Rooted in resilience, we continue to find ways to celebrate — even in the face of adversity. Our state is pushing boundaries, centering transparency and expanding accessibility. The federal government shutdown has forced our nation to confront financial instability and distrust in leadership. The state of Hawai‘i is working tirelessly to ensure people are fed, cared for — and most importantly, heard. We recently announced that $100M in TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) funds will be deployed for rent and utilities assistance under the Hawai‘i Relief Program (see last page for more details). (Read more)

RESTORING MAUI: HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR WILDFIRE SURVIVORS AND THE HOMELESS

After the Maui wildfires, Governor Green launched the largest non-congregate shelter program in U.S. history, partnering with hotels, the Red Cross and FEMA to quickly house survivors in private rooms instead of mass shelters. Within two weeks, every survivor seeking shelter was relocated — and about 80% were housed in hotels, forming a national model for disaster response. To further support recovery, the state established Ka La‘i Ola, “A Place of Peaceful Recovery,” Maui’s largest interim housing community for wildfire survivors. This 57-acre village includes 450 homes where roughly 900 survivors currently live, with the capacity to serve up to 1,500 individuals. (Read more)

Hawaiʻi has reached a major milestone in expanding access to early childhood education by the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) opening the state’s 100th public pre-kindergarten classroom — at Maunawili Elementary School in Kailua on Oʻahu. Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who leads the Ready Keiki initiative, joined EOEL to celebrate the achievement and recognize the state’s continued investment in Hawaiʻi’s youngest learners. (Read more)

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE: 48TH ANNUAL GOVERNOR'S AWARDS

The Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) proudly hosted the 48th Annual Governor’s Awards Ceremony in September, honoring outstanding individuals and teams across our state government. Each department nominates candidates for three prestigious categories: State Employee of the Year, State Manager of the Year and State Team of the Year. (Read more)

HAWAI'I STRENGTHENS CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHIPS WITH JAPAN AND OKINAWA

In October, Governor Josh Green and First Lady Jaime Kanani Green led a Hawaiʻi delegation through Tokyo, Osaka and Okinawa, establishing and renewing partnerships to ensure affordable and reliable energy for Hawaiʻi residents. A Strategic Partnering Agreement signed by Governor Green on October 6 establishes a framework for collaboration among JERA Co., Inc., JERA Americas Inc., and the state of Hawaiʻi, advancing clean energy initiatives recommended in the Alternative Fuels, Repowering and Energy Transition study published by the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office in January 2025. (Read more)

STATE OF HAWAI‘I NAMED AN OVERALL WINNER IN THE 2025 GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE AWARDS

The state of Hawaiʻi has been honored by the Center for Digital Government (CDG) as an overall winner in the 2025 Government Experience Awards. CDG is a national research and advisory institute focused on technology policy and best practices in state and local government. (Read more)

RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES IMPACTED BY THE FEDERAL SHUTDOWN

Governor Green recently announced new coordinated state actions to protect Hawaiʻi families from the impacts of the ongoing federal government shutdown and disruption to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). To provide necessary support, the state will issue a $250 emergency relief payment per eligible individual by November 14. (Read more)