[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6175633,"mediaKeyId","5353130-d2a884648f96bf33c9a5eaf7b503d9aa","parentId",5353130,"title","Council advances four first‑reading bills including pedestrian‑mall rules and improvement district expansion","audioSeconds",532,"startMs",1596000,"endMs",2128000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5353130-d2a884648f96bf33c9a5eaf7b503d9aa&start=1596&end=2128","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5353130-d2a884648f96bf33c9a5eaf7b503d9aa/thumbnail_1596000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6175633/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Council-advances-four-firstreading-bills-including-pedestrianmall-rules-and-improvement-district-expansion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175633-198d38b8ff509e655387b422f07523cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180717&Signature=gvdn41XdNa3F7mEl76JDMmeNBsqxGCp3R-voXurAq7GLXb2SS7J6R68oMOFs1DCk9x6hyU1I6RAa09JV~kguqj1sGNgoHSgBMh8R603QHoKZitGxRmyakJoqxUxk-Z6EBK8IsDmSe0YVqTlklFee8jLZxfFIbNGvikAh2rOjS2UMun-GFD92dbejyIp6zHbTa2EMRDGvHDTHTocLzqW-dbwWey1b4N3t1KlVyyC3E2sCEGX5aLuBDHN2VftOtsgGjJl-Vzo5Gw1qGwPMulqZeQlcOFY6sGuKLCMBul07ZP1SX8KcnEMhEcC8RmxENwtKzL82lIoMlQQfsRfFmLaB6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Honolulu, HI","date","2025-07-10T12:08:21Z","article","The Honolulu City Council unanimously passed first reading on a package of four bills addressing downtown pedestrian mall rules, homeowner exemptions for property taxes and expansion of improvement districts.

Vice Chair Tupelo moved the measures on first reading; no objections were recorded and the items advanced to later committee hearings.

Bill 48 would address pedestrian malls in downtown Honolulu and codify related regulations. Fort Street Mall Business Improvement District Association representative Ed Kuriski testified in support, saying the change helps the downtown transition from office to residential use and that the association seeks more services for cleanliness and safety.

Bill 49 and Bill 50 would increase homeowner exemptions by $20,000. Several testifiers opposed those exemptions, saying they cost millions and shift the property‑tax burden to other taxpayers. Natalie Wasser and one other testifier cited examples from their written testimony showing large exemptions provided to institutional or recreational properties and argued the city should review exemptions that benefit non‑residential property owners.

Bill 51 would expand improvement district authority to allow landowners and businesses downtown to fund supplemental services. Christine Camp, CEO of Avalon Group, and other business representatives told the council that downtown needs services to support safety and cleanliness during a residential transition and said residential owners would not be charged under the draft proposal; the measure includes a sunset review at five years if the program fails to meet goals.

Council members did not debate the bills in depth at first reading and referred them to committee for subject‑matter hearings where testimony and potential amendments can be taken up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 07 09 REG COUNCIL","oneSentenceSummary","The Honolulu City Council passed first reading on four bills covering downtown pedestrian malls, two homeowner property‑tax exemption increases, and expansion of improvement districts.","taxTitle","Honolulu City, Honolulu County, Hawaii","taxId",61746,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6175643,"Council passes second reading to reclassify 8 acres in Haleiwa from agricultural to urban",4926,2135000,7061000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5353130-d2a884648f96bf33c9a5eaf7b503d9aa&start=2135&end=7061","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5353130-d2a884648f96bf33c9a5eaf7b503d9aa/thumbnail_2135000.jpg","/articles/6175643/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Council-passes-second-reading-to-reclassify-8-acres-in-Haleiwa-from-agricultural-to-urban","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175643-01ea6f314a6812f6645b209816f1966b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180717&Signature=KVDU7aHZOFn9LUtFcpu94qA-WIoxW5k2FCNgGWtkMIIf-d6VhYW--2j18foFJRpEfYipC0ZO1ThXgBVUM4AMu50DRax-0GvDhaboq23n-wcz2bQ7nElib2hSSpmS7VyviB0nfrqlO1r07E9R4HRSQJApcOSuLgOy01ERkSyIW2p3vUOaMqq-7-m2eif86Yu-45J~2SLMMxFMFDg3yEziDDktx5GbPQkESx53aNYo9WYSbthE1YReBtHgC5L-oonWWEkh4HPVVirFEjFdCaLCZEQ8gucKkVc1-SZX83k~T19ffKTZg4EgaKPHkKAb2Pn2ybJIBqABkHDrx~RTQ3unzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Honolulu City Council adopted Committee Report 243 and passed second reading of Bill 37, CD1, a state land‑use district boundary amendment to reclassify roughly eight acres near Haleiwa from agricultural to urban.

