As summer approaches, many will enjoy our beaches, parks and trails.  This is why I am so pleased that we were able to work with the state legislature, Climate Action Team and other statewide partners to enact the “Green Fee.” This historic legislation that I signed into law is a commitment to protecting Hawaiʻi’s environment for future generations of residents and visitors alike to enjoy. (Read more)

In a groundbreaking move for climate action, Governor Josh Green, M.D., has signed Senate Bill 1396 into law as Act 96, establishing the nation’s first climate impact fee, known as the “Green Fee.” The bill addresses the critical need to build resiliency against the impacts of climate change by providing a stable source of funding for environmental stewardship, hazard mitigation and sustainable tourism. (Read more)

The Los Angeles Rams and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) have teamed up to promote tourism to the Hawaiian Islands as well as Mauicamp, a special event where the Rams will bring their Minicamp to Maui from June 16 to June 19 to kick off the 2025 season. (Read more)

Hawaiʻi Secures $700 Million Settlement in Pharmaceutical Lawsuit

In a significant win for the state, Governor Josh Green, M.D., and Attorney General Anne Lopez announced a landmark $700 million settlement with pharmaceutical companies Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and three subsidiaries of Sanofi. The case, titled State of Hawaiʻi ex. rel. Anne E. Lopez, Attorney General v. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company et al., marks the end of nearly 12 years of litigation. (Read more)

HDOA Coordinates Palm Tree Treatment Against CRB on Hawai‘i Island

Since January 2025, the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) has coordinated the treatment of more than 700 palm trees for coconut rhinoceros beetles (CRB) along the west coast of Hawai‘i Island. A few recent detections of CRB have brought together a dedicated force including multiple state and county agencies as well as organizations in the battle against the invasive beetle, to prevent it from establishing populations on Hawai‘i Island. (Read more)

A Community-Led Pathway Toward Maui’s Economic Recovery and Future

The Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and County of Maui Office of Economic Development announced the release of the Maui Economic Recovery Commission (ERC) report, “A Community-Led Pathway Toward Maui’s Economic Recovery and Future,” which outlines strategies to address the economic challenges that linger in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires. (Read more)

Waipahu High Students Make History in Early College Program

A cohort of 13 students from Waipahu High School’s ʻOhana of Excellence Academy (OEA) made history as the first special education class in the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education to earn college credit through an Early College course. Their achievement was celebrated on campus after completing a mock job interview as their final project. (Read more)