WAHIAWĀ – WHITMORE VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 26

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025, at 7:00 P.M.
WAHIAWĀ DISTRICT PARK – HALE KOA BUILDING
1129 KILANI AVENUE WAHIAWA, HI 96786
AND ONLINE VIA WEBEX

Meeting Link: https://cchnl.webex.com/cchnl/j.php?MTID=mc5d6bf155748f11b9efcb9edd7495030
Meeting Number / Access Code: 2484 014 0769
Password: NB26 (6226 from phones and video systems)
Join by Phone: United States Toll +1-408-418-9388

Phone: Chair will ask if there are any participants on the phone, state your name and position on issue/concern.
Video: Raise your hand, Chair will recognize you and ask to state your name and position on the issue/concern.

Neighborhood Board 26 Rules of Decorum: Listed under Agenda Item V and shall be followed by all participants.
Written testimony: All written testimony must be received in the Neighborhood Commission Office 48 hours prior to the meeting. If within 48 hours, written and/or oral testimony may be submitted directly to the board at the meeting. If submitting written testimony, please note the board and agenda item(s) your testimony concerns. Send to: Neighborhood Commission Office, 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Suite 160, Honolulu, HI 96817. Fax: (808) 768-3711. Email: nbtestimony@honolulu.gov.

Meeting Materials: Find an archive of handouts and referenced materials for Neighborhood Board No. 26 at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Yd5HUNwQV4zDLyFMyvEkED-_DA0Xxgd7
Meeting Recordings: https://www.youtube.com/@NeighborhoodCommissionOffice/search?query=wahiawa
Sign-In: Attendees are encouraged to sign the NCO Sign-In Sheet. Virtual attendees: identify themselves and the organization they represent.
Rules of Speaking: 1. Anyone wishing to speak shall do so at the microphone, by identifying themselves and addressing their comments to the Chair, and are encouraged to keep to the two (2) minutes rule. 2. Those giving reports shall also do so at the microphone and are urged to keep their reports to three (3) minutes. Presentations are allowed ten (10) minutes. 3. Please silence all electronic devices.
NOTE: The Board may take action on any agenda item. As required by the State Sunshine Law (HRS92), specific issues not noted on this Agenda cannot be voted on, unless added to the agenda. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of six (6) of this nine (9) member Board is needed to add an item to the agenda. Items may not be added if they are of major importance and will affect a significant number of people.

OPENING CEREMONIES AT 6:58 P.M.: Aloha and Pledge of Allegiance

I. CALL TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.: Chair Jeanne Ishikawa

II. FIRST RESPONDER MONTHLY REPORTS
A. Honolulu Fire Department (HFD)
B. Honolulu Police Department (HPD)

III. MONTHLY REPORTS (Limited to three (3) minutes each)
A. Federal/Military
1. Congressmember Jill Tokuda Nicole Grey
2. United States Army Lt. Lexi Cox
3. United States Navy Daniel Sanford
B. Government Agencies
1. Board of Water Supply (BWS) Nicole Rodman
2. State Dept of Transportation Fawn Yamada

IV. RESIDENT’S CONCERNS & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Please state your name and organization. Limited to two (2) minutes each.)
A. Wahiawā Pineapple Festival: Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Kaala Elementary School at 130 Kaala Avenue. This event is sponsored by Dole Food Company Hawaii
Schedule: Pineapple Run at 7:00am. All other activities will begin at 9:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. at Kaala Elementary School. Events include live music; talent show; 25th INF Band; “Tug-of-War” school challenge; food vendors; food trucks; craft fair; Bounce Houses, etc.
B. The 2025 – 67th Kunia Orchid Show and Plant Sale: Takes place on Friday, March 21, 2025 from 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. and Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M., at Leilehua High School’s Gymnasium. Admission is free. Come and see prize-winning orchids and floral displays. Also, orchid culture demonstration at 11:00 A.M. on both days. Kunia Country Store, garden supplies, and orchid plants will be sold. This event is sponsored by the Kunia Orchid Society and the LHS Athletic Department. Donations are welcomed.

