Environment & climate in Hawaii local government
What Hawaii city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about environment & climate — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
55 Hawaii meetings since 2024 covered environment & climate. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Hawaii with the most environment & climate activity
- Maui County, HI (38)
- Hawaii County, HI (17)
Latest matching meetings
Council considers updates to public access and natural resource preservation rules
The Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will review nominations for county commissions and agreements with the USDA. The body is also considering a bill to change how the county identifies and acquires lands for public access and natural resource preservation.
Committee to consider expanding fare-free bus pass program
The Agriculture, Diversification, Environment, & Public Transportation Committee will consider Bill 95 (2026), which aims to expand eligibility for Maui's fare-free bus pass program and authorize the Director of Transportation to suspend fares for special events up to 14 days per fiscal year. The bill supports the…
Proposed charter amendment would dedicate 20% of hotel tax to climate resiliency
The Government Relations, Ethics, and Transparency Committee is considering 13 proposed charter amendments to place on the next general election ballot. Each resolution could be recommended for passage on first reading or filed. Topics range from climate funding and open space use for wildfire fuel removal to council…
Committee to weigh 13 charter amendments, including climate fund
The Government Relations, Ethics, and Transparency Committee will consider 13 proposed charter amendments, each aiming to place a question on the next general election ballot. Topics range from public meeting notices and council vacancies to a Climate Action and Resiliency Revolving Fund. The committee may recommend…
Committee to discuss shoreline erosion impacts on coastal properties
The Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee will receive presentations on shoreline erosion and coastal property impacts. The body may discuss policy approaches to mitigate sea level rise and climate change, though no legislative action will be taken.
Committee to weigh charter amendment creating climate fund from hotel tax
The GREAT Committee is considering whether to recommend passage of a dozen proposed charter amendments on first reading, which would then go to the full Council and ultimately to voters. Items include creating a Climate Action and Resiliency Revolving Fund funded by 20% of Transient Accommodations Tax revenues…
Committee to discuss Ali‘i Drive sewer extension update
The Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee will hear a communication from Council Member Villegas requesting an update and discussion with the Department of Environmental Management and the Administration on the proposed Ali‘i Drive sewer extension project. No other substantive business is scheduled…
Committee considers Bill 13 on County Transit Bus Advertising
The committee will consider Bill 13 (2026) to amend Maui County Code on advertising inside County transit buses, including a proposed CD1 version that broadens the bill's scope. They may also receive a presentation on the Talking is Teaching campaign. Separately, the committee will discuss a proposed revolving fund…
Council considers land acquisition of 1,967.96 acres in Puna
The Hawaii County Council is meeting to decide on land acquisitions, budget appropriations for housing and infrastructure, and board nominations. The body will also consider the designation of a new park in Waimea.
Committee to consider Mayor's proposed FY2027 budget, including $195.9M in bonds
The Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee will review and consider recommending passage of the Mayor's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget for Maui County, encompassing a package of 12 bills and one resolution. Key items include ordinances for the operating and capital budgets, a $195,863,400 general…
Maui committee considers FY2027 budget and $195.9M bond package
The Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee will review the Mayor's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget, including operating and capital budgets, and decide whether to recommend passage of 12 bills and one resolution. Key proposals include a $195.9 million general obligation bond for capital projects…
County authorizes $250,000 grant to combat invasive species
The Government Operations and External Affairs Committee will consider several items, including the formation of an ad hoc committee to review the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission process, and the transmission of its recommendations. The committee will also receive nominations…
Maui budget committee to consider FY2027 budget and $195.9M bond
The Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee is reviewing Mayor Richard Bissen's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget for Maui County. The committee may recommend passage on first reading of bills including the operating budget (Bill 55), capital program (Bill 56), a $195,863,400 general obligation bond (Bill…
Committee to review proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget and related bills
The Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee will consider the Mayor's proposed FY 2027 budget and 12 related bills. The meeting covers operating and capital budgets, bond authorizations, and the creation of new fiscal and environmental funds.
