Manoa Neighborhood Board endorses SB 2397 to ease quorum rules for neighborhood boards

The Manoa Neighborhood Board voted to formally endorse Senate Bill 2397 on Feb. 4, 2026, backing a change to how vacant seats affect neighborhood‑board quorums. The resolution asks the Legislature to modify current rules so that a majority of voting members present — not a majority of the board’s full authorized membership — can carry motions.

Chair Robert Zane described the proposal as a fix to a persistent governance problem that has prevented boards from acting when seats are unfilled. Zane said the current rules can make vacant seats more influential than active members and that several boards across the state have struggled to conduct routine business because vacancies effectively count as “no” votes.

Tom Heinrich, a longtime neighborhood resident who has worked on related civic issues, urged the board to support the bill. Elton Fukumoto seconded the motion. After brief discussion emphasizing alignment with standard parliamentary practice, the board adopted the resolution by roll call vote and directed staff to have the chair sign and transmit copies to the city council, state legislators and other neighborhood boards.

The resolution cites both the Honolulu City Charter and Hawaii Revised Statutes (section 92‑81) as the legal framework affected by the change and notes that the Manoa board unanimously endorsed a parallel charter amendment earlier. The board’s action is intended to support Senator Carol Fukunaga’s legislative effort to allow boards with a majority of voting members present to transact business even when some seats are vacant.

The resolution’s adoption means Manoa will send formal testimony and copies of its resolution to legislative decision‑makers; board members said they would also follow up by emailing committee offices if needed. The board did not specify a formal implementation timeline — any change would require legislative action.