Hawaiʻi officials continue to encourage the export of value-added foods — which, in turn, would also help local agriculture — after formally creating a framework to support local farmers and business owners.

This year, state lawmakers passed House Bill 774 to establish a Food and Product Innovation Network within the state Agribusiness Development Corporation.

The purpose of the network is to allow local entrepreneurs to capitalize on “made in Hawaiʻi” branding by supporting the production of value-added products, like ʻulu chips or poi with a longer shelf life.

That support is focused on processing capacity and storage facilities to help business owners and farmers scale their operations.

“These facilities will enable local producers to create value-added products, increase production capacity, and access larger markets, ultimately strengthening Hawaiʻi’s agricultural sector and boosting economic resilience,” the University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center said in a report on the FPIN prepared for the ADC.

Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, who’s a proponent of increasing the export of value-added goods made in Hawaiʻi, said they can use off-grade fruits and vegetables that might not be used otherwise.

“The whole idea of value-added is to help our agriculture industry. For instance, if you have tomato farmers, they can't sell, sometimes, up to 50% of their product and they end up tilling it back into the soil,” Dela Cruz said. “With value-added (goods), we've created a class of entrepreneurs who will buy the off-grades or seconds from the farmer, and they can process ketchup, tomato sauce, salsa and other products that don’t require the A-grade product.”

There’s nothing wrong with those fruits and vegetables — but they are often not sold just because they have minor cosmetic imperfections.

“It could just have a discoloration. … For bell peppers, there's three bumps instead of four. It's still good. But if you end up cutting that up and processing it into another product, then you're helping the farmer and you're helping the entrepreneur,” Dela Cruz said.

Functionally, there’s already a growing network in the state. Dela Cruz said there are education programs in schools that encourage potential entrepreneurs who may be interested in producing value-added products.

Additionally, the facilities like the Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development Center on Oʻahu and the Maui Food Innovation Center — both UH programs — already allow for additional processing and storage for entrepreneurs.

There are also plans for more of those facilities across the state.

Dela Cruz said HB 774 and the formal creation of the FPIN will help Hawaiʻi develop partnerships with out-of-state groups in areas where locally-made products can be exported.

“We can start to partner, we can start to do exchanges. We want to be able to do food and product innovation conferences here, inviting all the different networks — that's the external component,” he said.

He said there are similar food networks in countries like New Zealand, South Korea and the Netherlands.

Members of the Hawai‘i Senate Ways and Means Committee — including Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau lawmaker Senate President Ronald Kouchi — spent 2 days this week on the Garden Isle for a whirlwind tour for discussions and meetings with officials with various government agencies and community leaders.

Senators during their visit Aug. 12-13 heard from and were updated about activities and work surrounding several issues, including:

• Development of Hawai‘i’s latest food and product innovations.

• Health care systems.

• Education and workforce development pathways.

• Biosecurity efforts.

• Language access.

• Their trip also visited various sites, receiving the latest information about critical projects and initiatives happening on the island.

“Our site visits to Kaua‘i provided the committee with a deeper understanding of the innovations taking place across [the] state to address some of Hawai‘i’s most pressing challenges,” Ways and Means Committee Chairman O’ahu state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz in a release detailing the visit. “From tackling homelessness by creating a continuum of housing to advancing education, workforce readiness and economic opportunity, we’ve seen firsthand how local partnerships are turning ideas into impact.”

Initiatives such as the Food and Product Innovation Network demonstrate how investments in education and entrepreneurship can strengthen Hawai‘i’s economy and support homegrown industries.

Cultural preservation efforts at Ke Kula Ni‘ihau O Kekaha Learning Center underscore at the same time the importance of protecting the voices and values that make island communities unique.

“These insights will be critical as we continue to shape policies and allocate resources that build a more resilient and equitable future for all of Hawai‘i,” said Dela Cruz.

Kouchi said it’s always meaningful when Hawai‘i Senate comes to Kaua‘i to see the incredible work local communities, educators and organizations are doing every day to tackle statewide challenges.

“From efforts to increase affordable housing and address homelessness, to supporting workforce development and preserving ʻŌlelo Ni‘ihau, these initiatives reflect the deep commitment of our people to building a stronger Hawai‘i,” the Senate president said. “I’m grateful to the Senate Ways and Means Committee for taking the time to engage directly with the people and projects that are making a real difference on the ground.”

The Senate Ways and Means Committee conducts neighbor island site visits every 2 years.

It uses information members receive from community stakeholders and government officials to guide collective decision-making for legislation and budget appropriations that bolster regional and statewide planning and implementation efforts.

The committee’s Kaua‘i visit highlighted the important work and progress by various state and public organizations, allowing members to see the real-life impacts of the policy decisions they craft and deliver to the public.

“As the state moves forward and prepares for the upcoming legislative session, the committee will continue to look at ways to support the crucial efforts of these organizations toward economic diversification, protection of the land and natural resources and education of our keiki and future workforce,” says the committee’s post-trip report.

HONOLULU (Island News) -- A second town hall focusing on creating a "Downtown Honolulu Business Improvement District" took place Thursday night at the former Walmart turned pickleball complex at Fort Street Mall.

City leaders fielded questions and concerns from residents and businesses  about proposed plans to revitalize the area.

Sen. Karl Rhoads (D) Punchbowl, Chinatown and Downtown stated, "The fact there's even a meeting here to talk about this, says to me there's things we can do better at the government level."

While progress has been made, many local workers and community members feel additional improvements are overdue.

Ernest Caravalho stated, "I've been fighting for last ten years for the safety of this community, that's the biggest thing, so that my kapuna, my keiki (and other family) can walk these streets safely."

Vaster coverage and more personnel could be ahead.

Warren Wong with the Fort Street Mall Business Improvement District stated,  "Bill 51 wants to expand the Fort Street Mall BID to include Nuuanu and go all the way through Beretania, Ala Moana, so we'll have better coverage."

Ed D'Ascoli told Island News, "Our family owns the Podmore building on Merchant and Alakea Street - we're very interested in this, we support it - Bill 51 and the Business Improvement District. We want to be able to enhance what the city does, it's important for us.

With Bill 51, the plan/objective is similar to Waikiki, where folks help clean sidewalks, offer directions and provide another set of eyes for police, It would involve 14 additional personnel members out on the streets.

Plans would reportedly involve property owners paying a fee to fund the services.

Honolulu City Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam said, "I think a lot of people recognize to pay for security, to pay for maintenance, pressure washing and all those services, I think that's going to be a welcome addition."

What's a ballpark figure of the price?

"The overall BID budget is about $1.9 million a year, that goes to security and power washing maintenance, that translates to about two cents per square foot on cam, on everyone's maintenance for the commercial properties, but again if people are already paying for private security, already painting out the graffiti on their own, if the BID comes through, the BID organization would help pay for that", added Dos Santos-Tam.

The next hearing is Sept. 3rd before the city council.  The public is encouraged to attend and express their views.

On the leeward side of Kaua’i, Ke Kula Niʻihau O Kekaha — a pre-K-12 charter school — is celebrating its 25th anniversary and a major milestone in preserving ʻŌlelo Niʻihau, the Niʻihau dialect. The school announced it has authored and published more than 400 books in the language, with a selection now on display at the Līhuʻe Public Library.

This cultural preservation work was highlighted during a Senate Committee on Ways and Means update in which the Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission discussed the school’s use of a $30,000 legislative appropriation.

“Our journey started with five visionary women who understood the importance of prioritizing the future of ʻŌlelo Niʻihau through our youth and education,” said Tia Koerte, the school’s Poʻo Tumu. “Publishing over 400 books and creating a priceless archive of recorded interviews with our manaleo (native speakers) has become our life’s work.”

A preliminary report on ʻŌlelo Niʻihau by Bradley McDonnell of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa was also presented, highlighting the differences between the Niʻihau dialect and the more common ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

“This is an important and exciting research that not only uplifts and calls attention to ʻŌlelo Niʻihau, but the Hawaiian language as a whole,” said Ed Noh, executive director of the charter school commission.

Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani and Senate President Ronald Kouchi both emphasized the collective kuleana (responsibility) to provide resources and protect the language for future generations.

“The Hawaiian language is vital for preserving the culture, its identity and history,” Kouchi said. “We must honor and protect this dialect.”

LIHUE — Six high school students and a Department of Education Complex Area resource teacher were honored for their efforts that increased the list of registered voters by more than 300 voters.

Indivisible Kauai, a group dedicated to fighting for democracy, joined Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and Senate President Ron Kouchi in congratulating and recognizing the students from Island School, Kspaa, and Waimea high schools, as well as resource teacher Darlene Muraoka from the Complex Area office.

“These students have shown that civic engagement starts early,” Kawakami said. “They’ve set an example for the whole community.”

Waimea High School, with support from social studies teacher Lisa Davalos-Wade, registered 135 voters through the efforts of Bystin Nagamine, Stanley Kimmel, and Naia Lewis.

Khloe Graves, who is on track to be a middle blocker for the Kapaa High School girls volleyball team, worked with Muraoka to register 106 voters, the most of the student registrars.

Island School, with the support of High School and College Counselor Renate McMullen, saw the team effort of sisters Violet and Ruby Swartz register 77 students during a May 5 drive.

Muraoka said voters can register when they are 16 years old. They cannot vote until they turn 18.

Muraoka, a key organizer for the recent Back to School Bash, where 2,500 backpacks of school supplies were distributed, was assigned to the initiative to select student leaders, arrange training, and ensure campus rules were followed during the voter registration drives.

Indivisible Kauai member Mary Lu Kelley said, “Building on this success, additional student-led registration drives are planned for the Fall 2025 and the Spring 2026. We hope to get participation from the Hawaii Technology Academy and Kauai High School, joining the current roster of Waimea, Kapaa, and Island School.”

The voter registration initiative started in the summer of 2024 when Kauai voter registrar Bevin Parker-Evans and Kelley met with then-DOE Complex Area Superintendent Daniel Hamada to discuss increasing civic engagement in high schools.

The Kauai Indivisible ladies proposed student-led voter registration events supported by training and materials from “The Civics Center,” a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth participation in democracy.

Friendly Isle residents have a new reason to smile. The nonprofit organization Molokai Community Health Center unveiled Saturday its newly renovated and expanded dental facility in Kaunakakai — almost five months ahead of schedule.

“This is going to be huge for the community,” MCHC Board President James Rarick told the crowd attending the grand opening. Like others, he too had been forced to seek dental care off-island.

The $2.4 million upgrading and expansion increased the numbers of dental chairs to six from the previous capacity of three. The current full-time dentist, Dr. Paula Gardner, will be joined by a part-time dentist, two full-time dental hygienists, plus specialty-care professionals on an as-needed schedule, allowing for a significant increase in dental services to the community.

“The plan is to bring two full time dentists to the practice,” project manager Terry Radi said, adding they have been trying to recruit more staff for the last two years, but the country has been experiencing a shortage of dental service providers.

More than 100 people attended the grand opening in Kaunakakai, including many dignitaries who had a role in the project. Besides all the good news, the event offered free shoyu chicken bento plates, drinks from Friends and Coffee, popcorn, dental hygiene kits and raffle tickets.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Kai Kahele was key in securing the initial $1.4 million in federal funds years ago, when he was serving as a congressman. He said he wanted to thank MCHC staff for serving thousands of residents on Molokai.

Radi said that initial funding allowed MCHC to start the process of renovating the dental building. The remaining funds came from a $350,000 donation from Hawaii Dental Service and a $660,000 grand from Maui County.

“Hawaii Dental Service has been so generous with us over the past few years,” she said.

And then County Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez heard MCHC was expanding the program, and helped to secure funding to help cover expenses attached to doubling operations for the next two years, according to Radi.

State Sen. Lynn DeCoite, State Rep. Mahina Poepoe, and Zhantell Lindo, representing Rawlins-Fernandez, also attended the grand opening and spoke to the public.

Radi said the actual work on expanding the clinic started four years ago, navigating fund-seeking, permits and design, among other things.

Last year, as the construction phase was approaching, she said they were trying to figure out how to keep services open during the renovations. Coincidentally, last November, Dr. Gregory Davis retired from private practice and closed his office near Paddlers Restaurant and Bar in Kaunakakai.

“We talked to him about renting his space,” Radi said. “Then he donated his old equipment to us, and we have been operating out of that facility while we have been under construction.”

The temporary solution came with challenges; the equipment was limited, and the facility was aged.

“We just couldn’t keep up with the number of patients that we have. So, we are all just super excited to get out of that location and into our new location where we have doubled the capacity for seeing the patients,” Radi said.

MCHC signed the contract for construction in December 2024, and started construction in early January 2025. The building was planned to be ready by the end of this year, but Radi said MCHC CEO Milton Cortez asked if they could cut the construction time in half.

“Unfortunately, it just couldn’t be done in six months. But it was done in eight months, and we are pretty proud of that. So, we did push up the project a good four-and-a-half months,” Radi said.

MCHC dental program currently serves about 2,300 patients, according to Radi. Now that the new facility is open, she said the number of patients might increase to up to 3,000.

Because MCHC is a nonprofit organization, Cortez said, they cannot refuse service based on financial situation.

“Our business model makes sure that we are looking at taking care of people without insurance, people that can’t pay. We can’t, by law, turn them away,” Cortez said.

In 2024, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed Bill 7 into law, designating Honolulu as a “Purple Heart City,” and on Aug. 8 a special ceremony unveiled the new signs honoring Purple Heart medal recipients.

What You Need To Know

• The Purple Heart signs will be installed at a total of eight locations around the island over time

• Introduced by Councilmember Augie Tulba, Bill 7 was unanimously approved by the Honolulu City Council

• “This is more than just a sign — it stands as a profound symbol of our aloha and commitment to honor those who were injured in the line of duty while serving our country,” said Tulba

• In addition, Senator Mike Gabbard (D-21) introduced Senate Resolution 93 (SR93, SD1) to request the City and County of Honolulu to light City Hall with purple lights on Aug. 7 each year to honor National Purple Heart Day

The signs will be installed at a total of eight locations around the island — Arizona Memorial, Pūowaina/National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Honolulu Hale, Kapolei Hale, Fort Shafter (H-201 westbound off-ramp), Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii entrance, and Tripler Army Medical Center (H-201 eastbound off-ramp). The signs will be installed at each location over time.

“The men and women who have earned Purple Heart medals deserve our absolute highest praise and eternal gratitude. They put their bodies and their lives on the line to defend this country, to uphold freedom, and to protect all of us, and that should never be forgotten.” said Blangiardi at the ceremony held on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds.

“We are so proud to be able to take this opportunity to install these beautiful signs, which are a meaningful reflection of the City and County of Honolulu’s unwavering resolve to eternally honor the brave men and women who are true heroes,” Blangiardi said.

Introduced by Councilmember Augie Tulba, Bill 7 was unanimously approved by the Honolulu City Council.

“This is more than just a sign — it stands as a profound symbol of our aloha and commitment to honor those who were injured in the line of duty while serving our country,” said Tulba in a release. “I deeply appreciate the partnership and tireless advocacy of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Rainbow Chapter #483, whose members are not only veterans but also our neighbors, friends, and family.

“By placing these signs throughout our community, we take a meaningful, visible step to recognize the sacrifices of those who have served in the military, reminding every resident and visitor of the courage and dedication that define the champions who have protected our nation, Tulba said.

According to a city release, the Purple Heart was created by General George Washington in 1782. Originally called the “Badge of Military Merit,” it is the oldest military decoration still in use.

The ceremony on Friday also commemorated National Purple Heart Day, held annually on Aug. 7 to remember military members wounded or killed in action. In attendance were Capt. Samuel White, commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam; the Hawaii Air National Guard Base Honor Guard; members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Rainbow Chapter #483; and other military dignitaries.

“These wonderful new signs and today’s moving ceremony send a powerful and resounding message to our military community that they are truly recognized for their sacrifices and that they are deeply appreciated here in the City and County of Honolulu,” said retired U.S. Army Col. Ed Cruickshank. “We are enormously grateful to Mayor Rick Blangiardi, his administration, Councilmember Augie Tulba, and to the entire Honolulu City Council for their leadership and their commitment to honor the legacy of our inspirational Purple Heart recipients and their families.”

In addition, Senator Mike Gabbard (D-21) introduced Senate Resolution 93 (SR93, SD1) to request the City and County of Honolulu to light City Hall with purple lights on August 7 each year to honor National Purple Heart Day.

Gabbard presented a certificate on behalf of the Hawaii State Senate to commemorate Gov. Josh Green’s proclamation of Hawaii as a Purple Heart State.

“It was an honor to stand with Governor Green, Representative Kong, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Rainbow Chapter Number 483 to celebrate Hawaii becoming a Purple Heart State,” said Gabbard. “We’re making sure our state sets aside time each year to remember and mahalo our Purple Heart recipients. These heroes and their ‘ohana, have sacrificed so much for our country — we owe them our deepest aloha and gratitude.”

Members of the Hawaiʻi Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Tuesday received an update from the Hawai‘i Agribusiness Development about plans for a new state initiative aimed at scaling up local farmers and entrepreneurs while increasing economic resilience.

Members of the Ways and Means Committee and other officials gathered near the historic Kaua‘i Plantation Railway in Līhuʻe for a site visit and briefing about the strategic plan guiding the Hawai‘i Food and Product Innovation Network.

The Kauaʻi facility is part of a larger ecosystem that includes complementary projects on Oʻahu and Maui, integrating food science, equipment access and training partnerships with University of Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Department of Health.

Discussions focused on regional coordination, infrastructure development and launch of a pilot program on Kauaʻi that integrates processing equipment, workforce training and business support services.

The Hawai‘i Food and Product Innovation Network initiative draws inspiration from New Zealand’s public-private innovation model and includes strategic investments throughout the islands.

Participating in Tuesday’s discussions also were Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Deputy Director Dane Wicker and other department officials along with others from Agribusiness Development Corporation, University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center and the Hawaiʻi Department of Health.

“Continuing to invest in agricultural production is a clear step in the right direction,” said state Sen. Glenn Wakai, who represents O‘ahu’s District 15, in a release following Tuesday’s visit.

Recent legislative support includes enactment of:

• Act 237, which established the Food and Product Innovation Network.

• Act 250, which appropriates $350,000 for program coordination.

• Act 230, which dedicates $2 million for a new agricultural processing facility in Kekaha.

“The Senate recognizes that agriculture is not just about farming — it’s about food security, economic opportunity and sustaining our way of life,” said Senate President Ronald Kouchi, who represents Kaua‘i and Niʻihau, in the release.

Kouchi added that it’s encouraging to see the necessary steps being taken to expand export capacity and provide more locally grown food on plates at schools and hospitals.

“These are the kinds of forward-thinking efforts that can transform Hawai‘i’s agricultural economy and create lasting benefits for our islands,” he said in the release.

Wicker — whose state agency oversees Hawai‘i Agribusiness Development Corporation — said the intiative is critical to building a resilient and self-sustaining Hawai‘i economy.

“The Food and Product Innovation Network is a meaningful investment in Hawai‘i’s future — one that bridges education to export pathways by equipping our schools, colleges and entrepreneurs with the skills and infrastructure they need to bring local innovations to the global marketplace,” said Senate Ways and Means Chairman Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, who represents O‘ahu’s District 17, in the release.

By investing in the infrastructure, facilities, equipment and wraparound services the state’s local businesses need, small and medium-sized enterprises will be created and existing companies will continue to be supported.

Wicker said that will expand the state’s Hawai‘i Made program and strengthen other efforts such as farm-to-school and farm-to-state programs.

“This is about more than just economic growth; it’s about food security, community resilience and reducing our dependence on imported food and emergency provisions during natural disasters,” he said in the release.

Hawai‘i Food and Product Innovation Network’s vision is to enable Hawaiʻi-based entrepreneurs to develop, scale and export products that strengthen our food system, reduce import reliance and capitalize on Hawaiʻi’s global brand.

“By strengthening the entire ecosystem — from classroom learning to commercial-scale production — we’re fostering regional economic development that benefits our communities statewide and elevates Hawai‘i-made products on the world stage,” Dela Cruz added in the release.

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means received a comprehensive update on Tuesday from the Agribusiness Development Corporation on the development of Hawai‘i’s food and product innovation efforts to help scale up local farmers and entrepreneurs and increase economic resilience. 

The ADC is administratively attached to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Dane Wicker, Deputy Director of DBEDT, along with other members from ADC, DBEDT, University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center, and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health gathered near the historic Kaua‘i Plantation Railway in Līhuʻe for a site visit and briefing on the strategic plan guiding the Food and Product Innovation Network pursuant to Act 237, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2025. Discussions focused on regional coordination, infrastructure development, and the launch of a pilot on Kauaʻi that integrates processing equipment, workforce training, and business support services. 

“Continuing to invest in agricultural production is a clear step in the right direction,” said Sen. Glenn Wakai (D – 15, Kalihi, Māpunpuna, Airport, Salt Lake, Āliamanu, Foster Village, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, and portions of ʻAiea and Pearl City), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism. “A month ago, I secured a partnership with Amazon Air Cargo to take Hawaiʻi agricultural products to the mainland – cheaper and faster.” 

“The Senate recognizes that agriculture is not just about farming — it’s about food security, economic opportunity, and sustaining our way of life,” said Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (D – 8, Kaua‘i, Niʻihau). “We’ve supported a wide range of agricultural initiatives championed by our farmers, local business owners, and community leaders, and it is encouraging to see necessary steps being taken to expand our export capacity and provide more locally grown food on the tables for our schools and hospitals. These are the kinds of forward-thinking efforts that can transform Hawai‘i’s agricultural economy and create lasting benefits for our islands.” 

The Hawai‘i FPIN initiative draws inspiration from New Zealand’s public-private innovation model and includes strategic investments across the islands. Recent legislative support includes the passage of Act 237, Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2025, establishing FPIN, Act 250, Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2025, appropriating $350,000 for program coordination, and Act 230, Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2024, dedicating $2 million for a new agricultural processing facility in Kekaha. 

FPIN’s vision is to enable Hawaiʻi-based entrepreneurs to develop, scale and export products that strengthen our food system, reduce import reliance, and capitalize on Hawaiʻi’s global brand. The Kaua‘i facility is part of a larger ecosystem that includes complementary projects on Oʻahu and Maui, integrating food science, equipment access and training partnerships with UH and DOH. 

“The Food and Product Innovation Network is a meaningful investment in Hawaii’s future—one that bridges education to export pathways by equipping our schools, colleges, and entrepreneurs with the skills and infrastructure they need to bring local innovations to the global marketplace,” said Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz (D – 17, portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipiʻo Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village). “By strengthening the entire ecosystem—from classroom learning to commercial-scale production—we’re fostering regional economic development that benefits our communities statewide and elevates Hawai‘i-made products on the world stage.” 

“The FPIN is critical to building a resilient and self-sustaining economy for Hawai‘i,” said DBEDT Deputy Director Dane Wicker. “By investing in the infrastructure, facilities, equipment, and wraparound services our local businesses need, we are not only creating new small and medium-sized enterprises—we’re supporting existing companies, expanding our Hawai‘i Made program, and strengthening initiatives like farm-to-school and farm-to-state. This is about more than just economic growth; it’s about food security, community resilience, and reducing our dependence on imported food and emergency provisions during natural disasters.” 

Across decades, Hawai‘i’s educators, farmers and food advocates have championed a stronger, vital connection between our local food system and public schools. The vision is clear: nourish students with fresh, local meals and provide stable, reliable opportunities for island farmers and food producers.

Turning this vision into a consistent, large-scale reality has been difficult and often delayed, but today, we may be witnessing a pivotal shift.

For long-time champions of this cause, it is gratifying to see renewed purpose and focused leadership translating farm-to-school ideals from aspiration into plans for action. This heightened alignment is underscored by recent news releases demonstrating robust public support from key leaders, including Hawaiʻi First Lady Jaime Kanani Green, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, legislators like Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz and Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa, and Superintendent Keith Hayashi. Their unified endorsement sends a powerful message: farm-to-school is a necessity, and the time for decisive action is now.

After years of stop-and-go progress, the Hawai‘i Department of Education is now taking tangible, visible steps toward building a more localized and sustainable school food system. This includes strategic investments in infrastructure and redesigning menus that will feature locally grown ingredients and appeal to students’ local tastes. By integrating more locally grown produce, HIDOE is starting to actively embrace the significance of its role in growing Hawai‘i’s food economy.

This momentum is not accidental — it is backed by a legislative mandate. In 2021, Act 175 took a critical first step by establishing statewide benchmarks for the department’s local food procurement. While this initial legislation was lauded by advocates (including Ulupono Initiative), its implementation was lacking.

A concerning drop in local ingredients in student meals (from 6.2% to 5.4%) and vague legislative reports clearly showed that better planning, accountability, and strategies to hui up with local farmers were needed.

Hawai‘i’s farm-to-school goals are ambitious, but they are achievable with the right systems and support from local leadership. No longer a niche idea, farm-to-school is now widely recognized as a smart, long-term investment yielding significant returns in student health, robust local economies, and enhanced educational outcomes. This movement is a clear win for our students, farmers and families across Hawai’i.

Momentum is not accidental. It’s backed by legislative mandate.

Still, HIDOE cannot do this alone. Reaching these goals requires strong teamwork among agencies, close partnerships with local farmers and food hubs, and ongoing investment in essential infrastructure like packaging and distribution. As the state’s largest food buyer, HIDOE’s leadership is key to this success.

For all who have championed this cause for years, this is a moment of hope and excitement for the future. With strong leadership and shared purpose, we can finally make local food in every school not just a goal, but a given.

Drought conditions are becoming “a crisis” in some areas of Hawaii Island.

Tina Stall, a National Weather Service hydrologist in Honolulu, said the driest areas are in the Ka‘u and Hamakua districts, as well as the leeward lower elevations of Kohala.

“It’s really a lot of the same,” said Stall, comparing July’s rainfall and the first week of August to June. “There’s not much improvement for most areas, and the Hamakua and Ka‘u areas are still in pretty bad shape.”

Hilo International Airport, with 3.75 inches of rain, and Waiakea Experimental Station, with 4.7 inches, had their driest July since 2010, while Hakalau, at 1.26 inches, experienced its driest July since 2011.

Kealakomo, at 0.4 inches, had its second-driest July on record, as did Waimea, at 1.4 inches.

Conditions on the island range from abnormally dry to extreme drought, and the absence of rain has left many areas quite dry and prone to wildfires.

The Big Island has had several red flag warning days in the past month, the same conditions where abnormally arid and windy conditions lead to increased fire hazards.

Those were the conditions in effect when Maui had the catastrophic fires two years ago that left more than 100 people dead. West Hawaii had wind-driven wildfires, as well, without the loss of life, but with seven structures destroyed or damaged.

A brush fire on parched pastureland near Paauilo on Thursday blackened about 150 acres, requiring both county helicopters to make water drops and bulldozers to cut fire breaks. Another brush fire was reported in the area mid-afternoon Friday, causing a road closure on Highway 19 between the 36 and 39 mile markers and advisories to residents near Old Mill Road in Paauilo to be prepared for evacuation.

On Saturday, there was a small fire near the 21-mile marker of Highway 19 on the Hamakua Coast that led to the temporary closure of the Hilo-bound lane.

A nearby rain gauge in Honokaa received just 2.28 inches for July, 31% of its usual total for the month, and 19.38 inches for the first seven months of the year, 32% of average.

“We’re about halfway through the dry season, so we’ve got a ways to go yet,” said Talmadge Magno, Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator. “We knew we were going to have an issue coming out of the wet season this past winter, because rainfall was below average already.”

“I was talking … to the National Weather Service (on Thursday), and we’re probably about 50% under what we’re supposed to have,” Magno continued. “It’s contributing to fires, and you have some folks on catchment, so we’re monitoring that to make sure the Department of Water Supply has enough spigots out for folks, enough for the water haulers so they can provide for the folks who are on catchment.

“We’re also encouraging people to order water early, before they run out, basically.”

State Sen. Tim Richards of Waimea, a large-animal veterinarian who grew up on Kahua Ranch, said the drought in some areas — including Waimea, Kohala and Hamakua — “is absolutely a crisis.”

“Because of our tropical grasses, most of our livestock get almost half of their water through grazing,” Richards said. “But when it’s really dry, the demand for water almost doubles because the livestock gets water from the grass itself. And that’s where it really strains our watering system.

“The water systems are being put to the test. The Hamakua ranchers are running out of stock water. We just got permission to tap into the Waimea water system that (the state Department of Agriculture) runs to allow us to pull water for emergency services for livestock. We’re short of feed right now, but more pressing than that is the shortage of drinking water.

“And of course, the crops, everything that relies upon rain, everything’s being impacted by that.”

Imagine a Hawaiʻi that has surpassed its goal of producing all of its electricity from renewable resources by 2045. In this vision, not only have homes and businesses gone carbon-free; so have ground and ocean transportation systems. 

Land-hungry wind and solar farms are gone, replaced by nuclear reactors fueled by salt, along with turbines driven by geothermal energy, biofuels and recycled iron powder. Ships run on ammonia, cars on next-generation batteries that don’t need rare earth minerals. Electricity is so abundant and cheap that electric train systems carry loads of passengers on all of the islands.

This is one of the scenarios laid out in a study released this week by researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi and other institutions.

Titled “Assessment of the Scope of Tasks to Completely Phase out Fossil Fuels in Hawaiʻi,” the report offers a comprehensive view of what its authors say it will take for Hawaiʻi to reach its mandated goal.

The report’s conclusion: The current path of primarily replacing fossil fuel electricity generators with wind, solar and battery storage won’t work. 

“The status quo is not a scenario of safety or stasis,” the report says. “It is a scenario of structured vulnerability and creeping collapse.”

The purpose of the report, which includes nine potential models using various types of renewable energy, isn’t to recommend a particular model over others, said Peter Sternlicht, director of the non-profit Sustainable Energy Hawai‘i and co-author of the study. Instead, he said, it’s to show “a series of metrics within which you can craft your own model.”

“We have to rethink how we do things,” he said.

Current Policy Relies On Wind, Solar And Storage

The report is based on a previous study about phasing out fossil fuel globally conducted by Simon P. Michaux, an associate professor at Geological Survey of Finland. Michaux adapted the report for Hawaiʻi, serving as the lead investigator. The Geological Survey of Finland funded the Hawaiʻi report, Sternlicht said.

A team of co-authors from UH included Professor Nicole Lautze, founder and director of UH’s Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center.

To reach its goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045, Hawaiʻi’s current plan relies mainly on rooftop solar and big wind and solar farms built by third-party power producers, which sell the electricity at wholesale rates to Hawaiian Electric Co.

But that plan has hit strong headwinds.

Independent wind and solar developments have stalled recently as the 2023 Maui wildfires battered HECO’s finances. President Donald Trump’s avowed hostility to state renewable energy policies has added uncertainty. And the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office has been making the case to develop a liquefied natural gas terminal to power generators now using oil, raising concerns that the state is hedging its ability to meet the 2045 deadline.

