OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Honolulu City Council Meeting - April 16, 2026: Budgets, Flood Hazard Updates, and Disaster Recovery

City Council — Thursday, April 16, 2026
BodyHonolulu, Hawaii
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, April 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:35:36
Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

Aloha and good morning, everyone.

0:07

Councilmember Wire, would you like to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

0:14

Pledge allegiance to the United States.

0:26

Thank you so much.

0:27

Also, Councilmember Wire, would you please introduce our honored guest who's delivering the message of aloha?

0:35

Of course, Mahalo Chair.

0:37

Today I have the honor of introducing Raquela Chu, who will be delivering this morning's message of aloha.

0:43

Raquel's roots run deep throughout our North Shore community, where her life's work reflects her commitment to the people and places she serves.

0:53

She's currently the vice chair of the North Shore Neighborhood Board, an ocean safety commissioner, a rancher and farmer, and dedicated community advocate involved in our schools and beyond.

1:06

Through her roles in public service, she showcases her commitment to caring for the land, our ocean, and the well-being of our neighbors in Ohana.

1:16

She speaks up for Kama, Kiki, farmers, rural communities, and is always grounded in Kuliana.

1:25

And the aftermath of the recent storms that have devastated communities across district, too.

1:30

Raquel has been a steadfast voice, advocating for residents, supporting every recovery effort, and ensuring that our community is heard.

1:40

Her advocacy during these challenging times reflects her unwavering dedication to serving with aloha, and of course, bringing the North Shore into the chamber today, along with Lee from Little Plumeria Farms.

1:55

I want to just ask everyone to join me in welcoming Raquel to the chamber.

1:59

Thank you.

2:06

Can you hear me?

2:08

Thank you, Councilmember.

2:10

Good morning, everyone.

2:11

Aloha and Mahalo, Chair Waters, Vice Chair and Council members.

2:18

I never thought I'd ever be nervous, but after that, I just gotta think.

2:22

Did I die?

2:23

Like, I don't know.

2:24

But um thank you for the kind words and the opportunity to be in front of everyone here today.

2:30

Um I was asked to provide this message this morning, it was a great honor.

2:39

And it was prior to our Kona storms.

2:44

And now we're post-kona storm, so I had all kinds of ideas.

2:48

And now that we're post-Kona storm, all of the ideas come through your head.

2:56

I can assure you that what I have to share is straight from the heart.

3:00

I wasn't quite sure this morning what I was gonna say.

3:03

As we drive out of the North Shore, there's so much emotion that comes into play as you drive through.

3:15

But I think it's important to take these moments and go with them.

3:22

The devastation of my Kay'ulu, the Wailua Moku, and the severe impacts felt by our neighbors on the west side, Koalaoloa and even Manoa, have left a mark that won't soon be erased.

3:39

Life has changed as we know it.

3:44

But the truth is no matter where you are throughout our Pai Aina, you felt a sense of emotion and kuliana and a vulnerability.

3:54

Even if you weren't impacted.

5:00

And Auntie Twinkle said, when you give someone kuliana, it wakens their amana.

5:04

Well, let's add to that.

5:06

The awakening of manna is spirited by your aloha.

5:11

The aloha you have for each other and the duties you want to provide for your communities, your neighbors, your family, your kupuna.

5:22

I think of aloha, and it's sometimes troubles, it sometimes troubles me that aloha, the word has been so commercialized, it sometimes loses its authenticity.

5:32

But our kuliana is to ensure that authenticity.

6:01

And you take it for granted until an event like this happens.

6:05

We come into chamber, we come to city council, we go to the capital, and we understand we have a sense of aloha to share with everyone, and that aloha is also our knowledge and our perceptions and our drive to do what's right for each other.

6:20

The aloha that stands out in my head comes from what we do for each other and the future and our ability to stay where we're at.

6:30

Remembering why we are put in this place and the purpose and making it meaningful meaningful.

6:40

We can often forget the importance of why we're here and what we want to do.

6:46

When I look at my community, the aloha that's been poured out so much has just been overwhelming, but just unconditional.

6:57

You go in and you have differences of opinion, you have differences of wants and needs and the way to do things, yet everyone comes into play and it works out smoothly, and everyone has helped each other.

