Senate Ways and Means Committee visits Lānaʻi for updates on local sustainability Maui Now September 9, 2025 Original Article The Senate Ways and Means Committee arrived on Lānaʻi to receive updates on economic development and sustainability efforts from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Committee members were first guided through the work of Pūlama Lānaʻi, an organization creating solutions for a sustainable future through cultural preservation and building economic opportunities for Lānaʻi. “Today’s visit to Lānaʻi shows our deep commitment to supporting sustainable growth in our rural communities,” said Senator Lynn DeCoite (D 7 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi, Kaho‘olawe and Molokini), Chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism. “The presentations from DBEDT, ADC, and Pūlama Lānaʻi highlight the incredible work being done to preserve Lānaʻi’s heritage while creating economic opportunities for the future.” “As a State, we must ensure that we are able to keep up with the changing needs of our communities,” said Senator Troy N. Hashimoto (D 5 – Wailuku, Kahului, Waihe‘e, Waikapu Mauka, Wai‘ehu), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. “Developing sustainable housing solutions must include building communities with access to economic opportunities and critical services to ensure that residents, on Lānaʻi and across our islands, can stay and live with greater security in the place we call home.” “As we continue shaping policy and budgets, it’s critical we prioritize initiatives that create lasting opportunities for regional economic development,” said Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz (D 17 – Portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Today’s visit demonstrates that food, housing, and workforce are the cornerstones of sustainability and economic opportunity,” said ADC Board Chairperson Jayson Watts. “As ADC explores statewide expansion, we are committed to building the infrastructure and innovation needed for rural communities and families to succeed.” “The work on Lānaʻi highlights how rural communities can thrive when economic opportunities and affordable housing are integrated rather than separated. DBEDT holds critical levers that can be used to support rural communities by connecting food, housing, tourism and workforce opportunities,” said DBEDT Deputy Director Dane Wicker.

‘Not just about farming’: Senate Ways and Means Committee gets update about food and product initiative Kauai Now August 13, 2025 Original Article 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.

Nearly $5 million dredging project completed at Hilo small boat harbor Star Advertiser Michael Brestovansky December 6, 2024 Original Article Boaters are in deep water at last after a months-long dredging project at Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo wrapped up last week. The harbor, one of East Hawaii’s last functioning boat launches after the Pohoiki Boat Ramp in Puna was cut off during the 2018 Kilauea eruption, has not been dredged for more than seven years and sediment had accumulated at the harbor mouth. Boats repeatedly went aground attempting to pass the mouth of the Wailoa River, and boaters quickly learned the harbor only was usable at the highest tides. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation began a project to dredge the river in July, using $3.2 million in capital improvement funds. That work ended on Nov. 27, the DLNR announced Tuesday, although construction equipment including a barge will remain on site until Saturday. The total cost of the project swelled to $4.8 million, according to a DLNR news release, but the cost overrun was covered through DOBOR’s Boating Special Fund, which is replenished from statewide harbor and boating facility use fees. “We appreciate the public’s patience, understanding and advocacy as DOBOR navigated the permitting and funding hurdles to get this project completed before the end of the year,” DOBOR Administrator Meghan Statts said in a statement. ”We also appreciate the Legislature for recognizing the importance of this project and providing funding.” “It’s definitely better, it’s deeper,” said boater Antoine Debarge on Tuesday, mooring his boat directly across the river mouth from Suisan Fish Market. “This was completely dry land here a few months ago.” Hilo Sen. Lorraine Inouye, who advocated for the initial $3.2 million allocation, said she was happy East Hawaii boaters can finally safely access the ocean again from the harbor, but lamented that the problem persisted for years. “When I became District 1 senator in 2022, that was already a problem, and we embarked on making sure it got fixed,” Inouye said. “I’m happy we were able to do this, but the boaters had to deal with it for so long.” Inouye said she will continue to monitor conditions at the the harbor and will listen to boaters’ concerns to identify other potential issues that need to be addressed. She added she is working on a project to determine the accumulation rates of sediment at the harbor so future dredging operations are more timely. Inouye went on to say that she will try to make additional funds available for additional maintenance projects at the harbor during the 2025 legislative session, which begins in January.

