WAHIAWĀ – WHITMORE VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD NO. 26
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 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=m28c9b5a055c2d0b8b8b678d5d69ce7a4
Meeting Number / Access Code: 2491 161 6187
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 Rodwell
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.)
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. Presentation: Wahiawā Center for Workforce Excellence Project Discussion/Presentation of the following:
“Demolition of existing library and storefront portable buildings. Build a new 40k/ 3-story office building with an adjacent 86 stall parking garage. The new building will be the new home of the Wahiawā Library on Level 1; DOE LMW staff on Level 2; and UH Community College classrooms and Labs will be on Level 3. “
Presenter(s): Eric Nakamura, Kiewit
B. Presentation: Discussion/Review of this year’s Hawaii State Farm Fair Event at Whitmore Village
Presenter: Brian Miyamoto, Executive Director, Hawaii Farm Bureau
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, July 21, 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 next Wahiawā-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board No. 26 meeting will be on Monday, September 15, 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, JULY 21, 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=cVAkmrDelvI
Google Drive Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Yd5HUNwQV4zDLyFMyvEkED-_DA0Xxgd7?usp=drive_link
1. CALL TO ORDER – [0:00:54]: Chair Pro Tem Ishikawa called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
OATH OF OFFICE & OPENING CEREMONIES – [0:00:54]
Chair Pro Tem Ishikawa welcomed everyone to the initial convening agenda for Neighborhood Board Number 26. Jeffrey Jones from the Neighborhood Commission Office administered the oath of office to board members who were not at the installation ceremony [0:01:59]. Board members introduced themselves [0:03:00].
Quorum WAS established with 9 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, Silvia Manley-Koch, Michelle Umaki, Jyun Yamamoto, TJ Cuaresma, Joe Francher, Erin Mendelson, Yvonne Yoro, and Ethan Roesler.
Board Members Absent: None.
Guests: Lieutenant Baysa (Honolulu Police Department); Daniel Sanford (United States Navy); Nicole Gray (Congressmember Tokuda); Kevin Auger (Mayor Blangiardi); Kelly Anaya (Councilmember Weyer); Charles Miller (Senator Dela Cruz); Representative Amy Perruso; Mike Buck (C.O.R.E.); An, Alex Nakamoto, Ashley B., Marcy Healey, Melissa Gibo, (Residents and Guests) Jeffrey Jones (Neighborhood Commission Office); Note: Name not included if not legible or stated for the record. There were approximately 40 participants.
2. Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) – [0:04:07]: No representative present.
● Report:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BaGIVR3QJA_iy1yMAUPr_IUa-88AzCKl/view?usp=drive_link
3. Honolulu Police Department (HPD) – [0:04:11]
Lieutenant Baysa reported the following:
● Monthly Statistics for July 2025 for the Wahiawā Area: 1 assault case, 5 burglary cases, 37 motor vehicle collisions, 0 robberies, 1 car break-in (unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle), and approximately 745 calls for service.
● Safety Tip: Summer safety when going to the beach or park – park in a well-lit area close to your destination, do not leave valuables in vehicles, always lock vehicles, do not leave valuables unattended, do not hide keys in the sand, and have someone watch your belongings.
● Gun Buyback Program: A successful event was held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, with 234 firearms recovered (117 handguns, 13 shotguns, 92 rifles, 12 assault rifles) and 70 pounds of ammunition. $11,000 worth of gift cards were distributed. The program is ongoing with $100 offered for pistols/shotguns and $200 for assault-type firearms/rifles.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [0:06:19]
● Board members inquired about enforcement at the Avocado Street property, ghost guns collected during the buyback, motor vehicle accidents, and the Farm Fair traffic issues.
4. INITIAL CONVENING BUSINESS – [0:29:24]
Election of Officers (to serve till Tuesday, June 30, 2026) – [0:29:46]
a. Chair – [0:29:46]: Member Umaki nominated Jeanne Ishikawa and Member Mendelson nominated TJ Cuaresma. Neighborhood Assistant (NA) Jeffrey Jones conducted a roll call vote [0:30:57]. Jeanne Ishikawa was elected as Chair; 6-3-0 (Ishikawa: Francher, Roesler, Manley-Koch, Umaki, Yamamoto, Ishikawa; Cuaresma: Mendelson, Yoro, Cuaresma; Abstain: None) [0:32:17].
b. Vice Chair – [0:32:35]: Member Umaki nominated Silvia Manley-Koch and Member Yoro nominated TJ Cuaresma. Neighborhood Assistant (NA) Jeffrey Jones conducted a roll call vote [0:33:31]. TJ Cuaresma was elected as Vice Chair; 5-4-0 (Cuaresma: Roesler, Mendelson, Yoro, Yamamoto, Cuaresma; Manley-Koch: Francher, Umaki, Ishikawa, Manley-Koch; Abstain: None) [0:34:30].
