No 35 Mililani Mauka Launani Valley Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting September 2026
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35 Mililani Mauka-Launani Valley Neighborhood Board Meeting – September 17, 2026
Honolulu Police Department Report
Lieutenant Scott Vieira of the Wahiawā Police Station reported one assault, no robberies, one burglary, one unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, and 19 motor vehicle collisions during the preceding month. HPD received 455 total calls for service in the district. Vieira reminded residents that nonemergency police reports can be filed online at HonoluluPD.org. The online system asks screening questions and directs users to call 911 when someone is in danger or when evidence must be turned over. This option is intended for matters that do not require an immediate response and can help residents avoid extended nonemergency hold times through 911.
Water-System Conditions and Outage Preparedness
Board of Water Supply representative Steven Nordstrom reported no water-main breaks in the Mililani Mauka neighborhood district during the previous month. In response to questions about power outages, he explained that most water pumps cannot operate without electricity, although the agency can place a limited number of generators at certain critical facilities. Homes generally continue receiving water through gravity-fed reservoir tanks until those tanks are depleted. Once power is restored, pumping must continue long enough to refill the reservoirs, making conservation important both during an outage and immediately afterward. Before an anticipated storm, crews attempt to fill reservoirs as quickly as possible, although the resulting changes in pressure can sometimes contribute to main breaks. Nordstrom agreed to determine which reservoir serves homes located above the tank near Recreation Center 7 and to report back on how long reservoirs typically take to refill. The discussion referenced the pumping and water-access problems experienced during Tropical Storm Lala, particularly in elevated communities.
“Imagine a Day Without Water” Event
The Board of Water Supply announced an “Imagine a Day Without Water” public event scheduled for Saturday, September 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at a venue identified as ARCA Safety at Waiʻanae Mall. The program was expected to include interactive exhibits, educational displays, hands-on activities, a rain-barrel workshop, and food. Flyers were made available at the meeting.
Army Employment Opportunities
Lieutenant Colonel Melander of U.S. Army Garrison Hawaiʻi announced a public job fair at Helemano Military Reservation’s training room, later clarifying that it would be held October 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Employers expected to make offers and conduct professional hiring that day. Prospective applicants could review openings through the employment banner at himwr.com, while walk-ins were welcome with two references, identification, a Social Security card, and a résumé or completed application. Openings included golf, bowling, food service, other business operations, and Child and Youth Services. Child and Youth Services positions may include retirement benefits, discounted child care, training, access to recreation facilities, and commissary and PX privileges.
Army Training, Noise, and Vehicle Traffic
The Army advised residents that East Range training would continue through the remainder of September, including jungle and ranger tactics, small-arms blank fire, and daytime aviation training through September 30 between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Schofield Barracks was scheduled to conduct artillery, mortar, and demolition training from September 20 through 25 and September 26 through 30, with day-and-night live fire extending into late-evening and early-morning hours. The 25th Infantry Division also planned Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center exercises during October and November. Residents could expect increased military vehicle traffic around Army installations throughout October as personnel and equipment moved into place, along with periods of louder training noise. Concerns may be directed to U.S. Army Garrison Hawaiʻi at 808-766-7778 or by email to the garrison’s community-relations address.
Recognition of Lieutenant Colonel Melander
The board presented Lieutenant Colonel Melander with a certificate of appreciation for serving as the military-community liaison from April 2024 through fall 2026. The certificate recognized his role as a conduit between military partners and residents, including his timely updates and assistance with community concerns. Although this was initially expected to be his final meeting, Melander said his successor was temporarily off island and that both would attend the October meeting.
Mililani Mauka Elementary School Traffic and Enrollment
Principal Kyle Shimabukuro welcomed the board to Mililani Mauka Elementary School and discussed afternoon traffic around the campus. The school has been asking parents not to line up or block the street before dismissal, but instead to circulate or wait elsewhere until approximately 2:05 p.m., then enter campus to pick up students. Parents are also being reminded not to block neighborhood driveways. A board member described earlier efforts involving HPD’s community resource team, direct warnings to drivers, and an electronic message sign telling motorists not to park or obstruct the roadway. The Mauka Park and Ride was suggested as a waiting location until dismissal. School enrollment has fallen substantially from roughly 800–900 students five or six years ago to 555 students, which may have reduced some traffic but is a concern for the school’s future.
