No 22 Waipahu Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting February 2026
Listen to this article:
22 Waipahu Neighborhood Board Meeting – February 27, 2026
Board Vacancies and At-Large Seat Vote
The meeting opened with a discussion on filling an at-large seat left vacant on the Board. Two candidates, Edwin and Mosuai, presented their backgrounds and community goals. Edwin highlighted the need for better support for people with mental health challenges, recalling his efforts gathering signatures to improve a local sidewalk project near Apollo High School. Mosuai similarly emphasized representation for underserved constituents and expressed enthusiasm to be a committed voice in neighborhood affairs. Board members cast their votes, resulting in three votes for Edwin and twelve for Mosuai. With more than the required ten votes, Mosuai was sworn in as the new at-large member. The Board encouraged Edwin to remain involved in future meetings and community initiatives.
First Responder Reports
Representatives from the Honolulu Fire Department were absent due to a major fire earlier that day, where three families lost their homes. Their written report was entered into the meeting record. The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) shared updated crime statistics comparing December 2025 to January 2026. Motor vehicle thefts rose from 10 to 15; burglaries remained at 4; thefts increased from 29 to 41; and car break-ins grew from 3 to 5. Overall calls for service in Waipahu decreased slightly to 2,228 in January from 2,354 in December, while total calls in District 3 were 5,081, down from 5,417. HPD stressed avoiding scams, warning residents not to click on suspicious text messages or share personal information over the phone. They highlighted a recent motor vehicle theft case where officers located a stolen Kia Soul in Waipahu, leading to the arrests of two individuals. HPD also reported responding to complaints about people unlawfully remaining in parks after closing time. In one instance, individuals were found in a Kunia park after hours, though officers noted subsequent checks showed no further late-night visitors. The Department will continue patrolling and addressing after-hours violations.
Military Report and Community Notices
Major Abella of the U.S. Army 599th Transportation Brigade provided updates on Army-related activities in the area. A March job fair was announced for Mililani High School on March 17, offering same-day job opportunities for various Army-related positions. Ongoing military training through the end of February at Schofield Barracks and East Range included artillery, mortar, aviation, and demolitions. The Kole Kole 10K run was scheduled at Schofield Barracks on February 28, allowing public access to the base by visitor pass. The Army also announced a prescribed burn from April 13–19 on Schofield Barracks Training Range to reduce wildfire risk and protect endangered species, with strict coordination with state and federal environmental agencies.
Neighborhood Commission Updates
Neighborhood Commission Vice Chair Larry Viray gave an overview of the Commission’s role and praised the Waipahu Neighborhood Board for its respectful, cohesive dynamic. He reminded members of the need to preserve the neighborhood board’s advisory role by collaborating on resolutions and stacked priorities for legislators. He also noted the Commission’s work on updating the Neighborhood Plan, specifically addressing streamline procedures for complaints. He encouraged members to use creativity, draft issue papers, and consider forming committees for persistent community concerns.
Board Business: Approvals and Proposed Agenda Changes
The Board approved the meeting minutes from November 2025 and January 2026 without corrections. A proposal arose to request monthly or periodic updates from the City Department of Transportation Services (DTS) and the State Department of Transportation (HDOT). As a compromise, members agreed to continue asking the Mayor’s and Governor’s representatives to provide relevant traffic advisories or updates from these departments, rather than establishing dedicated monthly agenda slots for DTS and HDOT. Members suggested inviting department officials to appear before the Board if a major project or pressing concern arises.
Resident and Community Concerns
During the open floor for community concerns, a Waipahu High School AVID class, involving students also in the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders (CTL), announced an upcoming event titled “Marauder Mākeke” on April 11. This community market will support local vendors, organizations, and residents by promoting connections and pride in Waipahu. Several candidates running for local offices also introduced themselves, including those seeking to serve in the State Legislature or in Congress. They expressed commitment to Waipahu’s issues, including homelessness, sidewalk safety, and mental health assistance. Residents raised concerns about clogged drainage ditches, safety in local parks, and road conditions. Board members and district representatives noted that agencies had been alerted, resulting in the clearing of debris near Farrington Highway.
