The Council meets at least once a month, year round, but special meetings may be called at any time by the Council Chair, a majority of the councilmembers, or the Mayor. Except for public emergencies, notices of meetings are made public at least 6 days before the meeting time.

Regular Council meetings are generally held in the Council Chamber on the third floor of Honolulu Hale.

Under current practice, each meeting is called to order at 10:00 a.m., by the Council Chair, who is the Presiding Officer. After roll call, the order of business is set forth in the meeting’s agenda. Adoption of resolutions, bills, and committee reports, and the holding of public hearings are examples of the types of business conducted during a typical meeting.

All Council meetings, with the exception of executive sessions, are open to the public.

Executive sessions are held principally for the purpose of discussing claims against the City when premature disclosure of information may adversely affect the City’s position or when the Council seeks consultation with its own counsel or staff.

Most Council and Committee meetings are televised live on Oceanic Cable Channel 54 or TCI Channel 54.