No 24 Wai'anae Coast Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting November 2025
Waianae Neighborhood Board Meeting
Community Losses and Opening Prayers
The meeting opened with acknowledgment of several recent tragedies, including the loss of two high school students who drowned while fishing near Ka‘ena Point and a fatal accident involving a 19-year-old in the community. Families impacted by these events were named, and attendees were encouraged to offer support and compassion wherever possible. A prayer was offered asking for comfort, urging the community to rally around those affected. The chair then proceeded with the standard meeting protocols, verifying that no board member conflicts were declared and reviewing the agenda.
Honolulu Police Department Report
A representative for District 8’s Community Policing Team delivered crime and traffic data for October, reporting 15 motor vehicle thefts (4 in Waianae), 14 burglaries (1 in Waianae), 87 thefts (25 in Waianae), and 10 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles (3 in Waianae). Traffic enforcement included 61 speeding citations and a total of 1,933 citations issued island-wide for the district. Calls for service totaled 8,167 for District 8, with 2,307 from Waianae. A major from the Legislative Liaison Office explained the department’s initiative to visit neighborhood boards more often and gather concerns for the Interim Chief. Board members and community members raised questions on speeding in particular, citing numerous accidents and a perception of insufficient enforcement along Farrington Highway. HPD acknowledged that the island’s traffic fatality count had reached 71 for the year, attributing much of the problem to distracted driving and impatient motorists. Officers detailed the “Safer Roads Together” campaign and partnerships with the Department of Transportation to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities.
Concerns About Traffic and Speeding
Residents described ongoing accidents at multiple points on Farrington Highway and appealed for deeper engagement from police. Several noted that rising speeds, texting while driving, and a lack of broad traffic safety education contribute to these collisions. HPD stated that enforcement alone cannot solve the issue but assured an increased presence on the coast. Online participants also pressed for more steps to address pedestrian safety and asked if data on the ages of recent fatality victims could be provided at future meetings.
Honolulu Fire Department and Ocean Safety
Although the Honolulu Fire Department was not immediately present to give a formal report, an Ocean Safety representative summarized switched calls in October. Reports included a neck injury at Makaha Beach, a hiker rescue at Ka‘ena Point State Park, and six children on an inflatable raft stuck off Pōka‘i Bay. There were also two drowning incidents at Kea‘au Beach, where lifeguards and emergency units responded with rescue watercraft and CPR. Ocean Safety staff highlighted the high surf advisories and outreach through local schools to promote mindful ocean recreation. They also noted a plan by the Lions Club to install rescue buoys around the island, including at guarded and unguarded beaches.
Board of Water Supply Updates
A Board of Water Supply representative discussed main break alerts and encouraged the public to sign up for HNL Alerts to stay informed. Specific water break repairs in Waianae Valley and Lahaina Street were noted, with promises to investigate concerns about uneven paving restoration. The possibility of finalizing a job near Waianae Valley Road before reaching Pili‘uka was mentioned, but a precise completion timeline was not immediately available.
Off-Road Vehicle Damage in Makaha Valley
Board of Water Supply specialists provided a detailed presentation on the destruction caused by dirt bikes and electric bikes in Makaha Valley. Officials displayed images showing deep erosion ruts, collapsed slopes, and invasive weed spread. They warned that such activity reduces soil stabilization, hampers groundwater recharge, and increases wildfire risk. The community was asked to propose solutions, such as organized off-road facilities to dissuade unauthorized riding in watershed areas. The board and residents suggested more public education, social media pushes, and possible collaboration with city officials to create an alternative track, noting that Kahuku has a motocross site that addresses similar concerns.
Honolulu Charter Commission Presentation
Staff from the Honolulu Charter Commission highlighted the commission’s role in examining the city’s “local constitution.” They explained that any citizen, including those from outside O‘ahu, can submit proposals by the deadline of 5 p.m. this coming Friday. They also described how proposals move through a review phase, potential consolidation, and final decision by the commission before public vote on the 2026 ballot. The differences between local ordinances and charter amendments were clarified, stressing that charter amendments create foundational rules on how government is organized. Community members inquired if landfills and group living facility requirements could be added to the charter language, and the presenters recommended focusing on higher-level directives within the appropriate city departments as a pathway to changing landfill policy or ensuring balanced development.
Community Concerns and Open Forum
Residents returned to themes of illegal dumping, traffic congestion, and the future closure of landfills, emphasizing that Waianae should not continue to serve as the island’s de facto disposal site. Others pressed for committees within the neighborhood board to resume fuller operations and facilitate community ideas, such as a possible off-road track or improved safety measures. Suggestions were made for local events, expansions of sign-waving to promote traffic safety, and more structured dialogues with elected officials.
City Councilmember and Other Officials’ Updates
City Councilmember Andria Tupola discussed recently passed and proposed legislation, including a measure providing certain vehicle registration exemptions for veteran seniors, as well as bills geared toward curbing stray livestock. She also spoke on funding for local parks—specifically, repairs at Miloe (Māʻili) Beach Park, forthcoming dog park initiatives, and building a new playground apparatus in homestead neighborhoods. She addressed frustrations around traffic accidents along the Waianae Coast and mentioned her efforts to secure access roads, including exploring Kolekole Pass. She further highlighted the need for improved HPD staffing, acknowledging ongoing vacancies and the strain this places on enforcement.
State Senator Samantha DeCourt likewise noted her focus on assisting DHHL homesteads, encouraging accountability for resource distribution to Native Hawaiians, and continuing to search for solutions to crime and housing issues. She discussed ongoing efforts to improve Kolekole Pass for emergency use and clarified that the recent emergency proclamation for additional SNAP funds should deposit benefits into recipients’ accounts by mid-November.
Representative Chris Todd Muraoka emphasized that the Legislature would reconvene early in the new year, inviting further feedback for potential bills. He mentioned his office’s involvement in securing firebreaks near Makaha Elementary and around DHHL lands. The plan for a second annual Waianae Christmas tree lighting at Waianae High School and efforts to promote a major job fair (referred to as an “Exposure Fair”) were also outlined.
Committee Reports and Program Announcements
Standing committees announced meeting updates. The Education, Health, and Public Safety Committee meets on the second Tuesday at the Assembly of God Church. Joe Jordan’s Environment Committee meets on the second Thursday at Waianae District Park in the craft room, focusing on issues like the invasive species in Makaha Valley. The Transportation Committee meets fourth Tuesdays at the Waianae Library, followed by the Business Economic Development Committee. Plans to participate in the Kapolei City Lights Parade and the Waianae Christmas Parade were approved, noting that board members and residents are welcome to join. The next regular board meeting date was publicized, with reminders for all who attend to stay engaged and updated through official city or board communications.