Council approves HPD scanner/access bill after contentious public testimony on media access

The Honolulu City Council passed Bill 46 (CR388 / Bill 46 CD1) on third reading after extended testimony from news organizations, public commenters and council members.

Journalists from Hawaii News Now and retired reporters urged council members to grant scanner access to newsrooms so they can quickly vet and distribute urgent public‑safety information. "Scanner access is the first step in our process as journalists," said Matt Piasente of Hawaii News Now, who described how timely, accurate alerts aid public safety and dispatching. Several commenters argued that limiting access to a narrowly defined set of legacy outlets risks excluding newer platforms that reach large audiences.

Opponents warned the bill could be legally problematic if it restricts public access to information. John Dutseman, a former TV reporter, said public information should not be granted only to an approved list of outlets.

Council members and the interim chief of police said they had worked toward a compromise; some members voted in favor while recording reservations about future chiefs' interpretations of eligibility language. Council member Okimoto said she supported the bill but had reservations about implementation language that limits release to outlets with continuous publication or broadcasting for 25 years.

The measure passed with recorded reservations. The council and HPD said they plan to work on administrative rules to implement scanner access in a way that protects sensitive information while facilitating timely media reporting for public safety.