Waters disqualified; Honolulu District IV ballots stay in play

Tommy Waters has been disqualified from the Honolulu City Council District IV race for the 2027-2031 term following a Circuit Court ruling, but his name remains on ballots already issued. Votes for Waters will count only to determine whether an eligible candidate receives a majority in the first special election; if any eligible candidate earns more than 50% of counted votes, that candidate is elected. If no eligible candidate achieves a majority, the two eligible candidates with the most votes advance to the next stage. Ballots already returned cannot be changed, and the election proceeds with notices posted and a mail-ballots deadline of 7 p.m. on August 8; Waters plans an appeal, and the ruling could face appellate review.