WAIPAHŪ NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 22

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA  
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024 7:00 P.M. 
FILIPINO COMMUNITY CENTER
94-428 MOKUOLA STREET, WAIPAHŪ, HI 96797

Meeting Materials: Find monthly archive of handouts and referenced materials concerning to Waipahū Neighborhood Board No. 22 at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UO-g9cUa6y72reLs3sjAcsgNALCUBxnA

Recordings: Recordings of Board meetings can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1DZJTKor6TTNYiqx5U-P2w

Rules of Speaking: Anyone wishing to speak is asked to raise their hand, and when recognized by the Chair, to address comments to the Chair. Speakers are encouraged to keep their comments under three (3) minutes, and those giving reports are urged to keep their reports under three (3) minutes. Please silence all electronic devices.

Public Announcements, Reports & Presentations to the Board: Please provide all materials before the meeting for posting online sent to the NCO office. Presentations may utilize PowerPoint, should be succinct, and mindful of time. If presenting in person, please arrange for a projector and screen as needed, and provide handouts for the board and the community.

Note: The Board may take action on any agenda item. As required by the State Sunshine Law (HRS 92), specific issues not noted on this agenda cannot be voted on, unless added to the agenda. A two-thirds (2/3) vote (13) of this 19-member Board is needed to add an item to the agenda. Items may not be added if they are of major importance and will affect a significant number of people.

I.       CALL TO ORDER – Vice Chair Darryl Macha

II. INTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERS

III. FIRST RESPONDER REPORTS-Limit to three (3) minutes each.
A. Honolulu Fire Department (HFD)
B. Honolulu Police Department (HPD)
C. Military Report: US Army – 599th Transportation Brigade

V. RESIDENT AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS-Limited to three (3) minutes each.

VI. PRESENTATIONS
A. 2025 Filipino Fiesta: Road Closures Plan – Su Lazo and Shelly Carmona

VII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Board Vacancies – Four (4) At-Large Seats: Residents interested in filling a vacant board seat must bring current proof of residency to the board meeting or contact Neighborhood Assistant Zhoydell Magaoay (zhoydell.magaoay@honolulu.gov) to verify residency in advance. Candidates may speak for up to three minutes prior to board voting.
B. Approval of Minutes – Thursday, October 24, 2024

VIII. ELECTED OFFICIALS – Limit to three (3) minutes each
A. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative: Roger Babcock, Director, Department of
Environmental Services (ENV).
B. Councilmember District 2 – Councilmember Matt Weyer mweyer@honolulu.gov
C. Councilmember District 8 – Councilmember Val Okimoto valokimoto@honolulu.gov
D. Councilmember District 9 — Councilmember Augie Tulba atulba@honolulu.gov
E. Governor Josh Green’s Representative – Chavonnie Ramos Chavonnie.J.Ramos@hawaii.gov
F. Senate District 18 — Senator Michelle Kidani senkidani@capitol.hawaii.gov
G. Senate District 19 — Senator Henry Aquino senaquino@capitol.hawaii.gov
H. Representative District 35 – Rep. Cory Chun repchun@capitol.hawaii.gov
I. Representative District 36 – Rep. Rachele Lamosao replamosao@capitol.hawaii.gov
J. Representative District 37 – Rep. Trish La Chica replachica@capitol.hawaii.gov
K. Representative District 39 – Rep. Elijah Pierick reppierick@capitol.hawaii.gov
L. US Representative Ed Case
M. US Representative Jill Tokuda

IX. REPORTS-Limit to three (3) minutes each.
A. Board of Water Supply
B. Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, Citizens Advisory Committee (OMPO-CAC): Daniel de Gracia II
C. Reports of Board Members Attendance at other Meetings

X. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Next Meeting: The next Regular meeting of the Waipahū Neighborhood Board No. 22 is on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at the Filipino Community Center. The Board will be in recess for the month of December, 2024.  Have a joyous holiday season.
B. Broadcast: Rebroadcast of Waipahū Neighborhood Board No. 22 meetings are scheduled on ʻŌlelo channel 49 for Every Second Saturday at 9:00 p.m. and Every Fourth Sunday at 9:00 a.m.  Recordings of Board meetings can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1DZJTKor6TTNYiqx5U-P2w.

