Full Breakdown
Hawaii Supreme Court Bars Council Chair Tommy Waters from Third Term
9/1/2026, 12:05:30 AM
Court Decision Ends Waters’ Bid for a Third Consecutive Council Term
On Friday, the Hawaii Supreme Court issued a 3-2 ruling that Tommy Waters, chair of the Honolulu City Council, is ineligible to run for a third consecutive term representing District IV, disqualifying him from the 2027-2031 term.
Legal Background and Charter Interpretation
Section 3-102 of the Revised Charter of the City & County of Honolulu states, “No person shall be elected to the office of council member for more than two consecutive four-year terms.” Waters argued that his service after a 2019 special election should not count as a full term. A First Circuit Court judge ruled on July 27 that Waters was ineligible; the Supreme Court vacated that decision and dismissed an earlier lawsuit filed on July 29, noting that state election law already provides procedures for eligibility disputes. The justices said that once the City Clerk certifies a candidate as eligible, the decision cannot be appealed except after the election.
Election Results and Vote Totals
The August primary for District IV produced the following vote counts, according to the *Star-Advertiser*:
- Tommy Waters – 8,654 votes (? 28.2%)
- Trevor Ozawa – 12,252 votes (? 39.9%)
- Tara Malia Gregory – 4,212 votes (? 13.7%)
- Jason Liang – 2,674 votes (? 8.7%)
Blank ballots numbered 2,734 and there were 210 overvotes. Because no candidate achieved a majority and Waters was ruled ineligible, the Supreme Court ordered the two highest-vote-receiving eligible candidates—Ozawa and Gregory—to advance to the November general election.
Official Statements & Responses
- Tommy Waters expressed disappointment but emphasized respect for the rule of law.
- Trevor Ozawa welcomed the ruling, noting that voters now have clarity on the ballot.
- Tara Malia Gregory said she felt “great” and was eager to continue the work begun before the dispute.
- Mayor Rick Blangiardi described the decision as a legal matter and said he looks forward to collaborating with the next councilmember.
- Associate Justice Lisa Ginoza, author of the majority opinion, clarified that the charter’s term-limit language focuses on consecutive four-year terms, not on the length of time actually served.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If there’s a question, let the person be on the ballot and let the voters decide. Why shouldn’t we follow that principle?” — Justice Sabrina McKenna
- “While the outcome is difficult, our system of democracy depends on respect for the rule of law and for the judicial process that brought us here,” — Tommy Waters
What’s Next
The November general election will feature Trevor Ozawa and Tara Malia Gregory as the sole eligible candidates for District IV. Voters will decide which of the two will succeed Waters as council chair, and the council will address the leadership vacancy when Waters’ term ends in January.
