NOTABLE RESOLUTIONS, BILLS AND APPOINTMENTS AT THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MARCH 25
Resolutions
Reso 24-65 - Urges the Hawai‘i State Legislature to reconsider or amend House Bill 1630 and Senate Bill 3202 that would mandate increased density in residential neighborhoods, undermine general and comprehensive community plans, and weaken the City and County of Honolulu’s ability to oppose monster homes.
STATEMENTS:
“I am deeply concerned about these measures as currently written, which have raised substantial concerns in a number of the communities that I represent. Many across O‘ahu, myself included, worry this bill would forever change the look of our island home, invalidate the statutorily mandated general, development, and sustainable community plans that have been thoughtfully constructed with public input over decades, and negatively impact our ability to combat the increasing prevalence of monster homes across our city. I also have fundamental concerns with this top-down approach, as I believe that the county councils are far better positioned to work with our communities and assess these situations on a case-by-case basis and that mandates such as this only hinder our ability to make informed and reasonable decisions as it relates to development..” - Council Chair Tommy Waters, Co-Introducer
“While I appreciate the State Legislature’s efforts to increase housing availability on the island of Oʻahu, I am deeply concerned that as drafted the state bills will not achieve its intended objective to help local families. To the contrary, they discount the City’s and community’s land use and planning processes, while having no affordable or owner-occupied provisions to ensure local families are able to buy or live in these new housing units. I worry that the bills will instead increase speculation by outside investors whose sole motivation will be financial gain, while disrupting the quality of life and character of our residential communities.
As a Native Hawaiian, I take very seriously the need for affordable housing to keep our local families home in Hawaiʻi. It is the reason this Council has adopted policies that relax development standards in the apartment districts, provide financial incentives and even more funding for affordable housing, approve numerous 201H and IPD-T projects, and aggressively enforce short-term rentals. It is also the reason the Planning & the Economy committee, which I chair, has approved amendments to the City’s Land Use Ordinance that would substantially increase the production of affordable housing by allowing apartments on underutilized lands in business districts and by allowing two additional dwelling units in residential districts.” - Council Vice Chair Esther Kia‘āina, Co-Introducer
Reso 24-46 - Urges the Building Board of Appeals to increase transparency by improving its procedures for notifying the community of its meetings and making its orders available to the general public.
STATEMENT:
“The main goal of Resolution 24-46 is to foster greater transparency with the Building Board of Appeals and urge the Board to make key decisions and findings easily accessible to the public. This is a volunteer board that works hard for our community. I am deeply grateful for their work and want to make sure the community is able to see it and stay informed. That is why I put forward this Resolution–so the community can see the decisions that affect them. This information has been hard to find, and our request is to develop a way to inform the community and stakeholders when a decision is announced, and give folks who are interested the ability to subscribe to receive notices, similar to what other City departments have done.” - Council Chair Tommy Waters
Reso 24-49 - Urges the Mayor to proclaim Honolulu a Purple Heart City and express the City’s gratitude for and honor the service of armed forces personnel wounded or killed in the line of duty.
STATEMENT
“It goes without saying that our military veterans are heroes and deserve our deepest appreciation for their service. Designating Honolulu a Purple Heart City reaffirms our commitment and support to those who have and are willing to make the greatest sacrifice”. - Councilmember Augie Tulba
Reso 24-52 - Requests that the City Administration provide an update on affordable FY23 and FY24 appropriations for projects related to affordable housing and homelessness.
Reso 24-30 - Requests the City Administration provide an update regarding the installation of low-flow fixtures at City parks.
Reso 24-31 - Requests that the City Administration provide an update regarding the transfer and billing of ambulance services from the State.
Bills
Bill 1 - Raises the age of individuals allowed to purchase herbal cigarettes within the City and County of Honolulu to 21 years of age.
STATEMENTS:
“Ensuring that our keiki are not exposed to harmful chemicals and habit forming drugs, including their substitutes, is critical in promoting a healthy community. Raising the legal purchasing age of herbal cigarettes to 21 years of age is an important contribution to our efforts to invest in our youth.” - Health, Housing, and Sustainability Committee Chair Matt Weyer
“No smoking device should be in the hands of our children. Last year, we passed a bill making it more difficult for young people to buy tobacco products, like vapes and tobacco cigarettes. Today, we passed Bill 1, which would impose similar restrictions on herbal cigarettes. Moving forward, I will continue to work diligently in protecting the health and safety of our most vulnerable community members.” - Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, Introducer
Appointments
Reso 24-36 - Confirms the appointment of Marie Kumabe to the Salary Commission
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ABOUT THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL:
The Honolulu City Council is the lawmaking body of the City and County of Honolulu and determines policies and programs for the City. The Council is responsible for serving and advancing the general welfare, health, happiness, and safety of the land and our communities. Learn more at www.honolulucitycouncil.org/
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brannagan Aoyagi-Mukaisu
Council Communications Office
Honolulu City Council
(808) 768-5080
