No 22 Waipahu Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting May 2026
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22 Waipahu Neighborhood Board Meeting – May 29, 2026
Filling the Vacant Board Seat
The board began by filling one vacant at-large seat. Two Waipahu residents volunteered: Edwin Almazan, age 39, who said he had lived in the community for about 34 years after coming from the Philippines as a child and had attended local schools including Leeward Community College and UH West Oahu, and Douglas Duacek, a longtime Waipahu resident and retired Air Force and Hawaii Air National Guard member who said he had lived in the area for about 30 years. After nominations were made for both candidates, the board was advised that 10 votes were needed to fill the seat. During the roll call vote, Edwin received 11 votes, Douglas received 2 votes, and one member abstained. Edwin Almazan was declared elected and sworn in, with his term beginning immediately and running through June 30, 2027. The exchange also showed continued interest from residents in serving on the board, with Douglas encouraged to remain involved for future opportunities.
Honolulu Fire Department Report
The Honolulu Fire Department, represented by Captain Kella Hansen of the Waipahu Fire Station, reported April 2026 incident statistics for the area. Fire responses included 1 structure fire, 8 nuisance fires involving rubbish or outdoor materials, 1 cooking fire, and 7 activated alarms with no fire. Other emergencies included 227 medical calls, 2 motor vehicle collisions involving pedestrians, 9 other vehicle crashes or collisions, and 1 mountain rescue. The department used the report to emphasize wildfire prevention and preparedness as Hawaiʻi enters a period of heightened wildfire risk due to dry conditions, tall grass, and shifting winds. Residents were urged to clear dry brush around homes, avoid parking on dry grass, avoid spark-producing activities during hot, windy weather, and monitor fire conditions. The department also announced that firefighter applications would open online from June 2 through June 4, with further information available on the Honolulu Fire Department website. No questions were raised by board members or the public.
Honolulu Police Department Report and Public Safety Complaints
The Honolulu Police Department gave crime statistics comparing April and March 2026. Motor vehicle thefts dropped from 24 in March to 20 in April, burglaries fell from 5 to 2, thefts dropped from 36 to 23, and car break-ins declined sharply from 15 to 4. Calls for service also decreased from 2,170 in March to 1,879 in April. HPD also highlighted an April 5 shoplifting case at Longs in Waipahu in which a male and female suspect stole food items and the male assaulted a loss prevention officer. Although both suspects initially fled, follow-up investigation and surveillance review led to identification, witness lineups, and arrests on May 6 and 7. The 36-year-old male was charged with second-degree robbery with $50,000 bail, and the 36-year-old female was charged with fourth-degree theft with $500 bail.
The police report led into several resident safety complaints, especially about speeding and traffic behavior. Douglas Duacek, who had previously raised concerns, said the speed trailer placed at Honowai and Hene Street from April 30 to May 12 was not changing driver behavior. He described vehicles traveling well above the limit near school hours and said he felt unsafe getting in and out of his car, with concern for children and nearby families. HPD’s response was that residents should call 911 when violations are happening so officers can respond in real time. Another resident, Corey Rosenlee, raised concerns about vehicle movements near St. Joseph’s Church, where illegal turns and unsafe church traffic patterns were said to have contributed to a hit-and-run. HPD suggested the church consider hiring special duty officers for traffic control through the department’s special duty program. Board member Marina Andrade added that previous coordination with the Department of Transportation had led to cone placement and efforts to better channel exiting vehicles, but she questioned whether the church was continuing those mitigation efforts. Douglas also raised hazardous congestion on Home Depot Road near Festival Marketplace, describing backup onto Farrington Highway, unsafe pedestrian crossings between stalled vehicles, and a need for better site circulation such as one-way entry and exit planning. The board said it would continue working with HPD and elected officials on these issues.
U.S. Army 599th Transportation Brigade Report
Sergeant First Class Marsha Feitner of the 599th Transportation Brigade presented the military report on behalf of U.S. Army Hawaiʻi. She announced that U.S. Army Garrison Hawaiʻi would host a public job fair on June 24 at the AMVETS West Oahu Veterans Center from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Interested applicants were told they could check openings online at the MWR website and that walk-ins should bring identification, Social Security card, résumé, application materials, and two references. She also noted that the Army had released its monthly training advisory and that artillery, mortars, and demolition training with live fire at Schofield Barracks would continue from May 28 through May 31, including late evening and early morning periods. No questions were asked.
