively.
9. Thanks for Kapahulu Crosswalk Repainting: Member Nordahl thanked Council Member Waters for City-funded repainting of crosswalks near the zoo on Kapahulu Avenue, including new pavement markings.
10. Trash Truck Timing Suggestion: Resident Nicholson suggested to have garbage collection at 9:00 p.m.
11. Appreciation and Status of Pending Bills: Chair Finley thanked Waters for his responsiveness over the years and asked whether the bills previewed that evening were all on first reading. Council Member Waters confirmed the cost-of-living-related bills (45, 46, 47) are on second reading, while the shopping-cart and peddling bills are on first reading, and confirmed residents and Board members can submit testimony online through the Honolulu City Council website without needing to attend in person.
X. COMMITTEE REPORTS -- [1:56:25]
Public Safety and Civil Defense -- [1:56:35]: Member Huycke requested that future committee minutes be attached to the printed agenda so meeting time can be used to discuss only major or new developments; Chair Finley agreed. Huycke reported the committee met Monday, July 29, 2026 at the WBID office and online, with a guest speaker from the Honolulu Prosecutor's Office and HPD representatives including Major Okamoto in attendance; the Safe and Sound program continues to show declining crime overall. Topics discussed included loud noise, traffic issues, mental health and substance-abuse concerns, and homelessness. He provided updates that the Prosecutor's Office is reviewing the sit/lie ordinance's wheelchair exception and that WBID's Trevor Abarzua continues encouraging local businesses to press charges against those who commit crimes against them. He added that the committee is pursuing increased penalties and easier enforcement for offenses such as loud noise, is seeking a judiciary representative as a guest speaker for a future meeting, and plans to discuss the effect of drug trafficking on youth at an upcoming meeting.
State and City Legislation Engagement -- [1:58:47]: Member Anderson reported the committee's second meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the WBID headquarters, with an agenda to be circulated about a week in advance; the agenda is still being developed and she invited Board members and the community to suggest topics. She noted with encouragement that the peddling and shopping-cart issues discussed at the committee's first meeting are now advancing as City Council bills.
XI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- [2:00:00]
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Meeting Minutes -- [2:00:02]: [2:00:03] -- Hearing no corrections and one abstention, the board conducted a show of hands. The Tuesday, July 14, 2026 minutes WAS adopted as written; 14-0-1 (AYE: Ah Moo, Anderson, Nordahl, Cabanero, D' Orazio, Erteschik, Filek, Finley, Henski, Huycke, Daniel Jacob, Ken Jacob, Serota, and Smith; NAY: None; ABSTAIN: Worth) -- [2:00:32]
XII. REPORTS -- [2:01:00]
Subdistrict 1 Report -- Merz -- [2:01:01]: No report.
Subdistrict 2 Report -- Anderson -- [2:01:06]: Member Anderson reported an update on the McCully Bridge guardrail damaged when a vehicle rammed through it in October 2023, which has since had only a temporary wood-and-orange-netting repair; after resident inquiries, she found the repair had not been prioritized since 2023 but is now going out to bid this fiscal year.
Subdistrict 3 Report -- Henski -- [2:01:56]: Chair Finley reported that the Honolulu Zoo has offered to give two or three Board members an informal tour of its Zoo Education Program; Member Nordahl volunteered to coordinate, and Member Filek asked to join him.
Chair Report -- Finley -- [2:03:28]: Chair Finley reported attending a Thursday, August 6, 2026 meeting for neighborhood board chairs and City Council members with new HPD Chief David Lazar, at which he referred suggested department changes to the Board's Public Safety Committee; noted that Hawaiian Electric will be performing construction on Kalākaua Avenue near the Kalia Cultural Entertainment Center from Monday, August 17, 2026 through Saturday, October 17, 2026 (excluding weekends and holidays); and noted the Neighborhood Commission Office is preparing an updated procedural guidebook, the first update in about a decade, covering neighborhood-plan, state-law, and Office of Information Practices (OIP) guidance for board operations.
XIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [2:05:28]: This item was skipped.
The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., at the Waikīkī Community Center, 310 Paoakalani Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815 and via WebEx.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:05:31]: The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Submitted by: Anson Wu, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by:
Finalized by:
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