XI.      ADJOURNMENT

A mailing list is maintained for interested persons and agencies to receive this board’s agenda and minutes.  Additions, corrections, and deletions to the mailing list may be directed to the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) at Kapālama Hale, 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Suite 160 Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96817; Telephone (808) 768-3710 Fax (808) 768-3711; or call Neighborhood Assistant Zhoydell Magaoay at (808) 768-4224 or e-mail zhoydell.magaoay@honolulu.gov. Agendas and minutes are also available on the internet at www.honolulu.gov/nco.

All written testimony must be received in the Neighborhood Commission Office 48 hours prior to the meeting.  If within 48 hours, written and/or oral testimony may be submitted directly to the board at the meeting. If submitting written testimony, please note the board and agenda item(s) your testimony concerns. Send to: Neighborhood Commission Office, 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Suite 160 Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96817. Fax: (808) 768-3711. Email: nbtestimony@honolulu.gov.

If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability or an interpreter for a language other than English, please call the Neighborhood Commission Office at (808) 768-3710 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or send an email to nco@honolulu.gov at least three (3) business days before the scheduled meeting.  It may not be possible to fulfill requests received after this date.

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2024
7:00 P.M.
Filipino Community Center

Video Recording of Meeting Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDu-J11O0xM

CALL TO ORDER – [0:05:03]: Vice Chair Macha called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum was established with 11 members present. Note: This 19-member Board requires 10 members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

RULES OF SPEAKING – [0:05:13]: Vice Chair Macha read the rules of speaking.

Board Members Present – Jayton Chang, Dave Beers, Terry Tumbaga, Nathan Chang, Darryl Macha, Richard Oshiro, Maureen Andrade, Annette Yamaguchi, Kevin Wilson, Debbie Segall, and Chad Domingo.

Board Members Absent – Connie Herolaga, Danny de Gracia, Maurice Morita, and Jordana Ferreira.

Guests – Firefighter Nate Utu (Honolulu Fire Department – HFD); Lieutenant Keoni Hong (Honolulu Police Department – HPD); Director Roger Babcock, Department of Environmental Services – ENV (Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative); Lieutenant Colonel John Regnary (Military Services-599th Army Transportation Brigade); Nikki Rodwell (Board of Water Supply – BWS); Kelly Anaya (Councilmember Matt Weyer’s Office); Aaron Wilson, Jocelyn Roberts (Councilmember Val Okimoto’s Office); Aaron Ho (Councilmember Augie Tulba’s Office); Chavonnie Ramos (Governor Josh Green’s Representative); Representative Cory Chun; Joey Manahan (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit – HART); David Souza, Ursula Kawaguchi, Sierra B. Martin (KWO), Kahuau Kalawa (KWO), Sherry Howser (Local 5), Ben Sadoski (Local 5), Ricky Itagaki (DHOJV), Karen Winpenny (DHOJV), Angelica Bagaoisan, Luz Bagaoisan (Residents and Guests); Zhoydell Magaoay (Neighborhood Commission Office – NCO). Note: Name was not included if not legible. There were 36 total participants.

FIRST RESPONDERS’ REPORTS – [0:06:44]:
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – [0:07:52]: Firefighter Nate Utu reported the following.
September 2024 Statistics: There were two (2) structure fires, 16 wildland/brush fires, seven (7) nuisance fires, 12 activated alarms (no fire), 217 medical emergencies, one (1) motor vehicle collision with pedestrian, five (5) motor vehicle crashes/collisions, and two (2) hazardous materials incidents. Firefighter Utu reminded the public of the importance of having working smoke alarms in their homes. A copy of the report can be found at: HFD October 2024 Report. Should you have any questions, please e-mail the HFD’s Community Relations Office at HFDNHB@honolulu.gov.

