I had the honor of delivering my third State of the State address last month as the 2025 Legislative Session began. In my speech, I reaffirmed my commitment to priorities that will guide us in the year ahead: making Hawai‘i more affordable, addressing homelessness, reducing the cost of living, improving healthcare, supporting Maui’s recovery and tackling climate change. (Read more)

Counselors from the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) reached out to residents affected by the tragic fireworks explosion on Keaka Drive in Āliamanu on Jan. 1. (Read more)

Lanakila Pacific recently completed a major phase of a hazard-mitigation construction project, utilizing a $1.6-million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, administered by the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA). The retrofitting and strengthening of Lanakila’s main facility in Honolulu is a crucial project to fortify our facilities against natural hazards, and aims to ensure the safety and continuity of our vital services. (Read more)

Hawai‘i Green Business Program Hosts National Green Business Engagement Summit

The Hawai‘i Green Business Program (HGBP) ended 2024 by hosting the Green Business Engagement National Network (GBENN) Summit at the Ala Moana Hotel. The GBENN Summit brings together a consortium of unique local, statewide and national green business programs committed to serving businesses in environmental justice communities by strengthening dialogue, advancing collaborative opportunities and sharing best practice information to foster collaboration in the public and private sectors. (Read more)

DCCA Insurance Division attends 2024 Japan Captive Seminars

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Insurance Division attended the 2024 Japan Captive Seminars hosted by the Hawai‘i Captive Insurance Council on Nov. 19 and 20 in Tokyo, Japan. Nearly 400 participants attended the two-day event, including representatives from various Japanese companies and industry service providers. The event featured educational sessions on captive insurance basics and risk management topics, led by professionals from both the U.S. and Japan who have successfully established captives in Hawai‘i. (Read more)

Progress Update on Wahiawā Civic Center: Enhancing Community Services

Wahiawā residents are closer to having a new civic center, after a decades-long wait. The Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) is overseeing the construction of the Wahiawā Civic Center through its Public Works Division. Public Works Administrator Gordon Wood said, “The project is approximately 40 to 45 percent complete and we’re making good progress on a weekly basis.” (Read more)

Kolowalu Dog Park Grand Opening

The Kolowalu Improvements Blessing and Dog Park Grand Opening will be on February 8. Dog parks provide a safe environment for dogs to run and play freely and socialize with other dogs. February is Hawaiian language month and the signage at the entrance is in ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i with English translation. (Read more)