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  • Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board Meeting AUGUST 2026 Minutes - STAY CONNECTED

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

ALA MOANA - KAKA‘AKO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 11

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.
MAKIKI CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 829 PENSACOLA STREET, HONOLULU, HI 96814
AND VIA WEBEX

Video Recording of Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKxDjuE3FAk

Google Drive Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm7PfnzM3Wc

1. CALL TO ORDER -- [0:00:10]: Chair Kathleen Lee called the Ala Moana-Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board No. 11 meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Quorum was established with six (6) members present. Note: This 11-member Board requires six (6) members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Rodney Chang, Dyson Chee, Quinn Hashimoto, Kathleen Lee, Jeanne Rice, Dale Vanderbrink, Lori Farinas (arrived 6:13 p.m.), Rick Egged (arrived 6:27 p.m.), and Sheri Rand (arrived 6:30 p.m.).

Board Member(s) Absent: Kaili Morala and Chris Chung.

Guests: Captain K. Young (Honolulu Fire Department); Sergeant R. Townsend (Honolulu Police Department); Jared Kimura (Councilmember Nishimoto); Mark Yonamine (Mayor Blangiradi); Malcolm Iwami (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam); Flora (Representative Adrian Tam); Kate Ozawa (Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto); Ashton Stallings (Governor Josh Green); Venus (Senator Sharon Moriwaki); Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson (Lei Pua ‘Ala Foundation); Kunane Dreier (Hawai‘i Health & Harm Reduction Center); Dre Kalili (Aloha Festivals Floral Parade); Vanessa (Punahou School); Trevor Abarzua (Waikīkī Improvement District); Steve Bailey, Elena Vigonova, Courtney Monahan, Dylan Armstrong, Johnnie Mae L. Perry, Todd Adams, Spencer Lee, Stephanie Salmons, Henry Kakutani, Ronald Higa, Daniel Sandomire, Jon Bynes, Reyn Tsuru, Victor Muh, Myoung Oh (Residents); and Camilia Epa Gomes (Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 44 total participants.

Roll Call Attendance -- [0:00:32]: Chair Lee called for a roll call of members present, which was conducted by Neighborhood Assistant (NA) Epa Gomes.

Announcement -- [0:01:20]: Chair Lee noted the board placed an item on the agenda inviting first responders and elected officials to offer tips and resources in light of Tropical Storm Lala.

2. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS -- [0:01:36]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) -- [0:01:47]: Capt. K. Young, Pawa‘a Fire Station, highlighted the following:
• Incident Statistics for July 2026: 1 structure fire, 2 nuisance fires, 28 activated alarms with no fire, 152 medical emergencies, 1 motor vehicle collision with a pedestrian, and 1 additional motor vehicle collision.
• Safety Tip -- Emergency Notifications & Resources: Residents were encouraged to sign up for HNL Alert (https://hnlalert.gov) and to know the difference between opt-in alerts and the public alert and warning system which include 1. Emergency Alert System (EAS), 2. Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), and 3. Outdoor Warning Sirens depending on the emergency, one or more of these systems may be activated.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:04:30]
1. Hurricane/Storm Safety & HFD Capacity: Member VanderBrink asked what safety tips HFD could offer for residents who needed to travel during the recent tropical storm, and whether the storm strained HFD resources. Capt. Young advised staying home when possible and confirmed call volume roughly quintupled that weekend (about 100 alarms versus a normal 20), but said HFD had enough personnel on duty, though response times were longer.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) -- [0:06:40]: Sergeant R. Townsend, Day Watch, District 1, presented the following:
• Crime Statistics for July 2026 (vs. June 2026): auto thefts 10 (12); burglaries 3 (4); thefts 98 (100); unauthorized entry into motor vehicles 9 (7); assaults 17 (24); sexual assault 3 (1); graffiti 1 (0); drug cases 0 (unchanged); motor vehicle collisions 135 (96).
• Safety Tip: Community awareness, reporting suspicious vehicle activity, and driver safety.

