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HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL KE KANIHELA O KE KALANA O HONOLULU CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
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COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL & LEGAL AFFAIRS |
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Voting Members: Scott Y. Nishimoto, Chair Andria Tupola, Vice Chair Radiant Cordero Tyler Dos Santos-Tam Esther Kiaʻāina Val A. Okimoto Augie Tulba Tommy Waters Matt Weyer
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AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2025
1:00 P.M.
Pursuant to Section 92-3.7, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, this meeting will be conducted as a remote meeting by interactive conference technology, with the following procedures in effect for the meeting:
The meeting will be viewable: (1) by internet live streaming through https://www.honolulucitycouncil.org/meetings; (2) by televised live broadcast on ʻŌlelo TV Channel 54; and (3) on the monitor situated outside the Council Chamber. Viewers who experience a loss of viewing signal should try switching to another viewing option.
After the meeting, the meeting will be viewable on demand at https://www.honolulucitycouncil.org/meetings. Copies of older meeting videos may be requested by calling the City Clerk’s Office at (808) 768‑5822, charges may apply.
Some Councilmembers and presenters may be participating in the meeting by interactive conference technology from remote locations.
Remote and in-person oral testimony will be permitted on all items on the agenda when each agenda item is taken up. Each speaker may not have anyone else read their statement and is limited to a one‑minute presentation.
As both English and Hawaiian are official languages of the State of Hawaiʻi, pursuant to Article XV, Section 4 of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution and Section 1-13 of the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, members of the public may testify in either language. For oral testimonies offered in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, additional time as may be necessary will be allowed for the testifier to provide an English translation of their testimony.
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Remote Testimony
1. For direct access to submit oral testimony call: +1-253-215-8782, enter ID 86924278697 and Passcode 677132.
2. To testify by videoconference visit: https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov/hnldoc/testimony. Videoconference access information will be provided upon registration. Testifiers are encouraged to register/submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Persons wishing to testify in-person in the Council Chamber are requested to register by 1:00 p.m. by filling out the registration form in person outside the Council Chamber. Persons who have not registered will be given an opportunity to speak following the oral testimonies of the registered speakers.
Written testimony may be uploaded at https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov/hnldoc/testimony or mailed to Office of the City Clerk, Attention: Information Section, 530 South King Street, Room 100, Honolulu, HI 96813. If submitted, written testimonies, including the testifier’s address, email address, and phone number, will be available to the public at https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov.
Should you have any questions, please call (808) 768-3819 or send an email to darcie.nago@honolulu.gov.
Meeting materials are accessible at https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov/hnldoc/browse/agendas by clicking on the appropriate Committee meeting.
If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability or an interpreter for a language other than English, please call the Office of the City Clerk Information Section at (808) 768-5822 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or send an email to darcie.nago@honolulu.gov as soon as possible or at least three (3) business days before the scheduled meeting. Requests made as early as possible have a greater likelihood of being fulfilled.
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FOR ACTION
1. RESOLUTION 25-218 – REAPPOINTMENT OF LARRY VERAY TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION. Approving the reappointment of Larry Veray to the Neighborhood Commission for a term to expire on June 29, 2030.
CC-204(25) WATERS - Nomination and/or appointment transmittal of Larry Veray to the Neighborhood Commission.
M-0415(25) Testimony on RES25-218 for Aug 20, 2025 @ 01:00 PM *INTERNATIONAL & LEGAL AFFAIRS (ILA) Meeting.
Related communication:
CC-204 Council Chair Waters, nominating Larry Veray to the Neighborhood Commission
2. RESOLUTION 25-109 – PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE CITY'S RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE CRISIS OUTREACH RESPONSE AND ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM AND THE HONOLULU EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT. Directing the City Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the City's resource management and administration of the Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement Program and the Honolulu Emergency Services Department.
RES25-109, PROPOSED CD1 - ATUP1
CC-181(25) WATERS - List of Assignments of Items Pending Before the Council. CCM.
MM-130(25) MANAGING DIRECTOR - Resolution 25-109
M-0422(25) Testimony on RES25-109 for Aug 20, 2025 @ 01:00 PM *INTERNATIONAL & LEGAL AFFAIRS (ILA) Meeting.
PROPOSED CD1 TO RESOLUTION 25-109 (Submitted by Councilmember Tupola) – The CD1 (OCS2025-0376/5/5/2025 9:47 AM) makes the following amendments:
A. Amends the title of the resolution to read as follows:
"REQUESTING THE CITY AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE CITY'S RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE CRISIS OUTREACH RESPONSE AND ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM AND THE HONOLULU EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT."
B. In the first WHEREAS clause, adds an explanation that the Office of the City Auditor is responsible for conducting performance audits of the City's agencies and operations to promote accountability, transparency, and efficiency in government.