V. PRESENTATIONS: Rules of Decorum: All participants at this meeting shall extend the spirit of aloha to one another. There shall be no displays of disrespect to one another. Public comments can be made, within the stated time limits and without interruption, unless the comments are offensive and/or out of order, and are “not conducive to civil discourse.”
A. Update on the Wahiawa Public Library Improvement Project
Presenter: Joe Francher, President of the Friends of the Wahiawā Library

VI. ELECTED OFFICIALS (Limited to three (3) minutes each)
A. Mayor Rick Blangiardi Kevin Auger
B. Councilmember Matt Weyer Kelly Anaya
C. Governor Josh Green Rosemarie Bernardo
D. Senator Donovan Dela Cruz Malachi Burrows
E. Representative Amy Perruso

VII. BOARD BUSINESS
A. Approval of Minutes
1. Regular Meeting of Monday, February 24, 2025
B. Chair’s Report and Board Actions
1. Call for Disclosure by Board Members (meetings, events, etc.)
2. Correspondence and Distribution.
C. Committee Reports
1. Education: Silvia Koch, Committee Chair
2. Military: Jeanne Ishikawa, Committee Chair
3. Transportation/OMPO: Joe Francher, Committee Chair
4. Water: Jeanne Ishikawa, Committee Chair
5. Hawaiian Affairs: Dean Harvest, Committee Chair

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A. Board Meetings: The Wahiawā-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board No. 26 will be on recess for the month of April 2025. We will resume meetings on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. at the Wahiawa District Park’s Hale Koa Meeting Room. Please check the website for any updates on our meeting schedule.
B. Information Contacts:
• City Streets Pothole Hotline: #808.768.7777
• State Streets Pothole Hotline: #808.536.7852
• HART Maintained Roads Pothole Hotline: #808.566.2299
• City’s Refuse Inspector Office #808.768-5220.
• Schofield Noise Complaints: #808.656.3487(email: usaghi.comrel@gmail.com) or the 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office at (808) 655-4756 or email usaghi.comrel@gmail.com.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

‘Olelo: WWV NB26 meetings are videotaped for re-broadcast on ‘Olelo on the following dates: 1st Tuesday on Focus 49 at 9:00 p.m. and 1st and 3rd Saturdays on View 54 at 6:00 a.m.
A mailing list is maintained for interested persons and agencies to receive this board’s agenda and minutes. Additions, corrections, and deletions to the mailing list may be directed to the Neighborhood Commission Office (NCO) at Kapalama Hale, Suite 160, 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96817; Telephone (808) 768-3710 Fax (808) 768-3711. Agendas and minutes are also available on the internet at www.honolulu.gov/nco.
All written testimony must be received in the Neighborhood Commission Office 48 hours prior to the meeting. If within 48 hours, written and/or oral testimony may be submitted directly to the board at the meeting. If submitting written testimony, please note the board and agenda item(s) your testimony concerns. Send to: Neighborhood Commission Office, 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Suite 160, Honolulu, HI 96817. Fax: (808) 768-3711. Email: nbtestimony@honolulu.gov.
If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability or an interpreter for a language other than English, please call the Neighborhood Commission Office at (808) 768-3710 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or send an email to nco@honolulu.gov at least three (3) business days before the scheduled meeting. It may not be possible to fulfill requests received after this date.

DRAFT REGULAR MEETING WRITTEN SUMMARY FOR VIDEO RECORD
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2025 at 7:00 P.M.
WAHIAWĀ DISTRICT PARK – HALE KOA BUILDING – 1129 KILANI AVENUE, WAHIAWĀ, HI 96786
AND ONLINE VIA WEBEX

Video Recording of Meeting Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Na9rZjxzA

Google Drive Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Yd5HUNwQV4zDLyFMyvEkED-_DA0Xxgd7

I. CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:04]

Chair Ishikawa called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Quorum WAS established with 8 members present. Note: This 9-member Board requires 5 members to establish a quorum and to take official Board action.

Board Members Present: Jeanne Ishikawa, TJ Cuaresma, Michele Umaki, Jyun Yamamoto, Joe Francher, Erin Mendelson, Silvia Manley-Koch, Matthew Kirk, and Dean Harvest (joined at 8:54 p.m.).

Board Members Absent: None.

Guests: Lieutenant Scott Vierra (Honolulu Police Department); Lieutenant Lexi Cox (U.S. Army); Daniel Sanford (United States Navy); Kelly Anaya (Councilmember Weyer); Malachi Burrows (Senator Dela Cruz); Representative Amy Perruso, Yvonne Yoro (Representative Perruso); Nicole Rodwell, Kathleen Pahinui, Ernest Lau (Board of Water Supply); Kevin Auger (Mayor Blangiardi); Roger Babcock (Department of Environmental Services); Frank Roche (Pineapple Run); Warren Gualdarama, Diane Lee, Lei Ayau. Jenny S., Sonny Tavares, Delilah S., Charles Miller, J. Delfin, Jovanna T., MHealey (Residents and Guests); Rachel Cristobal (Neighborhood Commission Office). Note: Name not included if not legible or stated for the record. There were approximately 37 total participants.

