Hawaiʻi Makes History As First State To Charge Tourists To Save Environment Civil Beat Marcel Honoré May 27, 2025 Original Article 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.

Mokulele Not in the Clear Yet The Molokai Dispatch Jack Kiyonaga January 31, 2025 Original Article While Mokulele has resumed commercial flights to Molokai, residents are still dealing with prolonged delays, flight cancellations and a frustrating lack of communication from the airline. In a recent interview with KHON news, Ed Sniffen from the Hawaii Dept. of Transportation explained that Mokulele is only at about 50 percent flight capacity right now and that it will take approximately six weeks before Mokulele flights are back to normal. Currently, Molokai community members and representatives are heading efforts to try to bring better flight service to the island. Molokai’s Tylor Tanaka is helping lead this process by collecting hard data on flight delays and cancellations experienced by residents. “We’re gathering tangible data that we can use to plead our case not just at the county level, but at the federal level as well,” explained Tanaka. Tanaka is circulating a survey intended for anyone who has been affected by Mokulele’s flight service since Jan. 15. He is asking for specific dates, costs, reason for travel as well as what additional routes and travel options people had to find. Tanaka plans on presenting the data to Molokai representatives like U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono, U.S. Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, and Hawaii State Senator Lynn DeCoite and Hawaii State Representative Mahina Poepoe. “We want to be able to say ‘hey look at this, look at what is happening here,” said Tanaka. “We want to show them also that we are resilient, and we find solutions on our own, but of course we could use their help.” Tokuda has been engaging in conversations with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), specifically looking at leveraging Mokulele’s Essential Air Service (EAS) contracts. “I have been in conversation with multiple federal agencies about any and all remedies we have to prevent these lapses in service and explore alternative options to keep our neighbor island communities connected,” said Tokuda. “In conversations with the USDOT, I have asked them to consider a delay of award or shorten their upcoming EAS contracts for Kalaupapa and Kamuela in order to give them the most flexibility and options in selecting a carrier. I also requested that they consider going out earlier to solicit new contracts for existing EAS routes if carriers have not been able to live up to the terms of their agreements. At my request, USDOT included reporting requirements in their most recent EAS contract for Lanai in order for there to be accountability on the consistency and reliability of their routes,” explained Tokuda. “We will continue to work with USDOT on requiring contingency plans to prevent lapses in services as a part of future EAS contracts. This is a complicated and challenging issue that will require collaboration between state, federal, and private stakeholders, but our residents deserve nothing less than the ability to get safely to and from their island home.” One potential competitor for Mokulele could be Pacific Air Charters, which filed to begin commercial flights to Molokai back in June 2024, according to Sniffen. However, flights from Pacific Air Charters won’t be operational for at least one to two years while they complete FAA certification requirements. Find Tanaka’s survey at forms.gle/yDQ2Hpw9Adma1WW79. The deadline for the survey is Jan. 28.

State leaders break ground on new Central Oʻahu agriculture and food hub KITV Gil Cano November 14, 2025 Original Article WAHIAWĀ, Hawaiʻi (Island News) -- State leaders broke ground Friday on a new agriculture and food hub in Wahiawā, a project aimed at boosting local food production and reducing Hawaiʻi’s reliance on imports. The event, held in Whitmore Village, featured remarks from First Lady Jaime Kanani Green, Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz and other state officials. A blessing was performed before the ceremony, and local vendors showcased products that the hub is designed to support. The Central Oʻahu Agriculture and Food Hub is part of a statewide effort to increase locally sourced meals in public schools and expand the market for Hawaiʻi farmers and food producers. Officials say the project is expected to help feed keiki, create jobs and give farmers the infrastructure they need to grow and scale their businesses. First Lady Jaime Kanani Green thanked lawmakers for setting statewide goals for local food sourcing, saying the hub will help Hawaiʻi move closer to meeting them. “Mahalo to our legislators, not only for their vision calling for 30% of locally sourced school meals by 2030 and aiming for 50% locally procured food by 2050, but also for providing the resources we need for the infrastructure like this food hub to achieve our goals,” Green said. “We can create local jobs, pathways for our students, help expand exports — so many compounding effects that will revitalize the community,” Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz said. The hub is also intended to help reduce dependence on imported foods by supporting more locally grown fruits, vegetables and value-added products. Speakers at the event said they hope the project will inspire innovation and strengthen rural communities statewide.

