Hawaii Supreme Court Rules Tommy Waters Ineligible for Council Term

The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that Tommy Waters, the Honolulu City Council Chair, is ineligible to seek a third consecutive term in Council District 4. The decision resolves a dispute over whether a four-month gap between a voided 2018 election and Waters' May 2019 swearing-in should exempt him from the city charter's two-term limit.

Waters argued that his first term was not a full four years and therefore should not count toward the limit. However, the court concluded that because he was elected to the 2019-2023 and 2023-2027 terms, he cannot run for the 2027-2031 term. The ruling affirms a previous July decision by Circuit Court Judge James Ashford.

As a result of the ruling, the court ordered Trevor Ozawa and Tara Malia Gregory—the two eligible candidates with the most primary votes—to advance to the November 3 general election. Waters expressed disappointment in the outcome but stated that the system of democracy depends on respect for the rule of law.