Full Breakdown
Honolulu Officials Approve Pay Raises Amid Public Outcry Over Lack of Input
6/2/2026, 4:42:29 AM
Salary Increases Approved Without Public Hearing
On April 22, the Honolulu Salary Commission approved salary increases for the mayor, city manager and council members, effective July 1. The council did not place raises on a public-meeting agenda, and no public hearing was held.
Salary Commission Process and Charter Limits
The Salary Commission meets annually to recommend executive-branch pay. A 2024 charter amendment caps council raises at 5 % per year and bars council members from voting on their own salaries, yet commission can approve raises. The April 6 meeting omitted five pieces of public testimony, a staffer called it a “one-off” error.
Key Officials and Groups
Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Council Chair Tommy Waters, council members Andria Tupola and Augie Tulba, Esther Kia‘aina, Salary Commission.
Compensation Figures and Local Income
Mayor Blangiardi’s salary rises $10,000 to $237,000 (27 % since 2022) and the managing director’s pay is $226,403 (27 %). Council members will earn $128,000, an 86 % increase over four years, with a 4.7 % raise this year. Firefighters have been offered at most 3 % raises for four years; median Oahu single-person income exceeds $50,000.
Official Statements & Responses
The mayor’s office will follow the Salary Commission’s recommendations, noting that “deferred increases have accumulated over years, resulting in larger adjustments later that generate public scrutiny.” Council Chair Waters said raises are needed to attract “the best and the brightest” to city positions, but acknowledged a smaller increase might have been more palatable.
Criticism, Opposition, and Gaps
Residents said officials receive raises amid a struggling local economy. Critics noted the omission of public testimony and the gap between executive raises and modest 3 % offers to firefighters. Council members Andria Tupola, Augie Tulba and Radiant Cordero, who rejected the 2023 increase, accepted the current pay after re-election. April 6 meeting omitted five written testimonies opposing the raises, a lapse absent from the record. The 4.7 % council raise exceeds sub-4 % increases for union workers, raising questions about charter compliance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “But I didn’t want to lead the charge on that. I got to work with these people.” — Tommy Waters, Council Chair
- “The economy is down, everything is expensive and getting more expensive and you are even thinking about taking raises after the last two years,” — Pat Kelley, Community Activist
- “An elected official should not be expecting the same increase as the civilian employees,” — Esther Kia‘aina, Council Member
- “I think we really need to look at what the Salary Commission is doing and how they’re doing it.” — Natalie Iwasa, Frequent Testifier
Upcoming Implementation and Political Context
The raises take effect July 1. Council Chair Waters is running for re-election, and opponents say they will monitor officials’ voting records. The Salary Commission will meet again next year to consider future adjustments.
