When Tommy Waters called me after the primary election and asked me to support him in the general election for Honolulu City Council District 4, I was hesitant. However, since then I have spent many hours with him and have realized we share similar important values. These values form the foundation of my support for Tommy.

One of the first things I noticed about Tommy is he treats people with aloha. During our canvassing and at public meetings, I observed how he is respectful of others and open to discussion with people, even if they have differing opinions. The aloha spirit, which is defined in the Hawaii Revised Statutes Sec. 5-7.5, seems to be second nature to him.

Tommy has also pledged to follow the city’s Standard of Conduct, which states in part that “the public interest is (elected officials’) primary concern.” It includes policies on conflicts of interest, fair and equal treatment and the Honolulu Ethics Commission.

In addition, Tommy supports open government and transparency. “Transparency” is a word that is often thrown about in discussions at City Council, but it has been trampled upon by violations of the Sunshine Law. Tommy has pledged to work hard to “bring honesty, dedication and transparency back to the City Council,” and I will hold him to that promise.

We don’t agree on some issues, but starting with these core values is extremely important and the main reason I support Tommy.

I think it’s important for people to also understand why I do not support Trevor Ozawa. I’ve paid close attention to his words and actions since he was elected to office. In my opinion, based on his record and my experience with him, he is not transparent, not fiscally prudent, and not respectful of others.

On transparency: Ozawa added a one-sentence “proviso” to the back of Bill 22, CD2, FD1, HART’s capital budget, to authorize the use of city funds to pay for rail. The draft was only discussed at third and final reading of the bill, which offered little opportunity for the public to comment. It did not pass.

On fiscal prudence: Ozawa added $3.5 million to the city’s operating budget, $134 million to the city’s capital improvement budget and $44 million to HART’s total budget. The related bills are 15, 16, 21 and 22.

On respect for others: Here is video of a Waikiki Neighborhood Board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016 (approximately 1:45:30) – an exchange between a resident and Ozawa.

Incorrect Statements

There have been several instances in which significant statements made by him have not been correct, beyond what I think would be considered mistakes.

For example, during committee discussions of Bill 66 (2015), Ozawa stated that it was “overwhelmingly supported by my district — every neighborhood board that I have talked to about this.” (Watch the discussion of Bill 66, relating to real property taxes, during the Budget Committee meeting Oct. 10, 2015, at about 24:55.)

I checked the agendas of all of the neighborhood boards in District 4, and not one of them had Bill 66 listed for discussion or action.

Another example was during a Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board meeting in March 2015. Ozawa stated he made cuts to the HART budget. The record shows, however, that he made no cuts.

Ozawa’s proposed amendments to Bill 17 (2015), HART’s operating budget, are available on the last page of Council Communication 110. Ozawa did not propose any amendments to Bill 18 (2015), HART’s capital budget.

In addition, another council member has made reference twice on the public record regarding certain misstatements made by Ozawa.

A discussion of a resolution in the Jan. 10, 2017, meeting of the Committee on Parks, Community, and Customer Services included comments by another council member regarding certain “mistruths” that were stated. The comments start at about 29:40. And this link is to a response by a council member to an Ozawa endorsement regarding “lies.”

Just as important is Ozawa’s treatment of people. City employees and residents have stated that they feel intimidated and bullied by him. Two people have told me they do not even feel comfortable providing testimony that is different from his position, because they fear retribution.

Others are afraid to “like” posts on Facebook or in any way express their political opinions in public for fear of retaliation.

In short, based on public record and my experience with Ozawa, he does not base his actions on the values noted above, which I believe should be the foundation of good decision-making and working relationships with our elected officials.

As a former candidate for City Council as well as someone who has paid close attention to the council for the past 15 years, my pledge to you is that if Tommy is elected, I will hold him accountable by being vocal about any breaches of his campaign promises, and he is aware of this.

Please vote for Tommy Waters for Honolulu City Council District 4 on Nov. 6.

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