Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou!

Happy New Year

Thanks to everyone who came to our Meet Santa event in December! Dozens of families and hundreds of keiki got to meet the man in red, and our sincere thanks to Don Kennedy for volunteering his Santa-services. Please go to www.makahavalleyplantation.org/community to see our day with Santa. Also, this feel good story will be in the February issue of “Westside Stories”!

Special thanks to our Santa: Donald Kennedy, Santa’s elves, MVP office and security team, Andrew Clark, Jane Finstrom, Grey Schmidt,  Bonzai, and to Susana Poulin for the use of her Sleigh. Thank you also to Aunty Pattie for pitching in when she saw we needed help gathering names for the raffle.

Congratulations to our raffle winners: Vince, Leah, Ashlyn and Moanakea! They received a gingerbread house (and book about Don’s adventures as a volunteer Santa) and we are excited to do more events like this in future! Speaking of events…

What Event Would You Enjoy At MVP?

Community works best when people feel they can express themselves honestly and get involved with events. What sort of events would you like to see at MVP? Let us know in this quick survey so we can start organising: https://forms.gle/kzidNM8oYt5NxyLW9

Upcoming General Association Meeting

Our New Years resolution is to continue serving the MVP community and participate more! The next HOA Board meeting will be on Tuesday, January, 11 at 6.30pm – look out for a meeting email closer to the time with all the details! If you have a question for the board or an issue you’d like to discuss the best thing to do is email it to our Property Manager Chester at chester@touchstoneproperties-hawaii.com so the best answer can be found ahead of time.

2022 Board Member Elections

We are also rapidly approaching the next annual association meeting! It will be held in late March so we can discuss business, areas of concern, and hold our yearly elections.

This year there are 3 board members up for re-election: Tommy Sowell, Kathy Sowell and Gregory Sokolowski. The specific positions that board members take on such as President, Treasurer, etc is determined by the board *after* elections. In this way people can join the board without being obligated to take a certain role if it is outside of their skillset or interests.

Being involved in the democratic process of general meetings and elections is what creates a healthy vibrant community so we encourage you to attend these events and be heard!

Raining Cats and Sharks

MVP experienced an epic downpour in December! Fortunately damage to the property was minimal, but the front office phone system was damaged and is not working. Fortunately, our new website and email systems made it easy to communicate new contact information with the community, and the front office is now automatically routing calls to cellphones. If you find this doesn’t work, you can try the cellphones directly.  Office: 808-695-9566. Security: 808-695-9464.  Hawaiian Telcom is addressing the issue and it will hopefully be back up and running soon. In the meantime the entire valley has turned green with life, leading to some great pictures and waterfalls!

Brown Water Safety

The cause of “brown water”, is heavy rain that results in stormwater runoff entering into coastal waters, the state Department of Health Clean Water Branch said, who advises the public to stay out of flood waters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris. Mountain runoff also provides delicious fish chum which also attracts sharks closer to the shore. Locals know to always check the water conditions with the lifeguard before jumping in and to always shower after swimming. The CDC has provided valuable information in the following PDF https://makahavalleyplantation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/What-is-in-the-brown-water.pdf

Solar Questions and Answers

We are working on a new page for the MVP website focused on the upcoming solar project so we can answer questions, provide clarity, and dispel any areas of confusion. It’s an incredible project that will benefit everyone who lives at MVP for decades to come and we look forward to sharing more with you when it’s up. If you have any specific questions in mind feel free to get in touch at mvpcommunicationcommittee@gmail.com and we’ll try and find an answer.

We will also be adding a page dedicated to renters needs with information about house rules, citations, and how to appeal a citation. Renters are a valuable part of our community but often feel powerless or less-important than owners, so we are working to change that feeling.

SURF’s UP!  A brief history of surfing in Makaha

Most of the world famous surf competitions start running in the next few months! Makaha Beach will host the traditional Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic in February. This contest has been happening for the last 45 years and you can see previous events on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFMNLFs-xtU. For a full list of upcoming surfing competitions around all of Oahu you should check out https://www.alohasurfguide.com/events-contests/ – it’s all happening!

Did you know that the Makaha International Surfing Championships from 1953-1973 was the first held in Hawaii? Many consider Makaha the birthplace of international surfing competition!

