These projects reduce risk from natural hazards and improve community safety as climate impacts intensify across Hawai‘i.
Climate Resilience and Hazard Mitigation
Centralized 3D digital twin of Hawai‘i geothermal subsurface
Statewide 3D Digital Twin: Geothermal Subsurface Database Build a centralized, 3D digital database of Hawai‘i’s subsurface to safely accelerate Hawai‘i’s transition to firm, 100% renewable energy and lower electricity costs. The project aggregates decades of fragmented geological, geophysical (MT/AMT), and structural data from across the state—with a primary focus on the high heat potential of Hawai‘i Island—into a single, evergreen 3D software model. The Problem: vital data regarding Hawai‘i’s geothermal reservoirs is deeply siloed across federal, state, and academic repositories; without a centralized spatial model, evaluating energy resilience requires expensive, blind physical exploration. The Solution: by harvesting, standardizing, and unifying these public records into a 3D digital twin, the state, researchers, and local stakeholders can visually and accurately evaluate clean energy targets on a computer first. Key benefits stated: immediate readiness and zero impact (100% digital and software-driven—requires zero environmental permitting, ground disturbance, or community disruption); fiscal protection (prevents multimillion-dollar unproductive exploratory wells and low-enthalpy targets, dramatically de-risking future clean power infrastructure investments); and an evergreen public asset (a permanent, continuously updatable digital architecture that serves state agencies, university researchers, and local communities for decades).
Funding Appropriated
Kalaeloa Reef Laboratory Project
Initial Baseline Survey and Years 1-2 of Monitoring for the Kalaeloa Reef Laboratory project. The project will allow HDOT to test the effectiveness of hybrid reef structures to dissipate wave energy before it reaches the shore. This technology can be tailored and replicated for threatened shorelines statewide.
Funding Appropriated
InSAR Satellite Data Collection
Statewide Fire Mitigation Strategy; for statewide InSAR Satellite data collection to identify high fire potential due to dry vegetation and slope stability issues; Request General Funds (MOF A) for the acquisition, processing, and integration of Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) satellite data to enhance wildfire prevention and risk assessment. InSAR technology enables precise monitoring of ground deformation and elevation changes, which can reveal soil moisture loss, vegetation stress, and slope movement. By combining InSAR data with optical and thermal imagery, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) satellite data can identify areas where dry vegetation and unstable terrain create high risk areas. The resulting data will support targeted mitigation measures, improve resource allocation, and reduce wildfire and post-fire landslide risks.
Funding Appropriated
Pūlama I Ka ʻĀina: Strengthening Hawaiʻi’s Wildfire Preparedness through Technology
Funds to expand early wildfire detection and hazard assessment capabilities across the Hawaiian Islands. Guided by the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) Lahaina Phase 3 Report and the directives of Hawaiʻi 2025 Session Laws Act 302, this initiative directly addresses the top priorities for improving statewide wildfire resilience through technology-driven early detection, risk mapping, and real-time situational awareness. The project integrates two key components: 1. Expansion of the AlertWest AI Wildfire Detection Camera Network to provide comprehensive early warning coverage in high-risk areas statewide. 2. Acquisition of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Data Software to assess wildfire risk, support suppression operations, and enhance recovery and planning.
Funding Appropriated
State adaptation plan
The State of Hawai‘i does not currently have an official, comprehensive Climate Adaptation Plan. This would be Hawaiʻi’s first Climate Adaptation Plan, since currently there is no unified plan that assesses statewide climate risks, identifies cross-sector vulnerabilities, or coordinates adaptation strategies across agencies and jurisdictions. In contrast, other states and cities have adopted formal climate adaptation plans to guide infrastructure investment, land use, and emergency preparedness. A statewide adaptation plan will also help alleviate growing concerns from insurers and bond rating agencies, who now factor climate adaptation and resilience into coverage decisions and credit assessments. By institutionalizing climate adaptation planning, Hawai‘i can strengthen fiscal resilience, protect critical infrastructure, and better prepare communities for a changing climate.
Funding Appropriated
Climate Resilience Crews
This appropriation would establish a scalable, statewide climate disaster resilience workforce that conducts vegetation management, reduces wildfire fuel loads, and maintains defensible space in high-risk areas. Crews would be trained to support both year-round mitigation and emergency readiness, expanding Hawaiʻi’s limited disaster-response capacity as climate-driven risks become more frequent and more severe. Building on recent post-wildfire recovery experience, this investment would create a Hawaiʻi-based workforce capable of addressing priority needs across islands—from hazardous-fuel reduction to community preparedness assessments. Depending on the funding level, the program could field a core crew or scale up to a larger statewide team able to deliver more comprehensive mitigation results. By protecting critical infrastructure and strengthening community readiness, this initiative advances statewide climate adaptation and hazard-resilience goals.
Funding Appropriated
Hanalei Flood Notification
The Hanalei Flood Forecast and Early Warning Notification System will strengthen infrastructure resilience, protect natural resources, and reduce risks to residents and visitors during flood events on the Hanalei River. The system integrates three components: hydro-meteorologic sensors across the watershed, a real-time hydrologic–hydraulic model predicting river stage and discharge, and a community-based early warning network issuing timely flood alerts. Model forecasts will identify rising water levels along Kūhiō Highway, the main evacuation route for the Hanalei–Hā‘ena region. Integration of National Weather Service (NWS) radar and satellite data will improve accuracy and lead time for flood warnings, enhancing safety and protecting essential infrastructure. Community outreach will build awareness of flood risks, warning procedures, and evacuation routes.
