Honolulu City Council Meeting - August 7, 2025: Land Use, Police Transparency, and Public Safety
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Honolulu City Council Meeting - August 7, 2025
The Honolulu City Council convened on August 7, 2025, to address a range of issues including appointments to city boards and commissions, the first reading of several bills, and a contentious third reading of a land use boundary amendment for Haleiwa (Bill 37). The meeting featured extensive public testimony, particularly on Bill 37 (over 800 written testimonies and 1,300 petition signatures in opposition) and Bill 46 (police information release). The council also debated the confirmation of a new police commissioner and heard updates on the Fire Commission and Ocean Safety Commission.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the 11th session were approved without objection or reservation.
- Resolution 25-191 (Neighborhood Board Commission Appointments): Adopted without objection, confirming Christian De Quevedo, Angela Knight, and Harris Nakamoto.
- Resolution 25-179 CD1 (Ocean Safety Commission Appointments): Adopted without objection, confirming the mayor's appointees to the newly established commission. Councilmember Tupolo highlighted the commission's role in supporting the Ocean Safety Department and selecting a chief.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ocean Safety Commission: Testifiers expressed strong support for the lifeguards and the new commission, emphasizing the need for timely action and community representation.
- Fire Commission Review: Testifier Shelby Billionaire raised concerns about fire investigations, while Fire Commission Chair Dave Matlin provided an update on station visits and a new online document portal.
- Police Commission (Christopher Magnus): No public testimony was given, but council members questioned Magnus on his background, independence, and commitment to understanding local culture. He was referred to the Public Safety and Economy Committee.
- First Reading Bills (Bills 52-55): Testifiers commented on Bill 53 (affordable housing) and Bill 54 (public transit). Richard Ching supported Bill 53 but expressed concerns about affordability and parking. Harrison Nakamoto raised concerns about a project at 1427 Ernest Street, citing crime and lack of a resident manager. Don Sakamoto supported Bill 54's fare adjustments.
- Bill 49 and Bill 50 (Real Property Tax Exemptions): Cody Sula of the Hawaii Iron Workers Stabilization Fund testified in support, calling the exemptions a small step to help seniors and homeowners remain in Hawaii.
- Bill 46 (HPD Information Release): Multiple media representatives (Brenda Salgado, Katie Pickman, Christina Lockwood) testified in support, citing the need for real-time dispatch access during emergencies like the July 29 tsunami warning. They emphasized their commitment to responsible reporting. Opposition came from Brent Colbus (26-year Navy veteran) who cited operational security risks, and from Tim Geary who supported the chief's position. The Hawaii Association of Broadcasters president Chris Leonard urged a middle ground. Interim Police Chief Vanek and Managing Director Formby expressed legal concerns, including potential violation of FBI CJIS security policy.
- Bill 37 CD1 (Haleiwa Land Use Boundary Amendment): Overwhelming opposition from the community. Testifiers included:
- Senator Brent Awa (opposed, citing land flipping and generational wealth for investors)
- Denise Antolini (Ole Backyards Coalition) – warned of irreversible change and referenced past council reversals
- Cheryl Matsumoto – highlighted the need for agricultural land to meet school food sourcing mandates (Act 175)
- Chris Hagan – described severe traffic congestion and tsunami evacuation risks
- Linda Molina – pleaded for protection of agricultural land and community safety
- Raquel Acheu, Yvonne Yoro, and others – emphasized infrastructure strain and loss of rural character
- Supporters including Travis Murakami (Carpenters Union) and Juan Parastal argued that the bill only changes the boundary and allows further planning, and that workforce housing is needed.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 25-200 (Police Commission Appointment): Christopher Magnus, former police chief in three mainland departments, answered questions about his nomination. He stated he originally contacted the mayor to offer ideas and was subsequently asked to serve. Councilmembers questioned his familiarity with local culture and the current search for a permanent HPD chief. The resolution was referred to the Public Safety and Economy Committee.
- First Reading Bills (Bills 52-55): Councilmember Dosantos Tam expressed reservations on Bill 53, noting the tone of some testimonies that seemed to exclude low-income residents, and raised technical concerns about parking requirements in TOD areas. Councilmember Wire also noted reservations. The bills passed first reading.
- Bill 46 (HPD Information Release): Extensive debate. Chief Vanek explained that the analog system allowed media access, but digital encryption is now required by the FBI to protect personally identifiable information (PII) and criminal justice information (CJI). He noted that all patrol communications go on one frequency, making it impossible to separate tactical from non-tactical calls. He also stated that the FBI is preparing a national position against the bill. Councilmember Kia Aina expressed reservations, citing potential criminal access to police communications. Councilmember Okimoto voted no, concerned about the uniqueness of Honolulu's system. Chair Waters noted ongoing efforts to find a middle ground. Bill 46 passed second reading with reservations from Tupola and Kia Aina, and a no vote from Okimoto.