Senate committee releases report detailing its September visit to Lānaʻi and Maui Maui Now September 19, 2025 Original Article The Senate Committee on Ways and Means finalized visits with government agencies and community leaders on Lānaʻi and Maui to receive significant updates on education, housing, agricultural innovations, healthcare, workforce development pathways and wildfire management efforts. September 2025 Lānaʻi & Maui Post-Trip Report “Our visits to Lānaʻi and Maui gave the committee a solid understanding of the innovative ways our departments are utilizing resources to preserve, protect, and strengthen our state through workforce development, education, wildfire management, and more, ” said Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz (D17– portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipiʻo Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. Dela Cruz said the local partnerships the committee saw in action are proving to be critical in developing clear pathways to sustainability. “Pūlama Lānaʻi is creating viable housing options for residents, while DLNR is working alongside our State Fire Marshal to respond to the continuing threat of wildfires. DBEDT is successfully connecting with underrepresented demographics to ensure every economic opportunity is being recognized. The work of these entities will continue to be essential to informing policies and the allocation of resources to build an equitable future for Hawaiʻi,” said Dela Cruz. Sen. Lynn DeCoite (D7 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi, Kaho‘olawe and Molokini), who chairs the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism said investing in rural communities like those on Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i, is critical. “These visits showcased how collaboration between government agencies, local leaders, and private partners is creating innovative solutions to long standing challenges—from housing and agriculture to wildfire resilience and workforce development,” said DeCoite. “The economic potential we’re seeing across these islands is rooted in community, culture, and resilience—values that continue to guide us as we work toward a more sustainable and inclusive Hawai‘i.” “Coming from Maui, I know firsthand how critical it is that state resources reach our communities effectively and equitably,” said Sen. Troy N. Hashimoto (D5 – Wailuku, Kahului, Waihe‘e, Waikapu Mauka, Wai‘ehu), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. “These site visits to Lāna‘i and Maui highlighted the progress being made in key areas like housing, wildfire preparedness, and workforce development—while also showing where we still need to focus our efforts. It’s encouraging to see strong partnerships forming on the ground, and the insights we gained will help guide meaningful investments and ensure our policies are responsive to the real needs of our people.” WAM holds neighbor island site visits every two years to utilize information from community stakeholders and government officials to guide our collective decision-making on legislation and budget appropriations to bolster regional/statewide planning and implementation efforts.

Honolulu Dept. of Parks and Recreation seeks to increase number of city parks Star-Advertiser Jamm Aquino April 23, 2025 Original Article 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)

‘The Eddie’ surf competition stokes North Shore’s economy Star Advertiser Allison Schaefers December 23, 2024 Original Article The North Shore economy is projected to ride high during its winter wave season, which kicked off Sunday with the 2024 Eddie Aikau Invitational Big Wave Contest at Waimea — a massive event that Honolulu police estimated drew about 50,000 attendees. Tourists and local spectators lined every available vantage spot to see the North Shore’s Landon McNamara, 28, win first place in the event, where participants battled waves that reached up to 25 feet, with 50-foot faces. McNamara, a professional big-wave surfer who comes from a surfing family, also is a Ford model and a musician who just released an album. Part of the reason for economic boost of “The Eddie,” which mostly comes before or after the event due to the singular focus of bystanders on the bay during the contest, is that it isn’t held often. The lead-up to whether “The Eddie” will go also generates incredible buzz and worldwide news coverage.