Now comes the UH report with another twist: Forget wind and solar and batteries that require rare earth minerals, it advises. Instead Hawaiʻi needs two renewable resources perhaps more controversial than liquefied natural gas: geothermal and nuclear power.

“They’ve been selling the idea that we just put some wind and solar and everything will be OK,” Sternlicht said. “But it won’t.”

The report lays out nine possible scenarios, ranging from the status quo to the most “out there,” as Sternlicht acknowledges, which involves no wind and solar and electric trains on all islands. Others call for reducing energy consumption by 40% and there are various hybrid models.

All but the status quo rely on some geothermal and nuclear.

“We need to get rid of the fantasies,” Sternlicht said.

Lawmakers Have Called For Studies

Perhaps the real fantasy is assuming the public will easily buy the geothermal and nuclear options.

Proposing to use Hawaiʻi’s untapped geothermal resources, for instance, may be a non-starter because it has long been subject to controversy and litigation. Recent community meetings to extoll the benefits of geothermal to Big Island residents suggest many haven’t warmed to the idea. 

The Hawaiʻi Constitution, meanwhile, requires a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate to allow a nuclear fission plant to be constructed. 

Sternlicht acknowledges it will take a concerted effort to sway lawmakers, regulators and the public.

But already, there are signs that geothermal and nuclear energy have friends in high places.

Last session, Sen. Glenn Wakai, who chairs the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, introduced a bill calling for a study on the feasibility of using nuclear power in Hawaiʻi. The bill stalled, but lawmakers passed a separate resolution setting up a working group to study the issue. Another resolution calls for a study of geothermal.

In a text message, Wakai said the UH study validates the efforts of lawmakers.

“Hawaii isn’t looking into grandpa’s nuclear plant,” he said. “Technological advancements can pump out huge amounts of power with minimal waste.”

Developing the sort of “molten salt” reactors envisioned for Hawaiʻi at commercial scale will still take about five years, he said.

“The newly established nuclear working group,” he said, “is pacing policy with technology.”

Hawai‘i families are being encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits through the Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE), as updates to the state’s school meal program go into effect for the 2025-26 school year.

State Senate Vice President Michelle N. Kidani, chair of the Senate Committee on Education and author of the legislation behind the changes, said the updates aim to improve food equity by expanding access to free school meals. Under Act 139 (Senate Bill 1300), students who qualify for reduced-price meals are now eligible to receive both breakfast and lunch at no cost each school day.

Approximately 11,000 students qualified for reduced-price meals last school year, who would be offered free meal options this year, according to the Hawaiʻi State Senate Majority.

The only meal price increases for the upcoming year apply to second meals for students and adult meals. Prices for all other items—including standard student meals and à la carte options—will remain unchanged.

Kidani recalled visiting schools in her district where teachers kept snacks in their desks for students who hadn’t eaten.

“As a mother and grandmother, I have seen firsthand how hunger affects a child’s ability to focus and learn,” she said. “I still remember visiting classrooms in my district where teachers kept granola bars or crackers in their desks, just in case a student came to school without breakfast. This bill is about more than food —it’s about dignity, equity and ensuring every child has a fair chance to succeed. Well-nourished students learn better. I once again thank Governor Green for signing this bill into law, and I encourage families to take advantage of applying to the program.”

Students will still be categorized as “reduced-price eligible” under federal guidelines, but at the point of service, their meals will now be marked as “Reduced – No Charge.”

Families are encouraged to apply at EZMealApp for free or reduced-price meal benefits to determine eligibility and take advantage of this new benefit. Further program details are available on the HIDOE website.

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education will see a change in school meal prices this upcoming academic year, which also includes more access to free school meals for keiki.

Act 139, which was signed into law in May by Governor Josh Green M.D., provided this expanded free meal access to students beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. Per the act, qualifying students will now receive a free breakfast meal, as well as a free lunch meal daily.

“Removing the cost for reduced-price meals ensures more students are fed, focused and ready to learn — no matter their family’s financial situation,” said Superintendent Keith Hayashi.

Last school year, approximately 11,000 students qualified for reduced-price meals. Act 139 would make these reduced-price meals completely free for the students this upcoming year.

“As a mother and grandmother, I have seen firsthand how hunger affects a child’s ability to focus and learn,” said Senate Vice President and Education Committee Chair Michelle Kidani, who introduced the act to the legislature. “I still remember visiting classrooms in my district where teachers kept granola bars or crackers in their desks, just in case a student came to school without breakfast.”

For Kidani, equitable access to nutritious meals is not just a matter of hunger — it’s a matter of ensuring a successful future for keiki.

“This bill is about more than food. It’s about dignity, equity and ensuring every child has a fair chance to succeed,” she said. “Well-nourished students learn better, and I am proud to have authored this bill.”

The only price increase for meals are for second meals and adult meals, with the prices increasing by just over a dollar for breakfast and two dollars for lunch.

Students in the state that receive free meals will be categorized as “reduced-price eligible” per federal guidelines, with their meals being 100% reduced and their state-designated category being “Reduced — No Charge.”

Here’s the full list of meal prices for the 2025-2026 academic year:

Breakfast

PreK through eighth grade$1.10

Ninth through 12th grade$1.10

Reduced-price, PreK through 12th gradeFree

Student second meal$3.50

Adult Meal$3.50

Lunch

PreK through eighth grade$2.50

Ninth through 12th grade$2.75

Reduced-price, PreK through 12th gradeFree

Entree$2.25

Student second meal$7.50

Adult Meal$7.50

To apply for the free and reduced meal program, visit the EZMealApp or the HIDOE website.

WAHIAWA (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state broke ground on Monday for a new $42.5 million dollar education hub.

The 43,000 square-foot facility known as “Wahiawa Center for Workforce Excellence” will serve as the future home of the new Wahiawa Public Library, UH Community College satellite classrooms, and Department of Education offices.

“The goal is clear — a space that is central that brings together education and public service,” said Governor Josh Green.

The three-story building will be on California Avenue.

The project is anticipated to be completed in two years.

An extended reality (XR) bus tour kicked off this week allowing participants to see an erupting volcano and Hawaii’s coral reefs up close and personal with XR headsets — all while staying in Waikiki.

XploreRide’s bus tour has become the first of its kind in Hawaii and opens the door for other business in Hawaii’s visitor industry to tap into the expanding global virtual tourism industry. The “Virtual Tourism – Global Strategic Business Report” Opens in a new tab released earlier this year values the virtual tourism industry at $8.8 billion in 2024, and says it’s expected to reach $31.6 billion by 2030 — due to a compound annual growth rate of nearly 24%.

XR is an umbrella term for all immersive technologies including VR (virtual reality). Its advantage to destinations like Hawaii is that technology can minimize visitor impacts by helping to reduce everything from air travel’s carbon footprint to rental cars on the road as well as people at popular natural and cultural sites.

However, an emerging concern as this technology ramps up is whether all usage is appropriate, especially for a destination like Hawaii, where nature and culture are key and authenticity is important.

XploreRide, a collaboration led by HIS, in partnership with NAKED and SYNESTHESIAS, an IT venture from the University of Tokyo, officially launched on Tuesday.

Cultural Advisor Kumu Blaine Kamalani Kia who designed the the XploreRide experience with his son Kikau Kia, 19, led a ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessed the tour bus with ti leaves before passengers boarded. Kia said that the pair provided their own recordings of chants in Hawaiian that are used throughout the tour and brainstormed visual ideas.

“When you’re in the bus, the idea is to raise that consciousness and to awaken your senses,” the elder Kia said at the ceremony.

A virtual glowing stingray “Hawaiian guardian spirit” narrates the 45-minute journey along a 6.4-mile loop down Kalakaua Avenue and around Diamond Head.

Animated whales and dolphins swim outside the windows, while colorful fish fill the bus as it travels. At other points, the natural world disappears entirely as passengers are transported to an XR underwater scene, above the clouds in a rainbow filled sky, or to the site of an erupting volcano as lava rains down.

As the bus passes landmarks like Waikiki Beach, “mana stones” appear in front of passengers, which they can collect using hand-tracking technology in their XR headsets. Each stone triggers a visual text box with information relevant to the location.

“All of these elements are meant to educate everyone about the Hawaiian culture, but also to give you an entertainment value as well,” Kia said.

Jerry Gibson, president of Hawaii Hotel Alliance, knows that may visitors enjoy taking tours of Honolulu landmarks.

“You see trolleys driving everywhere,” he told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser during a phone interview. “They always seem pretty busy so obviously people are using them and enjoy them”

Gibson, who hadn’t taken an XploreRide tour, said that he would prefer a tour without the virtual component, though he called himself “intrigued” by the new technology.

“I would really be interested in seeing the natural scenery, not something that is fantasy,” he said. “One of the reasons that I live here is the natural beauty of the island, so I don’t know that I would want it distorted.”

But Gibson said that he liked the sound of a tour that teaches Hawaiian history.

“I like the factual piece and perhaps being brought through by a narrator,” he said. “I’d be really interested in the cultural pieces and I would be interested in hearing about different places in Hawaii as you drive by.”

Kia said that the project has room to evolve.

“There’s so much more that can be done it’s just a matter of getting it off of the ground. Everything we threw at HIS (Hawaii), that was all on the table, maybe only a third got onto the scenes. We still have a lot of things we can add.”

Range of Applications

The range of XR, which includes VR, in the global visitor industry spans everything from marketing and pre-travel engagement to experiences like XploreRide Hawaii, which allow visitors to explore destinations through technology.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority introduced a virtual reality tour experience in 2016 offering 360- degree, live-action footage of the state.

Leslie Dance, former HTA vice president of marketing and product development, touted the VR experience in 2016 and said it was “a new platform for showcasing Hawaii’s culture and natural environment, the two pillars of our global appeal.”

HTA’s VR Hawaii experience, called “Let Hawaii Happen,” still is available on various public VR platforms for download, like STEAM (store.steampowered.com).

Paul Brewbaker, principal of TZ Economics, remembers when VR had a surge in popularity around 2012, after the release of the Oculus Rift — a now-discontinued line of virtual reality headsets — and says it could become popular again.

“For about five minutes VR was everybody’s thing and now it’s AI, but it’ll come back,” he said. “Tourism in the metaverse has fewer environmental, social, and cultural negative externalities then tourism in the real world.”

Although he had not been on an XploreRide tour, Brewbaker said “there’s a marketing opportunity for virtual reality bus tours,” as a way to explore the island.

Brewbaker said that he could see a VR Hawaii experience, like HTA’s “Let Hawaii Happen,” become a popular experience for people interested in visiting Hawaii without actually getting on a plane.

“In the next 30 years there’s a potential to have an explosion of possibility here, capitalizing on Hawaii’s destination branding which is already secured,” he said. “There’s never been a time in my life where I haven’t seen the possibilities that technology could bring to doing everything better, faster, safer, cheaper, healthier.”

Responsible tourism

Brewbaker opined that “the dark side of tourism” comes in three broad forms, “congestion, natural resource and environmental degradation and cultural inauthenticity,” and said that extended reality technology could provide an opportunity to manage the harmful impacts of tourism.

Yuki Toshida, manager of HIS Westbound and XploreRide, said the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Hawaii Tourism Japan in September 2022 to support Malama Hawaii, an initiative that promotes regenerative and responsible tourism, and that “XploreRide tours take place on a 100% electric, zero-emission bus.

Sen. Sharon Y. Moriwaki (D, Waikiki-Ala Moana-Kakaako),who took the first XploreRide tour during Tuesday’s grand opening event, said, “I think it’s great for visitors because not only can you see big whales and things you might not actually see if you came here to visit, but it was also very educational and tells you about how we’re trying to protect our environment.”

James Kunane Tokioka, director of Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, said that he appreciates the effort to promote more sustainable tourism through the use of VR.

“Any time you have companies that are trying to be sustainable in their model and try to do things differently than we have in the past, I think that’s great,” Tokioka said. “That’s something we would definitely support.”

Tokioka hadn’t taken the tour yet but said that XploreRide looked like a good activity for parents with kids who might also want to learn about Hawaii.

“This particular tour looked like a lot of fun,” he said. “I think it’s going to attract the younger generation.”

Noah Marian, a 13 year-old member of the content creator family “Life with five kids,” told the Star-Advertiser that he has a personal VR headset on Maui, so he knew what to expect at the XploreRide grand opening.

“I have a VR headset, it’s a little different because I play skydiving games and things like that,” he said. “I feel like this one was cool because I could see outside, and I could see all of the fish around me.”

His brother, 11-year-old Mikah Marian said that he would recommend it to other kids.

“If you want to come here and learn about the culture of Hawaii and do it in a fun way for kids, it would be really good,” he said.

The tragic uprooting and collapse of a banyan tree July 12 on Kilauea Avenue that killed two woman has Hilo’s state senator concerned that something similar could occur with one or more of the historic trees along Banyan Drive on Hilo’s Waiakea Peninsula.

While announcing the release by Gov. Josh Green of $1 million in general obligation bond funds to help with master planning for the redevelopment of the Waiakea Peninsula, Sen. Lorraine Inouye told the Tribune-Herald the massive “banyan trees have been neglected I don’t know how many years.”

“In my disappointment with what’s happening on Banyan Drive, I’ve worked hard to acquire and get some money to start working on Uncle Billy’s,” said Inouye, a Democrat, referring to a just over half-acre site that is now empty after the decrepit former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel was demolished last year. “And I know the county was responsible for the maintenance of the banyan trees and the easement on Banyan Drive.”

The Uncle Billy’s site and the recently-shuttered Country Club Condominium Hotel — as well as the Hilo Hawaiian, Grand Naniloa and Hilo Reeds Bay hotels, the nine-hole Naniloa Golf Course and the Bayview Banyan Apartments — are part of approximately 101 acres of state land on and around the Waiakea Peninsula managed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

DLNR said in an email that, according to its Land Division staff, “most of the banyan trees along Banyan Drive are in the county right-of-way.”

“There may be some trees that are on state-leased land, but none are maintained by the department,” the email stated. “Additionally, staff has been in contact with Sen. Inouye and county (Department of Public Works) regarding these trees.”

Tom Callis, spokesman for Mayor Kimo Alameda, said the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation “manages and maintains banyan trees located at Lili‘uokalani Gardens and Reeds Bay Beach Park” on the peninsula.

“If trees growing over Banyan Drive create a road safety issue, the Department of Public Works conducts the necessary pruning over the roadway,” Callis said. “Because of the importance of these trees to the community and our interest in protecting public safety, we are engaging with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to address jurisdictional and ownership questions for banyans located along or near Banyan Drive.”

The $1 million in bond funding was released as seed money for the peninsula’s redevelopment, despite the failure this legislative session of Senate Bill 1078, introduced by Inouye, and House Bill 818, introduced by Hilo Rep. Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy.

Those measures — which Inouye told the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce in late May failed because of statutory flaws — were intended to establish the “Waiakea Peninsula Community Development District,” set up a special fund for that district, and create up a nine-member board to manage the area. To do that, the bills stipulated the peninsula’s lands would be transferred from the DLNR to the Hawaii Community Development Authority. That would include lands under DLNR leases, an action prohibited under Hawaii Revised Statutes 171-6.

“I’m grateful to the governor for releasing these funds to begin planning this major project and to support the first phase of development at the Waiakea Peninsula,” Inouye said. “With the continued support of our state and county partners, I look forward to seeing this vision take shape.”

The revitalization of Banyan Drive has been a hot-button topic for at least the past decade, despite much of the peninsula falling into visible disrepair, with the Country Club now fenced off and awaiting an as-yet-unfunded demolition. A 2018 estimate placed implosion of the decrepit six-story building at $6.2 million. The actual price tag will undoubtedly be much higher when and if said demolition takes place.

“Banyan trees on Banyan Drive are very concerning to me because we’ve never had the tree canopies on Banyan Drive meeting each other. And I’m trying to remember the last time the county took responsibility,” Inouye said. “There are roots that are coming down from the trees that should not happen. There’s now a lot of overgrowth.”

She also said the name plates bearing the names of the people who planted the banyans “have been neglected.”

According to Callis, park safety and tree maintenance have been priorities for Parks and Recreation under Alameda.

“Trees at Lili‘uokalani Gardens were recently inspected as part of tree maintenance/safety efforts that are ongoing,” he said. “Recently, maintenance division district supervisors at the Department of Parks and Recreation were asked to identify trees of concern at county park facilities that could require additional action.

“This was requested before the banyan tree on state land fell. That assessment is ongoing.”

Callis said the county, which installed name plates with the names and dates of notables who planted the signature banyans “is looking at replacing/upgrading them.”

A short list, by no means complete, of prominent people who planted banyans on the semi-circular drive include: Princess Abigail Kawananakoa; then-President Franklin Delano Roosevelt; U.S. Sen. Richard Nixon, prior to his presidency; music legend Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong; baseball slugger George Herman “Babe” Ruth; aviator Amelia Earhart; filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille; and actor and conservationist Leo Carillo.

The Banyan Drive banyans, unlike the Kilauea Avenue banyan that fell, are not designated as “exceptional trees” by the county, although they have been nominated. The exceptional tree designation is intended to safeguard historic trees from land development.

That nomination was considered and shelved during a meeting of the county’s Arborist Advisory Committee on March 27, 2024. The deferral was requested by Gordon Heit, the district land agent for DLNR’s Land Division, who asked for additional location and jurisdiction clarification for the 49 trees along the route, as well as discussions with stakeholders about the area’s redevelopment.

As for the Kilauea Avenue banyan, the DLNR said Friday it has hired a contractor to remove the tree from where it fell, and work is scheduled to start Tuesday.

DLNR said the fallen tree “was at least partially on DLNR land, and our records show regular maintenance on the tree dating back to at least 2006, with the most recent service in 2021.”

“In every instance, the tree maintenance was performed by a licensed contractor with certified arborists,” DLNR said.

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Nuclear power is long known for its destructive power and potential health risks. But it’s also a source of energy. And there is a working group set to meet later this year to discuss bringing it to Hawaii.

The cost of keeping the lights on in Hawaii is high.

“We spend more than 4 times the national average for our utility bills,” said Sen. Glenn Wakai, who serves as the chair of the Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. “And we have so much solar and wind on the grid and we know that sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t play to our desires.”

As part of the state’s goal to reach 100-percent renewable energy by 2045, lawmakers passed a resolution this session to form a working group to talk about bringing nuclear energy to Hawaii – even though the technology still isn’t ready.

“I’m a believer that if the science is going this way, the policy should be meeting it at a certain point rather than the science having ready for consumer use, and then we figuring out the policy,” Wakai said.

Some say this is not the nuclear energy of decades past – like Fukushima or three-mile island.

“It’s having conversations, but it is wasting public time and money to explore something that common sense, if you know anything about this industry, says is just not even a good idea,” said Mike Ewall, Energy Justice Network.

Technology is better and small modular reactors, or SMR’s, could work in Hawaii. But others mention nuclear waste, costs – which at this time are not known – and the health risks.

“They can and do lead to increases in breast cancer, leukemia, birth defects, infant mortality, those types of problems,” Ewall said.

“We need a better option and nuclear has the potential to provide some of that base load,” said Monique Zanfes, Hawaii Energy Office Efficiency and Renewable Energy managing director. “It is a firm source of energy, but right now the technology, again, is just, it’s too nascent.”

Even if this working group was in favor of bringing nuclear to Hawaii, there’s one big problem – nuclear is actually illegal here per our state constitution. So to change it, it would need to be approved by both two-thirds of the State House and two-thirds of the State Senate.

The working group is scheduled to convene in September and have a report ready for lawmakers before next session.

“Ultimately, we have to keep the lights on and we have to do it at a reasonable cost and we keep all options on the table,” said Zanfes.

The thrust of President Trump’s tariff policy is to make American goods more price-competitive, thereby creating the conditions for more domestic manufacture, rather than reliance on U.S. imports. Hawaii has not been a hub of American-made products in most categories, but there is one that could benefit from an environment of some higher prices.

That would be agriculture. Hawaii has a year-round growing season, but export potential has been limited by federal regulation as well as competition.

It is good to see Hawaii’s high-level state officials working to claim a piece of the “made in America” advantage the islands deserve. In March, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke met with Brooke Rollins, the U.S. agriculture secretary, to discuss some of the state’s agricultural industry concerns.

This is an opportunity to capitalize on changing conditions — exactly the sort of initiative Hawaii should be pursuing, and that our congressional delegation should be spearheading to work within the system.

On a separate yet related front, there is now an improved “shipping” service to and from the islands.

One major development was the new Amazon delivery station that opened on Sand Island a year ago, aiding in quick fulfillment of merchandise orders from the online marketplace site.

It has also enabled a fast track specifically for Hawaii-grown pineapples, still among the marquee products for visitors to the state and now being made more available to mainland markets. The key was a partnership announced in mid-July between Maui Gold and Amazon that launched a direct cargo route between Hawaii and California.

State Sen. Glenn Wakai helped to put the partners together. He said the four cargo planes Amazon sends to Hawaii each day have space on the return flights to be filled by locally made or grown products.

The hope should be that this new pipeline expands to include multiple lines of Hawaii-made products, Wakai added. But above all, agriculture should be a primary focus. Whether it’s pineapple or other fruits — or Hawaii’s famous coffee — now is the time to boost their cachet for a wider market.

The lieutenant governor said in a Monday phone interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that discussions over these issues actually began under the Biden administration. The back-and-forth accelerated after Trump’s inauguration in January, Luke said, especially when hiring freezes delayed the work of agricultural inspectors at the airports.

That issue has receded, but the USDA outreach then expanded to other regulatory concerns. For example, Hawaii is rightly making the case that some fruit-borne insects cannot survive in some colder climates, Luke said; the state is hoping that blanket bans on exports can be lifted in such cold zones.

Fruits with softer skins, such as papayas, can harbor fruit flies, she said, but harder-shell produce such as pineapples and avocados are much more resistant and should be regulated differently.

Irradiation should not be required across all produce categories, she said. Avocados, with their protective hard shell, can be discolored and essentially ruined through irradiation. Hawaii should want its high-quality avocado crop to be marketable at full advantage.

Finally, Luke said, the USDA should help local farmers by selecting their crops to supply Hawaii food banks in its surplus purchase program. This makes sense, and would save federal funds as well: The agency currently ships in mainland produce for this purpose, she added.

It’s still unclear when each of the individual barriers to exporting could be lifted — but persisting with the USDA discussions is crucial.

Hawaii does have some exceptional products to market more broadly. Keeping this state top of mind among federal officials is mission critical.

Frustrated by what he sees as a near existential threat to Hawaiʻi from President Donald Trump, a state senator wants to raise public awareness of the impact of the president’s policies on the islands.

Karl Rhoads, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is planning a series of public briefings at the Legislature to hear from congressional leaders and others. The goal is to get real-time updates from the experts on exactly how Hawaiʻi is impacted by the Trump administration, and to strategize what can be done about it.

The first informational briefing is set for July 31 and will feature U.S. Rep. Ed Case discussing nothing short of “the Rule of Law,” as the agenda notice promises.

In an interview with Rhoads at his State Capitol office last week, the senator elaborated on his views about how Trump is ignoring the rule of law, especially when it comes to immigration, taxes, tariffs and grants — “The whole soup to nuts,” Rhoads said — pointing to ongoing national media reports on the Trump actions as well as Civil Beat’s own reporting.

Among his concerns are the gutting of the United States Agency for International Development by Elon Musk, now on life support under the control of Marco Rubio’s State Department, and the cuts to the federal Department of Education, which Trump wants to abolish.

Can Trump, Rhoads asks, legally shut down entire programs created or funded by Congress, a separate branch of government?

“Now you might be able to downsize it,” he said. “And I think the Trump guys are slowly figuring it out that they can. I mean, they’re pushing the boundaries at every point they can. They’re bleeding them to death, basically.”

Adding to his frustration is that, while the courts have frequently blocked many of Trump’s actions, extensive damage has already been done. Rhoads is also baffled by the U.S. Supreme Court’s response on several Trump initiatives, including appearing sympathetic to challenging birthright citizenship.

“Even if the courts come back and say, ‘No, you shouldn’t have done that,’ it’s too late, because everybody who worked there has been out of a job for four or six months or whatever it turns out to be at that point,” said Rhoads.

It will take organizations years to recreate the same expertise that was lost with all the firings and layoffs, he said.

“A lot of them probably won’t come back because they’re like, ‘What’s to keep Trump from doing that again?’”

Law And Politics

As judiciary chair, Rhoads knows well the responsibility and authority of the courts. His committee evaluates nominations of judges and justices.

His education and professional career are also rooted in the law. Rhoads holds a law degree from George Washington University and was a summer clerk for a U.S. Intermediate Court of Appeals judge and practiced law for two years.

He also understands how other branches of the federal government work, and he understands politics. Before coming to Hawaiʻi, Rhoads served as a legislative assistant for U.S. Rep. Eliot Engle of New York, as a legislative aide to former U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter of New York and as an intern for former U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.

Rhoads is not shy about his disdain for the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

“Proudly a ‘never-Trumper’,” he said. “From the very moment he set foot on the stage, I was like, ‘He’s a joke’.”

Rhoads is well aware that politics has always been “a rough and tumble sport,” as he puts it. Where the country is under Trump, he says, is in many ways a “logical conclusion” from the ugly fights that were going on in the 1990s, like the savaging of Hillary Clinton and her proposal for universal health care and the rise of Newt Gingrich and his slash-and-burn Contract with America manifesto on government reform.

But what has transpired over the past six months, in Rhoads’s view, is at a different level, and he worries how it will hurt Hawaiʻi.

“As judiciary chair, I’m interested primarily in the legal aspect of it,” he said. “The ‘big ugly bill’ is probably the biggest thing that will affect us. I’ve been told already that 47,000 people will lose Medicaid under Med-QUEST coverage. That’s like the size of my entire district.”

To Rhoads, everything that Trump and his team want is “completely opposed” to what Hawaiʻi stands for.

His outspokenness has not gone unnoticed. Rhoads received threats for pushing an assault-weapons ban at the Legislature last session, a measure that was scuttled by local politics. At the beginning of session, in January, he also received a call from someone claiming to work for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“You have no idea what we do for a living,” said the caller, who had a Southern California area code. “You are wholly uneducated on the subject, and maybe you should just focus on the potholes in your district, which are atrocious, and on the level with a Third World country.”

Rhoads, who kept that recording and others, said the threats are being investigated by the Attorney General’s Office.

Shedding Light

Rhoads’ thinks his info briefings, which will be held through the legislative interim, can shed light on critical issues of the day by inviting experts to share what they know and letting lawmakers like him ask questions. No public testimony will be allowed.

Other briefings from Rhoads and his committee will examine democratic erosion in other countries. He also would like to bring in Attorney General Anne Lopez or her staff.

Rhoads said there is little the Legislature can do about Trump, except for making changes to budget funding and local taxes to cover any cuts. But that does not appear to be a priority for now.

Gov. Josh Green and Senate leadership said this month they don’t think a special session will be needed. House Speaker Nadine Nakamura said in an email statement Friday that lawmakers have reserved potential dates for a special session, “but it will not be clear whether we need one until the scope of federal budget cuts are clear.” The deadline for that budget is Sept 30.

In the meantime, Rhoads praises Lopez and other Democratic attorneys general for successfully challenging Trump in court on some issues. Just last week Hawaiʻi joined a coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia suing the administration over its “unconstitutional, unlawful, and arbitrary decision” to freeze billions in federal funding just weeks before the school year in Hawaiʻi is set to start.

“I want people to realize that what the federal administration is doing does have an impact on Hawaiʻi,” said Rhoads. “Sometimes people sort of feel like, ‘Yeah, you know, it’s all happening in Washington. Nothing’s going to change.’ It’s just not true. It’s taken a bite out of our budgets.”

Ultimately, it’s the courts and Congress that are the first line of defense against this White House. But that doesn’t mean everyone else should just do nothing, Rhoads said.

“I think everybody who views Trump as a threat to democracy has to do their part, and that’s why I’m working on this stuff,” he said. “I realize being a state senator from Hawaiʻi in the broad scheme of things isn’t that big a deal, but everybody has to do their part.”

Civil Beat’s reporting on the Hawaiʻi State Legislature is supported in part by the Donald and Astrid Monson Education Fund.

Imagine getting a letter from your home insurance company explaining that your annual bill was going to be 10 times higher this year, even though you'd never made a claim for damages to your home.

Thousands of American homeowners—including many in my home state of Hawaii—don't need to imagine. Last year, insurers in our state drastically raised rates to reflect the increasing threat of extreme weather disasters and to recoup money they had to pay out after the deadly 2023 Maui wildfires.

But why should everyday people be asked to shoulder these costs, while an industry that actively made the problem worse pays nothing? Giant fossil fuel corporations predicted decades ago that the unchecked burning of their products could lead to out of control weather disasters, creating chaos in insurance markets. Don't they bear some of the responsibility for making this nightmare a reality?

Debris removal continues at a former apartment 

Debris removal at a former apartment building in the Lahaina wildfire impact zone on August 2, 2024, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Insurers shouldn't push the costs of climate change on to their policyholders while letting the companies causing it off the hook. That's why Hawaii is pursuing a fairer model that other states can emulate: make the fossil fuel industry help pick up the tab. Our state recently passed a first of its kind resolution encouraging insurance companies to take Big Oil to court for climate damages before raising rates on their customers.

Simply put: fossil fuel-driven climate change is creating a nationwide cost-of-living crisis, especially when it comes to housing. Supercharged wildfires in Los Angeles and Maui and unprecedented flooding in the Carolinas from Hurricane Helene have displaced thousands of Americans. When they do get a check from their insurance company, many find that it only covers a fraction of the cost of rebuilding their homes.

Faced with mounting claims, insurance companies are pulling out of entire communities, canceling existing policies, and refusing to issue new policies. Given that insurance is generally required on new mortgages, uninsurable homes are essentially unsellable homes. Mortgage lenders in wildfire-stricken Colorado communities are reporting a rash of home sales falling apart because buyers can't secure insurance.

Experts warn that this growing crisis threatens to infect the broader economy. In a recent Senate hearing, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) warned of an "economic cascade" of consequences for real estate markets, and cited a Freddie Mac chief economist predicting that if left unchecked, the insurance crisis could cause "a 2008-style economic recession."

We're on track for economic disaster, while fossil fuel industry giants who put us in this position keep raking in billions of dollars in profits. Rather than pulling the rug out from under hardworking families and abandoning entire communities, insurance companies should make the fossil fuel industry pay their fair share of the costs.

While they may not seem like the most likely group to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable, insurance companies are already well-practiced in taking bad actors to court for their role in extreme weather disasters. When utilities' unmaintained power lines ignited devastating wildfires in California in 2017 and 2018, insurers successfully forced them to pay up, temporarily reducing the severity of rate increases on homeowners and slowing the trend of insurance companies fleeing the state.

