No 24 Wai'anae Coast Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting February 2026
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24 Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board Meeting – February 4, 2026
Prayer and Call to Order
Neighborhood Board members and community attendees convened with an opening prayer led by Luaʻa, who asked for guidance, unity, and patience in addressing the needs of Waianae. The Chair formally called the meeting to order, confirmed that no board members had conflicts of interest to declare, and introduced the night’s agenda, beginning with reports from city emergency services and first responders.
City Emergency and First Responders
Honolulu Fire Department (HFD)
A fire captain from the Waianae Fire Station presented January 2026 statistics, including one structure fire, seven nuisance calls, one cooking fire, three activated alarms, 156 medical alarms, three mountain rescues, two motor vehicle collisions, two ocean rescues, and one hazardous materials incident. The department’s monthly safety tip reminded residents to call 911 instead of driving to a fire station during emergencies since personnel might be offsite. Emphasis was placed on providing accurate addresses and clear details to 911 operators. Community members asked about recent suspicious car fires in Makaha, though HFD referred potential criminal investigations to the Honolulu Police Department.
Honolulu Police Department (HPD)
Officers shared District 8 crime statistics for January 2026: 27 motor vehicle thefts (three in Waianae), 12 burglaries (five in Waianae), 113 thefts (40 in Waianae), and 24 unauthorized entries into vehicles (10 in Waianae). Officers issued 1,227 total citations and responded to 8,450 calls for service in District 8, with 2,352 in Waianae. Community questions focused on a car fire in the Ka‘ena area, vandalized vehicles on the beach, and the possibility of linking cultural training to officers’ work. HPD explained that while they receive law-based and bias-related training, they do not receive extensive psychological or trauma-focused instruction, though they do consult mental health professionals when needed. Residents also expressed concerns about alleged human trafficking in town and repeated issues with tows on the west side. HPD detailed problems securing quick towing responses due to a single island-wide tow contract, prompting suggestions to reintroduce zone-based towing.
Honolulu Ocean Safety Department
An Ocean Safety representative provided an update on rescues and incidents in January, such as a distressed vessel near Makaha, nighttime rescues at Pokai Bay, and swimmers fleeing HPD who were then brought in by lifeguards. Several fights at Pokai Bay led to collaborations with local police. There were also reports of sharks near certain beaches, with safety officials notifying the public. Multiple calls for assistance with car accidents along Farrington Highway were discussed, and the department mentioned they would continue to provide coverage even if ocean conditions change. Due to an active rescue during the meeting, the respondent departed early.
Military Official Report
A representative from the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division addressed flight path questions, explaining that the Federal Aviation Administration finalizes flight plans within about 12 hours of flights. The Army attempts to minimize disturbance, although official notifications require FAA coordination. The presenter outlined procedures for vehicle cleaning, hazmat checks, and unexploded ordnance surveys in Makua Military Reservation (MMR). Various community members raised concerns about soil contamination, potential impacts on waterways from heavy rain runoff, cultural artifacts that might be in Army possession, and whether an official Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) would form to address cleanup issues. The military representative agreed to relay these questions to appropriate environmental and public affairs divisions.
Board Business
The board approved the January 6, 2026 meeting minutes. Several board members reported attending neighborhood commission subcommittee hearings and HPD planning sessions. The Chair announced upcoming committee meetings on transportation, housing, public safety, and other local topics to encourage community participation.