Hikers who trespass might pay for search, rescue costs Star Advertiser By Talia Sibilla and Dan Nakaso January 22, 2025 Original Article Two Senate bills seek to recover the hefty cost to search for and rescue trespassing hikers who venture onto illegal or closed trails across the state. Senate Bills 130 and 508 do not specify a dollar amount that hikers would have to reimburse any agency that rescues them. Both bills say trespassing hikers who ignore a warning notice or sign of closure would have to pay all or a portion, but not less than half, of all search and rescue expenses, which typically involve county firefighters, helicopters, pilots, ambulances and medical crews. SB 508 specifies that trespassing hikers would be fined if they act with “intentional disregard.” It also proposes that the penalty for criminal trespass rise to a misdemeanor from a petty misdemeanor. The Honolulu Fire Department conducts most search and rescue hiking operations on Oahu and has consistently disagreed with every previous bill that resembles the efforts of SBs 130 and 508. Requiring “payment for certain rescues may cause lost or injured hikers to hesitate or not request assistance from first responder agencies,” Louise Kim McCoy, HFD spokesperson, wrote in an email to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “Such a delay in requesting assistance may exacerbate the situation, further endangering the lives of persons involved and their potential rescuers.” HFD helps anyone who calls for rescue and worries that charging them would push them to “make an attempt to self-rescue, further endangering themselves and potentially making a rescue more complex,” McCoy said. Twelve senators introduced SB 130, and most referred questions to state Sen. Lynn DeCoite (D, East and Upcountry Maui-Molokai-Lanai). She did not respond to repeated requests for comment. SB 508 offers illegal hikers a way to avoid paying for the cost of their search and rescue by purchasing a proposed “hike safe card” before going on a hike. The hike safe card would protect hikers even if they were rescued from an illegal site, unless the search and rescue response was caused by behavior that “any reasonable person would consider to be reckless.” Under SB 508, hike safe cards would “cost no less than $25 for an individual and no less then $35 for a family.” The cards would be valid for one year. Proceeds from the sale of the cards would go into a new statewide search and rescue special fund, which would be created by another bill, SB 1177. SB 1177 also would create a new position — Office of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator — to serve as a centralized authority statewide for search and rescue operations. It would be part of the new state Fire Marshal’s Office. The bill also seeks to address a “lack of funding, tools, and technology for state-wide searches.” In 2024 the Diamond Head Summit Trail near Waikiki represented the top site for HFD hiker rescues, followed by Lulumahu Falls, Koko Crater Stairs and Lanikai Pillbox. They’re all legal and popular hikes, especially among tourists. But HFD also regularly rescues hikers from illegal trails including the Stairway to Heaven, which leads to the top of the Koolau Mountain Range above the H-3 freeway in Kaneohe, and Sacred Falls State Park in Hauula, which has been closed since the fatal Mother’s Day 1999 rockslide that killed eight people and injured dozens more. Data collected by HFD between 2022 and 2024 showed 510 rescues from “legal trails” based on a list of trails pulled from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks “Na Ala Hele” trail website. By comparison, there were 282 rescues for hikers on illegal or unlisted trails. But McCoy said that the data may not be a true representation because “there isn’t a complete list of all trails (let alone legal or not) on the island. There are also trails that aren’t technically illegal, but may not have made any state or city lists as ‘legal.’”

Hawaii State Senator: Did Your Home Insurance Bill Increase? Big Oil Should Pay Up | Opinion News Week Senator Chris Lee July 18, 2025 Original Article 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.

Gov. Josh Green signs condo insurance incentives into law Star Advertiser Dan Nakaso July 8, 2025 Original Article 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.”

