Honolulu Budget Committee Meeting on Executive Operating Budget - March 30, 2026

The Honolulu City Council Committee on Budget met on March 30, 2026, to review and discuss proposed amendments to the Executive Operating Budget (Bill 22, 2026) for Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. The meeting, chaired by Councilmember Okimoto, involved line-by-line review of amendments with testimony from department directors. Key topics included funding for economic revitalization, public safety retention, stream maintenance, and homeless services. The committee voted to advance the bill as a CD1 for second reading.

Discussion Items

• Managing Director's Office: Proposed $200,000 for a visitor center at Cohio Beach Park. The administration suggested placing funds under the Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) instead due to existing partnership structures. The amendment remained under consideration.

• Office of Economic Revitalization (OER): Proposed cuts of $1.62 million and 20 positions, opposed by OER Director Amy Oselbai who cited the office's critical role in disaster recovery and grant acquisition. Councilmembers debated OER's effectiveness, with Councilmember Tupola advocating for a policy-focused role rather than duplicative services. Three community equity liaison positions ($224,304) were accepted. The committee took input but did not finalize cuts.

• Department of Customer Services: $100,000 proposed for feral chicken removal. Director Kim Hashiro noted the existing budget adequately covers the program, which has spent ~$85,000 in FY26 to date. Councilmembers discussed redirecting funds to spay/neuter programs.

• Budget and Fiscal Services: $15,000 for a home exemption education campaign was declined by Director Kawano, who stated the department could cover outreach within its current budget. Councilmembers expressed ongoing concerns about outreach to vulnerable populations, such as elderly survivors of spouses.

• Prosecuting Attorney: Accepted $2,342,188 for 10 positions (including vacancy cutbacks). Prosecutor Steve Walm requested reallocating funds to create 20 permanent positions within the same total. The committee agreed to consider the proposal offline.

• Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP): Accepted amendments for two positions ($89,800 and $59,500) to support the Oahu Historic Preservation Commission, $240,000 for an engineer loan forgiveness program (moved to Building Division), and $109,200 for an agricultural planner. Councilmember Kia Aina emphasized workforce development and cultural preservation.

• Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM): Three amendments were proposed: $25,000 for a gate at WaiNi Neighborhood Center, $1 million for stream maintenance in the Alawai watershed, and $750,000 for a long-reach excavator. Director Gene Albano declined all, citing existing budgets and pending flood recovery allocations. Councilmembers pushed back, with Councilmember Nishimoto arguing the $1 million could hire staff for routine stream cleaning, and Councilmember Tupola noting equipment was critical during recent storms.

• Honolulu Police Department (HPD): Multiple amendments totaling ~$2.365 million for retention incentives ($5,000 payments for employees with 25+ years), community policing expansion ($280,000), referral bonuses ($80,000), security cameras ($64,000), and civilian parking stipends ($480,000). Major Ryan Hiranaka opposed all additions and provisos, citing flexibility and lapse concerns. Councilmember Tupola defended the amendments as essential for retention and accountability, noting HPD had ~$23 million in lapses in FY25.

• Department of Transportation Services (DTS): Proposed $10,000 for a crosswalk safety at Nenue Place, $50,000 for quick-build improvements at Pahia Road, $500,000 for Lanikai transportation management, and $500,000 for speed bumps on multiple streets. Director Roger Morton declined most, suggesting existing programs could cover them. Councilmember Kia Aina insisted on keeping all provisions, citing long-standing community needs.

• Department of Housing and Land Management (DHLM): Proposed $4 million to purchase the Queen Theater in Kaimuki. Director Ajay stated the amount represents half of the department's operating budget and raised concerns about environmental issues and parking. Chair Waters suggested reducing to $2 million with state partnership. The amendment was moved to DHLM from DES.

• Department of Community Services (DCS): Proposed $135,000 reduction for Section 8 funding. Director Krucky requested keeping the funds, as they are federal and critical for rent guarantees during shutdowns. Councilmember Kia Aina discussed adding $2 million for grants to nonprofits, contingent on staff capacity.

• Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR): Multiple amendments: $200,000 for tree canopy in District 4, $500,000 for overt video monitoring, $500,000 for a dog park at Kehi Lagoon, $500,000 for turf and electrical improvements, $10,000 for signage at Waianai District Park, and $25,000 for a gate at Kalpuni Neighborhood Park. Director Laura Thielen declined most, emphasizing the need for a balanced budget and citing existing strategies for tree planting and video monitoring.

• Department of Enterprise Services (DES): Amendments included moving $4 million to DHLM for the Queen Theater and $150,000 for a buskers program in Waikiki. Director Tita Hollyfield opposed both, citing viability concerns for the theater and current recovery needs for concessions after the Kona Low storms.

• Miscellaneous: Proposed reductions of $1.5 million for judgments and settlements and $3 million for homeless activities were opposed by Director Kawano, who noted that the fiscal stability fund may be needed for Kona Low recovery. Councilmembers discussed holding off on reductions.

Key Outcomes

• Bill 22 (2026) was amended to a CD1 incorporating all proposed amendments discussed during the meeting, with technical and non-substantive adjustments as needed. The CD1 includes changes to the Office of Economic Revitalization, Department of Planning and Permitting, Honolulu Police Department, and other departments as noted.
• The committee voted to report Bill 22 CD1 out for second reading and scheduling of a public hearing. No objections were raised.
• The committee recessed for lunch at 12:29 p.m. and planned to reconvene at 1:15 p.m. for continued discussions on the capital improvement budget.