Tommy Waters

10/08/2026

Aloha! I’m pleased to present the October edition of the District 4 newsletter. 📰

Getting answers about East Honolulu power outages, addressing improperly parked shared micromobility vehicles (SMVs) within the Waikīkī Special District, and monitoring the cleanup progress at the Happy Days restaurant in Kaimukī are among the notable stories covered in this month’s edition.

To download a copy, visit linktr.ee/tommywatershnl.

As always, my office is here to help. If you have a question, concern, or need assistance connecting with the appropriate City department, please contact my office at [email protected] or call (808)768-5004.

Mahalo for staying connected and engaged.

10/08/2026

It was an honor to recognize and congratulate Aloha Festivals on its historic 80th Anniversary, celebrating eight decades of preserving Hawaiʻi’s rich cultural heritage. From its beginnings as “Aloha Week” in 1946 to its evolution into a beloved statewide tradition, Aloha Festivals continues to bring more than 100,000 people together each year through music, dance, history, and aloha. We also honored the dedicated leaders, volunteers, and the esteemed 2026 Royal Court for their commitment to perpetuating Hawaiian culture and traditions. Mahalo nui loa for showing us what it means to lead and live with aloha these past 80 years – and congratulations on this remarkable milestone! 🌺💛

09/30/2026

This morning, I stopped by Maunalani Heights to check on the boulder basin near 16th Avenue and see firsthand how it was handling the increased water flow from this morning’s downpour. I was surprised to see just how high the water had already risen and how close the 10-foot-deep basin was to overflowing. It raises an important question: What happens when an even larger storm hits?

We saw what can happen during the Kona Low storms earlier this year, when the basin overflowed and sent a powerful rush of water downstream, turning 16th Avenue into a river. Today was another important reminder of why regular stream maintenance and continued investments in flood mitigation and resilient infrastructure matter.

I remain committed to working with our City’s Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) to identify solutions that can improve flood protection in this area and address other communities throughout District 4 that face similar flooding concerns.

09/30/2026

UPDATE: Cleanup is now underway at the Happy Days Chinese Seafood Restaurant in Kaimukī.

Today, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) and the City’s Department of Planning & Permitting (DPP) announced that professional cleaning crews have begun removing spoiled food from the restaurant’s kitchen after DPP determined that the area could be safely accessed for this limited purpose.

The cleanup is expected to be completed by Oct. 2.

DOH’s Vector Control Branch was also on site today and will continue monitoring the cleanup as crews work to remove spoiled food and address rodent and pest concerns. This is an important step forward for the neighboring businesses and residents who have been dealing with the impacts of this property since the partial roof collapse in August.

My office first contacted DOH on Sept. 9 to request an investigation after hearing concerns from neighboring businesses, and we have continued following up with DOH and DPP to push for a safe and timely resolution.

There is still more work ahead. Some spoiled food remains in the dining area, which is still unsafe to access. The property owner is working with its insurer and contractors to determine next steps for the damaged structure, which could include demolition.

Mahalo to DOH and DPP for working together to move this cleanup forward. My office will continue monitoring the situation and advocating for the remaining health and safety concerns to be addressed.

09/29/2026

A little late to the birthday post, but we couldn’t let our boss get away without one! 🎉🤙

Happy belated birthday to Council Chair Tommy Waters! Whether he’s in Council Chambers, out in the community, or on the water, you can almost always count on a shaka and a smile.

From all of us on your Council staff, mahalo for your leadership, for always keeping us on our toes, and for the aloha you bring to the work we do for our communities every day.

We hope you had a great birthday, Tommy! 🎂🌊

— Your District 4 Council Staff 💙

09/25/2026

It was a pleasure to welcome Councillor Whare Isaac-Sharland of the Napier City Council in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and her ʻohana to our Council Chambers this morning!

Our time together was a meaningful opportunity to build new friendships, exchange ideas, and share the work we’re doing here at home to protect culturally and environmentally significant spaces for generations to come. While our communities may be separated by an ocean, we share a deep commitment to preserving the places, cultures, and traditions that make our islands so special.