County, state lawmakers to talk priorities during next Waimea Community Association town meeting Big Island Now Big Island Now January 8, 2025 Original Article A new Hawai‘i County Council was seated and got to work in December 2024 with a few new faces at the table, including one who represents Kohala. Opening day of the 2025 session of the Hawai‘i Legislature is next week on Jan. 15. Waimea Community Association invites residents of the Kohala and Hāmākua communities to come learn about the priorities of their elected local and state government officials directly from them during its next town meeting. The meeting is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Jerry Nelson Conference Room of the W.M. Keck Observatory headquarters, located at 65-1120 Māmalahoa Highway, in Waimea. State Sen. Tim Richards , who represents Senate District 4 (North Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, North Kona), and state Rep. David Tarnas , who represents House District 8 (Hāwī, Hala‘ula, Waimea, Makahalau, Waiki‘i, Waikōloa, Kawaihae, Māhukona), will speak about policy issues and priorities, their committee assignments and how the community can participate in the state legislative process. Two members of the Hawai’i County Council are presenting as well — Hāmākua Councilwoman Heather Kimball and newly elected Kohala Councilman James Hustace. Hustace will speak in person. Kimball, chairwoman of the Hawai‘i State Association of Counties, will attend via Zoom from Washington, D.C., where she is participating in briefings with presidential and congressional leadership. There will be time for questions and answers. Community members are urged to submit questions prior to the meeting by email at waimeacommunityassociation@gmail.com . Questions can also be shared in person or on chat by those watching the livestream on Waimea Community Association’s Facebook page and will be be addressed as time permits. The spotlighted nonprofit organization for January will be Hawai‘i County 4-H Equine Council represented by Kohala educator and horsewoman Fern White. Also participating in the meeting will be South Kohala police Capt. Roy Valera and Community Policing Officer Justin Cabanting with an update about public safety news and events. Community members can attend in person or watch the meeting livestream on the Waimea Community Association Facebook page or YouTube channel . A recording of the meeting also will be available on Facebook and YouTube for later viewing. 2025 Waimea Community Association leadership Waimea Community Association recently elected new leadership for 2025. Former vice president Mary Beth Laychak was elected president and former president Nancy Carr Smith was selected as vice president. Mary Beth Laychak was recently elected president of Waimea Community Association. (Photo Courtesy: Waimea Community Association) Other officers for the new year include newly elected secretary Makela Bruno and re-elected treasurer Victor Tom. Board members are Patti Cook, David Greenwell, Lani Olsen-Chong, Riley Smith, Ryan Ushijima and Chris Wong. Email Waimea Community Association President Mary Beth Laychak at waimeacommunityassociation@gmail.com or click here for additional information about the upcoming town meeting or the association.

Small Group Of Lawmakers To Award $50M To Nonprofits Facing Federal Cuts Civil Beat Kevin Dayton October 17, 2025 Original Article Hawaiʻi lawmakers are inviting nonprofit organizations to seek extra state grant funding under a $50 million initiative to offset recent federal cuts to health and human services programs. In an unusual move, the money will be doled out by a four-member panel instead of the full Legislature. Legislators authorized the extra grants-in-aid funding in the closing days of the last session amid concerns the Trump administration would impose deep cuts in social service programs. Gov. Josh Green approved that plan as Act 310 . Hawaiʻi nonprofits “are facing unprecedented delays and reductions in federal funding,” according to an announcement issued by lawmakers this week. “The cuts in federal funding have impacted areas such as healthcare, human services, education, homelessness, and food security.” In an effort to make up for lost federal funding, the state has begun accepting applications for the Act 310 grants, with a deadline for the nonprofits to submit applications of 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 24. Act 310 says nonprofit applicants for the state grants must be “recipients or providers that have sustained a reduction or termination of their federal funding,” or primarily serve populations that were “negatively affected by reductions or terminations of federal funding.” The $50 million is in addition to $30 million lawmakers directed to nonprofits under the regular grant-in-aid process during the legislative session last spring. A recent report by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization concluded 74 federal grants to 59 Hawai‘i nonprofits “are politically vulnerable” to budget cuts by the Trump administration. Programs serving Native Hawaiians account for much of that risk. Those nonprofits are awaiting $126 million in unpaid balances on federal grants, and “more than half of this risk is concentrated in healthcare programs, with significant exposure also in human services, environment, and education,” according to the UHERO report. But it isn’t clear yet how much funding or how many grants to local nonprofits have actually been cut. State Rep. Daniel Holt, who oversees nonprofit grant-in-aid awards for the House, said in an interview Wednesday he was unaware of any local nonprofits that have taken a big financial hit from federal cuts. “We don’t know what to expect,” Holt said of the application process. “We don’t know if we’re going to get overwhelmed, we don’t know if we’re going to have a lot of extra money,” he added. “We honestly have no idea at this point.” The applications will be administered by Aloha United Way, and a panel of four Democratic legislators will decide the amounts awarded to each nonprofit. Those lawmakers include Holt, House Finance Committee Vice Chair Jenna Takenouchi, Senate Ways and Means Chair Donovan Dela Cruz and Senate Majority Leader Dru Kanuha. Act 310 has been criticized by some lawmakers because it empowers just those four legislators to decide which nonprofits will get portions of the $50 million. Grants-in-aid are normally part of state budgets approved in votes by the full Legislature. Other critics pointed out lawmakers exempted that four-member panel from the state public meetings or Sunshine law, raising concerns the awards to the nonprofits could be decided in secret. Holt said the panel plans to meet publicly after all of the applications are received to hear the nonprofits present their requests for funding. The panel will then meet privately to develop a list of awardees, then will approve that list in a public vote, he said. That process is similar to the way regular grants-in-aid are decided, except that under Act 310 only four lawmakers will be voting. Public First Law Center Executive Director Brian Black warned in July there were procedural defects in the adoption of Act 310 that “threaten to invalidate any grants awarded by the committee.”