Board Attendance and Notice of Absences
During board business, the chair acknowledged that board members Chad Domingo and Maurice Morita had received notices related to absences. Both apologized, with Domingo saying work and off-island travel had kept him away and Morita saying he had thought the rule applied only to three consecutive absences. The chair clarified that under the neighborhood plan the threshold is three absences during the term, not necessarily consecutive. No further action was discussed, and the board moved on.
Planning a Candidate Forum for July 23, 2026
A major board discussion focused on whether to hold a candidate forum during the board’s next regular meeting on July 23, 2026. Because the board would recess in June and primary ballots were expected to be mailed around July 21, members saw the July meeting as the only timely opportunity to hear from candidates before voting. Board member Richard Oshiro reviewed the election landscape in the Waipahu area, noting contested races for Senate District 19, House Districts 36, 37, and 39, and possibly City Council District 2, while some other seats had only one filed or expected candidate. He estimated that around 13 or 14 area candidates could be invited, depending on who formally filed by the June 2 candidate filing deadline and who could attend.
The board debated format and feasibility. Members discussed devoting roughly an hour of the meeting to the forum after required annual reconvening business, using a structure in which candidates would be grouped by Senate, House, and Council races and given only a few minutes each for introductory remarks and possibly scripted questions. Board member Andrade cautioned that past forums had been difficult to manage, often running over time despite careful planning, especially when many board members wanted to ask questions. Others suggested consolidating questions in advance to maintain order. Board members Daniel DeGracia and Maurice Morita, both potential candidates in current races, said they would abstain on any vote due to conflict but were willing to participate under whatever format the board chose. The board ultimately approved a motion to plan the July 23 candidate forum, with Richard Oshiro agreeing to help chair and organize it.
Resolution Supporting Traffic Calming on Kahuanui Street and Paiva Street
The board considered and approved a formal resolution requesting the city to install speed humps on Kahuanui Street and curb bulb-outs at the intersection of Kahuanui Street and Paiva Street. The stated purpose was to improve pedestrian and traffic safety. The resolution had been circulated beforehand, and after no further discussion, it was adopted by voice vote without objection. The action reflected ongoing neighborhood concern about speeding, pedestrian exposure, and the need for physical traffic calming rather than reliance on signs or periodic enforcement alone.
Approval of April 23, 2026 Meeting Minutes
The board reviewed the minutes from its April 23, 2026 regular meeting. No corrections were offered, and the minutes were approved as submitted.
Resident and Community Concerns
During the open community concerns portion, Douglas Duacek said he wanted to become more involved in broader safety and infrastructure discussions and asked about joining some kind of committee or board to address unsafe conditions in Waipahu, including crosswalks and sidewalk improvements. Corey Rosenlee, who serves on the ʻEwa Neighborhood Board, raised a shared concern affecting both areas: a homeless encampment along West Loch where trash has reportedly been burned, causing smoke and health complaints. He said HPD had explained that the people were on Navy land behind Waipahu Intermediate School, which complicated enforcement. The chair responded that the Waipahu board has worked with area legislators and the Navy on similar issues involving Navy-owned land along the bike path behind Waipahu High School and suggested continued coordination.
Board member Daniel DeGracia raised a separate issue from Royal Kunia, where residents have observed a rapid increase in feral chickens and feral cats, especially near the golf course area above the neighborhood. He said the problem has spread into residential areas, with chickens digging up lawns and becoming more visible around homes. The chair noted that Senator Lamasal’s office had previously mentioned a possible remedy for feral chickens and suggested reconnecting with her office on the issue.
Proposed Costco Business Center and Gas Station at the Former Don Quijote Site
The most extensive presentation of the meeting concerned a proposed Costco Business Center and gas station at the former Don Quijote site in Waipahu. Former City Council Chair Ernie Martin introduced the team, and Costco real estate director Christine Lasley, who said she was raised on the west side, led the presentation. She explained that a Costco Business Center is different from a standard Costco warehouse and is focused primarily on serving small businesses with bulk products such as meat, snacks, beverages, office supplies, and restaurant goods. She said there are currently fewer than 30 such centers in the United States, and this would be the first in Hawaiʻi if approved. Although oriented toward businesses, any Costco member would be able to shop there.