DOE Gets An F: Hawaiʻi Schools Miss Their First Local Food Target Honolulu Civil Beat Thomas Heaton January 10, 2025 Original Article The Hawaiʻi Department of Education bought just 5% of ingredients for school lunches from local producers last year, failing to hit its first state-mandated farm-to-school target of 10% for local foods. And that counts purchases of local bottled water. This translated to roughly $4.5 million of the education department’s $82 million in food spending during the 2023-2024 school year for local produce, dairy, ground beef and poi among other staples, according to a report school officials will present Friday to the House Finance Committee. The department’s failure does not come as a shock to many in farm-to-school circles who have for years criticized the approach and speed of the agency’s work to integrate locally grown food into school meals. The mandated increase in spending was intended to ensure children received more nutritious meals and to give an economic boost to Hawaiʻi farmers and ranchers. “I’m really saddened and frustrated but definitely not surprised,” former teacher and farm-to-school advocate Rep. Amy Perruso said. Locally sourced and cultivated dairy accounted for 0.51% of the state Department of Education’s food spending during the 2023-2024 school year. (Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022) The state tasked the department with increasing its local food spending incrementally, starting this year at 10% and ending in 2050 when it is expected to spend 50% of its food budget on local produce. But the department backslid since the goals were set. In 2022, local food accounted for 6.2% of the state’s food purchasing, 0.8% higher than the latest school year. The report to state lawmakers shows ground beef made up the lion’s share of the department’s total spending on local food, accounting for 3% during the 2023-2024 school year. Fruit and vegetables accounted for 1.83% and less than 1% for poi, dairy and locally sourced bottled water. The bottled water, from Hilo, is offered a la carte for students purchasing school meals in the cafeteria and is deemed a “local processed product,” DOE spokeswoman Nanea Ching said in an email. It is a “creative stretch” to include bottled water in the report to the Legislature, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union advocacy director Hunter Heaivilin said, one that he is certain Hawaiʻi farmers did not benefit from. The department spent more than $40 million on imported processed foods in the 2023-2024 school year, accounting for 56.75% of its ingredients, the remaining 37.82% was spent on imported meat, fresh produce and dairy. DOE officials have in the past blamed local food industry's weak supply, price point, and flimsy supply chains for the lack of progress. Agriculture and farm-to-school advocates have largely rebuked that idea, saying the DOE's School Food Services Branch has been too opaque and inflexible to sell local food to. The department has consistently shown "reticence to pursue public will that has been embodied in state law," said Heaivilin, a food systems planner. To be sure, there are products that Hawaiʻi farmers will not be able to grow competitively or affordably enough for the department, such as apples, potatoes and rice. So the DOE should alter meals to better suit the local food system, Heaivilin said, or it should consider changing the way it reports its progress, so food producers have a greater understanding of what they could grow. "Some of these could be automatic import replacements, some of these could require changing menus," Heaivilin said. Hawai‘i Grown This ongoing series delves deep into what it would take for Hawai‘i to decrease its dependence on imported food and be better positioned to grow its own. Read More Ching said the DOE plans to host forums with vendors to guide them on the department's procurement laws, among other things, to help farmers, ranchers and other food producers better negotiate deals with them across the islands. The department has nevertheless failed to meet its mandated goal this year, casting doubt over the program's success. Lawmakers will have to resolve a discrepancy in laws by 2030 because two different laws — 2021's Act 175 and Act 144 from 2022 — show different targets, one being 30% and the other 18%. Perruso said she's not sure there are consequences either way for the department failing to meet the targets. The department has banked on the development of a centralized mega-kitchen model , based on mainland school food operations and local chain restaurant Zippy's , which prepares food in a central location to distribute throughout each island. The DOE signed a contract for the first kitchen's construction late last year, worth almost $30 million, to be built in Whitmore Village on Oʻahu. With the kitchen, strongly supported by Senate Ways and Means Chair Donovan Dela Cruz , the DOE hopes to iron out kinks in the supply chain on its way to reaching mandated goals. Perruso said the Legislature is also partly to blame for the department's failure to meet the goal, having left the department with just one position dedicated to the task. That role was not filled until August last year, after being vacant for three years. Randy Tanaka, DOE's former facilities superintendent, said he was doing the job himself until he was fired in late 2023. "It's not going to be possible for one person to effectuate that change," Perruso said, so the state needs to intervene to help the department achieve the goals. " Hawai‘i Grown " is funded in part by grants from the Stupski Foundation, Ulupono Fund at the Hawai‘i Community Foundation and the Frost Family Foundation.