Just like the companies who sparked a blaze, the fossil fuel industry bears responsibility for contributing to the soaring high temperatures and drier atmosphere that turn a routine forest fire into a blazing inferno. Researchers who measure climate change's contribution to extreme weather disasters estimate that companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil are each responsible for nearly $2 trillion in economic losses from extreme heat between 1991 and 2020.

This isn't a surprise to Big Oil—internal documents show their researchers warning as far back as the 1970s that their products would warm the global climate and fuel "potentially catastrophic events." Industry executives were convinced enough to invest in making their own oil wells and pipelines resilient to climate change, while also working for decades to mislead the public about their products' connection to the problem. That deception continues today, with oil and gas majors proudly advertising their commitment to clean energy while they ramp up the production and burning of fossil fuels.

Since 2002, climate change has cost the insurance industry an estimated $600 billion in insured losses, costs that were likely recouped from consumers through higher premiums. The oil and gas industry, which has averaged nearly $3 billion in profit per day, could have covered those losses without breaking a sweat.

As policymakers nationwide grapple with a growing insurance crisis, our first priority should be to protect consumers from extreme rate hikes and stabilize markets for insurers. When you make a mess, you clean up after yourself. It's time for the fossil fuel industry to do the same.

Chris Lee serves as president of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, a bi-partisan organization of 1,500 state legislators from all 50 states. He has served in the Hawaii State Legislature since 2008, where he authored the nation's first state laws transitioning utilities to 100 percent renewable energy, directing economy-wide carbon neutrality, and targeting zero-emissions transportation.

The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.

Kaua‘i County Department of Water and contractor Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. hosted a blessing ceremony and groundbreaking July 11 to commence the Kapa‘a Homesteads Tanks Project.

📷Kaua‘i County Department of Water and contractor Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. hosted a blessing ceremony and groundbreaking July 11, 2025, for the Kapa‘a Homesteads Tanks Project. From left are Kaua‘i Department of Water Manager and Chief Engineer Joe Tait, Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. Senior Project Manager Ryder Coelho, Kaua‘i County Board of Water Supply Vice Chairman Tom Shigemoto, Hawai‘i Speaker of the House Rep. Nadine Nakamura and Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. Sr. Vice President Heavy Division Len Dempsey. (Photo Courtesy: Kaua‘i County Department of Water)

The $23.3 million project will replace an existing 200,000-gallon water storage tank with the construction of two 500,000-gallon storage tanks, totaling 1 million gallons, along with necessary storm drain improvements.

Installation of about 1,700 linear feet of water lines — 16-inch and 12-inch — along with associated appurtenances are also part of the project.

“This project has been a long time coming,” Kaua‘i Department of Water Manager and Chief Engineer Joe Tait was quoted in a county release as saying during the ceremony. “These new storage tanks enhance the current on-site storage from the circa 1923 storage tank and will be a tremendous benefit to the surrounding community.”

Hawai‘i Speaker of the House Rep. Nadine Nakamura and Hawai‘i Senate President Sen. Ron Kouchi, who both represent Kaua‘i at the state Capitol in Honolulu, played a large role in securing state funds to help finance about one-third of the project.

Nakamura was present during last week’s blessing and groundbreaking.

She emphasized the positive impact the infrastructure improvements will have for fire protection in the area, particularly for Kapa‘a Elementary and Kapa‘a High schools.

Successful implementation of the master plan for Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital in Kapa‘a also relies on the establishment a robust water infrastructure.

The project’s blessing was officiated by Kahu Jade Waiʻaleʻale Battad.

Among those in attendance during the ceremony and groundbreaking were Nakamura, Kaua‘i County Board of Water Supply Vice Chairman Tom Shigemoto, Tait and Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. Sr. Vice President Len Dempsey.

The project is estimated to be completed in 2027.

Contact Kaua‘i County Department of Water at 808-245-5455 or via email at publicrelations@kauaiwater.org with any questions or for additional information.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - When you see Maui pineapples, you may think of a garnish for a cocktail or slices of them served on a platter.

Now the prickly fruit is taking on a much bigger role: becoming a part of a model for diversifying Hawaii’s economy.

“This is a really big game changer for us,” Maui Gold Pineapple CEO John White said.

The big change? More Maui Gold Pineapples are making their way to the mainland.

Amazon cargo planes are transporting about 1,800 pineapples in bulk each week from Maui to the mainland.

Sen. Glenn Wakai thought of the idea when he heard the company’s cargo planes that drop goods to Hawaii leave empty.

“So I approached Amazon saying nothing is unacceptable. Let’s fill them with locally made products,” Wakai said.

Pallets of pineapples, Wakai added, can reach New York and Miami in about 12 hours, which is four times quicker than usual.

“In addition to that, there’s a huge cost savings. Somewhere in the magnitude of 60 percent cost savings,” Wakai said.

Because shipping costs are a big barrier for Hawaii manufacturers trying to reach the mainland, Wakai sees Amazon as the ticket for local products to break the market.

“So it’s more than just what comes out of the ground or gets picked off a tree. We’re talking ukulele, fashion, cookies, all kinds of things that are manufactured in Hawaii,” Wakai said. “I think this is a huge game changer to help blossom Hawaii manufacturing and help us diversify away from tourism.”

White added, “We invite other farmers in Hawaii to tap in to this opportunity to send their products to their customers on the mainland.”

Wakai said he is planting the idea of shipping with Amazon to other local companies.

Amazon said it is continually seeking innovative ways to strengthen the communities they serve.

The company added its cargo capacity helps local businesses reduce costs, increase competitiveness, and expand their market reach.

LAHAINA, Hawaii (Island News) -- The road to recovery for Lahaina includes more roads.

The first private property has been acquired by Maui County for additional public roads, but this work to expand street connectors and road extensions in Lahaina could take a decade to finish.

The demand for more roads in Lahaina is not just about reducing traffic, but about increasing evacuation routes in case fire sweeps through again - like it did in 2023.

"It's is very important. The fire itself showed Lahaina is in desperate need of a modernization of evacuation routes and ways to get out," said Senator Angus McKelvey.

Maui County is buying up property in Lahaina in order to extend or widen existing roads, and even install new streets.

"The first one we've been working on from the Department of Public Works has been our Aki Street connector. And that parcel of land has been acquired from the property owner," said Jordan Molina, Maui County Dept. of Public Works Director.

Last week, the Maui County Council also approved money for the Dickerson Street extension.

Those are smaller projects, while the Kahua Street extension will stretch 2 miles and not only have 2 travel lanes but also turn lanes at major intersections.

But with big projects come big timelines.

"Generally, these things, these projects, take one to two years to get the design and permitting process. Then anywhere from three to five years to construct. So we're probably looking at these roads being in operation somewhere in four to seven years or so, depending on complications with permitting, environmental reviews, etc." said Molina.

"We passed some bills this year that I hope will speed up the permitting process, especially if a special management area is needed - that these exemptions will kick in. I'm hopeful that we can follow up through both the county and state level with executive orders or other mechanisms to try to eliminate as much of the permitting as possible," added Mckelvey.

More properties are expected to be acquired this year, but adding more roads comes at a high cost.

"It'll be in the range of $30-80 million. Because that's inclusive of not just your roadway, but your underground utilities with water, sewer that may be needed. A lot of facilities come with a roadway that cause those costs to be high," stated Molina.

Depending on what is found once they start digging, it could slow things down further.

But many are excited these street developments will put Hawaii on the road to a safer future.

"It's a way forward through the storm to provide a safer community for Lahaina. Hopefully, as you've seen in Waianae and other areas, that will spur efforts to look at this type of effort in other neighborhoods, and other areas where this fire risk is very present," said McKelvey.

Kauaʻi District Health Office — a branch of Hawaiʻi Department of Health — recently released its report on the 2025 Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response, or CASPER, survey.

📷Survey team staff assembling educational materials for participating and non-participating households. (Photo Courtesy: Kauaʻi 2025 CASPER Report/Kauaʻi District Health Office)

Teams conducted door-to-door surveys from June 23-27 at randomly selected households around Kaua’i, completing a total of 186 interviews throughout the course of the 5 days and collecting valuable data about residents’ health, well-being and emergency preparedness.

“This annual survey helps [Kauaʻi District Health Office] and our partners do a better job of serving our community,” said Kauaʻi District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman in a release about the survey’s findings and report. “It informs our program planning, our outreach and education and our priorities.”

The CASPER survey is a validated, needs assessment developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to rapidly obtain population-based estimates about the health and resource needs of a community pre- and post-disaster.

This is the eighth CASPER survey conducted since 2017 on Kauaʻi.

The 2025 survey asked Kauaʻi residents about their basic household demographics, emergency supplies, concerns about climate change impacts, infectious disease awareness and concerns as well as general health and well-being.

A few key findings include:

• 81% of Kauaʻi households are aware of the recommendation to maintain a 14-day supply of non-perishable food and water, but only 17% have the recommended 14-day supply on hand.

• 17% of Kauaʻi households have at least one member with electricity-dependent health needs. Of those households, only 45% have a backup power supply available in the event of a power outage.

• 67% of Kauaʻi households are very or somewhat concerned about the impacts of climate change in Hawaiʻi. Almost half of households (42%) discuss climate change at least once a month, with 5% discussing it daily, 17% weekly and 19% monthly.

• While most households expressed some level of concern and regular discussion about climate change, the majority (87%) have not experienced mental health impacts related to climate change.

• Most Kauaʻi households (71%) are very or somewhat concerned about federal cuts to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including safe drinking water, clean air and environmental justice.

• Similarly, most Kauaʻi households (76%) are very or somewhat concerned about federal cuts to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Medicaid.

• More than a third (35%) of Kauaʻi households are very concerned or somewhat concerned about their ability to pay the next month’s rent or mortgage. A statistically signficant 15% increase was observed from 2024 to 2025, which aligns with data collected during the 2020 CASPER survey a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Among Kauaʻi homeowners, 5% reported loss of homeowners insurance coverage or inability to pay because of rising costs during the past year.

• While the majority of Kauaʻi households (57%) continue to think it is very important to stay up to date on recommended vaccines, a statistically significant 16% decline was observed from 2019 to 2025.

• “The Kaua‘i CASPER survey report provides us with detailed point-in-time data of the circumstances facing Kaua‘i residents,” said Hawai‘i Senate President Ronald Kouchi, who represents Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau, in the release.

Hawai‘i House Speaker Nadine Nakamura — who represents Hā‘ena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Keālia, Kapa‘a, Kawaihau and a portion of Wailua — said it’s important work to ensure that public policy is grounded in the real experiences of Kaua‘i and all Hawai‘i residents.

“As a lifelong Kaua‘i resident, I know how important it is to ensure that our communities are resilient and prepared,” Nakamura said in the release. “Understanding the challenges our residents face is the first step to solving those challenges, whether that be access to emergency supplies or concerns about climate change and housing costs.”

Annual CASPER surveys have served as capacity building exercises for Kauaʻi District Health Office and partner agencies, as well as increased community awareness about agencies and services available around Kauaʻi.

Previous CASPER reports are available on the Kaua‘i District Health Office website.

Hawaiʻi has tightened its laws on harming wild animals, after a native hawk was found badly injured on the island of Hawaiʻi in the archipelagic state. 

According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Governor Josh Green signed Senate Bill 849 into law as Act 98, which will impose fines of up to $20,000 and jail time on each offense against indigenous species, "including aquatic life, wildlife, and land plants." It also makes repeat offenses into Class C felonies, where previously all violations had been misdemeanors. 

The law came into being due to the discovery of an ʻio, a species of hawk native to Hawaiʻi on the Big Island, which had been badly maimed by an unknown person. 

According to the Star-Advertiser, the ʻio was found in a chicken coop with a significant portion of its top beak missing, which allowed the bird to hunt and kill prey, but not eat it. 

It was extremely emaciated as a result of the injury, and the investigation by the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources revealed the ʻio's injuries were done intentionally, likely with the hope of selling the bird. Cutting the beak is often done to deter attacks on livestock or people when keeping birds like this as a pet. 

"We got a report that somebody was trying to give a hawk away on Craigslist," Raymond McGuire, a wildlife scientist with the DLNR, said, while noting the hawk was found "a few days later." 

After the incident, Democratic state senator Dru Mamo Kanuha introduced the bill. 

"We recognized that existing laws did not go far enough to deter harm to our indigenous species—particularly the ʻio," Kanuha wrote. "This is a critical step forward in holding bad actors accountable and deterring future harm. Our ʻio — the Hawaiian hawk — are keystone species in the forests across Hawaii, and especially within my Senate District on Hawaiʻi Island." 

Hawaiʻi isn't the only state imposing tighter restrictions on cruelty towards animals; Wyoming is debating stricter punishments against people who harm wolves, while New York has imposed stricter punishments against those who face multiple counts of animal cruelty.  

But the island state clearly takes protecting its beautiful and unique wildlife seriously, and it can now back that up with more severe punishments for those who don't.

All new state laws stemming from bills passed by Hawaii’s Legislature earlier this year are now on the books.

Gov. Josh Green signed six bills Wednesday to cap off decisions on 322 measures sent to him by lawmakers during the legislative session that ran from Jan. 15 to May 2.

Of the 322 bills, Green signed 307 and let one become law without his signature. He also vetoed eight bills, not including the state budget bill where he used his line-item veto power to strike a few specific spending items. And Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke signed five bills as acting governor.

“This legislative session delivered many important wins, and I’m deeply grateful to the Hawaii State Legislature for championing measures that serve our people and protect our aina (land),” Green said in a statement. “At the same time, we faced real challenges, especially the uncertainty of federal funding, which put critical lifelines for our communities at risk.”

One of the last bills signed by Green on Wednesday was the focus of a ceremony in the governor’s office at the state Capitol and was described by advocates as resolving a problem in Hawaii’s homebuilding industry that in some instances added costs to new housing, halted construction and held up purchases.

House Bill 420, now Act 308, reforms a statutory process for contractors to resolve home construction defect claims.

Developers contended that projects were being subjected to litigation by predatory attorneys through loopholes instead of mediation intended by long-existing state law, and delaying work to fix defects when needed.

Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, said the final version of what he called a complicated bill resulted in an “elusive compromise” between opposing stakeholders who were for or against earlier versions of the measure.

“Ultimately, both sides were happy with what we came up with,” Keohokalole (D, Kaneohe-Kailua) said during the signing ceremony.

Supporters of HB 420, including Green, said the new law amending what is known as the Contractor Repair Act, strengthens consumer protections that were intended in the old statute and exploited by attorneys.

Rep. Lisa Marten (D, Kailua­Lanikai-Waimanalo) said the Contractor Repair Act was supposed to create a collaborative process to resolve home construction defects but wasn’t working and allowed attorneys to go “fishing” for defects through litigation that was leading to added costs for homes because of higher insurance premiums and other expenses for developers.

“It’s backfiring,” she said of the preexisting law.

Tracy Tonaki, Hawaii division vice president for Texas-­based homebuilder D.R. Horton, thanked lawmakers for their work and applauded Green for signing the bill to address an issue that she said had grown over the past two decades.

“This legislation brings critical reform to the Contractor Repair Act by prioritizing cooperation and timely resolution over costly and prolonged litigation,” she said.

Tonaki during a February hearing on the bill said D.R. Horton had held off building 800 homes permitted for construction because they would be added to an existing class-action lawsuit for homes of similar design.

Single-family subdivisions, townhome complexes and high-rise condominiums have been subject to such litigation, with alleged defects ranging from cosmetic issues such as peeling paint, to life and safety concerns such as a structural weakness.

A University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization report said at least 17,555 new Hawaii homes over the past 25 years, or 702 homes annually on average, have been subject to construction defect litigation.

UHERO’s report, commissioned by the nonprofit Hawaii HomeOwnership Center, also said such litigation has involved nearly 1 in 4 homes built in Hawaii from 2013 to 2023, representing twice as much as there was in the prior 10-year period.

The last bill signed Wednesday also was related to housing. Senate Bill 1170, now Act 313, eases the approval process for rebuilding permanently affordable multi-family rental housing in shoreline areas if substantially destroyed in a natural disaster by giving county planning department directors the authority to issue special management area use permits.

Among eight bills vetoed by Green was one that would have allowed a public or private entity to pay to have their name on the Hawai‘i Convention Center and a planned replacement of Aloha Stadium.

Green raised a concern about SB 583 violating a provision in Hawaii’s Constitution limiting bills to one subject pertaining to the bill’s title. The title of SB 583 is “Naming Rights,” but the bill also exempts stadium and convention center concessions from typical procurement procedures.

Other bills stopped from becoming law by the governor included one to regulate high-speed electric bicycles and motorcycles on Hawaii roads.

Green told lawmakers in written veto messages that this measure, HB 958, failed to exempt electric cars from a definition of “high-speed electric devices” prohibited from driving on public roadways.

House Speaker Nadine Nakamura and Senate President Ron Kouchi have said they don’t plan to convene a special session to consider overriding any vetoes.

The one bill that became law this year without the governor’s signature stopped regulations established in 2019 to regulate midwives and the practice of midwifery in Hawaii from sunsetting last month, making them permanent. HB 1194, which became Act 28 on May 5, also affirmed that Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices do not constitute the practice of midwifery.

Green signed most bills without fanfare, but drew special attention to more than a few that were part of 13 ceremonies in his office where key stakeholders and lawmakers were recognized for their work.

Some of the celebrated bills establish an environmental improvement fee to be paid by hotel guests and cruise ship passengers starting next year (SB 1396), expand access to free school meals for Hawaii public school students (SB 1300), improve laws against illegal fireworks (HB 1483), and staff up a new Office of the State Fire Marshal (HB 1064).

“It was the foresight and resilience of our communities — and our willingness to listen — that helped move many of these bills across the finish line,” Green said.

Hawaii nonprofits affected by federal funding cuts should get ready to apply for grants from a special $50 million state fund created by a bill signed into law Wednesday.

Gov. Josh Green authorized the new fund by signing Senate Bill 933, which he said will help prevent fraying of the social safety net that nonprofits help provide largely in areas of health care, food security, housing support, child care and emergency relief.

“These organizations are the heartbeat of our community,” Green said. “They’re quiet and consistently standing in when we have crises … and if they don’t have enough resources, the safety net dissolves.”

To be eligible for grants, nonprofits must provide documentation that they have lost federal funding, or that the work they do primarily serves a population that has been negatively affected by federal funding cuts.

Under the new law, Act 310, four state lawmakers — two picked by House Speaker Nadine Nakamura and two picked by Senate President Ron Kouchi — will decide as a committee how much to give out and to which applicants.

Processing and distributing grants will be handled by Aloha United Way with support from the Office of Community Services within the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

AUW may receive up to $500,000 for its work, while the Office of Community Services is to receive $130,000 to hire the equivalent of two full-time personnel plus $10,000 for office equipment and furniture.

It is uncertain when program operators might be ready to begin accepting applications, followed by approvals and fund distribution.

Green said he expects Nakamura (D, Hanalei-Princeville-­Kapaa) and Kouchi (D, Kauai-Niihau) will appoint committee members later this month, and that the grant consideration and distribution process will begin as soon as possible.

State lawmakers realized shortly after the 2025 legislative session began Jan. 15 that their normal procedure for providing annual grants in aid to nonprofits would not align well with needs after the session ended on May 2, given evolving efforts by the Trump administration to slash federal funding in many areas including support for social service providers.

Sen. Troy Hashimoto, who helped shape the final somewhat controversial version of the bill, said a lot of his colleagues were nervous about how they could best help nonprofits this year, and wanted to give out more than $30 million through grants in aid decided before May 2.

“But when we started to see what was happening at the federal level, we kind of knew that it was going to throw everyone off because a lot of the nonprofits would not know what their budget outlook would look like,” Hashimoto (D, Wailuku-­Kahului-Waihee) said at Wednesday’s bill signing ceremony in Green’s office at the state Capitol. “I think this will go a long way for our community.”

It is expected that some nonprofits not approved for grants in aid earlier this year, and some that sought more than they were granted, will obtain grants from the special fund.

About 400 applications were filed by nonprofits seeking $192 million in aid this year, and $30 million was approved for 121 applicants.

Kayla Keehu-Alexander, vice president of community impact at AUW, called the new fund critical to counteract pullback in federal funding for nonprofits.

“This has been a turbulent year for Hawaii’s nonprofits who have been navigating through precarious waters for the last six months,” she said during the ceremony. “This is a powerful acknowledgement that our nonprofits deserve the same kind of stability that they offer our community every single day.”

Rep. Daniel Holt, chair of the Legislature’s Subcommittee on Grants-in-Aid, said nonprofits facing reduced federal funding or effects of such reductions deserve relief, which was a simple goal that took what he described as creativity and difficulty to craft the final version of the bill.

“This is what happens when we work together and when government listens and leads with intention,” he said.

There was some reluctance in the 76-member Legislature with having four lawmakers determine grant awards with no public meeting requirements for a special legislative committee of sorts.

Three Democrats in the House voted to approve the bill with reservations, including Rep. Dela Au Belatti, who called it “constitutionally deficient.” Voting against the bill were five of eight Republicans in the House: Reps. David Alcos, Diamond Garcia, Lauren Matsumoto, Christopher Muraoka and Elijah Pierick.

In the Senate, the bill passed 23-2, with two of three Republican members voting no: Sens. Brenton Awa and Samantha DeCorte.

Green said he doubts that anyone will challenge the legality of the new law because it would harm nonprofits serving residents in need.

“I think if we do see lawsuits against this bill, it would be pretty cynical,” he said moments before signing the measure. “Because these $50 million are going to ultimately go to people who are hungry, people who are suffering from domestic violence, people who are losing their health care coverage, people who don’t have a health center available to them.”

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., concluded the bill signing season by holding the final two bill signing ceremonies on Wednesday, which highlighted measures focused on addressing some of Hawaiʻi’s most pervasive challenges. The newly enacted laws focus on providing effective remediation for claims of construction defects and delivering essential funding to support critical nonprofit organizations impacted by federal funding reductions.

“Today represents the full scope of what policymaking is all about,” said Green. “Sometimes, it takes many sessions to pass legislation and show foresight for long-term change. Other times, it is about the flexibility to pivot quickly when urgent challenges arise. Signing these two bills reflect both ends of that spectrum and truly demonstrates the best of what this bill signing period stands for.”

HB 420: Relating to remedies:

A recent UHERO report indicates a surge in litigation related to construction defect claims, which has resulted in costly and time-consuming delays of housing projects across the state. These delays, in turn, leave many awaiting construction in limbo and drive up the cost of housing, all of which have major implications throughout the state’s housing pipeline. House Bill 420 (Act 308) amends the Contractor Repair Act and Statute of Repose to address the exploitative litigation practices currently hindering Hawai‘i’s housing market.

“This bill is a couple years in the making, and today’s signing marks a step toward removing roadblocks for affordable, accessible housing in Hawai‘i,” said Green. “HB 420 is a solution-based measure that tackles one of many contributing factors to our rising cost of living in the islands. It supports a broad range of stakeholders across the housing market, helping to move projects forward and bring real relief to our communities.”

HB 420 aims to streamline and improve the efficiency of the Hawai‘i Contractor Repair Act for its proper utilization in lieu of litigation. Amendments to the act provide defined timelines and processes related to the notice of claims between claimants and contractors, including the acceptance or rejection of contractor’s offer of settlement or authorized repair. To support prompt repair and remediation, the measure establishes standardized requirements that must be included in a construction of defect claim to ensure contractors are given sufficient evidence to address the matter.

The bill further establishes clear timelines regarding inspections, testing, and mediation to provide homeowners and contractors with a comprehensive roadmap for remedies.

Together with these procedural improvements, Gov. Green said the bill includes provision to deter unnecessary litigation through clarifying the statute of repose and limitation periods. HB 420 clarifies the applicability of the 10-year statute of repose, which applies to all actions, including contracts, torts or statutory claims. Pre-filing of a lawsuit is not to occur more than six months before the litigation or repose period ends.

“HB 420 is a meaningful step forward for Hawai‘i’s communities because it helps with the process of getting homes repaired and built faster, without getting caught up in long, costly lawsuits,” said Sen. Jarrett Keohokālole (Senate District 24 – Kāne‘ohe, Kailua), who chairs the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. “By encouraging builders and homeowners to work together early on, this law protects families from unnecessary delays and high costs, helping to make housing more affordable and accessible for everyone across the islands.”

“HB 420 is about restoring balance and fairness to the construction defect process,” said Rep. Lisa Marten. “For too long, certain legal strategies have delayed critical repairs and driven up costs. This bill strengthens protections for both homeowners and builders by requiring a good-faith opportunity to inspect and repair before litigation begins. It’s a practical fix that helps move housing projects forward and ensures we’re not putting unnecessary barriers in the way of affordable housing in Hawai‘i.”

“We sincerely thank Governor Josh Green for signing HB 420 into law. This legislation brings critical reform to the Contractor Repair Act by prioritizing cooperation and timely resolution over costly and prolonged litigation,” said D.R. Horton Hawai‘i Division President Tracy Tonaki on behalf of Housing No Kākou. “HB 420 strengthens consumer protections by prioritizing cooperation before litigation so that we can collectively preserve access to essential government backed loan programs, ensure legitimate repairs are made in a timely manner and continue to build much needed housing for Hawai‘i’s families.”

SB 933: Relating to the state budget:

Senate Bill 933 (Act 310) serves as a targeted measure to support Hawai‘i’s nonprofit sector. Due to the federal funding freeze, many valuable nonprofits that provide essential community services, including child care, housing services, and healthcare, will be adversely affected and face significant reductions in funding.

To help offset these losses, SB 933 appropriates $50 million for fiscal year 2026 to fund  grants-in-aid for non-profit organizations across Hawai‘i. The Office of Community Services, within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, will oversee the selection and distribution of these grant awards.

“It is not fair that organizations dedicated to supporting the people of Hawai‘i are being forced to scale back due to federal funding cuts,” said Green. “This state funding is a critical lifeline — not just for the nonprofits themselves, but for the individuals and families who depend on the essential services they provide everyday. We are stepping in to ensure our communities do not lose access to the care and support they need.”

A selection committee will be established to evaluate applications from non-profit organizations that demonstrate a termination or reduction of funding, or whose beneficiaries have been adversely impacted by the changes in federal funding.

To carry out the provision of the bill and to assist with the distribution of grants, the measure establishes temporary full-time positions within the Office of Community Services. Through this measure, the Office of Community Service authorizes the to contract the services of Aloha United Way, Inc. to provide administrative support and assist in the distribution of grant awards.

“This investment is more than just funding—it’s a vote of confidence in Hawai‘i’s nonprofit sector” said Michelle Bartell, President & CEO, Aloha United Way. “We’re grateful to the State Legislature for acting swiftly and to HANO for their tireless advocacy. Together, we’re helping ensure essential services remain strong and responsive for those who rely on them every day.”

“Senate Bill 933 is a timely and targeted response to protect the nonprofits that form the backbone of our communities,” said Sen. Troy Hashimoto (Senate District 5 – Wailuku, Kahului, Waihe‘e, Waikapu Mauka, Wai‘ehu). “As federal funding declines, it’s our responsibility to make sure that vital services like childcare, housing and healthcare continue to be accessible to those who need them the most. This law helps keep critical support systems intact for Hawai‘i’s families.”

“We recognize the vital role that nonprofit organizations play in the health and resilience of our communities in Hawai‘i,” said Rep. Daniel Holt. “SB 933 responds to an urgent need, ensuring essential services like childcare, housing, and healthcare remain accessible despite federal funding cuts. This measure reflects our collective commitment to mālama our communities and support those who serve them every day.”

The complete list of bills signed include the following. Click the link to see full details of the bill enacted into law.

HB 431 (ACT 309) Relating to Housing

Maui Economic Opportunity’s 60th-year Board of Directors, led again by Carol Reimann, were installed last month with Mayor Richard Bissen, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and state Sen. Lynn DeCoite joining the candle-themed ceremony.

“The county deeply values MEO as a key partner,” said Mayor Richard Bissen at the June 26 event in MEO’s Wailuku classroom. “They address our housing insecurity, our economic hardship to our citizens, and, of course, many of the challenges that all of our residents face here.

“Over the decades, MEO has grown into a trusted network of care, offering transportation to kūpuna, preschool to keiki, and support for small businesses and much more. The county stands with MEO as we take on this kuleana together. We are guided by aloha, by collaboration and by hope.”

About 40 community and business leaders, state and county officials and MEO board members and staff participated in the event with retired Judge Rhonda Loo installing the new officers and board. The annual board installation also marked MEO’s 60th year since establishment in March 1965.

Board officers for the 2025-26 fiscal year that runs from July 1 to June 30, 2026, includes Reimann, who will be serving her third term as president; Ned Davis, vice president; Cliff Alakai, treasurer; and Reuben Ignacio, secretary.

In their remarks to the gathering, Luke and DeCoite lauded the work of MEO and other nonprofit boards in the community.

The lieutenant governor noted that MEO assists “the most vulnerable populations” and “that’s why even more so, boards like this are so important because of the role that you fill in taking care of all our `ohana.”

DeCoite said that nonprofit boards operate behind the scenes but “are absolutely essential in our communities.”

“They are the stewards of mission, the keepers of vision and protectors of integrity,” she said. “Boards guide our strategy, ensure accountability, and they make the hard decisions that keep organizations, not just running, but thriving.”

Director of Council Services David Raatz, an MEO board member who represents the Maui County Council, gave a shout out to MEO leaders and staff.

“It’s not just MEO’s programs, but it’s MEO’s people that make a difference,” he said. “And as someone who has been fortunate to be a board member for the last two years, I have seen firsthand that everyone in this organization exhibits professionalism, compassion and ingenuity.

“There’s things that come up . . . that are never planned for, and they have the ability to pivot quickly, make best available use of resources and serve the community.”

MEO assisted 30,500 individuals and touched nearly 55,000 lives in the last fiscal year, CEO Debbie Cabebe said.

Judge Loo installed board officers and members with a candle theme, noting that the candle and its light are symbols of hope, remembrance and connection. “The humble candle holds a timeless significance,” she said.

MEO’s board consists of 21 members with seven members each representing government, businesses and community interests and those assisted. In addition to the officers, the board includes: Emmanuel Baltazar, Dawn Bicoy, Mindy Bolo, Arleen Gerbig, Cynthia Lallo, Gemma Medina, Caitlin Musson, Crystal Nakihei, Scott Okada, Kai Pelayo, Bard Peterson, Raatz, Adele Rugg, Sandy Ryan, Tessie Segui, Desi Ting and Glenn Yamasaki.

From two programs established in 1965, MEO currently runs more than 30 programs that offer diverse assistance for people in need including transport for persons with disabilities, Head Start preschool for low income residents, rent and utility support, youth alcohol/drug/suicide prevention, business planning classes and more.

“As you folks all enter your 60 years of service, we reflect with gratitude, and we look ahead with confidence in your continued mission,” said Bissen. “The county honors our continued partnership, and we are rooted in a shared commitment to serve, to uplift and to empower our entire community.”

For information about MEO programs, call (808) 249-2990.

