COUNTY CHARTER QUESTIONS

What a YES vote and a NO vote mean | Neutral voter reference guide. This guide from Hawaii Family Forum summarizes the practical effect of each choice using the approved ballot questions and justification language dated July 20, 2026. It is intended as a plain-language reference and does not advocate for either choice. Reading tip: A YES vote adopts the proposed Charter change. A NO vote leaves the Charter unchanged on that question.

HONOLULU COUNTY

Question 1: Food Security Fund

BALLOT QUESTION Should the Charter require annual funding for a Food Security Fund, without having to simultaneously increase real property tax rates to fund the appropriation, to support programs and grants that provide locally grown or produced food to Oahu residents, as well as non-local food only in an emergency?

A YES vote creates a Food Security Fund as a sixth Charter special fund. Total annual funding for all six special funds rises from 2.5% to 3% of estimated real property tax revenues, divided equally. The new fund supports access to locally grown or produced food and may use a limited amount for other food during a declared emergency.

A NO vote leaves the Charter unchanged. No Food Security Fund is created, no annual Charter funding is required for it, and the five existing special funds continue to share 2.5% of estimated real property tax revenues.

Question 2: Charter preamble

BALLOT QUESTION Should the Charter be amended to replace its preamble with language recognizing the relationship between the people of the City and County of Honolulu and the ʻāina, honoring the wisdom of kūpuna and the legacy of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, and affirming commitments to transparent, accountable government and stewardship of natural, civic, and cultural resources?

A YES vote replaces the Charter preamble with language recognizing the relationship between the people and the ʻāina, honoring kūpuna and Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, and affirming transparent, accountable government and stewardship. It changes guiding principles, not the City's legal powers or duties.

A NO vote keeps the current preamble. The added references to ʻāina, Native Hawaiian cultural values, Prince Kūhiō, and stewardship commitments are not adopted.

Question 3: Office of ʻŌiwi Resources and Cultural Stewardship

BALLOT QUESTION Should an Office of ʻŌiwi Resources and Cultural Stewardship be established within the Office of the Mayor to oversee the management of ʻŌiwi resources within the City, develop related programs, and create a Cultural Advisory Council of kūpuna, cultural practitioners, and community representatives?

A YES vote creates an Office of ʻŌiwi Resources and Cultural Stewardship in the Mayor's Office and a Cultural Advisory Council. The office coordinates Native Hawaiian cultural and natural-resource stewardship, supports Hawaiian-language use, develops programs, works with partners, and reports annually.

A NO vote does not create the office or Cultural Advisory Council in the Charter. Existing historic-preservation responsibilities and current City arrangements remain in place.

Question 4: LGBTQIA+ Commission

BALLOT QUESTION Should a nine-member LGBTQIA+ Commission be established to advise the Mayor, City Council, and City agencies on matters affecting the LGBTQIA+ community and recommend policies, programs, and legislation promoting social, economic, and political equality?

A YES vote creates a nine-member LGBTQIA+ Commission to advise City leaders and agencies, recommend policies and programs, act as a liaison, and employ staff as needed.

A NO vote leaves the Charter without a commission dedicated specifically to advising the City on issues affecting LGBTQIA+ residents.

Question 5: Ranked-choice voting beginning in 2032

BALLOT QUESTION Beginning in 2032, should the City use ranked-choice voting to elect the Mayor, City Council, and Prosecuting Attorney, allowing voters to rank candidates in the order they prefer (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) in a single November election?

A YES vote replaces the current August/November two-step system for Mayor, City Council, and Prosecuting Attorney with ranked-choice voting in a single November election beginning in 2032. Voters rank candidates, and rounds continue until one candidate has a majority.

A NO vote keeps the current nonpartisan election system: when three or more candidates run, an August election may elect a majority winner or narrow the field to two candidates for November. Ranked-choice voting is not established for these offices.

Question 6: Police policies and federal immigration enforcement

BALLOT QUESTION Should the Charter be amended to require the Honolulu Police Department to 1) adopt policies to ensure the constitutional rights of all persons regardless of immigration or citizenship status are protected, and 2) assist federal immigration enforcement activities only when required by statute or court order, and after the requesting agency’s identity and authority have been confirmed?

A YES vote requires HPD policies protecting constitutional rights regardless of immigration or citizenship status. Officers may assist federal immigration enforcement only when required by a verifiable statute or court order and after confirming the requesting agency's identity and authority for each action.

A NO vote does not add these requirements to the Charter. HPD remains governed by existing Charter duties and applicable state and federal law, including current state limits on providing information for immigration enforcement.

Question 7: Housing availability and preservation as City policies

BALLOT QUESTION Shall the Revised Charter of the City and County of Honolulu be amended to encourage increasing housing availability and preserving available housing as policies for the City and County of Honolulu?

A YES vote adds a Charter statement recognizing the shortage of long-term housing, describing housing-related outmigration as an existential threat, and declaring encouragement of existing housing for City residents a compelling governmental interest.

A NO vote leaves the Charter without this housing policy statement and these findings.

Question 8: Affordable Housing Fund as a revolving fund

BALLOT QUESTION Should the Charter be amended to clarify that the Affordable Housing Fund is a revolving fund, with repayments, interest, earnings, proceeds, and other receipts derived from the Fund to be redeposited into the Fund?

A YES vote clarifies that repayments, interest, earnings, proceeds, and other receipts return to the Affordable Housing Fund for future use. It also allows support for a wider range of affordable rental housing, including mixed-use and mixed-income developments.

A NO vote leaves the current Charter language in place. It does not expressly require repayments and related proceeds to be redeposited into the Fund or make the stated expansion.

Question 9: Second public hearing for City real-property TRANSACTIONS

BALLOT QUESTION Should the Charter be amended to no longer require a second public hearing for any transaction related to City real property interests?

A YES vote removes the separate public hearing requirement for City real-property transactions. The public may still learn about and testify on transactions when they appear on City Council meeting agendas.

A NO vote keeps the separate Department of Housing and Land Management hearing requirement, including the additional district hearing for affected interests larger than one quarter acre, along with existing Council review.

Question 10: Affordable housing functional plan

BALLOT QUESTION Should the City be required to prepare and carry out a functional plan for the development of affordable housing?

A YES vote requires a ten-year Housing Functional Plan, maintained by the Director of Housing and Land Management and updated at least every five years, beginning January 1, 2030. It would guide housing policy, capital improvements, and budgets.

A NO vote leaves housing outside the Charter's required long-range functional-plan system. Housing priorities continue to be addressed through existing programs and policies without this mandated plan.