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – [0:08:48]: Lieutenant Keoni Hong reported the following statistics.
August 2024 Statistics: There were 14 motor vehicle thefts, nine (9) burglaries, 29 thefts, 15 unauthorized entries to motor vehicle (UEMV), and 2,214 calls for services. For more detailed breakdown of statistics, visit www.honolulupd.org. Lieutenant Hong provided Halloween safety tips. A copy of the report can be found at: HPD October 2024 Report. Lieutenant Hong provided detailed information regarding a commercial burglary that happened on Thursday, October 17, 202, at around 11:10 p.m. in the Waipio area by the Dave’s Ice Cream and Teapresso. Lieutenant Iwasaki was patrolling the area and observed a vehicle parked out of stall, kind of suspicious; as he approached the vehicle, saw four (4) individuals jumped into the vehicle and fled. Lieutenant Iwasaki used the radio to call for additional units and the additional units were able to catch up with the vehicle on the freeway, eventually the vehicle stopped and at which time the occupants of the vehicle fled on foot. The additional units were able to apprehend the four (4) individuals; one (1) adult (22-year-old) and three (3) juveniles (two 16-year-olds and one 15-year-old) were arrested for resisting arrest, possession of a stolen vehicle, and five (5) commercial burglaries. Lieutenant Hong noted that the adult was eventually charged and the bail is set for $500,000.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:11:32]. Inquiries were raised regarding officers on duty in the Waipahu area and fireworks enforcement.

US Army 599th Transportation – [0:16:07]: Lieutenant Colonel John Regnary reported the training advisory which can be found at: U.S. Army October 2024 Training Advisory. Lieutenant Colonel Regnary expressed the Army’s gratitude to the community for their patience and understanding during the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center Training Exercises. Lieutenant Colonel Regnary announced that the U. S. Army Garrison Hawaii (USAG) is having a hiring fair on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at the Āliamanu Military Reservation (AMR) Gym from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and it is open to the public. Advanced applications can go to: www.himwr.com. To report concerns related to noise or training, can be found at: U.S. Army Noise Complaint Resources & Reporting.

RESIDENT AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS – [0:18:51]:
Dry Dock 3 Replacement Update – [0:19:12]: Ricky Itagaki provided an update on the dry dock Pearl Harbor project. Itagaki stated that there is a support facility down by Waipio Soccer Field in the military area. Itagaki noted that they have completed two (2) of nine (9) concrete flow unit pour, which are large 4,000-ton units that are going to be floated across the harbor over to Pearl Harbor. Itagaki further noted that Dragados/Hawaiian Dredging/Orion Joint Venture (DHOJV) are continuing to work on loading out pipe piles that get delivered by the waterside and are offloading dredge material at the Waipio Peninsula. Itagaki stated that the main focus right now is offloading dredge material and then continuing to cast the large precast flow units. Karen Winpenny noted that the residents on Waipio Access Point Road have been notified of the ongoing project. The notification letter can be found at: DHOJV Notice to Affected Residents. More information can be found at: Dry Dock 3 Replacement Project Brochure.
Solid Waste Permit – [0:21:16]: David Souza of Island Top Soil announced that they are applying for a solid waste permit for green waste compost facility located at 94-880 Kunia Road to meet permit requirements.
Hilton Strike – [0:21:58]: Sherry Howser stated that 1,800 hotel workers walked off their jobs on September 24, 2024 after months of negotiating were unsuccessful. Howser noted that Park Hotels & Resorts is now the owner of Hilton Hawaiian Village and Resorts. The owners cut staffing, guest services perks, and amenities which affected workload in all departments and jeopardized the workers’ safety and working environment. Howser encouraged the public to not cross the picket lines, attend parties or events at the hotel and to support the workers. More information can be found at: Hilton Strike Flyer.
[0:25:08] – Hearing no objections, Vice Chair Macha rearranged the order of the Agenda until the presenter arrives.

BOARD BUSINESS – [0:25:29]:
Board Vacancies: Vice Chair Macha announced that there are four (4) At-Large seats that are vacant. There were no volunteers.

Approval of Minutes – Thursday, July 25, 2024 & Thursday, September 26, 2024 – [0:26:06]: Member Nathan Chang provided spelling corrections for September 26, 2024 Minutes. NA Magaoay will make the changes. Andrade MOVED, J. Chang SECONDED to adopt the July 25, 2024 Minutes as written and September 26, 2024 as amended. Hearing no additional corrections and no objections, both Minutes were adopted.

Chairʻs Report: No Report.

[0:28:08] – Vice Chair Macha returned to Presentation.