Insurance companies now have more incentives to provide condominium coverage after Gov. Josh Green signed a bill on Monday that he hopes will lower rates for condos across the islands — especially after their rates soared and insurance companies left following the 2023 Maui wildfires.

By signing the latest version of Senate Bill 1044 into law as Act 296, Green said that Hawaii is now better positioned than other states to see condo insurance stabilize — encouraging insurance companies to return and provide more competitive rates.

SB 1044 came out of a task force comprised of representatives of condo boards, actuarials, insurance representatives, state insurance officials and others that began meeting two years ago following the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires that caused $13 billion in damage and led to $3 billion in insurance payouts and an exodus of insurance companies.

Act 296 reactivates the dormant Hawai‘i Hurricane Relief Fund to provide hurricane coverage for condo associations that have been denied hurricane insurance.

It requires no additional taxpayer funding because the coverage will come out of revenue already in the Hawai‘i Hurricane Relief Fund, said state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole (D, Kaneohe-­Kailua), chair of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee.

The fund was created in 1993 after Hurricane Iniki devastated Kauai, Green said, “so the market didn’t get out of control, so that people didn’t lose the value of their condos, so they didn’t have to leave Hawaii.”

Act 296 also creates a pilot, low-interest rate loan program to help aging condos pay for backlogged repairs that make them difficult to insure — or can only find insurance at increasingly skyrocketing rates.

It’s focused on helping the “average Hawaii residents living in a condo” over owners of high-rise luxury condos, said state Rep. Scot Matayoshi (D, Kaneohe-Maunawili), who chairs the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee.

Insurers who were part of a two-year-old task force looking at ways to lower insurance rates said the threat that old water pipes could burst and flood units represented the main risk for insurance companies, Matayoshi said.

By upgrading aging buildings, Matayoshi hopes condo associations will be able to purchase less expensive insurance coverage.

Just since June 24, the loan program has received applications from 80 condo associations for backlogged repairs and 10 of them already have been accepted, Acting Insurance Commissioner Jerry Bump said at Monday’s bill-signing ceremony.

Sen. Keohokalole said that Sunday’s wildfire in Maili represents the ongoing threats to Hawaii and the insurance problems that follow.

“All the Lahaina memories came rushing back,” Keohokalole said. “It’s a reminder of how vulnerable we all are to disaster and how important it is to have insurance.”

Act 296 was meant to address a “silent crisis that’s pushing thousands of residents to the brink, skyrocketing insurance costs with no alternatives in sight,” he said.

It provides relief “especially for seniors with no alternatives that are the most vulnerable to the price spikes or the cancellations that we’ve been seeing throughout the community,” Keohokalole said.

Green said, “it has become increasingly clear that our housing market was unstable. After the (Maui) fires, the difference in insuring ourselves was setting the condo market upside down. … It effects tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of our citizens.”

Green hopes Act 296 and the new, higher increase in the hotel room tax to fund Hawaii’s wildfire and climate change mitigation efforts will combine to convince insurance companies to return and reinvest in Hawaii’s insurance market, especially for condominiums.

It will turn “an unstable” insurance market into a “solid” one, Green said.

Keohokalole said: “It also sets up a fire wall to potentially protect hundreds of thousands of residents whose lives could be thrown into disarray if there is a broader insurance market cancellation or another catastrophe like Lahaina.”

Act 296 was aimed at “a complicated matter that affects a lot of local people,” Keohokalole said, and “to fix something that makes life better for local people.”

Keohokalole called the new law “the most complicated bill I’ve ever worked on. But it’s really important.”

Hawaiian Electric Co.’s century-long hold on Hawaiʻi’s electricity market soon will change in a major way, creating a potential path to lower rates for businesses and residents.

Starting in 2027, HECO will be required to let independent electricity producers use its grid to deliver electricity directly to customers for a fee, potentially ending the utility’s standing as the sole choice for most electric consumers in the state. Under the current system, producers must sell electricity at a wholesale price to HECO, which pools it to sell to customers at a higher rate.

Gov. Josh Green signed the groundbreaking bill on Thursday, despite having previously signaled his intent to veto the measure.

It remains to be seen to what extent the new system will lead to significant savings for residential customers. A previously passed law allowing renters to buy power from community solar farms, for instance, has gone nowhere, hampered by what critics say are untenable rules. But even critics of the new law have said it could generate savings for some customers.

State Sen. Glenn Wakai, who chairs the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and sponsored the bill, said the measure was meant to introduce competition in Hawaiʻi’s electricity market and reduce costs in a state where customers pay the nation’s highest costs for electricity — more than three times the national average.

“We have for more than 100 years been at the mercy of HECO for our electricity needs, and we’ve seen in recent times that the delivery of that electricity has been very unreliable and very, very expensive,” Wakai said. “In the next two years, come 2027, all HECO’s customers will have an option of buying from someone other than HECO.”

“I think this is a game changer to benefit the consumers,” Wakai said.

Green’s office also expressed optimism.

“We believe that the provisions contained within the bill will allow for greater energy choice and hopefully a reduction in costs for Hawai‘i’s consumers,” Green’s spokeswoman, Makana McClellan, said in a written statement.

HECO spokesman Jim Kelly declined an interview request.

Law Could ‘Really Open Up Our Grid’

The law includes several provisions to break HECO’s hold on Hawaiʻi’s electricity market, but the most important involves what energy experts call wheeling. 

Under the current system, developers build big wind and solar farms and sell the power to HECO under long-term contracts. HECO pays as little as 8 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity from these independent power producers, said Jeff Mikulina, a renewable energy consultant who was an architect of the law requiring Hawaiʻi to produce all of the electricity sold in the state from renewable resources by 2045.

Meanwhile, HECO charges residential customers on Oʻahu almost 43 cents per kilowatt hour. Big Island residents pay 48 cents.

Wakai said a goal of the law is to enable customers to pay closer to what the renewable electricity costs HECO to buy and to encourage smaller players to get in the game. 

The wheeling provision does this by letting independent electricity producers pay a set fee to use HECO’s grid to deliver power to customers. Although wheeling has long been allowed on the mainland, it’s been prohibited by law in Hawaiʻi.

The PUC had been investigating a proposal to allow wheeling between government entities only, and Green’s intent-to-veto statement pointed to that as a reason to veto the broader bill.  Green decided to sign the broad bill after the PUC said it would cancel the intra-governmental wheeling inquiry, McClellan said.

Hawaiʻi’s previous prohibition against wheeling has played out on the ground at places like Green Homes Hanalei, a cluster of seven homes in west Oʻahu built in 2017 around the idea of using solar and storage to make the subdivision as energy self-sufficient as possible. 

Developer R.J. Martin powered each home with photovoltaic solar cells combined with two Tesla Powerwall batteries. Each home had garages with chargers for electric vehicles.

Martin wanted to go further and link the homes with a small power grid that would let homeowners share surplus power with each other. But he quickly learned that would be illegal. Homeowners would have to become regulated utilities to share surplus electricity with their neighbors.

“No one in their right mind is going to go through that exercise,” Wakai said. “So now, it just simplifies what has been all these walls and impediments put up by the government as well as by HECO.”

Martin hopes the new law will enable him to do something more innovative in the near future: use renewables and perhaps a microgrid to power a larger, workforce housing subdivision he’s planning for West Oʻahu. 

But much will depend on how the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission implements the law, Mikulina said. 

“If the PUC does it right, it can really open up our grid to some innovative renewable solutions,” Mikulina said. “This could catalyze renewable growth and really help folks who need access to this.”

Critics Say Some Could Be Left Out

Critics point to potential unintended consequences. 

A major issue involves equity. The concern is that HECO customers with the money and wherewithal to partner with an independent power producer will defect from HECO, leaving those less well-off to still deal with higher rates.

Testifying against the bill, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260, which works on utility infrastructure, argued the long-term technical effects of wheeling on HECO’s grid are unknown.

“Further,” the union wrote, “the fixed-cost of operating and maintaining the system will remain unchanged and passed on to those left in the system, essentially increasing the cost of electricity to those who can least afford it.”

Given this risk, it will be key to make sure lower-income residential customers can benefit as the commission creates rules governing the program, said Michael Colón, director of energy for the Ulupono Initiative, which supports the use of renewable energy.

To address such concerns, Wakai said, the law limits the size of a wind or solar farm allowed to use the wheeling provision to two megawatts, the size needed to power about 3,000 homes. 

“We’re not talking about, you know, large 50- to 60-megawatt plants going and selling to all the Waikīkī hotels,” Wakai said. “That’s not going to be possible under this scenario.”

“What is possible under this scenario,” he said, “is, if you have let’s say 10 acres of land that can create two megawatts of power, you are free to go and sell to the nearby residents or wheel it across the island to someone who’s willing to take it.”

That’s promising news to people like Steve Mazur, director of commercial business development for RevoluSun, one of Hawaiʻi’s largest solar companies.

Mazur said he’s encountered business owners with energy hogging cold storage systems but small rooftops located near businesses with huge rooftops but little electricity needs. If implemented well by the PUC, Mazur said, the new law could make way for solar panels on the large roof to power the neighboring business.

“These rooftops are sitting there empty,” he said. “There has to be something to entice them.” 

Civil Beat’s coverage of climate change and the environment is supported by The Healy Foundation, the Marisla Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation and the Frost Family Foundation.

“Hawaiʻi’s Changing Economy” is supported by a grant from the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation as part of its work to build equity for all through the CHANGE Framework.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D. has enacted legislation to solidify the global settlement for claims relating to the August 2023 Maui wildfires and to further codify the role of Hawai‘i’s first State Fire Marshal in nearly 46 years.

“Today we are re-envisioning the path forward in the roadmap of wildfire prevention and recovery,” said Green. “We are taking action from both ends of the wildfire spectrum — building a more robust fire prevention framework within the state and enacting historic legislation that will aid in timely access to compensation following disaster. This crisis impacts us on many fronts, and it is time we tackle it the same way, from multiple directions.”

HB 1001: Relating to settlement of claims related to the Maui wildfires: House Bill 1001 (Act 301) establishes the Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund to provide dedicated funding for those affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires. The bill appropriates $807.5 million to support the state’s contribution in the settlement of claims, which shall be deposited into the trust fund. Additional contributions to the state fund include funding from the County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, Charter Communications/Spectrum, Hawaiian Telcom and West Maui Land Company.

Green sought to establish this funding to provide timely compensation for survivors’ claims as an alternative to lengthy litigation, ensuring those affected do not have to wait years to rebuild their lives. Recipients of compensation from the settlement trust fund shall agree to release the state and any additional parties that contribute to the fund from all further liability arising from the Maui wildfires.

“This legislation is a huge win and sets a new precedent for swift settlement of claims for wildfire victims,” said Green. “It should not take years for people to see compensation or begin rebuilding. This is about healing, restoring trust and helping families recover as quickly as possible in the place they call home.”

The measure emphasizes providing meaningful compensation by specifying that property and casualty insurance companies can only recover payments made to a policyholder through a statutory lien. Green said this provision demonstrates the state’s commitment to prioritizing the individuals affected by the wildfire to receive claims directly.

The settlement agreement totals $4.037 billion and resolves claims of liability against multiple defendants, including the County of Maui. The agreement aims to reduce the legal load of the judicial system while avoiding the high costs associated with litigation.  

HB 1064: Relating to fire protection: In accordance with the Fire Safety Research Institute’s three-phase report — developed to improve fire preparedness and response following the August 2023 Maui wildfires —  House Bill 1064 (Act 302) effectuates the recommendations provided in “Phase 3” of the report. Phase 3 focuses on the forward-looking portion of the investigation and proposes improvements to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, which was originally established under Act 209, Session Law of Hawai‘i 2024.

Under Act 302, the Office of the State Fire Marshal is transferred to the Department of Law Enforcement and will be led by the State Fire Marshal. The legislation further clarifies the roles, duties, and discretionary authority of both the Office and the State Fire Marshal, supporting the state’s efforts to provide coordinated, statewide fire prevention and readiness strategies. To enhance coordination between the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the State Fire Council, the bill outlines responsibilities and the organizational structure related to matters such as reporting and recommending amendments to the state fire code.

The bill requires the Fire Chief of each county to investigate and maintain an annual record of fire occurrences. These records must be submitted to the Office of the State Fire Marshal for centralized analysis. The county submissions will assist the State Fire Marshal in compiling biennial statistical reports, including those made available to the public and those submitted to the Legislature.

“Last month, I appointed Dori Booth as Hawai‘i’s new State Fire Marshal, reviving a critical public safety position that has been vacant for nearly 46 years,” said Green. “This appointment marks a turning point as we redefine the role — empowering the office with clear authority and resources to better protect our state through fire prevention strategies and analysis.”

“My first month in office has been both eye-opening and incredibly encouraging,” said State Fire Marshal Dori Booth. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet with dedicated state and county partners, as well as private stakeholders, who are all working tirelessly to enhance fire prevention, readiness, and resiliency across our islands. These conversations have been instrumental in shaping my initial assessments and understanding the unique strengths each organization brings to the table. The feedback I’ve received has affirmed the vital role the Fire Marshal’s Office can play — not only in supporting these existing efforts, but also in unifying them to build a stronger, more resilient Hawai‘i. HB 1064 is a meaningful step forward, and I’m honored to stand with so many committed partners as we move toward a safer future together.”

Lastly, HB 1064 establishes the State Fire Marshal Selection Commission and defines its roles and structure. The selection commission will be given the authority to appoint and remove the State Fire Marshal, evaluate the State Fire Marshal’s performance, and address matters of public interest.

“With the State Fire Marshal position re-established for the first time in nearly five decades, this legislation gives the office the structure, authority, and support it needs to succeed,” said Senator Brandon Elefante (Senate District 16 – ‘Aiea, ‘Aiea Heights, Hālawa, Pearlridge, Newtown, Royal Summit, Waimalu, Waiau, Momilani, Pacific Palisades, and Pearl City), who chairs the Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee. “It’s a significant step in building a stronger, more coordinated approach to fire prevention and public safety across Hawai‘i.”

There is $2.2 million appropriated in fiscal year 2026 and an equal amount for fiscal year 2027 to support the establishment and operations of the Office and State Fire Marshal.

In this past legislative session, we were closely watching a bill that would have axed the “school impact fees” that housing developers now have to pay. As we have pointed out before, the fees have been collected but have not been used, and for a very long time.

During testimony on the bill, House Bill 422, it was pointed out that there are lots of restrictions on the school impact fees collected. The fees need to be spent on new schools, not on maintenance or operation of existing schools. Furthermore, the fees need to be spent in the district in which they were collected. They can’t go anywhere else.

Although there is more than $29 million in the special funds receiving the impact fees, it’s tough to spend that money. One elementary school costs $80 million to build, and with school enrollment statewide on the decline, it’s tough to justify building a new school of any kind any time soon (with the possible exception of Maui, but we’ll get to that).

Yet, the Department of Education begged and pleaded for the fee not to be eliminated. The department came up with a “compromise” whereby the construction cost component of the school impact fee would be tossed out while the land cost component of the fee was kept intact.

The bill implemented the compromise, but did nothing about the restrictions that made it impossible to spend money from the special funds, which means that the funds will continue to collect money and will be unable to spend it.

Lawmakers passed the bill and sent it up to the governor. It’s now past the time to notify the Legislature of potential vetoes, so the bill will become law with or without the governor’s signature.

In the meantime, the Department of Education has been trying to get our lawmakers to spend general fund money on our schools. As Hawaii News now reported, they have been having a hard time. The DOE requested $1.9 billion. Lawmakers funded $489 million. Specifically, lawmakers rejected at least two requests for new schools.

First, lawmakers shelved a request to build a new school in Lahaina to replace King Kamehameha III Elementary, which was destroyed by the Lahaina fire. The problem there was that there were some differences of opinion on where to build the new school.

One proposal was to build it at Pulelehua where FEMA built a temporary campus, which has infrastructure such as utilities but, according to the DOE, is not where the community wants it. Supposedly, the community would rather have the school built on undeveloped land at Kuia, but that land has no infrastructure and not much of a surrounding community.

The second planned new school on the cutting room floor was a proposed elementary school in East Kapolei on Oahu. According to Senate Ways and Means chair Donovan Dela Cruz, it’s unclear whether the DOE public works team or the recently formed School Facilities Authority would be in charge. And “both organizations have not proven to be able to build in a timely manner,” he said.

So, to sum up the current state of affairs, the proposed new school is 86ed because the School Facilities Authority, which was formed to build schools more quickly and efficiently than the DOE’s existing staff, is having a turf war with said staff. This is a pickle not easily solved.

Will the adults in the room please stand up, put an end to the turf war, and then rip up the special funds that are tying up money that can and should be used to maintain and operate the schools we do have?

To help deal with Hawaiʻi’s housing crisis, Gov. Josh Green signed into law one bill that deals with the rising cost of property insurance and another that expands essential resources for youth and young adults facing homelessness.

Gov. Josh Green takes a photo with everyone who had a hand in the creation of a bill related to insurance gaps on Monday, July 7. (Courtesy of the Office of Governor Josh Green)

With an increase in local and national environmental disasters, Senate Bill 1044 (Act 296) aims to stabilize the state’s property insurance market as premiums skyrocket and coverage options decrease.

The law will expand the powers of the Hawaiʻi Property Insurance Association to provide extra insurance options for those unable to obtain coverage.

“After the Lahaina fires and the difficulty insuring ourselves, it turned the condo market upside down,” Green said. “We went through a thoughtful process to address the property insurance gap.”

The signing comes a day after a 95-acre wildfire on the west side of Oʻahu burned two Māʻili homes and forced the evacuation of residents in area neighborhoods.

“These are hard, stressful times for everyone, especially those who have lost everything,” Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Chair Jarrett Keohokalole said. “It is a reminder of how vulnerable we all are to disaster.

“But it also highlights the importance of insurance. I am very grateful to address this silent crisis that is pushing residents to the brink with skyrocketing insurance rates with nowhere else to turn.”

Rep. Scot Z. Matayoshi, chair of the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, said insurance companies told him the reason rates for condominiums are so high is due to high-impact repairs needed from water loss and deferred maintenance.

The bill contains a pilot program to provide condo owners with low-interest loans to make specific high-impact repairs that should lower insurance premiums and raise unit values.

“We targeted this bill to help the average condominium building, not the luxury high-rises,” Matayoshi said. “While the bill is an answer for the short term, the long-term solution comes from the loan program.”

The once iconic Coco Palms Resort on Kauaʻi has been in ruins since Hurricane Iniki destroyed it in 1992. (Photo Credit: Scott Yunker)

In August 2024, Green issued an emergency proclamation to temporarily reactivate the Hawaiʻi Hurricane Relief Fund, which was formed in 1993 in response to private insurers withdrawing from the hurricane market after the devastation caused by Hurricane ʻIniki.

As time passed and private insurers resumed offering hurricane coverage, the relief fund ceased operation and remained dormant. But the Lahaina wildfire renewed the need for it.

Now, Act 296 reactivates the relief fund through law to provide insurance coverage in scenarios where the private market fails to do so. Beginning June 24, the relief fund is accepting applications by condominium and townhouse Associations of Apartment Owners.

“This is open to any condominium association, not just high-rises. It includes town homes and single-family homes, as long as they get commercial property insurance in the state,” said Jerry Bump, the State Insurance Commissioner.

To be eligible, a condo association must have been previously denied hurricane coverage by at least two state-licensed insurance companies operating in Hawaiʻi and have buildings with a total insured value exceeding $10 million.

This is excess coverage that can only cover the portion of losses above $10 million. The associations must purchase separate primary insurance to cover hurricane losses up to $10 million.

The relief fund has received about 80 applications and has issued 10 policies within the first week.

“We’re hearing anecdotes that these associations have seen a considerable amount of savings,” Bump said.

The Hawaiʻi Hurricane Relief Fund only applies to hurricane insurance. For all other perils, condo associations must go through the Hawaiʻi Property Insurance Association, which is setting up a program expected to begin accepting applications in the fourth quarter of the year.

Gov. Josh Green signs a bill related to resources for youth experiencing homelessness on Monday. (Courtesy of the Office of Governor Josh Green)

In other legislation, Green signed House Bill 613 (Act 297) to expand essential resources for youth and young adults facing homelessness.

The measure makes the Safe Places for Youth program permanent, providing 24-hour access to shelter, mental health care, education support, and job training for homeless youth.

“As everyone knows, we have a homeless crisis in our state, and too often, young individuals suffer the most, especially those in the LGBTQ community,” Green said. “Many have found themselves forced out of the home and struggling with great challenges in life.

“Now there will be spots throughout the state, mostly on Oʻahu for now, where youth can find support directly that will guide them through a warm hand-off to services.”

Through the joint efforts of state and county departments, those in need of further support will be connected to nonprofit institutions with the expertise to offer long-term support and shelter. Services will expand on Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu, with plans to expand statewide so the most vulnerable youth have a lifeline to feel safe.

“Youth in need can text or walk in and receive family-strengthening services for reunification or transitional services for youth unable to return to families,” said Rep. Lisa Marten, chair of the House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness. “The program provides behavioral health services and job training, help that all young people need so they can become self-sufficient and thriving members of communities.”

Reports on this program will be submitted to the State Legislature, with appropriations of $871,016 for fiscal year 2026 and $1.8 million for fiscal year 2027.

“This is how we break the cycle of homelessness, by investing in people, especially our youth,” Green said. “We are shaping a future where everyone has a chance to thrive. This program shows what is possible when a community comes together with a purpose.”

Slideshows on the insurance stabilization bill and the bill relating to houseless youth can be found with more details.

Gov. Josh Green signed three bills on Thursday to enhance protections for vulnerable citizens in Hawaii, including one measure focused on helping kupuna living with dementia.

“We’re working to strengthen our medical workforce by providing extra dementia-informed care,” Green said at a press conference in Honolulu. “On a personal note, my stepmom has very advanced dementia, and this year, my father received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and is in the very early stages. (He’s a) brilliant man, so it’s very difficult to see.”

Both Green and one of the senators supporting the bill shared first-hand stories about elderly family members being impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Green said that longer lifespans are causing a “Silver Tsunami” that will bring about the largest elder population in history by the 2030s.

“The number of kupuna who are going to experience dementia is going to triple in the next 35 years,” said state Sen. Stanley Chang of Oahu, who shared that his father passed away from dementia after his mother served as his primary caregiver for over a decade. “It was very difficult to find help for her … that’s why expanding the workforce capacity of our medical infrastructure here in Hawaii is so critical to addressing this issue.”

The senate bill, SB 1252, requires the University of Hawaii to establish a specialized training program to deepen the education for health care providers caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The bill appropriates $525,000 in both 2026 and 2027 to the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to elevate training and education for improved support and care for kupuna with dementia-related challenges, while also adding to the state’s workforce.

Additionally, the bill enables UH Manoa’s Department of Geriatric Medicine to add positions to develop and update curricula. This will allow the school to offer training in enhanced care through new comprehensive programs focused on the needs of patients afflicted with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“With the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia on the rise, there are cutting-edge treatments that are becoming available that can actually slow the disease. The key to this, though … is early detection and prevention,” said state Rep. Cory Chun of Oahu at the press conference. “Our kupuna are so important for us: they are our family members, our neighbors, and our friends, and are vital to our communities.”

The other kupuna support bill signed at the press conference Thursday was HB 703, which extends the sunset date of the state’s rent supplement program for kupuna from 2026 to 2028 and offers additional housing support for kupuna at risk of homelessness.

“SB 1252 strengthens our health care system by investing in dementia training and education, and this helps ensure our aging population will continue to receive compassionate and informed care,” AARP Hawaii Advocacy Associate Director Audrey Suga-Nakagawa said as she commended the dementia care and rent supplement bills. “Together, these bills honor the dignity of Hawaii’s older adults and build a more resilient age-friendly community.”

The third bill signed Thursday was SB 1221, also known as “Sharkey’s Law,” which requires increased safety measures and regulation of retention and detention ponds in an effort to decrease the number of drowning deaths among Hawaii children.

To protect farmers and ranchers from being victims of crimes, four agricultural officers will be deployed to Hawaiʻi Island this month as part of a pilot enforcement program.

The program stems from Act 235, also known as Duke’s Law, which was signed last week by Gov. Josh Green.

The law was named by state Sen. Tim Richards in memory of Cranston “Duke” Pia, a 39-year-old Waiʻanae rancher who was fatally shot in 2024 during a confrontation with trespassing hunters.

Pia’s death prompted community members, lawmakers and agricultural groups to push for more serious enforcement and tougher penalties for trespassers, thieves and illegal hunters targeting agricultural land.

As a rancher in Kohala, Richards said he has experienced a fair share of agricultural crimes and was a passionate advocate for the law.

“I feel like we’re finally moving the needle for agriculture because for so long, agricultural crime has not been a concern because ‘it is just trespassing, or they just took a couple of fruits,'” Richards said. “But those fruits are people’s livelihoods, and Pia’s murder began with a trespass.”

Agricultural crimes are complex and multifaceted, so the state law is designed to provide a comprehensive response by having clearer definitions and penalties for violations related to agriculture and agricultural lands.

The state Department of Law Enforcement initiated the pilot agricultural enforcement program on July 1 and will deploy nine dedicated officers — four on Oʻahu, four on Hawaiʻi Island, and one supervisor overseeing both teams. They will focus on human-related agricultural crimes that involve theft, trespassing, illegal hunting, poaching and vandalism.

According to Richards, these crimes jeopardize the lives and livelihoods of farmers, undermine food security, disrupt local economies, and erode public confidence in the protection of vital resources.

📷In this file photo, Craig Burkholder’s horse Onyx, right, walks with her foal, Uhane. In 2022, Onyx was shot at night by a friend of a neighbor who wanted to eradicate wild pigs from his property. The shooting left her 11-weak-old Uhane without a mother. (Photo Courtesy: Craig Burkholder)

The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau estimates that agricultural crimes cost local farmers and ranchers up to $15 million annually.

Before the law, agricultural crimes often resulted in small fines. Now, habitual offenders — those with three or more agriculture-related offenses within five years — will face felony charges and jail time. The bill also allows for the seizure of weapons, vehicles and other equipment used in these crimes.

“We don’t want to punish the young guy who made a mistake one time, but we do want to target habitual offenders with harsher penalties,” Richards said. “However, no one is under any illusion that we’ll solve all the issues right away. The officers will have to meet with farmers and ranchers to see what problems they face, and new technology and equipment will need to be tested.”

The pilot program, with about $2 million in funding, will utilize tools like drones and license plate recognition cameras to help patrol large and remote land.

“It could take 30 to 40 minutes for an officer to investigate,” said Mike Lambert, director of the Department of Law Enforcement. “In theory, if we had a drone at the location, it could be out in one minute and begin capturing that violation.”

Richards has suggested that the Department of Law Enforcement meet with people working in agriculture to learn about the best spots to place these cameras and implement one database per county for agricultural calls and inquiries.

“As a rancher myself, the standalone law enforcement focused on agriculture, in my opinion, will be the most helpful,” Richards said. “Luckily, the law enforcement is wide open when it comes to figuring out how to roll this out and approach crimes. I’m sure there will be tweaks, but the officers will tap into farmers and ranchers as a resource to figure out how to move forward.”

For farmers and ranchers interested in meeting with the agricultural officers to discuss pervasive issues they face, Richards said to contact his office at 808-586-6760 or email senrichards@capitol.hawaii.gov.

A measure enacted Thursday by Gov. Josh Green that reduces by nearly half the retirement benefits for future judges comes at a time when the state Judiciary is struggling to find qualified judges, especially on the neighbor islands, and they are facing an increasing number of threats to their safety.

Green initially supported Senate Bill 935, then told the Legislature last month that he might veto the latest version of it. On Thursday, he ended up signing it into law.

The measure reduces retirement benefits for judges appointed on or after July 1, 2031.

SB 935 was one of 12 of 20 bills Green signed into law that were also on his intent-to-veto list. In response, both House Speaker Nadine Nakamura and Senate President Ron Kouchi announced they had no plans to hold a special session to consider overriding any of the governor’s vetoes.

The number of threats against Hawaii judges is approximately eight times higher than five years ago, according to the Judiciary. So far this year, there have been twice as many threats against them compared to last year.

In the latest incident in June, the Honolulu Police Department notified state and federal court officials that a 911 caller said an unidentified man was going to shoot a judge at a Honolulu courthouse.

Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald plans to retire Sept. 30, about a week before he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70, after serving for 15 years as head of the high court. The state Judicial Selection Committee must provide Green with the names of at least four candidates to replace Reck­tenwald, but so far has been able to find only three.

So it has extended the application deadline to Sept. 11 for a 10-year term that pays $248,124 annually.

Once he gets the final list of applicants from the committee, Green will select his nominee, who then has to be confirmed by the state Senate.

In the meantime, Associate Supreme Court Justice Sabrina S. McKenna will fill in as interim chief justice.

SB 935 provides no justification for why future judges should receive smaller retirement benefits. It was introduced solely by state Sen. Dru Kanuha (D, Kona­-Kau-Volcano), who did not respond to a request for comment.

Overall, SB 935 makes other changes in retirement benefits for a variety employees that had general support from some influential labor unions.

But only future judges would see the size of their retirements reduced — a provision that was opposed by unions including the Hawaii Government Employees Association, Hawaii State Teachers Association, State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, United Public Workers and International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

HGEA, the state’s largest public workers’ union, objected to cutting future judges’ retirement benefits, writing in testimony, “We find that this portion is counter intuitive to the general theme of this measure which is intended to help with the recruitment of public servants. This provision will severely impact the recruitment of new judges — specifically, the recruitment of quality attorneys in private practice to apply as judges.”

Similar concerns were expressed by the Hawaii State Bar Association and bar associations for Kauai and Maui counties and West Hawaii.

Recktenwald wrote to Green in May that the measure “will adversely impact recruitment of judges and thereby the future of Hawai‘i’s judicial branch. This singling out of judges is especially concerning while judges have become lightning rods nationally for interpreting and applying constitutions and laws.”

“Since 2019, applications for judicial positions statewide have trended downward overall and downward among women,” Recktenwald wrote. “As a result, numerous application deadlines for these public offices have been extended. Indeed, from 2019 through the summer of 2024, 30% of vacant judgeships statewide and 79% of vacant judgeships on the neighbor islands have required extended application deadlines. The position of Chief Justice, which will be vacated this year due to mandatory retirement, also apparently did not attract the requisite minimum of four qualified applicants.

“Recruitment challenges already lead to apparently prolonged vacancies of judicial positions that have in turn impacted the public. Reducing retirement benefits for judges will exacerbate the challenges of attracting the most highly qualified,” he added.

An announcement from Green’s office Thursday that he had signed SB 935 into law included a statement from Recktenwald lauding a “very productive” legislative session that included establishment of several new courts and judicial initiatives.

“We are grateful that as part of the process, all sides have been able to express their views on SB 935 and we respect the Governor’s decision,” Recktenwald said. “I thank the Governor and legislative leadership for their openness to considering issues relating to recruitment of judges and other important matters going forward.”

