Aloha,

I’m Tommy Waters, Chair of the Honolulu City Council and the District 4 Councilmember, which includes communities such as Hawai‘i Kai, Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu Valley, ‘Āina Haina, Kāhala, Kaimukī, and Waikīkī. As a lifelong resident of Hawaiʻi, I have dedicated over 30 years to public service, encompassing roles as a public defender, state legislator, and community advocate.

I graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 1983, earned a B.A. in Political Science and Speech from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 1989, and a J.D. from the William S. Richardson School of Law in 1993. I began my legal career as a public defender, focusing on representing underserved communities.

From 2002 to 2008, I had the privilege of serving in the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives, representing District 51. During my tenure, I chaired the Judiciary and Higher Education Committees and served as Majority Whip. In 2019, I was elected to the Honolulu City Council and became Council Chair in 2020. I was then re-elected in 2022, with my current term extending through 2027.

As Council Chair, I have prioritized public safety, affordable housing, infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility. I have introduced legislation to enhance police accountability and transparency, including empowering the Police Commission to hold police chiefs accountable for misconduct and mismanagement. To address housing affordability, I have advocated for comprehensive policy reforms and increased investment in affordable housing initiatives.

Outside of the chambers, I am actively involved in community service, having served on the Neighborhood Board and volunteered with organizations such as the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and the Ka Wai Nui Marsh Task Force. Some days, you may find me out in the water in a canoe or hanging out with my two not-so-little kids, Emma and Kai.

Every voice is essential to building a responsive government, and I encourage everyone to stay informed and participate in our hearings. Together, we can build a better Oʻahu where everyone can live, work, and play.

Mahalo,