Funding Appropriated
Sustainability and hazard mitigation: Kona and Kohala Hospital
This project mirrors, a submission that we sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency earlier this year. It seems that these funds have stalled due to issues with the federal government. The focus of this was hazard, mitigation and energy redundancy at Kona community Hospital and Kohala Hospital.
Funding Appropriated
Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School Hurricane Shelter
This Project will harden the Media/Band Room of the Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School to withstand Catergory 3-4 hurricane conditions through structural reinforcement and storm hardening improvements. This Project is highly leveraged as FEMA is to pay for 90% of the improvements and the $267,494 is the 10% State match. This will provide shelter for the residents in the area in need.
Funding Appropriated
Pilot Cesspool Conversions in Coral Hotspots
Pilot conversion of cesspools in Hōnaunau: priority areas for coral reef conservation
Funding Appropriated
State Parks Statewide Fire Management Plan
Plans and design to complete statewide system-wide wildland fire management planning. The plan shall address public safety including evacuation plans and interagency agreements, assets at risk, natural and cultural resources at risk, point protection and fire suppression tactics, and fire fuels management policy.
Funding Appropriated
Watershed coordination and restoration for reef resilience
Mitigating land-based pollution and restoring ecosystem function in priority watershed areas is essential to protecting coastal water quality and the health of coral reefs. Coral reef ecosystems are directly linked to coastal resilience and support a range of ocean uses, including recreation and subsistence activities.
Funding Appropriated
Strengthening Public Safety Measures Throughout Hawai‘i’s State Forest Reserves
Request to Add Funds for Strengthening Public Safety Measures Throughout Hawai‘i’s State Forest Reserves
Funding Appropriated
Existing/planned projects that relate to Act 96
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is requesting general funds to support operating projects and to establish one (1) full-time Homestead Firewise Support Specialist position. This request directly supports the Department’s mission to protect Native Hawaiian beneficiaries and their communities, and aligns with the goals of Act 96, SLH 2025. The proposed Firewise Support Specialist position will directly contribute to the climate and hazard resilience objectives outlined in Act 96 by Coordinating wildfire prevention and mitigation strategies in homestead areas, many of which are located in high-risk zones; and supporting community education and outreach on fire safety, defensible space, and emergency preparedness. Additionally, the operating funds requested will support community-based fire mitigation projects, including vegetation management, equipment procurement, etc., further reinforcing the Department’s role in advancing statewide climate resilience. By proactively investing in wildfire preparedness and hazard mitigation, DHHL is not only protecting trust assets and beneficiary communities, but also fulfilling its role in supporting the broader goals of Act 96 and the State’s climate adaptation strategy.
Funding Appropriated
Natural Disaster Economic Recovery Strategy Update and Implementation
This project will identify and implement pre- and post-disaster recovery strategies to prepare small businesses for future disasters. This project was identified as a prioritized project by the Governor's Office regarding HB504 companion to SB1396 and later became Act 96, SLH 2025.
Funding Appropriated
Disaster Safety
Retrofit public school cafeterias to make them natural disaster proof and serve as emergency shelters for the public.
Funding Appropriated
Upgrade and Modernize the Hawai‘i Flood Hazard Assessment Tool (FHAT), a web-based GIS flood map viewer for the State of Hawai‘i
To upgrade and modernize the Hawai‘i Flood Hazard Assessment Tool (FHAT), a web-based GIS flood map viewer for the State of Hawai‘i. The tool integrates FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and other relevant agency data to provide accessible, clear and concise flood hazard information required for NFIP compliance and community resilience.
Funding Appropriated
Kaua‘i Coral Restoration Program
The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) on Kauaʻi is expanding its capacity to conduct coral restoration, aimed at enhancing the resilience and recovery of Hawaiʻi’s coral reefs. In partnership with local stakeholders, DAR is establishing its first coral restoration and nursery facility on Kauaʻi.
Funding Appropriated
Hale Piula Watertank Replacement and Clean Up, Hawai‘i
Plans, design and construction to replace water tanks at Hale Piula Rain Catchment. One tank was destroyed in a recent storm and the second tank needs replacement. Water storage is critical for fire suppression and suppression activities to protect forests, property and people in North Kona.
Funding Appropriated
Kupu Climate Resilience Crews
Kupu proposes $10 million for a scalable pilot project to create Hawaiʻi-based climate disaster resilience crews. We would establish crews and expand our fire mitigation internships to address emergency readiness statewide trained for mitigation and response to natural disasters and wildfires. In future years, we plan to assess readiness of homes and private property to withstand climate disasters. The state’s limited disaster preparedness and response capacity has been exacerbated by the recent trend of more frequent and more severe risks that climate change pose to Hawaiʻi. Kupu would capitalize on our previous experience from the EŌ Maui Program implemented following the 2023 wildfires. At $10 million, we would establish a crew of up to 130 members to support necessary work to prevent wildfires and promote a more resilient landscape throughout the state. At $3 million, we would create a solid 30-member crew to service the state with more modest results due to economies of scale.