This bill (SB933, now Act 310) provides $50 million in state funding for nonprofit organizations in Hawaii that have lost or are at risk of losing federal funding. It directly affects health centers, child care providers, social service agencies, and homeless service programs that serve populations impacted by federal funding cuts. The law establishes a committee of lawmakers to select grantees and contract with Aloha United Way to manage the distribution of funds, requiring nonprofits to document federal funding reductions and how grant money will address service disruptions. The funding supports fiscal year 2025-2026 and aims to maintain critical community services during the federal funding freeze.
This document (GM 1424) is a procedural notification from Governor Green, not a bill summary. It informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Green signed **SB 79 (ACT 311)** into law on July 9, 2025. SB 79 requires state and county agencies to obtain historic preservation reviews before starting housing projects that may affect historic properties, aviation artifacts, or burial sites. The law mandates archaeological surveys in highly sensitive areas and establishes review tiers based on site sensitivity, with written determinations required within 90 days.
HB 431 (Act 309) establishes requirements for Hawaii's "kauhale" initiative, a state program providing affordable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. The bill mandates that kauhale projects must connect to public utilities (water, sewer, electricity), limit rent to 30% of area median income, and undergo community consultation before construction. It also requires annual reporting to the legislature on program metrics, an independent audit, and appropriates $18.5 million for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $24.3 million for 2026-2027 to fund the initiative.
This bill establishes a 10-year deadline from construction completion for filing lawsuits about construction defects in Hawaii, but no later than two years after the defect was discovered. It also requires property owners to provide contractors with a 90-day written notice detailing the alleged defect before suing. These rules apply to defects in the design, construction, or remodeling of residential and commercial properties. The law directly affects homeowners, property owners, and contractors involved in building projects.
This bill (HB 830, Act 306) authorizes the State Historic Preservation Division to contract with third-party consultants to review projects affecting historic properties, burial sites, or aviation artifacts. It directly affects state agencies, developers, and project applicants who must undergo historic preservation reviews before proceeding with projects. The key mechanism amends Hawaii law to allow this delegation of review work, aiming to reduce the division’s backlog (reported as 6-12 months) that delays housing and infrastructure projects. The policy change streamlines the review process without altering preservation standards or requirements.
This bill requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a carrying capacity study of Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor in Kauai. The study must assess how many people and activities the harbor can sustain without harming natural or cultural resources, evaluate current restrictions, and examine impacts from commercial tour operations. It also mandates consulting with Kauai County and community groups, with a report due to the legislature by November 2025. The state appropriates $250,000 for the study during fiscal year 2025-2026. The bill directly affects harbor management, visitors, local resources, and commercial operators at Kikiaola Harbor.
This bill (HB1001, Act 301) formalizes a settlement agreement for claims related to the 2023 Maui wildfires, signed into law by Governor Green on July 8, 2025. It establishes a fund to compensate approximately 2,200 affected individuals for property damage, personal injury, wrongful death, and economic losses caused by the fires. The settlement requires the State of Hawaii to contribute $807.5 million over four years (in addition to $65 million already provided), alongside other entities including Maui County, Hawaiian Electric, and private companies, totaling $4.037 billion. Claimants receiving compensation must release the State and contributing parties from further liability related to the wildfires.
This bill, Act 304, exempts certain rebuilding efforts in Maui from special coastal management permits after the 2023 wildfires. It specifically applies to single-family homes under 7,500 square feet (not on shorelines or erosion-prone land) and routine repairs like road maintenance or utility work. The law aims to speed up recovery by removing permit barriers while preserving coastal resources, as required by Hawaii’s disaster recovery framework. It directly affects homeowners and businesses rebuilding in wildfire-impacted areas following the governor’s emergency declaration.
This bill (HB794, Act 305) is a notification that Governor Green signed into law on July 8, 2025, a measure establishing the constitutional declaration for Hawaii's state bond debt limits. It confirms the method for calculating Hawaii's debt limit under Article VII, Section 13 of the state constitution, which requires that total principal and interest on general obligation bonds not exceed 18.5% of the three-year average of general fund revenues. The bill provides specific debt limit figures for fiscal years 2024-2025 through 2028-2029 based on certified revenue data. This affects how Hawaii calculates its borrowing capacity for future bond issuances, ensuring compliance with constitutional debt limits.
This bill establishes the Office of the State Fire Marshal within the Department of Law Enforcement to strengthen wildfire preparedness and response across Hawaii. It implements recommendations from the 2023 Maui wildfires investigation by defining key terms like "defensible space" (clearing vegetation around buildings) and "structure hardening" (retrofitting buildings to resist fire), and assigns the office specific duties including reviewing fire risks, coordinating with local agencies, and proposing updates to the state fire code. The law creates a selection commission for the State Fire Marshal and reorganizes responsibilities between the state office and county fire agencies to improve coordination. This directly affects all Hawaii counties and fire protection agencies by formalizing a centralized authority for wildfire safety planning and enforcement.
This bill (SB223, now Act 303) requires property owners in Hawaii's hazardous fire areas to maintain firebreaks around buildings. Specifically, owners must clear flammable vegetation within 30 feet of structures (or 100 feet during high-risk conditions), remove tree branches within 10 feet of chimneys, and keep roofs free of dead vegetation. It also directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources to create community fuel reduction projects on state lands near homes. The law directly affects homeowners and property managers in wildfire-prone zones across Hawaii.
This is a procedural correction letter (GM 1413), not a substantive bill. It corrects the date of the Governor's Statement of Objections regarding Senate Bill 1102 (SB 1102) from July 7, 2025, to July 3, 2025. The letter references the veto of SB 1102, which proposed requiring Senate approval for appointing the Fire Chief of Hawaii's Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Unit. The Governor vetoed SB 1102, arguing its appointment process conflicted with standard procedures for department leadership and could delay critical airport safety staffing. This document solely adjusts the date in the veto documentation.
