Honolulu Committee on Public Safety & Economy Meeting - April 30, 2026
Honolulu Committee on Public Safety & Economy Meeting - April 30, 2026
The Committee on Public Safety and Economy met on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 1 p.m. via remote conferencing, chaired by Councilmember [Chair] with Vice Chair Kia Aina, Councilmembers Nishimoto, Okimoto, and Tupola present. The meeting addressed two resolutions and an informational briefing on wildfire preparedness.
Resolution 2659: Confirmation of Richard Bryce to Fire Commission
- The resolution confirmed the appointment of Richard Bryce to the Fire Commission. Councilmember Okimoto expressed concerns about Mr. Bryce's understanding of the commission's primary duties (evaluating and hiring/firing the fire chief), noting his written answer focused on construction, discipline, and budget. Mr. Bryce explained his perspective, stating these issues fall under the commission's purview and that he was approached by a sitting commissioner. Councilmember Tupola expressed support, noting Mr. Bryce is her constituent and brings valuable expertise. No public testimony was offered. The resolution was amended by CD1 (OCS2026-2045) and adopted without objection.
Resolution 2680: Acceptance of $3,000 Gift for Department of Emergency Services
- The resolution accepted a $3,000 cash gift from Barbara Hudman to support the Department of Emergency Services. Shane Wright (DEM) stated the funds will be used for bento lunches and drinks to honor EMS personnel during National Emergency Medical Services Week in May. Councilmember Okimoto asked about the donor's inability to return a signed declaration form; Wright said he would follow up. The resolution was amended by CD1 and adopted without objection.
Informational Briefing: Wildfire Strategy and Preparedness Update
- The briefing included presentations from:
- Honolulu Fire Department (HFD): Acting Assistant Chief Jean-Claude Bish and Battalion Chief Keith Ito reported on the city's Wildland Fire Preparedness Work Group (co-chaired by HFD and DEM), focusing on prevention, training, interagency coordination, AI-enhanced camera networks (Alert West), and beta-testing N5 fire detection sensors. The work group addresses 10 county priorities from the Lahaina FSRI phase 2 report.
- State Fire Marshal Dory Booth: Outlined statewide initiatives including a wildfire cooperators group, improved data tracking, wildland fire investigation training, and development of Wildland-Urban Interface codes (e.g., Firewise programs). She noted challenges in staffing and enforcement, as citation follow-through through the court system is weak.
- Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO): Co-Executive Director Elizabeth Pickett emphasized the nonprofit's 26-year role in community education, Firewise communities, large landowner coordination, and securing grant funding. She reported that Firewise communities have grown from 16 (pre-Lahaina) to 60 statewide, and 400 home assessments have been conducted. She noted challenges in funding and urged council to help communicate programs like Ready, Set, Go! and the Wildfire & Drought Lookout campaign.
- Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO): Kurt Soy presented the utility's wildfire mitigation plan, covering grid hardening (covered conductors, steel poles), 709 pole replacements, 24/7 monitoring (watch office, meteorologist, AI cameras), vegetation management, and a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program triggered by wind gusts >45 mph, drought, and low humidity. HECO spent $130 million in 2025 and has a $350 million plan through 2027. An undergrounding study is underway.
Key discussion points:
- Councilmember Kia Aina expressed disappointment that Kamehameha Schools, a major landowner, declined to attend, stressing the need for private landowner transparency and accountability in fire mitigation. She also urged better coordination with federal lands.
- Councilmember Tupola highlighted a breakdown in HWMO's Firewise funding process for her community, where a promised $9,000 grant fell through without clear reason. She emphasized the need for clear, public-facing communication and for working groups to produce policy and budget outcomes.
- Councilmember Okimoto asked about training on private lands and the need to ensure those landowners maintain their properties to reduce wildfire risk. HFD noted limited engagement through large landowner webinars.
- Councilmember Kia Aina questioned the State Fire Marshal about oversight and uniformity across counties, and asked how to better fund HWMO through city grants-in-aid.
- Councilmember Tupola requested HECO share upcoming community meeting dates and continue coordinating on pole replacements and cable management.
- DEM Director Collins confirmed that the Mayor's Wildfire Preparedness Working Group has a final draft strategic plan addressing 10 priority areas, to be formally adopted at the next quarterly meeting. He committed to sharing it with the council.
Key Outcomes
- Resolutions 2659 and 2680 were both adopted as amended.
- The wildfire briefing served as an informational update; no formal action was taken.
- The council requested: (1) HFD and DEM return for a presentation on the finalized strategic plan, (2) better coordination with private landowners, (3) improved public communication and community education, and (4) consideration of future funding needs for wildfire mitigation.
- HECO committed to sharing its undergrounding study results and continuing community preparedness events.
- The meeting adjourned after the briefing.
Meeting Transcript
Aloha and good afternoon, everybody. It is 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 30th, and I call the council the Committee on Public Safety and Economy meeting to order. I would like to welcome uh committee vice chair Kia Aina, Council Members Nishimoto and Okimoto. Pursuant to section 92-3.7 Hawaii vice statute. 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 in person in the council chamber and remotely when each item is taken up. As both English and the Hawaiian language are official languages of the state of Hawaii, pursuant to Article 15, Section 4 of the Hawaii State Constitution, Section 1-13 of the Hawaii Revised Statute. Members of the public may testify in either language for testimonies offered in Olelo Hawai'i. Additional time may be necessary. We'll be allowed for the testifier to provide an English translation of their testimony. Before testifying, each person shall state the name. Each speaker may not have anyone else read their statement and is limited to a one-minute presentation on each item. All persons who have registered to testify in person will be called upon first. When the timer goes off, please conclude your remarks promptly. Persons who have not registered would be given an opportunity to testify following the registered testifiers. Once in-person testimony has concluded, our proceed to remote testimony. All persons who have registered to testify remotely by video conference or telephone will then be called upon. When your name is called, please monitor your screen and activate your audio feed when prompt. For persons who are testifying by telephone, only I will identify you by the last three digits of your phone number. When your number is called, please listen for the prompt to unmute and press star six. When I call for anyone else standing by remotely, please utilize the zoom raise hand button to indicate your desire to speak. For those joining us by telephone only, please pre please press star nine to indicate your desire to speak. So friendly reminders and tips. Video conference from a quiet location if possible. If you're also watching the proceedings on Olelo, please mute your television and when you're called when you're called to testify. When the timer on the screen reaches zero, please conclude your remarks promptly. HRS section 92-3.7 requires all votes to a remote meetings be conducted by roll call unless unanimous. Therefore, first call for objections, and if there are any, I'll call a roll call vote. Within testimonies, including the testifyers' email address and phone number will be available to the public as described on the posted agenda. As a courtesy, please turn off our cell phones for the duration of the meeting. We'd like to welcome Councilmember Tupolo to the chamber. Okay. Moving on to agenda item number one for action, resolution 2659. The resolution confirms the appointment of Richard Bryce to serve on the fire commission, the city and county of Honolulu members. I posted an agenda a proposed CD1 submitted by myself for your information. A summary of the amendments is listed on the agenda. And I believe Richard is here. Would you like to say a few words? Afternoon. I appreciate the opportunity to come again and sit in on this meeting. Um I had a chance to talk with some of you. I'm very much looking forward to jumping on board, helping out in accomplishing some faster, better, cheaper results within the processes. So ready when you are. Members, you have questions. Councilmember Okimoto. Thank you, Chair. Aloha, and good afternoon. Well, I had some questions if that's okay. I don't believe I was one that was able to meet, and I I checked with my office and I I didn't see an office.
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