Honolulu Committee on International and Legal Affairs Meeting - April 29, 2026
Honolulu Committee on International and Legal Affairs Meeting - April 29, 2026
The Committee on International and Legal Affairs, chaired by Councilmember Nishimoto, met remotely on April 29, 2026, to consider two resolutions: Resolution 26-7 regarding landfill impacts in West Oahu and Resolution 26-58 concerning an audit of the city's towing contracts. The committee also convened in executive session to discuss settlement authorizations for pending legal matters.
Consent Calendar
- No consent calendar was included on the agenda.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Resolution 26-7: Anthony Makana Paris, speaking on behalf of the Makakilo Kapolei Honokaihale Neighborhood Board, expressed strong support for the resolution. He described personal and community health impacts from the nearby landfill, stating that pollutants are tied to hospitalization, cancers, lost work and school days, and economic harm, with the burden falling hardest on working-class and Native Hawaiian communities in West Oahu.
- Resolution 26-58: Kim Hashiro, Director of the Department of Customer Services, stated the department is able and willing to cooperate in the audit process. Troy Shimasaki from the Office of the City Auditor noted that his office does not take a position on the merits but can perform the audit as written. No remote testifiers were present.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 26-7 (Landfill Task Force): Councilmember Tupola introduced a proposed CD1 (Committee Draft 1). Councilmember Okimoto recommended amending the language to allow up to two council members on the task force instead of the chair's single designee. The author (Tupola) supported the change, noting the amendment also removed state-level portions from a bill by Senator Gabbard that did not pass. The committee agreed to the amendment.
- Resolution 26-58 (Tow Contract Audit): Councilmember Tupola, the resolution sponsor, explained that the audit aims to address inconsistencies in tow contracts, including multiple pay schedules, a past discrepancy of $3 million owed to a contractor, and over 500 vehicles towed from military lots that remain unmoved due to liability concerns. Councilmember Kia Aina questioned whether tow-away zones could be handled by contracted companies without HPD waiting, citing potential officer time savings. HPD representatives explained that officers typically wait for tow trucks to document vehicle condition and ensure proper removal, except during AM/PM rush hour zones. Councilmember Waters raised the issue of abandoned items like mats and containers, which HPD acknowledged are difficult to address. Councilmember Okimoto asked HPD to elaborate on reasons for waiting, which included documenting vehicle condition, theft, and owner claims of damage. Councilmember Tupola expressed hope that the audit will improve future tow contracts.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 26-7: The committee approved the posted CD1, further amended to allow "up to two" council members on the task force, with no objections. The resolution was recommended for adoption.
- Resolution 26-58: The committee approved the resolution as written, recommending it for adoption. No objections or reservations were noted.
- Executive Session Items: The committee reconvened after executive session and recommended adoption of a settlement authorization for Gerald Eubank (item number three). No details were provided on items four, five, and six.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, well, the Committee on International and Legal Affairs come to order. Please note the attendance of repres or uh Councilman Talba, Okimoto, Cordero, Tupola, and Kia Aina. All right, members. Um, pursuant to Section 92-3.7 HRS, this meeting will be conducted as a remote meeting by interactive conference technology with the following procedures in effect for the meeting. Members of the public will be allowed to provide oral testimony on all items on the agenda in person in the council chamber and remotely when each agenda item is taken up. As both English and Hawaiian are official languages of the state of Hawaii pursuant to Article 15, section four of the Hawaii State Constitution and Section 1-13 of the HRS. Members of the public may testify in either language. For all testimonies offered in Olahwaii, additional time as may be necessary will be allowed for the testifier to provide an English translation of their testimony. Before testifying, each person shall state their name. Each speaker may not have anyone else read their statement and is limited to one minute presentation on each item. Once in-person testimony has concluded, I will proceed to those who have registered to testify remotely by video conference. When your name is called, please monitor your screen and activate your audio feed when prompted. Please utilize the raise hand feature in Zoom to be called on. For those joining us by telephone only, please press star nine to indicate your desire to speak. Some friendly reminders and tips. Video conference from a quiet location if possible. If you are also watching the proceedings on Olelo, please mute your telephone at the time you're called to testify. When the timer on your screen reaches zero, please conclude your remarks promptly. Do we have any remote council members? Okay, we have no remote council members. Okay, for agenda item number one, resolution 26-7. Members, we have a proposed posted CD1 submitted by Councilmember Tupola. For your information, the amendments are listed on the agenda. Moving to in-person testimony, Director Babcock. Okay, thank you. Thanks. Okay, see none. Moving to um remote testimony. Are there any remote testifiers? Mr. Chair, we have Anthony Makana Paris standing by. Okay. Um Mr. Paris, please proceed. My name is Anthony Makana Paris, and I speak on behalf of the Makokilo Capole Hunokai Holland neighborhood board in strong support of resolution 2607. I grew up beneath Puehaleaka law, now overshadowed by Malna Opala, a one storied area of our ancestor Maui who lasted the sun to draw his mama's kappa during the summer months. Now we continually see dust, ash, and foul smells coming down into our neighborhoods. I've lived with respiratory and other chronic illness since childhood, and too many neighbors have died linked from illnesses linked to nearby landfills. Landfills emit pollutants tied to hospitalization, cancers, lost work, and school days and economic harm. The burden falls hardest on the working class in native point communities in West Oahu. And our board has long called for host compensation, stronger diversion, and local green jobs. So to end, I ask this question. What happens when a KK says why do we have lift? Why do we have to live next to a landfill? I want us all to be able to look them in the eye and say, we saw the harm, we fought for you, and we did everything in our power so the next generation won't have to endure it. Okay, thank you. Any other testifiers remotely. Chair, we have three other registered testifiers that are not logged on. Okay, uh, they're not on. Okay.
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