Senate bill advances to strip county council approval of state-funded housing projects Maui Now Brian Perry February 14, 2025 Original Article A bill to exempt state-financed housing developments from county council approval has passed second reading on the Hawaiʻi Senate floor and advanced to the Ways and Means Committee. Senate Bill 27 drew mixed reactions during a public hearing late last month before the Senate Housing Committee, chaired by Sen. Stanley Chang of urban Honolulu and southeast Oahu, and vice chaired by Sen. Troy Hashimoto of Central Maui. Lahaina Strong submitted written testimony saying that current fast-tracked state housing projects have a 45-day review period and “are reviewed thoroughly while remaining time-sensitive.” “In the broader context of Maui’s permitting process, 45 days is not a significant delay,” Lahaina Strong said. “If a project truly meets the intent of the 201H law to prioritize affordable housing, then it should easily gain County Council approval. Eliminating this review period undermines the County Council’s role and the community’s opportunity to weigh in on projects that directly impact their lives.” The housing advocacy group borne in the wake of the August 2023 Maui wildfires said that West Maui has had to “grapple with the misuse of the 201H process.” “Developers have used it to push projects that may technically include affordable housing units but ultimately serve to subdivide rural land into multi-million-dollar ‘gentlemen’s estates.’ These projects have created deep mistrust in the community, as they fail to address the pressing need for truly affordable housing while exploiting loopholes for profit,” Lahaina Strong said. “For Lahaina, this is not just an abstract policy concern — it’s a matter of survival.” “Our community faces unique challenges, including water scarcity and ongoing infrastructure recovery, which demand thoughtful, inclusive decision-making,” the group said. “Senate Bill 27 would sideline these considerations by fast-tracking projects without sufficient community engagement, exacerbating an already fragile situation.” Other testimony opposed to the measure came from the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting, HI Good Neighbor and 16 individuals. Maui Chamber of Commerce President Pamela Tumpap supported the bill. “The Chamber recognizes that, historically, many projects have gone to the County Council for approval, only to face significant conditions that render them financially unfeasible,” she said. “This is particularly disconcerting for state-funded projects (201H), which already must meet special conditions and are intended to provide affordable housing. Given the urgency of the housing crisis, we need to expedite the development of housing as quickly as possible. The county approval process is often time-consuming and subject to extensive testimony, and additional delays can result in increased costs.” “In light of the severe housing shortage in both the state and Maui County, we strongly support initiatives that promote, rather than hinder, the development of housing for our residents,” Tumpap said. Other submittals of testimony in favor of the bill came from the Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, Housing Hawaiʻi’s Future and one individual. Senate Bill 27 was introduced by Chang and Hashimoto, as well as Republican Kurt Fevella of Ewa Beach, Sharon Moriwaki of urban Honolulu and Glenn Wakai of Central Oʻahu. A Housing Committee report on this bill is here. A YouTube recording of the Jan. 28 committee meeting is here. The Senate also has passed on second reading Senate Bill 38, which would prohibit county councils from making modifications to housing development proposals that would increase project costs. That bill, also heard in committee on Jan. 28, was introduced by Sens. Chang, Fevella, Hashimoto and Joy San Buenaventura of Puna, Hawaiʻi Island. Public testimony on Senate Bill 38 was as mixed as Senate Bill 27, with both sides of the debate lining up in favor or opposition in similar fashion. Lahaina Strong expressed strong concerns about diminishing the County Council’s role in addressing community needs on pending housing projects. “The County Council is the body closest to the people and the realities on the ground, particularly in disaster-affected communities like Lahaina,” the group said. “Ensuring that housing projects align with our community’s needs and values requires a process where local voices are heard. The current proposal undermines this essential process by allowing the state to bypass county-level approval for projects that have received state funding. This sets a dangerous precedent and risks disenfranchising communities across Hawaiʻi.” Lahaina Strong said that the bill provision that prohibits the County Council from making any modifications that could increase the cost of a project is “deeply concerning.” “It effectively ties the hands of the County Council, preventing them from addressing critical design, safety or infrastructure concerns that could arise during the review process,” Lahaina Strong said. “Responsible development often requires