This bill formally notifies the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed HB2309 into law on June 26, 2026, amending the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920. The amendment updates lease conditions to clarify that original lessees must be native Hawaiians at least 18 years old and specifies rules for transferring leases to qualified relatives, such as spouses, children, or siblings who are at least one-quarter Hawaiian. It also codifies restrictions on subletting and outlines the specific circumstances under which lessees may mortgage their land interests with federal approval. Ultimately, the bill serves as a procedural record confirming the enactment of these existing lease provisions rather than introducing new policy changes.
This document is a procedural notice from the Governor of Hawaii informing the legislature that he plans to veto four specific bills. The Governor intends to reject HB 2344, SB 2338, SB 3262, and SB 2600, which cover school facilities, housing, the general fund, and education respectively. He specifically plans to use his line-item veto power on SB 2600 to strike out or reduce certain funding items he finds unacceptable. This action is required by the state constitution because these bills were presented to the Governor after the legislature had officially adjourned.
This bill establishes a summer streets pilot program across Hawaii counties to temporarily close roads to cars and repurpose them for pedestrians, cyclists, and community events. Modeled after a successful initiative in Sweden, the program aims to improve public health, support local businesses, and encourage sustainable transportation by creating safer, more vibrant public spaces. Counties must work with the Hawaii Community Development Authority to design these programs, submit proposals by March 2027, and receive up to $200,000 in state funding to implement the project. The Authority will also provide a report to the Legislature by July 2027 detailing the program's findings and potential future legislation.
This bill establishes the Hawaii-Ireland Trade Commission to promote economic and academic exchanges between the two regions. The commission will consist of five members appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate President, who must have ties to Irish affairs or an interest in Hawaii-Ireland trade relations. Once formed, the commission will work to advance bilateral trade, initiate joint policy actions, and encourage mutual investment, while submitting annual reports to the legislature and governor starting in 2028. The law takes effect immediately upon approval and is set to expire on June 30, 2031.
This bill establishes state-level labeling requirements for 'okolehao, a traditional Hawaiian spirit made from fermented ti plant root, to protect its cultural identity and prevent misuse of the name. The legislation defines 'okolehao as a distinctive product of Hawaii by setting production standards that require a minimum of 51% ti plant content, with an option for a premium tier made entirely from the plant. By creating these clear standards, the bill aims to support local farmers and distillers while ensuring consumers receive accurately labeled products that reflect the spirit's historical and cultural significance.
This bill directs the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to create a working group that will develop new definitions for what constitutes a "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity." The proposed working group will include representatives from various agricultural organizations and will design a multi-tiered system to categorize different types of farming operations, ranging from entry-level farms to large corporate enterprises. By establishing these specific categories, the legislation aims to provide a uniform standard for applying agricultural zoning laws and tax classifications across the state. This process is intended to ensure that land use regulations and tax benefits are applied fairly to genuine farming activities while preventing the misuse of agricultural designations.
This bill authorizes the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire land and water resources by condemnation to support Hawaii's long-term food security and agricultural resilience. The legislation specifically amends existing statutes to allow the corporation to use eminent domain for public agricultural purposes when voluntary acquisition is impracticable, while excluding properties in counties with populations between 125,000 and 195,000 and certain public lands. The measure aims to address incomplete consolidation of agricultural parcels and outdated infrastructure that have hindered the state's ability to utilize former plantation lands for diversified farming. By granting this power, the bill seeks to enable the public sector to assemble essential agricultural resources to reduce dependence on imported food.
This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on June 26, 2026, establishes a new process for importing and transporting aquatic livestock in Hawaii to protect the state's natural environment. It requires the Division of Animal Industry to create science-based rules that mandate pre-arrival disease testing, point inspections, and post-arrival monitoring for all imported fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Under the new framework, any aquatic animals found to pose a biological risk must undergo mandatory quarantine, remediation, or depopulation to prevent invasive species from establishing themselves. Additionally, the bill defines key terms like "biocontainment" and directs the state to develop standards for facility design and operational safety to manage potential hazards. The legislation also expands the duties of the state's aquaculture program to include developing risk-based evaluation categories and seeking federal funding for industry growth.
This bill clarifies insurance and indemnification rules for architects and engineers participating in Hawaii's expedited housing permitting process to encourage their involvement. It requires professionals to carry specific liability insurance covering completed projects and provides indemnification for the state and counties against claims arising from their negligent acts. Additionally, the law mandates that state or county inspectors must actively inspect all projects receiving expedited permits to ensure compliance with approved plans. These changes aim to resolve ambiguities in a previous housing law that had discouraged design professionals from joining the fast-track system.
This bill formally notifies the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed Act 169 into law on June 26, 2026. The primary provision of the act appropriates up to $50,000 from state general revenues for fiscal year 2026-2027 to assist the City and County of Honolulu. These funds are designated for the receipt, handling, and humane disposal of feral chickens that have already been captured. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026.
This bill establishes a new Office of Community Culture, Arts, and Innovation within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to strengthen Hawaii's cultural and arts initiatives. The office will be led by an executive director appointed by the Governor and will have the authority to hire staff and issue grants to support community-driven projects. Its primary functions include identifying best practices for integrating culture into community planning, assisting state agencies with creative improvements, and launching a partnership program to preserve cultural assets and stimulate local economic activity.
This bill, known as the Judiciary Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2026, provides additional funding to the Hawaii state judiciary for the fiscal biennium spanning July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. The legislation amends existing budget laws to allocate specific dollar amounts to various judicial components, including courts of appeal, five judicial circuits, and the judicial selection commission. These funds are designated for operating expenses and are subject to position ceilings that limit the number of permanent and temporary staff members the judiciary can hire during this period.
