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2026-08-12 - Regular Council

Summary

Built from the official journal (minutes) of the 24th session, approved October 7, 2026. No video page or captions are on file.

  • Called to order 10:24 a.m. by Chair Waters; eight present, Dos Santos-Tam excused. Adjourned 2:07 p.m. The July 8 session minutes were approved 8-0.
  • Confirmed Jayaram as Managing Director, 8-0.
  • Adopted two resolutions urging a ban on commercial aquarium fish harvesting over Tupola's opposition.
  • First reading of Bills 52 (peddling), 53 (shopping carts) and 54 (trailhead parking).
  • Second reading of the property tax and vehicle weight tax bills (Bills 68 of 2025, 45, 46, 47), the parks funds bill (44), and Bills 50, 16 and 48.
  • Third reading: Bill 35 and Bill 41 (e-bikes, FD1).

Managing Director Confirmation

  • Resolution 26-129 adopted 8-0 after supportive remarks from Tupola, Kiaʻāina and Waters; Blangiardi spoke.

Aquarium Fish Harvest Ban

  • Resolutions 26-159 (7-1) and 26-160 (6-1) adopted; Tupola voted no on both.

Homeowner Exemption Increase

  • Bills 45 and 46 passed second reading 8-0 with reservations from Tulba and Weyer; Budget and Fiscal Services cited about $10 million in lost revenue and urged a Permitted Interaction Group.

Motor Vehicle Weight Tax Cut

  • Bill 47 passed second reading 6-2 (no: Tulba, Weyer); Morton opposed.

Property Tax Credit Eligibility

  • Bill 68 (2025) passed second reading 6-2 (no: Kiaʻāina, Weyer).

Parks Funding Reform

  • Bill 44 passed second reading 8-0 after Thielen explained the funds; Waters questioned Council oversight.

Illegal Peddling Fines, Abandoned Shopping Cart Penalties and Trailhead Parking Restrictions

  • Bills 52, 53 and 54 passed first reading 8-0; Bill 53 drew reservations from Cordero, Kiaʻāina and Tupola.

E-Bike Regulations

  • Bill 41 amended to the posted FD1 and passed third reading, 8-0.

Dog Regulation Ordinance

  • Bill 16 passed second reading as CD1, 8-0.

Paʻalaʻa Kai Rezoning

  • A 120-day extension for Bill 43 was adopted in the balance of committee reports (ZONCR-209(26)).

RES26-226 Subsea Cable Easements, Barbers Point

  • Resolution 26-165, CD1 (Special Management Area permit for the Oʻahu Subsea Cable project in Kapolei) adopted 8-0.

Other business

  • Appointments adopted 8-0: 26-154 CD1 (Board of Review II), 26-155 (Grants in Aid Advisory Commission, with praise for the appointee's service from Tupola and Kiaʻāina), 26-130 CD1 (Climate Change Commission reappointment). Resolution 26-172 (Board of Water Supply reappointment) had its hearing and was referred to Energy, Environment & Sustainability.
  • Resolution 26-179 (collective bargaining cost items, Hawaii Fire Fighters Association Unit 11) adopted 8-0.
  • Bill 48 (condemnation) passed second reading 8-0; Bill 50 (funds) passed second reading 8-0; Bill 35 passed third reading 8-0.
  • Resolution 26-158 urging a citywide energy vulnerability assessment adopted 8-0 (Weyer moved).
  • Resolution 26-157 accepted a $7,150 gift of travel from the Fuzhou Municipal People's Government for Tupola to attend the 2026 Bond with Kuliang Festival; adopted 8-0.
  • Gifts adopted 8-0: 26-162 ($4,000, Mayor's Craft and Country Fair), 26-164 ($25,000, Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden), 26-163 (framed print, $3,000).
  • Balance of committee reports adopted 8-0: a lawsuit settlement authorization (ILACR-208(26)) and the Bill 43 extension.
  • Special counsel in the federal case Mau v. City and County of Honolulu: Resolutions 26-175 and 26-176 adopted 8-0; 26-177 adopted 7-0 with Waters abstaining (disclosure of interest CC-146(26)).

Sources