With voters already casting Primary ballots, Honolulu Circuit Court Judge James H Ashford Monday, July 27, 2026, ruled in favor of Plaintiff Trevor Ozawa's Motion for Summary Judgment in 1CCV-26-0000889 - Ozawa v. Kadota, et al. 

FLASHBACK ​2013:  Full Senate to Vote Today on Confirmation of Honolulu District Court Judicial Nominee James Ashford

Judge Ashford’s ruling, which Tommy Waters has now appealed (PDF: Waters-Appeal July 31, 2026), declares Honolulu Council Chair Waters ineligible to run for Council due to term limits.  Waters had filed for a third term on the basis that his first term had not been a full term in office. 

Despite Waters appeal, headlines like this: "City Clerk: Votes For Tommy Waters Won't Be Counted - Honolulu Civil Beat" will strongly discourage the remaining Primary voters from casting ballots for Waters. 

That headline is not accurate.  Keep reading.

Waters and Trevor Ozawa remain on the August 8, 2026 Primary ballots along with Tara Malia Gregory and Jason Liang. 

With Waters’ votes severly suppressed by Judge Ashford, Ozawa, known mostly for his assistance to murderer and drug dealer Michael Miske, will likely be elected outright to become next councilmember for East Oahu District IV with 50% + 1 of the Primary vote. 

If not, he will be in the November runoff against Gregory or Liang--unless Waters' appeal puts Waters back on the ballot for November.  The one way that Waters votes DO count, according to the City Clerk, is against Ozawa'a 50% + 1.  

Waters was originally elected in a special election do-over April 13, 2019 after the State Supreme Court invalidated the razor-thin November 2018 election of Ozawa. 

Will update.

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The Councilman, the Crime Boss, and the “Hostage” Trees

ILind July 20, 2026: … Now that Trevor Ozawa is again a candidate running to take back his former seat on the Honolulu City Council, voters should examine his past misuse of his political position to benefit the late racketeering boss Mike Miske.

As a voter in his district, I haven’t forgotten how Ozawa—who served on the council from 2014 to 2018—aggressively used his legislative power to muscle the Department of Parks and Recreation into giving Miske special treatment….

Read … The Councilman, the Crime Boss, and the “Hostage” Trees | i L i n d

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Tommy Waters Appeals Court Ruling—Clerk Explains How Votes Will be Counted in Council District IV election

KHON: … The Council District IV election will not be cancelled or restarted, the Elections Division said in a press release.

The Elections Division said the following will apply to the Council District IV election:

• Votes cast for Tommy Waters will be counted only for the purpose of determining whether an eligible candidate has received a majority of the votes counted in the first special election.
  • Only eligible candidates may be elected or advance to the second special election.
• The Council District IV election will otherwise proceed as scheduled in accordance with the Revised Charter of the City and County of Honolulu.
• An eligible candidate receiving a majority of the votes counted in the first special election (commonly referred to as “50 percent plus one”) will be elected.
• Blank votes and overvotes are not included in determining whether an eligible candidate has received a majority of the votes counted.
• If no eligible candidate receives a majority of the votes counted, the two eligible candidates receiving the highest number of votes counted will advance to the second special election, consistent with the Revised Charter of the City and County of Honolulu.
• Voters who have already returned their ballot cannot receive another ballot. Once a ballot has been cast, it cannot be recalled or reissued under Hawaiʻi law.
• Notices advising voters of the candidate’s disqualification will be posted at all Honolulu Voter Service Centers and on the Elections Division website.

“While that review required time, it was important that the information we provided to voters was accurate, legally supported, and consistent with the City’s responsibilities under the law,” Kadota said. “We appreciate the public’s patience as that review was completed and remain committed to conducting this election fairly, transparently, and consistently for every voter.” ….

KITV: Tommy Waters disqualified from Honolulu City Council District IV race; ballots will still include his name | News | kitv.com

HNN: Tommy Waters disqualified from Honolulu City Council District IV race | Hawaii News Now

SA: Tommy Waters appeals judge’s decision declaring him ineligible to run for reelection | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

PDF: Waters-Appeal

Read … Tommy Waters ineligible for Council District IV election

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Council Chair Tommy Waters released the following statement regards to the 1st Circuit's ruling on eligibility:

“We respect the court’s decision and appreciate its consideration of this matter. We plan to file an appeal because, given the broader implications this case has for Honolulu’s governance, we believe review by the Court of Appeals is appropriate. I believe that the voters should have the ultimate decision come election day. My focus, however, remains unchanged, and I remain committed to serving the people of Honolulu and fulfilling the responsibilities the voters entrusted me with for the remainder of this term.”

PDF: CASE PRINTOUT

PDF: Ozawa Motion for Summary Judgment

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East Honolulu voters, candidates react with confusion after judge bars Waters from ballot

HNN July 28, 2026: … Candidate Tara Malia Gregory called the situation an upheaval. “I think it’s an upheaval because this is a little bit of an orchestrated delay in justice,” Gregory said. “This should have been nipped in the bud last year when Chair Waters even announced it.” l…

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said he was surprised by the ruling. “Corporation counsel, the very people that represent me, represented Chair Waters, and they told me they felt like they did a great job, and that they made the argument very strong,” Blangiardi said. “Honestly I was very surprised.” Blangiardi also addressed his relationship with Waters: “Tommy Waters and I have had a pretty good relationship for five and a half years, the last couple months have been pretty rough. I don’t wanna talk about anyone when I’m still angry.”

Honolulu Elections Administrator Rex Quidilla said his office is “examining the implications of the ruling.” Quidilla noted he has not encountered a situation like this before in his roughly 25 years in the role. He referenced the 2002 death of Congresswoman Patsy Mink, who died after winning the primary election. Her name remained on the ballot and she won the general election posthumously, leading to a special election won by Ed Case.

State Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago said his office does not comment on ongoing litigation ….

read … East Honolulu voters, candidates react with confusion after judge bars Waters from ballot

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COVERAGE:

KITV: Judge rules Tommy Waters ineligible for third Honolulu City Council run | Local | kitv.com

HPR: Waters ruled ineligible to run for Honolulu City Council seat | Hawai'i Public Radio

HNN: Judge rules Council chair Tommy Waters ineligible to run for re-election | Hawaii News Now

SA: Tommy Waters ineligible to run for 3rd Honolulu City Council term, judge rules | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

CB: Honolulu Councilman Can't Seek Third Term In Heated Primary, Judge Says - Honolulu Civil Beat

ASD: Tommy Waters ineligible for reelection, court rules

SA: Tommy Waters appeals judge’s election eligibility ruling | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

SA: Letter: Mail-in ballot mess must be remedied | Honolulu Star-Advertiser