Costco said the proposed business center would include a gas station larger than the one at the Iwilei Costco and would complement, rather than duplicate, the company’s existing Kapolei and Waipio warehouses. The store would be about 150,000 square feet, similar in size to a regular Costco, but would require only about half as many parking stalls and generate only a quarter to a third of the customer traffic of a typical warehouse. Operating hours would be geared to businesses, with daily hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Costco also emphasized a delivery component, with small vans serving business customers who place orders for delivery. According to the company, about 70% of merchandise at a business center is unique to that format. If approved, the project would create more than 200 jobs, with about 55% of positions full-time.
Costco described Waipahu as a strategic location close to H-1, Fort Weaver Road, and rail transit, and said the project would reactivate a long-vacant site while restoring grocery and goods sales to an area they described as a food desert after the loss of the prior major tenant. Renderings showed a redeveloped site expanded northward, with the business center replacing the former Don Quijote building, solar-covered parking areas, a pedestrian connection from the transit center, and a food service area near the front entrance. Costco said the project would demolish the existing building rather than reuse it, in part to meet height and structural requirements, and would also take the adjacent Ponoʻai Clinic property to the north. The existing bank on site would remain. The current gas station would be removed, and a new gas station would be built in the area now occupied by Zippy’s. Costco representatives acknowledged that Zippy’s likely would not remain because the site is too constrained to fit all current uses along with the new store, parking, and gas operations.
Traffic was the dominant concern from board members and the audience. Board members asked whether the gas station and expanded retail use would worsen congestion in an already heavily traveled corridor near schools, apartments, and the rail station. Costco’s team and traffic consultant Matt Nakamura said the business center would generate substantially less traffic than a regular Costco and that the gas station had been designed with more stacking space and fueling positions than the Iwilei location. They said the site layout and right-in/right-out access would help manage queues and that further traffic studies were still to be completed in coordination with city and state agencies. Board member Chad Domingo specifically raised concern about pedestrian crossings near the old clinic and post office area and asked whether a traffic light would be added before someone was seriously injured. The consultant said that intersection would be studied but no firm result was yet available because the traffic study scope was still being negotiated.
Board members also challenged Costco’s claim that the project would address a food access gap. Board member Nathan Chang questioned how a business-oriented bulk store helps ordinary families if products are sold in very large quantities and noted that replacing Zippy’s did not appear to improve the neighborhood’s food options. Costco responded that while quantities are larger than standard grocery stores, products would still be purchasable by individual members and that the price structure would be similar to Costco warehouse pricing. Audience member Corey Rosenlee pressed the company on whether the store would carry practical household staples such as fruits, vegetables, eggs, and milk in forms useful to local families. Costco answered that it would sell fruits and vegetables by flats or trays, eggs in larger but still manageable quantities such as two dozen, and other bulk household items suitable for large families as well as businesses. Christine Lasley said the company hoped to complete entitlements and permits over about a year and a half, followed by six to seven months of construction, with an opening targeted for late 2028 or early 2029.
Public reaction was mixed. Board member Marina Andrade questioned the logic of moving the gas station from its current location to the Zippy’s side, especially given known area drainage and underground water issues, and strongly noted public opposition to losing Zippy’s. Waipahu McDonald’s owner Miles Ichinose, a longtime business and community leader, said the current site is blighted and unwelcoming but urged that business owners and the wider community be given meaningful chances to review and comment on the project because of its large impacts. The chair also noted his own disappointment that the site was not being discussed as a transit-oriented housing location given its proximity to rail, while acknowledging the project remained early in the process. Costco was asked to return with future updates and to provide the board with copies of its presentation and contact information.
Mayor’s Representative Report
Roger Babcock of the Department of Environmental Services appeared as the mayor’s representative. He highlighted the city’s release of a draft Oʻahu Food Systems Plan, described as the first implementation-focused city action plan for food production, distribution, access, and disposal over the next five years. He said the plan includes more than 70 actions and is open for public comment through June 30 at resilientoahu.org. He also noted the launch of oneoahu.org as a recovery website following consecutive Kona low storms, with resources related to cleanup, recovery, and damage reporting.
