The Hawaiʻi Ledger Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026

Oʻahu · City Council · meeting report

Budget (Bud): Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026

8 items taken up, from 9:06 a.m., at the City Council Chamber. Every action and vote below is as the council's own written summary records it.

Voting members: Val A. Okimoto, Chair; Scott Y. Nishimoto, Vice Chair; Esther Kiaʻāina; Augie Tulba; Tommy Waters. The council's video of this meeting · the written summary

1. RESOLUTION 25-327 – COMMITTEE REPORT 6(26)

9:12 a.m.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS (DEM). Authorizing a transfer not to exceed $321,684 in General Fund monies from the Provision for Federally Funded Program Contingencies activity (current expenses ("CE") character of expenditure ("COE")) to the Department of Emergency Management ("DEM") Emergency Management Coordination activity (salary COE) to provide DEM with the resources required to fill and sustain Planner positions, ensuring that DEM can effectively manage and implement federally supported programs. Committee on Budget Written Summary for Video Record Tuesday, January 13, 2026 There was no public testimony. Resolution 25-327 reported out for adoption.

What happened: Resolution 25-327 reported out for adoption.

Vote: ayes 3 — KIAʻĀINA, NISHIMOTO, OKIMOTO, none against.

2. RESOLUTION 25-331 – COMMITTEE REPORT 7(26)

9:13 a.m.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS (BFS). Authorizing a transfer not to exceed $34,400,000 in General Fund monies from the Provision for Hazard Pay activity (current expenses character of expenditure ("COE")) to the Provision for Hazard Pay activity (salaries COE) for the fiscal year 2026 in order to record salaries in the Provision for Hazard Pay activity. Council Chair Waters entered the Council Chamber. Councilmember Kiaʻāina exited and entered the Council Chamber.

What happened: Resolution 25-331 reported out for adoption.

Vote: ayes 4 — KIAʻĀINA, NISHIMOTO, OKIMOTO, WATERS, none against.

3. RESOLUTION 26-5 – COMMITTEE REPORT 8(26)

9:31 a.m.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS (BFS). Authorizing a transfer (totaling $15,193,210) not to exceed $15,143,120 in General Fund monies, $12,750 in Liquor Fund monies, $35,780 in Transportation Fund monies, and $1,560 in Solid Waste Special Fund monies from the Provision for Salary Adjustments and Accrued Vacation Pay activity (current expenses character of expenditure ("COE")) to the activities of the executive agencies (salaries COE) to fund authorized pay increases and accrued vacation payouts. Councilmember Tulba entered the Council Chamber. There was no public testimony. Resolution 26-5 amended to CD1 (OCS2026-0013/1/9/2026 2:24 PM) and reported out for adoption.

Vote: ayes 5 — KIAʻĀINA, NISHIMOTO, OKIMOTO, TULBA, WATERS, none against.

4. BILL 54 (2025), CD1 – COMMITTEE REPORT 1(26)

9:39 a.m.

RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSIT. Updating and amending certain sections of Chapter 15B, Revised Ordinances of Honolulu 2021 as they pertain to the fare structure for the Multimodal Municipal Transportation System.

Vote: ayes 5 — KIAʻĀINA, NISHIMOTO, OKIMOTO, TULBA, WATERS, none against.

Testimony: 2 in opposition, 1 in support. Residents who testify are counted here, never named.

5. BILL 55 (2025), CD1 – COMMITTEE REPORT 2(26)

9:59 a.m.

RELATING TO MULTI-FAMILY RENTAL HOUSING PROGRAM FEES. Establishing fees for the City and County of Honolulu’s Multi-Family Rental Housing Program. There was no public testimony. Bill 55 (2025), CD1 amended to CD2 (OCS2026-0023/1/16/2026 12:40 PM) and reported out for passage on third reading.

Vote: ayes 5 — KIAʻĀINA, NISHIMOTO, OKIMOTO, TULBA, WATERS, none against.

6. BILL 63 (2025), CD1 – COMMITTEE REPORT 3(26)

10:05 a.m.

RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TAXATION. Addressing the dedication of certain property for affordable long-term residential rental use. Councilmember Nishimoto exited the Council Chamber. Councilmember Nishimoto entered the Council Chamber.

What happened: Bill 63 (2025), CD1 reported out for passage on third reading.

Vote: ayes 4 — KIAʻĀINA, NISHIMOTO, OKIMOTO, WATERS, none against.

Testimony: 1 in support. Residents who testify are counted here, never named.

7. BILL 76 (2025) – COMMITTEE REPORT 4(26)

10:29 a.m.

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY. Enhancing governmental transparency in the City and County of Honolulu. Councilmember Kiaʻāina entered the Council Chamber.

What happened: Bill 76 (2025) reported out for passage on second reading and scheduling of a public hearing.

Vote: ayes 5 — KIAʻĀINA, NISHIMOTO, OKIMOTO, TULBA, WATERS, none against.

Testimony: 1 in support. Residents who testify are counted here, never named.

8. BILL 77 (2025) – COMMITTEE REPORT 5(26)

11:06 a.m.

RELATING TO BUDGET EXECUTION. Amending provisions related to budget execution.

What happened: Bill 77 (2025) reported out for passage on second reading and scheduling of a public hearing.

Vote: ayes 5 — KIAʻĀINA*, NISHIMOTO, OKIMOTO, TULBA, WATERS, none against. One member voted aye with reservations.

From the council's “Written Summary for Video Record” for this meeting (the document), read by script and not reviewed by a person. Measures, actions and roll-call votes are the council's own words; councilmembers are named as the record names them; residents who testified are counted, not named. Items are placed on area pages by any tax map key the summary prints.