Mililani Mauka Elementary Fall Fair
The school invited residents to a Fall Fun Fair scheduled for Friday, October 2, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event was planned to include food trucks, a craft fair, and free games for children. The fair was presented as an event for both school families and the broader community.
Elementary School Covered Play Court
Principal Shimabukuro explained that the large building visible from Meheʻula Parkway is the school’s covered play court. It contains a basketball court and is used for physical education, assemblies, and special events, allowing students to remain sheltered during Mililani’s frequent rain. The school previously used it to keep students dry during a rainy May Day or Hōʻike program before they went onto the field to perform. The facility took years to complete because COVID-era supply disruptions, contractor failures, and rebidding delayed construction, but it is now heavily used by students.
Federal Budget and Service Academy Nominations
Congressman Ed Case’s representative, Nestor Garcia, reported that Case continued his work on the House Appropriations Committee. Congress had passed a continuing resolution to prevent a federal government shutdown on October 1, extending funding through December 11 while work continued on the fiscal year 2027 budget. Students seeking a congressional nomination to West Point, the Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, or Merchant Marine Academy were reminded that applications were due by the close of business on Friday, October 9. The Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination.
Invasive Species and Federal Storm Assistance
Congressman Case and Guam’s Republican delegate secured House passage of a bipartisan measure aimed at invasive species affecting national wildlife refuges. The proposal still required Senate consideration. Garcia connected the measure to recent wind and rain that can spread invasive plants, including fire-prone grasses associated with risks such as those seen in Lahaina. Hawaiʻi’s four-member congressional delegation also requested a presidential disaster declaration to obtain assistance for residents affected by Hurricanes Lowell and Lala and earlier storms, particularly on Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, and Oʻahu’s west side.
City Response to Tropical Storm Lala
Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s representative, Deputy Budget and Fiscal Services Director Carrie Castle, said the city’s monthly newsletter focused entirely on Tropical Storm Lala and the city’s preparation, emergency response, and recovery work. HPD handled 215 storm-related responses. The Honolulu Fire Department responded to 180 downed-tree incidents, 85 damaged or blown-roof incidents, and 43 downed-power-line incidents. Emergency Medical Services handled 552 calls to 911, while the Department of Parks and Recreation responded to 572 downed trees. Castle said the city had applied lessons from prior Kona low events to improve coordination before, during, and after severe weather.
Hampton Court Commercial-Vehicle Parking
The city Department of Transportation reviewed concerns about commercial-vehicle parking along ʻĀinamakua Drive near the Hampton Court driveway. Its review found no collision pattern that would currently justify a parking restriction. However, the department would consider restricting parking if the Hampton Court association or management company submitted a written request specifying the desired limits of the no-parking area.
Honolulu 311 Follow-Up and Parks Survey
The chair reported using Honolulu’s 311 system to notify the city about a city-owned tree apparently damaged during Tropical Storm Lala and at risk of falling. Although the system confirmed receipt, no subsequent status update was provided. Castle asked the chair to send her the ticket information for follow-up. The chair also asked whether the Department of Parks and Recreation would publish results from its recent islandwide resident survey, noting that community members wanted to know how their submissions were reflected. Castle agreed to inquire.
City Council District 8 Legislation
Council Member Val Okimoto’s office summarized several pending or recently considered measures. Bill 16-2026, CD2, would strengthen dog-control ordinances by increasing criminal fines and creating civil fines for irresponsible dog owners; the measure was developed with the Department of Customer Services, Hawaiian Humane Society, and Representative Cory Chun. Bill 30-2026, CD1, would permit nonprofit farmers’ markets and food-distribution events in city parks. Bill 31-2026, CD2, would allow the Department of Parks and Recreation to establish a stewardship program for cultural sites within city parks, including Mauna Lahilahi and the cultural garden in Mākaha. Bill 32-2026, CD2, FD1, would repeal existing park and botanical-garden fees and authorize DPR to establish new commercial and noncommercial-use charges, excluding camping fees, after public hearings. Bill 33-2026, CD2, would restructure related special funds, including accounts associated with Waipiʻo Peninsula Soccer Park and Patsy T. Mink Central Oʻahu Regional Park. The office also reported Resolution 26-172, CD1, concerning the reappointment of Nāʻālehu Anthony to the Board of Water Supply, and Resolution 26-196 concerning Acting Police Chief Carrie Okimoto’s appointment to the Civil Service Commission.
