OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Honolulu Committee on Zoning and Planning Meeting - August 27, 2026

City Council — Thursday, August 27, 2026
BodyHonolulu, Hawaii
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, August 27, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:59:01

Transcript — Verbatim
1:26

Aloha and good morning, everyone.

1:28

It's Thursday, August 27th, 2026, and the time is 9 02 a.m.

1:34

With the committee on zoning and planning meeting, please come to order.

1:39

I would like to welcome uh the following committee members.

1:42

Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Okimoto, Councilmember Tupola.

1:46

I understand uh Vice Chair Waters will be here shortly.

1:50

Although remote verbal testimony is being permitted, this is a regular in-person meeting and not a remote meeting by interactive conference technology under HR Section 92-3.7.

2:00

Therefore, the meeting will continue notwithstanding loss of audiovisual communication with remote testifiers or loss of the public broadcast at the meeting.

2:09

Members of the public will be allowed to provide verbal testimony on items on the agenda when each item is taken up in two ways in person in the council chamber and remotely via video conference or phone.

2:20

Before testifying, each person shall state their name for the record.

2:23

Each speaker may not have anyone else read their statement and would be limited to a one-minute presentation per item.

2:29

All persons who register to testify in person will be called upon first.

2:33

Persons who did not register will be given an opportunity to offer testimony after the registered testifiers.

2:38

Once in-person testimony has concluded, I will proceed to the remote testifiers.

2:42

When I call your name or the last three digits of your phone number, please follow the prompts to unmute, 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 one thirteen of the Hawaii revised statutes.

2:58

Members of the public may testify in either language.

3:01

For verbal 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.

3:11

Written testimonies, including the testifiers address, email address, and phone number will be available to the public as described in the posted agenda.

3:18

As a courtesy, please not please turn off or silence all so phones for the duration of this meeting.

3:48

Moving to agenda item number one, extension of time only.

3:52

Members, the first term on our agenda is to approve an extension of time only for resolution 26-171.

4:00

Verbal testimony will be limited to comments on the extension of time only, and we will not be discussing the substantive provisions of the resolution at today's meeting.

5:04

For your information, the written request for a 90-day extension of time is available online as miscellaneous communication 344 2026.

5:14

Before I call up the administration, I would like to take public testimony.

5:18

Proceeding first with in-person testimony in the council chamber.

5:21

Clerks, do we have any in-person testifiers for this item?

5:24

Chair, there are none.

5:26

Is there anyone else in the council chamber who would like to testify on this item?

5:30

Please come forward to the testifier podium and begin by stating your name.

5:39

Aloha, Chair, Council members.

5:44

I'm with Unite Here Local Five, and I'm just testifying in support of uh extending the time to consider uh this application.

5:53

Um I think it's it's important for us all to have more time to look at this and uh to give the developer a chance to talk further with the community and hopefully um deal with some of the concerns that uh that folks have.

6:06

So uh thank you very much for considering this.

6:09

Thank you.

6:10

Is there anyone else who would like to testify?

6:13

Clerks, do we have any remote testifiers?

6:17

Chair, there and none for the administration.

6:22

Good morning, Chair Kia Aina and committee members.

6:25

I'm Elizabeth Krieger, the zoning regul um, I'm sorry, the land use permits division chief of the Department of Planning and Permitting, and we support the extension of time for this measure.

6:37

Thank you.

6:38

Members, any questions for DPP?

6:40

Seeing no questions.

6:44

Is there any discussion before I make recommendation?

6:48

Seeing none, the chair notes that the time needed to consider resolution 26-171 may exceed the current deadline for council action.

6:56

The chair therefore recommends that the resolution be granted a 90-day extension of time, pursuant to a request from the applicant's agent and miscellaneous communication 344 2026.

7:06

Any discussion, any objections or reservations?

7:10

Hearing none, so ordered.

7:13

Moving to agenda item number two for action, resolution 26-150.

7:17

This resolution directs the direct the director of the Department of Planning and Permitting to process a council initiated amendment to the land use ordinance, ROH chapter 21 relating to large detached dwellings.

7:30

Amendments to the land use ordinance proposed by the council are processed by the Department of Planning and Permitting and reviewed by the Planning Commission.

7:37

The department's report and commission's recommendations are then transmitted to the council for action on the proposal.

7:44

I will now defer to the introducer of the resolution, Council Chair Waters, for an explanation.

7:49

Thank you so much for having this on the agenda today.

7:52

You know, we talked about this a lot about monster homes, especially in District 4.

7:57

And I introduced this measure because the size and bulk of monster homes continue to be a concern in residential neighborhoods in my district.

8:05

So what happens is when they build these monster homes, they'll include these huge garages, three, four car garages, sometimes even more, and it's not included in calculating the FAR.

8:21

So what this does, it says, okay, we'll give you a good sized garage, 400 square feet, and that is not included in calculating the FAR.

