On August 27, 2025, Tommy Waters announced his intention to seek another term representing Honolulu City Council District IV.

The Hawai‘i Office of Elections opened the 2026 candidate filing period on February 2, 2026. The deadline for candidates to file nomination papers was June 2, 2026.

After reviewing the eligibility objection, Acting City Clerk Chadd Kadota determined that Tommy Waters was eligible to run. The determination allowed Waters’ candidacy to continue and was later challenged by Trevor Ozawa.

The deadline for filing nomination papers for the 2026 election was June 2, 2026. Tommy Waters was listed as a candidate for Honolulu City Council District IV alongside Trevor Ozawa, Jason Liang, and Tara Malia Gregory.

On June 16, 2026, Trevor Ozawa filed a complaint in Circuit Court challenging Tommy Waters’ eligibility. The lawsuit argued that Waters had already reached the City Charter’s two-term limit. Waters maintained that his first term began late after the 2018 election dispute and should not count as a full four-year term.

On July 27, 2026, First Circuit Court Judge James Ashford ruled that Tommy Waters had already served the two consecutive four-year terms allowed under the Honolulu City Charter and was ineligible to run for the 2027–2031 term. Waters argued that his first term began late after the 2018 election dispute and should not count as a full term.

Following the Circuit Court ruling, Tommy Waters filed a notice of appeal. His campaign stated that the case affects voter trust and the interpretation of the City Charter in future cases involving partial or delayed terms.

On August 1, 2026, the Honolulu Elections Division announced that Tommy Waters’ name would remain on ballots that had already been printed, assembled, or distributed. Votes for Waters would be counted only for determining whether an eligible candidate received a majority in the District IV contest; they would not elect Waters to office.

Hawai‘i’s 2026 primary election is scheduled for August 8, 2026. The District IV election is being conducted under the ballot procedures announced by the Honolulu Elections Division following the court ruling.

On August 27, 2025, Tommy Waters announced his intention to seek another term representing Honolulu City Council District IV.

On September 11, 2025, candidate filing for the 2026 elections opened, allowing prospective candidates to obtain and submit nomination papers for public office.

The Hawai‘i Office of Elections opened the 2026 candidate filing period on February 2, 2026. The deadline for candidates to file nomination papers was June 2, 2026.

On March 31, 2026, Walters filed nomination papers to become a candidate for City Council District VI in the 2026 election.

A formal objection was submitted questioning whether Tommy Waters was eligible to seek another consecutive term under the Honolulu City Charter’s term-limit provisions. The objection focused on how Waters’ 2019 special election affected the calculation of his terms.

On April 27, 2026, Christian Bui filed an objection questioning whether Walters was eligible to seek election under the applicable term-limit provisions. The objection challenged Walters’ ability to remain a candidate for City Council District VI.

After reviewing the eligibility objection, Acting City Clerk Chadd Kadota determined that Tommy Waters was eligible to run. The determination allowed Waters’ candidacy to continue and was later challenged by Trevor Ozawa.

The deadline for filing nomination papers for the 2026 election was June 2, 2026. Tommy Waters was listed as a candidate for Honolulu City Council District IV alongside Trevor Ozawa, Jason Liang, and Tara Malia Gregory.

Trevor Ozawa filed an objection challenging Tommy Waters’ eligibility to run for another consecutive term. The objection argued that Waters had already served the two consecutive four-year terms allowed under the Honolulu City Charter.

On June 9, 2026, the City Clerk referred Trevor Ozawa’s objection to Circuit Court for a declaratory judgment. The referral moved the dispute over candidate eligibility into the judicial process.

On June 16, 2026, Trevor Ozawa filed a complaint in Circuit Court challenging Tommy Waters’ eligibility. The lawsuit argued that Waters had already reached the City Charter’s two-term limit. Waters maintained that his first term began late after the 2018 election dispute and should not count as a full four-year term.

On July 27, 2026, First Circuit Court Judge James Ashford ruled that Tommy Waters had already served the two consecutive four-year terms allowed under the Honolulu City Charter and was ineligible to run for the 2027–2031 term. Waters argued that his first term began late after the 2018 election dispute and should not count as a full term.

Following the Circuit Court ruling, Tommy Waters filed a notice of appeal. His campaign stated that the case affects voter trust and the interpretation of the City Charter in future cases involving partial or delayed terms.

On August 1, 2026, the Honolulu Elections Division announced that Tommy Waters’ name would remain on ballots that had already been printed, assembled, or distributed. Votes for Waters would be counted only for determining whether an eligible candidate received a majority in the District IV contest; they would not elect Waters to office.

Hawai‘i’s 2026 primary election is scheduled for August 8, 2026. The District IV election is being conducted under the ballot procedures announced by the Honolulu Elections Division following the court ruling.