OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Honolulu City Council Meeting - September 4, 2025

City Council — Thursday, September 4, 2025
BodyHonolulu, Hawaii
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, September 4, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:16

Good afternoon members.

0:18

Um, it's 205.

0:20

We're reconvening.

0:21

We're on page 17 from the committee on budget.

0:24

Councilmember Okimoto.

0:26

Thank you, Chair.

0:26

I move the committee report 253 and resolution 25-204 CD1 as amended be adopted.

0:34

Second second.

0:35

It's been moved and seconded.

0:36

Councilmember Okimoto for the explanation.

0:38

Relating to the transfer of funds.

0:40

Thank you.

0:43

I move that resolution 25-204 CD1 be amended to the hand carried FD1 OCS 2025-0697 forward slash eight forward slash 28 forward slash 2025 at 122 p.m.

1:01

Second.

1:02

It's been moved and seconded.

1:04

Councilmember Okimoto for the explanation of the amendment.

1:08

I move that resolution 25-204 CD1 be amended to the hand carried FD1 OCS 2025-0697 forward slash eight forward slash 28 forward slash 2025 122 pm.

1:25

The FD1 makes the following amendments.

5:12

11 as a new transfer not to exceed $175,000 to the MDO, Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency Activity to be used for the administrative expenses of the fund.

5:28

12 clarifies that certain transfers pertain to certain climate adaptation strategies of climate ready Oahu.

5:37

And 13 in the be it resolved clause amends the table of transfers accordingly.

5:43

And B makes miscellaneous technical and non-substantive amendments.

5:48

Thank you so much.

5:58

No?

5:59

Is there anybody else who'd like to testify?

6:02

On bill resolution 25-204 CD1.

6:08

Saying none, any discussion, members.

6:10

Councilmember Topola.

6:12

Thank you so much.

6:13

I just wanted to uh thank yourself as well as your staff because this version of this resolution is to be much better in line with what we discussed as a council as far as how to utilize the climate resiliency fund.

6:26

We know that it's collected money.

6:28

We know that we want to utilize it, but not in random projects throughout the city.

6:32

We really want them to be targeted specific, helping to address the cesspool issues we have, the wastewater issues we have, as well as the um stream issues.

6:40

So I appreciate you including in here uh a very long-term issue that's been going on in my community with some drainage.

6:47

So I'm very hopeful that we can work with uh DFM as well as DDC if needed to get this project done because it's been on the books for many a council ad, many a year.

6:57

So if hopefully I'm not sure if this is gonna be a quicker release than the general fund release, but we shall see how this goes.

7:04

But I am supportive, thank the budget chair for her work on this as well.

7:08

Thank you, Chair.

7:09

Thank you.

7:10

I believe uh Hakuma Melas.

7:13

Would like to say a few words, please proceed.

7:16

Good afternoon.

7:17

Uh thank you, Chair and uh Vice Chair and Committee or uh council members.

7:21

I'm Hakumillis, I'm the director for the Department of Design and Construction.

7:26

Uh I'm here uh to talk about uh the FT1 uh revision, specifically the 700,000 uh that is uh set aside to go towards DFM and the water quality.

7:37

Uh I just I wanted to kind of talk through uh the written testimony from from Ben Sullivan uh that was provided in that um this as um vice chair to Pola mentioned is a long-standing issue.

7:49

Um it's um an issue that we tried to to work through with um vice chair.

7:56

Uh we ran into some hurdles um because of the the some of the history of this project, and I like to kind of just touch on that real quick.

8:04

Um, so this was um an issue that was kind of identified through a private development uh affordable housing project, as I understand.

8:12

Uh there was a drainage line that was put in the streets um in this area are not up to standard um for for the city for DPP.

8:24

Uh and there there were some concerns from DFM in terms of acceptance of that system and and the way uh it was constructed.

8:32

Um, and so in the end it wasn't it wasn't accepted.

8:36

Um, for us, um, looking at the 700,000 that is proposed.

8:41

Um we had worked through uh a potential um construction cost estimate um with the contractor that provided a number of three million dollars to construct the system as it was previously designed and constructed.