8:31

But anything beyond that has to be included.

8:33

And what we know too, these guys, they'll build a garage, get the certificate of occupancy, and then turn the garage into a bedroom.

8:42

And we don't want that either.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Planning█████████████████████████████████████████████61%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████9%
Public Engagement██████8%
Education████6%
Public Transportation████5%
Procedural███4%
Transportation Safety█2%
Water And Wastewater Management█2%
Environmental Protection█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Honolulu Committee on Zoning and Planning Meeting - August 27, 2026

The Committee on Zoning and Planning, chaired by Councilmember Kia Aina, convened on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 9:02 a.m. to consider nine agenda items. The meeting included resolutions for extensions of time, zoning amendments, special management area permits, and bills related to transit-oriented development. Several items were approved with amendments, and public testimony was heard on multiple items.

Consent Calendar

  • No items were placed on the consent calendar. All agenda items were considered individually.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Resolution 26-171 (Extension of Time): A representative from Unite Here Local Five testified in support of the extension, stating it would allow more time for community discussion and developer engagement.
  • Resolution 26-188 (Calaheo Elementary School Rezone): David Pound, a 23-year resident of Calaheo Hillside, testified in support of Resolution 26-188, emphasizing community concerns about expansive soil conditions. He requested that any future P2 zoning carry binding conditions limiting use to passive open space and that geotechnical reports be released to the community.
  • Bills 37, 38, 39 (East Kapalay TOD):
    • Jesse Suki, Deputy Superintendent of Operations for the Hawaii Department of Education, testified on Bill 38, requesting that the proposed high school parcel be excluded from the TOD special district boundary and that coordination language be added. He noted that planning funding for the high school had been appropriated.
    • Sam Kim from the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters testified in strong support of all three bills, praising the committee's work to advance TOD.
    • Leslie Keating, a Kapalay resident, testified in support of Bills 38 and 39 but raised concerns about the Mokauea extension, water table issues at Hono Uliuli, and height bonuses. She advocated for taller buildings near transit stations and underground utilities.
  • Bill 42 (Lai Corporation Yard): No public testimony was offered.
  • Bill 43 (Waialua Rezone): No public testimony was offered.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 26-171 (Extension of Time for Resolution 26-171): The committee approved a 90-day extension of time for Resolution 26-171, as requested by the applicant's agent via Miscellaneous Communication 344-2026. The Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) supported the extension. No objections were raised.

  • Resolution 26-150 (Large Detached Dwellings): Introduced by Council Chair Waters, this resolution directs DPP to process a council-initiated LUO amendment to include garage square footage above 400 square feet in FAR calculations. Chair Waters explained that large garages are often used to circumvent FAR rules and later converted to bedrooms. DPP expressed concerns but supported the resolution. Councilmember Okimoto noted reservations, and the resolution was reported out for adoption with those reservations.

  • Resolution 26-188 (Calaheo Elementary School Downzoning): Following DHHL's declination due to expansive soil, the resolution directs DPP to process a zone change from R-7.5 to P-2 General Preservation on the 10.038-acre city-owned parcel. DPP confirmed the process would include public comment and a unilateral agreement with conditions. The chair recommended adoption, and it was so ordered.

  • Resolution 26-168 (SMA Major Permit for Nanakouli Commercial Building): The project involves a two-story commercial building with a caretaker unit on a 19,737 sq ft lot at 87-1818 Farrington Highway. The chair proposed a verbal amendment to condition B2 requiring a construction management plan and an updated traffic assessment report. The applicant's agent, Jim Hayes, accepted the conditions. The amendment was adopted, and the resolution as amended (CD1) was reported out for adoption.

  • Bills 37, 38, 39 (East Kapalay TOD): These three bills implement the East Kapalay Neighborhood TOD Plan.

    • Bill 37 reclassifies 14.83 acres from agricultural to urban district.
    • Bill 38 amends the LUO to add the three station areas (Kualaka'i, Keone'ī, Hono Uliuli) to the TOD Special District, including height exemptions and streamlined permit requirements.
    • Bill 39 rezones 1,381 acres around the stations, primarily to apartment and business mixed-use districts, with a CD1 version correcting acreage and exhibits. DPP presented extensive public participation background. Councilmember Cordero asked about design cohesion across Farrington Highway and parking maximums. Councilmember Tupola raised concerns about the DOE high school parcel, interim uses for school sites, and the naming of the area (preferring Hono Uliuli over East Kapole). The chair committed DPP to meet with DOE and HECO before the next hearing. All three bills were reported out for second reading and public hearing, with Bill 39 amended to CD1.

  • Bill 42 (Lai Corporation Yard State Land Use Boundary Amendment): This bill reclassifies 4.188 acres of the Lai Corporation Yard from agricultural to urban district to legalize existing and planned uses. The CD1 version added conditions for archaeological survey, fuel pump relocation, and finished floor elevation. DPP supported the CD1. The bill was amended to CD1 and reported out for second reading.