Storm Inspections and Resident-Led Tree Clearing
Council Member Okimoto’s staff had been visiting District 8 communities weekly or every other week after Tropical Storm Lala to assess damage and submit requests for city investigation or services. A Mililani Mauka visit was planned when weather permitted. Staff noted extensive tree failures throughout Mililani, including blocks where 10–12 trees had fallen and locations where shallow root systems uprooted sidewalks or road surfaces. Board members praised residents who used chainsaws to cut large fallen trees and reopen streets and sidewalks, especially near schools and homes. The discussion acknowledged that city crews faced a large islandwide workload involving fallen trees, flooding, damaged roofs, and other hazards, making immediate neighborhood assistance especially visible.
Storm Damage Reporting and Emergency Repairs
Council Member Matt Weyer’s office encouraged residents and businesses affected by Tropical Storm Lala to report damage promptly so the city and nonprofit organizations could measure the islandwide impact and determine eligibility for outside assistance. A damage report is not an application for disaster aid and does not replace a claim to an insurance provider. Residents were also directed to the city’s recovery resources at repurpose1oahu.org. The Department of Planning and Permitting is allowing certain emergency repairs to begin before a permit is issued, but a permit application must be received by the next working day after work starts.
Launani Valley Debris Removal and Tree Risks
Council Member Weyer’s office reported coordinating with the Department of Environmental Services on a special storm-debris collection in Launani Valley around August 29. Collection had been delayed because crews were heavily occupied with tree damage elsewhere in Mililani. Hanging branches near a bus stop were also reported to the appropriate department. Board members emphasized that Launani Valley has only one entrance and exit, making fallen trees a direct access and emergency-response concern. They called for the city to reassess the species, placement, and root conditions of trees installed in subdivisions, noting that very large trees had been planted in shallow soil and that uprooted root balls had shifted entire concrete sidewalks. Similar concerns were raised about shower trees and other species whose roots repeatedly damage roads and sidewalks even without storms. Council staff said developers generally plant subdivision trees using an approved Department of Planning and Permitting list and agreed to investigate how that process applied in Launani Valley.
Unpermitted Signs and Storm Projectiles
A board member raised concerns about unauthorized signs placed along highways, neighborhood streets, school routes, recreation centers, Meheʻula Parkway, and grassy strips that residents are required to maintain. Residents may be held responsible for signs installed within the frontage they maintain, even if they did not place them there. During the storm, a metal sign reportedly became airborne and scratched a garage, raising questions about liability and enforcement. The board member said she had previously removed approximately 45 signs and urged city officials to enforce existing ordinances, remove signs before severe weather turns them into projectiles, and educate property owners through newsletters. Council staff indicated that signs on city-controlled frontage would likely fall under Department of Planning and Permitting enforcement and requested specific locations.
Association Trees on ʻĀhōkēle Street
Another resident reported that approximately 10 association-maintained trees fell on ʻĀhōkēle Street. Residents using chainsaws observed that some appeared to have been planted without enough room for proper root-ball development. Dense, approximately two-story arborvitae planted on slopes were singled out because wind could not pass through their foliage; one fell across the entire street during the storm. The association had been informed that additional trees, including three behind the resident’s home, may need removal.
Veterans Aquatic Center and Central Oʻahu Regional Park
Council Member Weyer’s office reported that the council member presented a mayoral proclamation recognizing the Mark Takai Legacy Foundation and an honorary certificate to the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center Renewal Foundation. The office had secured $1 million in the city’s fiscal year 2027 capital budget for aquatic-center improvements. Central Oʻahu Regional Park had also fully reopened after six months. Restoration included irrigation repairs and reseeding, and the office thanked the Departments of Environmental Services and Parks and Recreation, as well as residents for their patience.
V Circle Dirt Removal
The large dirt pile previously reported at V Circle had been removed from the circle by late July. A board member later observed that the material appeared to have been transferred across the street to a vacant lot, where the new pile was estimated to be about two stories high. A tree at the original site also appeared unlikely to survive.