c. Secretary – [0:34:41]: Member Cuaresma nominated Michelle Umaki and Member Roesler nominated Erin Mendelson. Neighborhood Assistant (NA) Jeffrey Jones conducted a roll call vote [0:35:29]. Erin Mendelson was elected as Secretary; 5-4-0 (Mendelson: Cuaresma, Roesler, Yamamoto, Mendelson, Umaki: Manley-Koch, Umaki Abstain: None) [0:36:28].
d. Treasurer – [0:36:37]: Member Cuaresma nominated Ethan Roesler. A voice vote was conducted [0:37:52]. Ethan Roesler was elected as Treasurer; 8-0-1 (Roesler: Nay: Abstain:)
Determination of Regular Meeting Date, Time, Location, and Online Webex Option – [0:38:28]: Item was discussed later in the meeting.
Determination of Recess Schedule – [0:38:28]: The Board agreed to maintain the current meeting schedule with the addition of August 2025 to accommodate an important presentation on the Wahiawā Center for Workforce Excellence project. The regular schedule includes meetings in January, February, March, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November, with recesses in April and December. The Board confirmed recesses in April and December 2025. (NOTE: NB26 will return to its usual meeting schedule in 2026: Jan-Feb-March (recess) May-June-July (recess) Sept-Oct-Nov (recess) unless Special Meetings are needed and scheduled.
Determination of Regular Meeting Date, Time, Location, and Online Webex Option (Continued) – [0:42:15]: MOVED by Member Umaki to keep everything the same and to include August 2025 as an additional month to meet. There was a discussion and there were no objections. The motion was ADOPTED.
Adopt Board Meeting Rules of Participation – [0:44:25]: The Board discussed and adopted rules of participation, including:
a. All correspondence to the Board should come through the Chair or Vice Chair to ensure all members receive information.
b. Board members should forward any communications they receive to the Chair in a timely manner.
c. Discussion about focusing on matters within the Board’s jurisdiction.
5. MONTHLY REPORTS – [0:56:56]
Congressmember Jill Tokuda – [0:57:00]: Nicole Gray reported the following: Congresswoman Tokuda voted against the GOP reconciliation bill, criticizing President Trump’s agenda that prioritizes tax breaks for the wealthy while cutting healthcare for 17 million people and food assistance for 22,000 people in Hawai’i. Introduction of two bills to address Medicare underpayments for rural hospitals in Hawai’i and Alaska: the Save Our Loan Emergency Services Act and the Ensuring Outpatient Quality for Rural States Act. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, she voted to send HR 3838 (streamlining procurement for effective execution and delivery) and the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026 to the full House.Recent community engagements included meetings with Job Corps alumni, Oʻahu emergency dispatchers, and visits to housing projects and food distribution programs.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:02:55]
United States Army – [1:09:36]: No representative present.
United States Navy – [1:09:36]: Daniel Sanford reported the following: Navy Region Hawaii has implemented a new app for phones with updates about base operations and events. Force Protection Bravo has been altered and the Trusted Traveler program has been reimplemented. Ship tours at Pearl Harbor have resumed every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Noted that the Farm Fair traffic impacted base traffic, with backups to Schofield taking up to 20 minutes to reach H-2.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:12:24]
Board of Water Supply (BWS) – [1:20:54]: No representative present.
State Department of Transportation – [1:20:54]: No representative present.
6. ELECTED OFFICIALS – [1:20:54]
Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Representative – [1:20:54]: Kevin Auger reported the following: Thanked Chair Ishikawa for sending videos regarding illegal dumping. Provided updates on streetlight repairs, hedge maintenance concerns, and the Avocado Street property issues. Discussed the status of the problematic property on Avocado Street, noting that while it’s private property with an active permit, the city is considering condemnation options.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:27:23]
● Board members expressed serious concerns about public safety issues at the Avocado Street property.
● Community members reported problems with fans in the Hale Koa room, non-functioning water fountains, and stray dogs in the area.
Councilmember Matt Weyer – [1:49:00]: Kelly Anaya reported the following: The mayor signed both budget bills, including $2 million for the Wahiawā Civic Center, $1.3 million for environmental services, $140,000 for Wahiawā Botanical Gardens security, and $186,000 for Wahiawā Transit Center security. The Council successfully amended the CIP budget to prevent fiscal year 2026 funds from being used for landfill facilities above significant aquifers. Updates on the Mango Street parking issues, Olive Avenue sidewalk concerns, and the homeless situation near the Karsten Thot Bridge. Reported that water has been officially shut off at both the Avocado and Mango Street properties of concern.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [1:55:24]
Governor Josh Green – [2:09:49]: No representative present.
