Is the Legislature addressing the needs and concerns of the neighbor islands?

Most of the population of Hawaiʻi resides on Oʻahu so the neighbor islands — Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi, Niʻihau and Hawaiʻi island — are largely rural with serious concerns over being left out of the political conversation. Although the House speaker and Senate president both come from Kauaʻi, neighbor island residents worry they take a back seat on issues ranging from health care and transportation to environmental concerns like cesspool remediation. The deadly Maui wildfires in 2023 underscored the neighbor islands’ need for wildfire mitigation and funding for prevention.

In 2026, access to health care, housing and initiatives to help the economy remain top issues. Hawaiʻi County is asking the Legislature to extend the general excise tax surcharge until 2045 and repeal restrictions limiting its use on neighbor islands.

Quick Facts

Wild West: Puna on the Big Island, which is geographically as large as Oʻahu, is the fastest-growing area in the state.
Flight risks: Air transportation to Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi is limited, as only one small commercial airline services these islands.
Royal heritage: King Kamehameha II declared Lahaina, Maui, the capital of the kingdom in 1820. It was moved to Honolulu in 1845.
The Forbidden Island: The sparsely populated Niʻihau is part of Kauaʻi County. It is owned by the Robinson family, which restricts access.

Neighbor Island Bills

In Focus

Here are the bills considered in the current session that affected the neighbor islands directly. Bills highlighted at the top are those identified by Civil Beat as among the most significant this year. “In progress” status includes bills that may have been deferred but are technically still alive until the end of the two-year Legislature.

HB 1001 Passed

RELATING TO SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS RELATED TO THE MAUI WILDFIRES.

Establishes the Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund to be administered by the Attorney General. Appropriates funds to fund the settlement of claims related to the 2023 Maui wildfires. (CD1)

HB 1423 In Progress

RELATING TO HANALEI BAY.

Nadine Nakamura

Prohibits vessels longer than seventy-five feet from entering Hanalei Bay except for vessels operated by a federal, state, or county agency. Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to define boundaries of Hanalei Bay by rule. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

HB 376 In Progress

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Accelerates the deadlines for the required upgrades, conversions, or connections of priority level 1 and priority level 2 cesspools to 2035 and 2040, respectively. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

SB 869 Passed

RELATING TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH BOARDS.

Dru Kanuha

Defines community outreach board to mean a board established to serve in a community advisory capacity under a county commission or a county department. Includes community outreach boards in existing provisions of the Sunshine Law relating to neighborhood boards. Authorizes neighborhood board and community outreach board members to attend meetings or presentations related to official board business statewide. (HD1)

SB 732

RELATING TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism

In Progress

RELATING TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism

HB 108

RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR.

Committee: House Standing Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce

In Progress

RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR.Committee: House Standing Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce

HB 1328

RELATING TO MIDWIVES.