Bill to construct more ohana units passes Senate committee Star Advertiser Mia Anzalone March 12, 2025 Original Article The state Senate’s Housing Committee deferred a bill Tuesday that would have paid Hawaii homeowners and homebuyers to restrict occupants to locally employed residents, instead approving a bill to promote the construction of more accessory dwelling units, commonly known as ohana units, for workforce housing. House Bill 740 would establish the Accessory Dwelling Unit Financing and Deed Restriction Program to provide funding to the counties to distribute grants to eligible homeowners or homebuyers to construct ADUs with the condition that occupants of the property, including those living in primary or secondary units, must be employed, or use to be employed, at least 30 hours per week at a local business. The amended version of HB 740 defines ADUs as a “second dwelling unit that includes its own kitchen, bedroom and bathroom facilities, and is attached or detached from the primary dwelling unit.” The Senate’s approval of the measure ended the momentum for HB 739, which would have established the Kama‘aina Homes Program allowing counties to pay homeowners or homebuyers a sum of money under the condition that the home be occupied by at least one owner-occupant or tenant who works, or used to work, at a local business for at least 30 hours a week. Sen. Stanley Chang (D, Hawaii Kai-Kahala-Diamond Head), who chairs the Senate Housing Committee, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Tuesday that HB 740 will be the “vehicle” for advancing the goals of both bills to increase the inventory of affordable workplace housing. At Tuesday’s public hearing, Chang said he appreciates the efforts to encourage more ADUs in Hawaii and wants the state to focus on the construction of new units rather than converting existing ones. “We need to shift away from a model where the state gives away money and never gets it back,” Chang said at the hearing. “The state needs to act as an investor that realizes a gain, an appreciation on the investment of its funds, which are, after all, taxpayer funds.” While both bills worked to enable the creation of more housing for the local workforce, Chang told the Star-Advertiser that HB 740 is one potential solution to creating low-cost financing for ADU construction statewide. “If the state spends a lot of money and no new housing is built, then I don’t think we’re getting any closer to solving the housing shortage,” he said. Chang noted during the hearing that similar grant programs already exist, citing Maui County’s ‘Ohana Assistance Pilot Project, which launched in July and provides grants of up to $100,000 to homeowners to design and construct attached or detached ADUs with a 10-year deed restriction to provide workforce housing. HB 740 is supported by a number of organizations, including the Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice. In written testimony the center’s director of housing policy, Arjuna Heim, said the bill addresses financial barriers to constructing ADUs, which typically cost about $250 to $350 per square foot to build. The deed restriction, which was also a feature of the deferred HB 739, is a key aspect of HB 740, according to Heim. “The deed restriction requirements ensuring occupancy by local workers, maintaining employment within the county, demonstrate a thoughtful approach to preserving housing for Hawai‘i’s working families,” Heim said in written testimony. “This helps prevent the conversion of these units to vacation rentals or investment properties and help establish a locals-only market.” Joshua Wisch, president and executive director of the nonprofit Holomua Collaborative, which focuses on making Hawaii more affordable for working families, was a staunch supporter of HB 739 and said he was disappointed the bill was deferred. “We’ll have to see what was retained in the Senate draft before we can determine any future support,” Wisch said in a statement to the Star-Advertiser. “We still believe (the Kama‘aina Homes Program) can help create a dedicated and permanent housing supply for local working families, and are already exploring ways to lift the program up at a county level, come back to the Legislature next session or find other avenues to pursue it,” he said. A 2023 report by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization found that 20% of Hawaii residents had enough income to afford a single-family home costing $875,000. Another recent study by Holomua Collaborative, which surveyed 1,500 local workers with middle- to upper-middle incomes, found that 70% of respondents said they will or might relocate to a less expensive state in the coming years, with housing costs a major issue. Twenty-seven percent said they would move out of Hawaii within the next five years.