- Bill 37 CD1 (Haleiwa Land Use Boundary Amendment): After extensive testimony, Councilmember Kia Aina moved to recommit the bill to the Zoning and Planning Committee. He cited the need for further discussion on potential city acquisition of the property, community garden, or transportation hub. Councilmember Wire supported the motion, noting public safety concerns highlighted by the recent tsunami warning and the lack of a second access point. Councilmember Tupola emphasized the contradiction between the community growth boundary and the community's opposition to the proposed project. The motion passed unanimously without objection.
Key Outcomes
- Adopted: Resolutions 25-191 and 25-179 CD1; Committee Report 161 (Fire Commission review).
- Referred: Resolution 25-200 (Police Commission) to Public Safety and Economy Committee.
- Passed First Reading: Bills 52, 53, 54, and 55 (with reservations on Bill 53).
- Passed Second Reading: Bill 49 (senior property tax exemption) and Bill 50 (home exemption) unanimously; Bill 46 (HPD information release) with reservations and one no vote.
- Recommitted: Bill 37 CD1 (Haleiwa land use) to Zoning and Planning Committee for further discussion.
- Meeting recessed at 12:00 PM to reconvene at 2:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Aloha and good morning, everyone. Thank you all for being here. Councilmember Toba, can you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? The United States of America. One nation under God and the world, liberty and justice for all. Also, Councilmember Toboe kindly introduce our guest giving the message of aloha. Thank you, Chair. Please join me in welcoming Pastor Mike Guy, founder of Inspired Church, who's here to share the message of aloha. Since starting Inspired Church in 2001, his wife Lisa have grown the small church into a thriving multi-site community. I asked him to speak to us today because Inspired Church does a tremendous amount of community outreach in District 9, serving homeless, underprivileged, and working in partnership with our district 9 team to improve our community. Ma'alo, Pastor Mike, for joining us today. Good morning. Thank you, everybody. It's a privilege and an honor to be here. Good morning, Council Chair Waters. Thank you, Council members, everyone in the chamber, and people who are online. My name is Mike Kai. I am, as you said, the pastor of Inspire Church. I'm very, very thankful, in particular for Council members Tupola and Tolbah, who have done a great job on our side of the island, where mainly our congregation comes from the west side, where a lot of their constituents are. Very grateful to be here. Originally I'm from the big island, so um I'm born and raised in Honokaa. Um my family comes from Hilo. I'm very, very interested in what God is doing in these islands. The first thing I want to say, I never ran my talk or my message of aloha through Augie. I did not do that. I said, You're gonna trust me, he said, I trust you. So of course, I pray and I ask the Lord, what do you want me to speak on? I really felt impressed that God wanted me to speak about the aloha spirit or the spirit of aloha. When we talk about the spirit of aloha, when I begin to talk about what does it mean to have the aloha spirit? It's it's it's it's interesting to try to talk about something that you feel actually comes naturally. It comes naturally to us, but to be able to explain what it means, I had to do a little bit of research on where that came from. First of all, we live in a beautiful place. These islands are some of the most beautiful islands in the world. We are blessed to live here. Not only are these islands beautiful, but it's the people. The people are amazing here. It's like when you move somewhere, you go somewhere, and people hear your accent, they know that you must be from Hawaii. It's the way that you carry yourself, it's the way that you love people, it's the way that you care for other people. There's something special about people from Hawaii. When I began to look at this, I recall that in statehood in August 21st in 1959, when Hawaii became the 50th state, Reverend Abraham Akaka, who was the Kahu just across the street, gave an impromptu service and a message and a sermon that would live forever. And this is where he coined us the aloha state or the people of the aloha spirit. I want to tell you that it's more than the food. We have the best potlucks anywhere. Uh it's more than the people, and it's more than the beaches. It is something that's innate, it's something in our DNA. I want to talk about for what Reverend Akaka said. He said at Kawaii Ha'O Church, he said, but when the aloha spirit, the spirit of aloha, is perpetuated, cultivated, and adopted, that's what makes Hawaii so different and special. He said, Ah, yes, the creator God, Akua, protected these islands, the most isolated land group in the world from foreign discovery for 1,78 years after the birth of the carpenter in Bethlehem. It would take another 42 years before the missionaries arrived at Kawaii High on Hawaii Island to bring the gospel. He goes on to say that this meaning of aloha feels especially grateful that the discovery and development of our islands long ago was not couched in the context of imperialistic and exploitative national power, but in this context of aloha.
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