Adult Education and Workforce Programs
Senator Donovan Dela Cruz’s office discussed the consolidation of the Waipahu and McKinley Community Schools for Adults into the Hawaiʻi State Community School for Adults. In a televised segment, the senator and a school principal described programs providing English-language instruction, high-school equivalency and GED preparation, career foundations, and workforce initiatives such as “Build Your Skills,” “Build Your Bank,” “Build Your Biz,” and “Build Your Farm.” The report connected these adult programs with broader career and technical education pathways extending through the K–12 system.
Hurricane Preparedness and Youth Participation
Representative Lauren Matsumoto emphasized that hurricane season was continuing and warned against complacency after decades in which many storms missed the islands. She reported speaking at a League of Women Voters luncheon in Mililani and announced participation in the Mililani Homecoming Parade, where her office planned a “Toy Story” float. She also promoted the free Hawaiʻi Children and Youth Summit on October 6 during fall break. Students attending at the State Capitol would discuss policy ideas that could be forwarded to the Keiki Caucus for the 2027 legislative session. Registration was available at HawaiiCYS.org.
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle
Representative Matsumoto announced a Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Community Day on September 24 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu. She noted that the invasive beetle is already present in Mililani; larvae had been found in soil near a playground while her children were at a local park. Registration information was available through a QR code on her office handout.
Hawaiʻi Relief Program
Representative Amy Perruso reported that the state Department of Human Services had established the Hawaiʻi Relief Program following recent storms. Qualifying households facing unexpected storm-related hardship involving housing, utilities, or transportation could receive up to $6,000. Oʻahu residents were directed to contact Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi at 808-521-4357.
Launani Valley Electricity and Water Outages
Perruso discussed Launani Valley’s prolonged loss of both electricity and water after the storm. Because the community’s water supply depends on electric pumping, the power outage also limited water access. The House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee was arranging an informational briefing with Hawaiian Electric to examine why some communities took so long to restore and how support for vulnerable residents could be strengthened. The briefing was expected after storm season so utility personnel could first concentrate on preparations for additional severe weather.
Schofield Power Plant and Emergency Energy Sharing
The board questioned whether Schofield Barracks’ liquefied-natural-gas power plant could supply nearby communities such as Wahiawā and Launani Valley during emergencies. The chair recalled that approvals involving Hawaiian Electric and the Public Utilities Commission may have contemplated sharing electricity when the base retained generating capacity. Perruso said Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency officials had previously told the Wahiawā resilience-planning effort not to expect military electricity because Schofield must protect its own mission. Lieutenant Colonel Melander added that Schofield itself lost power for approximately three days during the latest storm, suggesting that transmission, rather than generation alone, may have been a problem. Participants agreed that the arrangement should be revisited with the Army, Hawaiian Electric, the Public Utilities Commission, emergency-management officials, and legislators.
Cesspool Conversion Planning
As a member of the State House Cesspool Working Group, Perruso reported on discussions involving county council members and legislators statewide. Hawaiʻi still intends to require cesspool conversion to septic or other approved wastewater systems before 2050, and policymakers were considering replacing the existing three priority categories with approximately 15 more detailed categories. The highest-risk cesspools could receive earlier compliance deadlines. Recent flooding on Kauaʻi and in Waialua illustrated how cesspools can contaminate water entering homes and surrounding areas during storms.
Kaʻala Elementary Listening Session
Representative Perruso and Council Member Weyer planned a community listening session at Kaʻala Elementary School on October 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The event would be open to the public, include food, and invite residents to present ideas for community improvements.
House District 37 Community and Legislative Outreach
Representative Trish La Chica’s office announced that a pre-legislative survey for the 2027 session would be distributed online and through a QR code in the forthcoming newsletter. The office hosted a Homeschool Day at the Capitol, where families toured the House floor and Governor’s Office and learned about state government. It also met with the Department of Education’s adult education and workforce-development branch to discuss stronger internships and meaningful workforce experiences, and with youth advocates from the Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute to hear priorities related to tobacco prevention and control.
Mililani High School MIRA Program
Representative La Chica’s office celebrated the opening of Mililani High School’s Manufacturing and Engineering Education Reimagined for All, or MIRA, program. The program provides hands-on exposure to manufacturing, engineering, and related career pathways and is intended to better connect students with future technical employment opportunities.
