Crime, speeding, and monster homes highlighted at Kaimukī Town Hall
From left to right: Kelly Akasaki, chief traffic engineer for the Department of Transportation Services; Maj. Stason Tanaka, Honolulu Police Department; Tina Nakada Grandinetti, State Representative for District 20; Tommy Waters, Honolulu City Council Chair and District 4 Councilmember; Roy Miyahira, director of homeless solutions for the Department of Community Services; Roger Morton, director for the Department of Transportation Services. To view more photos from the town hall, click here.
Message from Council Chair Tommy Waters
Aloha Kaimukī,
It was a packed house at the Kaimukī Town Hall on Wednesday night, hosted by Representative Tina Grandinetti and myself. Nearly 100 Kaimukī residents filled the cafeteria at Liholiho Elementary School, all with one goal in mind: keeping Kaimukī, Kaimukī.
With the support of the Honolulu Police Department, the Department of Transportation Services, and the City’s Director of Homeless Solutions, we tackled some of the most pressing concerns in our community from transportation safety and public safety, to monster homes and neglected properties.
These conversations matter. Your voice plays a critical role in shaping policy and guiding decision-making at both the City and State levels. Together, we’re working to protect the character and charm of Kaimukī so it remains a livable, thriving community for generations to come.
I’m incredibly grateful to our agency partners who joined us and stayed late to listen and respond:
Roger Morton, Director, Department of Transportation Services (DTS)
Kelly Akasaki, Chief Traffic Engineer, Department of Transportation Services (DTS)
Maj. Stason Tanaka, Honolulu Police Department (HPD)
District 7 Community Policing Team, Honolulu Police Department (HPD)
Roy Miyahira, Director of Homeless Solutions, Department of Community Services (DCS)
Here’s What We Heard from You:
TRAFFIC SAFETY & SPEEDING
Community members spoke up about numerous hotspots for speeding and dangerous traffic patterns, including:
Kilauea Avenue, where residents reported street racing in the early morning hours
Malia Street near Waialae Nui bridge, where illegal parking blocks visibility for pedestrians
Safety issues around Liholiho Elementary due to congested drop-offs and pick-ups
Residents raised concerns about removed crosswalks, unexplained cones at the Kaimukī Avenue & 6th Avenue roundabout, and the overall saturation of parked vehicles in residential areas.
DTS is committed to conducting follow-up studies and exploring solutions like improved signage, traffic calming, and stronger enforcement. We also heard a strong call for HPD to increase speed enforcement using radar.
DERELICT DOE PROPERTY AT 475 22ND AVENUE
Residents expressed serious concerns about the condition of the former DOE building:
Dead trees, feral chickens, illegal dumping, and sidewalk blockages
Illegal parking and the overall lack of maintenance
Neighbors reported they’ve been left to clean the area themselves after struggling to get a clear answer from the DOE.
This is unacceptable, and State Rep. Tina Grandinetti said she will be following up directly with the Department of Education to demand accountability and action.
KAPĀOLONO COMMUNITY PARK
We heard clear concerns about the condition and safety of this beloved neighborhood park:
Broken lights on the field and half the tennis courts — reportedly out for years
No crosswalk or warning signage for drivers speeding past
Upgrades to this space are long overdue, and I’ll be advocating for immediate improvements.
MONSTER HOME AT 734 8TH AVENUE
This oversized 15-bedroom, 10-bathroom structure has led to:
Overflowing vehicle parking on nearby streets
Increased congestion during school traffic hours
DTS confirmed they will conduct a traffic study in the area. I’ll ensure this gets done and will continue pushing for broader policy discussions about high-density homes in residential neighborhoods. We’ve also requested DPP to look into whether the dwelling is in compliance.
RAIL PROJECT
Several residents voiced concern about the cost and ridership of the rail, and whether it’s delivering value to communities like ours. I understand and share those concerns, and will continue to push for accountability, transparency, and community benefit in every phase of this project.
We’re Just Getting Started
This won’t be the last time we meet. My office, alongside partners like Rep. Grandinetti, is committed to creating more spaces for open, honest community dialogue. These town halls are just one way we can come together to share our ideas, our frustrations, and our hopes for the future.
If you weren’t able to attend, we still want to hear from you. Please feel free to drop your questions on our Google Form here or reach out directly to my office. Your feedback shapes the work we do every day.
Mahalo nui loa for showing up, speaking out, and continuing to fight for the community we love.
With aloha,
Tommy