Babcock then reviewed responses to previously raised board concerns. On speeding and pedestrian hazards along Hene, Waipahu, and Honowai Streets, HPD had conducted monitoring from May 8 to May 16 and issued two speeding citations, while DTS had begun an investigation that will include site inspections, a speed survey, and crash history review. DTS expects to report findings to the board by the end of November 2026. On bridge closure signage for Waipahu Depot Road, HPD verified signs were present, and the Department of Design and Construction added more signs at several intersections including Waipahu Street and Waikeli Road, Pupui Street and Farrington Highway, Farrington Highway and Waipahu Depot Street, and Ikei Pona Street and Ava Mohi Street. DDC expects repair work on the damaged bridge area to begin at the end of June once permits are secured. On noise complaints near Honowai Elementary involving loud stereos and burnouts, HPD said officers monitored the area from May 8 to May 13, did not observe violations, and urged residents to call 911 immediately when incidents occur.
Babcock also reported that the Green Recycling of Organic Waste program had rescheduled its outreach event at Waipahu Elementary School after a storm-related cancellation, allowing residents to obtain their kitchen containers. In addition, DTS had determined that parking restrictions were needed on the southeastern corner of Laukea and Kananu Streets because parked cars were forcing motorists across the double yellow center line. The city plans to install “no parking from corner to here” signs. Board member Andrade added a new concern about poor road restoration after a Board of Water Supply water main break on Waipahu Street between Leoku and the apartment area near the canal, saying severe dips were causing drivers to swerve into oncoming traffic. Babcock said the issue would be checked. Board member Phuong also asked whether bridge work would still allow reopening by July, but Babcock said he could only confirm that the latest available information still showed work beginning at the end of June.
City Councilmember Matt Weyer’s Office Report
Councilmember Matt Weyer’s office highlighted several budget proposals and neighborhood updates. The office said the councilmember proposed $1 million for upgrades to the Mark Takai Veterans Memorial Aquatics Center and another $1 million for the Kapua Feeding and Social Support Program to help seniors remain nourished and socially connected. On the temporary storm debris site at Coral, the office said debris was cleared on April 9 and about 2,700 tons of storm debris had been processed and diverted. Baseline and follow-up soil testing reportedly found no contamination in affected areas, though additional testing with the state Department of Health is continuing before the site can reopen.
The office also reminded residents that the FEMA and SBA flood recovery assistance deadline is June 14 and directed people to oneoahu.org for details. It reported that improvements are underway at Waikele Park and are expected to take about three months, though the recreation center, pool, playground, restrooms, parking, and Summer Fun program will remain available during construction. After feral chicken concerns were raised later in the meeting, the office offered to provide information on the city’s feral chicken program and look into whether the affected Royal Kunia area falls under city, state, or private responsibility.
City Councilmember Val Okimoto’s Office Report
Councilmember Val Okimoto’s office provided updates on legislation and budget activity. The office highlighted Bill 8 relating to animal nuisances, which addresses issues such as excessive barking and possibly other nuisance animals and had been reported out for passage on third reading in amended form. Bill 34 relating to flood hazard areas was described as a measure needed to help Honolulu remain eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program and Community Rating System by updating flood hazard construction standards; it had been reported out for passage on second reading and scheduled for public hearing. The office also noted that the council is in the final stages of work on the fiscal year 2027 city budget, with full council action scheduled for June 3 and the charter deadline for budget adoption on June 15.
The office added a seasonal reminder that graduation ceremonies and parties are increasing traffic and safety concerns in May and June and congratulated local graduates. It also reported receiving many complaints in Waipio Gentry Village about overgrown trees and sidewalk debris. Requests have already been sent to urban forestry and facility maintenance for investigation, pruning, and cleanup where homeowners association responsibility does not apply.
City Councilmember Augie Tulba’s Office Report
Councilmember Augie Tulba’s office provided detailed follow-up on several longstanding transportation and development issues. On the Manager’s Drive roundabout project, the office explained that while a temporary roundabout has been in place since 2019 as part of a pilot, the permanent replacement project formally began in 2023 and is still in environmental and contracting stages. A timeline prepared in consultation with DTS showed the project now in the PE2 phase, with the contract amendment expected by the end of the fiscal year in June. The office emphasized that all dates remain estimates and are not authoritative, but the projected completion remains around 2030, explaining why residents feel the process has taken an unusually long time.
