Waters vs. Ozawa Round Two: The East Honolulu Council Rematch Shaping Up for August Primary

The battle for East Honolulu’s District IV council seat is heating up as former council chair Trevor Ozawa launches his comeback bid against current chair Tommy Waters in what promises to be one of the most closely watched races in the August primary.

Ozawa, who served as council chair from 2021 to 2023 before losing to Waters in the 2024 election, is seeking a return to the council dais in a rematch that could reshape the leadership dynamics of Honolulu’s legislative body. The district encompasses affluent neighborhoods from Hawaii Kai to Portlock, including Kuapa Kai and Koko Head.

“This is about bringing experienced leadership back to represent East Honolulu’s unique needs,” Ozawa said during a recent community meeting in Hawaii Kai. “I know how to get things done at Hale, and our district deserves a voice that can deliver results.”

The rivalry between Waters and Ozawa runs deeper than typical political competition. Their policy disagreements became apparent during Ozawa’s tenure as chair, particularly around development issues, transportation priorities, and the city’s approach to homelessness.

Policy Battleground

Waters has positioned himself as a champion of controlled growth in East Honolulu, supporting stricter oversight of new developments while pushing for improved infrastructure to handle existing traffic congestion along Kalanianaole Highway. His tenure has focused heavily on neighborhood preservation and environmental protection.

Ozawa, meanwhile, has criticized what he calls Waters’ “go-slow approach” to addressing the district’s infrastructure needs. He argues for more aggressive pursuit of federal funding for highway improvements and supports strategic development that could bring jobs closer to East Honolulu residents.

The transportation debate hits close to home for District IV voters, many of whom face daily commutes into downtown Honolulu or other employment centers. Morning traffic backups from Hawaii Kai to Kahala remain a persistent quality-of-life issue that both candidates must address.

On housing policy, the candidates offer contrasting visions. Waters has emphasized protecting neighborhood character while supporting affordable housing in appropriate locations. Ozawa has suggested the district needs to do more to accommodate working families, even if it means accepting some density increases in targeted areas.

Leadership Dynamics

The race carries implications beyond District IV representation. Should Ozawa win, it would mark a significant shift in council dynamics, potentially affecting Waters’ ability to maintain his leadership role as chair.

Council leadership elections typically occur after each election cycle, and the return of a former chair could complicate Waters’ position. Ozawa’s relationships with other council members, built during his previous tenure, could prove crucial in future leadership votes.

The timing of this rematch also coincides with several major decisions facing the council, including the city’s response to climate change impacts, ongoing rail project oversight, and budget priorities for the next biennium.

Campaign Dynamics

Both candidates enter the race with significant name recognition in East Honolulu, where civic engagement traditionally runs high. Voter turnout in District IV consistently exceeds citywide averages, making ground-game organization crucial for both campaigns.

Ozawa’s challenge will be explaining his loss in 2024 while convincing voters he deserves another chance. Waters must defend his record while arguing that continuity in representation serves the district better than change for change’s sake.

Campaign finance reports, due next month, will provide early indicators of each candidate’s organizational strength and fundraising ability. In their previous matchup, both candidates raised substantial sums, reflecting the high stakes of council leadership.

The August 8 primary will likely determine the winner, given District IV’s historical voting patterns. While the district has elected both Democrats and Republicans in recent cycles, primary elections typically draw the most engaged voters who ultimately determine the general election outcome.

For East Honolulu residents, this rematch represents more than a choice between two politicians. The outcome will influence how their district approaches growth, transportation, and environmental challenges over the next four years, while potentially reshaping the power structure at Honolulu Hale.

As both candidates gear up for what promises to be an intense campaign season, District IV voters can expect detailed debates over the future direction of their communities and the kind of leadership they want representing them in the corridors of power downtown.