Member Farinas joined the meeting at 6:13 p.m.; 7 members present.
Member Egged joined the meeting at 6:27 p.m.; 8 members present.
Member Rand joined the meeting at 6:30 p.m.; 9 members present.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:08:44]
1. Motor Vehicle Theft -- Elderly Victim: Member VanderBrink asked about a motor vehicle theft/crash on Ala Moana Blvd. involving a 90-year-old owner and teenage suspect, and whether kūpuna are targeted more often. Sgt. Townsend said theft is opportunistic (unlocked doors, running vehicles) rather than age-specific, and urged basic vehicle safety regardless of age.
2. Keʻeaumoku/Kapiʻolani Stabbing & Violent Crime Concerns: Member VanderBrink referenced a recent stabbing near Ke‘eaumoku/Kapi‘olani and past shootings on Kona St./Kamake‘e St., and asked what HPD recommends for community safety. Sgt. Townsend advised heightened situational awareness and reporting suspicious activity, and said he could not confirm whether the stabbing suspect was connected to the homeless population near the H&R Block building, noting the homeless/houseless population is highly transient.
3. Rise in Homelessness Displaced from Waikīkī/Chinatown: Member Rice asked whether HPD has observed more homeless individuals moving into the Ala Moana area as they are displaced from Waikīkī and Chinatown, and whether additional enforcement effort is being made. Sgt. Townsend confirmed a noticeable rise over roughly a decade, described nightly outreach/sweeps, but said many decline shelter due to mental health or substance issues and there are insufficient shelter/housing resources to break the cycle.
4. Selective Enforcement & Drug Activity in Ala Moana Park: Resident Elena Vigonova raised concerns about perceived selective enforcement (citing Waikīkī's success clearing homeless encampments versus Ala Moana Park) and alleged open drug dealing in the park; she urged pushing individuals toward the State Capitol/Governor's office to prompt policy action. Sgt. Townsend responded that enforcement in a public park is complex, most individuals decline services, and he would look further into the comparison with Waikīkī. Chair Lee noted the issue is discussed at nearly every meeting and connects to the Business Improvement District discussion later on the agenda. The resident requested for the HPD representative to come back next month to report on what Waikīkī is doing differently and succeeding regarding enforcement and secondly, having homeless push to Capitol property grounds to see what elected officials will do.
5. Mentally Disturbed Homeless Affecting Store Shops: Kakaʻako Business Owner Courtney Monahan shared her experience dealing with mentally disturbed homeless individuals who come into her store and harass her employees, putting their safety in danger. Ms. Manuhan explained the process to report to HPD individuals is tedious resulting to nothing immediately done and affects their business. Ms. Manuhan echoed the previous residentʻs comments on supporting HPD and all their efforts and requesting for solutions to mitigate these issues.
6. Homeless Encampments at Bus Stops: Community Member Dylan Armstrong described chronic homeless habitation of bus stops (Kapi‘olani/Ke‘eaumoku, Kamake‘e/Kapi‘olani, Queen St.) and asked what it would take for HPD to respond immediately and prevent recurrence. Sgt. Townsend explained that rapid development is displacing homeless individuals into remaining spaces; HPD cites and moves people along, but with Institute for Human Services (IHS) overwhelmed and no shelter capacity, individuals often return; arrests do not resolve the underlying issue since individuals are released and return to the same conditions.
7. Interagency Collaboration on Homelessness: Member Farinas asked whether HPD collaborates with other agencies, noting Hawai‘i Health & Harm Reduction Center (H3RC) was present. Sgt. Townsend confirmed HPD partners with CORE (Community Outreach Response and Engagement) on mental health outreach, with mixed success since many individuals refuse help. Member Rice encouraged residents to write to elected officials and offer solutions rather than only complaints, noting HPD is short approximately 463 officers islandwide, with only about 20 officers covering the NB11 district per shift. Member VanderBrink and community member Johnnie Mae L. Perry added that sustained community advocacy, including inviting the Governor's and Mayor's homelessness coordinators to a future meeting, may help drive further action; Chair Lee noted the Action Committee has previously invited state/city homelessness coordinators.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [0:55:25]
1. History & Personal Connection: Member VanderBrink noted approximately 2,000 AIDS-related deaths in Hawai‘i (1970s--90s epidemic) and a personal connection to the cause.
2. Funding Sources: Member Chang asked about funding. Presenters confirmed a three-year Mellon Foundation Monuments Project grant plus the new Lei Pua ‘Ala Foundation for future maintenance -- private, non-governmental funding.
3. Public Access & Site History: Member Rice asked whether the site (which also functions as a tsunami dry well) would remain fully open and welcoming to the public. Presenters confirmed the space will remain public and noted consultation with the Japanese American community, the Mothers Against Drunk Driving memorial, and sculptor Sean Brown.
4. Land Ownership: Community member Johnnie Mae L. Perry asked whether the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is a landowner and could restrict access. Presenters confirmed the site is on public park land; OHA owns adjacent parcels but is not a landowner for the park and has been a supporter of prior related projects.

