Honolulu City Council Regular Meeting – May 13, 2026
Honolulu City Council Regular Meeting – May 13, 2026
The Honolulu City Council convened at 10 a.m. on May 13, 2026, with all nine members present. The meeting opened with a moment of silence for former Governor George Ariyoshi, who passed away in April 2026, and a recognition of the University of Hawaii men's volleyball team for winning the 2026 NCAA national championship. Reverend Alan Urasaki delivered a message of aloha in Pidgin. The council proceeded through a lengthy agenda including appointments, committee reports, bills, and resolutions, with public testimony on several items.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The session minutes were approved unanimously without testimony or objection.
- Balance of Committee Reports: Three settlement authorizations (ILA committee reports 111, 112, 113 of 2026) were adopted without discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Pikachu Shelby Billionaire testified in support of Richard Bryce Jr.'s appointment to the Honolulu Fire Commission, noting he had submitted 20 testimonies and would not repeat them.
- Natalie Iwasa testified on the salary commission review (CR 105), expressing frustration with late testimonies, lack of transparency, math errors, and the commission's claim of no cost. She also noted her own testimony was not recognized in the committee report.
- Tim Gary testified on the same item, agreeing with Iwasa and stating that many retirees resent large salary increases while receiving small Social Security adjustments.
- Andrew Pereira (Pacific Resource Partnership) testified in strong support of Micah Kim's appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals, citing his regulatory compliance background.
- Natalie Iwasa again testified in support of Jasper Wong's reappointment to the Commission on Culture and the Arts, praising his work with Pow Wow and murals in Kakaako.
- Tim Gary testified on Bill 34 (flood hazard areas), supporting the bill but urging stronger responsibility for flood insurance and questioning why repeatedly flooded areas are allowed to rebuild.
- Stephanie Kendrick (Hawaiian Humane Society) testified in support of Bill 8 (animal nuisances), thanking Councilmembers Okimoto and Dos Santos Tam for their work.
- Will Gesey (Solar Ray) testified in support of Resolution 26-7 (endfills task force), noting his company is building a solar module recycling facility and has already diverted hundreds of tons of waste.
- McKinley Eads (Avalon Group) testified in support of Resolution 26-39 (development standards downtown), stating it would unlock redevelopment of underutilized sites.
Discussion Items
- Salary Commission Review (CR 105): Councilmember Okimoto presented the committee report covering 2021–2025. Testifiers raised concerns about transparency and late submissions. The report was adopted without objections.
- Endfills Task Force (Resolution 26-7 CD1): Councilmember Nishimoto introduced the resolution. Councilmember Tupola spoke extensively about the need to transition away from landfills, criticizing the lack of a written plan for Waimanalo Gulch closure and opposing the proposed Makaiwa Hills site. The Deputy Director of ENV testified in support but emphasized the parallel need for a new landfill. Councilmember Kia Aina noted the importance of a written plan and referenced a white paper on Oahu landfill history. The resolution was adopted without objections.
- Towing Program Audit (Resolution 26-58): Councilmember Nishimoto introduced. Councilmember Tupola detailed issues: over $3 million in delayed payments, lack of stakeholder input, and poor communication. Councilmember Wire noted reservations, stating he did not want to imply mismanagement by Customer Services. The resolution was adopted with Councilmember Wire's reservations noted.
- Downtown FAR Increase (Resolution 26-39 CD1): Councilmember Kia Aina introduced. Councilmember Dos Santos Tam explained that current FAR limits are outdated (4.0 vs. 6.0 in 1906) and hinder redevelopment. Councilmember Wire supported it as part of revitalizing the urban core. The resolution passed second reading with 9 ayes.
- Ewa Development Plan (Resolution 26-95 CD1): Councilmember Kia Aina introduced. Councilmember Tupola highlighted the need for a materials recycling facility to divert recoverable materials (227,000 tons annually) and extend landfill life. Councilmember Dos Santos Tam asked ENV about quantifiable waste reduction and ash recycling. ENV Deputy Director stated they are testing ash for road materials but permit timeline is uncertain. The resolution passed with 8 ayes (one member absent).
- Flood Hazard Areas (Bill 34 CD1): Councilmember Kia Aina explained the bill is critical to maintain FEMA eligibility, especially after the recent Kona Low storm. Councilmember Tupola agreed and noted FEMA's in-person assistance in her community. The bill passed second reading with 9 ayes.
- Animal Nuisances (Bill 8 CD2): Councilmember Okimoto thanked committee chair Dos Santos Tam and the Hawaiian Humane Society. The bill repeals the dangerous dog ordinance and establishes civil penalties. It passed third reading with 9 ayes.
Key Outcomes
- Adopted (unanimous unless noted):
- CR 117 (Resolution 26-59) – Confirmation of Richard Bryce Jr. to Fire Commission.
- CR 105 (salary commission review) – Adopted.
- CR 106 (real property tax boards review) – Adopted.
- Bill 34 CD1 (flood hazard areas) – Second reading, 9 ayes.
- Bill 8 CD2 (animal nuisances) – Third reading, 9 ayes.
- CR 97 (Resolution 26-83 CD1) – Firefighters collective bargaining cost items.
- CR 98 (Resolution 26-84) – Fund transfer.
- CR 99 (Resolution 26-85) – HFD fund transfer.
