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Hawaii Supreme Court Rules Tommy Waters Ineligible for Third Consecutive Term on Honolulu City Council

The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled Friday that Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters has reached his two-term limit, disqualifying him from the November general election for the East Honolulu seat. The court voted 3-2 to determine that Waters was elected to two consecutive four-year terms, meaning he is ineligible for a third. While Waters argued his initial service did not constitute a full four-year term, the majority opinion stated that the charter's term limit is based on being elected to the term rather than the time served. The ruling clarifies the general election race, placing Trevor Ozawa and Tara Malia Gregory on the ballot. Ozawa, who won the primary, will face Gregory, who received the third-highest number of votes. Waters expressed disappointment with the decision but thanked the court for providing clarity to the voters. The ruling also addressed procedural issues, with all five justices agreeing that Judge James Ashford should not have ruled on eligibility while the election was already underway. The court's decision settles a legal dispute that began months before the primary election.

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