The Hawaii State Bar Association also wrote to Green in its opposition to SB 935. “It is unclear why judges were specifically singled out; however, it is alarming and will have a detrimental effect on our judiciary,” the attorneys’ group said.

“Given the limited pool of qualified judges and candidates for judicial vacancies, HSBA is extremely concerned that reducing the pensions of retiring judges will further disincentivize qualified candidates from pursuing a vacancy. Additionally, the bar is aging, with many individuals either retiring or changing their status to inactive.

“Coupled with a mandatory retirement age of seventy years of age, this further impacts the state’s ability to adequately fill the bench with qualified, thoughtful, and independent jurists … especially in light of public disdain for the rule of law, nationwide attacks on the constitution, and extensive threats to an independent judiciary.”

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Gov. Josh Green signed several measures on July 3, with the measures enhancing water safety and kūpuna care.

“This is about the safety and well-being of our ʻohana and setting a chain of positive intention to uplift those in our community,” Green said. “These newly enacted laws will provide members of our communities will tools to secure housing, better understand Alzheimer’s disease and prevent drowning incidents.”

According to the governor’s office, the signing of the bills represent the state’s priorities of protecting the most vulnerable communities in the state.

SB 1221: Relating to Stormwater Management Systems

Due to high drowning rates in the islands, as well as the cultural significance of water, the Office of the Governor says that water safety is paramount in their eyes.

This bill establishes safety measures and regulations for retention and detention ponds.

The new law would require counties to regulation these ponds, and requires a permitting process for the construction and maintenance to ensure proper safety standards.

Measures will also be put into place, such as enclosed and secured fencing around pond perimeters, signs that indicate no swimming and emergency buoys. The ponds must also be surveyed by the counties, with the findings reported to the state legislature.

“This is more than just a water safety bill. [The bill] is a legacy enactment in memory of Charlotte ‘Sharkey’ Schaefers, a brave 5-year-old hero who risked her life to save a friend stuck in a detention pond in 2004,” Green said. “The life of such a young girl should have never been taken that day, and now we can hope that it will never happen again.”

HB 703: Relating to Kūpuna Housing

Also known as Act 282, this bill extends the sunset date for the state’s kūpuna rent supplement program. As the program stands, kūpuna who are over the age of 62 who are homeless or at risk of being homeless can qualify for the rent supplement program.

The program was originally scheduled to sunset in 2026 — the new sunset date is set for 2028.

SB 1252: Relating to Dementia

The signing of this bill appropriated funds for training and educational program at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Positions at the school will be established within the Department of Geriatric Medicine so that new and updated curriculum may be developed to pioneer dementia and Alzheimer’s-related care.

Over half of a million dollars will be appropriated in both fiscals years 2026 and 2027.

“Hawaiʻi’s aging population is growing rapidly and we must prepare our healthcare workforce to meet its unique needs,” Sen. Stanley Chang said. “Investing in JABSOM’s dementia education and training supports our kūpuna and strengthens the future of healthcare in our state. [The bill] helps build a local, informed workforce that can provide compassionate, expert care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.”

The state has started to accept applications for hurricane insurance from condominium and townhouse associations that have been unable to secure full coverage on the regulated market.

Last August, Gov. Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation to stabilize the insurance market after condominium buildings were unable to secure full insurance coverage from one of the three companies operating in Hawaiʻi.

While the 2023 Maui fires and other global natural disasters are partly to blame — Chair of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Jarrett Keohokalole cited a key reason: aging buildings.

“When you take your car in for service, there are regular maintenance items. Most of the condominium buildings in the state, especially in Honolulu, are over 30 years old,” he said.

“So there are basic maintenance items that in some cases haven't been covered.”

These are things like replacing water pipes, which insurers have started paying closer attention to. The buildings that haven’t kept up with maintenance and are unable to secure full commercial and hurricane insurance find themselves “stuck in a downward spiral,” Keohokalole explained.

“It's harder to secure loans to make the repairs. It's harder to transact title in the building,” he said.

“It's harder to sell and buy. That affects values and it affects the assessments.”

That’s because lenders don’t want to loan money to buildings without insurance, but without those loans, buildings are unable to fund the needed repairs. Those who lose traditional insurance coverage have had to turn to unregulated surplus lines that can be extremely costly– sometimes doubling the cost of insurance for buildings.

That often means skyrocketing homeowner association fees for condo owners.

About 1200 associations in Hawaiʻi are without full hurricane insurance coverage.

The emergency proclamation allowed the Hawaiʻi Hurricane Relief Fund to issue hurricane insurance again, which it has not done since the early 2000s in the aftermath of Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

Now, HHRF is up and running again. So far, it’s received 80 applications.

Jerry Bump is the Insurance Commissioner for the Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division.

Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Jerry Bump is the acting insurance commissioner for the Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division.

“It is meant to stabilize the market, not replace the market,” Acting Hawaiʻi Insurance Commissioner Jerry Bump said.

Associations applying for the state-administered hurricane policy will need to have a commercial insurance policy, which covers things like fire and other situations. It will also need to obtain at least $10 million in hurricane coverage as a base, but has been rejected by at least two of the local insurers for the rest of their building coverage. The state program will cover up to an additional $90 million of coverage.

“We don't wanna be competing against those carriers that are still willing to do business,” Bump said.

“If they're willing to write the full coverage, they should be able to still write that. Some of those admitted carriers have kind of artificial caps on how much they're willing to write. We've heard anywhere from $10 million to $25 million is where they're comfortable writing. There are some that will write the full, but not very many. HHRF is providing an additional layer of capacity. And ideally at a price point that is less than the surplus lines market.”

The hope is that it will attract the traditional market back to the state as the program did in the 2000s.

Bump explained that while conditions are similar to the aftermath of Hurricane Iniki, there are a few differences. One is that Hawaii’s property insurance market is tied to global climate risk. That means a fire in California or a hurricane in Florida can impact the insurability of Hawaii properties.

“ Today’s challenges are kind of driven by global reinsurance conditions so not just the storm that occurred,” he said.

“Reinsurers themselves have pulled back or raised prices along many coastal markets due to climate-related risk inflation.”

Additionally, legislators passed a law this session that would get the Hawaii Property Insurance Association funding to start offering commercial insurance policies to those who have also had to turn to surplus lines. It currently is the insurer of last resort for homes in the lava-zone. Bump estimated that the program would come online around mid-fall of this year.

That same measure also includes funding to provide loans to condominiums to do needed maintenance repairs so they can obtain regular insurance policies.

Both the state-administered commercial and hurricane insurance programs heavily leverage “reinsurance”. That means that the state’s insurance will only keep a percentage of the actual risk on hand. The state’s program pays other insurers to insure the rest of the portfolio. Those reinsurance rates are largely what will drive the cost for buildings to obtain policies through the state-administered programs.

Thatʻs why buildings should not expect the rates from the HHRF to be lower than what they can find on the traditional market.

“ The state fund is not in the business of making a profit, so we're not intending to build in any kind of profit in our pricing,” Bump said.

“Ideally, as the HHRF enters into the market, that will also provide price pressure on the surplus lines carriers to reduce their price point and be more competitive– they don't want all their business going away to the HHRF as well.”

The measure is awaiting the governor’s signature, which is likely as it was not included on his intent to veto list.

HONOLULU and WASHINGTON, DC — The Hawai’i Pharmacists Association (HPhA) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) are proud to announce the passage of SB 1245, an historic advancement that will recognize pharmacists as health care providers under Hawai’i law and ensure health plan reimbursement for services they provide within their scope of practice.

Signed into law by Gov. Josh Green, this legislation mandates that beginning July 1, 2026, private and public health plans in Hawai’i must reimburse licensed pharmacists for covered health services of contracted pharmacists when those services are delivered within pharmacists’ scope of practice.

“This is a major victory for patients and for the pharmacy profession in Hawai’i,” said Corrie Sanders, executive director of the Hawai’i Pharmacists Association. “Hawai’i faces a significant shortage of healthcare providers, particularly in rural and underserved communities. By recognizing pharmacists as providers and enabling reimbursement for the essential services they already deliver, this legislation strengthens the healthcare workforce, expands access to timely care across all islands, and allows pharmacists to ensure our patients and ‘ohana receive the level of care they deserve.”

Hawai’i, like many states, faces a shortage of physicians and other primary care providers. SB 1245 addresses this critical gap by leveraging the accessibility and clinical expertise of pharmacists, who are often the most accessible health care professionals in their communities. The law empowers pharmacists to sustainably provide a wide range of services, including chronic disease management, immunizations, point-of-care testing, and medication therapy management, with the assurance that they can be reimbursed when those services are covered for other providers.

“This legislation marks a turning point for health care access in Hawai’i,” said Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP, executive vice president and CEO of APhA. “Pharmacists have always delivered high-quality care, but outdated reimbursement rules limited what they could sustainably offer. With SB 1245, Hawai’i joins a growing number of states recognizing that pharmacists must be supported as paid providers to keep patients healthier and systems more efficient.”

HPhA and APhA extend their gratitude to the legislature, Sen. Joy San Buenaventura, Rep. Scot Matayoshi, Gov. Green, and the many health care advocates who supported this effort.

A new elevated walkway was officially opened on May 22 on Ala Moana Boulevard. “From our perspective, this quintessential pedestrian bridge literally connects Kaka‘ako Mauka to Kaka‘ako Makai, extending the safe walkability of this well-planned live, work, play community for kama‘āina and visitors alike,” said Hawai‘i Community Development Authority Executive Director Craig Nakamoto.

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT), with its contractors, built the $26 million bridge with a $17.8 million federal grant and $6 million from Howard Hughes. The state covered the balance.

“Connecting our community has always been at the heart of Ward Village, which is why the new elevated walkway is such a meaningful step forward,” said Doug Johnstone, president of the Hawai‘i region for Howard Hughes. “Our collaboration with the state DOT and the Federal Highway Administration has helped create a welcoming, safe link between Ward Village and Ala Moana, expanding access to public parks and improving the pedestrian experience.”

Photo courtesy: Ward Village

The site was selected, in part, because the Hawai‘i region for Howard Hughes was willing to dedicate land on the mauka side of Ala Moana Boulevard to construct an elevated walkway, and HCDA owns the land on the makai side.

“You know, they say it takes the village. No! It doesn’t take a village. It takes committed partners,” said Senator Sharon Moriwaki. “So, thank you, Howard Hughes, thanks to the state DOT. Thank you, Ed, for taking the initiative to get Federal Highway money so that we paid just a small portion.”

Jon Nouchi, deputy director of the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services said, “Our federal, state, city and community partners are aligned and unwavering in their commitment, in our commitment to safety and projects which enhance already great communities.”

Construction of the elevated pedestrian walkway began in May of 2022. It was completed and opened on May 22, 2025.

Hawaii’s governor and a top state law enforcement official shot off a warning to illegal fireworks users Monday, four days before the Fourth of July, announcing two new laws that took effect today.

During a ceremony in his office at the state Capitol, Gov. Josh Green signed two “signature” bills passed by the Legislature in May to crack down on rampant use, possession and distribution of illegal fireworks statewide.

One new law allows police officers to issue $300 civil citations for unpermitted fireworks possession or use. The law also establishes, among other things, higher criminal felony penalties for accidents that seriously injure or kill anyone, for possessing large quantities of fireworks and for repeat convictions.

The other new law allows use of aerial drone images as evidence for prosecution, and there could be 10 state Department of Law Enforcement drones shooting video in the skies over Oahu Friday.

“Today’s signing represents a change in the way that we view, prioritize and enforce (new laws against) individuals that recklessly place our communities at risk,” said DLE Director Mike Lambert. “No longer will we look at it as a benign activity or family fun.”

Lambert said there will be “much more enforcement” of violations occurring July 4 as a tuneup of sorts for New Year’s Eve when fireworks use soars in Hawaii.

Green advised the public to attend organized public fireworks shows or watch them on TV instead of risking fines, prison terms and the safety of themselves or others by using illegal fireworks.

“The police are going to be able to really charge, and then have the prosecutors prosecute cases to the max because of what the Legislature did,” Green said. “And these penalties are not going to be small. These are going to be serious felonies now. … I don’t want anyone to be surprised when there’s a felony charge against them.”

Green also urged people who plan to set off illegal fireworks Friday to instead surrender them to DLE at upcoming collection events to be announced later.

The two bills that became law today, House Bills 1483 and 550, were part of a flurry of legislation introduced in mid-January after a bomb-like fireworks cache explosion during a New Year’s Eve party at an Aliamanu home killed six people, including a 3-year-old boy, and injured dozens of others.

Some people involved in the incident were charged with crimes under then-existing laws that the Legislature and many community members consider insufficient. Other residents have been frustrated for decades at the widespread use of fireworks, including aerials, that can cause fires, respiratory issues and often rival commercial-grade pyrotechnics that produce house-shaking booms.

“When the community and our constituents gave us a call to action, we responded and delivered by passing these bills to deter the use of illegal fireworks,” said Sen. Brandon Elefante, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs.

Elefante (D, Aiea-Pacific Palisades-Pearl City) also noted the Legislature passed two other fireworks-related bills that Green signed Monday.

HB 806 appropriates $500,000 to DLE in the fiscal year beginning today and the same amount next fiscal year to conduct fireworks sting operations on Oahu.

Senate Bill 222 extends for five years an illegal fireworks task force that was established in June 2023 within DLE and was scheduled to disband Monday.

The state budget bill also appropriates about $5 million for an Explosive Enforcement Section in DLE with eight staff positions to disrupt the illegal fireworks trade in Hawaii.

Rep. Scot Matayoshi, chair of the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, said he was personally concerned for the safety of his own family after the tragic event in Aliamanu, in part because he has a 3-year-old son.

“After that incident happened, we didn’t know if our neighbor had a bomb in their house that was about to go off to threaten our families, our kids sleeping in their beds,” said Matayoshi (D, Kaneohe-Maunawili) during Monday’s ceremony. “It was a really scary time, and I’m really glad that the Legislature came together with the help of and support of Governor Green and the attorney general’s office to craft a bill, to craft legislation, to proactively take a stand on this.”

Matayoshi, the lead introducer of HB 1483, which is packed with all kinds of new violations and penalties related to illegal fireworks covering 88 pages, said the goal of the new law is to deter use.

“You know, we don’t sell a lot of fur coats here in Hawaii. There’s just no market for it,” he said. “What I want is for fireworks to be a fur coat. I want it to be harder to sell a fur coat on the beach in Waikiki than it is to sell an illegal firework here in Hawaii because so many people are afraid of the consequences of using and buying them, and afraid of the harm it’s going to cause to both themselves and their families.”

Penalties under the new law include up to one year in jail and/or up to a $2,000 fine for illegally setting off aerials within 500 feet of a dwelling.

The offense can rise to a Class C felony punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment and/or up to a $10,000 fine for anyone with a fireworks conviction in the prior 10 years. If the fireworks cause substantial injury to someone, the offense rises to a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or up to a $25,000 fine.

And if someone is seriously injured, it rises to a Class A felony punishable up to 20 years in prison and/or up to a $50,000 fine.

The same range of felony penalties in instances of repeat convictions and injuries also applies to distributors of illegal fireworks.

Another part in the new law establishes felony offenses for purchasing or possessing large quantities of illicit fireworks.

“Don’t run the risk of being the first person prosecuted with a Class B or Class A felony for blowing up some child,” Green warned. “You don’t want to be the person that goes to jail for 20 years. … We’re not trying to take the fun out of life at all. I love fireworks. We all love fireworks — but when they’re done safely, that is the key.”

"As a physician and public servant, I believe we have a moral obligation to protect the well-being of all children—especially those who have experienced trauma, abuse, or hardship," said Governor Josh Green, M.D. "These new laws reflect Hawaii’s deep commitment to treating kids with compassion and dignity, not punishment. By keeping children out of adult jails and prisons, ending mandatory minimum sentences for youth, and ensuring judges consider the full context of a child’s life, we are creating a justice system that sees children as they are: still growing, still healing, and still full of potential."

Together, these reforms ban the incarceration of youth in adult jails and prisons, end mandatory minimum sentencing for children, and establish a minimum age of 12 for prosecution—placing Hawaii among a small group of states leading the nation in child-centered criminal justice policy.

"These reforms recognize that all children deserve to have their human rights protected even when they make mistakes,” said Senator Mike Gabbard, who championed the legislation. “For our youngest na keiki, that means addressing behavioral issues with treatment and services outside of carceral settings. It also means that if incarceration becomes necessary for older youth, they are treated in an age-appropriate and trauma-informed manner. These laws will ensure our keiki receive that grace and the opportunity to heal from the trauma that often leads to their system involvement.”

Highlights of the New Laws:

SB 694: Prohibits the housing of children in adult jails, lock-ups, and prisons. This law addresses alarming data showing youth held with adults face dramatically higher risks of sexual abuse, physical assault, and suicide.

SB 691: Establishes a minimum age of 12 for prosecuting or adjudicating children delinquent, with no exceptions. Hawaii becomes just the third state in the nation with this level of protection.

SB 544: Ends mandatory minimum sentencing for youth and requires judges to consider a child’s full history—including Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)—before sentencing. Hawaii joins just five other states that have eliminated mandatory minimums for children prosecuted as adults.

"We are grateful for the moral leadership of Governor Green and Senator Gabbard in making Hawaii the best state in the country when it comes to protecting the human rights of system-involved youth," said James Dold, Founder and CEO of Human Rights for Kids. “Hawaii is a shining example of how data, science, and compassion can come together to create policies that prioritize healing and opportunity over punishment and harm.”

These sweeping reforms come at a critical time. Research shows that children exposed to incarceration, solitary confinement, and harsh sentencing are more likely to experience further trauma, have their brain development disrupted, and face increased risks of recidivism.

"Arrest and incarceration are deeply traumatic, punitive, and expensive responses to childhood behavior," said Jolene Forman, Chief Program and Advocacy Officer of The Just Trust, a national funder of youth justice reform. "We applaud any state seeking alternative models of accountability for kids to reduce future harm for individuals, their families, and broader communities."

About Human Rights for Kids

Human Rights for Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of the human rights of children. We use an integrated, multi-faceted approach which consists of research & public education, coalition building & grassroots mobilization, and policy advocacy & strategic litigation to advance critical human rights on behalf of children in the United States and around the world.

Human Rights for Kids is particularly grateful to our partner, The Just Trust, for supporting our state-level advocacy on behalf of children around the country.

Johanna Olivas

Human Rights for Kids

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Gov. Josh Green asked for courtesy resignations from the entire Hawai‘i Tourism Authority board following its first meeting as an advisory board Thursday — leaving the agency to process through its biggest leadership shake-up since it was created by the Legislature in 1998.

The governor’s office said in an email Thursday that he had “formally asked for courtesy resignations from each member of the HTA board of directors.”

Green does not have the authority to make the 12-member HTA board comply with his request. However, his stance is related to his May 29 signing of Senate Bill 1571, now Act 132, which downgrades the HTA board to an advisory role and expands oversight of the agency by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

“Given the board’s new advisory role, the governor’s previously stated goal is to reset the board and make appointments that align with both the new mission and the existing processes that govern all boards and commission appointments,” the email said. “Advisory board members appointed by the governor for HTA do require advice and consent from the Senate. Appointments by the Speaker of the House and Senate President do not.”

It’s too early to say if the entire board will comply with Green’s request. However, it was clear at Thursday’s monthly board meeting that many HTA board members viewed it as their swan song. Members were draped in lei and an ukulele performer kicked off the meeting with soothing Hawaiian tunes. Despite the niceties, the meeting included bouts of public infighting between board members.

HTA board Chair Todd Apo told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Friday that, “I think the new law has placed the responsibility at HTA in the governor’s office, and so certainly I respect his request for resignations to be able to reset the board to help set the direction for HTA. As a relatively new board member that has just gotten to start seeing some of the issues that have existed for a while, we have started to try to address them. At this point, it’s up to the next board membership to continue that effort on and bring HTA back to where it needs to be for our island economy and community.”

Rep. Adrian Tam (D, Waikiki), chair of the House Committee on Tourism, told the Star-Advertiser on Friday that he thinks Green’s request for resignations was the right move.

“Even at yesterday’s HTA board meeting, there was still a lot of confusion, communication issues and more sadly, there was a lot of contention,” Tam said. “There was still a lot of infighting. There continues to be bigger issues with the audit reports, the unpaid interest (to the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau), the ethics violations, and now there’s a lawsuit.”

In the past several months, HTA has undergone dramatic leadership shake-ups as it has struggled to address significant staffing shortages and problems from allegations of a toxic work environment to inappropriate freebies, procurement violations and late payments to contractors. Named and unnamed HTA officials have even been sued by Isaac Choy, HTA vice president of finance and acting chief administrative officer, who was put on unpaid leave May 9 at the direction of the state attorney general and the Department of Human Resources amid allegations he made racist and sexist remarks on the job.

Some of these issues were brought up at Thursday’s board meeting, which also included a closed-door executive session related to personnel.

Thursday’s board meeting followed a tourism informational briefing Monday at the Capitol called by Tam and Sen. Lynn DeCoite (D, East Maui-Upcountry-Molokai-Lanai-­Kahoolawe), chair of the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee. During the briefing, lawmakers expressed frustration as they interrogated some members of HTA’s staff, board and contractors.

Caroline Anderson, who was named HTA interim president and CEO in March, and Apo, who became HTA board chair the same month, could not immediately answer all of the lawmakers’ concerns, given that they inherited many of the agency’s current issues.

During the briefing, DeCoite noted that HTA had procurement violations and that DBEDT did not, and asked DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka’s opinion about putting HTA completely under DBEDT.

Tokioka said, “I won’t sit here advocating for that, but what I will sit here and advocate for is to do what 1571 mandated and to make sure that oversight with HTA with Caroline, or whoever is the president and CEO, is done.”

He added that, “Some of the mistakes I made as DBEDT director before 1571, I’m not going to make them again, which is going to get approval on things that I did not need to,” he said. “I think what you did with 1571 was because of the frustrations of the trust that was lacking … the things that have happened, many of them that you were talking about today. I’m going to do my best not to let you down because I understand that the Legislature is the bank.”

Tokioka, Tam and De­Coite met with HTA staff on Wednesday at their Hawai‘i Convention Center offices. During the visit, which was a follow-up to Monday’s briefing, they conveyed their appreciation for staff and highlighted that recent changes bring an opportunity for a fresh start.

However, Tam said state lawmakers do plan to continue pressing HTA for answers and that it will be incumbent on Anderson, her staff and the new HTA board to work on adopting “preventative policies to make sure that these things never happen again. I’m not satisfied that this has happened to the extent needed.”

Apo indicated at the briefing that the search for the next HTA president and CEO is progressing again, and that the board hoped to have a nominee to send to Green in the next four months. Tokioka said that as many as 100 candidates had previously applied before the search was paused to amend compensation, benefits and the job description.

Some members of the HTA board expressed concern Thursday that changing out the entire board could set the hiring process back as HTA board member Mike White currently heads the selection process through a permitted interaction group.

Tam said, “I don’t think it would be helpful for a board heading out to find any CEO and president for the new board. The new board needs to understand at minimum what’s been happening at HTA and the problems, to look at the audits that have come down the line and just come with a fresh perspective and discipline to ensure that infighting doesn’t leak into the staff and the governing of the HTA.”

Members of Hawaii’s visitor industry also are closely watching how the HTA board changes play out as well as HTA’s role under Act 132. Many see HTA as necessary to amplify the branding and marketing of Hawaii as a visitor destination, as well as to guide tourism management. The agency is seen as vital to the smallest industry players, who don’t have the budgets to mount campaigns with the same reach that partnering with HTA provides.

Rick Egged, who worked on the creation of HTA during his past tenure at the state, provided public in-person testimony.

“Over the last 27 years, HTA has done a lot of great things,” said Egged, who was speaking as an individual. “I wanted, first of all, to applaud you for all the accomplishments during this iteration that you currently experience. I realize we are now transitioning into a new direction, and I’m very optimistic that this new direction will be productive as well. Really, it’s kind of coming full circle because when we created HTA, it was really a function of DBEDT.”

John Cole, the deputy attorney general representing HTA, emphasized Thursday that the HTA advisory board still has authority in certain areas, including the selection of the HTA president and CEO, although the person selected for HTA’s top job will now report to Green.

A pilot program to fight agriculture-related crimes in Hawaii will go into effect July 1 on the Big Island and Oahu.

The program within the state Department of Law Enforcement is intended to strengthen laws relating to agriculture theft — including cattle rustling — plus trespassing and hunting without permission on private ag land.

The new law — one of five ag measures signed into law today by Gov. Josh Green — is being called “Duke’s law.” It was Senate Bill 1249, which was introduced by Sen. Tim Richards, a Waimea Democrat and vice chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee.

The law’s name is in honor of Cranston “Duke” Pia, a 39-year-old Makaha, Oahu, rancher who was — in Richards’ words — “executed in front of his mother” for protecting his cattle from hunting dogs on Feb. 17, 2024.

Pia died of a single gunshot wound to the head.

Chantston Pila Kekawa, then 17, of Maili, Oahu, was charged as an adult with second-degree murder, first-degree terroristic threatening, firearms offenses and first-degree theft. He pleaded not guilty and has a trial scheduled for Aug. 18 in Honolulu Circuit Court.

“SB 1249 is about protecting our farmers and ranchers while honoring the memory of Duke Pia,” Richards said today. “Duke was a young rancher who was tragically shot and killed while confronting trespassers on his land.

“This law strengthens enforcement, increases penalties, and gives us the tools to fight rural crime. It’s about justice, safety and preserving the future of agriculture in Hawaii.”

The law funds, within DLE, a full-time assistant chief position; two full-time investigator positions, one on the Big Island, the other on Oahu; and six full-time agricultural patrol officers, three for the Big Island and three for Oahu.

The new law doesn’t contain the stand-your-ground component that would allow a farmer or rancher, under certain circumstances, to exercise deadly force without retreating that was in another bill Richards introduced. That bill, HB 1248, the original Duke Pia bill, died without a hearing from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The new law appropriates $949,856 for each of the next two fiscal years to fund the pilot program.

Other agriculture and food-related bills signed into law today by Green include:

— HB 534, which prohibits the sale of any raw processed ahi tuna by retail establishments without a label that states the country where the ahi was landed.

The bill claims that the majority of raw processed ahi sold in Hawaii retail establishments as poke is “foreign-sourced, previously frozen, gas treated and imported in pre-cut cubes” and generally cheaper for retailers.

It also states that local consumers of poke are “subjected to misleading advertisements and in-store terminology such as ‘prepared fresh,’ ‘freshly made’ and ‘locally made,’ while the ahi used to prepare the poke is foreign-sourced, previously frozen, gas treated and imported in pre-cut cubes.”

“Due to a loophole in federal labeling laws, retailers are not required to disclose the origin of these products, leading many consumers to falsely assume they are purchasing fresh, locally caught tuna,” wrote Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa, a Kona Democrat, the majority caucus leader and former Agriculture and Food Systems chairwoman, in a committee report. “By ensuring transparency in seafood labeling, this measure empowers consumers to make informed choices, supports Hawaii’s fishing industry, and protects the integrity of the state’s premium seafood market.”

The law, which goes into effect July 1, 2026, was introduced by Rep. Tyson Miyake, a Maui Democrat and majority whip, with Kahaloa and fellow Big Island Reps. Nicole Lowen and David Tarnas signing on as co-sponsors.

According to Eric Kingma, executive director of the Hawaii Longline Association, the local market for fresh ahi poke sold at retail largely has been replaced by foreign-caught, gas-treated tuna imported from Vietnam, the Philippines, China, Indonesia and other countries. He added the new law “should help Hawaii’s commercial tuna fishermen statewide.”

“This bill will hopefully drive consumer demand for more fresh Hawaii-landed ahi poke at retail because they will see that the previously frozen, gas-treated tuna is not from Hawaii,” Kingma said.

— HB 774, which which goes into effect July 1, relates to value-added products and establishes a food and product innovation network within the Agribusiness Development Corporation. It also appropriates $385,289 for each of the next two fiscal years for two full-time positions, plus operating expenses.

The development of this network is intended to facilitate the responsible use of labels such as “Hawaii made,” “Made in Hawaii,” “Produced in Hawaii” and “Processed in Hawaii,” and aid businesses in promoting their products locally and internationally.

Kahaloa, who introduced the legislation, called it “transformative for Hawaii’s farmers and food entrepreneurs — empowering them to innovate, grow and proudly share their unique products with the world.”

Green said the network will provide “access to facilities, equipment, certification resources — things that make a difference.”

“Honestly, I believe people are more than ready to buy agricultural products from the state of Hawaii,” Green said.

— HB 496 prohibits certain words and images on packaging of mamaki tea suggesting the tea is a Hawaii agricultural product unless 100% of the tea or dried leaves were cultivated, harvested and dried in Hawaii. The law, which goes into effect July 1, also appropriates $65,000 for each of the next two fiscal years for a full-time measurement standards inspector.

The bill was introduced by Kahaloa, with fellow Big Island Reps. Lowen, Jeanne Kapela and Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy among the co-signers.

The measure was formerly on Green’s intent to veto list.

— and HB 427 renames the state Department of Agriculture the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, and the Board of Agriculture the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The legislation, introduced by Kahaloa, also transfers the Hawaii Invasive Species Council from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the newly named department.

In addition, the measure establishes a position of deputy chair for biosecurity to oversee all biosecurity initiatives within the department.

The department, with the governor’s approval, may declare a biosecurity emergency in response to an outbreak of a pest or resistant organism that poses an economic or environmental threat.

According to the governor’s office, the state budget allocates the highest level of funding ever for biosecurity — $26.6 million appropriated over the next two fiscal years to support positions and related expenses.

“With the increasing frequency of natural disasters and growing biosecurity threats, safeguarding our resources and environment is a top priority for my administration,” said Green. “Prevention and forethought will fortify our state, and by signing HB 427, we are keeping top of mind the ways in which we can stay in the driver’s seat — actively leading the effort to protect our agriculture and our islands.”

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii’s governor signed new legislation in support of the state judiciary into law Thursday.

The governor’s office said that the bills fund the judiciary for the next two years and ensure it has the resources to fulfill its mission.

House Bill 400, Act 227, appropriates $214 million for fiscal year 2026 and $212 million for fiscal year 2027.

The funding includes a new district court judge and support staff in Kona, and funds the permanent establishment of three specialty courts on Oahu: Women’s Court, Driving While Impaired Court, and Truancy Court and Early Education Intervention Court."

“By expanding key programs like the Adult Client Services Branch, Community Outreach Court, and Women’s Court, we are building a more effective justice system that helps keep our communities in Hawaii safer and stronger,” said Senate Judiciary Committee chair Karl Rhoads.

House Bill 727, Act 228, builds off the Mohala Wahine pilot program from 2022 and expands access to trauma-informed, evidence-based practices.