C. In the second WHEREAS clause, revise the existing language by stating that pursuant to Charter Section 3-114, the City Council ("Council") may direct the City Auditor to conduct a performance audit of any City and County of Honolulu ("City") agency or program.
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D. In the third WHEREAS clause, revise the existing language by stating that the Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement Program ("CORE") was established by the City in December 2021 under the administration of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department ("HESD"), to provide a non-law enforcement, health‑centered approach to responding to individuals experiencing homelessness and behavioral health crisis.
E. In the fourth WHEREAS clause, replace the existing language by stating that CORE's mission includes providing rapid, island-wide crisis response and referrals to social services, reducing reliance on police officers and emergency room visits, and improving long-term outcomes from unsheltered individuals.
F. In the fifth WHEREAS clause, replace the existing language by stating that the Council has received ongoing testimony and community concerns regarding the effectiveness, leadership, staffing, and oversight of CORE, as well as the overall resource allocation and management practices within HESD.
G. In the sixth WHEREAS clause, replace the existing language by stating recent questions have arisen about whether HESD possesses the operational expertise and administrative capacity to effectively oversee a program like CORE that centers around behavioral health and social work competencies, particularly in light of staff attrition and management issues.
H. In the seventh WHEREAS clause, replace the existing language by stating the Council believes that a comprehensive and objective performance audit of CORE and HESD’s resource management and program administration is necessary to assess outcomes, identify challenges, and recommend improvements that will strengthen the City’s emergency and crisis response systems.
I. Amends the first BE IT RESOLVED clause by replacing the word "directed" with the word "requested."
J. In the first BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause, replace the existing language by stating that the performance audit is requested to address, but not be limited to, the following areas:
1. The overall effectiveness of the CORE program in fulfilling its stated mission, including its alignment with public health and safety goals;
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2. The management and oversight of CORE and other HESD functions, including but not limited to organizational structure, staffing, supervision, and resource allocation;
3. The coordination and integration of CORE services with other emergency response and social service agencies;
4. The adequacy of internal systems used by HESD to measure program outcomes, evaluate staff performance, and ensure operational accountability; and
5. The extent to which policies, procedures, and leadership practices support effective service delivery, staff development, ethical conduct, and public trust.
K. In the second BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clause, revise the existing language by replacing the word "directed" with the word "requested," changing the completion date from six months after adoption of this resolution to one year, and remove the reference to Charter Section 3‑114.2.
L. In the BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED clause, change the transmittal list by swapping the "Director of Emergency Services" with the "City Auditor."
M. Makes miscellaneous technical and nonsubstantive amendments.
3. BILL 47 (2025) – RELATING TO AGREEMENTS. Addressing agreements. (Bill passed first reading 6/4/25)
CC-181(25) WATERS - List of Assignments of Items Pending Before the Council. CCM.
060425 Council Minutes - ADOPTED 07/09/25
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EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Committee anticipates convening into Executive Session pursuant to Hawai‘i Revised Statutes Sections 92-4 and 92-5(a)(4), to consult in a closed meeting with the attorneys for the Council’s Committee on International & Legal Affairs on questions and issues pertaining to claims and other matters on the Council's powers, duties, privileges, immunities and/or liabilities.
4. Request for authorization to settle a lawsuit against the City and County of Honolulu entitled Stacy J. Bruhn and James Bruhn v. City and County of Honolulu, et al.; Civ. No. 1CCV-24-0001600 (JJK)
5. Request for authorization to settle a case against the City and County of Honolulu entitled Katherine Wellington Kramer v. City and County of Honolulu et al., Civil No. CV24-00258 JAO-RT (USDC)
6. Resolution to retain the legal services of McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon, LLP as Special Counsel to represent Defendant Keith Mitsuyoshi Kaneshiro in the legal action entitled Laurel J. Mau v. City and County of Honolulu, et al.; Civil No. CV24‑00253 GPC-WRP (USDC)
7. Request for authorization to settle claims against the City and County of Honolulu by Winona Lee
8. Request for authorization to settle a claim by Ally Financial against the City and County of Honolulu, Claim No. 24-05219
9. Resolution to Authorize Legal Action to Demolish Unsafe Structure on the Real Property Located at 525 Avocado Street, Wahiawā, Hawai‘i 96786
M-0421(25) Testimony on Resolution to Authorize Legal Action to Demolish Unsafe Structure on the Real Property Located at 525 Avocado Street, Wahiawā, Hawai‘i 96786 for Aug 20, 2025 @ 01:00 PM *INTERNATIONAL & LEGAL AFFAIRS (ILA) Meeting.
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If the need arises with respect to any item on this agenda, then pursuant to Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Sections 92-4 and 92-5(a)(4), the Committee may consult in a closed meeting with its attorneys in executive session on questions and issues pertaining to the Councilʻs powers, duties, privileges, immunities and/or liabilities relating to that item.
SCOTT Y. NISHIMOTO, Chair
Committee on International
& Legal Affairs