The vote on second reading passed 8–1, advancing the measure while leaving key project approvals—most importantly a future zone change and updated infrastructure studies—to later review.

Supporters, including city planning staff, said the parcel lies inside the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan’s community growth boundary and that the change would enable new housing. Dina Wong, chief planner in the Department of Planning and Permitting, told the council that a subsequent zone change application would be subject to the city’s affordable housing rules and that “you would need 30% of all the units to be affordable,” with 10% targeted to households at 80% area median income and 20% at 120% AMI.

Opponents—dozens of North Shore residents and community groups—urged the council to block the reclassification and to protect farmland and the area’s limited infrastructure. Testimony described heavy traffic in Haleiwa, risks during emergency evacuation and loss of agricultural land. Natalie McKinney, who said she runs a nonprofit learning farm nearby, noted that her organization has produced 40,000 pounds of produce on seven acres as evidence the land can be farmed.

Council members debated whether the boundary change would preempt ongoing updates to the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan. Don Apuna and other Department of Planning and Permitting staff told the council the department recommended CD1 because, in their view, it was consistent with broader plans and the identified housing need—but they also noted the need for updated traffic and infrastructure analyses. The CD1 version of the bill carries a condition requiring the applicant to update a traffic impact analysis and have it accepted by the Department of Transportation Services and DPP before a zone change application can be filed.

Council members pressed staff on the age of the traffic analysis the applicant had supplied; staff said the traffic report dated from 2015 and must be refreshed. Council member K. Kia Aina (chair of the Zoning and Planning Committee) moved to adopt the committee report and pass second reading. After extended public testimony and council discussion the measure advanced, with eight ayes and one no.

What passes the council today is a state land‑use boundary amendment that “runs with the land”; it does not itself approve a development plan. If the boundary change becomes final, any developer proposal would still require a zone change, updated traffic and infrastructure studies, and the city’s affordable housing obligations at the zone‑change stage.

Council members and many testifiers said they expect further review in committee and additional public outreach as the project proceeds. Several residents said that even if the parcel is a small portion of Oʻahu’s land area, approving urban reclassification in Haleiwa would set a precedent for more conversions of farmland in a sensitive community.

The council’s action advances the bill to the next legislative steps but leaves the most significant project approvals—and mitigation commitments—until the zone change and related permit proceedings.","The Honolulu City Council adopted Committee Report 243 and passed second reading of Bill 37, CD1, a state land‑use district boundary amendment to reclassify roughly eight acres near Haleiwa from agricultural to urban.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6175628,"Votes at a glance: council adopts committee reports, travel gifts and several permits",1279,7221000,8500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5353130-d2a884648f96bf33c9a5eaf7b503d9aa&start=7221&end=8500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5353130-d2a884648f96bf33c9a5eaf7b503d9aa/thumbnail_7221000.jpg","/articles/6175628/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Votes-at-a-glance-council-adopts-committee-reports-travel-gifts-and-several-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175628-a6e37e203362e729fb9ade6324118953/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180717&Signature=IqRAPBXyfSpJILNgcDQPyNDIXBmnMZXRNgj1UpVXcwhKReILwJCh4D-alpJg0g68pTL~C7VREgix-qzPYNjLPxdKO-ducY67dzvLzIwBh9a-Cxsx2EvoFv8YfoYKOOuYJ2zea9awsr-Epb3HNCtZZU16Vz8WGvak82hYXRuYmfCo0I-lW6Csu4ZqxQb-ct-k0xIb6t-sJn6G7p941oImU9mhbPfFzFN2g148lgLcNdYgXff4ezt7OqwSIC450S~l06DLcy7NvOdPvp3qoxYPx3KdL66DiqOajxeOVW9HSwG4t9vN-bS~NnQHpWfirLB5S0ygtPtt7XP8O4z6NAFImg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Honolulu City Council approved a range of routine and substantive items during its meeting, including committee reports, gift acceptances, travel authorizations, special management area (SMA) permits and additional legal funding.

Key outcomes adopted by the full council (votes recorded where shown):

• Committee and ordinance actions: CR 236/Bill 41 (recommitted to Budget) was recommitted to the Committee on Budget.

• Travel and gifts accepted: Resolution 25‑172 (NASPO travel gift to send two procurement staff to Denver); Resolution 25‑174 (gift of airfare/train transportation for youth commission); Resolution 25‑171 (75 Hytera portable radios valued at $26,073.29 donated to Honolulu Zoo); Resolution 25‑175 (sustainable‑cities convening travel); Resolution 25‑178 (donation of fresh foods valued at $2,400 to Emergency Services); Resolution 25‑180 (Bloomberg Philanthropies travel to Bogotá); Resolution 25‑183 (Bumper Productions donation of two lifeguard towers and equipment valued at $231,000); Resolution 25‑187 (specialized zoo benches donation); Resolution 25‑188 (air freight gift for prefabricated animal shelter fencing); Resolution 25‑189 (AAPI LEAD travel gift, FD1 amended and adopted); Resolution 25‑190 (Honolulu Festival Foundation goodwill mission travel to Japan).

