FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HONOLULU, Hawaii — June 26, 2026
A formal Sunshine Law complaint was filed today with the Office of Information Practices (OIP) alleging that all nine members of the Honolulu City Council violated Hawaii’s Sunshine Law by conducting official business after the Council’s June 3, 2026 public meeting had officially adjourned.
According to the complaint, after the meeting was formally adjourned, Council members allegedly remained in session to receive testimony from PM Azinga concerning affordable housing. Information provided by a confidential source alleges that the presentation included discussion regarding the expiration of a 30-year affordable housing covenant. During the alleged post-adjournment session, PM Azinga also distributed a flyer to each City Council member concerning the housing matter.
The complaint further alleges that, after receiving the testimony and written materials, Council members deliberated and conducted a vote outside the publicly noticed meeting and outside the view of the public.
The complaint contends these actions violated Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92, commonly known as the Sunshine Law, which generally requires official testimony, deliberations, and decision-making to occur during properly noticed public meetings unless specifically authorized by law.
“The public meeting had already ended, yet testimony was allegedly received, documents were distributed, discussion occurred, and a vote was taken after adjournment,” the complainant said. “If these allegations are confirmed, the public was denied its legal right to witness government decision-making on an important affordable housing issue.”
The complaint asks the Office of Information Practices to investigate the alleged violations, determine whether the Sunshine Law was violated, invalidate any action taken during the alleged post-adjournment proceedings if authorized by law, and require corrective measures to ensure future compliance with Hawaii’s open government laws.
The Sunshine Law exists to ensure that government business is conducted openly, allowing citizens the opportunity to observe, participate, and hold elected officials accountable. The complaint argues that conducting testimony, distributing materials, deliberating, and voting after a meeting has officially adjourned undermines those protections and erodes public confidence in government transparency.
Government transparency is not optional. It is the foundation of public trust.
HIRA News will continue following the Office of Information Practices investigation and any subsequent actions involving the Honolulu City Council and Hawaii’s Sunshine Law.
If government business was conducted outside the public’s view, the people deserve answers.
Eric Ryan and Kai Lorinc
Co-Producers
Kai Lorinc
Co-Producer and Chief Correspondent
HIRA News – Spectrum TV 54
Investigative Reporting • Government Accountability • Public Integrity
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