As foreign-born Hawaiʻi residents ourselves, we were alarmed when news of an armed immigration raid on Maui-based Filipino teachers and their families made local headlines last May.

Teachers and their crying children — some still in pajamas — were terrified as armed men dressed in black awakened them in the early morning and thrust them out of their home, whereupon federal agents surrounded them and pointed guns at them. After detaining and questioning the teachers for more than 45 minutes, the federal agents determined the person they were looking for was not there.

All of the teachers were residing and working legally in Hawaiʻi, including one U.S. citizen among them. Most had been offered positions through a J-1 visa program, to help fill Hawaiʻi’s teacher shortage.

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This is not something we are accustomed to in a state with such a long history of welcoming newcomers and relying on the undeniable contributions of an immigrant workforce. Our state recognizes and honors the dignity of all human beings.

A City and County of Honolulu charter amendment this November proposes to uphold aloha on O‘ahu and keep encroaching federal government at bay.

We urge registered voters to vote “yes” on question number 6 which reads, “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?”

Numerous reports show that the majority of those detained by ICE have no prior criminal history. Many of those being detained and deported have been charged with administrative violations such as not reporting a change of address in time, and thus having missed a notice to appear.

Others have previously submitted an asylum application which legally allows them to stay in the U.S. while their case is pending, yet are being unjustly deemed as threats or unworthy of due process rights under the Constitution.

We cannot stand by while innocent family, friends and neighbors are terrorized and traumatized. Immigrant advocates across the state have made this a priority, and O‘ahu voters will also have the opportunity to make sure they uphold constitutional rights and local values when they open their ballots in the upcoming general election and vote on the proposed amendments to the Revised Charter of the City and County of Honolulu.

This amendment was not introduced by a super PAC, a government official or special corporate interests. It was introduced by Honolulu resident Jess Moore, who simply wanted the way we treat immigrants to reflect our local values.

The Hawai‘i Coalition for Civil Rights and immigrant justice advocates got behind it and served as allies for this amendment. The Honolulu Police Department also shared their perspective and refined the proposed amendment into its current state.

The federal government has appropriated unprecedented amounts of money into immigration enforcement, instead of fixing a backlogged and understaffed immigration application processing system. After seeing what has been happening in Hawai‘i and across the nation, it has become increasingly important to draw the line between the roles of federal agencies and local law enforcement officials.

This amendment ensures Honolulu police officers have clear, codified guardrails, so their role is never blurred with the federal government’s, regardless of who holds the badge or who sits in Washington.

This charter amendment strengthens the protections we have in our state law. It is important for O‘ahu voters to vote to uphold the constitutional rights and due process of immigrants and protect their physical and mental health.

This amendment will work in harmony with the laws recently enacted by Gov. Josh Green (Act 141 and Act 161 of 2026), provide clearer guidance for local law enforcement officials, and preserve the Honolulu Charter as an enduring statement reflecting the City and County of Honolulu’s values and governing principles.