Tommy Waters

09/22/2026

Please join State Rep. Mark Hashem, State Sen. Stanley Chang, and I for a community town hall with Hawaiian Electric this Wednesday, September 23, 2026, to address power outages and flickering lights experienced by residents in East Honolulu.

This will be an opportunity to talk story with your neighbors and the Hawaiian Electric team. Learn about the work underway to strengthen the resilience and reliability of Oʻahu’s electric system and hear how these efforts are helping to support the community. Hawaiian Electric representatives will also share insights from the recent Hurricane Lala response, discuss the factors that contributed to area outages, and answer questions about ongoing improvements designed to better serve residents.

I look forward to seeing you there and hearing the discussions with Hawaiian Electric.

09/14/2026

: The Hawaii State Department of Health is asking the public to avoid waters of Waiʻalae stream and Kāhala Beach due to a sewage spill from a nearby pump station.

For more information:
https://eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/cwb?fbclid=IwY2xjawUVLHVwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMWE4YW9kWDRyWnlIZ2FSNFNzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEecHIRbzE6KBeU9Tnq9CYtb5euv6gRSx-2me3JsVIG-bAg7Lk7QxVvvgFDyHM_aem_hmFrjEqYP2Y3n6fh1W-izQ #!/event/2135/details/view

9/16 UPDATE: The advisory for Kāhala pump station on Oʻahu has been canceled. All temporary warning signs have been removed.

・・・

The public is advised to avoid waters of Waiʻalae stream and Kāhala Beach due to a sewage spill from a nearby pump station.

For more information:
https://eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/cwb #!/event/2135/details/view

09/11/2026

25 years ago today, our nation experienced a tragedy that changed us forever.

Today, I think about the nearly 3,000 people who never made it home to their families on September 11, 2001 — and the first responders, service members, and everyday people who showed extraordinary courage in the moments and years that followed.

Here in Hawaiʻi, we may be thousands of miles from New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, but we mourned together as one country. And 25 years later, we still remember together.

Placed just outside of Honolulu Hale is the Eternal Flame. The inscription beside the flame says that the love and spirit of a grateful nation will always be with those we lost. I hope we continue to live up to those words — by caring for one another, serving our communities, and remembering that even in our darkest moments, there is strength in standing together.

May we never forget, and may we never lose the sense of unity and aloha that reminds us we are stronger when we take care of one another. 🇺🇸

09/10/2026

Oʻahu homeowners: Don’t miss an opportunity to lower your property tax bill. The September 30 deadline to file for a home exemption is quickly approaching. 🏠

If your property is your primary residence, you may qualify for a home exemption that reduces the taxable value of your property:

• Homeowners under 65: up to $140,000
• Kūpuna homeowners age 65+: up to $180,000

The exemption is deducted from your property’s assessed value, meaning you’re taxed only on the remaining amount.

Already have a home exemption? If there has been no change in ownership or use, you do not need to reapply.

One important reminder: If a home exemption claimant has passed away, make sure a surviving owner who qualifies has a home exemption on file so the exemption isn’t lost. Any changes in ownership status should also be reported to the Real Property Assessment Division within 30 days.

You can apply online, by mail, or in person.

For more information or to apply, visit realproperty.honolulu.gov or contact [email protected].

Please share this with an Oʻahu homeowner who may benefit — a little paperwork now could mean meaningful property tax savings. Mahalo! 🤙🏻

09/10/2026

The Hahaʻione Advocates for Respectful Development (HARD) is gathering community input on the future of the commercially-zoned properties from 6640 to 6660 Hawaiʻi Kai Drive, between Pepeʻekeo and Hahaʻione Streets, whose leases will expire in or before 2028.

This area is home to places many residents use every day, including the 7-Eleven and gas station, Boston Pizza, Koko Head Plaza and its numerous small businesses, two churches, two child care facilities, a veterinary clinic, as well as the Japan-America Institute for Management Science (JAIMS) property.

As we look toward the future of this area, it is important that the voices of the people who live, work, and play in this community are heard.

I encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey and share what you would like decision-makers to consider for the future of these properties.

Scan the QR or visit https://bit.ly/JAIMSSurvey to take the survey. It will be open until Sept. 30.