PRESENTATION – [0:28:22]:
Waipahu Transit Station Makai Entrance Updates – [0:28:22]: Joey Manahan of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) provided updates on the Waipahu transit station makai entrance. Manahan noted that the HART Board had a meeting in September 2024, discussed the Waipahu transit makai entrance and were throwing around the idea about deferring the entrance’s construction due to the recent contract for the City Center guideway and stations coming in a little bit higher than HART would have liked. Manahan stated that HART is very committed to building it and there has been no action to defer it by the Board or in the Administration. Manahan further noted that it is still in the budget, a budget that was approved by the HART Board and the City Council. Manahan stated that HART has to go through a process when the bids come in higher than they would like or if they come in over the estimates, HART basically has to justify the funding and that HART will be able to continue with all their partners, including Federal Transportation Administration (FTA). The process includes updating the risk model, running the data through a risk model and then demonstrating that HART has the money to continue with the proposed projects that are on the books in order to process. Manahan noted that the HART Board recognizes the importance of the rail project and the Waipahu Transit Station makai entrance to the community.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:31:00]. Questions raised regarding the status of the construction of the makai entrance and estimated cost of building it, if it continues to be delayed ($20 million); $325 million offer from Tutor Perini to complete the rail project all the way to Ala Moana Center; and the target date for the railway to be operational to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

ELECTED OFFICIALS – [0:38:41]:
Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – [0:38:55]: Director Babcock noted that there was no follow-up from the last meeting. Director Babcock provided the report, which can be found at: Mayor Blangiardi’s October 2024 Newsletter. Director Babcock distributed information regarding the upcoming increase in sewer fees, which can be found at: ENV Plans Adjustments to its Sewer Fees Handout. [0:40:05] Director Babcock provided a brief overview of the Department of Environmental Services (ENV) plans to increase sewer fees.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:47:43]. Questions raised regarding federal monies that the City can go after to help reduce the infrastructure costs before the sewer fee increases for the customers, keeping it affordable, and possibly increasing the 20% irrigation credit in some areas based on lot size.
1. Complaint – River on Waipahu Street – [0:54:23]: Member Andrade noted that a homeowner filed a complaint regarding homeless encampments on the City side of the river. The homeowner’s backyard is where the river bank is and from where the bridge is are the encampments. Member Andrade noted that the homeless camp/home has trash in them which is making the homeowners along the river upset because the City is not doing anything about it. Member Andrade noted that she contacted DFM Director Gene Albano, three weeks ago and she was told that Director Albano has it on his radar. Member Andrade provided the homeowner’s contact information and Director Babcock will contact the homeowner.
Councilmember Matt Weyer – [0:57:03]: Kelly Anaya provided the report, which can be found at: Councilmember Weyer October 2024 Report. Anaya highlighted Councilmember Weyer’s participation in the Coffee with a Cop and Meet the Major at the Waikele Community Association office and a few policy updates which included Bill 40, Bill 22, Resolution 24-213, Bill 52, Bill 46, and Bill 47.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:58:57]. A Board member acknowledged Councilmember Matt Weyer and his staff for responding to constituents’ concerns quickly and efficiently, and comments on Bill 46.

Councilmember Val Okimoto – [0:59:40] – Aaron Wilson provided the report, which can be found at: Councilmember Okimoto October 2024 Report. Wilson reported that Resolution 24-242, which addresses the increase in property insurance premiums and the instability in the property insurance marketplace passed out of the Executive Matters and Legal Affairs (EMLA) Committee and is headed to full Council; Bill 51, which allows the adaptive reuse of existing commercial buildings passed and is going to full Council. Wilson noted that the Public Safety Committee had an informational briefing on EMS’s billing, retention, and unit closures that have been happening.

Councilmember Augie Tulba – [1:01:05]: Aaron Ho provided the report, which can be found at: Councilmember Tulba October 2024 Report. Ho noted that the Councilmember walked the community as part of the Win Back Waipahu Program with some of the local business owners on either side of Farrington Highway from Tanioka’s and Ace Medical down to Highway Inn. Ho reported that their office organized a park beautification day at the Hans L’Orange Park on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Ho thanked Waipahu Neighborhood Board member Tumbaga for volunteering to help out with the park beautification. Ho requested that the public take pictures of any graffiti in the Waipahu area and report them to Councilmember Tulba’s office in preparation for a mass graffiti clean-up.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:02:45]. Concerns were raised regarding Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) kiosks in supermarkets tend to break down, specifically at Foodland Waipiʻo.

Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [1:04:18]: Chavonnie Ramos provided the report which can be found at: Governor Green October 2024 Newsletter. Ramos highlighted the Department of Defense’s initiatives to support our community, the successful conclusion of the Maui Economic Recovery Commission led by the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism (DBED), and the University of Hawaiʻi’s wildfire exposure study and launched a survivor registry. Ramos reported that the Governor’s Kauhale Program has built 16 kauhales across the State and five (5) more on the way. Ramos noted that the Governor signed the ninth Emergency Proclamation relating to affordable housing. Ramos announced that the Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR) will be hosting a Job Fair on Friday, November, 22, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in their building at 830 Punchbowl Street.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:06:05]. Concerns were raised regarding the Governor’s initiatives relating to affordable housing and Child Care Connection Office’s phone rings but nobody answers the phone.

Senator Michelle Kidani – [1:08:11] – No representative present. Report was submitted and can be found at: Senator Kidani October 2024 Report.

Senator Henry Aquino – [1:08:13] – No representative present. Report was submitted and can be found at: Senator Aquino October 2024 Report.

Representative Cory Chun – [1:08:31]: Representative Chun reported that the Waipahū Aloha Clubhouse had their grand reopening on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Representative Chun announced that Waipahū High School teacher, Sherry Tenn was named the Pearl City-Waipahū Complex 2025 Teacher of the Year. Representative Chun noted that Governor Green released $2.5-million from last yearʻs budget to Waipahū High School to do some repainting and resurfacing of the classrooms and buildings.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:10:15]. Concerns were raised regarding Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) 4.5-hours power outage for in the Harbor View and Robinson Heights area on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

Representative Rachele Lamosao – [1:13:20] – No representative present. Report was submitted and can be found at: Representative Lamosao October 2024 Report.

Representative Trish La Chica – [1:13:29] – No representative present and no report was submitted.

Representative Elijah Pierick – [1:13:35] – No representative present and no report was submitted.

U.S. Representative Ed Case – [1:13:43] – No representative present and no report was submitted.

U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda – [1:13:48] – No representative present and no report was submitted.

REPORTS – [1:13:53]
Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [1:14:04]: Nikki Rodwell provided the report which can be found at: BWS October 2024 Report. Rodwell reported four (4) main breaks on Wednesday September 4, 2024 at 94-693 Farrington Highway; on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at at 94-232 Leowahine Street; on Sunday, September 27, 2024 at 94-947 Awamoku Place; and on Monday, September 28, 2024 at 94-271 Haaa Street. Rodwell announced that BWS has launched their annual Poster and Poetry Contest; deadline to enter is Friday, February 28, 2024. For more information visit, www.boardofwatersupply.com/wcwcontest.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:15:00]. Question raised regarding the cause of the Wednesday, September 4, 2024 main break which was installed in 2004.
Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, Citizens Advisory Committee (OMPO-CAC) – [1:16:48]: No reports.

Reports of Board Member Attendance at Other Meetings – [1:17:05]: No reports.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – [1:17:11]:
Kapolei City Lights Holiday Display: Vice Chair Macha noted that the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Core Committee is asking the Boardʻs participation in the holiday display at Kapolei Hale. The Board will not be participating this year.
Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Waipahū Neighborhood Board No. 22 is on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in-person at the Fil-Com Center.
Recordings: Rebroadcast of Waipahū Neighborhood Board No. 22 meetings are scheduled on ʻŌlelo channel 49 for Every Second Saturday at 9:00 p.m. and Every Fourth Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and YouTube recordings can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1DZJTKor6TTNYiqx5U-P2w.
Archive: Find an archive of handouts and referenced materials concerning to No. 22 Waipahū Neighborhood Board at: No. 22 Waipahū Neighborhood Board Google Drive.
ADJOURNMENT: Vice Chair Macha adjourned the meeting at 8:13 p.m.

Submitted by: Zhoydell Magaoay, Neighborhood Assistant
Reviewed by: Dylan Whitsell, Deputy Director
Finalized by: Chair Connie Herolaga and Secretary Richard Oshiro

To view agenda and minutes, visit our board website.

Event shows physical location; however, other options of participation may also include WebEx and phone.  If available, instructions for WebEx and phone can be found at the top of the agenda.