7:10

We've got people that very literally don't know where they're sleeping tonight, they don't know where their next meal is coming from.

7:17

They've been thrown into a rental market that they can't afford because they have were in a very good place for a long time.

7:24

Challenges that we are now facing together instead of them alone.

7:29

We are facing it with them and doing it with them, figuring out and challenging each other on how to come up with a positive plan that helps them, but it helps us because we are restoring that faith in what we're here to do.

7:48

I think if we move forward and we're able to really concentrate on what matters most and putting ourselves, our community and our the people in it first before anything else, we can't survive without that.

8:04

We have to take care of each other first.

8:06

And that aloha that we've seen in the past few weeks has been amazing, where people from all over, we don't even know some of these people.

8:16

I think even in my testimonies in the past, I've caught myself saying, you know, state and city, state and city.

8:23

Communities don't care about the border of where you're doing your work.

8:28

But seeing everybody come together, everyone's collaborating regardless of status, position, the car you drive, the house you have, they're just there.

8:40

And it's endless.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████21%
Public Safety███████████11%
Disaster Response Planning██████████10%
Public Transportation█████████9%
Community Engagement███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Real Property Taxation█████5%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Honolulu City Council Meeting - April 16, 2026

The Honolulu City Council convened on April 16, 2026, to consider a lengthy agenda including the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital budgets, updates to flood hazard regulations, confirmation of board appointments, and multiple resolutions related to disaster recovery and gift acceptance. The meeting began with a message of aloha from Raquela Chu, Vice Chair of the North Shore Neighborhood Board, who emphasized community resilience and the need for authentic aloha in the aftermath of recent storms. Key outcomes included passage of the city's $4.85 billion operating budget (Bill 22) and $1.53 billion capital budget (Bill 23), both with amendments, and first reading approval of urgent flood map updates (Bill 34).

Consent Calendar

  • Confirmation of Darien Chun to the Board of Water Supply (Resolution 26-61 CD1) – adopted unanimously with no objections.
  • Confirmation of David Britton to the Zoning Board of Appeals (Resolution 26-56 CD1) – adopted.
  • Review and evaluation of the Planning Commission (Committee Report 76-2026) – adopted.
  • Adoption of the 32nd Year Action Plan for CDBG, HOME, ESG, and Housing Trust Fund programs (Resolution 26-36 FD1) – adopted with amendment.
  • Transfer of funds for Honolulu Police Department (Resolution 26-55) – adopted.
  • Hazard pay transfer for Oahu Transit Services bus drivers (Resolution 26-74) – adopted.
  • Acceptance of multiple gifts: interpretive sign at Foster Botanical Gardens (Resolution 26-52), benches at Kapiolani Regional Park and Leahy Beach Park (Resolution 26-53), and travel expenses for council members and staff (Resolutions 26-69, 26-77, 26-79, 26-81, 26-82) – all adopted.
  • Special Management Area major permit for four dwelling units in Wailua (Resolution 26-43 CD1) – adopted.
  • Resolution encouraging private event security at parks (Resolution 26-64) – adopted, with reservations by Councilmember Okimoto.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Shelby Pikachu Billionaire (representing himself, often expressing positions as a community advocate): Opposed the real property tax rates (Resolution 26-62) because agricultural land tax rates ($8.50 per $1,000) are higher than residential ($3.50), stating it hurts taxpayers. Supported Bill 34 (flood hazard) but opposed the operating and capital budgets (Bills 22 and 23) due to insufficient emergency disaster relief (only $32.5 million) and lack of amendments addressing community needs. Also opposed HART budgets (Bills 26 and 27) and the legislative budget (Bill 28), objecting to $10,000 per council district for mailers.
  • Natalie Iwasa (private citizen): Opposed Resolution 26-62, arguing that residential class A rates are unfair to landlords who do not get the homeowner exemption, and criticized the city's homeowner exemption audit for requesting overly sensitive documents (tax returns) via email. Also opposed proposed salary increases of 4.71% for administration, stating it is higher than inflation and union agreements. Supported cutting Office of Economic Development funding. Questioned security of bus cameras.
  • Jonathan Fry (Vice President, SHOPO – State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers): Supported the operating budget amendments for HPD retention incentives (5-year retention bonus at 25 years, recruitment referral bonus, parking stipend for civilian staff), thanking the council for addressing vacancies.
  • Brian Mick (representing Disability and Communication Access Board): Supported Bill 22, urging restoration of CSD's walk-in services for disability parking permits and call center appointments, noting current wait times of 1–15 days for appointments.
  • Eddie Fujioka (former city paramedic): Testified that Honolulu's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) ranks 2 out of 5 nationally, lacks 24/7 staffing, redundant backup, and mobile cellular units. Urged funding for improvements.
  • Tim Gary (citizen): Opposed salary increases and criticized allowing rebuilding in flood zones. Supported Chair Waters' proposal for hurricane preparedness.
  • Raquela Chu (Vice Chair, North Shore Neighborhood Board): Supported OER's budget, highlighting effective partnerships in storm recovery.
  • Testifiers on Bill 8 (fire prevention): Shelby Billionaire expressed support for firefighter compensation.
  • Testifiers on Bill 28 (legislative budget): Natalie Iwasa opposed the $10,000 district allotment and lack of transparency on council vacancies and testimony submission delays to the Salary Commission. Shelby Billionaire opposed mailer spending, suggesting gift cards instead.

