Lawmakers eye tourism industry to help fund $1.4B reportedly needed for climate resiliency

By Ashley Mizuo for Hawaiʻi Public Radio

About $1.4 billion — that’s how much the state will need to address climate resiliency over the next five years, according to the governor’s Climate Action Team.

Three measures still alive at the Legislature would collect funds for climate resilience – two of which would again increase the tax levied on hotels.

“Climate disasters will happen in Hawaiʻi, will continue to happen, and they are increasingly going to cost us dearly,” said Denise Antolini, an environmental lawyer and member of the Gov. Josh Green’s Climate Action Team.

Antolini emphasized that it’s a crucial time to create and put money into the Climate Mitigation and Resiliency Special Fund.

Click here to read the article and listen to the recording aired on February 27, 2025.