No 25 Mililani-Waipi'o Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting May 2026
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25 Mililani-Waipio Neighborhood Board Meeting – May 28, 2026
Honolulu Police Department Crime Report and Enforcement Concerns
Lt. Scott Vieira, Night Watch Commander for the Wahiawa Police Station, reported the prior month’s public safety statistics for the area covering Mililani, Wahiawa, and the North Shore. In Mililani-Waipio, there were 2 assaults, 0 robberies, 4 burglaries, 2 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles, 40 motor vehicle collisions, and 822 total calls for service. He used the report to emphasize May’s seat belt and bicycle safety awareness messaging, reminding residents that seat belt use should remain a year-round habit. During board questions, a resident raised frustration that repeated 911 calls about vehicles with expired safety inspections and registrations on streets such as Kuwahilani Avenue, Noholoholo Loop, and around the Waikouani Woodlands/Valley area had not resulted in visible enforcement. Vieira explained that such calls are lower priority than emergency incidents, but also acknowledged that complete nonresponse would be unacceptable and said he would note the locations for follow-up. Another question concerned a reported May 13 incident near Wyanna Park involving a chicken with a blade taped to its leg. Vieira said he was not initially aware of the case and noted that officers would not normally kill a chicken for a nuisance complaint, but if it posed an imminent threat because a knife was attached, police might need to intervene. Later in the meeting, the board chair shared Vieira’s follow-up email confirming that HPD had responded on May 13 at about 1:14 p.m. to Kaʻavela Place and Naholoholo Street, found a rooster with a roughly 3-inch metal gaff attached to its left leg, and that an officer used a BB gun to kill the animal. The incident was documented under police report number 26-168635.
Water Supply Update and Hurricane Preparedness
Board of Water Supply representative Kathleen Pahinui reported that there were no water main breaks in the neighborhood. She paired that update with a broader preparedness warning as Hawaiʻi entered hurricane season, noting forecasts of a potentially very active Central Pacific season, with predictions as high as 13 hurricanes, well above normal. Residents were urged to maintain approximately two weeks of food and water and to include pets in household emergency planning. In response to a question about unusual flooding in lower Waipio during recent heavy rains, Pahinui explained that the event was more related to stormwater and drainage than to water supply infrastructure. She described it as a localized “rain bomb,” where a concentrated burst of rainfall overwhelmed storm drains in a short period. The discussion connected recent weather extremes to household preparedness and highlighted how localized flooding can disrupt transportation and property access even when broader weather systems are not especially severe.
Mililani Teacher Housing Project Renamed Kumelewai Hale
Sherry Nakamura of the Hawaiʻi School Facilities Authority announced that the Mililani Teacher Housing Development has been given a new name: Kumelewai Hale. She explained that Kumelewai was the birthplace of John Papa ʻĪʻī, a major historical figure tied to the area and to the name Mililani itself. Papa ʻĪʻī was described as an educator, public servant, caretaker to aliʻi, and later superintendent of Oʻahu schools. Nakamura said the name means “singing water,” representing balance, life, and abundance, and was selected to reflect both cultural significance and the role teachers play as caretakers of children. She said the project would likely be referred to by this new name going forward and suggested some form of identifying signage would eventually accompany it. Board members asked for supporting research behind the naming, which Nakamura agreed to share, and one member suggested exploring whether the wording order should be “Hale Kumelewai” instead. Another member asked if the name was final; Nakamura responded that it was effectively set, though the agency remained open to community input.
Final Environmental Assessment for Teacher Housing and Traffic Questions
Nakamura also reported that the project’s final environmental assessment was published in the Environmental Notice on May 23, 2026, and said the link would be distributed publicly. She declined to answer substantive questions about the environmental assessment at this meeting because of the crowded agenda, with the understanding that the agency would return in June or July for a fuller presentation. Even so, one board member who had reviewed the report asked that when the School Facilities Authority returns, it specifically address whether a traffic signal at the project intersection is even legally possible, including whether spacing rules between nearby intersections would prohibit one. The concern was that this issue did not appear to have been fully addressed in the report. The chair supported postponing detailed discussion so the community could have a more complete and focused review later, reflecting ongoing neighborhood concern about traffic impacts tied to the development.
Community Recognition for Venturing Crew 808
The board presented a Community Service Award to Venturing Crew 808, recognizing the group’s 10-year milestone and its contributions to youth leadership and community service. The certificate specifically honored the organization for historic achievements within Aloha Council history, including attainment of the Summit Award, and for serving as ambassadors for Hawaiʻi. The recognition extended to the founders, advisors, and members for sustained service to youth and the wider community. The presentation had been rescheduled multiple times due to recent Kona low storm response needs, and the chair noted appreciation for the recipients’ patience and attendance. A brief recess followed for photographs.