8:56

Um, for us, uh, we have concerns that DFM still wouldn't be willing to accept it uh under that previous design, which means that it would require us to go through a very extensive study, extensive planning and design, and eventual construction that would far exceed the three million dollar estimate.

9:13

Um looking at the 700,000, you know, I don't feel we don't feel that it's sufficient to be able to go through a planning and design process uh and then unsure of how many how much it would be in the end uh for construction.

9:28

And so I just I wanted to share some of those concerns.

9:31

Uh I don't I don't want to uh put this concern out of our minds completely.

9:36

We'd like to still work towards a solution, um, but a project like this is a very significant size uh and cost.

9:44

Um, and I believe it should be uh a CIP project and and maybe doesn't uh isn't gonna have the funding necessary and in this fund.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Funds Management████████████████████████24%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Parks and Recreation██████████████14%
Climate Change█████████████13%
Zoning And Planning█████████████13%
Public Safety███████7%
Affordable Housing████4%
Homelessness███3%
Public Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Honolulu City Council Meeting: September 4, 2025

The Honolulu City Council convened at 2:05 PM and adjourned at 3:05 PM on September 4, 2025, to consider a range of resolutions including budget transfers, acceptance of gifts, zoning permits, and policy directives. Discussions centered on climate resiliency fund allocations, affordable housing projects, and police chief selection process.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Natalie Wasser testified in support of Resolution 25-217 (peer review gift) and raised questions about Resolution 25-209 (reimbursement for workshops), citing a two-year delay and lack of prior discussion.
  • Robert Santelon and Shelby Billionaire were registered but not present for Resolution 25-208.
  • Mark Anthony Clemente (Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters) testified in support of Resolution 25-207 (Cove project) and Resolution 25-236 (Lau Lima housing).
  • Panamantomi III testified in support of Resolution 25-207.
  • Matt Cares (James Campbell Company) testified in support of Resolution 25-207 on behalf of the applicant.
  • Mike Golo Jr. (Pride Work Hawaii) testified in support of Resolution 25-222 but urged amendments to include overpoliced populations and transparency on MOUs.
  • Kikuko Reese and Larry Verray were registered for Resolution 25-205 but not logged on.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 25-204 CD1 (Climate Resiliency Fund transfers): Councilmember Okimoto introduced an FD1 amendment to add a $175,000 transfer for the Office of Climate Change administrative expenses and clarify allocations for climate adaptation strategies. Councilmember Tupola supported the targeted approach, referencing long-standing drainage issues in her community. DDC Director Hakumelas expressed concerns that $700,000 for Kulao Puni street water quality improvements is insufficient, citing a prior $3 million estimate and acceptance issues. Director Ben Sullivan (Resiliency) stated intent to pursue projects aggressively, noting funds roll back if not used. Councilmember Kia Aina emphasized mangrove removal funds are supplemental to DLNR efforts. Councilmember Tolba voted no, preferring to prioritize cesspool upgrades.
  • Resolution 25-233 (Vehicle purchase for DTS): Councilmember Okimoto questioned if the purchase was included in the FY26 budget; DTS representative Tony Valdez confirmed it was. Resolution adopted.
  • Resolution 25-185 CD1 (Relocation program for city-funded housing): Councilmember Tupola urged development of a program and a dedicated position. Councilmember Okimoto registered a no vote. Adopted.
  • Resolution 25-207 CD1 (SMA permit for Cove project in Ko Olina): Councilmember Tupola expressed support, acknowledging community concerns about noise, parking, and traffic, and noted developer commitments for bathrooms, parking, and construction impact fees. Roll call: 9 ayes. Adopted.
  • Resolution 25-236 CD1 (Lau Lima affordable housing exemptions): Councilmember Tupola supported, noting community input and need for traffic improvements. Councilmember Kia Aina raised concerns about double dipping under the unilateral agreement and questioned the applicability of Act 294 constraints. Adopted with 9 ayes (Councilmember Cordero had reservations).