Gigi’s Farm: A Hidden Gem

“Gigi’s Farm” is located next to Makaha Elementary School. Once a month they invite the community for a “U Pick It” where you can visit the farm, pick fruits and vegetables from the land, and tour their gorgeous property.  For the holidays, volunteers were taught how to make a wreath out of rosemary and gourmet canned goods were available for Christmas gifts.  There is no cost for U Pick It but a donation is appreciated.

No Fluoride

New members of the Oahu family may be surprised to learn that Hawaii has the greatest incidence of tooth decay in the US. This is because most water treatment facilities in the state do not add fluoride to their water, which results in children and adults needing more tooth extractions. Your local dentist can provide more information and can provide a fluoride treatment – good to know!

Broken Arm

Slow down while exiting and entering MVP, give the arm plenty of time to rise up to let your car in.  The arm exiting MVP is broken, please continue going slow as you leave. 

HONU Homeless project at Kea’au park

When driving just north of Makaha beach, you may have seen the tan tent community set up in this park.  It is part of the HPD HONU project. https://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/ohou/HONU_FAQ_ver_112919.pdf

Until next month,
Lokomaika’i (kindness with aloha!)

E Malama kakou kekahi I kekahi

(Let’s take care of each other)

Welcome to the Makaha Valley Plantation Newsletter for December 2021.  This is written by neighbors for neighbors – whether owner or occupant you’re a valued member of the community and we’re excited to get to know you! Our mission is to connect our neighbors through fun, service, community, sharing, and important information.

Santa Claus is Coming To Town!

Santa Clause is coming to MVP in time for Xmas! Bring the family to meet Santa, take a photo, enter the raffle and get a free candy cane:

Front Office BBQ Area
Sunday, December 12th – 4pm to 6pm

The event is entirely free, run by volunteers, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Holiday Lights

It’s been a surreal year so let’s celebrate the season with a festival of lights on our lanais! These neighbors already have a head start:

We’d love to see your lanai! Send a picture to mvpcommunicationcommittee@gmail.com for a chance to be featured in the next newsletter.

The Pools And Amenities Are Open!

It is with great joy that we announce that the pools are officially open now! With Governor Ige’s update we are returning to a pre-covid way of doing things. Please respect others, be safe, and we look forward to seeing you there for some R&R!

Bill 41 Could Change Short Term Rentals from 30 days to 180 days!

Oahu Department of Planning and Permits (DPP) with the help of the Hotel Lobby has waged a war against AirBnb, VRBO and Short Term Rental (STR) owners; there is an effort to increase the minimum 30 day stay to 180 days. You can learn more about the hotel lobby’s push to fight short term rentals on https://www.pbshawaii.org/short-term-rentals/ and https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/11/honolulus-battle-against-short-term-rentals-begins-again/

There is a group assisting Short-Term Rental owners in the fight against Bill 41. For those interested in getting more information on this issue contact OSTRA or Oahu STR Alliance oahustralliance@gmail.com to receive the latest info.  Bill 41 not only impacts local and out-of- state property owners but impacts locally owned property management with many employees. One speaker on PBS says that 70% of short-term rentals are owned by off-island owners. If you are an owner locally based or out of the area, please get involved and submit testimony to the city council. Our representative for Waianae, Andria Tupola, voted against Bill 41 but it was moved forward by a 7-2 vote for Bill 41. 

Giving Back

We’re grateful for the hard work that the front office, security team and maintenance crew perform each and every day at our lovely plantation. They do so much to keep our happy little piece of paradise running, so if you’d like to give a gift please feel free to do so in the front office. Any gifts from the community will be shared among the entire team with Aloha!

Local Donations

In the spirit of Laulima (many helping hands-cooperation), we would like to encourage MVP to donate during the holiday season to local churches, food banks and charities.  Women of Waianae, is a non-profit that funds higher education for non-traditional students www.womenofwaianae.org. Another local charity Na Kama Kai (children of the sea) provides free-to-the community ocean clinics and programs to empower our local Keiki.  Donate through paypal at www.nakamakai.org.  If you have a charity that you would like to share, please post it on Nextdoor

Local Food Banks

If you know someone who is in need of food, there are many community resources for nutritious food.  If you are able to make a donation or volunteer, this is a good way to contribute to our local community! Kapuna Pantry opens at 10am and remains open as long as supplies last at these locations:

• Monday: Kamehameha schools community 87-790 Kulauku Street
• Wednesday:Wai’ane Elementary School 85-220 McArthur Street
• Thursday: Hoa Aiea o Makaha 85-220 McArthur Street (next to elementary school)
• Friday: Queeen Lili’iokalani Childrens Center Nanakuli 87-1876 Farrington

