No 22 Waipahū Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting July 2024
Maipao Neighborhood Board Meeting
Call to Order and Meeting Procedures
Chair called the regular Maipao Neighborhood Board meeting to order and reminded attendees of the speaking rules, including a three-minute limit for comments and reports. The Chair asked everyone to silence electronic devices and outlined the board’s customary process, starting with the introduction of board members. The meeting adhered to standard parliamentary practices: individuals wishing to speak raised their hands, received recognition from the Chair, and addressed the Board.
Board Member Introductions
Each board member introduced themselves, citing their at-large or sub-district affiliation. This practice illustrated the Board’s diversity and ensured clarity about who represents specific areas of Maipao. Following the intros, the Chair checked whether first responders or other scheduled presenters had arrived, operating in accordance with the usual agenda structure.
Military Report and Community Hiring Fair
A representative from the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii provided the military report, offering an update on contact information for community concerns and public email addresses for any questions. The report included details on the next hiring fair scheduled for August 20th at the Helemano Military Reservation Training Room from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Attendees were reminded to bring references, proof of identification, and other necessary documentation. The Army emphasized its ongoing services, community feedback channels, and responsiveness to local questions.
Board Vacancies and New Member Appointment
The Chair announced five at-large board seats available. A local resident, Debbie Segal, introduced herself, explained she retired from the Navy and was eager to serve her neighborhood. She provided a driver’s license to verify residency and was unanimously accepted, pending final verification. The Chair briefly recessed the meeting so Segal could take the oath of office, then reconvened the gathering.
Election of Board Officers (2024–2025)
The annual election of officers was held for the term spanning July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. A motion was made and seconded to retain the current slate of officers, including the Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. With no opposition, the set of existing officers was reaffirmed, ensuring continuity in Board leadership for the upcoming year.
Meeting Schedule and Recesses
Members voted to keep the regular Board meetings on the fourth Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the Philcom Center. They further formally adopted a recess plan for three months—June, August, and December—reflecting longstanding Board practice. Following a brief discussion, these decisions passed without objection.
Oral Testimony Rules and Committee Formation
The Chair asked for formal confirmation of the Board’s oral testimony rules, which encourage respectful, concise participation. Members approved these guidelines. The Board also revisited the formation of committees and permitted interaction groups, reaffirming that interested members should contact the Chair to serve on ongoing or newly formed committees. A standing committee exists for certain planning matters, with the Board remaining open to additional committees if future needs arise.
Approval of Prior Minutes
Meeting minutes from May 23rd were circulated for review. One correction was made regarding a ballot reference under a council member’s update. Pending that edit, the minutes were unanimously approved. This action preserved accurate record-keeping and transparency in Board proceedings.
Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Appointment
A motion was introduced to appoint an alternate representative to the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Citizen Advisory Committee. The Board’s primary representative is already in place, so member Wilson volunteered as alternate. With no opposition, the appointment was confirmed, enabling the Board to sustain active participation in citywide transportation planning discussions.
Resident and Community Concerns
A board member raised ongoing community worries about nighttime racing in Village Park and Royal Kunia, as well as persistent illegal fireworks. Reports about new enforcement approaches using marshals prompted questions about the effectiveness of timely responses. The Board provided updates on phone numbers and online forms for residents to report incidents, while looking to city and state officials for improvements. No additional significant concerns emerged from the Board or the audience, although one community member suggested improved coordination with official hotlines.
Waipahu Quick Build Safety Project
A representative from Better Block Hawaii presented updates on a partnership with the City Department of Transportation Services to enhance pedestrian visibility and safety along Leoku Street. They highlighted short-term improvements, including curb extensions and street art, to reduce vehicle speeds and protect pedestrians. Their survey garnered broad community input, resulting in the selection of artist Zach Angeles. The anticipated timeline targets fall implementation, with opportunities for community volunteers to assist in painting street murals. The Board formally invited the group back for a broader September presentation.
Mahi Solar Project Proposal
The Mahi Solar Project group discussed the development of a large-scale solar farm in Kunia, covering approximately 620 acres. The representative explained agrivoltaics, in which crops would grow under and around the solar panels to maintain agricultural viability. Construction is projected to start once necessary permits are secured, aiming for completion by late 2027. Studies on traffic, glare, and environmental impacts have already been conducted, and the project would include integrated battery energy storage. Members inquired about the lease availability for local farmers, potential produce market demand, and the exact timeline for connecting the project to the island’s energy grid.
Waipio Point Access Road Improvements
A nonprofit design group, Shade Institute, provided detailed plans for the Waipio Point Access Road Multimodal and Safety Improvement Project. The discussion underscored an eight-year effort involving state, city, and community partners to install sidewalks, bus drop-off zones, and drainage measures along a critical thoroughfare connecting Farrington Highway to the Aloha Clubhouse and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Trail. The first phase of the project has been put out for bid and is funded at approximately $2 million, while a second phase with additional amenities remains contingent on funding. Board members and community representatives welcomed the progress, highlighting the benefits for safe pedestrian travel, high school students crossing near a busy intersection, and improved wheelchair accessibility to the Aloha Clubhouse. Construction is estimated to begin in 2025 and continue for about a year.
Reports from Elected Representatives
City Council members and their staff addressed local concerns. One council member discussed a new city ordinance aimed at clarifying short-term rentals and the city’s continuing land use ordinance revisions, while another highlighted efforts to alleviate flooding at Waipahu District Park and responded to speeding issues on specific roadways. A separate council representative updated the Board on renovations at Hans LaRange Park and strategies to address homelessness. Multiple references were made to property tax processes and relief programs, reminding attendees about deadlines for filing homeowner exemptions and low-income tax credits.
A governor’s representative introduced herself and shared the governor’s recent legislative actions, emphasizing cost of living reforms and signed bills relating to environmental protections, Native Hawaiian cultural preservation, and health care. A legislative representative from the House covered progress on the property insurance crisis, noting how rising rates are affecting condominiums and homeowners. At the congressional level, members heard that Hawaiʻi would likely receive significant federal defense construction funding, updates on national defense authorization, and a discussion about possible automatic selective service registration for both men and women at age 18. The congressional staff also focused on community project funding, particularly for an emergency management information platform in Hawaiʻi.
Closing
With no further reports or urgent announcements, the Chair verified whether the Board would meet in August, referencing its typical recess policy. The meeting was adjourned with a reminder to watch for any adjustments to the usual schedule. Members, community leaders, and residents departed with clarified action points and future dates for potential project updates. The board welcomed the new at-large member and looked ahead to the implementation of several meaningful initiatives designed to address transportation, energy, and civic participation matters in Maipao.