[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6025364,"mediaKeyId","5755451-b78613fd0af6b6421ca6df99675c86ea","parentId",5755451,"title","Council advances property‑tax exemptions for seniors; bills pass second reading","audioSeconds",172,"startMs",3448000,"endMs",3620000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5755451-b78613fd0af6b6421ca6df99675c86ea&start=3448&end=3620","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5755451-b78613fd0af6b6421ca6df99675c86ea/thumbnail_3448000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6025364/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Council-advances-propertytax-exemptions-for-seniors-bills-pass-second-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025364-679da0bb72c44a0043ec739da45359df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046867&Signature=aN53opbFQrKBuJfkvXTVxipYjp5-J7g3cIEYlBzAYmgeFJBrUtbCJQZDJSpDfw2bBWQ~XOgr3CGTbKrniNGltDPgpBaD~OpmYOxAPcqUDBMaxgDdoR2Hh4P5fV8qB0UPHWD3vY-~NFeO5COSohjbCVvmjsI0Gqfcy4MHMmMP~O~9cEAw5Iu8VluFVQLYYoKSGvHS661szNf8my1EIwCEVzatxt3bkSrixgXjB9JyDPTZGLe3nU~pQxMfEcrZ61J-o8zjYtCjz0QUEllpl1gn8Ebs0JDYFnaEf4eu9lW4oaFBBzQD0iZotWUdd0emzL9QffCbhmhU1jA~2c-XTih~8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Honolulu, HI","date","2025-08-07T05:31:32Z","article","The Honolulu City Council passed second reading on two measures intended to increase real‑property tax exemptions for senior homeowners. Committee Report 247 was adopted and Bill 49 advanced, which would increase the senior home exemption from $160,000 to $300,000 (as presented by the sponsor). Committee Report 248 and Bill 50 likewise passed second reading to raise a different homestead exemption level from $140,000 to $250,000.

Cody Sula of the Hawaii Iron Workers Stabilization Fund testified in support, saying the increases are “a small step in helping make the cost of living a little bit more less challenging for people, especially for our senior citizens” and that many seniors live on fixed incomes. There were no objections recorded in the transcript; roll‑call for Bill 50 was called and recorded as adopted with eight ayes in the excerpted minutes when a member was absent.

Both bills will proceed toward third reading and final action, giving the council additional opportunities to amend exemption levels or define implementation rules. Supporters said the measures aim to help seniors remain in Hawaii amid rising housing costs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 08 06 REG COUNCIL PT1","oneSentenceSummary","By unanimous voice and roll‑call votes, the council moved Bill 49 and Bill 50 through second reading, increasing real property tax home‑exemption thresholds for seniors; supporters said the change helps fixed‑income homeowners.","taxTitle","Honolulu City, Honolulu County, Hawaii","taxId",61746,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025369,"Former chief Christopher Magnus’s nomination to police commission referred for review; he pledges accountability and community engagement",155,1925000,2080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5755451-b78613fd0af6b6421ca6df99675c86ea&start=1925&end=2080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5755451-b78613fd0af6b6421ca6df99675c86ea/thumbnail_1925000.jpg","/articles/6025369/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Former-chief-Christopher-Magnuss-nomination-to-police-commission-referred-for-review-he-pledges-accountability-and-community-engagement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025369-c4ca3da5386f5b61de9245b2533a6369/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046867&Signature=LZxNA1GS1kkv3BgCQAxRwv-j-guezoYapkEQ8-WefTWaeN5HfC58T4le5QBzuzY1MwC7QucriQrDgY24GzpP-QU59J7TjwvAmj6eWLXNZIz8lulURMewOliZNk2OFS9B63w024H3DRVDy1a4Tp~Ve3i6ofESPuRPnsqtkF1Oj5OEQ~7VS36RllrJ~4PQOvFbMraYpKfBsi-lUl0L4sa52NzIJm~TcvPB5466kIRA6GV6MFzCiIMXJnCclEiJ3I8FgWlhIAQ0GqP-WfMroYYnVPlIkg6b7aB8I3p00ycLyonDQnmCvIy8fI0JH4742FsauNuhnpgukUOvLeVCG-KIDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Christopher Magnus, a former police chief with roughly four decades of policing experience, appeared before the Honolulu City Council to accept a mayoral nomination to the Police Commission. Magnus told the council he was “fortunate” to bring experience in labor relations, officer wellness initiatives, recruiting and oversight work, including participation in Department of Justice pattern‑and‑practice reviews.

