No 24 Wai'anae Coast Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting March 2026
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24 Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board Meeting – March 4, 2026
Meeting Opening and Formalities
The regular monthly meeting was called to order, preceded by a cultural introduction that included a traditional chant and prayer. Board members were reminded to declare any potential conflicts of interest before voting on agenda items, and one board member disclosed a conflict regarding the Boys and Girls Club. The Chair noted that some items would be reordered on the agenda to accommodate urgent matters and the availability of presenters.
First Responder Updates
The Honolulu Police Department representative offered crime statistics for February, reporting 23 motor vehicle thefts, 12 burglaries, 103 thefts, and 27 unauthorized entries into motor vehicles in District 8. He emphasized there were 1,099 citations issued island-wide, with 7,950 calls for service, and reminded the public of a first responder event happening in Kapolei. Online participants and board members inquired about increased patrols near schools, as well as the Safe and Sound Westside program aiming to address crime trends and provide community support services. The Honolulu Fire Department was unable to present during its scheduled time, so updates moved on to Ocean Safety. The Ocean Safety representative described a technology update that could track rescues and incidents more efficiently, shared that it had been a relatively quiet month aside from wind damage and fallen trees, and indicated he would email monthly statistics to the board. The Board of Water Supply reported three main breaks in February—two 12-inch lines and one 4-inch line—along with an update regarding World Water Day on March 22 and a community meeting to discuss Waianae’s water demand and watershed management plan.
United States Army Brief
A representative from the Army highlighted upcoming training activities, including artillery and demolitions from March 3 to 5 and again from March 28 to April 4. He mentioned job fairs, prescribed burns scheduled in mid-April, and environmental procedures for potential soil contamination. Community members asked for follow-ups on unanswered questions from prior meetings regarding flight paths over residential areas, the impact of certain chemicals used in Makua, water testing after heavy rainfall, and the handling of cultural artifacts discovered on military properties. The Army committed to providing email updates on these concerns and to clarifying any environmental testing protocols in affected areas.
Kamaili Academy Pre-Kindergarten Hub Project
A consultant and an architect presented a plan to develop a new pre-K hub on an empty lot adjacent to Kamaili Academy, intended for three- and four-year-old students under the Ready Keiki program. The facility will be funded by the State School Facilities Authority, offering free pre-K public education. The design includes two classroom buildings with open green areas, ample parking within a secured compound, and an administrative building for staff and visitors. A principal from Kamaili Academy confirmed that current pre-K classrooms would be consolidated into the new site, ensuring facilities are suited to younger learners. The presenters explained that a traffic study had been conducted to ensure vehicles did not congest surrounding roads. Board members asked about accommodating special education students, retaining quality teachers, ensuring emergency access routes remain viable, and collaborating on workforce development. The board received the presentation and indicated interest in continued updates.
Boys and Girls Club of Waianae: Project HOPE Community Event
Representatives from the Boys and Girls Club introduced a community event called Project HOPE on April 25 to highlight safety concerns that youth have identified in the Waianae area. Attendees will include local leaders, law enforcement, and service agencies to discuss potential remedies and share resources. The event will also feature food vendors, arts and crafts, and a panel of young people sharing maps depicting areas where they feel unsafe. Board members approved a motion for neighborhood board assistance with security on the day of the event. A Club member, recently named Youth of the Year, delivered remarks about personal grief and the supportive role the club plays in helping youth cope and thrive.
Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency: Flood Insurance Rate Maps
Two representatives from the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency presented recent updates to flood insurance rate maps. They explained that these maps define varying flood risk zones administered under the National Flood Insurance Program. The city must adopt these revised maps by June 10, 2026, and property owners in high-risk areas may be required by lenders to purchase flood insurance if the main building on their land lies in a newly mapped zone. Community members expressed concerns about affordability, private insurance options, renter coverage, and the difficulty of meeting mandatory insurance requirements. The presenters advised the community to use an online map viewer to see current and projected flood zones, stating that libraries would also have resource packets for those without internet access.
Community Concerns
Residents raised challenges about a newly erected gate in Waianae Valley Homestead land that blocks safe turnaround access for emergency responders and neighboring homes. Several individuals questioned the handling of asbestos disposal in Waimanalo Gulch and whether sufficient testing was conducted for air and water quality. There were also wide-ranging comments addressing infrastructure, upcoming landfill decisions, and broader accountability of various agencies.
Elected Officials’ Reports
Representatives for the Mayor’s Office and the Governor’s Office, along with city and state legislators, submitted or presented updates. They addressed concerns about regulatory matters, assured the board that certain issues would be followed up on, and promoted community events and state initiatives. The Mayor’s Office responded to questions about HPD patrol visibility during power outages and permitting for potential DHHL geothermal projects. The Governor’s Representative noted progress on awarding homestead leases across the islands. State legislators highlighted ongoing community projects, funds allocated to social services, and educational initiatives, including a Waianae High School health learning lab and expansions of youth programming in various schools.
Revisiting the Pledge of Allegiance Decision
There was a procedural attempt to rescind the prior motion regarding whether to include the Pledge of Allegiance at board meetings. The discussion centered on clarifying confusion after the previous vote was phrased in a negative form. During the roll call, the board did not reach enough votes to reverse the original decision, so the prior outcome stood.
Committee Reports and Neighborhood Activities
Committee chairs noted whether they held meetings and confirmed planned sessions for those that had been postponed. Some members reported visiting community forums and local events, including those on transportation, land use, and education. There were acknowledgments of efforts to coordinate tours of local waste processing facilities and to gather data for community improvements. Announcements included upcoming cultural festivals, scheduled town hall meetings, and deadlines for wastewater treatment plant comments.
Adjournment
The meeting concluded with reminders of the next regular neighborhood board meeting on April 7, 2026, and calls to remain engaged with community events in the interim. The Chair adjourned the session after thanking participants for sharing time and input on matters affecting the Waianae Coast.