As 2024 comes to an end, it’s a time for reflection and gratitude. My administration has worked tirelessly to make significant progress on our priorities. We have made strides in creating more affordable housing units for working families and have been proactively tackling the issue of homelessness through building kauhale that includes support services. We have signed numerous bills to improve the cost of living in Hawai‘i and provide measures to create safer communities and of course, we have continued working with the people of Maui to rebuild Lahaina. (Read more)

Governor Josh Green delivered the keynote address at the first-ever Novogradac Affordable Housing Summit in Waikīkī on Nov. 14.

More than 200 of the most influential leaders in the affordable housing arena – developers, lenders, bankers, Wall Street investors, housing advocates and state and county officials – attended the summit to address the most pressing challenge facing working-class families in Hawai‘i today: the housing crisis. (Read more)

Registration is now open for the LifeSmarts Competition, inviting students from across the state to form teams. This opportunity is available to public, private, home, charter and alternative schools, as well as clubs and youth organizations. Each team must have an adult sponsor or coach, and schools or clubs can enter multiple teams under one coach. (Read more)

MAJOR INITIATIVES SUPPORT LAHAINA’S EDUCATORS

Two major initiatives are addressing critical needs and celebrating the resilience of Lahaina public school educators: a $20 million workforce housing project and the Lahaina HERO Awards. These efforts demonstrate a shared commitment to stabilizing the educational workforce and honoring their contributions following the Maui Wildfires. (Read more)

DLIR EMPOWERS FUTURE WORKFORCE LEADERS ACROSS HAWAIʻI

The Hawai‘i State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) Workforce Development Division is actively shaping Hawai‘i’s future workforce through its Hele Imua Internship Program. The program offers those seeking employment an opportunity for hands-on experience, professional skill-building and pathways to government careers. State agencies are invited to partner in hosting interns, further expanding opportunities for young professionals to gain exposure to public sector careers. (Read more)

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS, CONGRATULATIONS FIRST LADY JAIME KANANI GREEN!

First Lady Jaime Kanani Green was recently recognized as a Global Women Peace Ambassador by the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP). Since its founding in 1992, WFWP has empowered women across more than 100 countries to break barriers, promote understanding and lead with compassion and service. (Read more)

TAKING TIME TO CELEBRATE AND HONOR OUR VETERANS

The State of Hawai‘i Department of Defense (HIDOD) had a busy Veterans Day weekend. In the morning on Nov. 9, the Hawai‘i Army National Guard (HIARNG) conducted a flyover of the Hawai‘i Island Veterans Day Parade with a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.

That night, Hawai‘i Air National Guard (HIANG) conducted a flyover with a KC-135 refueler jet over the University of Hawai‘i football game on military appreciation night. The HIANG 111th Army Band also played during halftime. (Read more)