Honolulu City Council

The Honolulu City Council is the legislative branch of the City & County of Honolulu and is considered the second most powerful parliamentary body in the State of Hawaii, following the Hawaii State Legislature. Charged with writing and passing laws for the island of Oahu, the Honolulu City Council meets in chambers at Honolulu Hale year-round.

The Honolulu City Council is composed of nine members from nine administrative districts. Each member is elected to no more than two four-year terms or four two-year terms, depending on the election schedule of the respective districts. Elections are held every other September and are by law, nonpartisan in nature.

Honolulu Hale

The Honolulu City Council conducts official business from Honolulu Hale, a historic city hall building constructed in classical Spanish villa architectural styles and sits along King Street and Punchbowl Street in downtown Honolulu. Other officers under the Honolulu City Council work from separate municipal buildings on the larger civic campus of which Honolulu Hale is a part.

Command Structure

In the line of command for the City & County of Honolulu, the Honolulu City Council balances the power of the Mayor of Honolulu and the Prosecuting Attorney of Honolulu. The Honolulu City Council is responsible for the confirmation of the heads of the various departments under the mayor's office. Within the sphere of control of the Honolulu City Council are three bodies: Office of the City Clerk, Office...
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