I invited Councillor Isaac-Sharland and her ʻohana to join me for a paddle session, but they’ll be participating in this weekend’s Aloha Festivals Floral Parade in Waikīkī! Hopefully, we’ll have another opportunity to get out on the water together soon.

If you see them in the parade this weekend, be sure to give them a warm aloha and throw them a shaka! 🤙🌺

09/24/2026

It was a packed house yesterday afternoon at Niu Valley Middle School for our community town hall with ! Mahalo to everyone who joined us to share their concerns about power outages and electrical reliability in East Honolulu. Your voices are essential to identifying challenges and shaping solutions that better serve our communities.

Hawaiian Electric representatives shared insights from their recent response to Hurricane Lala, discussed factors contributing to outages in our communities, and provided updates on efforts to strengthen the reliability and resilience of Oʻahu’s electrical grid. Most importantly, residents had the opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences, and hear directly about the improvements underway.

Mahalo to State Rep. Mark Hashem for inviting State Sen. Stanley Chang and me to co-host this town hall, and most especially to Hawaiian Electric for engaging in this important dialogue.

Our residents deserve a reliable and resilient electrical grid. I remain committed to working with Hawaiian Electric and our state partners to address community concerns, improve communication, and strengthen our electrical infrastructure to meet the needs of our island today and for generations to come.

09/24/2026

Tropical Storm Nolo is approaching the state and is expected to become a major hurricane later this weekend. Please use today to complete your storm preparations and continue monitoring official updates as conditions can change. Swipe through this carousel for:

• The latest NWS forecast + visuals
• Steps you can take now
• Ocean safety reminders
• Helpful emergency resources

And as you prepare your own household, please check in on kūpuna, neighbors, and others who may need a little extra help getting ready. ❤️

📲 Sign up for HNL Alert emergency notifications at hnlalert.gov or text HNLALERT to 888777.

Follow these accounts for more info:
Oahu Department of Emergency Management NWS Honolulu Hawaii Emergency Management

Stay safe, stay prepared, and take care of one another.

09/23/2026

Public safety and accessibility remain top priorities as I continue working with Honolulu Police Department Maj. Paul Okamoto to address ongoing challenges in Waikīkī.

Here are two bills I introduced that you should keep an eye on: Bill 52 (2026) and Bill 58 (2026).

📄 Bill 52 – Cracking Down on Illegal Peddling
Repeat offenders continue to be a problem in Waikīkī, obstructing sidewalks and creating unfair competition for businesses that follow the law. Bill 52 increases fines and penalties to discourage repeat violations, preserve pedestrian access, and support our local businesses.

🛴 Bill 58 – Addressing Improperly Parked E-Bikes and E-Scooters bike

Improperly parked small motorized vehicles (SMVs) — such as e-bikes and e-scooters — can block sidewalks and roadways, creating safety hazards for pedestrians. Bill 58 would allow police officers to immediately remove improperly parked SMVs within the Waikīkī Special District, helping keep our public spaces safe and accessible for everyone.

What happens in Waikīkī affects all of Oʻahu. Whether you’re a resident, visitor, employee, or business owner, everyone deserves safe, accessible public spaces. I encourage you to submit testimony on these bills and share your manaʻo.

09/23/2026

The deadline to fill out the survey is coming up! Don't forget to submit your feedback.

The Hahaʻione Advocates for Respectful Development (HARD) is gathering community input on the future of the commercially-zoned properties from 6640 to 6660 Hawaiʻi Kai Drive, between Pepeʻekeo and Hahaʻione Streets, whose leases will expire in or before 2028.

This area is home to places many residents use every day, including the 7-Eleven and gas station, Boston Pizza, Koko Head Plaza and its numerous small businesses, two churches, two child care facilities, a veterinary clinic, as well as the Japan-America Institute for Management Science (JAIMS) property.

As we look toward the future of this area, it is important that the voices of the people who live, work, and play in this community are heard.

I encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey and share what you would like decision-makers to consider for the future of these properties.

Scan the QR or visit https://bit.ly/JAIMSSurvey to take the survey. It will be open until Sept. 30.