Magnus described accountability as a priority: “Even the very best police departments… need to be held accountable,” he said, referring to his experience as chief in three departments and work with the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement. Members of the council asked about Magnus’s ties to Honolulu and his approach to listening to communities with difficult relationships to police. Magnus said he has family on Oʻahu, is in Honolulu to help care for family, and pledged “humility and respect” and to spend time listening in neighborhoods and within the department.

Councilmembers raised the timeliness of the nomination: the city is searching for a permanent police chief and the commission will play a central role in that process. Members asked whether the commission should hire an outside consultant to aid in the chief‑selection process; Magnus said there is room for both a consultant and an active commission role if the consultant works closely with the commission and stakeholders.

The council referred Resolution 25‑200, confirming the appointment, to the Committee on Public Safety and the Economy for additional review. The committee referral preserves a formal opportunity to examine Magnus’s record and to solicit stakeholder views before a commission appointment is finalized.","Christopher Magnus, nominated to the Honolulu Police Commission, told the council he brings decades of policing and oversight experience and pledged to prioritize accountability and community engagement; the nomination was referred to the Committee on Public Safety and the Economy for further vetting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025374,"Council confirms Ocean Safety Commission nominees, community calls for quick startup plan",184,1334000,1518000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5755451-b78613fd0af6b6421ca6df99675c86ea&start=1334&end=1518","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5755451-b78613fd0af6b6421ca6df99675c86ea/thumbnail_1334000.jpg","/articles/6025374/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Council-confirms-Ocean-Safety-Commission-nominees-community-calls-for-quick-startup-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025374-a7c9299292963bc2c28385ac9c041064/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046867&Signature=Tf4qirIp9Vn-yALVAyIqK6m0RUFxROXRgh7x26JqtWkbTDXGK3IBD6Ct83DzmZeZSraeB7dyqBF3NYodpvrEK9p4bR2ce44~QKsJUs7dp1FUhJAG1JsFtiWireIVW5PiYcZl-u2rHG9B8OgL1GdhsQkVO-3VyeeuVsnxtRb6JNcBShKvIJihjZSwwQv1Yz3O5Mz0o7O-DNgF2VHJJRqnXTFPHueI0Oa8EvfYTpRhTbvn~ykCDRbHp~4z04bFsc6qURapSMPAVDeSfA5XBqwjGVyQJ9ZCpQy~6UzfpzG-8dyOb--Z6bay1-p0TaBp2k10F8kaA3AWJGldkGUh2G7Cbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Honolulu City Council adopted Committee Report 256 and Resolution 25‑179 CD1, confirming mayoral appointees to the Ocean Safety Commission. Councilmembers and community speakers praised ocean safety personnel and asked the newly confirmed commissioners to move quickly on organizational priorities, including meeting scheduling, chair selection and budget priorities ahead of the coming budget cycle.

Several testifiers expressed gratitude for lifeguards’ work and urged prompt action. Tim Geary urged “a detailed timeline of how we’re going to set up the commission — meeting rooms, when the meetings are going to be, who’s going to be the chair as soon as possible. I don’t want to see this drag on for another 3, 4 months.” Public commenter Shelby (Pikachu) Billionaire described the heavy demand on lifeguards at North Shore beaches and urged “100%” support for the Ocean Safety Department.

Councilmembers emphasized the new commission’s responsibilities: advising on selection of the Ocean Safety chief and developing a clear plan so the council can consider appropriate funding in the budget. Councilmember Tupelo noted the commission “is still brand new” and expressed confidence the members will “do right by our lifeguards and by the community they protect.” Councilmember Weier echoed support and underscored the volunteer nature of the commission.