District 37 Cleanups, Storm Meals, and Internships
The District 37 office joined HPD District 2’s community policing team, Mālama O Ka ʻĀina, the city Department of Facility Maintenance, interns, and residents for a Waipiʻo Gentry cleanup. In two hours, volunteers collected six bags of trash and a shopping cart, removed graffiti, and addressed tree and ground debris. A September 26 cleanup at Rainbow Tunnel was already at volunteer capacity. Following Tropical Storm Lala, partnerships with Farm Link Hawaiʻi, Chef Hui, Mililani Restaurant, Walmart, and community volunteers distributed more than 800 hot meals over two days at Kīpapa Neighborhood Park to residents without power. The office also introduced interns Jacob Nguyen, a sophomore at Kauaʻi Christian School interested in civic education and workforce development, and Sydney Taisei, a Pearl City High School senior active in health care, education, music, blood drives, mock trial, and community service.
H-2 Ramps, Bridge Railings, and Delineators
State Department of Transportation representative Casey Allen reported that maintenance crews had painted over graffiti along Leilehua Golf Course Road, although a damaged bridge railing still required repair. At the Mililani interchange, DOT had installed flexible delineator posts near the two-lane southbound H-2 on-ramp. The posts are intended to stop motorists traveling toward Mililani Mauka from bypassing speed humps and then cutting abruptly into the freeway entrance lanes. Previously reported improvements included new speed humps, upgraded crosswalk lighting, and rectangular rapid-flashing beacons at the northbound off-ramp and two-lane southbound on-ramp.
Uneven H-2 Asphalt Patch
DOT acknowledged a large, uneven asphalt patch on northbound H-2 before the Kuahelani/Kā Uka-area off-ramp, where vehicles traveling around 60 mph encounter a severe bump and potholes. A contractor currently replacing a comparable asphalt patch on H-1 with concrete panels was expected to address the H-2 location in spring 2027. Because the work must be done at night, construction cannot proceed between September 15 and December 15 due to fledgling-bird protections; contractor lighting can disorient young birds learning to fly. A resident said a similar rough patch exists southbound, and Allen agreed to verify whether both directions are included.
Pedestrian Crosswalk Signage at Freeway Ramps
The chair asked DOT to verify signage at the two pedestrian crossings encountered by people traveling from Mililani Mauka toward the northbound and southbound H-2 ramps. Allen believed pedestrian signs were already present at least at the southbound ramp and said he had taken field photographs, but the chair said the installations appeared incomplete. DOT agreed to investigate whether signs or other materials were still pending.
Unsheltered-Person Outreach
Kealoha West Oʻahu asked residents to report concerns about unsheltered people by calling 808-745-7880. Outreach teams canvass the Wahiawā and Mililani areas on Tuesdays. Recent efforts had focused on Mililani park areas, a drainage ditch, overgrown hillsides before the golf course, and brush near condominiums in the Waipiʻo area. Few unsheltered individuals had recently been observed inside the main residential areas.
Approval of July Meeting Minutes
The board reviewed the minutes from its July 21, 2026 meeting. No corrections, objections, or abstentions were raised, and the minutes were adopted.
School Storm Damage and Pedestrian Safety
The Education Committee reported that Mililani ʻIke Elementary sustained damage to its play court and lost 10 campus trees during the storm. School families and the Ballistic soccer team helped remove fallen trees from sidewalks and maintain safe access. The school installed holders containing pedestrian flags near crosswalks and asked drivers to watch for children using them, particularly because vehicles often travel quickly uphill near the campus.
School Donation Drive and E-Bike Policies
Mililani ʻIke and other Mililani Complex schools were collecting sheets, towels, pillows, new laundry detergent, and dishwashing soap, with donations due at the school by September 23. Wheeler Middle School and another area middle school had posted Hawaiʻi Department of Education e-bike policies on their websites so families could review rules governing student use.
College, Career, and Homecoming Events
Leilehua High School was scheduled to hold a College and Career Night on September 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., open to students and their families to explore education and employment pathways. The school was also planning a pre-homecoming concert in the gymnasium, tentatively identified as October 2, featuring High Watah and food vendors. Students and staff with valid identification would be admitted free, while public admission would cost $10.
Other Committee Reports and Adjournment
The Military and Civil Defense, Parks and Recreation, Planning, and Transportation committees had no additional reports. Recognition and Service Awards had already completed the presentation to Lieutenant Colonel Melander. With no further announcements, the board scheduled its next regular meeting for Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Mililani Mauka Elementary School cafeteria and through WebEx, then adjourned.