  • Bill 43 (Waialua Rezone from Country to R-5): The bill rezones a 1.429-acre portion of 669A Waialua Beach Road to bring eight existing dwelling units into conformance and remove non-conforming status. A unilateral agreement prohibits subdivision. DPP supported the CD1, which clarified the address and lot area. Councilmember Tupola questioned the relationship between the non-subdivision condition and possible future CPR (condominium property regime) sales. The agent clarified CPR would only be for future family ownership. The bill was amended to CD1 and reported out for second reading.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 26-171: Granted a 90-day extension of time (unanimous, no objections).
  • Resolution 26-150: Reported out for adoption with Councilmember Okimoto's reservations noted.
  • Resolution 26-188: Reported out for adoption (unanimous).
  • Resolution 26-168: Amended by verbal amendment to condition B2, then reported out as CD1 for adoption (unanimous).
  • Bill 37 (2026): Reported out for second reading and public hearing (unanimous).
  • Bill 38 (2026): Reported out for second reading and public hearing (unanimous). DPP to meet with DOE and HECO before next hearing.
  • Bill 39 (2026): Amended to CD1, then reported out for second reading and public hearing (unanimous).
  • Bill 42 (2026): Amended to CD1, then reported out for second reading and public hearing (unanimous).
  • Bill 43 (2026): Amended to CD1, then reported out for second reading and public hearing (unanimous).

Meeting Transcript

Aloha and good morning, everyone. It's Thursday, August 27th, 2026, and the time is 9 02 a.m. With the committee on zoning and planning meeting, please come to order. I would like to welcome uh the following committee members. Councilmember Cordero, Councilmember Okimoto, Councilmember Tupola. I understand uh Vice Chair Waters will be here shortly. Although remote verbal testimony is being permitted, this is a regular in-person meeting and not a remote meeting by interactive conference technology under HR Section 92-3.7. Therefore, the meeting will continue notwithstanding loss of audiovisual communication with remote testifiers or loss of the public broadcast at the meeting. Members of the public will be allowed to provide verbal testimony on items on the agenda when each item is taken up in two ways in person in the council chamber and remotely via video conference or phone. Before testifying, each person shall state their name for the record. Each speaker may not have anyone else read their statement and would be limited to a one-minute presentation per item. All persons who register to testify in person will be called upon first. Persons who did not register will be given an opportunity to offer testimony after the registered testifiers. Once in-person testimony has concluded, I will proceed to the remote testifiers. When I call your name or the last three digits of your phone number, please follow the prompts to unmute, 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 one thirteen of the Hawaii revised statutes. Members of the public may testify in either language. For verbal 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. Written testimonies, including the testifiers address, email address, and phone number will be available to the public as described in the posted agenda. As a courtesy, please not please turn off or silence all so phones for the duration of this meeting. Moving to agenda item number one, extension of time only. Members, the first term on our agenda is to approve an extension of time only for resolution 26-171. Verbal testimony will be limited to comments on the extension of time only, and we will not be discussing the substantive provisions of the resolution at today's meeting. For your information, the written request for a 90-day extension of time is available online as miscellaneous communication 344 2026. Before I call up the administration, I would like to take public testimony. Proceeding first with in-person testimony in the council chamber. Clerks, do we have any in-person testifiers for this item? Chair, there are none. Is there anyone else in the council chamber who would like to testify on this item? Please come forward to the testifier podium and begin by stating your name. Aloha, Chair, Council members. I'm with Unite Here Local Five, and I'm just testifying in support of uh extending the time to consider uh this application. Um I think it's it's important for us all to have more time to look at this and uh to give the developer a chance to talk further with the community and hopefully um deal with some of the concerns that uh that folks have. So uh thank you very much for considering this. Thank you. Is there anyone else who would like to testify? Clerks, do we have any remote testifiers? Chair, there and none for the administration. Good morning, Chair Kia Aina and committee members. I'm Elizabeth Krieger, the zoning regul um, I'm sorry, the land use permits division chief of the Department of Planning and Permitting, and we support the extension of time for this measure. Thank you. Members, any questions for DPP? Seeing no questions. Is there any discussion before I make recommendation? Seeing none, the chair notes that the time needed to consider resolution 26-171 may exceed the current deadline for council action. The chair therefore recommends that the resolution be granted a 90-day extension of time, pursuant to a request from the applicant's agent and miscellaneous communication 344 2026. Any discussion, any objections or reservations? Hearing none, so ordered. Moving to agenda item number two for action, resolution 26-150. This resolution directs the direct the director of the Department of Planning and Permitting to process a council initiated amendment to the land use ordinance, ROH chapter 21 relating to large detached dwellings. Amendments to the land use ordinance proposed by the council are processed by the Department of Planning and Permitting and reviewed by the Planning Commission.

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