Waters vs. Ozawa Again: The Perennial East Oahu Council Rematch Heats Up for 2026
The political rivalry that has defined East Oahu’s representation on the Honolulu City Council is officially heating up again. Incumbent Tommy Waters and former councilman Trevor Ozawa have both filed to run for the District 4 seat in 2026, setting up what will be their third consecutive electoral battle.
The rematch comes as no surprise to local political observers who have watched these two candidates trade the East Oahu council seat like a political hot potato. Waters narrowly defeated Ozawa in 2022 after Ozawa had previously unseated Waters in 2020, creating a back-and-forth dynamic that has kept District 4 voters engaged but perhaps weary of the familiar faces.
“This is becoming the political equivalent of a neighborhood rivalry that just won’t quit,” said Dr. Maya Patel, a political science professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Both candidates have loyal followings in communities from Hawaii Kai to Portlock, but voters are starting to ask whether either can truly move beyond campaign mode to govern effectively.”
Policy Divisions Run Deep
The Waters-Ozawa rivalry isn’t just personal — it reflects broader ideological divisions about how East Oahu should develop and what role the council should play in addressing Honolulu’s housing crisis.
Waters has positioned himself as the progressive choice, advocating for increased affordable housing development and stronger tenant protections. During his current term, he’s pushed for zoning reforms that would allow more dense housing in areas like Kahala and Aina Haina, arguing that East Oahu’s wealthy neighborhoods need to do their part in addressing the island’s housing shortage.
Ozawa, meanwhile, has consistently appealed to residents concerned about overdevelopment and traffic congestion. His platform emphasizes protecting the character of East Oahu’s established neighborhoods while focusing on infrastructure improvements and public safety concerns that resonate with longtime residents from Diamond Head to Portlock.
The policy split has created clear battle lines in a district that includes some of Honolulu’s most affluent neighborhoods alongside working-class communities like Koko Head and parts of Kaimuki.
A Broader Election Story
The Waters-Ozawa rematch is just one piece of what’s shaping up to be a consequential 2026 election cycle for Honolulu. With Mayor Rick Blangiardi termed out and several council seats expected to see competitive races, the East Oahu contest could serve as a bellwether for broader voter sentiment about development, housing policy, and the direction of city government.
Filing records show that at least 15 candidates have already declared for various city offices, suggesting an unusually active election year. The early filing activity indicates that local political organizations are mobilizing earlier than usual, potentially setting up expensive primary campaigns across multiple districts.
For District 4 specifically, the early filing by both Waters and Ozawa suggests neither candidate wants to cede any organizational advantage. Both have name recognition and established donor networks, but the repeated matchups may have created fatigue among some voters who want fresh faces and new ideas.
What’s at Stake
Beyond the personal rivalry, the East Oahu race carries broader implications for the council’s composition and policy direction. The district’s vote often proves decisive on controversial issues like vacation rental regulations, development permits for major projects, and budget priorities that affect the entire island.
Waters’ progressive approach to housing and development has aligned him with environmental groups and affordable housing advocates, while Ozawa’s emphasis on neighborhood preservation has earned support from homeowner associations and business groups concerned about regulatory overreach.
The outcome could influence how aggressively the next council pursues dense housing development in established neighborhoods — a key issue as Oahu grapples with a housing shortage that has priced out many local families.
With more than a year until the 2026 primary, both candidates will have ample time to refine their messages and build coalitions. However, the familiarity of this matchup means voters already know where each stands on major issues, potentially making this election more about execution and turnout than persuasion.
For East Oahu residents tired of the ongoing political drama, the repeated Waters-Ozawa contest raises questions about whether either candidate can move beyond campaigning to focus on governing. As filing deadlines approach and more candidates potentially enter various races, this perennial rematch will test whether familiarity breeds contempt — or simply more of the same.