Quick Headlines

• We hope you have had a chance to check out our newly designed website! Visit www.makahavalleyplantation.org We have chosen the dolphin as our theme because nai’a (Dolphins) are often called the “angels of the sea”. In Hawaii they are an adored symbol of joy, healing, and playfulness that thousands of people connect with.  We’d love to hear what you think about the site.  The website has all the information and resources you’re familiar with, and we’ll be adding more features over time.
• The MVP office is open until 6pm on Tuesdays so that residents who work during the day can take care of business after regular business hours.
• Celebrate New Year’s local style – Traditionally, surfers at Makaha Beach catch the last wave of the year before midnight and then they celebrate the New Year by catching the first wave of the year right after midnight. (Weather, and surf size permitting—good conditions are low surf and moonlight)
• New Businesses:  Planet Fitness is now open in Waianae.  Rumor has it that Papa Johns and O’Reilly Auto Parts will soon be in the Long’s business complex in Makaha.
• Whoops, we goofed…there was some confusion and miscommunication about when the pools would be open. The board and front office were eager to open the pools… unfortunately, in the lead up to Thanksgiving there were a series of communication failures which led to a premature email announcement. We believe it is important to own our mistakes, take responsibility, and be accountable for our actions. We apologise and are working to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Board Meetings

Our HOA Board met on Tuesday October 26 at 6:30 via online Zoom call. Zoom makes it much easier for everyone to attend, especially owners living off-island, and we encourage you to join in future! The first 30 minutes are for general concerns and then the board goes into an executive session where the board meets privately.  During the general October session neighbors expressed their concerns about the growing cat, chicken and peacock populations, the upcoming solar installation, questions about split air conditioning, vehicles with loud exhaust noise, and pool closures. Your voice matters and we encourage you to bring up issues you care about so they can be heard, resolved, and supported.The next HOA Board meeting will be on Tuesday 11th, January at 6.30pm – look out for a meeting email closer to the time with all the details!  Please join the conversation!  We want to hear from you.

A Call For Community Leaders

Aloha – Andrew Clark here! I was elected to the MVP Board with the promise of improving communication and transparency between the community, management, and board of directors. We have updated the website, setup new email services, but now we need your help! We’re looking for members of the community to lead projects, start committees, connect with neighbours, and start living our Aloha values. Our main focus right now is community fun events where we can all meet and mix. Organize a BBQ? A hike? A trip to the beach perhaps? The sky is the limit! So, if you have something on your mind or you’d like to contribute to the mission please get in touch at mvpcommunicationcommittee@gmail.com and let’s find out what we can do together.  Will you answer the call?

Poop

You’ve either stepped in it or stepped around it.  There is a big increase of doggie doo doo that is not being picked up.  Please take a bag with you to pick up after Fido – a moment of inconvenience for 1 person keeps the rest of us from stepping into trouble. There is also peacock poop, you can recognize it by it’s dark black color and Hershey Kiss shape and sometimes sports a Dairy Queen Swirl.  Can’t blame this one on the dogs!

Driving With Aloha

We’ve all done it plenty of times but we’d like to remind everyone that the speed limit in the plantation is 10mph, and  please come to a complete stop at stop signs. We have a very diverse community here, young and old, human, peacock, and stray animals to protect and keep safe.  Please do your part to drive safely and consciously. When we pass the security gate, we are home, time to slow down and take it easy.

Heard it on the Grapevine

There are many ways to get updated information about our community.  There are postings in the flyer boxes at the bottom of every building, bulletin boards at the mailboxes and at the front office, the website, the newsletter, and conversation with neighbors, and the main office.  If you know of a neighbor that may not be able to access this information you can print a newsletter and share it with them, or they can visit www.makahavalleyplantation.org and go to the Newsletter section. The main office will also have a few copies printed out to take.  We want to include everyone!

If you have any suggestions for an upcoming issue or questions we can help answer, we accept submissions and photos between the 1st and 15th of the month. Please send your ideas thoughts and photos to mvpcommunicationcommittee@gmail.com

Until next month,
Lokomaika’i (kindness with aloha!)

