Committee on Public Safety and Economy Meeting – June 25, 2026
Committee on Public Safety and Economy Meeting – June 25, 2026
The Committee on Public Safety and Economy met remotely at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026, to consider a cost-saving resolution and receive an informational briefing on the Honolulu Police Commission's selection process for the next police chief. The meeting was chaired by the committee chair, with Councilmembers Nishimoro, Okimoro, Tupola, and Vice Chair Kiaina present.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Guy Yoshimura testified in support of Resolution 26-142, citing his background in the livestock and trash industries. He argued that the city could save money by adopting a special disposal process for livestock, rather than paying extra for standard disposal, and urged the committee to approve the resolution.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 26-142: The chair noted that the resolution would generate approximately $60,000 in savings for the city, which could fund an additional position at the Honolulu Zoo. The committee expressed gratitude to the Honolulu Zoological Society for facilitating the arrangement. Following testimony, the chair recommended adoption, and no objections were raised. The resolution was reported out for adoption.
- Informational Briefing: Honolulu Police Chief Selection Process: Chris Magnus, Vice Chair of the Honolulu Police Commission, presented the process used to select the next chief. Key details included:
- The commission contracted with Public Sector Search Consulting (PSSC), which has completed over 110 police executive searches since 2017, including for Dallas, San Jose, and Seattle.
- The process involved community surveys (600 responses), focus groups, and stakeholder panels. Four panels were convened: state and local governance leaders, community advocates, first responders, and Oahu district representatives.
- The commission received input on desired qualities: transformational leadership, modernization, officer wellness, community trust, transparency, accountability, and recruitment/retention.
- Approximately 52 candidates applied; six semifinalists were identified and interviewed by stakeholder panels, then narrowed to three finalists. The finalists participated in media interviews, including a live PBS program, and were individually interviewed by pairs of commissioners.
- The commission unanimously selected David Lazar as the next police chief. Magnus noted that Lazar had already begun working with interim Chief Vanick and had moved to Honolulu.
- Councilmember Questions:
- Councilmember Tupola inquired about the level of input from rank-and-file officers. Magnus stated that officers were engaged through surveys and direct discussions, but could not provide an exact number. Tupola expressed that many officers felt their voices were not adequately heard.
- Councilmember Okimoro asked how stakeholders were chosen and the role of the consultant. Magnus explained that commissioners networked to ensure diversity and that PSSC facilitated but did not select candidates. Okimoro noted that some feedback received did not align with her community's views and stressed the importance of hearing from the rank and file.
- Councilmember Tupola asked the total number of applicants (Magnus estimated around 52) and noted that two of the three finalists had also been finalists in the previous selection.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 26-142 was reported out for adoption without objection, saving approximately $60,000 for the city and allowing for an additional hire at the Honolulu Zoo.
- No action was taken on the police chief selection briefing; it was for informational purposes only. The committee expressed optimism and commitment to supporting the new chief.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 1:00 p.m. (exact time not recorded).
Meeting Transcript
Hello and good afternoon, everybody. It's 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 25th, 2026. I call the Committee on Public Safety and Economy meeting to order. I'd like to welcome Councilmembers Nishimoro, Okimoro, and walking in, Councilmember Tupola and Vice Chair Kiaina. All right, pursuing to Section 92-3.7, the Hawaii revised statutes. 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 the each agenda item is taken up. The Hawaii State Constitution is Section 1-13 of the Hawaii revised statutes. Members of the public may testify in either language for testimony offered in Olala Hawaii. Additional time as may be necessary will be allowed for the testifier to provide an English translation translation for 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 a one-minute presentation on each item. All persons who have registered to testify in person will be called upon first. When the timer goes off, please conclude your remarks promptly. Persons who have not registered will be given an opportunity to testify following the registered testifiers. Once in-person testimony is concluded, I will proceed to remote testimony. All persons who have registered to testify remotely by video conference or telephone will then be called upon. When your name is called, please monitor your screen and activate your audio feed when prompt. For persons who are testifying by telephone only, I will identify you by the last three digits of your phone number. When your number is called, please listen for the prompt to unmute and press star six. When I call anyone else standing by remotely, please utilize the zoom raise hand button to indicate your desire to speak. For those joining us by telephone only, please press star nine to indicate your desire to speak. So friendly reminders and tips. Video conference from a quiet location is if possible. If you are watching the proceedings on Olelo, please mute your television when you are called to testify. When the time on the screen reaches zero, please conclude your remarks promptly. HRS section 92-3.7 requires that all votes at remote meetings be conducted by roll call unless unanimous. Therefore, first call for objections, and if there are any, I will call a roll call vote. Within testimonies conclude included, the testify's address, email address, and phone number will be available to the public as desired on the posted agenda. As a courtesy, please turn off all cell phones for the duration of this meeting. All right. So it it becomes something like $60,000 that we're saving, and that's a whole nother person that we could hire at the Honolulu Zoo. So we are grateful to them, and we are very grateful to the Honolulu Zoological Society, who also make sure that the gifts can come through appropriately. So thank you for consideration. Awesome. Okay. Any questions for the director? All right. Okay. We'll now proceed with in-person oral testimony in the council chambers. Clerks, do we have any in-person testify on this item? Chair there, none. I think. Yeah. Go ahead. First and your last name, Prester. Hello, my name is Guy Yoshimura. Once again, uh thank you to uh councilmember Toba.
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