Discussion Items

  • Real Property Tax Rates (Resolution 26-62): Councilmember Tupola noted the Real Property Tax Division offers remission for damaged properties and encouraged residents to apply. After discussion, the resolution was referred back to the Budget Committee.
  • Flood Hazard Regulations (Bill 34): Councilmember Kia Aina stressed urgency to update ROH Chapter 21A before June 10, 2026, to maintain FEMA program eligibility and avoid loss of federal disaster assistance. The bill passed first reading.
  • Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget (Bill 22 CD1): Councilmember Wire voted no, citing a 70% reduction in Office of Economic Revitalization (OER) positions, arguing OER is critical for disaster response and community support. Councilmember Tupola defended HPD amendments ($2.3 million) and noted OER should focus on strategy, not program administration. Director of Budget and Fiscal Services Andy Kawano explained that storm recovery costs for FY26 will be covered by department savings, a $7.5 million disaster provision, and possibly the fiscal stability fund as a last resort; no FY27 budget amendments for disaster recovery are planned due to lack of information.
  • Fiscal Year 2027 Capital Budget (Bill 23 CD1): Councilmember Tupola cut $30 million for a new landfill on the West Side, stating the land was not for sale and advocating for a task force on waste reduction. She also included $10 million for Villages of Kapolei (state-funded) and $3 million for a resilient shelter. Councilmember Kia Aina expressed reservations about the proposed acquisition of Kamehameha Schools land (Japan Institute in Hawaii Kai), opposing alienation of Aliʻi Trust lands and calling for better community engagement.
  • Transit-Oriented Development (Bill 21): Passed second reading with reservations. Councilmember Dosantos Tan proposed removing Section 5 (matching IPDT and PDT language), calling it a major policy change, not housekeeping. Councilmember Kia Aina promised to address concerns at the next zoning committee.
  • Legislative Budget (Bill 28 CD1): Councilmember Cordero defended the $10,000 per district allotment for mailers as necessary for outreach in urban districts. Councilmember Tupola noted mailers are expensive and rarely used.
  • Disaster Recovery & Emergency Management: Councilmembers expressed concerns about the adequacy of the $7.5 million disaster provision and the timeline for receiving firm cost estimates. Director Kawano stated the preliminary damage estimate of $50–$100 million is rough and will be refined over years.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolutions Adopted: 26-61, 26-56, 26-36 (as amended), 26-55, 26-74, 26-52, 26-53, 26-64 (with reservation), 26-43, 26-69, 26-77 (as amended), 26-78 (as amended), 26-79, 26-81 (as amended), 26-82.
  • Bills Passed First Reading: Bill 34.
  • Bills Passed Second Reading: Bill 8, Bill 22 CD1 (8-1, Councilmember Wire no), Bill 23 CD1 (9-0 with reservation from Councilmember Kia Aina), Bill 24 (8-0, one excused), Bill 26 (9-0), Bill 27 (9-0), Bill 28 CD1 (8-0, one absent), Bill 21 (8-0, one absent, with multiple reservations).
  • Referrals: Resolution 26-62 referred back to Budget Committee.
  • Amendments Approved: Resolution 26-36 FD1 (updated action plan), Resolution 26-77 FD1 (amended travel details), Resolution 26-78 FD1 (amended transfer), Resolution 26-81 FD1 (amended travel details).
  • Council Rule Waived: 48-hour notice waived for resolutions with FD1 amendments.
  • Next Meeting: Adjourned to Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM.