Department of Environmental Services (Refuse Division)
A city official explained what can be disposed of in each color-coded bin. Blue bins accept color-coded glass bottles, plastic types #1 and #2, aluminum and bi-metal cans, newspaper, corrugated cardboard, and certain office papers. Green bins accept yard trimmings such as grass, palm fronds, tree stumps, and other compostable yard waste. At designated convenience centers, residents may recycle appliances, tires, e-waste, and compressed gas tanks. Improper disposal—putting the wrong materials in each bin—remains a challenge, especially with plastic containers and items labeled “compostable.” Residents asked about disposing of wall-unit air conditioners, old gas cylinders, and other large items. The division stressed accurate sorting and encouraged rinsing recyclables to minimize contamination.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA)
OHA’s interim chief administrator described the organization’s 2026 legislative package, guided by a mandate to protect iwi kūpuna, cultural sites, and the welfare of Native Hawaiians. Among several proposed bills were efforts to strengthen Island Burial Councils by reducing membership quorum thresholds and stipends for geographically distant volunteers, refining State Historic Preservation Division oversight of development sites, requiring water resource expertise on the Land Use Commission, banning commercial aquarium collection to protect native species, proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit live-fire military training on public trust lands, and capping certain rent increases at 3% to address housing challenges. Community members requested that OHA supply clear details on specific Senate and House bills and propose testimony templates. Questions also centered on OHA’s potential to receive the full 20% in public land trust revenues, land inventories, and stronger community engagement. OHA promised further updates and follow-through in legislative hearings.
DTL Presentation on Amazon Fulfillment Center
A local consultant outlined Amazon’s proposed fulfillment center near Kapolei Commons, explaining that the project requires a zoning height variance from 60 to 99 feet. The complex would store orders for rapid distribution, potentially employing as many as 1,000 full-time workers. Residents expressed concerns about traffic, specifically whether the project might invest in transit solutions or strain existing infrastructure. The consultant thanked the community for feedback and committed to ongoing engagement, noting that the company intends to address workforce development and community giving opportunities. Some questioned corporate responsibility and whether advanced robotics might eliminate jobs or reduce wages. The presenter explained that robotics training could boost salaries and that Amazon wants to fill local workforce positions.
Community Concerns
Several attendees questioned accountability among local nonprofits and legacy organizations, urging transparency in governance. Others sought updates on possible large-scale developments that could compromise water pressure or sewer capacity. In Makaha Valley, you could experience daily low water pressure, adding to worries about firefighting capabilities. Some community members called for stronger oversight and audits, especially regarding land and trust assets. Another concern was the lack of participation from younger community members in board activities. Additional topics included recurring problems with feral dogs at public parks, beach vandalism, human trafficking reports, and illegal vehicle fires.
Reports from Elected Officials
City Council District 1
Councilmember Tupola highlighted ongoing repairs, raised crosswalk installations, and speed tables around Waianae. She announced a resolution to end landfills by establishing a task force and focusing on new technology to handle the city’s waste, rather than extending landfill use. The councilmember also encouraged residents to testify on ways to expedite towing services and to propose solutions for managing stray animals.
Governor’s Representative
A Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) public information officer received questions about land inventories, water resource issues, and audits. There were also inquiries about new DHHL lease processing, possible wait-list discrepancies for beneficiaries, and how projects like geothermal proposals might affect Hawaiian homesteads. The governor’s representative agreed to seek answers from relevant agencies.
State Legislature
Senator Decorte noted that session was in full swing, with a focus on land trust sales and DHHL audits. She discussed legislative efforts to bar the sale of certain aliʻi trust lands and underscored the need for accountability in using DHHL resources. Representative Morikawa (formerly “Moraoka”) emphasized a goal of focusing on District 45, with bills addressing human trafficking, infrastructure capacity, and oversight for large-scale developments. He encouraged residents to use the local legislative office in Waianae for direct testimony and updates on bills. Residents raised housing affordability, bedrock infrastructure problems, and repeated frustration over long-standing development proposals that resist community input.
Committee Reports
Board members gave notice of regularly scheduled subcommittee meetings. Masks were suspended due to time constraints, but the Chair reminded the public that committees would hold gatherings on transportation, parks, housing, public safety, and business development throughout the month, as posted on the Neighborhood Commission Office website.
Announcements
The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation set a date for the 55th Annual Senior Citizen Valentine Dance at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall on February 6. The Department of Transportation Highways Division reminded the public about a Draft Environmental Assessment for Farrington Highway, encouraging written comments by February 23. The next regular Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board meeting is scheduled for March 3, 2026, at the Waianae Public Library.
Adjournment
The Board closed the meeting after covering all agenda items, inviting community members and officials to remain responsive through email or in-person visits to legislative offices. The Chair thanked everyone for their participation and adjourned the session.