E Malama kakou kekahi i kekahi
(Let’s take care of each other)

Welcome to the Makaha Valley Plantation Newsletter for November 2021.  This is written by neighbors for neighbors – whether owner or occupant you’re a valued member of the community and we’re excited to get to know you! Our mission is to connect our neighbors through fun, service, community, sharing, and important information.

Mahalo Nui Loa

Happy Thanksgiving! Please join us in giving thanks to everyone that makes our community a safe, peaceful and beautiful place to live including our management company, the front office, security team, maintenance team, and our wonderful neighbors.

Quick Headlines

• We have a new website! Visit www.makahavalleyplantation.org to check it out. We have chosen the dolphin as our theme because Nia’as (Dolphins) are often called the “angels of the sea”. In Hawaii they are adored symbols of joy, healing, and playfulness that thousands of people connect with.  We’d love to hear what you think about the site.  The website has all the information and resources you’re familiar with, and we’ll be adding more features over time.
• We are sad to say that Izzy Bracic, our friendly and hardworking property manager, is stepping away from his role at Touchstone Property Management. We wish him all the best and welcome Chester Reeves to the plantation. Mahalo Izzy!
•  You can now find minutes from the September Board Meeting at https://makahavalleyplantation.org/association/

Ghosts!

There was a delightful Halloween Meet and Treat at the Ala Mahiku Mailboxes! Ghosts, ghouls and all sorts of great costumes came out for trick and treat. We can only include a few here but we’ll be uploading more photos of the event at https://makahavalleyplantation.org/community/

Fruit Harvesting

We’re lucky to have delicious fruit trees on the property and, as per House Rule G.6, you’re welcome to take any fruit that is within arms reach. For your safety please don’t use a picker or step ladder – instead call the front office and they’ll happily help get you some high-hanging fruit!

Call It In

Thanks to Chris and the professional and protective MVP security team, we are glad to report that thefts at MVP are down, but if you see any suspicious behaviour, particularly at unusual times of day, please call the security gate on (808) 695 – 9464. Noise violations and pool violations are down, however unregistered pets continue to be an issue, so please ensure your furry friend is registered with the office and has a blue or red tag.

Solar Prices for Low Income Households

Over the next couple of years as the new Solar PV and Electrical system comes online electricity prices will be subtly changing. We have contracted a rate of $0.28/kwh fixed for the next 25 years on what is produced by the PV system. At times when the plantation uses more than is produced and stored in local battery storage we will fall back to use the HECO electrical grid, at whatever they are charging at the time. After doing some research HECO’s low-income electricity program will be available for low-income households, as it is currently – great news for those who make use of this valuable program!

Holiday Decorations

We’re entering the most festive time of year and are excited to see people starting to put up decorations. Occupants can place holiday decorations whenever they please; they are traditionally removed within 30 days after the end of the holidays.

Fire Safety

As we all know the Leeward side is hotter and dryer than the rest of the island, but we can all help out by being aware and mindful of cigarettes and to grill safely. MVPs first defense against fire is keeping our grounds lush and watered. Additionally, if there are Red Flag warning days we will notify the community via email to ensure everyone is aware.

Recreational Outrigger Paddling

In keeping with our dolphin theme, and our mission to connect MVP to the community and culture surrounding us, we have been invited by Aunty Bea to join in recreational outrigger paddling. It’s happening on Wednesdays and Sundays at 8:00 am at Pokai Bay, and you can sign up for 4 ½ months of paddling. The cost for the season is $65.00 and $15.00 for a guest one time ride. Meeting place is at the outrigger canoes. A COVID-19 vaccination record is required and temperatures will be taken.  Weather permitting, Aunty Bea will says we can go out for an hour or a little longer, if the dolphins are around!

Vehicle Information

A friendly reminder to please keep these aspects of your vehicle current:

• Current vehicle registration
• Valid liability insurance card
• Current safety inspection sticker and/or State authorized alteration sticker
• Engine and exhaust noise level compliant
• No evidence of oil or acid leakage from vehicle
• All exterior lights and turn signals in working condition

The office asks that you let them know if you are out of compliance and need some time or help to get the proper documents. They are eager to help; they just need to know what is happening.

Heard it on the Grapevine

There are many ways to get updated information about our community.  There are postings in the flyer boxes at the bottom of every building, bulletin boards at the mailboxes and at the front office, the website, the newsletter, and conversation with neighbors, and the main office.  If you know of a neighbor that may not be able to access this information you can print a newsletter and share it with them, or they can visit www.makahavalleyplantation.org and go to the Newsletter section. The main office will also have a few copies printed out to take.  We want to include everyone!