Hawaii elections commission calls for end to mail-in voting Hawaii News Now Daryl Huff November 4, 2025 Original Article HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state elections commission has voted to ask the legislature to ban mail-in and early voting and return to traditional in-person voting on Election Day. The bipartisan commission, which is half Democrat and half Republican, voted 5-3 over several contentious meetings to recommend voting only on Election Day in person with ID required on paper ballots that would be hand counted in precincts. Under the proposal, only military families and people with special needs would be allowed to vote absentee. Republican concerns over verification Republican commissioners said they have found discrepancies in mail-in voting and claim the movement of absentee ballots and envelopes from homes to post offices to counties for verification and to the state for counting has not been securely controlled or tracked. “No one who is outside the system can verify the results,” said Lindsey Kamm. Dylan Andrion said the commission is “going back to what works.” There was also concern that the emphasis on mail-in balloting made it more difficult for people to vote in person at limited sites. Commissioner Kahiolani Papalimu, from the Big Island, said, “being an incredibly rural island, I’d much prefer voting in our precincts, which is accessible to everyone in their area.” Democrats dispute claims Democrat commissioners and elections officials said the Republican claims are false and that there is no evidence of fraud or miscounting. “It’s just ludicrous. There’s no basis for connecting this supposed unverifiable statement, which is false, to the need to go back to in person voting,” said Jeffrey Osterkamp. Clare McAdam noted that in the 2024 election, 92.5% of voters voted by mail. “It’s 92.5% of the state wants to vote by mail, and I think that’s very important that we bear in mind all the time when we consider this,” McAdam said. Senate Judiciary chair Karl Rhoads, who would have jurisdiction over changing election law, said he believes the chances the legislature will approve the changes are zero. “I don’t even know the last time that Hawaii had one-day voting,” Rhoads said. Rhoads said he believes Republican commissioners are trying to undermine election confidence following President Trump’s lead. “I think they’re doing what they think he’s asking him to do. I think it’s from the top. The irony, of course, is that Trump himself uses mail-in voting,” Rhoads said. In addition to seeking to ban mail-in voting, Republican commissioners have repeatedly tried and failed to fire elections administrator Scott Nago and may try again Wednesday.

Could Trump run for a third term? Hawaii congressman answers state lawmakers Hawaii News Now Mahealani Richardson September 24, 2025 Original Article HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, says the Trump administration is abusing its power and is a threat to the rule of law. He spoke at the state Committee on Judiciary chaired by state Sen. Karl Rhoads. Case gave state senators a long list of actions by the Trump administration that are contrary to the rule of law, including destruction of federal agencies and funding already directed by law; firing of key federal officials from independent agencies; ignoring federal court orders; eroding independence of key federal agencies like the Department of Justice; and abuse of power to intimidate opponents referencing the controversy over comedian Jimmy Kimmel briefly taken off the air. “What are the chances that Trump will be able to run for a third term?” asked state Sen. Stanley Chang. “I think the chances are low, very low. There’s no plausible legal argument for it. For him to gain a third term, it would either be a complete overturning of the foundations of our country or constitution or some corruption,” said Case. “We have unfortunately observed the U.S. president mocking judges and deriding their decisions. He’s threatened judges with impeachment for adverse rulings,” said Rhoads. Republican state Sen. Brenton Awa did not attend the hearing to focus on other priorities. “For Sen. Rhoads, he’s one of those that gets triggered a lot by the president,” he said. Case said Congress is working hard to preserve hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for education, minorities, and social services. He said the rule of law is not the same as agreeing or disagreeing with Trump policies. He said ignoring rule of law is not good for the country in the long term.

