Honolulu Charter Commission Advances Proposal to Limit HPD Role in Immigration Enforcement
Why It Matters
A proposed amendment to Honolulu’s city charter could go before Hawaii voters this November, establishing formal limits on how the Honolulu Police Department interacts with federal immigration enforcement operations. If approved, the measure would be embedded in the city and county’s foundational governing document — making it significantly harder to reverse than a council resolution or departmental policy.
What Happened
A Honolulu Charter Commission advisory committee has recommended approval of Proposal P045, which would codify three broad directives for HPD: protecting residents from individuals impersonating law enforcement officers, preserving immigrant access to sensitive locations such as courts, hospitals, and schools, and requiring officers to verify the legal basis for any federal immigration operation before providing assistance.
The proposal was submitted by Jess Moore, a Honolulu resident who works for a California-based technology firm. Moore said reports of immigrants being threatened or extorted by individuals claiming to be federal agents, as well as accounts of detentions near schools and courthouses, prompted her to act. She described the proposal as intentionally broad, leaving room for legal experts to refine the language.
The advisory committee — formally called the Permitted Interaction Group on Operations and Public Protection — described the proposal as compelling. It concluded that establishing HPD’s duty to protect constitutional rights regardless of immigration status was necessary to guard against unauthorized enforcement and impersonators.
At a May 11 commission meeting, however, the proposal was tabled at the suggestion of Commissioner Trey Gordner, who called for testimony from the police department and the city’s police commission before the measure moves forward. As of the most recent available information, HPD has not announced plans to submit testimony.
HPD’s Position
Police officials say the amendment is unnecessary. Department spokesperson Claudette Springer stated that federal civil immigration enforcement falls outside HPD’s primary jurisdiction and that the department does not participate in such operations. Supporters of the proposal, however, argue that codifying this posture in the charter would provide residents with a formal, enforceable guarantee — rather than relying on departmental discretion.
Immigrant legal advocates have pointed to the distinction between judicial warrants — issued by courts and legally binding — and administrative warrants, which are issued by federal agencies and do not, on their own, authorize entry into private or sensitive spaces. Bettina Mok, executive director of The Legal Clinic, testified before the commission that without a clear city policy, residents remain vulnerable and community trust in policing is undermined.
By the Numbers
- The proposal has cleared one advisory committee and is pending full commission review before a potential November ballot placement.
- Honolulu’s charter commission tabled the measure at its May 11 meeting pending additional agency input.
- In 2017, the Honolulu City Council passed a resolution declaring the city a “haven of aloha” during the first Trump administration; a follow-up enforcement bill died in 2019.
- The commission’s advisory group announced its recommendation at an April 27 meeting.
Zoom Out
The Honolulu effort mirrors a broader pattern of city and county governments seeking to formalize limits on local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Hawaii’s state legislature has also pursued related measures this session. The renewed push comes as the second Trump administration has significantly expanded immigration enforcement operations nationally, including in locations that had long been treated as sensitive or off-limits.
The debate over so-called “sanctuary” policies has played out in jurisdictions across the country, with proponents arguing they strengthen community trust in local police and opponents contending they obstruct lawful federal enforcement. Hawaii’s unique demographic history — the state has long been shaped by successive waves of immigration — gives the issue particular resonance locally. For more on the political landscape surrounding Hawaii’s relationship with federal priorities, see Hawaiʻi Republicans: We Need The Trump People To Turn Out The Vote.
What’s Next
The charter commission must complete its review, including any testimony from HPD and the city police commission, before deciding whether to place the measure on the November ballot. A University of Hawaii political science professor cited in public discussion suggested the amendment would have a strong chance of passing if it reaches voters. The commission’s timeline for a final decision has not been formally announced. The outcome of the Honolulu Police Chief selection process could also shape how any new charter requirements are ultimately implemented.