If you have any suggestions for an upcoming issue or questions we can help answer, we accept submissions between the 1st and 15th of the month. Please send your ideas and thoughts to mvpcommunicationcommittee@gmail.com

Until next month,
Lokomaika’i
(kindness with aloha!)

Written and edited by Andrew Clark, Jane Finstrom, and the Communication Committee

Aloha

Welcome to the new Makaha Valley Plantation Newsletter for October 2021. This is a newsletter by neighbours for neighbours – whether owner or occupant we’re all valued members of the community and this newsletter is for you. 

New Board Member and Communications Committee

At the last annual HOA meeting Andrew Clark was elected to the MVP Board of Directors and took over as chair of the Communications Committee, with the promise of improving communication, transparency and the overall experience of being an MVP occupant and owner. Three owners volunteered to support Andrew’s efforts by joining the committee: Guy Herriott, Jane Finstrom, and Susana Poulin.

This newsletter is the first step on that path and we are working on several exciting initiatives including a new website, improved services and some other fun ideas! If you are interested in contributing ideas, joining the committee, or have a question we would love to hear from you – please get in touch at mvpcommunicationcommittee@gmail.com 

Swimming Pools

In keeping with county regulations and COVID restrictions the MVP Swimming Pools still require booking ahead, and are closed to outside guests. However, in an effort to ensure there is alway a pool available, Ala Mahiku Pool is closed on Tuesdays whereas the Kiana Pool is now closed on Wednesdays. COVID social distancing rules should still be followed at all times in shared common spaces, we do not allow bookings of more than 25 people in a 1 hour block, or more than 5 units in the same block.

To reserve an hour at the pool (or the hot tub!) please call the Front Office M-F 8am-4pm at (808) 695-9566 to book some R&R.

Also note that Kiana Pool will be closed for resurfacing from Monday, October 4th to Friday, October 8th.

Updates On Solar

In May 2021 mail-vote was sent to all owners to approve a long term solar panel and electrical improvement project to Makaha Valley Plantation. This was approved in July 2021 and we are excited to see it going ahead! This multi-year improvement, invested in and performed by Hawaii Unified, will see the plantation become a green-energy producing complex – very cool! As part of this work the electrical systems on the plantation will be upgraded which will enable greater per-unit power usage and this will allow for greater appliance load and owners to install mini-split air conditioning systems. Additionally there will be an on-site battery installed to store power in off-peak hours, as well as public EV (Electric Vehicle) chargers. This is going to be a long process and is still in the design phase but it will enable a better living experience and modernisation of Makaha Valley Plantation, and that helps owners and occupants alike. We are very optimistic about this endeavor and will keep the community posted.

Upcoming Road Improvements

We are part way through our road improvements and wanted to give you a heads up that there will be additional road work being undertaken towards the end of the year. Expect to be notified nearer the time.

Unflushable Wet Wipes

This may surprise you (it certainly did us!) but “flushable” wet wipes are not actually flushable. They can cause sewer blockages which, given each unit has shared plumbing, can cause issues for everyone nearby! Toilet paper is the way to go (and better for the environment) so please refrain from flushing wet wipes.

Pet Reminder

We all love our fluffy friends but we want to remind everyone that all pets must be registered with MVP management and their identification tag must be worn at all times. This is a great help if a furry friend escapes and also helps ensure that all pets have the right shots. Owners are responsible for excessive noise made by their pets and dogs in transit should be walked to and from their apartments on a leash. Owners are also required to carry poop baggies with them as a courtesy to everyone. In these uncertain times pets bring a lot of joy and comfort to us all so let’s strive to be the responsible loving owners our pets think we are.

It’s Almost Winter

As we get into winter the days are getting shorter so please be aware of your surroundings and, if need be, carry a flashlight.

Halloween

All hallows eve approaches and this is one of the times of year people decorate their lanai’s! String up some lights and festive knick knacks and submit a photo to mvpcommunicationcommittee@gmail.com for the next newsletter! Do pumpkins even grow in Hawaii?

Ask The Board

Do you have a question for the MVP Board of Directors? Submit a question to mvpcommunicationcommittee@gmail.com and we’ll strive to get it answered in the next newsletter. We’d love to hear any ideas you have for MVP, the committee, or anything else that’s on your mind so please get in touch!

All the best and stay safe!