09/09/2026

Ala Moana Regional Park will remain closed until further notice as City crews undertake a significant cleanup following Hurricane Lowell, which pushed large amounts of sand and debris across portions of the heavily used park.

In some areas, more than an inch of sand was deposited across roadways, sidewalks, and other areas of the park. Heavy equipment has been brought in to remove the sand and debris and clear roads and pedestrian areas so the park can safely reopen to the public.

The beach also needs significant cleanup after the high surf and storm conditions associated with Lowell.

“This is one of the busiest and most beloved parks anywhere in Hawaiʻi, and our crews are working hard to get it cleaned up and reopened as quickly and safely as possible,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “There is a tremendous amount of sand and debris that needs to be removed, and we need to give our crews the space to do that work. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation while they get the job done.”

Ala Moana Regional Park draws an estimated 4 million visitors annually, averaging approximately 11,000 visitors each day.

The City hopes to reopen portions of the park on Wednesday; however, we anticipate it may take the remainder of the week to safely reopen the park in its entirety. Crews will continue working throughout the day, and portions of the park will reopen as conditions are deemed safe for the public.

Residents and visitors are asked to stay out of the park while the closure remains in effect and to avoid interfering with heavy equipment and cleanup operations.

The City will provide an update when a reopening time has been determined.

09/08/2026

All HIDOE public schools and offices on Oʻahu will reopen Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Hawaiʻi State Department of Education public schools in Kauaʻi County will remain closed to students through Friday, Sept. 11, as schools assess storm impacts and prepare campuses to resume operations following Hurricane Lowell.

All HIDOE public schools and offices on Oʻahu will reopen Wednesday, Sept. 9. Schools in Maui County and on Hawaiʻi Island remain open.

Read more at https://hawaiipublicschools.org/2026-hurricane-lowell/

09/08/2026

Honolulu Board of Water Supply customers without power are urged to conserve water today and use it only for essential needs (drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene).

This comes as Hawaiian Electric assesses its system following Hurricane Lowell. BWS pumps require electricity to move water from wells to reservoirs. During a power outage, reservoir water may be the only supply available to affected communities.

If your power is restored, please continue conserving water while pumps replenish reservoirs.

Don't have water service, or need to report a water main break or other emergency? Call (808) 748-5000, option 1.

BWS Urges Water Conservation in Areas Affected by Power Outages

Sept. 8, 10:00 a.m.: The Board of Water Supply requests that Oahu customers without power use water sparingly and only for essential needs as Hawaiian Electric assesses its system following Hurricane Lowell.

Please limit water use to drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene. Do not fill containers with water.

BWS pumps require electricity to move water from wells to reservoirs. During a power outage, reservoir water may be the only supply available to affected communities.

After power is restored, please continue conserving water while pumps replenish reservoirs.

Customers without water service, or who need to report a water main break or other emergency, may call (808) 748-5000, option 1.

09/03/2026

Being prepared can make all the difference when an emergency happens.

Whether it’s a hurricane, flooding, wildfire, tsunami or another unexpected event, now is the time to make sure you and your ʻohana have a plan.

Take a few minutes to:
• Build or refresh your 14-day emergency supply kit
• Make a family emergency and communication plan
• Know your evacuation routes and shelter options
• Sign up for emergency alerts
• Know where to find reliable information before, during and after a disaster

We’ve gathered disaster preparedness resources in one convenient place to help you get started.

🔗 Visit the link in my bio and look for Disaster Preparedness Resources.

Preparation starts before the emergency. Save this post, bookmark the resources and share them with your ʻohana and neighbors so we can all be better prepared. It takes all of us. 🤝

09/03/2026

Aloha! The September edition of our District 4 newsletter is here. 🤙🏻

This month, we’re sharing updates on several issues and initiatives impacting our communities, including welcoming District 4’s newest Honolulu Youth Commissioner, Tyler Shimozono, our efforts to address parking concerns near popular hiking trails, and opportunities for residents to provide input on the future of Honolulu’s wastewater system.

You can read the full September newsletter at linktr.ee/tommywatershnl.

As always, my office is here to help. If you have a question, concern, or need assistance connecting with the appropriate City department, please contact my office at [email protected] or call (808)768-5004 if you have any questions.

Mahalo for staying connected and engaged.