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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Honolulu Parks Committee Meeting Summary - April 1, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, April 1, 2026

BodyHonolulu, Hawaii

SessionCity Council

DateWednesday, April 1, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:12:11

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:05

Aloha and good afternoon, everyone.

0:06

It's Tuesday, March 31st, and the time is 104 p.m.

0:10

Will the Committee on Housing Homelessness and Parks meeting please come to order?

0:14

I'd like to welcome our committee members, Committee Vice Chair Toba is uh excused.

0:19

Council members Cordero and Nishimoda and Councilmember Wire is on his way.

0:23

We also welcome Councilmember Dos Santos Tan and Kiaina.

0:27

Pursuant to Hawaii revised statute, Section 92 3.7.

0:30

This meeting will be conducted as a remote meeting by interactive conference technology with the following procedures in effect for the meeting.

0:36

Members of the public will be allowed to provide oral testimony on all items on the agenda when each item is taken up in two ways in person in the chamber or remotely.

0:44

Before testifying, each person shall state state their name for the record and be limited to one minute per presentation.

0:51

All persons who register to testify in person will be called first.

0:54

Persons who have not registered will be given an opportunity to testify following registered testifiers.

0:58

Once in-person testimony has concluded, I will proceed to remote testimony via video conference or phone.

1:04

When I call your name or the last three digits of your phone number, please follow the prompt and unmute.

1:08

As both English and Olala Howe'i are the official languages of the state of Hawaii pursuant to Article 15, Section 4 of the Hawaii State Constitution, HRS section 1-13.

1:18

Members of the public may testify in either language.

1:21

For oral testimonies offered in Olelo Hawaii, additional time may be necessary.

1:25

Will be allowed for the testifier to provide an English translation of their testimony.

1:29

HRS section 92-3.7 requires that all votes at a remote meeting be conducted by roll call unless unanimous.

1:35

Therefore, I will first call for objections, and if there are any, I will call for a roll call vote.

1:39

Written testimonies, including the testifier's address, email address, and phone number will be available as described on the posted agenda.

1:52

Accepting a gift to the city from NTP Holdings of an interpretive sign valued at 2,645 dollars, honoring the legacy of Mary Foster to be displayed at Foster Botanical Garden.

2:04

With us, we have DPR.

2:12

Good afternoon.

2:13

Jash Lynsand, director of Honolulu Botanical Gardens.

2:17

And uh yes, we would very much like to recommend the approval of this donation.

2:22

It is a sign located to be located at Foster Garden, explaining the history of Mary Foster and her contributions to uh encouraging the relationships between the Japanese and Hawaiian communities and her um history at foster garden and donating the property to the city.

2:39

Thank you so much for being here and all your work with the botanical gardens.

2:42

They are beautiful.

2:43

Thank you.

2:43

Thanks for coming.

2:44

Council members, any questions?

2:45

Seeing none.

2:46

Clerks, are there any in-person or online testifiers?

2:50

Chair, there are none.

2:51

Are there any persons in the chamber wishing to testify?

2:53

Seeing none.

2:55

Members, we're in discussion.

2:57

Seeing no discussion, the chair recommends that resolution 26-52 be reported out for adoption.

3:03

Any objections, reservations, seeing none, so ordered.

3:07

Thank you.

3:08

Agenda item number two.

3:10

Resolution 26-53, accepting a gift to the city from William Byrley of two high back traditional benches, preparations of the grounds, two bronze plaques with an inscription to read, donated by the family of Malana, valued at $5,380.79 cents to be placed at Kapi Oleni Regional Park and Leahy Beach Park.

3:29

With us, we have Deputy Director Kehau Pu.

3:34

Aloha, Committee Chair Tupola and members of the Council.

3:38

DPR just, you know, welcomes Mahalos, the donor for these benches, and we would appreciate your support of this gifts.

3:46

Yes.

3:47

Mahalo, any questions, council member for the deputy?