SBA Disaster Loan Deadline for Kona Low Recovery
During community concerns, Jo Farnes from the U.S. Small Business Administration informed residents that June 14 is the deadline to apply for SBA disaster assistance related to the Kona low storms. She said assistance is available not only to homeowners and businesses, but also to renters and nonprofits, including churches. She outlined loan terms as low as 2.875% for homeowners, 4% for businesses unable to obtain credit elsewhere, and 3.625% for nonprofits unable to obtain credit elsewhere, with long-term repayment periods of up to 30 years. Farnes stressed that although many survivors hesitate to take loans after a disaster, these loans can bridge the gap while insurance claims are pending because there is no interest and no payment due for 12 months. She encouraged residents to apply before the deadline even if they were unsure whether they would use the funds, because approved applicants have 21 days to accept an offer and up to 6 months to seek reconsideration if an application is withdrawn or declined. She also reminded the board that the FEMA deadline is the same day, June 14. In response to questions, she explained that SBA assists both underinsured and uninsured applicants and advised people to keep receipts, photos, and other documentation, and to monitor the MySBA portal daily because unanswered requests for information can cause applications to be dropped.
Approval of April Meeting Minutes
The board approved the minutes of the April 22 meeting without amendment. Secretary Sabrina Gustafson stated that no corrections or modifications had been received in advance, and with no changes offered from the floor, the minutes were passed as written.
All-America City Sign Dispute and Deferral of Resolution
A substantial board discussion centered on a resolution introduced by Marilyn Lee urging the immediate replacement and installation of the All-America City sign on Kamehameha Highway in Mililani. Lee provided historical context from 1986, when Mililani received the All-America City Award after major community mobilization around pesticide contamination in the water supply. She described a period when water wagons were stationed throughout Mililani Town, residents were informed door to door, and local, state, and federal officials, including the EPA, became involved. She said the neighborhood’s activism led to installation of water filtration systems that remain in place today and that the sign symbolized the community’s success and identity. According to Lee, one sign remained near Meheula Parkway, while another at Kamehameha Highway was removed and destroyed during landscaping improvements several years ago. She said the Mililani Town Association general manager had verbally promised several times that the sign would be restored by 2026, but that had not occurred.
The resolution asked that the Mililani Town Association fulfill its commitment and reinstall the sign at the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Lanikuhana Avenue, and that copies be sent to city officials, the local councilmember, MTA leadership, and media. Debate revealed multiple disputes. Some members questioned whether the removed sign was an official National Civic League sign or simply an MTA sign using “All-America City” language, and whether trademark restrictions would affect reinstallation. Others argued there was no documentary proof of an MTA commitment, while Lee insisted repeated verbal commitments had been made publicly. A board member with MTA meeting knowledge stated that because of a sewer line and permitting issues, the original style sign could not be restored in the same way. Sabrina Gustafson argued that, since the All-America City recognition belonged to the broader Mililani community rather than the homeowners association, the city rather than MTA should be responsible for installing a commemorative sign on public land. The chair responded that MTA controls many easements in Mililani and confirmed having personally witnessed Lee raise the matter at a recent MTA annual meeting, where MTA officials acknowledged the issue. After extended discussion, Skylar Ross moved to defer action so members could gather documentation and possibly revise the language. The motion to defer the resolution to the June meeting passed 13 in favor, 3 opposed, and 4 abstaining.
Committee Reports and Ongoing Board Work
In committee reporting, the chair said June would likely include a more detailed School Facilities Authority presentation on the teacher housing environmental assessment, continued discussion of the All-America City sign history, and further outreach to the Department of Environmental Services to return for a presentation on CORP. The Partnerships and Outreach Committee and the Community Service Awards Committee had no additional reports. The Maintenance and Walk Audit Committee said it would continue follow-up with the city and county on three unresolved issues and reminded residents that the board’s walk audit form remains available for reporting neighborhood maintenance problems. On planning and zoning matters, Trevor Nagamine highlighted a recent University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization report covered by Hawaiʻi Public Radio about the city’s Bill 7 affordable housing incentive program, saying the broad finding was that the program is working but could perform better if permitting delays were reduced. Transportation Chair Ed Flores warned residents of roving single-lane closures on Kamehameha Highway through Kipapa Gulch Bridge between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. from May 26 to May 29 for grass trimming. Darsha Lee reported that a community member requested support for the portion of the city’s Bill 23 budget bill funding improvements at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center, a facility used for swimming instruction and recreation by children through seniors, and she shared a petition and testimony opportunity. Marilyn Lee’s education report noted that Mililani Middle School is planning summer programs to help students transition into middle school and high school, that Lions Club student awards are being given to two outstanding students from each Mililani school, and that Mililani High School’s recent graduation and scholars program reflected millions of dollars in student awards and scholarships.