[1:01:40] -- VanderBrink MOVED and Rice SECONDED for the board to voice support for the AIDS Memorial Project. Further discussion followed. Due to Sunshine Law requirements, the motion was dismissed. The board agreed to defer formal action to the Tuesday, September 22, 2026 meeting agenda.

3. PRESENTATIONS -- [0:43:20]:

AIDS Memorial & Community Site at Kakaʻako Waterfrot Park -- [0:43:20]: Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson (Lei Pua ‘Ala Foundation) and Kunane Dreier (Hawai‘i Health & Harm Reduction Center) presented a proposal, in development for two and a half years with the John. A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), WCIT architecture firm, and the City & County of Honolulu, to create a memorial at the park's overlook honoring those lost to HIV/AIDS and other epidemics. Highlights included the site's history (former smallpox and Hansen's disease/leprosy hospital location), current vandalism/graffiti issues, an existing Adopt-a-Park agreement with Honolulu Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR), planned interpretive plaques and reflection benches using existing infrastructure, and a digital "electronic quilt" oral-history portal. The project has been reviewed by the O‘ahu Historic Preservation Commission and is coordinating with HCDA's ongoing Kaka‘ako planning; next step is a City Council gift resolution.

Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HPU) Shark Race 5K, Sunday, September 6, 2026 -- [1:04:05]: No representative was present at this time. Chair Lee noted the race trail map is available on the Board's Google Drive.

2026 Aloha Festivals Floral Parade, Saturday, September 26, 2026 -- [1:04:30]: Ms. Dre Kalili announced the 76th annual parade (80th anniversary of Aloha Festivals), starting at Ala Moana Beach Park and ending in Waikīkī; parade participant applications remain open. Road closures around Ala Moana Beach Park begin as early as 6:00 a.m. that day, with Ala Moana Blvd. into Waikīkī closing closer to the 9:00 a.m. parade step-off.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:06:20]
1. Declining Post-COVID Parade Participation: Member Rice noted a decline in parade participation since COVID (fewer hotels and bands participating) and asked what is needed to reverse the trend. Ms. Kalili cited the cost of student band bus transportation and float-building, along with a broader post-COVID decline in community-organization volunteering. Member Egged noted fundraising has been improving. Member Rice added that hotels used to more actively involve guests in float preparation and suggested renewed outreach to hospitality partners.

4. BOARD BUSINESS -- [1:11:50]

Approval of the July 28, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes -- [1:11:57]: [1:11:58] -- Member VanderBrink MOVED and Member Rand SECONDED to approve the July 2026 minutes as written. Hearing no objections, the motion was ADOPTED; 9-0-0 (Aye: Chang, Chee, Egged, Farinas, Hashimoto, Rand, Rice, Vanderbrink, Lee; Nay: None; Abstain: None) -- [0:33:50].

Due to the Neighborhood Plan requirement of the number of visible board members required to be visible during board action, this motion fails and will be included in next monthʻs agenda.

