The Committee on Housing, Homelessness and Parks (HH&P) of the Honolulu City Council met on August 20, 2025, at 2:31 p.m. under Chair Tupola. The agenda included numerous gift acceptances for park benches, resolutions on relocation assistance and down payment loan programs, bills on fire safety and affordable housing zoning, and informational briefings on the Maili wildfire response and the interim dirt track at Kaliloa Park.
The committee unanimously approved the following routine resolutions reporting them out for adoption:
Resolution 25-185 (Relocation Assistance Program): Director Kevin Auger (Housing and Land Management) generally supported but suggested the program be placed in his department. Councilmember Wire moved to strike the last whereas clause and modify the second be it further resolved to allow the mayor to choose the department. The amendment was seconded by Councilmember Cordero and adopted.
Bill 20 (Down Payment Loan Assistance Revolving Fund): Deputy Director Edward Los Banos (Community Services) noted existing federal programs serving up to 80% AMI and that HFDC plans a $30 million program launching November 2025 reaching up to 120% AMI. Gavin Thornton (Housing Policy Director) requested deferral, arguing the bill would not create new homes and may duplicate efforts. Chair Tupola and Councilmember Cordero questioned the department's written comments and suggested using existing funds. The chair recommended reporting the bill for second reading and referral to the Budget Committee for further consideration between hearings.
Bill 39 (Fire Safety for Affordable Housing): Deputy Director Brian Gallagher (Planning and Permitting) requested a minor language change regarding combustible piping and noted future working group sessions to improve the affordable rental program. The chair recommended reporting the bill as originally introduced for second reading, allowing further refinements in a future CD.
Bill 53 (Affordable Rental Housing Amendments): Gavin Thornton opposed the bill, stating it would roll back key provisions of Bill 7 (2019) that streamlined approvals and eliminated parking mandates, effectively halting development. Department of Planning and Permitting Director noted that to date 58 total projects have been proposed under Bill 7, with 15 permits issued and 4 certificates of occupancy. Chair Tupola suggested holding the bill to work on a comprehensive CD addressing community concerns (neighborhood board involvement, resident managers, parking solutions) while preserving the program’s intent. The committee held Bill 53.
Maili Wildfire Response and Recovery (Informational Briefing): Presentations from DEM Director Collins, HFD Chief Howe, HPD Captain Han, Hawaiian Electric, DOE, and Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization. The briefing covered the July 6, 2025 fire (55 acres, one fatality, two residential structures destroyed, 34 units deployed). Improvements identified: 24/7 DEM watch office, streamlined alerting, use of drones, improved community recovery support. The chair deferred detailed questions for written responses due to an active incident.
Kaliloa Park Lands – Interim Dirt Track (Informational Briefing): DPR presented the master plan process for the 400-acre former Navy property, funded for FY26, including environmental assessment and community advisory group. The National Park Service approved interim use of Lot 13060 (23 acres) for a temporary dirt motorsports facility for up to 4 years. Lee Cobian (Oahu Motorsports Association) described the plan, noting noise levels comparable to the adjacent helicopter base. The chair emphasized the need for a written operational plan and community outreach on hours and management.
Aloha and good afternoon everyone. It's Tuesday, August 19, 2025, and the time is 2 31 p.m. I call the meeting of the Committee on Housing Homelessness and Parks to order. Welcome to the committee members who are present in the chamber today. Um, Committee Vice Chair Tolba, Council Members Cordero, Nishimoto, I believe WIRE, and we have Councilmember Dos Santos Tam joining us today. Pursuant to Hawaii revised statute section 92-3.7. This meeting will be conducted as a remote meeting by interactive conference technology with the following procedures in effect for the meeting. Members of the public will be allowed to provide oral testimony on all items in the agenda two ways in person in the council chamber and remotely. Remote and in-person oral testimony will be allowed when each agenda item is taken up, and it's limited to one minute presentation on each item. As both English and Olahvay are official languages of the state of Hawaii pursuant to Article 15, Section 4 of the Constitution, Section 1-13 of the Hawaii revised statutes, member of the public may testify in either language. For oral testimonies offered in Ola Lahovae, additional time may be necessary, will be allowed for the testifier to provide an English translation for their testimony. All persons who have registered to testify in person will be called upon first. When your name is called, please come up to the testifier podium. State your name for the record. Persons who have not registered will be given an opportunity to testify following the registered testifiers. After in-person testimony has concluded, I will proceed to remote testimony via video conference or phone. When I call your name or the last three digits of your phone number, please unmute your audio, press star six when prompted. Hawaii revised statute section 92-2.7 requires that all votes at a remote meeting be conducted by roll call unless unanimous. Therefore, I will first call for objections. And if there are any, I will call for a roll call vote. Written testimonies, including the testifier's address, email address, and phone number will be available to the public as described on the posted agenda. As a courtesy, please turn off or silence all your cell phones for the duration of this meeting. Thank you. Moving to agenda item number one. Resolution 25205. This resolution renames the Pearl City District Park Pool to Ken Suenaga Pearl City District Park Pool in recognition of Coach Suenaga's 59 year legacy of mentorship and advocacy. His service in the U.S. Army and his significant contributions to his community and to the city. With us, we have Director Laura Thielen. Thank you, Council members. Uh Laura Thielen, I'm to have the Department of Parks and Recreation. We fully support the resolution, and we would like to thank the Ken Suenaga as well as his family for the tremendous community benefits and contributions he made uh and his generosity over the 59 years, and I cannot think of a better person to name this pool after. That's significant. 59 years, my goodness. Members, do we have any questions for the director? Okay, we will now proceed with in-person testimony. Clerks, are there any in-person registered testifiers? No, there are none. Clerks, are there any in-person or sorry remote registered testifiers? Chair Dynone. Okay, thank you. Are there any individuals in the chambers wishing to testify on resolution 25205? Clerks, are is there anyone raising their hand online, not registered that would like to testify on resolution 25205? Chair there are none. Thank you. Members, we are in discussion. Seeing no discussion, the chair recommends that resolution 25-205 be reported out for adoption. Any objections, reservations, hearing none, so ordered. Is there a CD on practice? No, 25205.