• Legal services funding and settlements: CR 240 authorized additional funds for legal services for Lynn Panagakis; CR 241 authorized additional funds for McCorston Law Firm; Council approved settlement authorization related to Gentry Waipio Community Association as part of the balance of committee reports.

• SMA permits and planning items: Resolution 25‑78 CD1 (Kaʻiwa Ridge Trail SMA major permit) adopted; Resolution 25‑155 CD1 (Hauʻula SMA major permit) adopted; Resolution 25‑168 CD1 (Kailua second-story addition SMA permit) adopted.

Several of the adopted gift resolutions carried brief public comments about the nature of the donations. Ocean Safety Director Kurt Lager confirmed equipment donated by a film production matched department specifications and that the department would decide tower placement. Multiple travel gifts were questioned by public testifiers about reporting back to the public; budget and departmental staff said post‑trip reports would be made available on the council website when prepared.

All the items listed above were approved in voice votes or roll calls as recorded; matters that were recommitted to committee or otherwise conditioned (for example CR 236) will return for subsequent committee action.","The Honolulu City Council adopted a package of committee reports, accepted multiple gifts and travel authorizations, and approved several special management area permits and legal expenditure authorizations. Items included travel to international conferences, donated ocean safety towers and equipment, and funds for outside counsel.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6175638,"Council refers first confirmations to Public Safety committee as Ocean Safety Commission begins oversight process",258,1333000,1591000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5353130-d2a884648f96bf33c9a5eaf7b503d9aa&start=1333&end=1591","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5353130-d2a884648f96bf33c9a5eaf7b503d9aa/thumbnail_1333000.jpg","/articles/6175638/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Council-refers-first-confirmations-to-Public-Safety-committee-as-Ocean-Safety-Commission-begins-oversight-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175638-261e2794ce85649494062dfde49fed4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180717&Signature=gLBxUH40PAgo~mCLtwOrFk4EIZ1NgWmfMqgk70FOoFUFirRWW0GAmE3buAz5qg4ucvc41~whx6dBd3hOkV72ivq4HrhZMmc9RIl2Lj1NrSm8UJIxFZeRev82rH1UIj0hmeRHXfcMDMeMNAv2sYTs4Krc6im1dCVB2FaG3dUXfd09kj2pCVexIwhU44LJ2TxATtLZ-a~-uVZ7Q3DqeDaDUrZuObN20yt7pnoqRZOzz3HLGkq9QnldSouDFTPlNmnyUsxQP7gZhCh2qp7S7oo6p6rFXseYB0dDDoj-FPw-TAMxa31tEWVN35YsONMkCgbe22gcgkccCsfQL57YFOK8sQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Honolulu City Council referred Resolution 25‑179, confirming five mayoral appointees to the newly created Ocean Safety Commission, to the Committee on Public Safety and the Economy for further questions and vetting.

Council member Tupelo said the commission is intended to provide independent oversight and “a direct voice for the frontline responders who protect 227 miles of our island’s coastline,” and he said the commission will help center lifeguard safety and employee input in the new department.

Five nominees attended the meeting. Raquel Achoo, one of the nominees, told the council she was honored and humbled to be considered and said she wanted to help “provide a strong foundation and a bright future” for the department. A handful of speakers stated they opposed some nominees and said they would address specifics at the committee hearing.

No confirmation vote took place at the full council meeting; the resolution was referred to committee for additional discussion and questioning. The council noted that further review would include committee questions and a public hearing where nominees might be asked to elaborate on experience and priorities for a department of ocean safety.

The council’s referral keeps the confirmation process moving while giving the committee an opportunity to hold a more detailed review of the nominees’ qualifications and prospective commission duties.","The City Council introduced and referred Resolution 25‑179, which confirms mayoral appointees to the new Ocean Safety Commission, to the Committee on Public Safety and the Economy. Council members and nominees described the commission as a step toward independent oversight and increased lifeguard input.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council advances four first‑reading bills including pedestrian‑mall rules and improvement district expansion

Council passes second reading to reclassify 8 acres in Haleiwa from agricultural to urban

Votes at a glance: council adopts committee reports, travel gifts and several permits

Council refers first confirmations to Public Safety committee as Ocean Safety Commission begins oversight process