On the S-bend bridges on Waipahu Street, the office clarified that the smaller bridge near Hawaiʻi’s Plantation Village has been inspected and deemed noncritical, with no repairs currently planned though it will continue to be monitored. The larger bridge project is divided into two phases. Phase one includes scour repairs and installation of water barriers at the guardrails to restore two-way traffic. Phase two will address slope protection, wing wall repairs, and guardrail restoration. Phase one is still anticipated to begin at the end of June, pending permits and weather, and should allow the bridge to reopen to two-way traffic within three to four months, though total construction for that phase is expected to last about six months.
The office also gave an update on the Kea Walaʻau project and Times Supermarket in Waipahu. It said the developer and Kamehameha Schools are still awaiting funding decisions from the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation. There is currently no confirmed closure date for Times tied to the project, although Times has indicated it intends to allow its current lease to expire naturally. Kamehameha Schools said it understands the importance of Times to local families and continues exploring future tenant mixes, including grocery options, as planning evolves. Even if funding is awarded this summer, the earliest any project work would likely begin is late 2027. Finally, the office said it had forwarded concerns about a large tree on the Waipahu Street S-bend to the city, and an arborist will inspect it after reports that it may be unstable.
Senator Lorraine Inouye Lamasal’s Report
Senator Lamasal appeared and highlighted legislative wins and funding for Senate District 19. She said approximately $5 million in capital improvement projects had been secured for the district, along with grant-in-aid funding for organizations serving the community. She also emphasized additional green fee funding that will support cleanup and maintenance issues affecting West Loch, Middle Loch, and East Loch, especially the removal of invasive mangroves and related work connected to drainage and storm impacts around Pearl Harbor.
The senator also addressed the homeless encampment and jurisdiction issue on Navy lands mentioned earlier in the meeting. She said prior discussions with the Navy and residents helped spur maintenance-related funding discussions and that she has requested regular meetings with the Navy to pursue cleanup efforts similar to those proposed on state lands, including mangrove removal and replanting with native species. She added that the Navy had also been informed about community security concerns and had mentioned a memorandum of agreement with the city regarding bike path maintenance, though she said she had not yet seen it herself. She further reported that $50,000 had been allocated to the City and County of Honolulu for the humane receipt and disposal of feral chickens. Finally, she noted $2 million for traffic safety work, including concerns raised by students and residents about dangerous crossings at Farrington and Kaupuni and at the Waipio access road, with discussions underway with the Department of Transportation about possible all-way or enhanced pedestrian crossing solutions during peak times.
Representative Trish La Chica’s Report
Representative Trish La Chica’s office stood on its written report but highlighted two bills and two funding items. One measure, SB 3001, was described as establishing protections for minors related to artificial intelligence and emerging technology. Another, HB 1785, addressed bus contracting to improve transportation procurement and service reliability. The office also said an additional $18.6 million had been secured for repaving on Kamehameha Highway between Mililani and Pearl City, including repaving from Kukuʻu Boulevard to Waipahu Street, and that $4 million had been allocated for critical sewer system upgrades at the Waiawa Correctional Facility. The office also congratulated graduates in the community.
Representative Sonny Ganaden Chun’s Report
Representative Chun was not present, but his office noted that an eight-page end-of-session summary had been emailed to the board and would later be available in print. No specific discussion of the report occurred during the meeting.
Other Agency and Legislative Reports
No live presentations were given by Governor Green’s representative, Senator Kidani’s office, Representative Hartsfield’s office, Representative Parrick’s office, the congressional offices, or the Board of Water Supply. The chair noted that some written reports, including from Senator Lamasal, had been submitted and would be uploaded for board access.
Board Member Attendance at Other Events and Community Recognition
In closing, the chair shared that he had attended the Leeward Community College commencement ceremony after being invited by Debbie Nakagawa. He gave special recognition to the class of 2026 and specifically mentioned Naomi Hanohano, a former neighborhood assistant associated with the board, who graduated from Leeward Community College.
Next Meeting and July Recess
The board announced that it would recess in June, meaning there will be no regular June meeting. The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 23, 2026, and is expected to include a candidate forum later in the agenda. The meeting then adjourned after a lengthy session that focused heavily on public safety concerns, election planning, major redevelopment at the former Don Quijote site, and updates on infrastructure, storm recovery, and ongoing city and state projects affecting Waipahu.