Senator Donovan Dela Cruz – [2:09:54]: Charles Miller reported the following: The next treatment for Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle on Royal Palm Drive will be between August 18-29, 2025, weather permitting. They plan to treat 89 palms on Royal Palm Drive and 10 palms on Kellog Street. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity will inject insecticide into the palms to improve treatment effectiveness. Updates on legislation including the Biosecurity Bill (HB427) which renames the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, and the Fireworks Bill (SB22). The metal plate on northbound H-2 will be fixed by mid-August 2025, with materials arriving from Missouri by the end of July 2025.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [2:13:51]
Representative Amy Perruso – [2:15:34]: Representative Amy Perruso reported the following: Reminded the community about the Wednesday, July 30, 2025 joint neighborhood board meeting at Leilehua High School regarding the proposed Gondola Project. Discussed the importance of a special legislative session to address funding shortfalls from federal cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and energy programs. Announced a Good Government Caucus community check-in and listening session on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at the State Capitol from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with topics including open government, transparency, campaign finance reform, ethics, and elections.
Questions, comments, and concerns followed – [2:20:33]
7. RESIDENT CONCERNS & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS – [2:21:30]
Planned Joint Neighborhood Community Meeting – [2:21:37]: Chair Ishikawa announced a joint neighborhood community meeting regarding the proposed Gondola Entertainment Project in Waialua on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Leilehua High School cafeteria. The meeting will include the Wahiawā-Whitmore Village, North Shore, Mililani Waipio, and Mililani Mauka Neighborhood Boards.
Wahiawā Center for Workforce Excellence Project Discussion/Presentation – [2:24:48]: Chair Ishikawa read the following listed on the agenda, “Demolition existing library and storefront portable buildings. Build a new 40k/ 3-story office building with an adjacent 86 stall parking garage. The new building will be the new home of the Wahiawā Library on Level 1; DOE LMW staff on Level 2; and UH Community College classrooms and Labs will be on Level 3. “
Highway Response Towing Program – [2:26:14]: Member Cuaresma announced that Highway Response Towing is working with the Whitmore Village Center Church to remove unwanted vehicles from private property for free, with a nominal donation made to the church.
Wahiawā Library Signage Concern – [2:27:07]: A community member expressed concern about the lack of signage for the temporary Wahiawā Library location at the Wahiawā Shopping Center.
Vietnam War Memorial Project – [2:28:18]: Member Yamamoto announced that the Wahiawā Lions Club is starting a fundraiser for a memorial honoring casualties of the Vietnam War from the Wahiawā area. He is seeking information on 16 individuals who died during the Vietnam War and can be contacted at 808-773-2382.
Farm Fair Concerns – [2:34:03]: A Whitmore Village resident expressed concerns about the Hawai’i State Farm Fair being held on AG-1 zoned land, noting that the land use violated zoning regulations that prohibit public assembly and commercial use on agricultural land. The resident questioned the approval process and the impact on the community. Chair Ishikawa will contact the Hawaii State Farm Fair to attend the August Board Meeting to discuss the issues raised regarding this event.
8. PRESENTATIONS: Item was deferred to the next meeting.
Wahiawā Center for Workforce Excellence Project Discussion/Presentation: Item was deferred to the next meeting.
9. BOARD BUSINESS – [2:37:29]
Approval of Minutes – [2:37:29]: MOVED by Member Umaki and SECONDED by Member Mendelson to approve the minutes of the Monday, June 16, 2025 meeting as written. There were no discussions or amendments. The motion was ADOPTED; 9-0-0 (Aye: Roesler, Mendelson, Yoro, Yamamoto, Cuaresma, Francher, Umaki, Ishikawa, Manley-Koch; Nay: None. Abstain: None) [2:37:47].
Chair’s Report and Board Actions – [2:37:48]
● Call for Disclosure by Board Members – [2:37:48]: Member Umaki attended the blessing for the Wahiawā District Park’s playground.
● Correspondence and Distribution – [2:38:17]: Chair Ishikawa received information about the Wednesday, July 30, 2025 meeting regarding the proposed Gondola Project.
Determination of Board Committees and Committee Chairs – [2:38:43]
● Education: Member Manley-Koch nominated Erin Mendelson to be Chair; Member Mendelson accepted.
● Military: Jyun Yamamoto and Ethan Roesler both showed interest in being the Committee Chair. They agreed to be co-chairs.
● Transportation/OMPO: Member Francher showed interest that he would like to continue to be Chair of the committee. No other nominees; Joe Francher will continue to be the Committee Chair.
● Water: Member Cuaresma nominated Yvonne Yoro.
● Hawaiian Affairs: To be determined at the next meeting (pending clarification on if a community member can be Chair of a committee).
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS – [2:43:35]
Board Meetings: The next Wahiawā-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board No. 26 scheduled meetings will be announced after the 2025 Initial Convening Business is completed.
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
Broadcasting ‘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.
11. ADJOURNMENT – [2:44:52]
The meeting adjourned at 9:44 p.m.
Submitted by: Rachel Cristobal, Neighborhood Assistant, NCO
Reviewed by: Dylan Buck, Community Relations Specialist, NCO
Finalized by: Chair Ishikawa
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.