The Women’s Court recently celebrated its first six graduates at a special ceremony at the Hawaii Supreme Court. The court aims to help individuals who have been touched by the criminal justice system turn their lives around with drug abuse treatment, counseling, and help to find stable housing and employment.

Act 228 also establishes a two-year Women’s Court pilot program in the Third Circuit Court in Kona.

“Many of these women are mothers and caregivers, and with personalized, supportive care focused on healing rather than punishment, we can help them rehabilitate,” said Rep. Mahina Poepoe. “Expanding this program to Hawaii Island will strengthen families and communities across our state.”

“We have a long-term goal of incarcerating far fewer people and helping many more people get access to health care and some form of healing as they come through their challenges,” Green said.

In support of the judiciary, Green also signed:

• HB 280, Act 229, relates to the community outreach court.

• HB 398, Act 230, relates to compensation for court-appointed representation.

• HB 399, Act 231, and HB 401, Act 232, relate to district court judges.

• Senate Bill 304, Act 233, relates to the judiciary.

Reminiscent of the “yasai trucks” of the rural plantation camps and towns, the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai held a Mobile Food Pantry blessing by Kahu Jade Waialeale Battad on Tuesday, under weather conditions that started out threatening before ending in a downpour at the Kauai Philippine Cultural Center.

The Mobile Food Pantry is designed to expand access to nutritious food in rural and underserved communities across the island.

With the attendance of key dignitaries, including Kauai Council Chair Mel Rapozo, Senate President Ron Kouchi, Speaker of the House Nadine Nakamura, and Hawaii Foodbank President and CEO Amy Miller, the blessing and launch of the innovative mobile unit highlights a significant step forward in efforts to reduce food insecurity and improve health outcomes for thousands of Kauai residents.

“Food insecurity affects one in four households on Kauai and one in three keiki,” said Wes Perreira, the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai Director. “Filling gaps and reaching all of our families and neighbors on the Garden Island is a major priority for Hawaii Foodbank Kauai. This Mobile Food Pantry is an innovative tool in making sure no family is left behind — no matter where they live.”

The fully equipped 16-foot refrigerated vehicle functions as a grocery-style food pantry on wheels, allowing families and individuals to choose the food that best meets their needs. The Mobile Food Pantry will travel to communities with limited access to full-service grocery stores or regular food distribution points, helping remove transportation barriers and ensuring equitable access to fresh, healthy food.

The truck will visit partner sites throughout the island on a regular schedule, offering a wide range of food items, including fresh produce, proteins, dairy products, and shelf-stable goods. The vehicle is generator-powered and self-sufficient, enabling Hawaii Foodbank Kauai to respond quickly during times of disaster or emergency.

The press release states this new effort is part of Hawaii Foodbank’s broader mission to nourish ohana today and work to end hunger tomorrow. It reflects the organization’s deep commitment to increasing access to safe and healthy foods, broadening the approach to expand food distribution in identified areas of need, and strengthening community resilience.

“Food insecurity across Hawaii — and especially on Kauai — is a complex issue, and it is important we understand the challenges uniquely faced by our local families, neighbors, and communities,” Miller said. “Most immediately, this new Mobile Food Pantry allows us to expand our reach and distribute more nutritious food to areas of need. In addition to that, it is a powerful example of our community coming together to create solutions that are centered on dignity, health, and choice.”

The Mobile Food Pantry was made possible through Grant-in-Aid funding from the State of Hawaii, along with the generosity of local donors, volunteers, and agency partners committed to ending hunger on Kauai.

State officials have a new roadmap to decarbonize the cars, planes and ships that form Hawaiʻi’s transportation sector, they told legislators on Wednesday – almost exactly one year after they signed a landmark settlement with youth climate activists to ramp up those efforts.

That plan, Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen said, will be released Friday. It largely involves converting those vehicles to cleaner fuels, plus adding more pedestrian paths, bike lanes and public transit options, to help the state hit its goal of phasing out carbon emissions by 2045.

It comes after a group of 13 local youths, including many Native Hawaiians, sued Sniffen’s department in 2022, saying transportation remained the state’s largest emissions polluter, was on the wrong track and threatened their traditional ways of life and rights to a clean environment. 

📷Vehicles head east bound on H1 Lunalilo Freeway before the Punahou offramp.

Vehicles clog the H1 Freeway near the Punahou offramp. The state’s Department of Transportation is ramping up efforts to decarbonize vehicles across Hawaiʻi, but lawmakers want to balance those efforts with local affordability. (Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022)

The parties settled last year, however, and agreed to work together on the state’s ambitious goals. Isaac Moriwake, an EarthJustice attorney who represented the youth in the lawsuit, Navahine v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, helped Sniffen deliver the briefing on Wednesday.

Lawmakers lauded their joint efforts under the first-of-its-kind climate settlement, but they also expressed concerns over cost increases to fuel and everyday goods that local residents would face as a result.

“I’m all for the decarbonization of Hawaii, but this has always been my main issue,” Nānākuli Rep. Darius Kila said, “You (are) asking folks to move toward a green infrastructure who don’t have green, right? Not everybody can afford an electric vehicle.”

“It’s this constant moving forward,” Kila added. “You forget that there are people who are still trying to catch up.” 

Other legislators echoed Kila, saying the state’s ambitious and aggressive steps to decarbonize had to be equitable and assist many Hawaiʻi residents in that transition, particularly those in rural areas, so that they don’t get left behind.

“We don’t just want a transition,” Rep. Tina Grandinetti said. “We want a just transition.”

📷State Rep. Darius Kila holds a West Oahu Town Hall on public safety Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, at Nanakuli High and Intermediate School in Waianae. He was joined by City Council member Andria Tupola, Honolulu Police Department Chief Joe Logan, Major Gail Beckley and Department of Law Enforcement Deputy Director Jared Redulla. Nānākuli Rep. Darius Kila: As the state surges forward with decarbonization goals, “there are people who are still trying to catch up.” (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024)

Cost Of Compliance Remains Unknown

It’s not yet clear exactly how the state’s zero-emissions goals might impact local families’ pocketbooks. Laura Kaakua, the transportation department’s energy security and outreach manager, said the agency aims to have some financial figures for the Legislature to review before its session next year.

Nonetheless, the cost affiliated with converting Hawaiʻi’s transportation sector are expected to be relatively short-term so that residents can benefit from long-term savings in their fuel and energy costs, Sen. Chris Lee and Rep. Nicole Lowen said during the briefing. They’re among the Legislature’s most outspoken proponents for climate action.

Brenton Awa, a Republican senator who represents much of Oʻahu’s Windward side and North Shore, said the decarbonization plan shouldn’t proceed at all if it results in any cost increases, even if those costs are short-term. Awa said he’s particularly worried about the continued, gradual exodus of Native Hawaiians off of the islands.

The lawsuit that helped spur the transportation department’s new decarbonization plan, however, was largely brought by Native Hawaiian youth, represented by environmental legal advocacy groups, who fear climate change is already eroding their ability to live in the islands as their families have for generations.

Sniffen, meanwhile, said that the aviation industry has reported it would cost about $1 billion more to convert to sustainable fuels by 2045 instead of five years later, in 2050. 

He told lawmakers that he needs to get a better sense of how locals would be hit by the short-term costs before recommending whether to keep the 2045 goals or push some of those goals out to later years. In the meantime, he said, he’s following the state’s climate goals as laid out by law.

“Once I get that opportunity… then I can recommend to you what I would (support) based on getting to that green future that we want,” Sniffen said, “but also making sure that people can actually live here.” 

“I mean, that’s where I want to get to.”

Civil Beat’s coverage of climate change and the environment is supported by The Healy Foundation, the Marisla Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation and the Frost Family Foundation.

More families will have access to preschool education for their keiki starting in January.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, serving as Acting Governor, today signed into law Act 203 (House Bill 692), a major expansion of the state’s Preschool Open Doors tuition subsidy program.

Hawai‘i Island Sen. Joy San Buenaventura speaks during bill signing event on expanded Preschool Open Doors program on June 24, 2025. (Photo credit: Office of the Lieutenant Governor)

The new law, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026, expands eligibility to include 2-year-olds and removes accreditation requirements for child care providers, reducing barriers and increasing child care capacity across Hawaiʻi.

“Expanding access to early learning is not just good policy but a commitment to our future, for our children, for our working families, for greater equity,” said Deborah Zysman, executive director for Hawai‘i Childrens Action Network.

Administered by the state’s Department of Human Services, the program provides monthly child care and preschool tuition subsidies to qualifying low- to middle-income families. This legislation marks another milestone in the state’s Ready Keiki plan, led by Luke, to ensure universal access to early learning by 2032.

In addition to the legislation, Luke signed updated administrative rules (HAR 17-799) that further expand access to the program by raising income eligibility to 500% of the federal poverty level (for example, a family of four earning up to $184,896 is now eligible).

“We know that far too many working families fall into the gap—they earn too much to qualify for help but still struggle to afford quality child care. For the first time, a family of four making about $180,000 can qualify for Preschool Open Doors,” Luke said. “This expansion directly addresses that gap and brings us closer to our goal of making early learning truly accessible for all Hawaiʻi families.”

The program will also grant presumptive eligibility for families experiencing homelessness or domestic violence, providing temporary support for up to two months while documentation is gathered. It also caps co-payments at 3% of income, or a maximum of $45 per month.

These changes take effect Friday, just in time for the open enrollment period starting July 1.

Sen. Joy San Buenaventura, who represents Puna, championed the measure in the Senate during the latest legislative session. Following the bill signing, the senator highlighted the new rule that ends annual certification fees for early childhood educator providers, which will increase the pool of providers, hopefully allowing more access.

“So long as they are licensed, they don’t need additional certifications,” San Buenaventura said.

These updates build on a series of recent improvements to the Preschool Open Doors program. In January 2024, new rules extended eligibility to 3-year-olds, increased income thresholds, and reduced co-pays. In July 2024, the program moved to a year-round application with designated priority and open enrollment periods, making it easier for families to apply when they’re ready.

Families across the state are already seeing the real impact of Preschool Open Doors.

Scott Morishige, with the Department of Human Services, said the increase in the income limit is critical for impoverished families as child care is the third highest cost behind housing and food.

“This helps households make ends meet and helps them to thrive,” he said.

Morishige said of the 2,484 kids approved for the 2025-26 school year, 1,357 were 4-year-olds and 1,127 were 3-year-olds. They also received 750 more applications than the department had in prior years.

Luke said the increase in enrollment will not come at the cost of larger class sizes, adding: “We’re keeping class sizes low and that will encourage best learning outcomes.”

To apply to the Preschool Open Doors program, click here, or request an application from PATCH by visiting patchhawaii.org, calling 808-791-2130, or toll-free at 800-746-5620. PATCH can also help families find a preschool that meets their needs.

HONOLULU (Island News) -- Hawaiian Electric said because of lower fuel costs, a typical household will now see about a $3 reduction in its monthly bill.

But future rate increases for the utility company were the focus at the State Capitol.

Like a report card for students, HECO's income is partly based on how well it does on certain metrics.

And according to some lawmakers the state's largest utility has a failing grade.

"From Oahu to the Big Island we're seeing spotty service, and the amount the system is down is increased almost threefold. We are paying three times the national average for electricity bills," said Senator Glenn Wakai.

In 2018, lawmakers passed legislation that allowed rates to be set based on performance based regulation known as PBR.

Which means if the company meets certain goals, for example: adding additional renewable products, or reducing power outages, HECO may get to keep more money.

"PBR is like a toolbox and the performance mechanisms are your tools. Hawaii has the most tools in its toolbox than anywhere else," said PUC supervising Attorney Mark Kaetsu.

Hawaiian Electric will soon enter the fifth and final year of its current PBR plan and the Public Utility Commission is already looking at rebasing rates for the next PBR plan.

But some lawmakers worry that could mean higher rates without better service.

"When the utility can come in at anytime and ask for more... what are we asking from them in return? We should be asking for things like prove you are saving money and running like a business," stated Senator Jarrett Keohokalole.

Lawmakers are concerned the utility is dictating what it wants, rather than the Public Utility Commission telling HECO what is best for residents. Which is keeping rates from rising.

"I worry that we are setting ourselves up for the largest cost increase to consumers in history," said Senator Chris Lee.

Rates were not the only issue brought up at the meeting, so were whistleblower complaints about the PUC. Those claimed a certain manager has created a toxic environment, and called for leadership change.

Now the PUC will have to deal with more than just utility rates in the future.

"It is something mentioned in this letter that we believe for us through human resources to commence an investigation," said DCCA Director Nadine Ando.

The state legislators in charge of tourism praised the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, but cried foul on HTA when it learned that the agency now expects to pick up the tab for the team’s welcome reception, estimated to cost from $80,000 to $100,000.

Lawmakers brought to light the issues with HTA’s Rams contract during an informational briefing called by Rep. Adrian Tam (D, Waikiki), chair of the House Committee on Tourism, and Sen. Lynn DeCoite (D, East Maui-Upcountry-Molokai-Lanai-­Kahoolawe), chair of the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee.

Lawmakers also questioned HTA’s accountability and transparency, as well as the ability of Caroline Anderson, its current interim president and CEO, to lead an agency dealing with significant staffing shortages and problems from allegations of a toxic work environment to inappropriate freebies, procurement violations and late payments to contractors. Named and unnamed HTA officials have even been sued by Isaac Choy, HTA vice president of finance and acting chief administrative officer, who was put on unpaid leave May 9 at the direction of the state attorney general and the Department of Human Resources amid allegations he made racist and sexist remarks on the job.

Sen. Donna Mercado Kim (D, Kalihi Valley-Moanalua-­Halawa) highlighted HTA’s latest issue when she asked Anderson if HTA had incurred any expenses for the Rams outside of its expected contract expenses.

HTA had contracted with the Rams to pay $1.5 million, and another $300,000 if the Rams make the playoffs, to promote tourism in Maui and Hawaii. But Anderson told Kim that it is possible that HTA might have to pay an additional fee to cover the Rams’ welcome reception as “there seems to be some language in the contract which is not clear about what the Rams are paying for and what HTA is paying for.”

James Kunane Tokioka, state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism director, opined to lawmakers that the state will have to cover most of the reception­ at the Wailea Beach Resort- Marriott, Maui, which he estimated will cost $80,000 to $100,000.

Tokioka told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, “Why would the Rams’ contract say they are committed to $5,000? They know that a luau is going to cost more than $5,000 so in their mind the state was paying for it.”

Lawmakers grilled Anderson, Tokioka and Todd Apo, HTA board chair, on the emerging issues with the latest Rams contract, which they noted was part of a broader pattern of concerns related to accountability, transparency, and effectiveness.

Kim was incredulous that Apo said the board had approved the Rams program, but not the contract in detail.

DeCoite said HTA needed an attorney, and said the current process, is “like me giving my business to my granddaughter and saying, ‘Hey just go run wild with the checkbook.’”

Tokioka told the Star-Advertiser that he sent an email to the Attorney General’s Office for guidance, but that he thinks “somebody made a commitment that they shouldn’t have made and that put a cloud over the Rams’ visit. But it shouldn’t because what they did was incredible. The community embraced them and they embraced the community.”

Tokioka said the contract was negotiated by former HTA Chief Stewardship Officer Kalani Ka‘ana‘ana, whose resignation from HTA was effective May 2, and by HTA board member Mufi Hannemann, who was HTA board chair at the time.

“They said Mufi told them that the state was going to pay for the reception,” he said.

Hannemann was not present at the briefing but told the Star-Advertiser that he “did not authorize to pay for the reception,” and that Tokioka is misrepresenting facts.

“It was my expectation that the deal would cover the reception,” Hannemann said, adding that he had heard that Ka‘ana‘ana was putting in a contingency in the budget.

While Tokioka and Hannemann disagree on what happened with the most recent Rams contract, they both supported the current partnership and are interested in future partnerships.

Hannemann said that the latest partnership with the Rams as well as the reception brought undeniable returns.

As part of HTA’s partnership with the Rams, Mauicamp started on June 16 and ended Thursday. On June 17-18, the Rams also hosted on-field team activities that featured players in workout gear at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku.

“As many as 457 people came to Maui including the players, VIPs, the staff and their premium fan base. Everyplace we went people were circulating and spending money,” Hannemann said. “It reinforced the message that Maui is open for business and it welcomes people back. This deal was driven by HTA. The tourism industry shined on behalf of the people of Maui and the state’s economy. The governor and the mayor supported us doing this deal — that’s why this is a head scratcher. “

HTA also will serve as the presenting sponsor of a Rams 2025 home game at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood, and as the presenting sponsor of the Rams’ offseason content on therams.com and social channels, including in-depth coverage of the team’s visit to Maui.

Tokioka said he was not a part of earlier contract negotiations with the Rams. But he said that he is pursuing a new partnership with the Rams that would allow the University of Hawaii to play UCLA at SoFi Stadium. He said UCLA was supposed to come to Hawaii to play, but that the university currently doesn’t have a stadium available.

Tokioka said there are still details to work out, but if the partnership prevails, the University of Hawaii would play UCLA on Sept. 18, 2027, at SoFi Stadium as a home game for Hawaii.

“There’s a desire with the Rams to do more with the state of Hawaii than is currently on the table,” he said. “By 2026, we should know if we’ll get to play in SoFi or not. UCLA has never played in SoFi and never has UH. SoFi Stadium is the premier stadium in the NFL right now.”

During the briefing, which lasted about six hours, several lawmakers expressed concern that HTA was even necessary given that Senate Bill 1571, which was signed into law May 29, has downgraded the HTA board to an advisory role, and DBEDT now has oversight of most of the board’s previous functions.

Sen. Glenn Wakai (D, Kalihi-­Salt Lake-Pearl Harbor) discussed the possibility of bifurcating HTA’s marketing and destination stewardship between two state agencies.

DeCoite suggested folding HTA into DBEDT.

Tam said he has begun working on drafting a bill to implement all of the recommendations in a third-party governance study released last July by Better Destinations LLC, founded by Cathy Ritter. The study, which cost nearly $300,000, recommended that a private, independent, nonprofit Destination Stewardship Organization (referred to as a DSO) replace HTA, which was created by the state Legislature more than a quarter of a century ago.

Tam said he was baffled that the study was not presented to lawmakers at the beginning of this year’s session so that they could have had public hearings to discuss the findings.

“The first thing in the governance study was that you guys pretty much needed to be replaced. You didn’t like what it says so you guys are just kicking the can down the road … until people forget about it. That’s just appalling,” Tam said.

Hawaiʻi lawmakers grilled leaders of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority all day on Monday, drilling down on questions about financial management and the overall effectiveness of an organization on the verge of chaos.

Lawmakers covered everything from a marketing contract with the Los Angeles Rams to controversies involving a senior financial officer now on unpaid leave to a practice of asking board members to remove agenda items to avoid critical press coverage.

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority board Chairman Todd Apo, left, Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau Chief Executive Aaron Salā, acting HTA Chief Executive Caroline Anderson and Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director Jimmy Tokioka answered questions from lawmakers on Monday. (Hawaii Legislature/Screenshot/2025)

At one point during the marathon hearing, Sen. Lynne DeCoite, who chairs the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, summed up the theme of the informational briefing.

“Houston, we have a problem,” she said. “And we have to fix it.”

Gov. Josh Green plans to ask for the resignations of every member of the authority’s board, according to a statement provided by his office to Hawaii News Now.

“Because the responsibilities of the board have changed to an advisory role, he feels it best to start with a clean slate,” the statement said. “The HTA board as it was previously established no longer exists, so it makes sense to look at the composition of the new board.”

Sen. Lynne DeCoite, chair, Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism
“Sometimes you’ve got to take just a whole different direction.”

The tourism authority’s acting chief executive, Caroline Anderson, spent much of Monday on the hot seat, facing questions from members of DeCoite’s Senate committee and the House Committee on Tourism. While Anderson has implemented a 90-day plan to get HTA back on track, the informational briefing reinforced the image of an agency embroiled in strife.

HTA has lacked a permanent chief executive for nearly two years, and the agency has been shaken by defections of key staff. Its interim president and chief executive, Daniel Nāhoʻopiʻi, Chief Stewardship Officer Kalana Ka‘anā‘anā and spokesman T. Ilihia Gionson have all left in the past year.

On top of that, the organization’s head of finance and acting chief administrative officer, Isaac Choy, was recently placed on unpaid leave for allegedly creating a hostile work environment for Native Hawaiian employees. He’s fired back with a lawsuit saying he was removed for reporting procurement violations and widespread financial waste within the tourism agency.

Meanwhile, the whole organization faces major structural changes thanks to a new law signed by Green in May.

For lawmakers, the bottom line was about spending taxpayer money — HTA gets about $63 million a year to market Hawaiʻi and mitigate overtourism — on a flawed agency.

DeCoite said the agency is asking the state for more money to run a program that is “literally flawed,” adding that “sometimes you’ve got to take just a whole different direction.”

L.A. Rams Lūʻau Cost Taxpayers $80,000

Lawmakers spent significant time asking about procurement policies. A case in point involved a marketing contract with the Los Angeles Rams. The $1.8 million contract calls for the Rams to promote Hawaiʻi in the state’s largest market for visitors and to put on a mini-camp on Maui, including flag football for girls, which was held June 18.

DeCoite praised the event and the goodwill it brought the community. So did Sen. Donna Mercado Kim and Jimmy Tokioka, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which oversees HTA.

Gov. Josh Green and Los Angeles Rams president Keven Demoff announced a tourism marketing contract between the state and team in June. An ambiguity in the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s contract with the Rams means the state will have to pay an estimated $80,000 for an event on top of the $1.8 million contract. (Courtesy of LA Rams)

The issue was an apparent hole in the Rams’ contract. Not clear from the document was how much the state would be on the hook for a 400-person lūʻau with an open bar that was part of the Rams’ visit to Hawaiʻi. That event tacked on at least $80,000 to the costs to the state, Tokioka said.

The sole-source contract called for the Rams to pay a maximum of $5,000 for the event, leaving the state to pay the rest. HTA officials couldn’t explain exactly how the provision became part of the contract, which they said was negotiated by Kaʻanāʻanā, who’s no longer on staff.

Mercado Kim criticized the tourism agency for overlooking such hidden costs.

“This is not just one contract,” she said. “This is inherent in your whole system.”

Sens. Donna Mercado Kim, left, and Lynn DeCoite and Rep. Adrian Tam spent Monday questioning state tourism officials about the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (Hawaiʻi Legislature/Screenshot/2025)

Another issue involved a $780,000 interest charge on late payments to the organization’s main marketing contractors, the Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau, which has a $38.6 million two-year contract for marketing, and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, which does destination management under an $18.7 million contract.

Anderson, the authority’s acting chief executive, said the state will not be on the hook for the $780,000, which she said will come from the visitors bureau’s existing contract. Not satisfied, Kim asked how the money spent to cover interest was furthering the goal of marketing Hawaiʻi as a tourist destination. That would leave a $780,000 hole somewhere else.

Kim also called out Anderson for placing Choy on leave in May when Choy was the one who raised questions about the cost. In May, Anderson placed Choy on unpaid leave for making derogatory remarks about Native Hawaiians. Tokioka has said he heard one such comment, reprimanded Choy and demanded an apology.

Choy, a former longtime lawmaker, has shot back with a whistleblower lawsuit saying he’s being retaliated against after reporting procurement violations and other problems at HTA that are wasting millions of dollars.

Kim raised questions about the dispute.

“We have a qualified person who has a target on his back because he flushed out the deficiencies,” Kim said. “How is that fair?”

Sen. Kurt Fevella, who has criticized Choy for using the term “dumb Hawaiian” during contract negotiations with the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, said, “Nobody has put a target on anyone’s back.”

The issue, he said, was a racial slur “about our people being ‘dumb Hawaiians.’”

David Arakawa, chair of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s Budget, Finance and Convention Center Committee, said he was asked to take items off a meeting agenda to avoid bad press for the agency. (Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2018)

Anderson’s time on the hot seat got even more tense at one point when HTA board member David Arakawa joined Anderson at the table. According to Arakawa, who chairs the tourism agency’s Budget, Finance and Convention Center Committee, Anderson asked him to remove items from a committee agenda for a May meeting because they might result in bad press.

Anderson explained to lawmakers that staff didn’t have the information to answer the questions and that she was trying to create a spirit of collaboration in the organization.

“You’re not collaborating,” DeCoite said. “You’re dictating.”

When Anderson denied Kim’s allegation that Anderson was acting like a “gestapo,” Kim shot back, “If you can say, ‘Take something off the agenda,’ then you are one: I’m sorry.”

Rep. Adrian Tam, who chairs the House Tourism Committee, offered another suggestion for avoiding critical media attention.

“If you want to avoid bad headlines,” Tam said, “I think the better approach would actually be to address the problems head-on instead of putting it under the rug.”

The state legislators in charge of tourism are holding a post-session informational briefing Monday on the beleaguered Hawai‘i Tourism Authority that could play out more like an exit interview.

Gov. Josh Green’s office said in an email Wednesday that he plans on asking for courtesy resignations from the entire HTA board before the beginning of the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.

Green’s stance is related to the passage of Senate Bill 1571, which changed HTA’s governance model when he signed it May 29. “Because the responsibilities of the board have changed to an advisory role, he feels it best to start with a clean slate,” the email said. “The HTA board as it was previously established no longer exists, so it makes sense to look at the composition of the new board.”

State Rep. Adrian Tam (D, Waikiki), chair of the House Committee on Tourism, and state Sen. Lynn DeCoite (D, East Maui-Upcountry-Molokai-Lanai-­Kahoolawe), chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Economic Development and Tourism, are holding the joint informational briefing at 10 a.m. Monday in Room 329 of the state Capitol. Tam said the briefing will review HTA’s interim action plans, current projects and recent developments.

He said the briefing also will cover contract updates, the community-driven destination management action plans, or DMAPs, and audit findings issued by the state auditor.

“The purpose of this is to have an open discussion about the future of HTA and the current plans as well as any open-ended questions that other members of the community and the Legislature may have,” Tam said, adding that legislators from outside the tourism committees are welcome to sit in and ask questions.

“A lot of our members are genuinely curious about the future of HTA, and rightfully so. This is our largest industry,” he said.

Caroline Anderson, HTA interim president and CEO, said in an email, “Establishing an effective governance structure is essential and will determine how successful HTA can be in fulfilling its mission to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the impacts on our natural resources, culture and community.”

DeCoite said Thursday that the idea behind the briefing is to avoid waiting until the end of the year and then scrambling at the last minute to address concerns about tourism, especially since it’s the economic driver for the state. She said she expects Monday’s briefing will be comprehensive.

“We just have had challenges with HTA and some of the things that they have been doing. We have tried to solve everything in the past years. There are just a lot of issues. We keep seeing HTA in the newspaper,” DeCoite said.

She added that above all, HTA officials have to work together and prioritize its goals and projects.

“They have got to be able to justify the funds that they requested for some of the priorities that they have asked for — more so on the destination management, which has been an issue for me,” DeCoite said. “I’m sure you saw the audit on the destination management action plans and it doesn’t look good.”

The latest management audit released by State Auditor Leslie H. Kondo determined that HTA’s destination management focus is “not new or effective” and the agency remains unable to gauge its own performance.

The state audit was especially critical of HTA’s DMAP effort, which it determined was “poorly planned and executed with key decisions deferred to third-party contractors and island steering committees. The result: many of the actions did not address hot spots, were underway or already achieved, or were impractical.”

The DMAPs are HTA’s latest destination management strategy, and the plans approved by the HTA board in 2021 were intended to detail the steps the community, the visitor industry and other sectors deemed necessary to improve tourism management over a three-year period.

The DMAPs were an outgrowth of the HTA Strategic Plan, which ran from 2020 to 2025 and was touted as the first strategic plan the agency developed as part of its shift from a mainly marketing focus to a greater emphasis on destination management.

Anderson said in an email that the audit “identified areas for improvement, and we have begun assessing the recommendations provided in the report. HTA remains focused on improving its processes and procedures, including how we measure success and effectiveness in accomplishing our mission.”

SOME OF the HTA board and staff disagreed with the management audit’s findings, and it’s unclear what tack they will take in the informational briefing. It’s also uncertain how current HTA board members will react to Green’s request or the other coming governance changes.

HTA staff already is dealing with several key vacancies, although Anderson has launched a 90-day action plan to shore up the agency.

In addition to downgrading the HTA board to an advisory board, SB 1571 lays out new operational and administrative criteria, and sets new standards for the selection of board members. The bill also amends eligibility requirements to serve on the advisory board.

It removes the director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism from the board and requires that board members must be a representative of a tourism-impacted entity.

Other provisions allow the House speaker and Senate president to each appoint an HTA advisory board member and allow the advisory board to appoint the HTA president and CEO, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Additionally, SB 1571 requires the HTA leader to report to the governor.

The measure also clarifies that the Hawai‘i Convention Center must reflect a “Hawaii” sense of place instead of a “Hawaiian” sense of place.

HTA board Chair Todd Apo said the board is still processing the changes. Apo added that John Cole, the deputy attorney general assigned to HTA, told the board at its last meeting that the state Department of the Attorney General’s interpretation of the law “does not require the board to get wiped out and restarted now.”

Apo said Cole told the HTA board that “nobody has the authority to require any board member to resign, but obviously it can be asked for, and then it is up to each board member.”

THE DILEMMA before the board members only adds to the recent uncertainties. In the past several months, HTA has undergone dramatic leadership shake-ups as it has struggled to address allegations of inappropriate freebies at the Hawai‘i Convention Center and inconsistencies in its Hawaii Tourism Conference partnerships.

There were also allegations about potential procurement violations and late payments to contractors. Opens in a new tab

State Sen. Kurt Fevella (R, Ewa Beach), HTA contractors, former HTA employees and some board members also alleged in a Honolulu Star-Advertiser story Opens in a new tab May 4 that HTA and DBEDT failed to respond promptly to complaints about a hostile work environment, including alleged racist and sexist comments, that they claim contributed to the recent resignations of five Native Hawaiian members of HTA’s leadership team.

Isaac Choy, HTA vice president of finance and acting chief administrative officer, was put on unpaid leave May 9 at the direction of the state attorney general and the Department of Human Resources amid allegations he made racist and sexist remarks on the job. Since Choy was the project manager for $100 million in repairs at the convention center, his absence could extend the center’s planned construction beyond two years, putting the state at risk of losing millions of dollars Opens in a new tab in group tourism bookings.

Choy, who remains on unpaid leave, has sued named and unnamed HTA officials, alleging they retaliated against him for reporting what he called procurement, spending and other violations.

With the signing of House Bill 934 this week, the state’s efforts to achieve universal broadband access will be officially coordinated via a centralized State Broadband Office.