Notes on Public Participation

The meeting allowed remote testimony. Several testifiers reported difficulties with the city's online testimony system (e.g., submissions not reaching commissioners). The council acknowledged these concerns and encouraged follow-up.

Meeting Transcript

Aloha and good morning, everyone. Councilmember Wire, would you like to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Pledge allegiance to the United States. Thank you so much. Also, Councilmember Wire, would you please introduce our honored guest who's delivering the message of aloha? Of course, Mahalo Chair. Today I have the honor of introducing Raquela Chu, who will be delivering this morning's message of aloha. Raquel's roots run deep throughout our North Shore community, where her life's work reflects her commitment to the people and places she serves. She's currently the vice chair of the North Shore Neighborhood Board, an ocean safety commissioner, a rancher and farmer, and dedicated community advocate involved in our schools and beyond. Through her roles in public service, she showcases her commitment to caring for the land, our ocean, and the well-being of our neighbors in Ohana. She speaks up for Kama, Kiki, farmers, rural communities, and is always grounded in Kuliana. And the aftermath of the recent storms that have devastated communities across district, too. Raquel has been a steadfast voice, advocating for residents, supporting every recovery effort, and ensuring that our community is heard. Her advocacy during these challenging times reflects her unwavering dedication to serving with aloha, and of course, bringing the North Shore into the chamber today, along with Lee from Little Plumeria Farms. I want to just ask everyone to join me in welcoming Raquel to the chamber. Thank you. Can you hear me? Thank you, Councilmember. Good morning, everyone. Aloha and Mahalo, Chair Waters, Vice Chair and Council members. I never thought I'd ever be nervous, but after that, I just gotta think. Did I die? Like, I don't know. But um thank you for the kind words and the opportunity to be in front of everyone here today. Um I was asked to provide this message this morning, it was a great honor. And it was prior to our Kona storms. And now we're post-kona storm, so I had all kinds of ideas. And now that we're post-Kona storm, all of the ideas come through your head. I can assure you that what I have to share is straight from the heart. I wasn't quite sure this morning what I was gonna say. As we drive out of the North Shore, there's so much emotion that comes into play as you drive through. But I think it's important to take these moments and go with them. The devastation of my Kay'ulu, the Wailua Moku, and the severe impacts felt by our neighbors on the west side, Koalaoloa and even Manoa, have left a mark that won't soon be erased. Life has changed as we know it. But the truth is no matter where you are throughout our Pai Aina, you felt a sense of emotion and kuliana and a vulnerability. Even if you weren't impacted. And Auntie Twinkle said, when you give someone kuliana, it wakens their amana. Well, let's add to that. The awakening of manna is spirited by your aloha. The aloha you have for each other and the duties you want to provide for your communities, your neighbors, your family, your kupuna. I think of aloha, and it's sometimes troubles, it sometimes troubles me that aloha, the word has been so commercialized, it sometimes loses its authenticity. But our kuliana is to ensure that authenticity. And you take it for granted until an event like this happens. We come into chamber, we come to city council, we go to the capital, and we understand we have a sense of aloha to share with everyone, and that aloha is also our knowledge and our perceptions and our drive to do what's right for each other. The aloha that stands out in my head comes from what we do for each other and the future and our ability to stay where we're at. Remembering why we are put in this place and the purpose and making it meaningful meaningful. We can often forget the importance of why we're here and what we want to do. When I look at my community, the aloha that's been poured out so much has just been overwhelming, but just unconditional. You go in and you have differences of opinion, you have differences of wants and needs and the way to do things, yet everyone comes into play and it works out smoothly, and everyone has helped each other. We've got people that very literally don't know where they're sleeping tonight, they don't know where their next meal is coming from.

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