Waipahu property owners living on Hilihua Way reached out to our office about a large mango tree growing from a neighboring property over their house. Our team conducted a site visit and found that the tree is located on a 3.5-acre property on Peke Lane at the bottom left corner of the parcel. The homeowners contacted our office seeking help because they are concerned that falling mango or tree limbs could damage their home, and they were unsure both who owns the property and how to reach them. While this issue involves private property and is a civil matter, it also presents a significant safety concern for our district residents.

Our office has sent a letter to the new owner and submitted a report to the City Administration and City Department of Planning and Permitting asking for assistance.

In April, we reported on recurring, illegally set, green waste and rubbish fires near the Plantation Village in Waipahu. A constituent told our office that the unauthorized, polluting fires are being set 2-4 times per week in burn pits, allegedly by farmers located at 94-803, 94-809, and 94-815 Waipahu Street. By the time the Honolulu Fire Department arrives, the fires are extinguished and there is no enforcement action. The constituent is frustrated, saying smoke inhalation is impacting his health and that of his two young daughters with asthma.

Our office reached out to the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) Fire Inspectors who looked into the claim. On April 24, 2024, the fire inspector spoke to the owner of 95-815 Waipahu Street who maintains homeless individuals are conducting illegal burns on Hawaii’s Plantation Village property. The owner showed the fire inspector to a temporary shelter where burning previously occurred.

Fire inspectors spoke with Hawaii’s Plantation Village Manager Derrick Iwata, who confirmed that homeless individuals on the property occasionally start fires. Although the Honolulu Police Department is called, officers say they are unable to remove squatters without “No Trespassing” signage on the City’s property. Mr. Iwata said he met with the Department of Parks and Recreation and as a result, the City is purportedly in the process of creating and installing signs.

HFD said no fire code violations were observed during the inspection. For more information, refer to Fire Inspection Report #24-286624.

Overgrown brush at the Leolua Street bend behind the Waipahu Town Center, near Wiki Wash 808 and Hele Gas, is blocking a once well-used sidewalk. The overgrowth in a City right-of-way forces pedestrians to cross into the street, alongside passing traffic.

Our office reached out to the City Administration and the City Department of Facilities Maintenance to ask that the brush be cut back, however our office was informed that although the area is beyond the Waipahu Town Center property line, maintenance still falls to the property owner, not to the city. We notified the Waipahu Town Center property management company of the city’s policy.

Our office has received a wide variety of complaints about criminal activity on the makai, Waipahu-Town-Center, side of Leolua Street between Leoku Street to Kunia Road. These issues include auto thefts, property damage to cars, attempted break-ins at town center businesses, homeless living in cars and leaving trash along the sidewalk, allegations of "chop shop" activities as well as loud industrial noises throughout the night. There also have been vehicle accidents due to visibility problems. Residents have asked that the city restrict parking on the Waipahu Town Center side of the street, and post “No Parking” signs there.

Our office reached out to the City Administration and to the Honolulu Police Department asking for assistance. The Honolulu Police Department District 3 Pearl City Sector 1 Night Watch Officers have made rounds nightly on Leolua Street. On the first night, officers spoke with two homeless individuals residing in their cars and instructed them to move along. Subsequent checks from May 11 to May 15 found the street clear. Officers will continue to monitor the street and surrounding area.

A frustrated district resident is again requesting a public bus stop fronting his home on Kahuanui Street, opposite of Kahuapili Street, be moved as he said theBus riders waiting at the bus stop have created several problems for him and his family. Unlike their neighbors who have tall fences, the perimeter of the resident’s home is protected only by a low-standing wall. Bus riders waiting for TheBus to arrive have damaged his wall and entered his property, including his garage. TheBus has also blocked his car from accessing the street or his property while he is trying to turn in - or out - of his driveway.

He asked our office to request that the bus stop be relocated, and that the street markings be updated. Our office submitted a request to the City Administration and to the City Department of Transportation Services asking them to relocate the bus stop.