Thomas “Tommy” Waters is currently the Chair of the Honolulu City Council. He is also the Councilmember for District 4 which spans from Hawai‘i Kai, to Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu Valley, ‘Āina Haina, Wailupe, Wai‘alae Iki, Kalani Valley, Kāhala, Wilhelmina Rise, Kaimukī, Kapahulu, Diamond Head, and Waikīkī.

As a lifelong resident of Hawaiʻi, he has dedicated over 30 years to public service, encompassing roles as a public defender, state legislator, and community advocate.

Tommy 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. He began his legal career as a public defender, focusing on representing underserved communities.

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

As Council Chair, Tommy has prioritized public safety, affordable housing, infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility. He has 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, Tommy has fiercely advocated for comprehensive policy reforms and increased investment in affordable housing initiatives.

Outside of the chambers, Tommy is 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 him 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,