Protecting What Matters

Preserving Our Island. Strengthening Our Future.

Tommy Waters believes responsible development is not about choosing between progress and preservation. It is about ensuring growth strengthens our communities by planning carefully, listening to residents, and protecting the places that define who we are for a more resilient Honolulu for generations to come.

Together, we have been able to make meaningful changes to support sustainable development and protect our precious resources, but our fight won’t stop here. We will continue to succeed in the downzoning of land and the fight for public access to our beaches to preserve our beautiful natural landscapes for future generations.

Since taking office, we have worked together to:

Downzone land in ʻĀina Haina for preservation purposes and revitalize Wāwāmalu Beach with the installation of natural rock barriers– preventing off-roading vehicles.
Successfully work with community stakeholders to acquire and steward lands in the back of Kuliouou and prevent sprawl development.
Worked with critical stakeholders to pass an updated East Honolulu Sustainable Communities Plan (EHSCP) that reflects communities’ desires to preserve our natural landscapes and prevent sprawl development.
Advocated for public access to our beaches as in the case of resolving the private gate put up at Lane N in Portlock.
Approved a measure urging the Department of Parks and Recreation to establish a site-specific permit system for such activities as commercial surfing instruction and establish a policy on a total number of permits allowed so that no single site is overused; and to increase enforcement.
Enacted an ordinance banning most commercial activities at Hūnānāniho (formerly known as Waimānalo Bay Beach Park); Kaiona Beach Park, Kaupō Beach Park, Makapuʻu Beach Park, Bellows Field Beach Park, and any city-owned or-operated beach rights-of-way and easements from Makapu’u Point to Kapoho Point (Castle Point).

Tommy is committed to:

Protecting neighborhood character and quality of life
Preserving beaches, open spaces, and natural resources
Supporting infrastructure that keeps pace with growth
Promoting transparent and accountable land-use decisions
Ensuring development reflects community priorities and long-term sustainability