HONOLULU (HI Now) - Care for ‘Āina Now (CAN) is a coalition of more than 70 community leaders, cultural practitioners, and organizations dedicated to advancing climate resilience and environmental stewardship in Hawaii. Our advocacy was pivotal in the passage of ACT 96 last year and the “Green Fee” becoming law.
The passage of Act 96 last year was a historic milestone in Hawaiʻi’s climate resilience journey, establishing the nation’s first statewide “green fee” to generate dedicated funding for climate preparedness, environmental stewardship, and tourism infrastructure. It positions us as partners with the 10 million visitors Hawaii hosts each year and lets them be reciprocal to the natural beauty they seek out here. Hawaii has a $560-million annual shortfall in protecting its natural resources so dedicated funding is critical now.
“We are so grateful dedicated funding through the green fee will go into effect this year,” Kupu VP of External Affairs, Keone Nakoa, explains. “Passing the fee was an important act of leadership, but it is only the beginning. What will ultimately determine success is whether residents and visitors can see the positive outcomes these funds make possible.”
Green fee revenues will support critical work across multiple state agencies in partnership with community partners, including reef restoration, invasive species management, watershed protection, climate adaptation and infrastructure improvements. Yet today, there is no simple way for the public to understand where the money goes or what it is accomplishing as a whole.
CAN is so grateful dedicated funding through the green fee will go into effect this year, but the coalition’s work is not done. They hope to achieve two things: 1) Show real impacts statewide through the Green Fee Resiliency & Impact Dashboard (“GRID Bill”) so the public can see how Green Fee revenues are collected, spent, and evaluated, and 2) ensuring that community-based organizations are meaningful partners in Green Fee–funded projects already serving communities on the ground.
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The Green Fee Resiliency Impact Dashboard (the GRID), House Bill 1949, proposes a single statewide dashboard that would allow anyone to see how much revenue is collected, which agencies receive funding, what projects are being supported, where they are happening, and what outcomes they are delivering. By bringing this information together, the dashboard creates a shared understanding among residents, policymakers and communities.
This approach also reflects Hawaii’s constitutional responsibility to protect natural resources for future generations, along with an opportunity to lead with openness in how public funds are used. Thoughtful transparency strengthens trust, encourages shared learning, and supports long term stewardship.
“As the law stands, green fee funding is going to agencies,” says Keisha Tanaka, Senior External Affairs Officer and former Kupu participant. “Kupu regularly partners with agencies like DLNR for workforce development, such as our Na Manu Elele program with Division of Forestry and Wildlife. When agencies like DOFAW received green fee funding, it can also be utilized in partner organizations. Any ability to expand our programs and reach more people is a game-changer in being able to empower more communities in resilience efforts.”
Green Fee funding reaching projects and organizations already serving communities on the ground doing climate mitigation and environmental resilience work throughout the state will be the most powerful use of dedicated funding.
Care for ‘Āina Now coalition is advocating for transparency, accountability, and community leadership with green fee funding. Please visit careforainanow.org to join the coalition and subscribe to the newsletter for opportunities to act this session.
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