- CR 100 (Resolution 26-86) – Real property tax compromise.
- CR 101 (Resolution 26-87 CD1 FD1) – Enterprise Services fund transfer.
- CR 102 (Resolution 26-88) – Emergency Management fund transfer.
- CR 103 (Resolution 26-93 CD1) – Parks fund transfer.
- CR 104 (Resolution 26-94 CD1) – Emergency Services fund transfer.
- CR 107 (Resolution 26-76) – Accepting gift of travel for WHO summit.
- CR 108 (Resolution 26-7 CD1) – Endfills task force, adopted.
- CR 109 (Resolution 26-58) – Audit of towing program, adopted with Councilmember Wire's reservations.
- CR 110 (Resolution 26-104) – Retain legal services for Skyline contract.
- CR 115 (Resolution 26-39 CD1) – Downtown development standards, 9 ayes.
- CR 116 (Resolution 26-95 CD1) – Ewa development plan, 8 ayes.
- CR 118 (Resolution 26-80 CD1) – Accepting gift from Barbara Hudman.
- Resolution 26-92 FD1 – Accepting bench at Sandy Beach Park.
- Resolution 26-103 FD1 – Accepting CDL training conference gift.
- Resolution 26-108 – Authorizing HPD grant application.
- Referred to Committees:
- Resolution 26-89 (Todd Watanabe appointment) – Referred to Budget.
- Resolution 26-90 (Micah Kim appointment) – Referred to Zoning and Planning.
- Resolution 26-91 (Jasper Wong reappointment) – Referred to Public Safety and the Economy.
- Resolution 26-96 (Richard Davis reappointment) – Referred to Zoning and Planning.
- Resolution 26-97 (Hilary Alomar reappointment) – Referred to Zoning and Planning.
- Resolution 26-98 (Dr. Peter Young reappointment) – Referred to Budget.
- Resolution 26-100 (Lani Lapilio appointment) – Referred to Zoning and Planning.
- Resolution 26-101 (Joshua Tengan reappointment) – Referred to Public Safety and the Economy.
- Resolution 26-102 (Ryan Toyomura reappointment) – Referred to Zoning and Planning.
- Next Meeting: The council adjourned until Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. Councilmember Nishimoto, can you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Thank you. Councilmember Nishimoto, would you kindly introduce our guest giving the message of aloha? Thank you, Chair. It's my honor to introduce a true local boy who lives the values he teaches. Born and raised on the big island and a graduate of Hilo High School. He's also a childhood friend of Mark Nakoshima, my former colleague in the legislature. Reverend Alan Urasaki is a proud UH Monoa alum and one of the few local-born Buddhist ministers in our community. In 2002, he made history as the nation's first Buddhist federal prison chaplain, serving for 20 years at the Honolul Detention Center and bringing aloha into some of life's toughest spaces. His service has also extended far beyond the prison walls, supporting cancer patients, first responders, and for nearly two decades now, serving as a volunteer chaplain for the state sheriffs. Even in semi-retirement, Reverend Alan continues to serve at Shinshu Kyokai Buddhist Temple in Macaulay. Please join me in welcoming today's speaker, Reverend Alan Urasaki. Well, thank you very much, Council Member. I couldn't have written it better than better than myself. Actually, that was AI generated. Anyway, uh good morning, everyone. Today I just wanted to uh share um I guess the kind of traditional Buddhist prayer, but kind of give it a local twist. And so um I like to uh share that with you now, so let us take a moment just to put our hearts and minds uh in peace meditation. This is the golden chain of love in pigeon. Hey, try listen. Everyone of us stay like one flower in this golden lay of aloha that stretches around the world. We don't stay separate, we stay all woven together, like one uh all woven together on the same string. Sorry, my pigeon little rusty. Because of that, I get one big responsibility for make sure my flower stays bright and strong. You get the same Kuleana. I'm gonna try my best to be kind and gentle to everything that stay alive. And if I see somebody who stays struggling or feeling down, I'm gonna be the one that lift them up. So our circle stays solid and nobody gets left behind. Because I don't like well, because I like do the right things and not the wrong things. Not the kind of Lolo stuff or talk stink. Because I know that how I act affects everyone and everything. Stay connected to your happiness and your peace, stay connected with my peace. And if we all do our part and live with aloha, all of us can find that true peace that makes everything cherry. All pound. Thanks, uh allo. That was awesome. You know, and in keeping with that theme, I'd like to read for you rule number 20, order and decorum. When a council member or other person properly before the council wishes to speak, the speaker shall address the chair. Would you like me to say that in pigeon, Vice Chair? Okay. Thank you. A few proceed more procedural announcements. Although remote remote oral testimony is being permitted, this is a regular meeting and not a remote meeting by interactive conference technology under HRS Section 92-3.7. Therefore, the meeting will continue, notwithstanding the loss of audio-visual communication with remote testifiers or loss of the public broadcast of the meeting. Members of the public will be allowed to provide oral testimony on all items on the agenda, either in person in the council chamber or remotely. As both English and Hawaiian are official languages of the state of Hawaii, pursuant to Article 15, Section 4 of the Hawaii State Constitution and Section 1-13 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Members of the public may testify in either language. For oral testimonies offered in Olelo, Hawaii, 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 full name and the agenda item they are testifying on.
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