Despite opposition, another round of raises approved for city officials

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Honolulu’s top elected and appointed officials are set to receive another pay raise after the city’s Salary Commission approved a 4.7% increase for the 2027 fiscal year.

The commission voted 5-0 Wednesday to adopt the salary adjustments, marking the third significant increase for city leadership in the past three years.

“You have zero nos,” a commission member said.

“The resolution establishing salaries for the position of city council has been approved,” another said.

The decision came despite no testimony submitted in support of the raises during the meeting and criticism voiced by residents and elected officials during last week’s Honolulu City Council meeting.

Councilmember Esther Kiaaina, who represents District 3, warned against approving annual increases.

“At a 4% increase, if that was given to us every year, it’ll come out to over $165,000 by the year 2030,” Kiaaina said.

Among those opposing the increase was certified public accountant and rail board member Natalie Iwasa, who questioned how the commission determined the raise amount.

“I oppose the 4.7% increase,” Iwasa said. “I’m wondering, where is your analysis? It sounds like you did a lot of work to get to 4.7%, but I can’t find it.”

Iwasa also noted the proposed raise exceeds the inflation rate cited by the commission.

“It’s proposed 4.7%, which is higher than the inflation rate, which they reported at 2.6%,” she said.

Other residents echoed similar concerns.

“Do you guys actually read the room, accepting this after the previous raises?” testifier Tim Garry said.

Under the approved plan, the City Council chair’s salary will increase from $132,048 to $137,801, while councilmember salaries will rise from $122,064 to $127,801.

The adjustment follows a roughly 64% salary increase approved in 2023.

Kiaaina argued elected officials should not expect raises comparable to other government employees.

“An elected official should not be expecting the same increases as civilian employees,” she said.

The salary adjustments will also increase Rick Blangiardi’s annual pay from $226,080 to $236,705. Department head salaries will rise from about $200,000 to roughly $211,000.

Some Salary Commission members acknowledged the public debate surrounding compensation for public service positions.

“The council member is correct. They’re not here because they want to get high pay. That’s not a high-paid job for sure. It’s a commitment to the constituents,” one commissioner said.

The pay increases are scheduled to take effect July 1 at the start of the city’s 2027 fiscal year.