The Honolulu City Council has selected Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam as its new chair, marking

Tyler Dos Santos-Tam to Lead Honolulu City Council

The Honolulu City Council has selected Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam as its new chair, marking a significant shift in the city’s legislative leadership. In a vote held this past Thursday, the council voted 6-2 to approve the new leadership structure, which also includes Councilmember Esther Kiaʻāina as the incoming vice chair. The move comes as the current chair, Tommy Waters, prepares to depart from the council in January.

Tyler Dos Santos-Tam Elected Honolulu Council Chair: The councilman representing Chinatown was chosen to lead the Honolulu City Council despite concerns about how he secured the council's… www.civilbeat.org/2026/11/tyler-dos-santos-tam-elected-honolulu-council-chair/ #HInews pic.twitter.com/O2Bf7B2dKA

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The transition follows a period of intense scrutiny regarding the selection process. Hawaiʻi Public Radio reported that the state is currently investigating a private meeting held between Dos Santos-Tam, Kiaʻāina, and three other councilmembers to discuss the council’s leadership. Critics have raised concerns that the session was not sufficiently transparent or open to the public, adding a layer of controversy to the leadership change.

Public reaction to the appointment has been divided. According to records from the council’s most recent meeting, approximately half of the submitted written testimony opposed the leadership shift. Despite this, supporters have pointed to Dos Santos-Tam’s legislative track record as evidence of his readiness for the role. Dale Vanderbrink of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi spoke in favor of the decision, highlighting the councilmember’s approach to municipal issues.

“He regularly rides the bus, giving him firsthand experiences with challenges that riders face. That is why he was so forceful in opposing the bus fare increases that occurred earlier this year,” Vanderbrink said. “When told about the risk of fentanyl overdoses in our bars and nightclubs, he introduced a bill requiring Narcan in those establishments. We were the first city in the country to do that. He also puts in the work. His legislative record demonstrates it. During his first term, he introduced one-third of the bills that eventually became law.”

The selection of a new chair is a high-stakes decision for the city, as the position dictates the legislative agenda, committee assignments, and the overall flow of policy-making within Honolulu’s municipal government. With the city facing ongoing challenges related to public transit, housing, and public health, the chair serves as the primary mediator between the council and the mayor’s office.

While supporters emphasize his legislative output, the investigation into the private meeting remains a focal point for those questioning the council’s internal processes. The outcome of that state inquiry could influence public perception as the new leadership team prepares to take office in January. For now, the council’s vote stands, signaling a new chapter for the legislative body as it navigates both policy priorities and the expectations of its constituents.