Explore the project ideas already submitted and share your perspective. If you see an idea similar to yours, add your take in the comments rather than starting a new one. Your feedback will help shape the Council's FY28 and FY29 funding recommendations. If, after looking, you don't see your idea represented at all, you can submit it below.
Help Shape Hawaiʻi's Green Fee Priorities
Marine energy education workshop and trade show for Hawaiʻi
Advancing Marine Energy Awareness, Education, and Community Engagement Develop locally relevant marine energy educational materials, toolkits, and demonstrations, culminating in a statewide Marine Energy Education Workshop. The workshop would equip educators with tools to integrate marine energy into their curricula, introduce students to emerging career pathways, provide opportunities for researchers to share their latest developments, and engage communities in discussions about the opportunities and challenges of marine energy development. The workshop would be complemented by a Marine Energy Industry Trade Show, providing a forum for industry to showcase emerging technologies, connect with potential customers, and engage directly with the public. Context: Achieving Hawaiʻi's mandate of 100% renewable electricity by 2045 requires looking beyond the state's limited land resources, and as the state pursues the development of ocean industries under Act 186 (SB 2907), increasing public awareness and understanding of marine energy's potential to strengthen energy resilience and mitigate climate change is essential to ensuring informed community participation in this emerging sector. Together, these activities would foster public engagement, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, strengthening the foundation for responsible marine energy development and contributing to Hawaiʻi's growing Blue Economy.
Cruise Hawaiʻi community carpooling platform statewide expansion
Fund the Cruise Hawaiʻi community-based carpooling platform, which connects local drivers with neighbors who need a ride on trips the drivers are already making, with riders sharing the cost directly with drivers so residents save money on both sides of the ride, and the money stays in local communities. A two-month pilot on Kauaʻi brought in 530 sign-ups, and the platform relaunches in November 2026 with a rebuilt app. Visitors can also ride with local drivers as a secondary audience that brings extra income to drivers and keeps rental cars off crowded rural roads. With Green Fee support in FY28–29, the project will: Secure the insurance and liability coverage needed to operate safely at scale. Expand to Maui, Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu with locally hired island ambassadors. Launch specialty programs: kūpuna and ʻōpio rides with specially verified and trained drivers designated-driver rides “Grey Skies Blue Skies,” a driver network that becomes an emergency evacuation and supply network when disasters strike Run community outreach at farmers markets, community events, and commuter corridors. Track vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduced and resident savings, and report them publicly. The project makes getting around more affordable and accessible for residents, cuts traffic and emissions, and adds to Hawaiʻi’s disaster-response capacity. It supports the state’s goal of net-zero transportation by 2045 through a model grounded in aloha and kōkua. Estimated budget: $165,000