3:49

Oh, Auggy has a question.

3:51

Well, you know, we see these donations of benches, like specifically is just a on a green bench with a like uh like a plaque saying that uh is donated by whoever.

4:07

Yes.

4:08

Because you know, I'm thinking after I'm done with this city council thing, I might donate a bench.

4:12

Oh, that's why you're asking.

4:14

Thank you very much.

4:15

Could you give us maybe a description, deputy?

4:18

Yeah, so they are um high back benches made out of 100% recycled plastic, but they do have plaques on them.

4:25

Um so these will have two bronze plaques that will say donated by the family of Malana.

4:31

Are they the same green ones though?

4:33

Or are they wood?

4:36

They're the same green ones.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████62%

Procedural████████11%

Funds Management████████11%

Public Engagement███████10%

Racial Equity█2%

Public Health█2%

Arts And Culture█1%

Fiscal Sustainability█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Honolulu Committee on Housing, Homelessness, and Parks Meeting Summary - April 1, 2026

The Committee on Housing, Homelessness, and Parks, chaired by Councilmember Tupola, met remotely on April 1, 2026, to discuss seven agenda items, including gift acceptances, park security, cultural garden restoration, farmers' markets, cultural site programs, park fees, and revolving funds. No public testimony was offered. The committee voted to adopt three resolutions and postponed four bills for further amendments.

Consent Calendar

Resolution 26-52: Accepted a gift from NTP Holdings of an interpretive sign valued at $2,645 for Foster Botanical Garden, honoring Mary Foster. Adopted unanimously.
Resolution 26-53: Accepted a gift from William Byrley of two high-back recycled plastic benches with bronze plaques (valued at $5,380.79) for Kapiolani Regional Park and Leahy Beach Park. Adopted unanimously.

Discussion Items

Resolution 26-64: Urged the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to review security and safety requirements for park events. DPR Deputy Director Kehau Pu stated the department supports the intent but believes existing rules are sufficient, noting that security conditions are already imposed for large events. Chair Tupola (the resolution sponsor) explained the need for better oversight of private events (e.g., graduation parties) that can draw hundreds. Councilmember Wire asked about gender equity reviews for surf permits; Director Laura Thielen responded that after-event reports are required and monitored for compliance with applicant promises (e.g., gender, youth, kapuna criteria). Adopted unanimously.
Resolution 26-65: Urged the city to restore the Mauna Lahilahi Cultural Garden in Makaha. DPR supports the intent but recommends updating cultural assessments and formalizing community partnerships due to archaeological discoveries after the original EA and master plan. Chair Tupola noted the site’s history and potential as a botanical garden, and mentioned a budget item for a security wall. Adopted unanimously.
Bill 30 (Farmers' Markets in Parks): Amended proposed ordinance to allow farmers' markets as permitted uses. DPR Director Thielen requested amendments to limit markets to nonprofit organizations, exclude highly utilized parks (district, regional, athletic parks), and require compliance with administrative rules (e.g., off-duty police, portapotties). Discussion included ensuring markets sell only fresh farm produce (not prepared food) and avoiding competition with existing People's Open Markets. Councilmember Kiaina emphasized DPR discretion to deny unsuitable locations. The bill was amended to a CD1 and postponed to a date to be determined.
Bill 31 (Cultural Sites in Public Parks): Proposed establishing an Important Cultural Resource Area Program. DPR expressed concerns about lack of criteria for stewards and potential conflicts with existing programs. DPR requested deferral to form a working group with council, MOCA, and the Oahu Historic Preservation Commission to develop clear guidelines by end of fiscal year. The bill was postponed to a date to be determined.
Bill 32 (Fees for Parks, Recreational Facilities, and Botanical Gardens): Amended to a CD1 (technical changes by Councilmember Dos Santos Tam). DPR Director Thielen advocated for allowing entry fees (not just parking fees) at botanical gardens to capture tourist revenue, emphasizing the need for proactive asset management. Discussion covered exemptions for residents (kamaaina), administrative rulemaking process, and concerns about delegation of fee-setting authority. Councilmember Kiaina requested guardrails, noting fees should not burden local families. The bill was amended to CD1 and postponed to a date to be determined.
Bill 33 (Parks Maintenance and Botanical Gardens Revolving Funds): Amended to a CD1 (effective date moved to July 1, 2027). DPR supported companion funds to ensure fee revenues are used for their intended purposes. Director Thielen requested technical amendments to exclude existing concession agreements with DES, clarify that federal/state grants go to central funds, and allow flexibility on TAT (transient accommodations tax) allocation. Councilmember Cordero asked about coverage of street trees and partnerships. Councilmember Kiaina suggested removing the TAT allocation section to be considered separately. The bill was amended to CD1 and postponed to a date to be determined.