PRESS RELEASES SENATOR KANUHA AND REPRESENTATIVE LOWEN INVITE THE COMMUNITY TO THE KAILUA BAY ADVISORY WORKING GROUP COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE LEGISLATORS TO HOST COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR ATMĀNANA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SENATE PRESIDENT RONALD D. KOUCHI HONORED IN THE AZORES FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND PORTUGUESE HERITAGE MORE PRESS RELEASES NEWS ARTICLES READ MORE Union seeks raises for teachers not credited for out-of-state experience during salary repricing Original Article Hawaii News Now HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The teachers union is fighting to get pay raises for thousands of public school educators. The Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) says they were denied the money because the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) said they didn’t have enough experience here in Hawaii. Before coming to Hawaii, David Reid had nine years of teaching on the continental U.S. The HIDOE had credited six of those years in the classroom, but it was not enough to get him a raise that other teachers with more experience in Hawaii received. “It was very at first confusing and then upsetting because you know no one wants to work really hard to go broke, and teachers all work very hard and our value to the workplace is years of experience and education and to have your value just erased,” Reid said. Reid and two other teachers went to the Hawaii Labor Relations Board after being excluded from the HIDOE’s salary increase in 2022. Known as the compression fix, the repricing boosted pay for 72% of teachers by an average of $6,000. “When they passed out raises, they said I didn’t have 11, because I’d been here five years at that point,” Reid said. The board sided with Reid, saying that the years of experience teaching that he and the other two teachers had on the mainland must be considered in the repricing. The HIDOE appealed the ruling, but a state judge affirmed it last month. “I’ve described it as the most frustrating thing I’ve ever done in my life. So to come out on the other side and be successful feels really good,” Reid said. After the decision, Reid’s pay was increased by $3,700 a year. “Considering the cost of living in Hawaii, that’s not nothing,” Reid said. The ruling came as the islands grapple with an ongoing teacher shortage. Hawaii ranks in the top 10 states with the lowest teacher to state population. There are more than 2,000 other teachers like Reid who were not compensated for non-HIDOE teaching experience. The HSTA is asking the HIDOE to raise their pay as well. “Hopefully this could apply to everybody,” Reid said. The HSTA is still waiting on the official written ruling from the court. We reached out to the department and are waiting to hear back. Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved. December 29, 2025 Senators Mentioned: MORE ARTICLES

Opportunities to export local goods increased through passage of Act 237 Maui Now August 12, 2025 Original Article 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.”

Gov. Green signs bills to tackle housing bottlenecks, fund nonprofits Maui Now July 10, 2025 Original Article 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

Kauaʻi health office releases report on 2025 public health, emergency prep survey Kauai Now July 12, 2025 Original Article 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 .

Senate committee advances key bills on housing, agriculture, businesses and energy Maui Now February 25, 2025 Original Article The Senate Committee on Ways and Means, led by State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, passed several key bills this week aimed at tackling housing shortages, supporting local businesses, and advancing sustainability in Hawai‘i. “We’re continuing to take proactive steps in addressing some of Hawai‘i’s most urgent needs during this legislative session,” Dela Cruz said. “Through these measures, we are investing in Hawai‘i’s future by building a more resilient, self-sustaining economy and a higher quality of life for our residents.” The following bills were passed out of the WAM Committee this week: SB 65 SD2: Relating to housing – This bill addresses the repair and maintenance needs for Hawai‘i’s public housing units used by some of the state’s most vulnerable populations. As the Senate continues to prioritize the availability of housing, bringing existing housing inventory back online is critical to addressing the housing shortage. SB 125 SD1: Relating to State Enterprise Zones – Enterprise zones create tax incentives that can be used to provide local small businesses with incentives to develop and scale their operations. This bill helps local farmers and businesses that process local farm products stay competitive in both local and global markets. SB 448 SD1: Relating to Agriculture – Maintaining O‘ahu’s agricultural lands in production is vital for food resilience and security, especially in Central O‘ahu’s remaining agricultural heartland. This measure enables the Agribusiness Development Corporation to preserve these lands by ensuring they remain productive through a negotiated conservation easement. SB 1269 SD1: Geothermal resources – This bill allocates funds to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to explore geothermal energy in counties with less than 300,000 residents. The goal is to use this clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy source to help the state reach net-zero carbon emissions, while still providing affordable power for homes and businesses.