City and County of Honolulu voters will vote on 20 questions proposed to amend the city’s governing document in the November general election. Here’s a look at what’s on the ballot and how the process works.
The City and County of Honolulu Mayor and City Council appoints 13 people to the Honolulu Charter Commission every 10 years to recommend and review proposals to the city charter. This year set a record, with the commission receiving 295 proposals by their November 2025 deadline. The last commission received 162 proposals between 2015-2016, 20 of which made it to the voters’ ballots.
On the ballot this year for Oʻahu voters will be questions about food security funding, the preamble to the City’s charter, cultural stewardship, a LGBTQIA+ commission, ranked-choice voting, immigration policy, affordable housing, the Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund, government modernization, civic participation and government ethics.
Voters can take a look at the questions, present situations and how the Charter will change if proposals pass on the city’s website. A question with a majority of “yes” votes will change the charter and a question with a majority of “no” votes will not change the charter.
Most proposals came from individuals. Of the 20 questions that will be on the ballot, eight came from Oʻahu residents, four were supported by organizations including Hawaiʻi FoodBank, Housing Now! and Hawaiʻi Data Collective, three were proposed by Councilmembers Tyler Dos Santos-Tam and Ester KiaʻĀina, and five stemmed from city departments.
The most popular topic among the 295 proposals was city budget and finance. Other topics proposed by residents, organizations and city departments revolved around public safety, transportation and environment.
The Honolulu Charter Commission will hold a series of community meetings across the island starting Monday, Sept. 28, to inform voters on charter amendments.
- Mililani High School, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.
- Neal S. Blaisdell Center - Hawaiʻi Suites, Sept. 30, 6 p.m.
- Kapālama Elementary School, Oct. 1, 7 p.m.
- Kalani High School, Oct. 2, 6 p.m.
- Waipahu Intermediate School, Oct. 5, 6 p.m.
- Waialua High School, Oct. 7, 6 p.m.
- Āliamanu Elementary School, Oct. 9, 6 p.m.
- Waiʻanae Intermediate, Oct. 12, 7 p.m.
- Zoom, Oct. 13, 6 p.m. , Meeting ID: 832 2806 5851
- Windward Community College - Hale ʻĀkoakoa 101, Oct. 14, 6 p.m.
Haley Lehman can be reached at haley@alohastatedaily.com.
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