Key Outcomes

Three resolutions (26-52, 26-53, 26-64, 26-65) were adopted unanimously.
Bills 30, 31, 32, and 33 were amended and postponed to future meetings. The committee chair noted that April's meeting will focus on housing, so park-related bills will return in May.
No public testimony was received on any agenda item.

Meeting Transcript

Aloha and good afternoon, everyone. It's Tuesday, March 31st, and the time is 104 p.m. Will the Committee on Housing Homelessness and Parks meeting please come to order? I'd like to welcome our committee members, Committee Vice Chair Toba is uh excused. Council members Cordero and Nishimoda and Councilmember Wire is on his way. We also welcome Councilmember Dos Santos Tan and Kiaina. 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 on the agenda when each item is taken up in two ways in person in the chamber or remotely. Before testifying, each person shall state state their name for the record and be limited to one minute per presentation. All persons who register to testify in person will be called first. Persons who have not registered will be given an opportunity to testify following registered testifiers. Once 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 follow the prompt and unmute. As both English and Olala Howe'i are the official languages of the state of Hawaii pursuant to Article 15, Section 4 of the Hawaii State Constitution, HRS section 1-13. Members of the public may testify in either language. For oral testimonies offered in Olelo Hawaii, additional time may be necessary. Will be allowed for the testifier to provide an English translation of their testimony. HRS section 92-3.7 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 as described on the posted agenda. Accepting a gift to the city from NTP Holdings of an interpretive sign valued at 2,645 dollars, honoring the legacy of Mary Foster to be displayed at Foster Botanical Garden. With us, we have DPR. Good afternoon. Jash Lynsand, director of Honolulu Botanical Gardens. And uh yes, we would very much like to recommend the approval of this donation. It is a sign located to be located at Foster Garden, explaining the history of Mary Foster and her contributions to uh encouraging the relationships between the Japanese and Hawaiian communities and her um history at foster garden and donating the property to the city. Thank you so much for being here and all your work with the botanical gardens. They are beautiful. Thank you. Thanks for coming. Council members, any questions? Seeing none. Clerks, are there any in-person or online testifiers? Chair, there are none. Are there any persons in the chamber wishing to testify? Seeing none. Members, we're in discussion. Seeing no discussion, the chair recommends that resolution 26-52 be reported out for adoption. Any objections, reservations, seeing none, so ordered. Thank you. Agenda item number two. Resolution 26-53, accepting a gift to the city from William Byrley of two high back traditional benches, preparations of the grounds, two bronze plaques with an inscription to read, donated by the family of Malana, valued at $5,380.79 cents to be placed at Kapi Oleni Regional Park and Leahy Beach Park. With us, we have Deputy Director Kehau Pu. Aloha, Committee Chair Tupola and members of the Council. DPR just, you know, welcomes Mahalos, the donor for these benches, and we would appreciate your support of this gifts. Yes. Mahalo, any questions, council member for the deputy? Oh, Auggy has a question. Well, you know, we see these donations of benches, like specifically is just a on a green bench with a like uh like a plaque saying that uh is donated by whoever.

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