Oahu voters overwhelmingly approved three new Honolulu City Charter amendments yesterday.

The amendment with the lowest approval - but still passing with better than a 2-to-1 margin - allows the city prosecutor to use public funds to campaign on ballot issues. It essentially negates a 2007 Hawaii Supreme Court decision that found Honolulu Prosecutor Peter Carlisle improperly used taxpayer money to lobby for a 2002 amendment to the state Constitution to make it easier for prosecutors to send felony cases to trial.

The high court did not impose any punishment on Carlisle, and voters approved the amendment.

Councilmember Ann Koba-yashi, who introduced the proposed amendment, said it gives the city prosecutor the same authority afforded the attorney general under state laws.

Voters approved the other two amendments by better than 3-to-1 margins.

One amendment extends the authority of the city Ethics Commission to impose fines on non-elected city officials who are not members of a public workers union.

Oahu voters approved a charter amendment two years ago to give the commission the authority to impose fines on the mayor, the members of the City Council and the city prosecutor.

The new amendment allows the Ethics Commission to also fine Cabinet members, department directors and their deputies.

The third new amendment conforms the charter with state law that gives circuit courts jurisdiction over impeachment proceedings against elected city officials.