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Committee advances amendment to allow multiple business signs in apartment‑mixed use buildings
Summary
The Honolulu City Council planning committee voted to report Resolution 24‑223, which would amend Chapter 21 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu to relax sign limits in apartment mixed‑use districts, sending the measure on for city review and a subsequent Planning Commission draft.
The Committee on Planning, Infrastructure and Transportation on Thursday advanced Resolution 24‑223, which proposes amending Chapter 21 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu to change sign standards for businesses located in apartment mixed‑use districts.
The resolution, introduced by Council Member Tupole, would allow multiple on‑site business signs in mixed‑use buildings where current rules generally limit signage to one business. "In general, I think that we support the idea of allowing businesses to have business signage within the apartment mixed use district," Elizabeth Kruger of the Department of Planning and Permitting said during the committee hearing.
Why it matters: business owners in newer mixed‑use developments have told council members they are restricted by existing rules and some have waited years for relief. Tupole said the change is intended to help ground‑floor commercial tenants in projects such as Ho'opili, where businesses have waited years for ordinance changes.
What happens next: under council procedure the resolution will be transmitted to the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP). Kruger told the committee DPP generally supports the concept but prefers a comprehensive sign overhaul; DPP staff said the department has 270 days to prepare a draft bill and may transmit a citywide sign update concurrently with a specific response to this resolution.
Public input and committee action: there was no remote testimony. Lee Tokuhara, representing D.R. Horton Hawaii, spoke in person in support and submitted written testimony. After discussion the chair recommended the committee "report out for adoption"; no objections were recorded and the committee ordered the item reported to the full council.
Details: the resolution text refers to amendments to Chapter 21 (Land Use Ordinance) of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (2021). The committee record does not include a roll‑call vote; the chair took and announced there were no objections.
Next steps: DPP will deliver a draft bill to the Planning Commission within the statutory response period; the Planning Commission may combine or consider the resolution alongside any citywide sign code overhaul.