With the confirmations adopted, the commission must convene, select officers and begin the work outlined in the charter amendment that created it. Testifiers asked the council to ensure the commission receives administrative support, clear reporting lines and a timely meeting schedule so it can provide guidance before the next budget decisions.","The City Council adopted Committee Report 256 and Resolution 25‑179 CD1 to confirm nominees to the newly formed Ocean Safety Commission and testifiers urged a prompt timetable for meetings, chairs and priorities as the new body stands up.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025379,"Council recommits Haleʻiwa land‑use amendment to zoning committee after wide community opposition",710,4238000,4948000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5755451-b78613fd0af6b6421ca6df99675c86ea&start=4238&end=4948","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5755451-b78613fd0af6b6421ca6df99675c86ea/thumbnail_4238000.jpg","/articles/6025379/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Council-recommits-Haleʻiwa-landuse-amendment-to-zoning-committee-after-wide-community-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025379-8fba4db5c83d3a4dbaf9eba2aa777257/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046867&Signature=AGsvQnoQ6DIX8w8rmeMa01bUNKc2Z~luNKpM92kM9gDUQo6c63PQjBX5lpMiTnrnYoUQp8rAvIQG-~Bftt9e2xN9OZdrzpLWe3MpalNUWZwiMqtXOhrahXi5hxRsN79SimNnEb6uTwIgjAcHTEphcDDbKNPPBWfg~~E3EVTj8RLng2nlt6FkRu0YxvhX1jyjHHiPF7K48G6uxfwuGwWkAkeL6EdyIsYQ7RmOWjJNgfYqJFWVJ-iF9-c3siG7NxXAtqFb6L2twi1-8Nt90Cdn9g404oMxG5tit4~h~rS1ZfLo48JrairAZ0194gIpGwCN~1gp-U1CXSSyag1HbzmwSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After more than three hours of public testimony — mostly opposed — the Honolulu City Council voted to recommit Bill 37 CD1, a proposal to amend the State Land Use District Boundary Map for a roughly seven‑acre parcel near Haleʻiwa from agricultural to urban, back to the Committee on Zoning and Planning.

The bill’s proponents said the boundary change is a necessary first step to allow planning for workforce housing. Travis Murakami of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters told the council the project would “directly address Oʻahu’s housing crisis by creating workforce housing in a region that desperately needs it.” Supporters argued the parcel sits inside a community growth boundary and that a managed rezoning could create local housing opportunities.

Opponents, including large numbers of North Shore residents, neighborhood‑board members, agricultural and environmental groups, and the present State Senator for the North Shore, urged the council to defer action. They repeatedly cited public‑safety and infrastructure concerns after last week’s tsunami warning, traffic congestion in the one‑and‑a‑half‑mile town, the age‑old value of agricultural land and the need to protect local food security. Testifiers included Fred Tamayo and other carpenters who supported housing; however many more residents, including Chris Hagan (a Haleʻiwa resident), Linda Molina and Denise Antolini (Aole Backyards Coalition), argued that conversion to urban would permanently alter Haleʻiwa’s rural character.

Several speakers emphasized that a district boundary change is irreversible and would create market pressure for future development. State Senator (North Shore) told the council that rezoning “skews the math” toward generational investor gains and urged protections such as strict local‑resident sale requirements if any rezoning moves forward. Environmental and food‑security advocates, including Sierra Club Oʻahu and local farmers, stressed that the state and city have recently increased emphasis on locally sourced food for schools and that agricultural land is a strategic resource.

Councilmembers from multiple districts, including Councilmember Weier and Councilmember McGuire, said the record contains unanswered legal, traffic and infrastructure questions. Planning staff confirmed that a change at the state land‑use level would not by itself alter city zoning (the parcel currently carries city AG‑2 zoning), meaning further city processes would be required for development; that technical distinction caused confusion among residents. Chair Waters and other members flagged potential city interest in alternative acquisitions or uses — for example, using the Clean Water and Natural Lands fund to preserve the land, establishing a community garden, or relocating city facilities — and asked the administration to explore options with the budget office.