Governor’s Office Storm Recovery and Wahiawa Area Safety Issues
Governor’s representative Tony Ching summarized state recovery actions following the recent Kona lows and severe weather events. He said the Hawaiʻi National Guard had assisted with water rescues, evacuations, debris removal, traffic control, medical transport, and damage assessment, and had distributed more than 8,600 gallons of clean water to affected communities. He said Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency launched an interim disaster case management program linking residents to housing support, financial assistance, and recovery resources, and reminded residents they could still call 2-1-1 for help. He also noted Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs insurance guidance for claims and recovery, ongoing Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation repair work including roadway restoration, drainage and culvert repairs, slope stabilization, guardrail replacement, rockfall mitigation, and stream dredging, and said the Board of Land and Natural Resources had approved acquisition of portions of the Wahiawa Irrigation System in response to concerns involving the Wahiawa Dam and Reservoir after high water levels in March. The Department of Health, he added, is offering one free replacement birth, death, or marriage certificate through its online system for residents who lost records in flooding, and has made mental health resources available online.
Ching also followed up on a prior board concern about nighttime gunfire near Mililani Cemetery Road. He said DLNR had not received specific complaints, but reiterated that nighttime hunting is prohibited on both public and private land. On private land, illegal hunting is often treated as trespassing, usually handled by HPD, though DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement can enforce hunting rules if a landowner complains and can help identify trespassers. The Department of Law Enforcement’s agriculture crime unit is aware of illegal hunting in the area and has made arrests in the past. Ching provided an anonymous reporting number, 808-723-3600, for suspicious activity on private or public land. During questions, a board member asked the governor’s office to investigate why construction signs have remained in Kamehameha Highway medians near Lanikuhana, Meheula, and Kūhēlani while the surrounding grass has been repeatedly mowed around them, leaving the signs overgrown.
Mayor’s Office Updates on Climate Planning, Trees, Storm Recovery, and School Safety
Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s representative Jocelyn reported that the Mayor’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency had released a draft of Oʻahu’s first food systems plan and invited public comment through the end of June. She also said city storm cleanup work continued, especially on the North Shore, where dump trucks, heavy equipment, and dumpsters were still deployed, and directed residents to oneoahu.org for information on storm damage reporting, health and safety advice, and assistance resources. She shared that the Honolulu Zoo had successfully regained accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and expected to hire a new zoo director soon. Responding to a previous concern about Mililani’s royal poinciana trees, she said city arborists are evaluating the trees for health and structural stability, not “testing” them in a laboratory sense, and have recently inspected 102 trees along Anania Drive and Lanikuhana. Of those, 26 trees were identified for removal through the islandwide tree removal and replacement program. She also clarified that the red light and speed camera program is run by the state Department of Transportation rather than the city, including questions about a possible camera near the former Yum Yum Tree/Ruby Tuesday’s area on Meheula Parkway.
On the Kipapa Elementary School traffic safety issue, Jocelyn acknowledged the recent vehicle crash on Kūhēlani Drive near the school on May 12 and said the city Department of Transportation Services has the location on its priority list for crosswalk upgrades near schools. The chair pressed for more urgency, noting that requests from the school community, Representative Matsumoto, Senator DeCorte, and the neighborhood board had been ongoing for roughly a year and a half and that the recent crash frightened students and staff. Jocelyn said she would ask for more information on timeline and prioritization and try to provide it before the next meeting.
Councilmember Okimoto’s Office: Animal Nuisance Bill and Mililani Transit Center Elevator
A representative from Councilmember Val Okimoto’s office reported on actions from the May 13 full council meeting. One highlighted measure was Bill 8, introduced by Okimoto, which would update city ordinances dealing with animal-related disturbances in order to better protect neighborhood peace and quiet while promoting responsible pet ownership. The office also pointed to Bill 34, which updates construction standards in flood hazard areas to keep Honolulu eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program and the community rating system. In the community, the office said it had requested replacement of damaged playground equipment at Makaluana Park after unsafe conditions were found, including rusted edges and a missing railing. Those areas have been temporarily blocked off, and repairs were expected within three to four weeks from May 4. In response to a board question, the office said it would confirm whether money has actually been placed in the Department of Transportation Services budget to replace the long-damaged elevator at the Mililani Transit Center, an issue the board said has been dragging on for about a year and a half despite an insurance payout. Another member asked about a recent news report that Okimoto was working on coordination among disaster responders, and the office said it would seek more information.