Recognition of Outstanding Resident -- Jessica Lee, Punahou School Student -- [1:12:45]: Jessica Lee was not present. Her mentor, Ms. Vanessa D'Sutto, reported that Jessica, a Punahou School senior from the district, received the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal (the highest youth honor in America) from Rep. Ed Case on Thursday, August 13, 2026 -- the seventh such medal awarded on O‘ahu since the program's 1979 inception. Jessica completed over 400 volunteer hours at St. Francis Healthcare System and founded CHAMP (Cancer Health Awareness and Mindfulness Program), which hosts educational workshops; she partnered with a Cancer Center Skin Van for a Sunsmart event at Ala Moana Regional Park in July 2026, with her next workshop Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Lanakila Senior Center. She was also named Punahou School's "One to Watch." The board congratulated Jessica.

Business Improvement District -- [1:15:17]: Special guest Trevor Abarzua, President & CEO of the Waikīkī Business Improvement District (WBID)/Waikīkī Improvement Association, described WBID's history (established ~2000 by Rick Egged and a group of hoteliers), its "clean and safe" mission, and its funding via commercial property assessments (~$4.5--$5 million/year, 85% spent directly on services). Programs include roughly 60 "Aloha Ambassador" staff, a Clean Team, elevated safety ambassadors with body cameras working closely with HPD, and landscaping across all of Waikīkī. He described WBID's post-2022 "Safe and Sound Waikīkī" strategy -- first targeting habitual offenders with geographic-restriction enhanced sentencing, then shifting to a "carrot" approach of street medicine, shelter placement, and outreach -- resulting in a reported 92% reduction in homelessness in core Waikīkī since 2022, alongside a 25% reduction across the broader area (including Ala Moana Beach Park and Kapi‘olani Park) per twice-yearly UH counts, while acknowledging continued migration to areas like Fort DeRussy. He encouraged NB11 to consider a similar district for its area.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [1:31:08]
1. Support: Multiple individuals including board members and Resident Steve Bailey commended WBID's results and urged a similar enforcement-focused model for Ala Moana.
2. Funding Structure for a Residential Area: Community member Spencer Lee asked how funding and geographic boundaries would work for a more residential area like Ala Moana compared to business-heavy Waikīkī. Mr. Abarzua explained funding structure is set through the City Council legislative process and can include businesses, residents, or both; including residential towers could substantially increase available funding.
3. Accountability & Long-Term Use of Funds: Resident Elena Vigonova asked how a BID would be held accountable if problems persisted despite funding, and what would happen to resources if homelessness were fully resolved. Mr. Abarzua explained WBID is governed by a 25-member ratepayer board that can remove staff or dissolve the district (with a majority-ratepayer petition to City Council), and that funds could be redirected to activation, arts, or public safety priorities as conditions change.
4. Developer Community-Benefit Funds as Potential Seed Funding: Member VanderBrink noted the pending 1588 Ala Moana Blvd. development is required to contribute $5 million to Atkinson Complete Streets and $1.5 million for tree planting as a condition of City waivers, and suggested such developer contributions could instead help seed a future NB11 improvement district, similar to a $1 million Hilton Grand Vacations donation that funded Kuhiō Beach Park improvements in Waikīkī. Mr. Abarzua encouraged the board to advocate for it, while emphasizing that BID services supplement, rather than replace, existing City staffing.

Citizens Patrol -- [2:01:10]: Chair Lee introduced this topic, raised by Representative Ikaika Olds, as a community volunteer patrol model connected to the evening's safety discussions, for further consideration.

Action Committee Updates -- [2:01:40]: The Action Committee (meets the second Thursday of each month) recently hosted Senator Moriwaki and Councilmember Nishimoto, and before that Representative Ikaika Olds, for informal one-on-one discussions. The next Action Committee meeting is Thursday, September 10, 2026, with Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, who helped launch the Downtown BID.

Attendance/Presence at Other Meetings/Events -- [2:03:44]: Chair Lee and Member Morala tabled at the Kaka‘ako Farmers Market for voter outreach, which developed into broader community discussion.