After discussion the council voted to recommit Bill 37 CD1 to the zoning and planning committee for additional community engagement, further study of evacuation and traffic impacts, and exploration of city acquisition or alternative uses. The motion to recommit carried with no recorded objections. The recommitment pauses the boundary amendment while staff, the developer and the community seek a path that addresses safety, infrastructure and local food and housing priorities.","Faced with thousands of testifiers and concerns about traffic, evacuation safety and loss of agricultural land, the council voted to send Bill 37 (a proposed state land‑use boundary change for a Haleʻiwa parcel) back to the Committee on Zoning and Planning for further work and community engagement.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025384,"Council passes second reading of bill to give vetted media access to HPD radio information, amid legal and security concerns",259,3755000,4014000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5755451-b78613fd0af6b6421ca6df99675c86ea&start=3755&end=4014","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5755451-b78613fd0af6b6421ca6df99675c86ea/thumbnail_3755000.jpg","/articles/6025384/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Council-passes-second-reading-of-bill-to-give-vetted-media-access-to-HPD-radio-information-amid-legal-and-security-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025384-48b5006b284a756f4f944100d274436f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771046867&Signature=jeBkBMkLCBkI5PawVrGhX6y7M4iYXKpau~LHhdJEwMqzpwAvMbi4yxUX5QTr0dA3xbrMb5ap0UCl1qBid4esfoEaLnvE3-NIQMlSzwbtcuWtjqxDx80S0YC1TIdbl69-HCymgC7BrihAqJ2VxJ3LCDgfZj3XkAtLqdms4ctrDP2BFZUoBVYnXG7J6xwesaFsjK3F9DMBTebSEGCBBEnz9Oqjl2pHRhcRm4392qWqBUPYI~otabXXTEu6AqqDtXB2V-U3o0p-CD-8rVl70ndS~DAagM93ZanN8uxlSYdh19mJnzZj9fliDKq4RKo3YL-Ask0nREimQ43Z8LbOYAlkKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Honolulu City Council voted to advance Bill 46 to a third reading after a lengthy debate over public safety, transparency and legal limits on police data access. The measure, which passed second reading as part of Committee Report 255, would permit limited access to Honolulu Police Department communications for credentialed media organizations under conditions to be negotiated with the department.

Supporters, including representatives of local broadcast outlets, said access to timely dispatch information helps newsrooms inform the public during fast-moving emergencies. Katie Pickman, general manager of Hawaii News Now, said the outlet’s coverage of last week’s tsunami warning showed “the vital role local media plays in public safety” and urged the council to pass the bill. Brenda Salgado, assistant news director at KGMB, told the council, “All these events relate to public safety. And that’s where HPD and the media should be working hand in hand.” Sterling Morita of the Society of Professional Journalists asked the council to “let the news media do their job without blinders.”

City officials and law enforcement cautioned that federal criminal-justice rules restrict what may be released and when. Managing Director Mike Formby said he had received a Corporation Counsel memo noting “legal concerns” and warned, “I don’t believe that the law as briefed by corporation counsel allows us to take all the information in the dispatch communications and provide that via a memo with media.” Interim Police Chief Roddy Vanek told the council the department “fully support[s] the intent of the bill” to improve transparency, but that it “should not be releasing our police radio communication or our police dispatch to the media.”

Several public commenters representing broadcast and press associations urged a negotiated, technical solution that balances privacy and timeliness. The Hawaii Association of Broadcasters’ president, Chris Leonard, said there are “ways to address the security” and urged continued talks. Opponents, including a Navy veteran testifying remotely, warned that raw, real-time dispatch logs can expose victims, addresses and tactical details and said they “create substantial risk.”

Council members pressed both sides for specifics. Chief Vanek said the department could consider amending language that removes the phrase “police radio dispatch” and instead references a “media alert system,” and he noted that Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) rules — enforced by the FBI — restrict dissemination of personally identifiable information transmitted on police networks. The chief said the FBI is preparing testimony against unrestricted release under CJIS policy, and the department has expressed willingness to negotiate language that protects sensitive information while improving media access.

The council recorded reservations from members including Councilmember Tupelo and Councilmember Kia Aina and noted a “no vote” from Councilmember Okimoto on the measure as advanced. Chair Waters said the bill will return to committee for amendments intended to resolve the department’s legal and operational concerns before final adoption.

What changed: second reading approval allows continued negotiation and technical refinement but does not by itself create an immediate, unrestricted media feed. The council and HPD agreed to continue working toward a model that gives vetted news organizations timely, limited access while protecting law-enforcement operations and complying with CJIS requirements.","The Honolulu City Council passed second reading of Bill 46, which would allow limited, credentialed media access to Honolulu Police Department dispatch channels, while HPD and the FBI warn about legal constraints tied to CJIS and personally identifiable information.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council advances property‑tax exemptions for seniors; bills pass second reading

Former chief Christopher Magnus’s nomination to police commission referred for review; he pledges accountability and community engagement

Council confirms Ocean Safety Commission nominees, community calls for quick startup plan

Council recommits Haleʻiwa land‑use amendment to zoning committee after wide community opposition

Council passes second reading of bill to give vetted media access to HPD radio information, amid legal and security concerns