Honolulu City Council legal affairs committee reports out recommended settlements in two lawsuits; members note reservations

The Honolulu City Council's Legal Affairs Committee met and, after an executive session with the city's attorneys, reported out recommendations to settle two lawsuits against the City and County of Honolulu and to partially reimburse legal fees in a separate claim.

Chair Frank Nishimoto said, “Without objection, the committee resolves into closed meeting pursuant to HRS section 92‑4 and 92‑5(a)(4),” and the committee recessed to consult with counsel. No members of the public registered to testify on the items either in the chamber or remotely.

The items the committee reported out for adoption included a request to authorize settlement in a lawsuit identified on the agenda as Knowles v. Sheryl Sunia and a separate request to authorize settlement in a lawsuit titled Joshua Spriestersbach v. City and County of Honolulu and retired HPD Lieutenant Darryl Kon. The committee also reported out for adoption a request related to claims by Donna Y.L. Leong seeking partial reimbursement of legal fees and costs.

Committee members listed Department of Corporation Counsel staff and Office of Council Services staff as participants in the executive session; those named in the meeting record included Duane Pang, Maria Cook, Kaina Awong, Gerald Matayoshi, Lex Smith, Director Winston Park, Deputy Director Gina Pitcher and staff attorney Scott Masuda.

Councilmember Stacelynn Kiaʻāina said he had “reservations” about the report-out recommendation; Chair Nishimoto noted reservations also from Councilmember Okimoto. The meeting record does not show a roll-call vote or final adoption by the full council; the minutes state the matters were "reported out for adoption," meaning the committee forwarded recommendations to the full council rather than completing final approval at the committee level.

The committee adjourned after noting there was no further business.