[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6089797,"mediaKeyId","2871843-1eff1d25b422326b2d01d1b6b3f4e9a5","parentId",2871843,"title","Committee postpones review of Honolulu Fire Commission; commissioners outline engagement and efficiency work","audioSeconds",270,"startMs",4560000,"endMs",4830000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2871843-1eff1d25b422326b2d01d1b6b3f4e9a5&start=4560&end=4830","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2871843-1eff1d25b422326b2d01d1b6b3f4e9a5/thumbnail_4560000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6089797/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Committee-postpones-review-of-Honolulu-Fire-Commission-commissioners-outline-engagement-and-efficiency-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089797-365b91bc9c021b67365e3a738fc5e961/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185767&Signature=ndZui9JuKsdeo8OaHJQUbuPoNt2KGPRAJh3kIKTR4uci5qxAZnBi3ehFnFT0geIjFyHcZBuKJKv~41NhcmVW4Qt-vgm7KeiE6RxlXZGzwxLkarPN3jZcHGJMkutp7NrqHqDHrtLFRQubTh9ESwbYj3VBL52yDaxNfJQXSZ0SQrOFMT9EoOvf8-toF-msErrFbOZ4lgmropQotJ390MBfAv-0FbDHmqzt7OcLAfmXeNtvfnxe7oLfJE5NmgQHHr552P1xvS3W89W2DpWazkqxzGVQawXEUKYTBMliAdIBPL8mWAv78gugaxXuzOASqpzBYvWHKEgIeAHm1JDNb0n9-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Honolulu, HI","date","2025-04-04T08:13:57.387Z","article","The Committee on Public Safety and Customer Services on April 3 postponed final action on its periodic review of the Honolulu Fire Commission. Commissioners David Matlin (chair) and Butch Caldera (vice chair) attended and described steps the commission has taken to increase engagement and efficiency.

Matlin told members the commission has visited station facilities and is focusing on engagement with front-line personnel and improved oversight. He said the commission has visited roughly 30 of 43 stations and formed four working groups focused on budget evaluation, citizen complaints, annual reporting and evaluation tasks. The commission also updated the fire chief evaluation to align with the department's seven strategic pillars and plans a level-setting discussion with commissioners and the chief.

Committee members thanked the commissioners for the report and the chair indicated she will prepare a draft committee report and recommendations for the next meeting. The chair noted that if the administration pursues integrating EMS into the Honolulu Fire Department, charter language (Chapter 6/10) would likely need amendment. The committee postponed action until its next scheduled meeting and took the commission's report under advisement.

\"We've focused on engagement and efficiency,\" Matlin said, citing station visits, updated annual reports and the new evaluation tool.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-04-03 Public Safety & Customer Services","oneSentenceSummary","The committee postponed final action on the mandated review of the Honolulu Fire Commission after commissioners described outreach to fire stations, updated evaluations and internal working groups.","taxTitle","Honolulu City, Honolulu County, Hawaii","taxId",61746,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089802,"Committee amends bill to formalize HPD assistance for landlords addressing illegal activity in rental properties",0,4006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2871843-1eff1d25b422326b2d01d1b6b3f4e9a5&start=4006&end=4006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2871843-1eff1d25b422326b2d01d1b6b3f4e9a5/thumbnail_4006000.jpg","/articles/6089802/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Committee-amends-bill-to-formalize-HPD-assistance-for-landlords-addressing-illegal-activity-in-rental-properties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089802-10fe296ea4564ad817119530b240accd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185767&Signature=m8wl0KaWCFi81mtlQorxdBXTMVPQWUy9pnPCGpOpalCAf0Sfm75bIc61SLFIVy85ZSoLW5EzjRQI71yZ3nKqwMGQdyaW8XRqvYIaEOSdL~hObIB22ih0TaHmaQWLAOhJqM7ouOtVpmAOPhGT2PkhBmnbOFMR1PqSELcRiHg7hYJ3cZQjNnpKSGL9GLJiZYWAr7Ppq~V03LIghOh~lzwHiiwKbQ842CXofWWleM9YmRIHt0GSo7gD43GTskbxeFx0-V2vLx5aaYeO7zZ5bmS-EivLPVdbSRNWy~4tL8~FMX7bndqItE6enrnDUmzNjcWvLT1Vv5AFkpObqJFUySErLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On April 3 the Committee on Public Safety and Customer Services amended Bill 13 (2025) to add a process allowing landlords to request Honolulu Police Department assistance when investigating unlawful activity or lease violations on rental properties, and reported the bill out for passage on second reading and a public hearing.

