City brainstorming ways to ready Waipahu for rail

In an effort to build on existing plans for transit-oriented development in Waipahu, the city is holding a meeting today to identify short-term projects to enhance Waipahu town.

Discussion at the 6 p.m. meeting at Waipahu High School cafeteria will focus on improvements to streets, sidewalks, parks and trails as well as ideas that private businesses and property owners can pursue, such as parking lot upgrades.

The meeting serves as a follow-up to recommendations in the Waipahu neighborhood transit-oriented development plan, which was adopted by the City Council in 2014.

It is centered in the area surrounding the planned Waipahu rail station at Farrington Highway and Mokuola Street. The Filipino Community Center, the Leeward YMCA, Hawaii’s Plantation Village, Waipahu District Park and Hans L’Orange Park are nearby.

“Waipahu will be one of the first rail stations to open, and we want to make sure the community is ‘ready for rail’ with an enhanced bus transit center, better rail access by walking and biking, and a more vibrant, active Waipahu Town,” Harrison Rue, administrator for the city’s transit-oriented development, said in a statement.

“Waipahu businesses have been dealing with rail construction impacts for the last couple of years, and we want to help them create a better business environment and opportunities to attract more customers.”

The city Department of Planning and Permitting also plans to hold a workshop in the fall to review a draft town action plan that would outline strategies to improve the historic neighborhood. DPP plans to hold similar community meetings for other TOD areas.

The TOD areas are intended to serve as vital components of the city’s rail system, offering so-called live, work and play options. Over the past several years, TOD neighborhood plans have been taking shape as city officials meet with residents and hear what they want to see in their communities.

DPP is developing the Waipahu plan with help from Sustainable Humanitarian Architecture Design for the Earth (SHADE) Summer Institute interns, who are collaborating on conceptual designs.

Councilman Brandon Elefante, who represents Waipahu, Pearl City and Aiea, said the meeting is important for residents to attend, even for those who do not live near the historic area. “It’s a great way to have communication and dialogue,” he said.

For more information on the Waipahu TOD neighborhood plan, visit honolulu.gov/tod/neighborhood- tod-plans/dpp-tod- waipahu.html.