Honolulu City Council adopts temporary hazard-pay claims; also approves county-association appointment

The Honolulu City Council on March 12 unanimously adopted a resolution to resolve claims for temporary hazard pay related to the COVID‑19 pandemic and also approved a separate resolution appointing officers to the Hawaii State Association of Counties.

The hazard-pay measure, described in communication D156 and moved by Vice Chair Weier, was adopted without objection after one remote testifier and several council members spoke in support. Corporation Counsel Dana Viola told the council the request came from the Department of the Corporation Counsel to resolve claims related to temporary hazard pay.

The item matters because it addresses claims from city employees and contractors who worked during heightened COVID‑19 risk and because council members signaled they expect negotiations with unions to continue for broader coverage. Angela Melody Young, testifying remotely on behalf of CARES, told the council she supported hazard pay for workers who had to continue working during the pandemic and asked the council to consider funding approaches. "I'm testifying that in support of the hazard pay, to implement a measure so that the people who had to work, when the COVID 19 pandemic was exacerbated can get, payment," she said.

Dana Viola, Corporation Counsel, said the resolution is a request from her office to resolve claims: "...this is a request from the Department of the Corporation Counsel to resolve claims relating to temporary hazard pay." Council member Kia Aina said she supported extending hazard pay equitably and specifically named Teamsters and firefighters: "for the record, that, as a matter of equity, even if it's not in their contracts, I support, hazard pay for the Teamsters as well as for HFD." Other council members voiced similar support and encouraged the administration to complete negotiations with unions referenced in the discussion.

Separately, earlier in the meeting the council moved and adopted a resolution relating to the appointment of officers to the Hawaii State Association of Counties (listed in the transcript as "resolution 20 five-seventy 1"). No testifiers spoke on that item and the council adopted the resolution without objection.

Votes at a glance - Resolution (appointment of officers for the Hawaii State Association of Counties, referenced in the meeting as "resolution 20 five-seventy 1"): moved and seconded; no objections noted; adopted. - Resolution (designated claims for temporary hazard pay, communication D156): moved by Vice Chair Weier; second not specified in the transcript; no objections noted; adopted.

The council recorded nine members present at roll call earlier in the session. The meeting adjourned and the council scheduled its next meeting for Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.