Honolulu City Council Final Meeting of 2025 – December 3, 2025

The Honolulu City Council convened its final regular meeting of 2025 on December 3, 2025, beginning with an invocation and message of Aloha by broadcast personality Billy V. The council considered a wide-ranging agenda including confirmation of department heads and commissioners, passage of ordinances on taxicabs, shared streets, budget transparency, and police scanner access, and resolutions addressing immigrant rights and a legal settlement. The meeting featured extensive public testimony from students, advocates, and community members.

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously adopted a series of committee reports confirming appointments to city boards and commissions: Jody Lebed (Board of Review), Edmund KB Hyun (Liquor Commission), Dr. Bradley Romine (Climate Change Commission), Jeffrey Laopola (Board of Water Supply), Catherine Chang and Carla Hauser (Board of Parks and Recreation), Mark Anthony Clemente (Planning Commission), Blakely Parsons and Gary Yabuta (Police Commission), Geison Ontai (Fire Commission), and Ananduabar (Emergency Management Commission). Several testimony sessions included questions from the public, but all appointments were approved.
• Multiple gifts to the city were accepted, including equipment, consulting services, and travel, primarily from the Honolulu Zoological Society and private donors, with no objections.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Police Scanner Access (Bill 46): Matthew Piacente (Hawaii News Now) testified in strong support, stating that real-time scanner access is the first step in responsible journalism and essential for public safety alerts. John Dutzmann and Tim Gary opposed the bill, arguing it unfairly restricts access to established media outlets while excluding social media and the general public, calling it a violation of the First Amendment.
• Immigrant Rights Resolution (25-301): Over a dozen University of Hawaii students and community advocates testified in support, citing widespread fear in immigrant communities, the importance of due process, and the need for trust in city services. Testifiers noted that 266,147 immigrants live in Hawaii (19.4% non-U.S. born) and that domestic violence victims especially need safe access to services. Tim Gary testified in opposition, arguing that undocumented criminals pose a threat and that legal immigration should be the standard.
• Legal Settlement (ILACR 381): Natalie Wassa asked for the settlement cost; Chulan Lambert opposed the settlement, stating it would set a precedent and avoid a justifiable court fight.
• Taxicab Bill (42): Ryan Naka of Charlie’s Taxi testified in strong support, noting that fare adjustments were needed to keep drivers earning a living wage and competing with ride-sharing companies.
• On various agenda items, frequent testifier Shelby "Pikachu" Billionaire raised concerns about conflicts of interest, federal issues, West-side problems, and systemic corruption.

Discussion Items

• Confirmation of Kevin D. AJ as Director of Housing and Land Management: Councilmember Okimoto disclosed that a senior administration official had linked the release of district appropriations to her vote, calling it a threat to council independence. She also cited AJ's lack of development experience. Councilmember Cordero noted past difficulties but welcomed a fresh start. Councilmember Tupola defended AJ, highlighting progress on using city land for affordable housing (2500 units in pipeline). AJ confirmed ongoing work on a data inventory of city properties. Vote: 8-0 with reservations from Okimoto and Cordero.
• Budget Reporting Bills (64 & 65): The administration opposed, arguing current reports are sufficient. Councilmember Tupola noted that existing reports are over 10,000 pages and difficult to analyze. Councilmember Del Santos Tam suggested the council use its own staff for analysis. Both bills passed 8-0, with reservations from Del Santos Tam, Tulba, and others.
• Police Scanner Access (Bill 46): After testimony, the council passed the bill with reservations from Councilmember Okimoto, who was concerned that the 25-year continuous publication requirement could limit future access for newer media outlets. Bill 46 requires HPD to provide real-time scanner access to local media with at least 25 years of continuous operation.
• Immigrant Rights Resolution (25-301): Councilmember Wire, the introducer, expressed disappointment that resolved clauses were stripped but accepted assurances from the administration that it already complies. Councilmember Del Santos Tam criticized the removal of enforcement language, noting inconsistency with the council's approach in other bills. Councilmember Tulba voted with reservations, emphasizing respect for lawful immigration processes. Resolution adopted 8-0 with Tulba's reservation.
• Legal Settlement (ILACR 381): Corporation counsel Dana Viola explained that the $1 million settlement for Certified Construction Inc. was reasonable because involved officers could face murder prosecution without statute of limitations, making them unable to testify. The council adopted with reservations from five members.

Key Outcomes

• Kevin D. AJ confirmed as Director of Housing and Land Management (8-0 with reservations).
• Bills passed third reading: Bill 42 (taxicab regulations), Bill 46 (police scanner access), Bill 55 (multifamily rental fees), Bill 63 (real property taxation), Bill 64 and 65 (budget reporting), Bill 66 (exceptional trees), Bill 70 (dog parks in new developments), Bill 71 (shared streets).
• Resolution 25-301 affirmed constitutional due process rights for all residents regardless of immigration status.
• Multiple board and commission appointments confirmed.
• Gifts valued over $80,000 accepted from the Honolulu Zoological Society and others.
• Meeting adjourned to Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 10 a.m.