Committee to review climate plan and agricultural grants
The Kōmike Aloha ʻĀina Committee will receive updates on the Agricultural Micro Grant Program and the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan. The meeting will also discuss Maui County's transition to a bilingual government. No legislative action is scheduled.
Committee to consider paid parking regulations for Kailua Village
The Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit will consider two bills. Bill 132 would add a new article to regulate parking rates at private parking facilities in Kailua Village, with a motion to recommend passage on first reading. Bill 142 would establish an Adopt-A-County-Street program for volunteer street…
Committee reviews FY2026 budgets and FY2027 priorities for four departments
The ADEPT Committee will conduct operational and budgetary reviews of the Department of Agriculture, watershed protection grants administered by the Department of Water Supply, the Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division of the Department of Environmental Management, and the Department of Transportation…
Committee to consider regulating low-speed electric bicycles
The Water and Infrastructure Committee will consider whether to recommend passage of Bill 16 (2026), which would add a new section to the Maui County Code regulating low-speed electric bicycles. The committee may also vote on a proposed CD1 version that removes a phrase and makes technical revisions. Additionally, the…
Committee to hear presentation on drought and climate at Laupahoehoe reserve
The Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee will receive a presentation from the Pacific Drought Knowledge Exchange on climate change, climate variability, and drought portfolio as they relate to the Laupahoehoe Natural Area Reserve. No legislation or decisions are scheduled; the agenda is otherwise…
Meeting canceled: Discussion on reviving the Nāulu Cloud Bridge
This meeting was canceled. It was scheduled as a limited site inspection of restoration areas on Kahoʻolawe to discuss reviving the Nāulu Cloud Bridge and reforestation plans.
Committee to hear presentation on EPA-mandated wastewater projects
The Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee will consider a communication from Council Member Michelle Galimba requesting a presentation by the Department of Environmental Management on wastewater projects mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency. No other substantive business is scheduled; the…
Committee may vote on limited meeting for Nāulu Cloud Bridge revival
The committee will discuss reviving the Nāulu Cloud Bridge, a restoration and reforestation plan to encourage rainfall from leeward Haleakalā to Kahoʻolawe. They will receive comments from the Executive Director of the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission. No legislative action will be taken on the cloud bridge…
Council to vote on rezoning 4.5 acres in South Hilo for 14 house lots
The Council will hold a final vote on Bill 111 to rezone a 4.4669-acre property at 1077 Ahe Street from Agricultural to Single-Family Residential, allowing subdivision into 14 lots. It will also consider resolutions urging a ban on commercial aquarium harvest, accepting 82 defibrillators for police, and a $68,000…
Committee discusses new hotel districts and vacation rental policies
The Housing and Land Use Committee will discuss a Temporary Investigative Group report on policies for transient vacation rentals in Apartment Districts and Resolution 25-230, which would refer a proposed bill to establish H-3 and H-4 Hotel Districts to planning commissions. No legislative action will be taken. A…
Committee to hear presentations on cloud bridge restoration and aquifer mapping
The Agriculture, Diversification, Environment, & Public Transportation Committee will receive presentations on two topics: reviving the Nāulu Cloud Bridge restoration and reforestation plans, and aquifer mapping for long-term water resource monitoring. No legislative action will be taken. The meeting is informational…
Committee reviews $720K workers' comp counsel, two director appointments
The Governmental Operations Committee will consider two mayoral appointments for Public Works and Environmental Management directors, and vote on a resolution authorizing a $720,000 three-year contract with Leong Kunihiro Brooke and Kim for workers' compensation legal services. Also on the agenda is a resolution…
Council confirms auditor and approves $1.9M habitat restoration grant
The Hawaii County Council will confirm the appointment of a new County Auditor and approve a $1.9 million federal grant for invasive species management and shoreline stabilization in Puapuaʻa Iki. The body will also consider resolutions regarding road dedications, a new Human Resources Specialist position, and…
Finance Committee to consider $57.3 million for police officer contract
The Committee on Finance will discuss funding for a police officers' bargaining unit contract and several federal and state grant appropriations. The body will also review reports on fund transfers, change orders, and uncapitalized donations.