What You Need To Know

Act 201, formally establishes the State Broadband Office within the Department of Accounting and General Services

In addition to coordinating broadband deployment across public and private sectors, the office will be responsible for administering grant programs in support of broadband infrastructure and innovation, overseeing strategic broadband investments and ensuring high-speed internet access is extended to underserved communities statewide

Act 201 also provides funding for six digital navigators, who will support digital literacy programs in libraries and other venues across the state
The state has opened a request for proposals for the Hawaii Community Digital Navigators Project to hire, train and manage community digital navigators who will be located in 51 public library branches

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, serving as acting governor while Gov. Josh Green is in Washington, D.C., to meet with federal officials and attend the annual Hawaii on the Hill event, signed the measure into law on Monday.

“With the signing of House Bill 934, Hawaii is taking a necessary step toward a future where every resident, regardless of geography, age or income, can connect to and use affordable, reliable broadband internet to access education, healthcare and economic opportunity,” said Luke, who leads the state’s Connect Kakou high-speed internet initiative. “This law not only lays the groundwork for much-needed services — it also helps ensure keiki through kupuna acquire the skills and support they need to use the internet to improve their daily lives.”

The measure, now Act 201, formally establishes the State Broadband Office within the Department of Accounting and General Services. In addition to coordinating broadband deployment across public and private sectors, the office will be responsible for administering grant programs in support of broadband infrastructure and innovation, overseeing strategic broadband investments and ensuring high-speed internet access is extended to underserved communities statewide.

“Access to high-speed internet is vital for every aspect of our lives,” said state Rep. Greggor Ilagan, who co-introduced the bill. “There are residents in rural areas who are counting on us to deliver important broadband upgrades and programs. The State Broadband Office gives us the focus and framework to turn vision into action.”

Act 201 also provides funding for six digital navigators, who will support digital literacy programs in libraries and other venues across the state. The new positions build on a 2023 pilot program in which community-based professionals, stationed at public libraries, assisted residents with digital skills, internet connectivity, accessing devices, and online services like telehealth and job applications.

“I’ve seen firsthand the barriers a rural island community faces when it comes to building computer skills that many take for granted,” said state Sen. Lynn DeCoite. “By connecting people to digital navigators, we’re empowering our residents in countless ways.”

State librarian Stacey Aldrich said the 2023 pilot program demonstrated the high demand for digital literacy support.

“Digital navigators are trusted guides who will help ensure no one is left behind in the digital age and we are so excited to grow this program,” she said.

The state has opened a request for proposals for the Hawaii Community Digital Navigators Project to hire, train and manage community digital navigators who will be located in 51 public library branches. Interested applicants can access the full RFP by visiting connectkakou.org. The deadline to submit a proposal is June 30 at 2 p.m.

Dredging work began today to restore access to the lava-barricaded Pohoiki Boat Ramp, eight years after an eruption of Kilauea volcano rendered the structure unusable.

Hundreds of people gathered Monday for a community celebration and blessing at the top of the ramp, which by November is expected to be clear of an estimated 42,000 cubic yards of black sand and boulders. That’s about 22,000 full-sized pickup truck beds.

“This is a day of celebration to recognize the collaboration of the community, elected officials and (the Department of Land and Natural Resources) working together to support this project,” DLNR Chair Dawn Chang said Monday. “The Pohoiki Boat Ramp is a piko, or focal point for this community. Fishing is a huge part of the greater Puna community and commercial, recreational and subsistence fishers have been waiting patiently for this work to begin.”

Even before the 2018 eruption, Finn McCall, the head engineer with the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, made multiple visits to Pohoiki. Immediately after the eruption stopped, McCall continued making further visits to Pohoiki to shift the strategy in addressing ramp needs, according to the DLNR.

“Boy, this has been a long journey,” McCall said. “We tried looking at sites from Kapoho all the way to Kalapana. Sand and boulders continued to fill the entire bay, but once that stopped, we began focusing on restoring the Pohoiki ramp.”

The state had hoped for more federal support to approve removal of most of the volcanic debris in Pohoiki Bay, but FEMA was only able to approve restoration of the boat ramp entrance channel.

Then it took dogged efforts by state lawmakers from the district to convince the rest of the Legislature that opening the Pohoiki Boat Ramp was the top priority for people in the district, according to the DLNR.

Chang on Monday singled out the efforts of state Sen. Joy San Buenaventura and state Rep. Greggor Ilagan in getting $5.4 million of state funding for the dredging.

The total project cost came in at $9.28 million, which means the $2.9 million shortfall is being covered by the DLNR’s Boating Special Fund, which derives its revenues almost entirely from boating user fees.

“We needed people to understand how much it cost in fuel just to bring all our boats from the Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo, the nearest boating facility, out to Puna to they could fish to feed and support their families,” San Buenaventura said during the blessing ceremony.

San Buenaventura and Ilagan often pointed out it was akin to only having one small boat ramp for all of Oahu.

According to the DLNR, Chang fielded letter after letter, comment after comment from upset and frustrated fishers, some of whom had to give up their generational livelihoods of fishing because it became too expensive. 

Family members with lineal connections to the coastline were not able to fish, either. She and every single speaker singled out the community for not giving up and pushing to have Pohoiki restored.

As did the consulting company and contractor hired to do the work.

“This has been one of the most eye-opening, humbling projects I’ve ever worked on,” said Kyle Kaneshiro of Limtiaco Consulting. “The community made everything so easy. This is not an easy project, but the community got everyone together.”

Guy DiBartolo from Goodfellows Bros. Inc., added, “I’ve been to many ground blessings and ceremonies. This one for me, stands out as something unique and special, seeing the community’s involvement over many months and years.”

For many people, like DLNR First Deputy Ryan Kanaka‘ole, Pohoiki stirs up fond childhood memories.

“Summertime for me was coming down here, making the two-hour drive each way from Kaʻu with my father to dive, surf or just relax. This day makes me remember my dad. He didn’t have a house, but he had a car, and I’ll never forget those days spent at Pohoiki.”

The contractor has nine months to complete the project but expects to be finished in November, according to the DLNR.

The 19 bills on Gov. Josh Green's intent-to-veto list impact many different issues, from criminal justice to housing to taxes.

Just because a bill is on this list, though, doesn’t guarantee that the governor will veto it — he just had to notify the Legislature by June 24 of bills that could be vetoed. Green has until July 9 to make his final decision.

In the meantime, the state Legislature can decide if it wants to come back into session to override any vetoes with a two-thirds majority.

Here are the five bills on the list that HPR is paying close attention to.

1. Asset Forfeiture: HB126

This measure would change the state’s criminal asset forfeiture program. What does that mean? It’s when law enforcement can seize property to investigate crimes — even if no one has actually been charged.

Lawmakers passed a bill that would require law enforcement to return the seized property to someone who has not been charged with a crime after one year. Currently, the seized property could be forfeited even if no charges were brought against the owner. It would also establish better reporting requirements for the state Attorney General’s Office.

Green wrote that the one-year restriction is not enough time for law enforcement to file charges and that forfeited property is important in investigations.

House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee Chair David Tarnas explained that if the measure is vetoed by the governor, he will continue to work on it next year.

“We did suggest in our bill that the assets would only be able to be forfeited once an individual is charged. And so hopefully we'll be able to stay with that as the trigger, but we would extend the time. So rather than just being one year, maybe two years will be sufficient,” he said.

“We'll have to work on this and see if that's going to be the right combination of things so we can have reform.”

While Green was a lawmaker, he introduced a bill in 2016 that would have required a conviction for property to be permanently seized.

2. Tax Credits: HB796

This measure would have significantly reduced most tax credits offered in the state by either putting a five-year sunset on them or, in the sixth year, 2031, beginning to reduce them by one-third over three years. The tax credits ranged from those for renewable energy projects to the film industry.

Green wrote that “removing the specific tax exemptions afforded to these entities would provide little financial benefit to the state while harming, in particular, sugarcane producers.”

3. Solitary Confinement Regulation: SB104

Another measure being considered by Green for a veto would set stronger regulations on the use of solitary confinement on inmates.

Kat Brady, the coordinator of the Community Alliance on Prisons, has been fighting for reform of the state’s use of solitary confinement for the last decade.

“Isolation with absolutely no programs, no books, nothing – you're thrown in a cell with a little thin mattress on the floor and you have nothing, and maybe you get out for one hour a day,” she said. “Humans are social creatures and to isolate people – it's so inhumane.”

A 2021 report showed that 245 inmates in Hawaiʻi were put in solitary confinement – 97 were kept there for over a year.

Green wrote that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation already has policies in place and follows national standards. He added that the department is working with the Correctional Systems Oversight Commission to amend its policies and procedures.

However, in written testimony for the measure, the Correctional Systems Oversight Commission supported the bill and wrote that it was concerned about the current operations at DCR regarding solitary confinement.

“The Commission is extremely concerned about the long-term physical and psychological effects of 12-plus months in a segregated housing setting, which are now well-documented and studied. The trend nationally is to decrease the amount of time in segregated housing settings,” it wrote.

“With the state of Hawaii's transition to a therapeutic model of corrections, SHIP should be reevaluated and potentially eliminated in totality as it does not align with a rehabilitative framework.”

4. Permits for single- and multi-family housing: SB66

The measure would require counties to grant building permits to single and multi-family homes within 60 days if the application is certified by a licensed engineer and an architect.

Senate Housing Committee Chair Stanley Chang explained that it’s a way to speed up the ability for people to improve their homes.

“Building departments are extremely overburdened that permit times can take up to a year or longer, even for simple single-family homes or two-story residential as this bill addresses,” he said.

“This enables homeowners across the state to improve their properties without being dragged on for years at a time by the building departments.”

The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting was one of the entities that opposed the measure. DPP Director Dawn Takeuchi Apuna wrote in her testimony on the measure that the bill could jeopardize the safety of the homes.

“Everyone, including DPP, wants building permits issued quickly, but it should not be at the cost of life and safety,” she wrote.

“The review that determines compliance with codes is essential to the approval of the building permit. By simply allowing the “approval” of a building permit without the proper review for compliance with the codes defeats the purpose of the building permit review and places the public at great risk.”

Green wrote that he is considering a veto on the measure because it would undermine regulatory agencies and create a conflict of interest for professionals.

5. State Budget: HB300

Green is considering vetoing line items from the state’s about $20 billion operating and capital improvement budget. The governor’s office did not provide a detailed list of what particular items were being considered. However, he wrote that federal funding and lower revenue projections for the state were the main reasons driving his decision.

State Sen. Joy San Buenaventura of the Big Island, who represents Puna at the state Capitol in Honolulu, is lauding passage during the 2025 session of the Hawaiʻi Legislature of three bills aimed at strengthening protections and expanding support for some of the most vulnerable youth throughout the state.

Senate Bills 292 and 951 along with House Bill 613 focus on accountability, safety and access to essential services.

“These bills reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting Hawaiʻi’s most vulnerable keiki,” San Buenaventura, chairwoman of the state Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, said in a press release outlining the measures. “This session, we made it a priority to make sure that young people in crisis are met with compassion, support and real opportunities to heal and thrive.”

SENATE BILL 292: Relating to Sexual Exploitation

SB 292 establishes safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation, shielding them from prosecution for related offenses when seeking medical or law enforcement help.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs, which supports the bill, called this initiative crucial in its written testimony to the state Senate Judiciary Committee and wrote it represents a significant step toward combating sex trafficking and providing justice for victims, particularly Native Hawaiians — who are disproportionately impacted by this form of exploitation.

“Establishing safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation sends a clear message that our state is committed to protecting the rights and well-being of all individuals, especially our most vulnerable populations,” the agency’s testimony says.

SENATE BILL 951: Relating to Child Protection

SB 951 strengthens child abuse reporting protocols by requiring the disclosure of military affiliation and coordination with appropriate military authorities.

Hawaiʻi Military Affairs Council wrote in testimony to a joint hearing of the state Senate Health and Human Services and Public Safety and Military Affairs committees that there is a critical gap in child protection for military families.

While federal law requires Department of Defense personnel to report suspected child abuse or neglect to military and local authorities, there is no reciprocal requirement for state and local child welfare.

That gap can result in vulnerable military families missing out on crucial services.

“This measure would establish a reciprocal state requirement, enhancing coordination between state child welfare services and military support systems, ultimately improving access to prevention and rehabilitation services for military children and families,” the agency wrote in its testimony.

The approach is already being used in 35 other states.

HOUSE BILL 613: Relating to Homeless Youth

HB 613 creates a Safe Spaces for Youth Program under the Office of Youth Services, providing shelters and support for unaccompanied homeless youth across all counties.

“Hawaiʻi is facing a crisis in homelessness, with our youngest community members bearing hardship,” the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi wrote in testimony to the state House Committee on Human Services and Homeleessness.

The party said 1 in 10 young adults age 18 to 25 years old and 1 in 30 youths age 13 to 17 years old in the islands experience some form of homelessness without the support of a parent or guardian.

They are among the most vulnerable members of the community — facing heightened risks of mental health issues, substance abuse, sexual exploitation, physical violence and disruptions in education.

“By passing this bill, the Legislature will take a crucial step in breaking the cycle of youth homelessness and protecting Hawaiʻi’s future generations,” wrote the state’s Democratic Party. “Providing stable shelter, food security, mental health support and pathways to education and employment will empower these youth to build self-sufficient and productive lives.”

Hawaiʻi has officially become the first U.S. state to enact a so-called “green fee” — a charge added onto hotel room stays and other short-term visits to help protect the local environment and address the growing impacts of climate change.

Gov. Josh Green signed the fee into law Tuesday after years of unsuccessfully urging the Legislature to pass it. Set to take effect next year, the fee could raise around $100 million annually, state officials estimate, a portion of which will go toward Hawaiʻi’s response to future disasters similar to the 2023 Lahaina wildfire.

“Hawaiʻi’s doing what other states and other nations are going to have to do … there will be no way to deal with these crises without some forward-thinking mechanism,” Green said moments before signing the bill.

“I hope that the world is watching,” he added, “because having something that is a balance between industry and environment is going to be the way to go forward to protect your people, to protect your states, to protect your economy.”

Specifically, the revenue will come from a .75% increase on the tax Hawaiʻi visitors pay on their nightly hotel and short-term stays. The uptick raises the state’s transient accommodations tax, or TAT, to 11%. Visitors already pay an additional 3% TAT on their stays to the counties.

That will translate to visitors paying about $3 extra, Green said, on a $400 room stay.

Overall, the move aims to make Hawaiʻi’s reefs, beaches, trails, mountains and other unique yet vulnerable environments more resilient to heavier storms, more severe droughts and other challenges linked to the changing climate.

It also seeks to avoid making locals pay the entire price of that damage. Green and other supporters say the fee on hotel stays, cruise ship cabins and short-term rentals is justified because of the link between the nearly 10 million visitors who fly to Hawaiʻi each year and the island state’s climate change and environmental issues.

Jerry Gibson, Hawaiʻi Hotel Alliance president
“We need the money to restore those beaches, to reconstruct them, to take care of invasive plants that are around our hotels…”

The fee proposal has previously gotten plenty of pushback from some local short-term rental owners and the hotel industry, who worry visitors will choose to go elsewhere if fees on their Hawaiʻi stays climb too high.

On Tuesday, however, key members of the local hotel industry attended the bill’s signing ceremony in a strong show of support. While they’re still worried about a drop in visits, they said the need to restore Hawaiʻi’s eroding beaches and remove invasive species has grown more urgent to keep those visitors coming.

“We need the money to restore those beaches, to reconstruct them, to take care of invasive plants that are around our hotels and around residences,” Hawaiʻi Hotel Alliance President Jerry Gibson said. “So we went from one end of the spectrum, you know, almost to the other.”

After extended talks with Green, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts President Jeff Wagoner said local industry leaders felt assured enough that the tax charged to their visitors would go to those projects.

Now Comes The Heavy Lifting

While state leaders and conservation groups have general ideas about where to deploy the green fee, exactly how the money will be spent — and which local groups and agencies it will benefit — hasn’t been set.

Green said Tuesday a process to review and select projects should start in the fall ahead of the first fee collections in January.

The Legislature will also have a say in where the money goes. That’s because in an unusual move the fee will be routed to the state’s general fund instead of a special fund. Green downplayed concerns Tuesday that the arrangement could lead some green fee dollars to be spent on other purposes.

“We will actually sit around together and come up with a list of what to spend,” he said. State agency heads and the state’s new fire marshall will have a say, he added, in where the dollars go.

The need for a dedicated source of climate and conservation revenue has received strong support from numerous local conservation organizations.

A coalition of those groups, Care For ʻĀina Now, presented a study earlier this year showing an annual conservation funding gap of at least $560 million for Hawaiʻi. That gap could be as large as $1.69 billion based on the worst-case scenario, according to the study.

Some of the annual green fee collections, Green has said, can further be leveraged to float bonds that might cover larger and more expensive projects in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

A New Strategy

After the fee proposal failed to pass last year, Green assembled a “Climate Advisory Team” in part to lobby lawmakers to get it approved.

That team, called the “CAT” for short, interviewed more than 60 individuals from state and county agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and industries to better understand Hawaiʻi’s vulnerabilities to storms and other climate-related events, said Chris Benjamin, the group’s chair.

“Our goal was not about slowing climate change — even though that’s a very important goal,” Benjamin said Tuesday. “Our goal was to try to acknowledge that Hawaiʻi is vulnerable and try to find ways to make us less vulnerable.”

Prior ideas for collecting the green fee included charging visitors an arrival fee when they land at the airport or charging them a park-usage fee they could pay through their cell phones. However, lawmakers questioned how those proposals would work and be enforced, and opponents questioned whether they were even legal.

Chris Benjamin, chair, state Climate Advisory Team
“Our goal was not about slowing climate change — even though that’s a very important goal.”

Other prior proposals included using interest generated from the state’s rainy-day fund or collecting a one-time fee for visitors to access scenic hikes, visit popular beaches, check into hotels, rent cars or participate in other tourism-related activities.

This year, the Legislature found that increasing the TAT would be the simplest way to go — and that approach managed to make Hawaiʻi the first state in the nation to approve a green fee. It emulates similar green fees passed on the national level by Palau, New Zealand and other visitor-popular destinations.

Civil Beat’s coverage of climate change is supported by The Healy Foundation, Marisla Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation and the Frost Family Foundation.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story included an incorrect figure for the new total TAT.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., signed historic climate impact legislation into law on Tuesday. Act 96 (Senate Bill 1396) is a first-in-the-nation initiative that establishes a climate impact fee, or “Green Fee,” creating a stable source of funding for environmental stewardship, hazard mitigation and sustainable tourism in Hawaiʻi.

The Green Fee is projected to generate $100 million annually, and the Green Administration will work with the legislature to confirm projects next session as revenue becomes available.

“Today Hawaiʻi ushers in the first Green Fee in the nation. Once again, Hawaiʻi is at the forefront of protecting our natural resources, recognizing their fundamental role in sustaining the ecological, cultural and economic health of Hawaiʻi. As an island chain, Hawaiʻi cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action. We must build resiliency now, and the Green Fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future.”

Following the devastating Maui wildfires and in response to the growing frequency and intensity of natural disasters across Hawai‘i and the nation, Gov. Green established the Climate Advisory Team (CAT) in 2024, led by Chris Benjamin and comprised of a team of leaders, to develop community-informed policy recommendations. A key recommendation of the CAT was to establish a dedicated source of funding for climate change mitigation and disaster resilience. The CAT recommended the transient accommodations tax (TAT) as a potential revenue source.

“The Green Fee bill marks a historic investment in climate disaster resilience and environmental protection,” said Benjamin. “Using the TAT to fund resiliency projects ensures that the financial burden of safeguarding our ʻāina and people doesn’t fall upon residents alone. We thank the Legislature, industry and countless community groups and individuals who advocated tirelessly for this bill.”

Senate Bill 1396 increases the TAT rate by 0.75% beginning in 2026 and levies, for the first time, the TAT on cruise ships that port in the state.

Assessing the TAT on cruise ships — a sector of transient accommodations that has long gone untaxed under the TAT — promotes equity across the tourism industry, ensuring that all visitors to Hawai‘i contribute to the islands’ long-term resilience and well-being.

“While fees may not be the most popular method of revenue generation, stakeholder dialogue has affirmed that visitors are willing to pay a climate impact fee in order to support Hawaiʻi’s environmental protection efforts and preserve the beauty and cultural heritage of the islands for future generations. The Green Fee ensures that visitors share in the kuleana of environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism,” according to a news release from the Governor’s Office.

“I mahalo the tourism industry for stepping up and collaborating on this initiative, which will preserve Hawaiʻi for kamaʻāina and visitors alike,” said Green. “The fee will restore and remediate our beaches and shorelines and harden infrastructure critical to the health and safety of all who call Hawaiʻi home, whether for a few days or a lifetime.

Sen. Lynn DeCoite (District 24 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe and Molokini) said the bill is a matter of common sense and responsibility. “I think it’s really about our kuleana, to the state, to the people of Hawaiʻi. Climate change is here and has been a super-huge challenge for all of us. As the chair of the Economic Development and Tourism (EDT) Committee, the impacts are real. The bill shares the responsibility of caring for our home with those who come to visit, to ensure that our natural resources are cared for, for future generations.”

Rep. Adrian Tam (District 24 – Waikīkī) thanked the stakeholders representing a very diverse coalition of individuals, from the visitor industry to the environmental stewardship advocates. “The funds raised by this bill will go toward much-needed environmental stewardship as well as erosion mitigation and restoration projects, so it is really a win-win for all of us. The signing of this bill will ensure that the investments in resilience and taking preventive measures will protect Hawaiʻi’s environment and our economy, and it will soon save taxpayer dollars in the long run.”

The world premiere of Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch” took place Saturday at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California. The event celebrated the film’s debut and showcased Hawaiian culture, courtesy of the Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB).

The premiere featured numerous stars from the film, including Chris Sanders, Billy Magnussen, Zach Galifianakis, Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong, Courtney B. Vance, Kaipo Dudoit, and Amy Hill. Several dignitaries and cultural figures, such as State Rep. Shirley Ann Templo, State Sen.Lynn DeCoite, and Miss Aloha Hula 2025, Jaedyn Pavao, attended the event.

Maia Kealoha, who starred as Lilo, and Sydney Agudong, who played Lilo’s older sister Nani, were among the Hawaiian talents featured in this adaptation. Tia Carrere, who voiced Nani in the original animated film, took on the role of Mrs.

Kekoa, a new character. The depiction of Hawaiian culture was further enriched with traditional Hawaiian protocols led by kumu hula Lilinoe Kaio, with performances from Halau ‘o Lilinoe and Na Pua Me Kealoha. Aaron J. Sala, President and CEO of HVCB, underscored the importance of the event.

Celebrating Disney’s Hawaiian heritage

“This premiere wasn’t just a celebration of a film — it was an opportunity to elevate the people, culture, and stories that define our Hawaii,” Sala stated.

The collaboration with Disney marks HVCB’s commitment to diversifying its promotional efforts beyond conventional tourism marketing. HVCB is in the midst of significant organizational changes. Under Sala’s leadership since September, the bureau has been diversifying its portfolio in response to dwindling funding from the Hawai’i Tourism Authority (HTA).

The new direction aligns with a broader strategic plan to reduce reliance on HTA contracts and engage in partnerships that responsibly promote Hawaiian culture and tourism, the presence of lawmakers like Sen. Lynn DeCoite and Rep.

Shirley Ann Templo at the premiere highlighted the state’s stance on using cinema and media to boost tourism. This diversification aims to ensure a sustainable future for Hawaii’s tourism industry while respecting and promoting local culture. Hawaiian Airlines also contributed to the event by offering guests leis and photo opportunities.

The airline’s new “Searching for Stitch” augmented reality experience aims to educate users about mindful travel across the Hawaiian Islands. Jerry Gibson, President of the Hawai’i Hotel Alliance, and Keith Vieira, principal of KV & Associates, expressed optimism about HVCB’s new strategic direction. They believe this initiative will help sustain Hawaii’s tourism industry amid changing economic and political landscapes.

As “Lilo & Stitch” opens nationwide, the film serves as both an entertainment piece and a cultural bridge, inviting audiences worldwide to engage more thoughtfully with Hawaii’s rich heritage.

City lawmakers are leading the push to return Sand Island’s name to its Native Hawaiian name Mauliola, which means “breath of life” or “power of healing.”

Over 641 acres in size and largely man-made, Sand Island features industrial zone businesses, a U.S. military base, a state-owned recreational park and the city’s prime wastewater treatment facility, all within Honolulu Harbor.

But the site also has significant local history, and that’s why the Honolulu City Council’s International and Legal Affairs Committee voted unanimously last week to pass Resolution 63, which urges the Hawaii State Board on Geographic Names (HBGN) to rename the site as Mauliola. The full Council is expected Wednesday to review Resolution 63 for approval.

The resolution, introduced by Council member Radiant Cordero, states, “From the mid-1800s through the mid-1900s, this small tidal island grew in size with the dredging and infilling of Honolulu Harbor, altering an area that had once been a large complex of fishponds and reefs.”

The resolution says the name Mauliola harks back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, when the rapid urbanization of Honolulu and an increasingly busy harbor brought an influx of disease, which rapidly spread.

“Mauliola was utilized to quarantine ships, and the government built a crematorium on the island, which in part led to Mauliola becoming known as Quarantine Island,” the resolution read.

Over time, Quarantine Island grew in size with more dredging and infilling of Honolulu Harbor in the 1940s. The island was utilized by the military as a coastal defense station and an internment camp during World War II, for Japanese Americans and other Axis nationals.

The resolution states, “Quarantine Island later became known by its present name, Sand Island, which is listed as the island’s official name on the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), a federal repository for identifying official place names. State governments are given the authority to provide ‘administrative names’ to places, which are then listed in the GNIS.”

The state Board on Geographic Names was established to designate the official place names and spellings of geographic features in the state of Hawaii, and to ensure uniformity in the use and spelling of geographic features, the resolution says.

“The HBGN uses cultural and historical significance as a criterion for considering a name change, with preference given to names in ‘Olelo Hawaii,” the resolution states.

Rhonda Burk, advocacy chair for the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association, or OHCRA, during an April 30 committee meeting told the panel that her group had officially requested that Sand Island be renamed Mauliola.

She said that name “embodies values of healing, renewal and interconnectedness that resonate deeply within our paddling community.”

“Renaming Sand Island to Mauliola aligns with efforts to restore traditional place names and highlights the historical and cultural significance of this location, which was historically used by Native Hawaiians and later became a site of a World War II detention camp,” Burk added.

The canoe racing association was not alone in its Sand Island name-change request. In submitted written testimony to the Council, state Sen. Glenn Wakai (D, Kalihi, Mapunapuna, Airport) expressed his support for Resolution 63 as well.

“Renaming the island to its original name of Mauliola is a thoughtful and appropriate action to reflect the historical and cultural significance of the area,” Wakai said. “While many know it today as Sand Island, the name Mauliola connects us to the deeper history of the island, particularly its role as a place of quarantine and the meaning behind the name itself, which refers to healing and renewal.”

“Recognizing original place names in ‘Olelo Hawaii is one way we can promote awareness of and respect for Native Hawaiian culture,” he added. “It also helps preserve the unique identity of our communities and the stories tied to the land.”

At the meeting, Cordero said the resolution’s effort was only “a starting base.”

She also stressed that the requested name change will not affect address changes or renaming to actual streets and thoroughfares — including to well-traveled Sand Island Access Road, off North Nimitz Highway.

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) today hosted a blessing and groundbreaking to mark the start of construction of the Farrington Highway Widening Project, an approximately three-mile stretch from the Kapolei Golf Course Road near the University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu to Old Fort Weaver Road. The widening project will expand the current two-lane road to include a new two-way turn lane, as well as bike lanes and pedestrian sidewalks on both sides from Kapolei to ‘Ewa.

The scope of the project will include reconstruction of the Kaloi Stream Bridge and Honouliuli Stream Bridge, as well as construction of drainage structures and culverts; asphalt and concrete pavements; concrete curbs, gutters and sidewalks; gas, water and sewar lines; street lighting, traffic signals and landscaping. The work also will include relocation of water mains, relocation of overhead and underground electrical and telecommunications infrastructure, demolition and removal of structures, clearing, grading and pavement markings and signage.

The project is designed to meet future capacity needs, while also balancing multimodal travel for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit users. The widening will support the development of affordable housing and commercial uses in the area, while also providing connections to four of the city’s Skyline stations, including the Kualakaʻi – East Kapolei, Keoneʻae – UHWO, Honouliuli – Hoʻopili, and Hoʻaeʻae, West Loch stations.

The $138 million project, which was awarded to contractor Nan, Inc., is anticipated to take two years, with an estimated completion in Spring 2027. The City and County of Honolulu is committing $15 million towards construction.

For more information on the Farrington Highway Widening, please see https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Farrington-Highway-Widening-TOD-April.pdf

A picture of the groundbreaking may be downloaded at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/farrington-widening-groundbreaking-scaled.jpg

Please credit “Hawaii Department of Transportation” or “HDOT” if you use it. Pictured left to right is Ed Shukri, vice president of Nan Inc.; Representative Darius Kila, chair, House Transportation Committee; Ed Sniffen, director, Hawaii Department of Transportation; Senator Henry Aquino, former House Transportation Committee chair, representing Pearl City, Waipahu, West Loch Estates, Hono‘uli‘uli, Ho‘opili; and Brandi Lasconia an inspector with QRSE, HDOT’s construction management consultant.

In 2021, Nolan Hong and his wife were trying to buy their first home on Oʻahu. They kept getting outbid with cash offers above the asking price.

“It became clear that many of the buyers we were competing against were not in the same boat as us — a local family simply trying to put down roots,” the couple wrote in legislative testimony supporting the Kama’aina Homes Program bill.

It was one of two bills proposed in this year’s legislative session that aimed to address the housing crisis by setting aside certain properties for residents. But lawmakers couldn’t hash out their differences, and both bills died.

Instead, the Legislature passed bills meant to boost the supply of housing overall. While those bills could address the shortage behind rising home prices, they are likely to take longer — in some cases, years — to have an impact.

Although advocates were disappointed by the failure of the Kama’aina Homes bill, they said the session shows that the state is making progress to increase the housing supply and bring down costs.

“We’ve had a chronic housing crisis here in Hawai‘i for decades, and so we’re not going to solve it with a simple cure-all,” said Perry Arrasmith, director of policy at Housing Hawaiʻi’s Future, a group that advocates for workforce housing. “Our housing shortage is 1,001 different pieces of a constantly shifting puzzle.”

Progress Report

A weeklong series looking at some of the state’s most pressing issues and what lawmakers are doing to address them.

• Environment: Bolder Action Needed To Protect Hawaiʻi’s Environment

• Native Hawaiians: Help With Housing Continues To Elude The Hawaiian Community

• Invasive Species: Hawaiʻi Primes Itself To Battle Biosecurity Threats

• Education: Hawaiʻi’s Working Families Need More Support

• Fireworks: Hawaiʻi Fireworks Reforms Put Enforcement Onus On Police

• Insurance: Will Reforms Stabilize Hawaiʻi Condo Insurance Costs?