II. FIRST RESPONDER MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:00:31]

Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – [0:00:31:]: No representative present.
● Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18FzRyzxZNxca8JIaisNsMCBouRy8TbmG/view?usp=drive_link

Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – [0:00:34]: Lieutenant Vierra reported the following:
● Monthly statistics from Wednesday, January 22, 2025 through Saturday, February 22, 2025.
● Provided tips regarding preventing mail theft

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:02:36]

III. MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:05:49]

Congressmember Jill Tokuda – [0:05:53]: No representative present.

United States Army – [0:06:11]: Lieutenant Lexi Cox reported the following:
● Job fair – Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Aliamanu Military Reservation Gym from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
● Training Advisory on Schofield Barracks for the month of February 2025
● National Vietnam Veterans Parade on Saturday, March 29, 2025
● Responses to previous concerns raised at the last meeting regarding concrete barriers at Wahiawā Middle School, East Range properties with firework activities, and landfill participation.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:09:26]

United States Navy – [0:12:24]: Daniel Sanford reported the following:
● Hawaiian National Guard completion of the Century Aloha exercises
● Navy’s 250th Birthday – Began engaging towards a goal to achieve 250 acts of voluntary community service performed by sailors and civilians.
● Next several months will be scheduling ship tours
● Hiring fairs coming soon
● Weekly Mo’olelo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sFgLzoEdPhQMXab-4SyxaI2DAYrJiRfS/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:14:50]

Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [0:15:59]: Nicole Rodwell reported the following:
● One water main break in January 2025
● Home water audit and water wisdom
● Water Waste Hotline: If the community sees that water is being wasted such as a broken pipe that they are asked to report it.
○ 311 App
○ Call: (808) 748-5041
○ Email: contactus@hwbs.org
● Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MFjqXrHmsH4Wa02o5dxVVqfqV_A4wdTf/view?usp=drive_link

State Department of Transportation (HDOT) – [0:18:40]: No representative present.

IV. RESIDENT CONCERNS & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS – [0:19:05]

Letter from Leilehua High School and Department of Transportation Services – [0:19:30]: Chair Ishikawa read the letter informing that Leilehua Eastern Leg and roads will be converted to a stop control intersection to improve traffic safety in the area.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:20:26]

Pineapple Run – [0:23:53]: Frank Roche announced that the Pineapple Run will be happening again on Saturday, April 5th 2025 followed by the Pineapple Festival.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:24:24]

Collecting Data on Falls/Accidents – [0:28:28]: Member Cuaresma requested to be contacted if anyone had fallen or got into an accident near a farm which is near Schofield Barracks out towards the intersection of Wilikina Drive and Kunia Road. The reason was because her brother was in an accident which led him to need paramedic assistance and a cat scan. The area of the sidewalk had asphalt that wasn’t put down well.

Eagle Project – Little Free Libraries – [0:32:14]: Delilah who is from Scouting America shared that she would like to create little free libraries in Wahiawā, which would be a box where people can take and give a book. She mentioned having a possible location near a bus stop and various locations. She requested to find out what permits that she would need in order to do this project.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:33:14]

V. PRESENTATIONS – [0:39:55]

Discussion on Proposed Landfill Site in Wahiawa/Dole Plantation Area – [0:40:06]:
● Presentation by Environmental Services – [0:41:18]: Roger Babcock, Director of the Department of Environmental Services, discusses the city’s solid waste management. The Waimānalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill, operating since 1989, was expanded in 2010 to 200 acres. Its permit, extended in 2019, requires a new landfill site by December 2022. A site was identified in December 2024, and next steps included securing permits and conducting an environmental impact study. The city has three plans: Plan A involves a site northwest of Wahiāwa, Plan B seeks to reduce landfill buffer zones through legislation, and Plan C involves expanding Waimanalo Gulch if no other sites were found.
● Presentation by Board of Water Supply – [0:49:45]: Ernest Lau from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, stressed the importance of protecting the island’s groundwater, which supplies drinking water. He opposed the proposed landfill sites, especially one above the aquifers, due to contamination risks. He explained that landfills can leak harmful chemicals, which can pollute water sources. He emphasized that prevention is key to safeguarding water for future generations and highlighted concerns about the landfill site’s potential impact on nearby wells and streams.
○ Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XHSkdsMxjLPItoaQheaRTRCQ0oeWHg0k/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:07:20]

VI. ELECTED OFFICIALS – [1:50:53]

Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – [1:50:56]: Kevin Auger reported the following:
● Responded to concerns from the previous meeting regarding repainting of crosswalks, the increase of ambulance vehicles, and the required permits/approvals for showers to be at 537 Avocado Street, and repainting of bike lanes.
● Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yVvZBBVX67go-LwUd4blJwRlTwtjbKSh/view?usp=drive_link

Member Harvest joined at 8:54 p.m.; 9 members present.

