Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 168: REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO CONVENE A DEMOLITION WASTE REDUCTION WORKING GROUP.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development in Hawaii to create a Demolition Waste Reduction Working Group to address landfill capacity issues and reduce construction waste. The proposed working group will include representatives from government agencies, private sector industries, and community organizations to develop strategies for increasing deconstruction and material reuse across the state. Key tasks include identifying waste reduction solutions, creating policy incentives for sustainable practices, and ensuring environmental justice considerations are addressed in recommendations. The group is required to submit annual reports with findings and proposed legislation to the Legislature, with a focus on promoting a circular construction economy and reducing landfill dependency.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes working group to reduce demolition waste, promote material reuse, and address landfill capacity, directly supporting environmental protection and waste reduction goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Environmental Justice Waste Management

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 208: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF JUG LINE FISHING AND TO ADOPT RULES PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 91, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, NECESSARY TO ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS RAISED BY THE ASSESSMENT.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to evaluate the effects of jug line fishing on marine life and create regulations to address any issues found. The resolution directs the department to conduct an assessment and adopt rules under Chapter 91 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to manage concerns related to this fishing method. Jug line fishing involves using buoyant devices to suspend baited hooks and has been linked to entanglement of endangered species like the Hawaiian monk seal and hawksbill sea turtle. The bill is based on a 2025 incident where a monk seal died from entanglement in a jug line, highlighting the need for potential management changes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs assessment of jug line fishing impacts on marine life and mandates adoption of rules to address concerns, including endangered species entanglement, strengthening environmental protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 89: ENDORSING WAIKIKI AS A WORLD SURFING RESERVE.

This Senate Resolution formally endorses Waikiki as a World Surfing Reserve, recognizing the area's historical significance to Native Hawaiian surf culture and its status as a globally renowned surf destination. The resolution highlights Waikiki's unique combination of rich surfing heritage, environmental importance, and economic value as a major tourist attraction. It acknowledges existing local management structures and the need to protect the area from climate change impacts while supporting ongoing conservation efforts. The resolution is non-binding and serves to transmit formal recognition to state and local officials, including the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly mentions protecting Waikiki from climate change impacts and acknowledges environmental importance, indicating support for environmental protection through conservation efforts.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 204: REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS ON THE BEST PATHS TO MAXIMIZE COST REDUCTION AND MINIMIZE FINANCIAL RISK TO HAWAII RESIDENTS WHILE MEETING STATE GOALS.

This House Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to conduct an independent, comprehensive analysis of energy options that could reduce costs and financial risks for residents while meeting the state's renewable energy goals. The bill asks the commission to evaluate various strategies, including renewable energy and storage technologies, through 2055 and consider long-term impacts beyond the 2045 renewable energy deadline. The resolution directs the commission to engage external experts to ensure the analysis is objective and thoroughly examines different pathways for energy generation and storage. This measure focuses on informing future state and utility planning decisions rather than mandating specific actions or outcomes.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill requests analysis to maximize cost reduction and minimize financial risk while meeting renewable energy goals, indicating support for energy policy improvements.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requests analysis of renewable energy and storage technologies to meet state renewable energy goals, indicating support for environmental protection and clean energy transition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 27, 2026

HCR 206: REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF LARGE DATA CENTERS ON HAWAII'S ELECTRIC UTILITIES, RATEPAYERS, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND CLIMATE GOALS.

This bill requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to form a working group to study how large data centers might affect the state's electric grid, utility rates, natural resources, and climate goals. The study will focus on facilities requiring at least five megawatts of electricity and will include representatives from government agencies, utilities, consumer advocates, and environmental groups. The working group will examine policy options to ensure data center developers pay for necessary grid upgrades and that Hawaii's clean energy objectives are not compromised.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates study of data center impacts on natural resources and climate goals, promoting environmental protection through policy analysis.75% confidence

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 33: ENCOURAGING HAWAIʻI COUNTY, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PUAKŌ COMMUNITY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI AT HILO, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, TO COMPLETE THE PUAKŌ SEWAGE PROJECT.

This bill encourages Hawaii County to work with the Puako community, the Department of Health, and other partners to finish the Puako Sewage Project, which aims to replace aging cesspools with modern wastewater systems. The project combines advanced wastewater collection technology with fiber optic internet infrastructure to address both environmental pollution and the digital divide in rural areas. By using a public-private partnership model, the initiative seeks to create a replicable solution that can help other communities across Hawaii tackle similar sewage challenges while restoring local coral reefs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly addresses environmental pollution by replacing aging cesspools with modern wastewater systems to protect Puako Reef and reduce sewage contamination.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly integrates fiber optic internet infrastructure into sewage project to address digital divide, advancing technology access in rural areas85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2972: RELATING TO OAHU CORAL REEF RESTORATION.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources to begin the Holomua Marine Initiative process no later than 7/1/2027 to address coral reef restoration on Oahu. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates coral reef restoration initiative to protect marine ecosystems and natural resources.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 102: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A FORMAL, LONG-TERM COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM TO EXPAND, EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTE, AND SUSTAIN TREE-CANOPY COVERAGE ACROSS PUBLIC SCHOOLS STATE WIDE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Education to work together on a permanent program to increase tree coverage at public schools across the state. The bill aims to address rising temperatures that affect student health and learning, particularly in lower-income communities where tree coverage is currently lower. It requests the creation of staff positions to manage the program, which will focus on planting, maintaining trees, and selecting species that provide long-term benefits for climate, health, and education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes collaborative program to improve school infrastructure by increasing tree canopy coverage, addressing student health and learning conditions, particularly in lower-income communities.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly aims to increase tree canopy coverage at public schools to address rising temperatures and improve environmental conditions, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation efforts.90% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 23, 2026

HCR 202: ESTABLISHING THE LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE ON HAWAII'S FUTURE ENERGY PATHWAYS TO EXAMINE STRATEGIES TO MAXIMIZE COST SAVINGS WHILE MINIMIZING RISK TO RATEPAYERS OVER THE NEXT THREE DECADES AND ACHIEVING THE STATE'S ENERGY GOALS AND PRODUCING AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, RESILIENT, AND DECARBONIZED ENERGY.

This bill establishes a Legislative Task Force on Hawaii's Future Energy Pathways to examine strategies for transitioning the state's energy system over the next three decades. The task force will evaluate options for integrating renewable energy and distributed resources into the grid, assess risks and costs associated with fossil fuel investments, and consider lessons from other jurisdictions making similar transitions. The committee will include representatives from the House energy committee, the Senate, and the Hawaii State Energy Office to provide recommendations on achieving affordable, reliable, and decarbonized energy while protecting ratepayers.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes task force to examine renewable energy integration, maximize cost savings, and achieve decarbonized energy goals while protecting ratepayers95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes task force to examine renewable energy integration and decarbonization strategies, directly advancing environmental protection and climate goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 161: REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP A CLIMATE LITERACY SEAL OF EXCELLENCE FRAMEWORK IN HAWAII PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Board of Education and Department of Education to create a working group that will design a Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence for public school students. The proposed framework would recognize students who complete advanced coursework and hands-on projects focused on climate science, sustainability, and community resilience. The working group would include educators, university experts, industry representatives, and student leaders to develop course requirements, assessment criteria, and implementation timelines. The Department of Education must report its findings and any recommended legislation to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a working group to create a Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence framework, expanding student programs and enhancing educational offerings in Hawaii public schools.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes climate literacy and sustainability education in public schools, advancing environmental awareness and climate science knowledge.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment

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