Committee to weigh wildfire rebuild street exemption for Front Street
The Water and Infrastructure Committee will consider recommending passage of two bills on first reading. Bill 110 (2024) would exempt wildfire-destroyed properties on Front Street in Historic Districts from public street improvement requirements. Bill 156 (2025) would allow replacement of awnings, canopies, and signs…
Committee to discuss climate change impacts on Maui County
The Agriculture, Diversification, Environment, & Public Transportation Committee will receive presentations on climate change and its effects on people, nature, and infrastructure. The body may also discuss the Maui County Climate Action & Resiliency Plan. No legislative action will be taken during this meeting.
New water rate, FBI agreement, and $750k for water filters on agenda
The committee may recommend passage of three bills: a new $4.98/1,000 gallon water rate for habitat preservation, an intergovernmental agreement with the FBI for a Joint Terrorism Task Force, and budget amendments adding $750,000 for water supply upgrades including carbon filter replacements at Napili and Honokahua…
Committee to consider updates to outdoor lighting requirements
The Water and Infrastructure Committee will consider Bill 109 (2025), which proposes amendments to Chapter 20.35 of the Maui County Code. The bill aims to update outdoor lighting requirements to reduce light pollution and protect seabirds.
Committee to weigh naming two cultural preserves on Molokai and Maui
The Kōmike Aloha ʻĀina will consider recommending passage of Bills 106 and 107 (2025) on first reading to officially name Mapulehu Cultural Preserve on Molokai and Hāmākualoa Cultural Preserve on Maui. The committee will also receive a presentation on the Molokai Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Adaptation and…
Maui ADEPT Committee to discuss axis deer overpopulation mitigation
The committee will receive presentations and discuss three topics: the Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan, axis deer overpopulation per House Concurrent Resolution 200, and county biosecurity plans per House Concurrent Resolution 42. No legislative action will be taken on any item.
Council to approve a five‑year police department lease with $8,520 monthly cost
The Hawaii County Council will consider several resolutions, including adopting the 2025 Multi‑Hazard Mitigation Plan and approving a lease for police department office space with a monthly cost of $8,520. It will also receive a donation of a forensic tool valued at $24,102.50 and discuss a water system improvement…
Committee to consider settlement authorization for bird conservation lawsuit
The Government Relations, Ethics, and Transparency Committee will discuss Resolution 25-128, which seeks to approve a settlement of a lawsuit filed on November 19, 2024. The claim alleges that streetlights owned by Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. and Maui Electric Company, Ltd. threaten three critically imperiled…
Committee to consider discounted water rates for native species habitat restoration
The Water and Infrastructure Committee will consider Bill 56 (2025) regarding new water rates for native species habitat preservation. The committee will also discuss the transport of nonhazardous Lahaina wildfire debris from Olowalu to the Central Maui Landfill.
Committee to discuss Kualapuʻu Shared Solar Project with presentations
The Kōmike Aloha ʻĀina committee will receive presentations from Shake Energy Collaborative, Hoʻāhu Energy Collaborative Molokai, and county departments on the Kualapuʻu Shared Solar Project. No legislative action will be taken; the discussion is informational only. The meeting is held online via Zoom and in person at…
Committee to weigh resolution on wetland parcel conservation recommendations
The Agriculture, Diversification, Environment, & Public Transportation Committee will consider Resolution 25-54, which requests the Conservation Planning Committee to review and provide recommendations on acquiring lands or property interests for conservation for parcels identified as wetlands on the Maui County…
Finance Committee to consider accepting $90,000 donation from Ulupono LLC
The committee will decide on Resolution 92-25, which authorizes accepting a donation of supportive services valued at $90,000 from Ulupono LLC. The services would aid the Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience in applying for federal awards. Several routine financial reports for December 2024…