Council Member Tupole (bill sponsor) and staff said the amendments were developed with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the Honolulu Police Department to address illegal operations such as unlicensed game rooms, which committee members and the sponsor said generate cash flow tied to violent and criminal activity. Captain Jerome Pacarro of HPD's Narcotics Vice Division told the committee the department had no issues with the revisions.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Hugo said the amendments address constitutional concerns by clarifying that officers would escort landlords who already have a legal right to inspect and that tenants retain the right to withdraw consent. Hugo said codifying a formal documentation and information-sharing process will help prosecutors assemble records and avoid repeated, informal responses he characterized as \"playing whack-a-mole.\"

Councilmember Weier questioned the scope and the protections for tenants; Hugo replied the bill requires prior documentation supporting the landlord's request and limits police action to what is already legally permissible when officers are present with a party who has a right to be on the premises. The committee amended the bill to the posted CD1 (OCS 2025-237) and, with no objections, reported Bill 13 (CD1) out for passage on second reading and referred the measure to the Committee on International and Legal Affairs for its consecutive referral.

Council Member Tupole told members the change was a recommendation from a Game Room Task Force and intended to give law enforcement and prosecutors a consistent, documented process to close illegal game rooms that repeatedly reopen in different locations.","The committee amended Bill 13 (2025) to create a formal process for police to accompany landlords during inspections or investigations and reported the bill out for second reading and public hearing; the measure aims to help enforce lease violations and curb illegal game-room operations.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089807,"Council committee reports Jim Ireland—s reappointment as emergency services director amid mixed testimony",3221,529000,3750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2871843-1eff1d25b422326b2d01d1b6b3f4e9a5&start=529&end=3750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2871843-1eff1d25b422326b2d01d1b6b3f4e9a5/thumbnail_529000.jpg","/articles/6089807/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Council-committee-reports-Jim-Irelands-reappointment-as-emergency-services-director-amid-mixed-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089807-b58599efbb6e6bcfef886bbdce2797cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185767&Signature=WxzUB7Y-HXDS62~sWZc49DthjQQdNTJo~Z-ytXrsl50WePpvu-Jr4qa9SHeEwXu4hzIC820qxMXXfzBcXt4MBEVavczEOAn57FMUgehbCKWyqobuX0hExJEiyP~9w2LwT8wWx6vaYDkprnI6lTk0jZUriSVTvFnpyMwSkn24knbip1BDi2CMJCkqbkOnGCatJhVlfXx53pHlwLdY7tTB~cONQz9vkmV~qNQDYRZopiOQjI4445DmIZTzKfRIToNhJU6tL4aP-uSZWAzJ7BZvKrGbNgurrICJzOPWDbQ-dfzjf~zY3QBc4lfkssP-fnP9~MAAJHHI42eZXJAjKqVNbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Public Safety and Customer Services on April 3 reported out Resolution 20511 confirming Dr. James H.E. Ireland to continue as director of the Department of Emergency Services for the City and County of Honolulu after public testimony that included both strong endorsements and firm opposition.

Ireland, who appeared as director-designate, described operational pressures on the system, including high unit-hour utilization (UHU), staffing shortages and plans to add ambulances. He said the department has a current overall UHU of about 0.6, that some town-area units are at a UHU of 1 (roughly one call per hour), and that industry standards generally target roughly 0.3–0.4. He told the committee EMS handles about 110,000 calls a year and that achieving an ideal UHU of 0.35–0.4 would likely require approximately 30–38 additional ambulances beyond the department's existing 23.

Ireland said 18 new ambulances were ordered, with 13 already en route, and that the department had 40 vacancies in 2024 and about 30 in 2025; hiring since then left 11 vacancies. He said nine people will start a dispatch academy in June and 25 will enter an EMT academy in July. Ireland also reported anticipated annual billing revenue of about $40 million, roughly matching the department's $40 million budget.