  • Resolution 25-222 CD1 (Police chief selection process): Councilmember Tupola highlighted survey results from rank-and-file officers and civilian employees, urging transparency and inclusion. Testifier Mike Golo Jr. called for broader transparency across all HPD operations. Adopted.
  • Resolution 25-109 CD1 (Audit of CORE/EMS): Councilmember Tupola discussed the need to align with proven crisis response models like CAHOOTS in Oregon. Adopted.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted resolutions: 25-204 CD1 as amended (Councilmember Tolba voted no on amendment and final passage); 25-208; 25-217; 25-231; 25-233; 25-185 CD1 (Councilmember Okimoto voted no); 25-205; 25-211 through 25-216, 25-220, 25-225; 25-209; 25-109 CD1; 25-242; 25-243; 25-207 CD1 (9 ayes); 25-236 CD1 (9 ayes, Councilmember Cordero reservations); 25-222 CD1; 25-234; 25-232; balance of committee reports (settlements); new business items 25-235, 25-247, 25-248, 25-249.
  • Laid over: Resolution 25-223 (eminent domain for wastewater pump stations) ordered published.
  • Next meeting: Adjourned until Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 10:00 AM.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon members. Um, it's 205. We're reconvening. We're on page 17 from the committee on budget. Councilmember Okimoto. Thank you, Chair. I move the committee report 253 and resolution 25-204 CD1 as amended be adopted. Second second. It's been moved and seconded. Councilmember Okimoto for the explanation. Relating to the transfer of funds. Thank you. I move that resolution 25-204 CD1 be amended to the hand carried FD1 OCS 2025-0697 forward slash eight forward slash 28 forward slash 2025 at 122 p.m. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Councilmember Okimoto for the explanation of the amendment. I move that resolution 25-204 CD1 be amended to the hand carried FD1 OCS 2025-0697 forward slash eight forward slash 28 forward slash 2025 122 pm. The FD1 makes the following amendments. 11 as a new transfer not to exceed $175,000 to the MDO, Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency Activity to be used for the administrative expenses of the fund. 12 clarifies that certain transfers pertain to certain climate adaptation strategies of climate ready Oahu. And 13 in the be it resolved clause amends the table of transfers accordingly. And B makes miscellaneous technical and non-substantive amendments. Thank you so much. No? Is there anybody else who'd like to testify? On bill resolution 25-204 CD1. Saying none, any discussion, members. Councilmember Topola. Thank you so much. I just wanted to uh thank yourself as well as your staff because this version of this resolution is to be much better in line with what we discussed as a council as far as how to utilize the climate resiliency fund. We know that it's collected money. We know that we want to utilize it, but not in random projects throughout the city. We really want them to be targeted specific, helping to address the cesspool issues we have, the wastewater issues we have, as well as the um stream issues. So I appreciate you including in here uh a very long-term issue that's been going on in my community with some drainage. So I'm very hopeful that we can work with uh DFM as well as DDC if needed to get this project done because it's been on the books for many a council ad, many a year. So if hopefully I'm not sure if this is gonna be a quicker release than the general fund release, but we shall see how this goes. But I am supportive, thank the budget chair for her work on this as well. Thank you, Chair. Thank you. I believe uh Hakuma Melas. Would like to say a few words, please proceed. Good afternoon. Uh thank you, Chair and uh Vice Chair and Committee or uh council members. I'm Hakumillis, I'm the director for the Department of Design and Construction. Uh I'm here uh to talk about uh the FT1 uh revision, specifically the 700,000 uh that is uh set aside to go towards DFM and the water quality. Uh I just I wanted to kind of talk through uh the written testimony from from Ben Sullivan uh that was provided in that um this as um vice chair to Pola mentioned is a long-standing issue. Um it's um an issue that we tried to to work through with um vice chair. Uh we ran into some hurdles um because of the the some of the history of this project, and I like to kind of just touch on that real quick. Um, so this was um an issue that was kind of identified through a private development uh affordable housing project, as I understand. Uh there was a drainage line that was put in the streets um in this area are not up to standard um for for the city for DPP.

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