Many of the proposed Honolulu Charter amendments actually make sense

by Keli’i Akina, PhD, President/CEO, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, November 12, 2025

Every 10 years, Oahu residents get a chance to vote on suggested changes to the Honolulu Charter. This time around, there are many changes that have been proposed.

The Honolulu Charter Commission, which reviews the suggestions, announced this week that more than 250 were submitted by the Nov. 7 deadline. That compares to 154 a decade ago — of which 20 were put on the ballot and 16 passed.

I am pleased to say that my colleagues at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii submitted four proposals for consideration by the Commission, which will conduct public review of all the proposals through April, make its final choices by July and place the finalists on the November election ballot.

Grassroot’s proposed charter amendments are:

>> Streamline housing approvals by reforming the hearing and notice rules on zoning variances.

>> Allow civil service exemptions for Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting employees.

>> Create a Cost of Government Commission.

>> Require fiscal impact assessments for proposed Charter amendments and Council legislation.

Of course, we at Grassroot would love to see all of these proposals become part of the Honolulu Charter, and we’re not the only ones.

Many of the other suggestions also seek to facilitate more homebuilding, such as by instituting permit shot clocks and ministerial approvals, requiring the DPP to allow nonconforming homes to be repaired, and allowing for more than one zoning board of appeals.

Similarly, others suggest broadening civil service exemptions in various city departments, and several groups have endorsed the idea of fiscal notes.

Other good ideas include safeguarding privacy and expanding government transparency, such as by reducing obstacles to obtaining public records.

One proposal even suggests that the public be allowed to vote on rail construction costs and City Council salary increases.

Any of these would be worth submitting to the public as a Charter amendment, and I hope the Commission will give them serious consideration.

As could be expected, there are also some disappointing suggestions in the mix, such as creating a city conveyance tax, imposing rent control and piling on more conditions for the approval of housing developments.

But I hope that the Commission won't advance these or any other proposals that would discourage homebuilding, possibly decrease employment or generally increase Honolulu’s cost of living.

We have the opportunity to improve the Honolulu Charter. Let’s make the most of it.

E hana kākou! (Let's work together!)