Honolulu City Council Faces Backlash Over Proposed Pay Raises

Salary Commission recommends 4.7% increase for council members, drawing criticism from taxpayers

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:05am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty Honolulu City Council chamber, with warm sunlight streaming in through the windows and deep shadows casting a somber mood, conceptually representing the contentious debate over council member salaries.The Honolulu City Council's push for outsized pay raises has sparked concerns over fiscal responsibility and public oversight.Honolulu Today

The Honolulu Salary Commission is poised to endorse a 4.7% pay increase for City Council members for fiscal year 2027, sparking outrage from Oahu taxpayers. This comes on the heels of a controversial 64% base pay hike for council members in 2023, which was engineered by Council Chair Tommy Waters. The editorial argues that the current system of automatic annual raises and the Salary Commission's lack of public accountability is unacceptable, and calls for a pause on further increases until reforms are made.

Why it matters

The proposed pay raises for Honolulu City Council members have drawn significant public backlash, as they come across as excessive and out-of-touch with the economic realities facing many Oahu residents. The editorial highlights concerns about the lack of public oversight and the too-cozy relationship between the Council and the Salary Commission that sets their pay. This issue touches on broader debates around government transparency, fiscal responsibility, and the appropriate compensation for elected officials.

The details

In 2023, the Honolulu City Council approved a 64% base pay hike that raised Council Chair Tommy Waters' salary from $76,968 to $123,292 annually. The Salary Commission is now recommending a 4.7% raise for council members in fiscal year 2027. The editorial argues that recent Charter amendments have made the pay raise process virtually automatic, with the Council having veto power over salary recommendations for other city positions but not their own. It also notes that the Commission members are appointed by the Council and mayor, creating a potential conflict of interest.

  • In 2023, the City Council approved a 64% base pay hike.
  • On July 1, 2025, a 4% raise took effect, raising Council salaries to $122,064 ($132,048 for the Council Chair).
  • The Honolulu Salary Commission is set to meet on April 22, 2026 to consider a 4.7% pay increase for Council members.

The players

Tommy Waters

Honolulu City Council Chair who was instrumental in engineering the 64% pay hike for council members in 2023.

Honolulu Salary Commission

The commission appointed by the Council and mayor that is responsible for setting pay increases for Honolulu City Council members.

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What’s next

The Honolulu Salary Commission is set to meet on April 22, 2026 to consider the proposed 4.7% pay increase for City Council members. The editorial calls on the public to voice their opposition to the raises and for the Council to support reforms to the pay increase process.

The takeaway

The proposed pay raises for Honolulu City Council members highlight the need for greater transparency and public accountability in the process of setting elected officials' salaries. The current system, which allows for automatic annual increases and a lack of meaningful oversight, has eroded public trust and raised concerns about fiscal responsibility and the appropriate compensation for local government representatives.