GROW (Green Recycling Organic Waste) Pilot Program
A representative from the City’s Department of Environmental Services introduced the upcoming “GROW” pilot, starting April 1, 2026. Under this program, households in selected areas, including Waipahu, will place food scraps and leftovers into their green waste carts along with yard trimmings. The process will divert organic material from landfills to Hawaiian Earth Recycling, where it will be composted more quickly using an in-vessel system. Residents raised questions about foul odors, pests, and correct disposal of liquids and packaging. The City emphasized layering food waste with yard waste, freezing scraps if desired, and keeping cart lids closed to minimize smells and pests. Workshops, including one at Waipahu Elementary School on March 20, will help residents learn more about reducing food waste, composting properly, and keeping landfills from overfilling.
Mayor’s Representative Report
Mayor’s Representative, Dr. Roger Babcock from the Department of Environmental Services, returned with updates on previous concerns. He mentioned the new HNL 311 app’s improved features for city service requests, offering more user-friendly tracking. He provided information on traffic studies by DTS for various Waipahu intersections, stating that an all-way stop at one location was not justified by collision history. He reported that the Route 433 Waipahu–Waikele–Waipio bus service will now include Sunday service from 8:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. starting March 1. He also acknowledged sidewalk projects near Waipahu High School leading to the Aloha Clubhouse, clarifying that only one side of Waipio Point Access Road will be improved for safety. Board members also followed up on driver’s license durability and renewal questions, with the City announcing an upcoming transition to more durable polycarbonate licenses.
City Council and Legislative Updates
Council aides for members Matt Weyer, Val Okimoto, and Augie Tulba shared recent proposals. Items included budget bills that strengthen incentives for affordable housing, general transparency in government spending, and concerns regarding bus fare increases. Council Member Weyer’s office noted new safety improvements near Waikele Elementary and provided details for sidewalk and speed table installations. Representatives from the state legislature, including Senators Henry Aquino (report provided in absentia), Donna Mercado Kim (absent), and others, submitted reports detailing capital improvement projects, progress on repaving schedules, and legislative bills under review. Senator Brandon Elefante’s updates were unavailable, but Senator Michelle Kidani’s office provided a written report on district issues. Representative Zachary Chun highlighted the postponement of the Kamehameha Highway repaving project to summer 2026 and ongoing coordination with the Department of Transportation. Representative Daisy Hartsfield, newly assigned to a Waipahu district, introduced her priorities in supporting local care homes, improvements for Waipahu’s public schools, and effective homelessness interventions.
Infrastructure and TOD Project Discussions
Board members expressed concern about how Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) projects are being approved and whether they meet the values and needs of Waipahu. They cited specific proposals like a large car wash and self-storage facility in the TOD zone, lamenting that community plans aiming for housing or retail diversity seemed overridden by by-right approvals. The Board asked for a follow-up on an upcoming decision from the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) to explain project approvals, emphasizing a desire for more local input on developments that reshape the district.
Board of Water Supply Notice
The Board of Water Supply reported no water main breaks in Waipahu in the previous month. They shared details of World Water Day on March 22, encouraging residents to remain mindful of global water issues. They also cautioned residents about impersonators claiming to be from the Board of Water Supply. Staff never request entry into homes unless there is a specific appointment, and they always carry city identification and marked vehicles. The Board of Water Supply urged the community to report suspicious behavior by calling 748-5000.
Future Meetings and Adjournment
The Board confirmed that there will be no meeting in March. The next Waipahu Neighborhood Board meeting will be on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Filipino Community Center, starting at 7:00 p.m. Members thanked the public for staying past the scheduled time to address the packed agenda. Meetings can be rebroadcast on channel 49 every second Saturday at 9:00 p.m. and every fourth Sunday at 9:00 a.m. The chair adjourned the session after acknowledging all attending representatives and expressing appreciation for the community’s continued involvement.