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:54:10]

Councilmember Matt Weyer – [1:57:02]: Kelly Anaya reported the following:
● Councilmember Weyer attended Leilehua Alumni and Community Association Centenarian Luncheon
● 2026 fiscal year budget
● Expressed gratitude to Chair Ishikawa’s requests on the crosswalk repainting
● Whitmore Gym’s roof renovations
● Illegal dumping outside of Wahiawā District Park
● Pool heater
● Legislative Updates
○ Bill 15 – Cesspool conversion grant program
○ Bill 18 – Reduce plastic waste by restricting the sale of single-use plastic bottles at vending machines in City facilities
○ Bill 61 – Prohibiting motorized vehicles from doing wheelies on public roadways
○ Resolution 25-003 – Reaffirming the City policy that municipal solid waste landfills shouldn’t be located in proximity to the City’s underground drinking water sources.
○ House Bill (HB) 969 – Seeks to prohibit the construction, modification, or expansion of landfills near or above an aquifer.
○ Senate Bill (SB) 438 – Prevent any landfills from being cited over aquifers or prime agricultural lands.
● Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rBmcVcQo4q3gZzcamy7MEaxW3gXg0OnD/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [2:03:05]

Governor Josh Green’s Representative – [2:04:42]: No representative present.

Senator Donovan Dela Cruz – [2:04:56]: Malachi Burrows reported the following:
● Wahiawā Freshwater State Recreation Area Project
● 3 bills were introduced by the Senator regarding landfill: SB 448, SB 438, SB 446
● SB 1117 – Prohibit individuals under the age of 15 from riding certain e-bikes and raises the age requirement for helmets from 16 to 18.
● Market Entry Strategies – Learning opportunity on Wednesday, March 19, 2025
● Maiʻa Workshop – Friday, March 21, 2025 at the Wahiawā Value Added Product Development Center

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [2:11:11]

Representative Amy Perruso – [2:14:56]: Representative Perruso reported the following:
● Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BuGpD7CsTsOoTOr77KS_vf-DQMaNe_H2/view?usp=drive_link

Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [2:21:21]

VII. BOARD BUSINESS – [2:28:16]

Regular Meeting of Monday, January 27, 2025 – [2:28:24]: Hearing no amendments on any of the minutes; the Monday, January 27, 2025 regular meeting minutes were ADOPTED as written 9-0-0 (Aye: Ishikawa, Cuaresma, Umaki, Yamamoto, Francher, Mendelson, Manley-Koch, Kirk, Harvest. Nay: None. Abstain: None.) [2:28:40].

Chair’s Report and Board Actions – [2:28:42]:
● Call for Disclosure by Board Members (meetings, events, etc.) – [2:28:49]:
○ Chair Ishikawa informed the Board that she received a concern from a senior regarding what is happening with Medicare [2:28:49].
○ Member Yamamoto announced that he attended Congresswoman Tokudaʻs town hall. Members Francher and Umaki also attended [2:29:12].
● Correspondence and Distribution – [2:29:43]: Item was discussed earlier in the meeting.
● Committee Reports – [2:29:52]:
○ Education: Silvia Koch, Committee Chair – [2:29:53]: Brief report.
○ Military: Jeanne Ishikawa, Committee Chair – [2:30:01]: No report due to the Military providing a report earlier in the meeting.
○ Transportation/OMPO: Joe Francher, Committee Chair – [2:30:03]: Brief report.
○ Water: Jeanne Ishikawa, Committee Chair – [2:31:37]: No report; item was discussed earlier in the meeting.
○ Hawaiian Affairs: Dean Harvest, Committee Chair – [2:31:39]: Brief report.

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS – [2:33:07]: Item was deferred due to the lack of time.

Board Meetings: The next Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board Meeting is on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hale Koa Building, Wahiawā District Park.

Information Contacts:
● City Streets Pothole Hotline: #808.768.7777
● State Streets Pothole Hotline: #808.536.7852
● HART Maintained Roads Pothole Hotline: #808.566.2299
● City’s Refuse Inspector Office #808.768-5220.
● Schofield Noise Complaints: #808.656.3487(email: usaghi.comrel@gmail.com) or the 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office at (808) 655-4756 or email usaghi.comrel@gmail.com.

IX. ADJOURNMENT – [2:33:22]

The meeting adjourned at 9:33 p.m.

Submitted by: Rachel Cristobal, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Spencer Johnson, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Finalized by:

To view agenda and minutes, visit our board website.

Event shows physical location; however, other options of participation may also include WebEx and phone.  If available, instructions for WebEx and phone can be found at the top of the agenda.