• Progress Report: Neighbor Islands Need More State Support On The Job Front

• Progress Report: A Series Of Child Abuse Deaths Failed To Spur Major Reform

No Homes Reserved For Locals

The bill that Hong and his wife, Jamie Yamagata, testified in favor of would have funded county programs that give homeowners or homebuyers grants in exchange for agreeing to deed restrictions that limit ownership to people who work in Hawaiʻi.

A similar bill would have allocated funds so counties could provide grants to homeowners to construct accessory dwelling units — separate living quarters on the property — in exchange for deed restrictions.

The bills were based on a program in the ski town of Vail, Colorado. Since 2018, about 1,000 homes have been taken off the market in Vail for people who don’t live or work there, according to the text of one bill.

Advocates said the bills’ failures set back efforts to offer immediate help to residents in a state where the median single-family home price is now just over $1 million, more than half of renters pay upwards of 30% of their income in rent, and a quarter of homebuyers in the last quarter of 2024 lived elsewhere.

“We missed a huge opportunity to give counties power to say, you know what, we’re going to give residents money so that right now, when they sell it or when they rent out that property, we can 100% guarantee it’s going to another resident,” said Arjuna Heim, director of housing policy at Hawaiʻi Appleseed, a social justice policy research and advocacy organization.

State Sen. Stanley Chang, chair of the Senate Housing Committee, said he supports deed restrictions in theory but believes giving grants to a small number of people is an inefficient use of taxpayer money. He argued that low-interest loans would be better because as they’re paid off, that money can be used to assist others.

Chang said lawmakers negotiated the terms of both bills but couldn’t get to yes before the session ended.

“We got closer and closer to common ground,” he said. “We just ran out of time.”

$200 Million To Lend To Developers

Lawmakers appropriated $200 million to a program offering low-interest loans to developers to build affordable rental housing. That’s on top of $300 million provided three years ago. More than 2,000 below-market-value units built with the assistance of the 2022 allocation are expected to come on line this year.

The fund has $186 million available for other projects, said Gordon Pang, a spokesperson with the state’s Housing Finance & Development Corporation.

Under another bill that passed and that advocates lauded, the fund would also be used to encourage higher density development in neighborhoods around transit stations, like those for Honolulu’s Skyline rail system.

Under the bill, counties that want the state to fund mixed-income rental housing in those neighborhoods would have to meet density standards established in the bill. It requires those projects to be approved by planning officials based on objective standards rather than by elected officials.

The Legislature has not yet funded that program, said Rep. Luke Evslin, chair of the House Housing Committee, but he said he hopes it will next year.

“Now we have the definition of transit-supportive density in statute, and we should over time be tying more and more funding sources to that definition,” Evslin said.

Housing advocates acknowledged the impacts of the high-density development program won’t be felt for some time, but they said the bill lays the foundation to pursue such housing in urban areas.

“It’s a very forward-thinking bill,” Arrasmith said.

Speeding Up Project Approvals

Lawmakers also passed bills that aim to break up bureaucratic logjams blamed for holding up projects.

Several bills tackle delays at the state’s Historic Preservation Division, which reviews development proposals to determine their impact on historic and cultural properties.

The division serves a critical purpose in a state with thousands of Native Hawaiian historic and sacred sites threatened by tourism and development. But housing advocates and developers say those reviews can slow construction because under state law, any structure older than 50 years is potentially historic.

A study by the libertarian group Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi found that the Historic Preservation Division handled 2,300 projects between 2021 to 2024 and took an average of 94 days to review each one.

One bill tightened the state’s definition of a historic structure, adding that it must be eligible for the state’s register of historic places. The bill also excluded certain projects from historic review, including some on existing residential property.

Another bill allows the understaffed office to hire outside consultants to conduct reviews.

“Obviously there are a lot of things here that need historical review,” said Ted Kefalas, director of strategic campaigns at the Grassroot Institute. But “not everything over 50 years is historical,” he said, and if the preservation division “needs a long time to look at these things, it’s OK to ask for help.”

Self-Permitting Bill Weakened

Another bill that aims to cut red tape would have allowed architects to sign off on building permits for certain projects themselves if a county doesn’t do so within 60 days. The bill cited a study that found it took Hawaiʻi three times as long to issue building permits than the nationwide average.

Justin Tyndall, a University of Hawaiʻi economics professor who co-authored the 2022 study, said the bill had been watered down as it made its way through the Legislature.

As introduced, the bill would have required counties to issue a building permit within 60 days if a project met certain conditions. By the time the bill was forwarded to the governor’s desk, it simply said that after 60 days, applicants can apply for an expedited permit that they could sign themselves if certain conditions were met — including that the building is under three stories tall and that the architect is adequately insured and absolves the county of liability.

The bill “might result in shorter permitting times, which is probably helpful,” Tyndall said. But it’s “probably not a game changer.”

Housing advocates across the ideological spectrum were more hopeful than Tyndall, but they said any impact of the bill would depend on whether counties embrace the process. “It’s a question of whether they play by the spirit of the law or slow-walk it,” Kefalas said.

One Honolulu architect whose firm handles multi-family, affordable and workforce housing said he is concerned about the liability that might come with signing permits for the firm’s own projects.

“The permitting process is so slow and onerous here, and time is money,” said Grant Chang, a principal at Lowney Architecture. “And something like this could really help. But I think we’re very cautious about it.”

Last week, a similar self-certification program developed by the Honolulu City Council was launched, 18 months after it was created. The program’s start was delayed by the same staffing issues that had led to a backlog in building permits, officials said.

This year’s annual Keiki Fest was a successful mix of entertaining activities and critical information for Molokai families. Organized by the Molokai Community Action Team, the event focused on ‘ohana well-being, explained Titi Hernandez, lead organizer of Keiki Fest.

“It’s for the keiki and their families,” said Hernandez. “We wanted to celebrate the keiki a little bit more as well as have a place for families to hang out.”

With over 1,200 Molokai community members in attendance at the Molokai Community Health Center on April 26, Hernandez and the Molokai Community Action Team were busy ushering kids and families between information booths, games, prizes, music performances and more. The Molokai Community Action Team partners with Molokai Child Abuse Prevention Pathways to deliver critical messages and education to families at Keiki Fest.

The informational booths with different Molokai services and resources serve as checkpoints for kids to earn prizes, explained Hernandez.

“Nobody can get a prize until they get education,” she said.

Senator Lynn DeCoite, fresh out of the senate’s final budget discussions, came out with her family to enjoy the day and present special recognitions on behalf of the senate.

“This event says a lot about our community,” said DeCoite. “I think this gives us an opportunity to come out and share some of our mana’o on how we can do better for Molokai.”

DeCoite presented the Molokai Community Action Team with an award from the senate for their community contributions. Additionally, Jodi Puaoi, branch manager at American Savings Bank, was recognized for her years of contributions to Keiki Fest.

“This Keiki Fest wouldn’t be here without you,” said DeCoite to Puaoi as she presented her with the award.

The day ended with the highlight to end all highlights – the fire trucks came and sprayed the kids with water hoses.

As DeCoite put it, “the kids are happy, the parents are happy, everyone is happy.”

Hawaii Department of Transportation News Release

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) recently announced that free Wi-Fi is now available at Molokai Airport (MKK). Service through Hawaiian Telcom began April 17 and is available throughout the terminal.

The fiber optic network infrastructure was installed through HDOT’s HI Connect pilot project, which improved broadband infrastructure along roads in Kalihi, Puna, Ka‘u, Nanakuli, Wai‘anae, Makaha and Kapa‘a. The Hawaiian Telcom 1G fiber network can accommodate video streaming and downloads by multiple users.

“Air travel is a necessity for Molokai residents to access medical care and other resources,” said Senator Lynn DeCoite. “Access to free internet while waiting for flights can help make these essential trips more efficient and comfortable. I appreciate HDOT working to connect Molokai Airport.”

“Wi-Fi has been available at our larger, busier airports since 2018,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen. “Offering this free service at Molokai Airport is part of our efforts to make meaningful, cost-effective improvements at our facilities for local travelers.”

MKK travelers can connect to the network through a series of simple steps: turn on Wi-Fi; open your device’s Wi-Fi settings; make sure Wi-Fi is enabled; connect to the Airport Wi-Fi SSID; look for the official airport network name (SSID) in the list of available networks; “HI Connect Free Wi-Fi,” tap or click to connect; wait for the Captive Portal Page to open.

After connecting, a browser window or pop-up should automatically appear. If it doesn’t, open a web browser like Safari, Chrome, or Edge, and go to any website. You should be redirected to the Wi-Fi login/acceptance page. 

Then, just accept the terms and conditions, review the terms of service and privacy policy, tap or click accept, and confirm connection. Once accepted, the captive portal will usually redirect you to a confirmation or welcome page. You can now browse the internet.

Hawai'i Governor Josh Green, State Senator Lynn DeCoite, State Representative Adrian Tam, and Rams President Kevin Demoff announced the Rams' Mauicamp in Maui, from June 16-19. Following devastating wildfires in Maui, the Rams raised significant funds for disaster relief, enhancing their partnership with the state. The event will feature player activities, youth clinics, and community service, with hopes to strengthen ties and grow the Rams' fan base in Hawai'i. Demoff hinted at future collaborations, potentially leading to more Rams events and a stadium in Hawai'i.

By the Numbers

• The Rams raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through fundraising efforts for Maui relief.

• The Mauicamp will accommodate unique on-field activities over four days, including clinics for 400 local student-athletes.

State of Play

• The Rams will host training activities at War Memorial Stadium alongside local youth clinics.

• Local government officials are optimistic about fostering an ongoing relationship with the Rams beyond this year's camp.

What's Next

The Rams and Hawai'i officials aim to explore a longer partnership, potentially leading to more events and a future stadium on the islands by 2028, coinciding with the Los Angeles Olympics.

Bottom Line

This partnership reflects a growing relationship between the Rams and Hawai'i, emphasizing community support and economic growth while fostering a budding football fan base in the state.

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Hawai'i Governor Josh Green M.D., State Senator Lynn DeCoite, State Representative Adrian Tam and Rams President Kevin Demoff spoke with local media on Wednesday about the Rams' Mauicamp Powered by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA), which will take place from Monday, June 16 to Thursday, June 19.

After wildfires devastated parts of Maui in August of 2023, the Rams raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through the sale and auction of custom-made "Mālama Maui" shirts and the in-game 50/50 Raffle supporting American Red Cross relief efforts, among other fundraising endeavors. Those efforts, along with their previous relationship from hosting a preseason game in 2019, made both sides realize that "a partnership is in order," Green said.

"We wanted to find a way to thank L.A. for one huge reason, which if I say nothing else today, it should be this: Mahalo," Green said. "Mahalo means thanks, and it's thanks from our heart."

"Our state went through a very, very tragic and tough circumstance in 2023... And we're healing, we're growing, we're returning to a place where we can live again. But the Rams stepped up, and they ran their Mālama, which was a care campaign for us, and brought incredible resources to help us heal, reestablish the need to travel to Hawai'i, to Maui."

Green said they reached out to the Rams to discuss having minicamp in Maui while staying at Fairmont Kea Lani, which will serve as "an official home of the Rams" – they accepted. On Tuesday, June 17 and Wednesday, June 18, the Rams will host on-field team activities, featuring players in workout gear at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku.

After team activities on Tuesday, the Rams will host a girls flag football and boys football clinic for 400 local student-athletes, and then players and staff will join Habitat for Humanity to assist the rebuilding of four homes in Lahaina. On Wednesday, the Rams will host a PLAY 60 Field Day for local children ages 5-12 who participate in the County of Maui's Play and Learn Sessions (PALS) Summer program on Wednesday.

"It is going to be a special four days for the organization and hopefully something that the rest of the NFL really looks at celebrating as we get to the end of the offseason," said Demoff.

The Tuesday on-field football session will be invite-only through HTA, while Wednesday's session will be open and free to the public through ticket sales.

This agreement is currently only in place for one year, but both the Rams and the state of Hawai'i are leaving the door open for a longer relationship that will encourage more Rams events in Hawai'i. Demoff mentioned 2028, when Los Angeles will host the Olympics, as a potential opportunity for that.

"We're hopeful to be able to continue it and see how it goes and where we can go from there," Demoff said. "... Governor Green and I have been talking over the past few years, we would love to see a stadium get get built there and as soon as one did, I think we would love to get back there for preseason."

The damage that both Los Angeles and Hawai'i have endured from wildfires over the past few years has only fortified the connection between the Rams and The Aloha State.

"At that time, we didn't know how tied together we would be by devastating wildfires when we made this announcement, but I think that strengthened the bond between our islands and Los Angeles," Green said. "It's made this an even more important event."

The last time they held a preseason game in Hawai'i, it sold out within 12 hours of the announcement and became the most attended event at Aloha Stadium, beating out a Bruno Mars performance, "which was a good one to pass," Demoff said with a smile. He added that this is "a truly symbiotic relationship that we hope grows over time."

DeCoite and Tam also expressed their thanks for the Rams' generosity and excitement about the partnership.

"I'm excited to welcome the Los Angeles Rams to Hawai'i so we can not only foster more economic stimulus and grow our economies, but to grow a fan base for the Los Angeles Rams in Hawai'i as well so that we can continue to have them come visit us when we build our new stadium," Tam said.

Added DeCoite: "There's been no team that I know of today like the LA Rams that have stepped up, have truly pushed out Aloha."

Although he grew up a Steelers fan in Pittsburgh, Green said he always liked the Rams' "electric" franchise, and has come to appreciate it even more in working with the team's leadership. Bringing the team to Hawai'i recognizes both their appreciation for the Rams' generosity and the youth of Hawai'i's growing fandom and athletic aspirations.

"This is our opportunity to bond with the L.A. Rams," Green said. "This is our opportunity to say, you are fantastic, you're the people we trust, and we want to have a positive impact and a generational relationship."

The state Legislature gave final approval to about 250 bills Wednesday during several hours of voting that included a surprise defeat of a gun-control measure.

Approved bills now poised to become law pending decisions by Gov. Josh Green include measures to turn up illegal fireworks pursuit and punishment, regulate future catastrophic wildfire damage liability and fund the state government for the next two fiscal years as risks of an economic downturn loom due to federal government policies.

Senate President Ron Ko­uchi gave the Senate an “I” letter grade for its work this year, meaning incomplete, given that he and other legislative leaders expect there will be a need to call a special session before 2026 to respond to state fiscal landscape changes stemming from federal funding cutbacks, tariffs and other things coming out of the of Trump administration.

“With what is looming federally and the uncertainty, we have been trying to make the best decisions that we can without knowing if it’s going to stick,” Kouchi (D, Kauai-Niihau) said at a news conference after the Senate’s roughly four-hour floor session at the state Capitol.

Because the federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1, Kouchi anticipated possibly holding a special legislative session in November.

House Speaker Nadine Nakamura also is preparing for a special session, which she said could run five days, though she did not project a timetable.

The state budget bill, according to House Finance Committee Chair Rep. Kyle Yamashita, is projected to leave the state general fund with a $756 million balance at the end of the next fiscal year on June 30, 2026.

But Yamashita (D, Pukalani-­Makawao-Ulupalakua) said this amount could change if Hawaii’s economy suffers and state tax revenue collections fall. That, in turn, could require adjustments to state spending, and could be compounded if big federal funding cuts are made to state programs.

The state budget bill, House Bill 300, appropriates $19.9 billion in spending on state government operations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, including $10.6 billion from the state general fund sustained by tax revenue.

One high-priority issue partly addressed in the budget is to crack down on the importation and use of illegal fireworks as part of a effort to prevent tragedies like the Jan. 1 fireworks explosion at a home in Aliamanu that killed six people and wounded dozens.

State appropriations in the budget bill or other bills also include $300 million for affordable housing and $50 million for nonprofits that lose federal funding. Another bill passed Wednesday would increase and expand the state’s hotel room tax, and direct some of the additional revenue to equally pay for natural resource management, climate-related disaster mitigation and mitigating tourism impacts on the natural environment.

“We know that our environment is our economy,” said Nakamura (D, Hanalei-Princeville-Kapaa).

Nakamura, who became House speaker this year, gave the House an “A” grade for the quantity and quality of bills passed after almost 3,200 bills were introduced in January.

“It’s been an incredible first-year experience,” she said at a news conference after the more than six-hour House floor session. “I’m really proud of what we were able to accomplish.”

A few bills on Wednesday failed to pass because of flaws. One of those was Senate Bill 1396, the hotel room tax measure, though floor amendments were made so that it can receive final approval Friday, the last day of this year’s regular session.

There was critical debate on a few bills Wednesday, including one to toughen Hawaii’s gun-­control law. SB 401 aimed to ban the transfer, sale and importation of assault rifles, assault shotguns and .50 caliber firearms beginning Jan. 1. Instead, it was shot down by the slimmest majority of senators after an initial miscount.

House and Senate negotiators agreed on a compromise draft of SB 401 Friday. Yet Sen. Lynn DeCoite (D, East and Upcountry Maui-Molokai-Lanai) on Wednesday offered a new draft on the Senate chamber floor to in part grandfather existing owners and add exemptions for subsistence hunting and invasive wildlife control.

Sen. Karl Rhoads (D, Nuuanu-­Downtown-Iwilei) said that approving the floor amendment would kill the bill because no matching amendment was being considered in the House.

The vote to adopt the amendment, by Kouchi’s initial count, failed 13-12, meaning the existing draft of the bill could be passed. Later, however, Sen. Brenton Awa (R, Kaneohe-Laie-Mokuleia) claimed that the vote actually was 13-12 in favor of adopting the floor amendment.

Kouchi, who had voted to adopt the amendment, called for everyone to repeat their vote. That confirmed Awa’s claim and triggered loud applause from more than a dozen firearms advocates in the Senate gallery.

Jon Abbott, who was dressed as a colonial American Revolutionary War soldier and is a director for the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, celebrated the bill’s failure shortly afterward on the Capitol rotunda with other opponents of SB 401.

One of the most emotional arguments during the House floor session centered around a bill to limit where the city can establish Oahu’s next landfill to replace Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Nanakuli, scheduled to close March 2, 2028.

If signed into law by Green, HB 969 would prevent a landfill from being built over an aquifer, after the city selected a site above an aquifer northwest of Wahiawa.

The city and state Department of Health both opposed HB 969, arguing that the tighter restrictions would force it to expand Waimanalo Gulch and keep it open past its closure deadline.

On Wednesday, some West Oahu House members urged their colleagues to kill the bill, but were unsuccessful.

Passing HB 969 would ensure that “the Nanakuli landfill will stay open,” said Rep. Darius Kila (D, Nanakuli-Maili).

Children are growing up “in the shadow” of the landfill and it needs to close, Kila said.

Rep. Christopher Muraoka (R, Waianae-Makaha) was much more blunt.

“We don’t need the Nanakuli landfill,” he said. “We’re sick and tired of being the trash can of the island.” The bill passed the House 42-7, and 24-1 in the Senate.

Another passionate yet unsuccessful plea to kill a bill took place in the Senate.

This measure, SB 897, directs the state Public Utilities Commission to determine an electric utility’s monetary liability limit for catastrophic wildfire damage for which it is responsible, with the cap potentially applying to a time period that could be many years regardless of the number of wildfire disasters in the period.

Hawaiian Electric is on the hook to pay $2 billion of a $4 billion settlement over damage claims from the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfire that killed 102 people and destroyed most of Lahaina.

Sen. Jarrette Keohokalole urged colleagues to vote down SB 897 in part because the PUC’s role and time-based cap were added by a conference committee Friday and received no public input.

Keohokalole (D, Kaneohe-­Kailua) said a potential liability cap covering more than one fire is shocking.

Keohokalole also said some parts of the bill are good, including allowing Hawaiian Electric to reduce financing costs to pay for wildfire mitigation. Still, he urged colleagues to do better. “What we’re doing here today is wrong, and we all know it,” he said.

According to bill supporters, the PUC has more expertise than lawmakers for the task as the existing regulator for utility companies. The three-member commission assisted by staff also is to receive $500,000 via the bill to hire experts and would make decisions in a quasi-judicial process that includes public input. Any cap also would be subject to approval by Hawaii’s governor.

SB 897 passed the Senate 20-5 and the House 39-10.

Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation is going forth with efforts to increase the number of city parks with recreational dog privileges. Currently fewer than 15% of these public spaces allow leashed or unleashed dogs. DPR is proposing a comprehensive change to parks island-wide by allowing leashed animals in more city parks, but while also looking for community feedback.

(photos)

HONOLULU (Island News) – State and City lawmakers, Capitol staffers and community members teamed up this week with one goal, to empower women in Hawaii.

With more than 90 bags filled with donations for the annual YWCA O‘ahu ‘Dress For Success’ Program, members of the Hawaii State Legislature took a step towards helping women achieve independence.

The annual clothing drive includes gifts of professional attire, including dresses, blazers, accessories, shoes, handbags and brand-new undergarments.

Supporting local women as they work reenter the workforce, often overcoming barriers such as poverty, homelessness or incarceration.

Hawaii Representative, Gregg Takayama, who helps to organize the annual event highlighted the difference it makes in the community.

"Dress for Success has transformed the lives of countless women by helping them to build confidence and prepare for new job opportunities," Takayama said. “Sometimes, all it takes is one outfit to help someone land a job and take that first step toward independence.”

Senator San Buenaventura echoed that sentiment, agreeing that professional clothes can be a significant investment with the power to transform lives and therefore, the community.

“The YWCA’s Dress for Success initiative goes beyond just professional attire—it represents dignity, opportunity and empowerment,” Buenaventura said. “When we invest in women, we invest in stronger families, stronger communities and a stronger future.”

With pride, Buenaventura expressed support for the community initiative – all to give women the tools, confidence and support they need to thrive in the workforce.

On a muggy night in Makiki in March, as rain clouds darkened the skies above Stevenson Middle School, dozens of residents gathered inside the school’s cafeteria to learn about a more consequential storm brewing nationwide.

The occasion was a town hall for the Maikiki-Punchbowl-Papakōlea neighborhoods, organized by state Sen. Carol Fukunaga and featuring two other elected officials, state Rep. Della Au Belatti and Honolulu City Councilman Tyler Dos Santos-Tam.

The primary topic that evening was the draconian funding cuts that are coming out of the two-month-old administration of President Donald Trump.

As Fukunaga warned in her invite to the town hall, any significant cuts may mean essential programs and services “that our communities rely on every day” could be severely impacted.

Town halls are a hallmark of American democracy. Typically, they include discussions of public safety, pending legislation and neighborhood concerns. Of late, many have focused on current crises such as invasive species.

But the actions of the Trump administration have raised anxiety and uncertainty to a new level. Constituents are looking to local leaders for answers — and help.

Town halls are a direct way to share what local government is doing about it. For the Legislature, that includes possible special sessions the weeks of Aug. 25, Sept. 29 and Nov. 17. Those align with when Congress must approve a new federal budget agreement, which is operating on a continuing resolution until the end of September.

Belatti spoke first that night, underscoring Fukunaga’s alert. Hawaiʻi and its people, she said, need to brace themselves for the harsh realities that are likely coming, especially cuts to federal entitlement programs like Medicaid and others that so many in Hawaiʻi depend on.

“When we talk about what’s been happening at the federal level, and the chaos and the executive orders and saying people are going to be fired and people are going to lose their jobs over cutting grant funding — when those things come down, it affects directly our community,” she said. “And that’s the kind of thing that the three of us have been monitoring for the last three months.”

“It feels like it’s been five years,” she said.

Belatti, a progressive Democrat, rejected arguments from the president and his advisor, Elon Musk of the ad-hoc Department of Government Efficiency, that federal funds used locally amount to fraud, waste and abuse. She said she sees firsthand how the monies are helping people get by.

“It’s actually going to communities that are doing the work that we tasked them to do,” she said, mentioning especially support for the sick and poor.

Belatti choked up a little, her eyes brimming. She asked the audience to give her a second so that she could “get a little emotional, because it’s been very much a whirlwind moment in time I have never seen in my 18 years of government.

“I thought Covid was bad,” Belatti said. “This is actually worse than Covid because of the chaos and uncertainty that we’re all living in.”

‘Everyone Is Hands On Deck’

Trump has been in office less than 100 days, but the speed of his executive orders and the shredding of federal agencies by DOGE have been dizzying, disorienting and unending.

The biggest threat from Trump-Musk for many legislators is to Medicaid. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, citing data from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, said in a recent press release that nearly 20% of Hawaiʻi’s population is covered under the health care program for low-income individuals and families.

It can be very confusing to keep track of all that is going on. But in a small blue state like Hawaiʻi, lawmakers like Belatti, Fukunaga and Dos Santos-Tam are leveling with constituents, refusing to sugarcoat the seriousness of what they describe as an unprecedented and growing crisis.

The idea of holding special sessions later this year, said Belatti, is to be able to respond to any fiscal shortfalls or needs that arise. While the state has set aside several hundred million dollars in emergency funding in the event it has to draw on the money to compensate for federal cuts to programs, the lawmakers said it may not be enough.

Belatti said she is on calls with legislators all over the country, comparing votes and planning for what’s next.

“That’s how critical this situation is,” she told the crowd at Stevenson Intermediate. “Everyone is hands on deck, because this is going to potentially affect communities.”

At The Federal Level

Town halls have not been limited to state and county offices. U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda have been holding their own forums in the islands since Trump’s inauguration, some in person, some by phone, some online.

For Case, it included a “talk story” in February where he said that Americans are living in dangerous times. Tokuda’s forums included one on Maui where she said many in attendance expressed fear, anger and frustration at what’s happening in D.C.

Hawaiʻi has no Republican representative in Congress, and county offices are nonpartisan. At the Legislature, Senate Minority Leader Brenton Awa said he was not planning any town halls in his district about the Trump cuts. And House Minority Leader Lauren Matsumoto said nothing is planned during session for her caucus.

“We are probably going to do our listening tour again this summer but not specifically about Trump,” she said.

At the March 18 Makiki town hall some local issues — condo insurance, little fire ants, fireworks, schools — were on some people’s minds. But the Trump-Musk cuts dominated the remarks from the legislators.

Belatti said she is worried that the Legislature has not set aside enough money in the event the state has to shoulder more of the costs of federal cuts.

“We did put $200 million in the rainy day fund,” she said. “I will tell you, that’s not going to be enough. It’s just not. The Senate is moving a grant-in-aid bill that’s going to potentially help address kind of the human, medical, health care resources, those kinds of nonprofits that are our partners. But again, I don’t know that that’s going to be enough as well.”

Fukunaga also worried that monies set aside by the House and Senate to protect social services may not be enough. Her chamber recently passed the grant-in-aid bill, Senate Bill 933, which she described as a “kind of a catch-all bill” that would temporarily fund nonprofits that have lost federal funding or positions. But it’s only a temporary fix.

When it comes to budget decisions, Fukunaga said she and her colleagues are “taking each day one step at a time, and at least trying to put different vehicles in place so that if there are specific emergency areas that we can respond quickly.”

She said that the Legislature is in close contact with the congressional delegation and the governor and lieutenant governor. She also encouraged people in the audience to be engaged, and to donate time and money to groups in need.

“This is really a time to start thinking about how we all get together so that we can mobilize our communities to survive whatever lies ahead,” she said.

Anne Smoke, who lives in a condo in the Punchbowl area, said she was grateful for the Makiki town hall and for the work of her representatives in government.

“I’m concerned about what’s happening,” she said in an interview after the forum. “I feel for all of them, because they are really carrying a burden. There isn’t probably a minute that goes by that they’re not watching to see what’s next.”

“They’re on it — that was my impression — and they’re trying to prepare.”

Concerns At County Level, Too

Budget cuts will roll down to county level.

Dos Santos-Tam, chair of the City and County of Honolulu’s budget committee, told the audience that 12% of Honolulu’s $4 billion budget comes from federal funds. The Department of Transportation Services, which runs Skyline and the bus system, is among the most dependent on that funding.

What “keeps me up at night,” he said, are possible cuts to homeless services.

“If they don’t have the staff, if they lose grant funding, there’s just not going to be people to go out and do these sorts of services,” Dos Santos-Tam said.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi has set aside about $30 million for stop-gap purposes in case of federal cuts, something Dos Santos-Tam supports.

“But I’m also deeply concerned that $30 million is not enough,” he said at the town hall. “What do we do after that $30 million is exhausted? We can’t just sit on our hands and let people in our community suffer, but we don’t have all the answers. We’re limited in terms of our property taxes.”

Dos Santos-Tam said he was not trying to scare people, but he made clear at the town hall that constituents should be concerned about possible serious cuts to programs they depend on.

Concerns about county funding extend to the neighbor islands, which also receive funding from D.C.

Heather Kimball is a Hawaiʻi County Council member and president of the Hawaiʻi State Association of Counties. She and state Rep. Matthias Kusch held a town hall at Honokaʻa People’s Theatre March 30, one of several held recently by area lawmakers on the Big Island.

Kimball told Civil Beat that about 10% of Hawaiʻi County’s revenue comes from intergovernmental sources that are the direct result of federal funding that passes through the state to the county. That figure currently is around $96 million, and Kimball said the county officials are concerned “about how much of that is actually going to come through, directly or indirectly.”

Like Dos Santos-Tam, she said cuts would primarily strike mass transit, housing and social services.

Kimball said she is not yet at a “point of panic.”

“I strongly believe in the constitutional protections of a three-branch system and the role of bureaucracy, and it’s getting tested regularly,” she explained. “Let me say that optimism is tested regularly on a daily basis.”

Kimball also spoke at an online briefing March 28 sponsored by the Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofits, where she elaborated on her concerns about federal cuts — namely, to Medicaid.

“From our standpoint, health services are primarily managed through the state, but the indirect impacts of reduction in funding and SNAP benefits, TANF benefits or other Medicaid services could have an impact on the ability of the state to pass through some critical funding to all four counties.”

Kimball’s advice to the counties and nonprofits that received federal funds for Covid relief and under the Inflation Reduction Act is to make sure those monies are encumbered so that they can be used as intended.

Up Next

Belatti said the Makiki town hall was just one example of community engagement. Up next for her is a forum set for Wednesday evening at Waiwai Collective on University Avenue.

“Our Kuleana: Fighting for Hawaiʻi’s Future,” which will focus on federal and state budget cuts, features Kai Kahele, chair of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees; Deb Zysman, Hawaii Children’s Action Network’s executive director; Noelani Goodyear-Ka‘opua, a UH Mānoa professor; Will White from Hawaii Appleseed; and state Rep. Tina Grandinetti.

The forum will be moderated by state Rep. Ikaika Hussey. Echoing other lawmakers, he told Civil Beat the state is not only facing the likelihood of huge cuts to federal monies but also a reduced revenue stream locally.

“There’s the revenue that we’re no longer getting because of the tax reforms that were just passed in the last session,” he said. “So there’s a pretty hefty amount that we need to cover.”

That conversation, said Hussey, should include discussion of shifting away from depending on imports by growing the size of the local economy.