Councilmember Weyer’s Office: Budget Proposals, CORP Debris Site, and Streetlight Problems
Councilmember Andria Tupola Weyer’s office highlighted several proposed city budget amendments. These included $1 million for improvements at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center at Central Oʻahu Regional Park, $700,000 for tree farm improvements at CORP, $350,000 for design of an additional multipurpose playing field and parking lot, and $1 million for food access programs for kūpuna. The office also reiterated that FEMA and SBA disaster application deadlines are June 14. On the temporary debris storage site at CORP, the office reported that debris was cleared on April 9 and that about 2,690 tons of storm debris had been processed and diverted. Baseline soil testing found no contamination around the debris pad, and follow-up testing after removal also found no contamination in the affected areas. Additional testing remains underway in coordination with the State Department of Health, and the site must meet all safety standards and receive final clearance before reopening. The office also said it had not yet received a response from the Department of Transportation regarding a previously reported issue with flashing streetlights on Kamehameha Highway and Waipio Uka Street, and after a board member confirmed they were still malfunctioning, staff said they would continue to pursue the matter.
Walk with a Doc Permit Fees at Central Oahu Regional Park
A lengthy exchange followed about Walk with a Doc, a community health walking program at CORP. A board member questioned why the program was being charged permit fees to meet at the park when participants are simply walking together and asking health questions informally, arguing that the city should be encouraging this type of free wellness activity rather than charging for it. Councilmember Weyer’s office responded that CORP is one of three city parks considered revenue-generating parks and that because the group regularly has 50 or more participants and reserves a meeting area, permit requirements apply. The office said the city waived some maintenance-related fees and that the apparent expense was partly because reservations were made a year in advance. It also said park staff had explored whether the activity could operate as a city program with the physician as a registered volunteer, but that option was declined. The board chair and another member pushed back strongly, saying the group uses only a park bench and a removable sign flag, has operated for 10 years, and supports not just exercise but social connection for seniors and residents from Mililani, Waipio, Koa Ridge, and Waikele. Representative Trish La Chica later added that the fee had been around $60 per week before one additional $20 attendant fee was waived, leaving a reduced charge still in place. Multiple speakers argued that charging a permit fee for a public walking group at a public park raises larger questions about equal access to parks and the city’s support for preventive health and community-building activities.
Senator Kidani’s Office: School Food and Tax Policy
Senator Michelle Kidani’s office reported that on May 15, Senator Kidani, Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, First Lady Jaime Kanani Green, and Board of Education member Lynn Chung attended a ceremony at Mililani High School signing the Nourishing Hawaiʻi’s Future memorandum of agreement. The effort is intended to expand the use of locally sourced food in public school cafeterias, supporting both local agriculture and healthier meals for students. The office also noted that the governor had signed SB 3125 as Act 24, preserving previously enacted state tax cuts for people with incomes below $350,000 while rescinding them for those above that threshold as part of broader state budget balancing. Finally, the office shared information about a Department of Education free summer meals program for students age 18 and under running from June 9 to July 17 at selected public schools with high proportions of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch and offering summer programs. It noted that no schools in the Mililani area were included in the current list. In response to a question, the office clarified that this summer meal program would be limited to students enrolled at participating schools rather than being a general community feeding site.
Senator Dela Cruz’s Office: Capital Projects and Kipapa Safety Request
Senator Donovan Dela Cruz’s office highlighted two state capital improvement appropriations affecting the area: planning and design money for renovation of the Mililani Public Library and funding for a covered play court at Mililani High School. The office also mentioned SB 2802, which creates a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu. On the ongoing Kipapa Elementary School traffic safety issue, the office confirmed it had recently received information that the relevant design request ranked 14th on the list, and said it had immediately asked for the project to be expedited in light of the recent crash near the school.
