As this year draws to a close, I’m excited to share some meaningful milestones from our community and highlight the many ways we’re continuing to show up for one another.

This past month, we’ve made significant investments in our future, including a $250,000 grant aimed at accelerating clean energy and enhancing our workforce development initiatives. (Read more)

THREE OʻAHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED AS 2025 BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS

The Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) is proud to recognize three schools as 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools: Mānana Elementary, Mililani Mauka Elementary and Wilson Elementary. (Read more)

A major step toward strengthening Hawai‘i’s food security and agricultural innovation was taken on Nov. 14 as the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) broke ground on the Central O‘ahu Agriculture and Food Hub in Whitmore Village, Wahiawā. (Read more)

HIDOD SUPPORTS STATE OF HAWAI‘I KŌKUA FOOD DRIVE

In response to the federal shutdown and disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program last month, the state of Hawaiʻi launched the Kōkua Food Drive, a weeklong food collection campaign in partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, to support food banks across the islands.

At the request of Governor Josh Green and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, Hawaiʻi National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Stephen F. Logan placed members of the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard on state active duty status to assist operations in every county. (Read more)

STATE COLLABORATES WITH CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU ON CLEAN ENERGY GRANT

The Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA) has been awarded a $250,000 “Market-Building” grant from Phase I of the Municipal Investment Fund (MIF), administered by Coalition for Green Capital and International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives — Local Governments for Sustainability USA. This award places Hawaiʻi among a select group of communities nationwide advancing locally driven solutions to secure our energy future — at a time when rising energy demand is driving up costs, straining outdated infrastructure and leaving communities vulnerable to climate-related disasters. (Read more)

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS WITH GROUNDBREAKING FOR UPPER PUNA LIBRARY

State and local officials, friends and longtime supporters gathered on Nov. 10 to celebrate a milestone for the Upper Puna District — the official groundbreaking of its future public library. Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner Kumu Moses Kahoʻokele Crabbe offered heartfelt thanks to the ‘āina and asked for blessings on the project and the community it will serve. (Read more)

STATE CERTIFICATION IN TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE LAUNCHES

The Office of Wellness and Resilience (OWR), recently launched its Learning and Leadership Collaborative at the second-annual Kūpa‘a Maoli Ola, Hawai‘i’s Wellness and Resilience Summit. Governor Green welcomed more than 175 state employees to the summit in Kāne‘ohe. (Read more)