2026-07-15 International & Legal Affairs

The Honolulu City Council Committee on International & Legal Affairs convened on July 16, 2026, primarily to confirm Krishna Jayaram as the managing director for the City and County of Honolulu. The meeting included discussions on revenue generation strategies without raising property taxes, such as increased use of sponsorships and advertising on public transit. Council members emphasized the need for better coordination and follow-up on transit-oriented development (TOD) projects related to the rail system, as well as improved communication between the administration and council. The managing director expressed commitment to enhancing federal grant capacity and working collaboratively with the council. The committee also considered several legislative items, including bills related to dog safety enforcement, clarifications on agency jurisdiction concerning HART, and acceptance of a gift resolution. Additionally, the council discussed budgetary accountability measures to track unspent funds and support for affordable housing projects. The meeting concluded with executive session discussions on pending litigation settlements. No specific contract awards or procurement decisions were made during this session, but policy and budget oversight topics with potential future procurement implications were addressed.