5. SUBDISTRICT REPORTS -- [2:04:15]:

Subdistrict 4 -- Member Farinas -- [2:04:30]: Reported ongoing Phase 3 construction of the Straub Benioff (Medical Center) parking structure causing South King St. lane closures near Ala Moana (through mid-September 2026), including geological testing and a July 2026 incident in which debris fell onto the street; HPD has been directing traffic. Residents were advised to allow extra travel time and avoid the area if possible.
• Sidewalk & Utility Work Notice: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OmQzyLzcZHll8pjpD6RQSpzUk2d1mQip/view?usp=drive_link

Subdistrict 1 -- Member VanderBrink: Member VanderBrink noted proposed City Council Bill 53 would impose fines/criminal penalties for stealing shopping carts or removing them from property without permission; it has passed first reading. In addition he noted 1588 Ala Moana Blvd. Development Condo-Hotel Project (Atkinson/Kapi‘olani corner) goes before the City Council Zoning & Planning Committee on Thursday, August 27, 2026, to formalize waivers including the $5 million Atkinson Complete Streets and $1.5 million tree-planting contributions; residents were encouraged to testify.

6. RESIDENTS' AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS -- [2:07:07]

Noise from Roadside Protesters/Unsecured State Land Near Ala Wai Canal -- [2:07:20]: Resident Steve Bailey objected to roadside protesters at Ala Moana Blvd./Ala Moana Park Dr./Atkinson St. encouraging passing vehicles to honk horns, stating his HPD noise complaints have gone unaddressed. He also described a state-owned strip of land near the Ala Wai Canal, behind the Waikīkī Yacht Club gym, as a chronic, hard-to-see homeless encampment and graffiti site despite four years of requests for the City to secure it, and suggested for elected officials to address this issue.

HVAC Noise/Vibration at Ulana at Ward -- [2:10:53]: Returning Resident Todd Adams, reported newly discovered development documents indicating HCDA and Howard Hughes were informed pre-construction that HVAC equipment could cause in-unit noise issues, and described more than ten months without the developer or Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority (HCDA) conducting actual in-unit testing of his home, relying instead on tests performed in an unoccupied stairwell to conclude no problem exists.

Rail Construction Impact on Small Businesses -- [2:13:55]: Kaka‘ako business owner Courtney Monahan, stated she has been unable to get concrete answers from HART on protecting small businesses from rail-construction impacts and asserted the City is complicit in resulting business losses in Kaka‘ako. Chair Lee noted a HART representative was on the agenda later in the meeting.

Red Hill Registry Introduction -- [2:15:03]: Director of Community Engagement Tara Sutton, introduced the Red Hill Registry (based in Kaka‘ako), which tracks health outcomes and provides resources related to the 2021 Red Hill fuel spill for anyone who lived, worked, or spent time along the Navy waterline. Of approximately 2,895 pre-enrollments, only about 500 have completed full enrollment; affected residents were encouraged to verify enrollment status at (808) 427-8260 or info@redhillregistry.org. Chair Lee confirmed Ms. Sutton is invited to give a fuller presentation at the Tuesday, September 22, 2026 meeting.

7. ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS -- [2:18:15]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi Representative [2:18:27]: City Department of Design and Construction Deputy Director Mark Yonamine highlighted follow-ups on several prior items:
• Crosswalk Timer at Cooke St./Kapiʻolani Blvd.: City Department of Transportation Services (DTS) has investigated the push buttons at Kapiolani Boulevard and Cooke Street. The pedestrian signals crossing Cooke Street are on "pedestrian recall," meaning the "Walking Person" symbol illuminates automatically during the traffic cycle. This can cause the push buttons to seem unresponsive, but the crossing signals are working as intended.
• Uneven Sidewalk Pavement: The sidewalk metal divider strip near Velocity Honolulu was inspected and found acceptable, with future repairs to be the property owner's responsibility.
• Crosswalk Striping Near Sheridan Community Park: DTS agreed the crosswalk striping near Sheridan Community Park needs repainting and issued a Honolulu Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) work order.
• Traffic Study for the Intersections Near the Hawaiʻi Convention Center: A City-commissioned traffic study covering seven Tier-1 high-pedestrian-injury corridors (including Kapi‘olani Blvd., South King St., and Beretania St.) is underway, with findings to be presented to affected neighborhood boards.
• Makaloa St./Sheridan St. Intersection Notification: DTS confirmed the recent four-way stop installation at Makaloa/Sheridan St. was made without the required prior neighborhood board presentation, apologized for the oversight, and will send a formal letter explaining the change.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qWohedV3IP5uIraFQdfmCKGFjeps5c6m/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed -- [2:23:00]
1. Malfunctioning Left-Turn Signal: Member Rand asked about a traffic signal at Ala Moana Blvd./Kamakeʻe St. that repeatedly skips its left-turn arrow late at night. Mr. Yonamine agreed to have DTS follow up.
2. Downed Stanchions on Sheridan St. (Recurring): Member Rice again raised approximately nine months of downed yellow stanchions meant to prevent illegal left turns onto Sheridan St. from Kapi‘olani Blvd. Mr. Yonamine said stanchion replacement is included in an upcoming Ward Ave.-to-Atkinson St. repaving project, targeted for approximately October--November 2026.
3. Overlapping Construction Impact on Holiday Retail Traffic: Kaka‘ako business owner Courtney Monahan raised concern that the planned Kapi‘olani repaving, combined with ongoing rail construction toward Ward Ave., could compound holiday-season traffic impacts on Ala Moana retailers.
4. O‘ahuMPO Citizens Advisory Committee: Community member Dylan Armstrong noted the board may delegate a member to represent it on the O‘ahu Metropolitan Planning Organization's Citizens Advisory Committee, relevant to major corridor projects under discussion.
5. Follow-Up Items: Member VanderBrink asked DTS to confirm plans for a four-way crosswalk at Kapi‘olani/Ke‘eaumoku St.; asked whether the mauka-side of Sheridan Community Park sidewalk damaged by tree roots will be repaired (Mr. Yonamine confirmed the plan is to reroute the sidewalk around the tree through the park); raised reports of a bus-driver shortage affecting Route 1 and Route 2 frequency and reliability; and offered to invite the City's Director of Homeless Solutions, Roy Miyahira, to a future meeting, which the board welcomed.

Governor Josh Green's Representative -- [2:30:41]: Ashton Stallings shared newsletter highlights including the third anniversary of the Maui wildfires (recovery info at https://mauirecovers.org/), a Hawai‘i National Guard--Indonesia 20th-anniversary partnership, and a record 1,000+ leases awarded by the Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands in July 2026. Ms. Stallings shared storm/insurance preparedness tips (contact your insurer promptly, document damage, save receipts) and announced the President approved Governor Green's federal emergency declaration request following the recent storm.
• To sign up for digital newsletters, please go to: https://governor.Hawaiʻi .gov/newsletter/
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B8Mp54yMYYG82Bt6FkoSQeJ63ixTDdq-/view?usp=drive_link

City Councilmember Scott Nishimoto (District 5) -- [2:33:28]: Jared Kimura shared Tropical Storm Lala resources -- report infrastructure damage via the Honolulu 311 app; report home storm damage (optional) at https://www.honolulu.gov/dem/homedamage/; damaged recycling carts can be reported to the Dept. of Environmental Services Collections Branch. Noted a community cleanup event is being coordinated with Member VanderBrink, tentatively Saturday, October 3, 2026.
• To subscribe to Councilmember Nishimoto's weekly email blasts for updates, please go to: http://eepurl.com/dI6xMz

City Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam (District 6) -- [2:36:00]: Malcolm Iwami shared the August 2026 newsletter; no additional items.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PGB3SEM1LKq_g4frdRs8NugMy-Ab9ZBd/view?usp=drive_link

State Representative Ikaika Olds (District 23) -- [2:36:26]: Representative Olds shared FEMA assistance information for uninsured/renters affected by the storm (1-800-621-3362); noted his office is closed for renovations until approximately end of September 2026 (phone/email still accessible); requested community support for his homelessness-related bills next session.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13paNAnibWI2fRRtES0fVtKZNmN5796CU/view?usp=drive_link
• To sign up for digital newsletters and email blasts, please go to: https://mailchi.mp/capitol/email-sign-up

State Representative Adrian Tam (District 24) -- [2:37:42]: Flora, from Representative Tam's office, shared the August 2026 newsletter including an emergency-preparedness checklist.
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RkWTladsVetygkgFABVXMxcJYH_BxtcF/view?usp=drive_link

State Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto (District 25) -- [2:38:23]: Kate Ozawa invited community bill ideas for the coming session; noted Representative Iwamoto plans to reintroduce her free-bus bill and is exploring ranked-choice-voting legislation.