Representative Matsumoto’s Session Update and Housing Savings Program
Representative Lauren Matsumoto distributed both a neighborhood report and an end-of-session mailer. She highlighted passage of long-sought changes to the state’s Individual Housing Account program, which allows residents to save pre-tax dollars for a home down payment. The program dates back to 1982 under Governor George Ariyoshi, but its old limits had become outdated. Matsumoto said lawmakers increased the annual savings limit from $5,000 to $20,000 for individual filers and from $10,000 to $40,000 for joint filers, and raised the total cap to $200,000, reflecting today’s actual down payment needs. She linked that change to the Hale Kamaʻāina program, formerly Hula Mae, and said the restarted program had just seen its first participants close on their first home. Her report also summarized recent local recognitions, including student, teacher, and culinary events, and included a list of bills she considered notable and results from a mid-session survey available in fuller form online.
Representative La Chica’s Session Report, AI Protections, and School Improvements
Representative Trish La Chica reviewed education celebrations and major session outcomes affecting her district. She highlighted funding for the Mililani Public Library, capital improvement money for aging infrastructure at Waiawa Correctional Facility, and planning funds for Koa Ridge Elementary School. She also noted that Mililani Mauka Elementary would host two new public pre-kindergarten classrooms under the Ready Keiki expansion, with 10 seats available for the coming school year, and said nearby Lehua Elementary still had four seats open. La Chica described two major policy areas she had worked on. One was continuation of improvements to school bus service, allowing the Department of Education to intervene more quickly in contracts after five or more consecutive days of delay so that families are not left waiting through prolonged transportation failures. The other was an artificial intelligence regulation bill establishing user protections, especially for minors interacting with AI companion systems such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude. She said Hawaiʻi’s measure is notable because it includes no carve-outs for particular AI platforms and requires periodic disclosures reminding users, at least every hour, that they are talking to artificial intelligence rather than a human being.
La Chica also addressed local implementation issues. On median grass cutting, she explained that the state contracts with Hawaiʻi Correctional Industries through the Work Hawaiʻi program, using large mowers first and then handheld trimming near signs; she encouraged residents to report areas where crews do not return to finish around obstructions. On Kipapa Elementary, she said the city quickly deployed an HPD speed trailer after the recent crash and would replace damaged signs, and she noted that the city is piloting a 20 mph school zone during school hours. She also urged continued board support for Walk with a Doc, praising Dr. Wee’s decades of pediatric service and explaining that while one city fee had been waived, the group still faced ongoing weekly charges.
Reproductive Emergency Care Discussion
During questions to Representative La Chica, a resident asked about a legislative resolution concerning emergency medical care, including abortion, and raised religious objections. La Chica explained that EMTALA, the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act in place since 1986, requires hospitals that receive Medicare funds to provide emergency and stabilizing care to anyone who needs it, including pregnancy-related care when necessary to protect the patient’s life or health. The exchange included discussion of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, with clarification from another board member that these situations are medically categorized as spontaneous abortions. The conversation reflected ongoing tension around reproductive healthcare policy, provider obligations, and religious concerns.
Representative Perruso on Solar Tax Credit Problems, Hurricane Readiness, and Fertility Fraud Legislation
Representative Amy Perruso, joining online, said SB 3125 created a major unintended problem by effectively repealing the state solar tax credit in a way that eliminated safe harbor protections for projects already underway. She said this could jeopardize more than $400 million in projects and hundreds of jobs, affecting not only the solar industry but also community health clinics, affordable housing, and other developments. She said House leadership wanted a five-day special session so lawmakers could add a safe harbor provision now that the governor has already signed the bill. Perruso also emphasized the need for hurricane preparedness, warning that Hawaiʻi could face a season with more than twice the normal number of storms. She described efforts in Wahiawā to organize neighbor-to-neighbor communication systems and buffered phone trees so communities can remain connected when formal systems are disrupted, and suggested Mililani could similarly re-energize or expand preparedness structures. Finally, she raised a disturbing civil case involving longtime Wahiawā-area OB-GYN Dr. McKenzie, who was accused of substituting his own genetic material in fertility care without patient consent. Perruso said Hawaiʻi currently lacks a legal framework imposing civil or criminal penalties for such conduct and that she is already working on legislation, modeled in part on laws from states such as Colorado, to make that behavior explicitly illegal next session.
Final Administrative Announcements and Board Staffing Change
At the close of the meeting, the chair announced that neighborhood assistant Rachel Cristobal would be moving into a new role within the Neighborhood Commission Office and introduced Braxton Cristobal as the board’s incoming neighborhood assistant beginning the following month. The board thanked Rachel for her service. The next meeting was announced for Wednesday, June 24 at Mililani High School, H Building, with online access also available. Residents were also reminded that board meetings are rebroadcast on ʻŌlelo Channel 49 on the second Thursday at 9 a.m. and on Channel 54 on the first and third Saturdays at 9 a.m. The meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.