Public testimony included multiple perspectives: paramedic Sonia Austin, AMR director Speedy Bailey, Governor Green and several community leaders offered strong support, citing Ireland's operational experience, community engagement and role in homelessness-response programs. Opponents and several current and former EMS employees, including Laurie Grace, Edward Fujioka and former acting chief Chris Sloman, urged the council to oppose reappointment, citing persistent unit closures, low morale, workplace complaints and equipment and maintenance problems.

Council members and the chair acknowledged both Ireland's strengths and the long-running operational issues within EMS. The chair noted the administration has proposed a task force to study a potential merger of EMS into the Honolulu Fire Department and referenced a prior resolution (204272) urging that study. After discussion, the chair recommended reporting Resolution 20511 out for adoption \"noting the chair's reservations\"; no other committee objections were recorded and the item was reported out for action by the full council.

\"We have such a great department in emergency services,\" Ireland said at the hearing, briefing members on staffing and unit needs. \"We do utilize American Medical Response. We utilize our federal fire department partners. But still far short of the approximately 35 ambulances we need in the system.\"","Committee on Public Safety and Customer Services reported out Resolution 20511 confirming Dr. James H.E. Ireland as Director of Emergency Services after hours of testimony both supporting and opposing his reappointment.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6089812,"Committee approves updated records-retention schedule for Honolulu Medical Examiner",305,309000,614000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2871843-1eff1d25b422326b2d01d1b6b3f4e9a5&start=309&end=614","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2871843-1eff1d25b422326b2d01d1b6b3f4e9a5/thumbnail_309000.jpg","/articles/6089812/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Committee-approves-updated-records-retention-schedule-for-Honolulu-Medical-Examiner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089812-c2f21e882e48031659abeb97692298fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185767&Signature=D4ZH~xF4psCkoaExRtDCDZZ8lT6QF5FOTykec8iV2trZJnYM1sGEq4DHjzfE~aVM1Rw0YsyT8SLxEN08vIyrSiUQ270Lc6KIwWloLAGbs-kQRGsADxKf8nFzxjKoWCSgxry1HrLOV8VGxXF-7E~6XQbQghTiVMZcoL2eEiBI463dHbKhd1TJumZM59t4QBrpvl5uuy7Gb7DisQ7oJvH5gJDS6Qlbb1WTGgH~8dAu~ALa0lJi6ixrSgj-Pe8gUzZmi5wmHTDITP1CgWR-41S4~b0Aei3EQeYRDMKlw-qBjcwpS-xoq3sYfALjicIKq8Fq~k7E5qZhiNz~8MZrenjUTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Public Safety and Customer Services on April 3 approved amendments and reported out a resolution to adopt a new, agency-specific records-retention schedule for the Department of the Medical Examiner of the City and County of Honolulu.

The change formalizes how the department will retain case reports, photographs, X-rays and biological specimens. Dr. Masahiko Kobayashi, medical examiner, told the committee the department now stores new records digitally \"forever\" while older paper and microfilm files remain in the department's facility and the city's archives. He said the schedule aligns specimen-retention periods with recommendations from the National Association of Medical Examiners and the College of American Pathologists.

Kobayashi said the department's retention policy had not been formally updated for \"a really, really long time,\" and that adopting a formal schedule is important for accreditation. He told members the department sought review from the City Corporation Counsel, Honolulu Police Department and the Prosecuting Attorney's Office and that those offices raised no objections.

There was no public testimony for the item. Committee members raised no questions during discussion. The chair recommended amending Resolution 20576 to the posted proposed CD1 and, hearing no objections, amended it. The chair then recommended that Resolution 20576, CD1 be reported out for adoption; the committee raised no objections and the item was reported out.

\"We respectfully request approval of this new schedule,\" Kobayashi said during his presentation.

The resolution and the posted CD1 and summary were listed on the committee agenda; the committee record shows the amendment and the report-out to the full council for adoption.","The City Council committee amended and reported out a resolution adopting an updated, agency-specific records-retention schedule for the Department of the Medical Examiner after testimony from Medical Examiner Dr. Masahiko Kobayashi.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee postpones review of Honolulu Fire Commission; commissioners outline engagement and efficiency work

Committee amends bill to formalize HPD assistance for landlords addressing illegal activity in rental properties

Council committee reports Jim Ireland—s reappointment as emergency services director amid mixed testimony

Committee approves updated records-retention schedule for Honolulu Medical Examiner