State Senator Sharon Moriwaki (District 12) -- [2:39:25]: Venus, from Senator Moriwaki's office, invited Kaka‘ako residents to complete a legislative-priorities survey (deadline Sunday, September 30, 2026); reported on the $9.5 million Mānoa Stream flood-mitigation project (Ala Wai Canal/Small Boat Harbor debris removal and flow improvements), underway since August 3 for about 4.5 months; shared storm-recovery resources at https://www.oneoahu.org/; and announced an HCDA public meeting on affordable housing in Kaka‘ako on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 5:00 p.m., at the Entrepreneurs Sandbox (643 ‘Ilalo St.).
• Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Pynv_We_MKt76uof5_oSW92kdWQCP8n/view?usp=drive_link
• To sign up for Senator Moriwaki's bi-weekly newsletter, please go to: https://www.senatormoriwaki.com/

8. AGENCY REPORTS -- [2:42:41]:

Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority (HCDA) -- [2:42:40]: Francine Murray reiterated the Wednesday, August 26, 2026 affordable-housing public meeting at the Entrepreneurs Sandbox, and announced a second Kaka‘ako Makai community workshop on September 19, 2026, 10:00 a.m.--1:00 p.m. at JABSOM, where HCDA will present four planning scenarios developed from March 2026 community input and seek further feedback.
• Affordable Housing Public Meeting Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vRxAzqVep_yF2ItZAdQx3skFD39arBtT/view?usp=sharing
• Kakaʻako Makai Community Workshop Flyer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T7dW53t3PGZzotOCZO9-24IJwtOKz4wC/view?usp=drive_link

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) -- [2:44:04]: Harry Cho reported larger, more impactful guideway construction on Halekauwila St. in Kaka‘ako is targeted to begin around October 2026, with preliminary tree work in September 2026; a community meeting was held last month at SALT. In response to Ms. Monahan's earlier concern, Mr. Cho confirmed HART will meet individually with affected tenants, including her building, within the next week or so once traffic plans are finalized.
• To sign up for HART's weekly newsletter, please visit: https://honolulutransit.org/media/eblast/

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS -- [2:46:25]

Upcoming Events -- [2:46:27]
• Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HPU) Shark Race 5K: Sunday, September 6, 2026.
• 2026 Aloha Festivals Floral Parade: Saturday, September 26, 2026.
• Make-A-Wish Hawai‘i's 2026 Jingle Rock Run: Sunday, December 6, 2026 at Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park.
• For more information on upcoming events/street closures, visit: https://www.honolulu.gov/dts/2026-events/.

Social Media -- [2:46:44]: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlaMoanaKakaʻakoNB11; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alamoanaKakaʻakonb11/

Next Meetings -- [2:46:45]:
• Action Committe Meeting: Thursday, September 10, 2026.
• Regular Board Meeting: Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

The ʻŌlelo Broadcasts -- [2:46:53]: Recordings of the meetings are broadcasted on ʻŌlelo 49 on the first and third Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., and every second Sunday at 6:00 p.m. The full schedule is at https://olelo.org/tv-schedule/ Recordings may also be viewed at https://www.honolulu.gov/cms-nco-menu/site-nco-sitearticles/1657-board-meeting-video-archive.html

10. ADJOURNMENT -- [2:47:16]: Chair Lee adjourned the meeting at 8:51 p.m.

Submitted by: Camilia Epa Gomes, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Rachel Cristobal, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Finalized by: Lori Farinas, Secretary, Neighborhood Board No. 11

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