Vibrant Hawaiʻi seeking Green Fee funding to expand resilience hubs on the islands

Vibrant Hawaiʻi is requesting Green Fee funding to expand a network of resilience hubs that assisted thousands this year after severe storms hit the Big Island and Koʻolau on Oʻahu.

If the funding is approved, the result would be a connected, locally led network, aligned with state and county emergency management, that strengthens community capacity to prepare for, respond to and recover from climate-driven disasters across Hawaiʻi, a press release said.

On Hawaiʻi Island in August, Vibrant Hawaiʻi hubs led Hurricane Lala response and recovery, addressing nearly 4,000 assistance requests and serving more than 12,000 individuals.

Following the kona low storm in March, resistance hubs in Koʻolau provided immediate disaster response with points of distribution, a community resource center and outreach to marginalized and hard-to-reach communities.

The Green Fee, the nation’s first climate impact fee, was established by law in May 2025. As of Jan. 1, the state’s transient accommodations tax is 10%, an increase of 0.75%.

The law also imposed a new 11% tax on the gross fares paid by cruise ship passengers and authorizes each of the state’s four counties to collect an additional 3% surcharge on fares, bringing the total tax to 14%.

Officials estimate the Green Fee will generate nearly $100 million annually, supporting investments that protect natural and cultural resources, strengthen climate and hazard resilience and advance sustainable tourism across the islands.

Vibrant Hawaiʻi’s Green Fee proposal builds on the demonstrated success of community led hubs in disaster response efforts.

Funding would sustain statewide convening and coordination and provide startup grants to hubs that complete a community emergency action plan.

Grants would equip new hubs with emergency communication tools, sheltering supplies, equipment and training focused on coordinated disaster mitigation, preparedness and response.

To review and comment on the proposal, visit https://ideas.greenfeehawaii.org/p/green-fee-funding-for-statewide-resilience-hub-network.