Honolulu City Council Committee Meeting on Housing, Homelessness, and Parks – November 19, 2025
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Honolulu City Council Committee on Housing, Homelessness, and Parks Meeting Summary – November 19, 2025
The Committee on Housing, Homelessness, and Parks, chaired by Councilmember Tupola, met on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 2:37 p.m. (the meeting date recorded as November 19, 2025, for official purposes). The meeting covered four agenda items: adding six trees to the Exceptional Trees inventory, two appointments to the Board of Parks and Recreation, and the confirmation of a new Director of Housing and Land Management. All items were approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bill 66 (Exceptional Trees): No public testimony was offered in person or remotely.
- Resolution 25-295 (Catherine Chang): No public testimony was offered.
- Resolution 25-298 (Carla Hauser): Three community members testified in opposition. Shelby Pikachu and Sabrina Grace opposed the reappointment, citing concerns about a recent homeless sweep at Hakimo Roll and the lack of solutions for homeless individuals. Kalai Salcedo argued that Ms. Hauser had a conflict of interest due to her role at RISE and a related permitting issue. Chair Tupola clarified that the Parks Board has no authority over sweeps or enforcement and that Ms. Hauser’s nonprofit work is separate. Deputy Director Laura Thielen of the Department of Parks and Recreation testified in strong support, emphasizing Ms. Hauser’s 15-plus years of service to vulnerable youth and her contributions to the Parks Board.
- Resolution 25-206 (Kevin Auger): Angela Melody Young testified in favor, citing Director Auger’s knowledge of housing portfolio and his values in improving disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Discussion Items
- Bill 66 (2025) – Exceptional Trees Inventory: Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation (Laura Thielen) presented the bill, noting that six new trees would be added: three in Manoa, one at Kayaka Beach Park, one in Kaleohhe, and the first ever in Eva. The Eva Neighborhood Board expressed excitement. Councilmember Wire thanked John Rogers of the Eva Neighborhood Board for his advocacy. The bill was amended to a Committee Draft 1 (CD1) as proposed, with no objections.
- Resolution 25-295 – Catherine Chang Appointment: Ms. Chang introduced herself, highlighting her nonprofit Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders, which engages high school students in park events. Councilmember Cordero asked about expanding programs and strengthening public outreach. Ms. Chang noted plans for community input in the new year. No objections were raised, and the resolution was reported out for adoption.
- Resolution 25-298 – Carla Hauser Reappointment: Ms. Hauser reported accomplishments in her first term, including focus groups on Kupuna programs and work order improvements. Councilmember Kiaina discussed a challenge at Kailua District Park where high school baseball fields are used by Kalihi High School, and suggested collaboration with the Department of Education and state funding. Deputy Director Thielen spoke at length about Ms. Hauser’s qualifications and dedication. Chair Tupola and Councilmember Wire expressed support, noting that the role is unpaid. No further objections were raised after public testimony, and the resolution was approved.
- Resolution 25-206 – Kevin Auger Confirmation as Director of Housing and Land Management: Director-designee Kevin Auger thanked the committee. Councilmember Kiaina expressed full support and thanked Mr. Auger for assistance with complex issues, including a proposed DHHL site on Kalaheo Hillside ($20 million in city budget for infrastructure), the possible acquisition of Haleiwa Backyards, and a charter amendment (No. 148) to authorize the Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund for historic preservation. Mr. Auger agreed to review the amendment. No other questions or testimony in opposition were received.
Key Outcomes
- Bill 66 (2025) was amended to CD1 and reported out for passage on second reading and scheduled for a public hearing. (No objections)
- Resolution 25-295 (Catherine Chang) was adopted, confirming her appointment to the Board of Parks and Recreation for a term expiring December 31, 2030.
- Resolution 25-298 (Carla Hauser) was adopted, confirming her reappointment to the Board of Parks and Recreation for a term expiring December 31, 2030.
- Resolution 25-206 (Kevin Auger) was adopted, confirming his appointment as Director of Housing and Land Management.
All decisions were unanimous and without recorded opposition from committee members.
Meeting Transcript
Hi, aloha, and good afternoon, everyone. It's Tuesday, November 18th, and the time is 237 p.m. I call the committee on housing homelessness and parks meeting to order. Welcome to our committee members, committee vice chair Tolba, Council members Cordero, Nishimoto, Wire, and Kiaina. Also joining us today. Oh, he's on his way out. Council Member Dosantos Tim. Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statute Section 92-3.7. This meeting will be conducted as a remote meeting by interactive to 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 in 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 is limited to a one-minute presentation on each item. As both English and Hawaiian are official languages of the state of Hawaii pursuant to Article 15, section four of the Hawaii Review. State Constitution, Section 1-13 of Hawaii revised statutes, members of the public may testify in either language. For or testimonies offered in Ola Lohva'i, additional time as may be necessary will be allowed for the testifier to provide an English translation of their testimony. 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. Mahalo and Aloha Committee Chair Tupola and uh members, council members. So this is Bill 66. We are as chair has already explained, adding six new trees to our exceptional trees inventory. Um three of these trees are located in Manoa. We have one at Kayaka Beach Park, one in Kaleohhe, and first one ever in Eva. Um we support this and we hope to get your support on this bill today. Mahalo. Thank you, Deputy. Yes, the Eva Neighborhood Board is excited about it. They talked about it. Um, Council members, are there any questions for the deputy director? Nope. All right, seeing none, uh Clerk 6 taste take testimony. We'll now proceed in in-person oral testimony. Is there anyone wishing to testify on agenda item Bill 66 in person? Is anyone wishing to testify remotely, clerks? Chair, we have none. Okay. Uh seeing no testifiers, members, we are in discussion. Go ahead, council. Thank you, Chair. I just wanted to advocate on behalf of John Rogers on the neighborhood board on his work on bringing an exceptional tree to Eva Beach. So thank you, Mr. Rogers, if you're watching. Thank you so much. He'll appreciate that. The chair recommends that Bill 66 2025 be amended to the posted proposed CD1, identify it as OCS 2025-0849 backslash 10, backslash 29, backslash 2025, 131 p.m. Any objections, reservations, hearing none, bill is amended to a CD one. The chair then recommends that Bill 66 2025 CD1 be reported out for passage on second reading and scheduled of a public hearing. Any objections, reservations, hearing none, so ordered. Agenda item number two, resolution 25295 confirming the appointment of Catherine Chang to serve on the board of parks and recreation of the city and county of Honolulu for a term to expire on December 31st, 2030. I think she is here with us now. Welcome. Perfect.
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