Candidates sought for Honolulu Charter Commission

News release from City and County of Honolulu, August 5, 2024 

HONOLULU – The City and County of Honolulu is looking for dedicated residents to serve as commissioners on the Honolulu Charter Commission. This is an opportunity for O‘ahu residents to serve their communities and shape our island home for the next decade and beyond.

The City Charter is Honolulu’s “Constitution,” establishing the principles by which our city government operates. The Charter requires that every ten years, the Mayor and City Council appoint a commission to review the Charter and submit proposed amendments to the voters of O‘ahu. The Charter amendment questions decided upon by the next commission will be put on the ballot for voter consideration in November 2026.

The Honolulu Charter Commission consists of thirteen members; six appointed by the Mayor, six appointed by the Honolulu City Council, and one appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council.

The next term for appointed commissioners will run from March 2025 to December 2026. The commission meets multiple times each month, with the frequency of those meetings increasing ahead of the deadline for the amendments to be submitted to the City in August 2026.

Those interested in being considered for the Honolulu Charter Commission should email mdoffice@honolulu.gov by November 29, 2024.

In 2016, an amendment proposed by the Charter Commission and approved by the voters was the creation of an Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency. It was one of twenty Charter Amendment Questions that year. For the full list of 2016 Charter Amendment Questions, visit https://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/clk/clk_docs/2016_Charter_Amendments_Brochure-FINAL.pdf

—PAU—