adjustments to ensure a project is sustainable, accessible and aligned with local needs — adjustments that may incur additional costs but are essential to long-term success. This limitation prioritizes cost savings over the well-being and functionality of our communities.” In support of the bill, Tumpap said: “we have witnessed projects that initially met county and state requirements and appeared financially feasible. However, when these projects went before the County Council for final approval, new conditions were often imposed. These modifications frequently led to increased costs, making the projects no longer financially viable. As a result, many housing developments were not built, and the housing that had been planned never materialized.” “Developers are often unable to obtain accurate estimates for these last-minute conditions and cannot properly assess whether the changes fit within the overall project budget,” she said. “Many of these conditions involve the development of critical infrastructure, which we believe should be the responsibility of the county and state. By the time developers reach the County Council level, they already know what will work financially. Sudden changes during this process create significant challenges and, over the years, have led to a loss of potential housing.” According to a committee report, testimony in support of the bill also came from the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corp., Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi, NAIOP Hawaiʻi, Housing Hawaiʻi’s Future and one individual. Testimony in opposition was submitted by Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting, HI Good Neighbor and 12 individuals. Commenting as an individual Maui County Council member, Chair Alice Lee said this morning: “While I enthusiastically support efforts to limit affordable housing costs and expedite housing projects, I generally do not advocate for state restriction on local authority.” “The counties are uniquely positioned to better understand local impacts and nuances of proposed developments,” she said, adding that Senate Bill 38 would “entirely remove the counties’ ability to safeguard and protect their communities from potential negative aspects of proposed developments if modifications increase the affordable housing project’s costs, even slightly. This proposed restriction on county power comes at too high a cost.” “Similarly, Senate Bill 27 would exempt projects that have received a financial commitment from the state from needing county legislative approval. Removing all local approval of these housing projects could have costly and unintended results,” she said. In other updates of housing-related legislation, House Bill 739 has cleared the Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. David Tarnas and vice chaired by Rep. Mahina Poepoe. The bill would establish a Kamaʻāina Homes Program. Modeled after the Vail InDEED program in tourist-Mecca Vail, Colo., the program would provide funding to the counties to purchase voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or homebuyers. Central Maui Rep. Tyson Miyake and Kaua’i Rep. Luke Evslin were co-introducers for the House bill. The Kamaʻāina Homes Program would be established within the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corp. at a time when the median single-family home sells for more than $1 million in Maui County, although the condominium market has sustained a recent price and sale volume chill over concerns about the vacation rental phase-out bill pending before the Maui County Council. That measure is expected to be scheduled for consideration in late March. Meanwhile, the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization is working to complete a study of the bill’s economic impacts in the first quarter of this year. The Council has until June 18 to take action on the bill within a 180-day time period for department-initiated land use legislation set by the Maui County Charter. In addition to Tarnas and Poepoe voting in favor of House Bill 739 were Reps. Della Au Belatti, Kirstin Kahaloa, Amy Perruso, Gregg Takayama, Chris Todd and Garner Shimizu. Rep. Diamond Garcia voted “aye” with reservations. Reps. Elle Cochran and Mark Hashem were excused. Two bills going nowhere so far this session are House Bill 489 and Senate Bill 1214, which take aim at discouraging owners of second homes in Hawaiʻi who leave them unoccupied much of the time. The legislation would establish a Vacant Homes Special Fund under the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corp. for rental assistance programs similar to federal Section 8 tenant-based housing assistance. Under the measures, residential property owners who allow their property to remain vacant for 180 days, or more than a year, would be subject to an annual general excise tax surcharge. It also requires people who own residential property but don’t live there to obtain a general excise tax license. Editor’s note: This story has been updated from its original post to add comments, as an individual council member, from Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee.