The Honolulu City Council convened on June 4, 2026, to consider a wide range of legislation including the fiscal year 2027 capital and operating budgets, bond authorizations, HART budgets, tax rates, and various resolutions. The council heard public testimony on several items, including flood control, veterans memorial aquatic center renovations, HART ADA compliance, and disaster preparedness. All measures were passed, many with unanimous 9-0 votes.
Good afternoon, everyone. We're reconvening. We're on page twelve. Page twelve. From the committee on budget, Councilmember Okimoto. Chair, I move that committee report one two one twenty twenty-six be adopted, and Bill Twenty-three, twenty twenty-six CD two pass third reading. Councilmember Okimoto for the explanation. Relating to the executive capital budget and program for the fiscal year July first, twenty twenty-six to June thirtieth, twenty twenty-seven. Is there a motion to amend Councilman Rokimoto? Chair, I move that Bill 23, 2026 CD two be amended to the FD one as described in the posted budget for draft summary and incorporated into the FD one identified as OCS twenty twenty-six-three seven zero. I am an upcoming sophomore and the originating founder of the V Macron Foundation, an organization I created because I believe deeply in the future of the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center. But because of what VMAC has given to me and so many others, it is truly difficult to watch its aging infrastructure limit the opportunities available to the athletes, families, and community members who depend on it. Every day, these people benefit from this facility, yet its potential remains far greater than what his current condition allows. Passing Bill 23 2026 is an investment not only in a building, but in people. It is an investment in future generations of local youth in our community and in a facility that welcomes visitors from across Hawaii and beyond. I founded the VMAC Renewal Foundation because I believe VMAC can once again become a world-class facility worthy of the veterans whose legacy it honors and the community it serves. Mahalo for your time and consideration. Thank you, Mr. Nakamura members. Any questions for the Testifier? Say none, thank you so much for being here today. Next, we have Pikachu Shelby billionaire. Mr. Mr. Chair, the Testifier is not logged on. Thank you. Next, we have Eric Beaver. Aloha. Thank you for being here. Please proceed. Councilmember Waters, uh, City Council members. Aloha, I'm Eric Beaver for Hawaii Reserves. Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Bill 23. There's uh there's an item regarding the Waylele Stream flood control study that is included in the bill. The Waylali Stream continues to be the cause of major flooding in Laye, including Konalo 2, along with so many other parts of the of the island, we were hit very, very hard. Insufficient channel capacity and severely inadequate outfall capacity continues to be the primary cause of flooding in our community. For decades, HRI has worked closely with the city and county of Honolulu and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to try and figure out a solution to this problem. And for years, we have been working under the continuing authorities program of the of the Army Corps. Recent updates of that study. No longer qualify the project under the continuing authorities program because the federal spending limit would be exceeded. And so they've suggested and recommended, and we've been in discussions with Councilmember Wire on this. Appreciate his support and submittal of this budget item. We now understand that the other option to fund this project is the general investigations program of the Army Corps, where there's no federal spending limit. And this study is basically to accomplish the first step in trying to find that ultimate solution. HRI through the years have participated as a partner with the city on all things flood control related. And as we have with past studies, we will continue with this study to fund one half of the city's portion. That's been our commitment. Thank you for your support and just wanted to come and say please, please pass this. Aloha.