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Public Hearing Before The City Council

 

WHY PUBLIC HEARINGS ARE HELD

Public hearings are held so that the City Council can receive and consider public views before making final decision on important issues.  This process allows the public to be heard.

The  Council is also required to hold public hearings on matters such as:

  • Executive and Legislative Budgets
  • Real Property Tax Rules
  • General Plan and Development Plan Amendments and Zoning Ordinances
  • Appointments of the Managing Director, Department Heads and Members of Various Boards and Commissions

 HOW DO YOU FIND OUT ABOUT PUBLIC HEARINGS

A notice providing the date, time, place and nature of the public hearing is published in the legal section of a major daily newspaper at least 10 days before a hearing and on the web at http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-1780.

WHEN AND WHERE PUBLIC HEARINGS ARE HELD

Public hearings are normally held at 2 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 3rd floor, Honolulu Hale.

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE

Persons wishing to speak at a public hearing are requested to register by 2 p.m. using the On-Line City Council Speaker Registration form available at http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-1780 or by sending a fax indicating your desire to speak, along with your name, address, phone number and subject matter to 768-3826.  You may also register in person or by calling 768-3820.

 Registration consists of providing your name, address, phone number, whether you are representing a particular organization or yourself, and the specific hearing. In addition, speakers are requested to provide 15 copies of written testimony.

Testimony is limited to three minutes and shall be presented by the registered speaker only.  Written testimony may be submitted by email at http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-1780 or faxed to 768-3826.  However, you are requested to register to speak if you wish to provide oral testimony.

All correspondence should be addressed to:

Honolulu Hale
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-3077
 
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE PUBLIC HEARING

The Chair will call the names of speakers in the order that the registration was received by the Clerk's Office. When called, approach the lectern and speak directly into the microphone.  Any disabled person requiring special assistance should call 768-3820 for details.

You have three minutes in which to make your presentation before the Council. If your testimony exceeds three minutes, you will be asked to summarize.

HOW TO BE EFFECTIVE

To be effective, you should set down your comments in a prepared statement, being concise, yet accurate.

When speaking, you should address the Chair, and state your name, and whether you represent an organization.  Then proceed to present your testimony.

If previous testimony represents your views and you have nothing new to add, merely state that you agree with the testimony and that you are prepared to answer any questions. If you are not able to answer a question, state that you will provide the information later, if possible.

HOW TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information, please call the City Clerk's Office at 768-5822. Bills and resolutions relating to public hearing matters are available at http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-193.  Copies are also available in the City Clerk's Office, located in Room 203 of Honolulu Hale.

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Last Reviewed: Friday, January 04, 2013