Honolulu City Council Meeting - February 18, 2026

The Honolulu City Council convened on February 18, 2026, at 10 a.m. for a regular meeting. The meeting opened with a message of aloha from University of Hawaii head football coach Timmy Chang, followed by procedural announcements. The council considered a wide range of items, including affordable housing legislation (Bill 18), authorization for rail extension planning (Bill 60), development standard updates (Bill 6), sign standards (Bill 7), and multiple appointments and gift acceptances. Key debates centered on balancing housing production with neighborhood protections and ensuring transparency in future rail segments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved reappointments: Deborah Louis Anderson to the Economic Revitalization Commission (CR28, Res. 26-12), Ryan Kammel to the Planning Commission (CR37, Res. 26-13 CD1), Debbie Avellaneki to the Fire Commission (CR40, Res. 26-11 CD1), and Perry White to the Ethics Commission (Res. 26-9).
• Adopted committee reports and resolutions accepting gifts: $4,550 from Nickel for OER conference (Res. 26-22), $1,975 from Metropolitan Community College (Res. 26-23), two used golf carts valued at $9,300 from Honolulu Zoological Society for the zoo (Res. 25-328), $10,860 from the 200 Club for HFD awards (Res. 26-15), and $1,990 and $2,023 from ALGA for auditor peer review travel (Res. 26-18, 26-19).
• Passed second readings without objection: Bill 1 (medical examiner fees), Bill 12 (wastewater/stormwater website), Bill 6 (apartment development standards), and Bill 7 (sign standards).
• Adopted resolution 26-21 transferring funds for clean water/natural lands, and resolution 26-33 for a fund transfer.
• Approved SMA major permits for a single-unit dwelling in Wailoa (Res. 25-333 CD1) and West Loch pump station (Res. 26-4 CD1).
• Adopted resolution 26-25 amending HPD policies on transparency and accountability (with reservation from Councilmember Okimoto).
• Passed resolution 26-17 CD1 on conditional use permit amendments (floor leader Kia Aina, reservations from Councilmember Wire).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bill 18 (Affordable Housing):
  • Joli Toku Sato (Unite Here Local 5) expressed personal opposition to allowing walk-ups without elevators in affordable housing, citing challenges for aging residents.
  • Don Huang (Collaborative 7) testified in strong opposition, arguing the bill disrupts momentum built under existing Bill 7 program. He warned that reducing height limits and density in special districts would kill feasibility for many projects, especially in Waikiki, Makiki, and Moiliili.
  • Brian Mix (Disability Communication Access Board) supported the elevator requirement but advocated for elevators in any building with two or more stories.
  • Ted Kafalas (Grassroot Institute) supported Bill 18 overall but proposed an amendment to make the height limit the greater of underlying zoning or 60 feet.
  • McKinley Eads (Avalon Development) supported the bill as a good-faith effort, while cautioning against changes that harm project feasibility—echoing concerns from developer Paul Lamb.
  • Gina Thielen urged the council to tread cautiously, noting that Bill 7 is finally producing units and unintended changes could set back or kill the program.
  • Donald Sakamoto supported the bill but stressed the need for accessibility and elevators for seniors and people with disabilities.
• Bill 60 (HART Rail Extension):
  • Joli Toku Sato stated that Unite Here Local 5 is a firm believer in public transit and that rail should go to UH.
  • Donald Sakamoto supported the bill but urged accessible construction and proper planning, quoting Benjamin Franklin: "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
• Resolution 26-17 (CUP Amendments):
  • Raquel Achu (Wailoa Mokuhinia) supported the intent but expressed concern about making all agribusiness activities require a major CUP, as it could burden small farmers. She urged that neighborhood boards receive notice for minor CUPs.
  • Taylor Kellerman (Kualoa Ranch) raised concerns that requiring all operations to go through major CUP increases administrative and financial complexity. He also asked for clear parameters to prevent ambiguity in the DPP director's revocation authority.

Discussion Items

• Bill 18 (Affordable Housing - First Reading): Councilmember Tupola, the sponsor, explained that Bill 18 modernizes Chapter 32 (Bill 7) to increase housing supply, citing that only six projects have been completed since 2019. The bill removes the 60-foot height cap and 20,000 sq ft lot limit in some areas, relying on underlying zoning, and allows greater density. Councilmember Kia Aina expressed concern that deleting the height cap and lot maximum could bypass the 201H discretionary process and community input; she voted with reservations. Councilmember Dos Santos Tam appreciated incorporation of elements from his Bill 72 but noted underlying zoning issues must be fixed concurrently. Councilmember Wire supported keeping the 60-foot limit and opposed carving out certain districts from the program. Councilmember Nishimoto had reservations. The bill passed first reading with multiple councilmembers voting "WR" (with reservations).
• Bill 60 (HART Extension - Third Reading): The bill authorizes HART to plan extensions beyond the current minimal operable segment (East Kapolei to Ala Moana) to the University of Hawaii and/or West Kapolei, as per the locally preferred alternative. HART CEO Lori Kahikina stated the bill does not obligate future funds and that all future funding would require separate council approval. Councilmember Cordero noted community support for planning to UH but no commitment to specific segments. Councilmember Kia Aina supported going west first (e.g., to Kamakana Ali‘i) but voted with reservations because the bill also allows planning toward UH before Ala Moana is reached. Councilmember Talba voted no, arguing each extension should require separate council approval for transparency and accountability. Councilmember Tupola supported the bill, noting it only grants planning authority and that innovative partnerships (e.g., with DHHL) could fund segments. Final vote: 8 ayes, 1 no (Talba), with Kia Aina voting aye with reservations.
• Bill 6 & Bill 7 (Development Standards & Sign Standards - Second Reading): Both bills passed unanimously with brief discussion. Councilmember Tupola highlighted that Bill 7 will help small businesses in mixed-use neighborhoods like Ho‘opili and Mehana by allowing appropriate signage.
• Resolution 26-17 (Conditional Use Permits): Councilmember Kia Aina explained the resolution directs DPP to draft bill amendments for conditional use permits, addressing concerns about minor vs. major permits and the need for neighborhood notice. Councilmember Wire expressed reservations, preferring a gentler approach that provides notice without mandating major CUP for all agribusiness. DPP representative Elizabeth Krieger confirmed the department can provide options during the planning commission process. The resolution was adopted.

Key Outcomes

• Bill 18 (2026) passed first reading on an 8-0-1 vote (with reservations from several members). Referred to committee for further refinement.
• Bill 60 (2025) CD2 passed third reading (8-1). Authorizes HART to plan extensions beyond the minimal operable segment, subject to future appropriation. Councilmember Talba voted no; Councilmember Kia Aina voted aye with reservations.
• Bill 6 (2026) CD1 and Bill 7 (2026) CD1 passed second reading unanimously.
• Bill 1 (2026) CD1 (medical examiner fees) and Bill 12 (2026) (sewer website) passed second reading unanimously.
• All listed committee reports and resolutions were adopted, with only noted reservations from Councilmember Okimoto (Res. 26-25) and Councilmember Wire (Res. 26-17).
• The meeting was adjourned until Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 10 a.m.