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Committee advances preschool-lunch resolution and multiple housing measures; down‑payment bill postponed
Summary
On Jan. 14 the committee advanced a city resolution urging the state to create a universal preschool lunch program and moved three housing bills forward; the city’s down‑payment loan measure was postponed to allow further coordination with state programs.
The Honolulu City Council Committee on Housing, Sustainability, Economy and Health advanced several agenda items on Jan. 14, 2025, including a city resolution urging the Hawaii State Legislature to create a universal preschool lunch program and multiple housing measures, while postponing a down‑payment loan bill for further interagency coordination.
Resolution urging universal preschool lunches: Resolution 25‑2, introduced by Council member dos Santos Tam, was recommended by the chair to be reported out for adoption after one in‑person public commenter expressed strong support. Jun Shin testified in favor, saying a universal preschool lunch program would reduce food insecurity and ease costs on teachers and parents.
Housing preference bill advanced: The committee amended Bill 192024 FD1 CD1, a measure to add a resident preference to city housing programs, to the posted CD2 (OCS 2025007/1/6/2025, timed 1:23 p.m.) and reported the measure out for passage on third reading. Kevin O'Shea, executive director of the Office of Housing, stated the administration stands in support of the bill. The introducing council member said the resident‑preference model was patterned after a Boston program that had been found constitutional.
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs): Bill 63 (2024), which would amend ADU provisions and incentivize creation of ADUs, was recommended to be reported out for passage on second reading and for scheduling of a public hearing. No public testimony was offered during the committee session.
Down‑payment loan bill postponed: Bill 64 (2024) would expand eligibility for the city’s down‑payment loan program by amending ROH §6‑34.2. Edward Los Banos, deputy director of the Department of Community Services (DCS), said DCS supports the initiative but requested more time to coordinate administrative rules, meet with the Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation (HHFDC) and align underwriting with private lenders. Stephanie Nojima of the Honolulu Board of Realtors testified in support. The committee chair recommended postponement; the committee approved holding the item to a date and time to be determined by the committee chair.
Procedural note: Committee recommendations were advanced by voice with no objections recorded at the meeting. Several items noted a lack of registered remote testifiers and limited in‑person public testimony.
