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.
SB 847 In Progress
Establishes a three-year pilot program in the County of Kauai to allow qualified psychologists under the supervision of a supervising psychiatrist limited authority to prescribe psychotropic medications to patients between the ages of eighteen and sixty-five years under the care of the psychologist. Requires the Board of Psychology to adopt rules. Requires the State Health Planning and Development Agency to report to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. (HD1)
SB 2969 In Progress
Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaiʻi to expand and sustain services provided by the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
HB 1921 In Progress
Allows an existing cesspool that lawfully serves a single dwelling or dwelling unit in a priority level 3 area to continue serving that dwelling or dwelling unit and additional bedrooms constructed on the same parcel and within the existing dwelling or dwelling unit, subject to certain conditions. Authorizes the Department of Health to adopt rules and restrict additional bedrooms where evidence demonstrates that continued cesspool use impacts water quality or human health. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
HB 2218 In Progress
Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to enter into community co-management agreements and establishes qualifications for eligible community co-managers. Authorizes the disposition of public lands by a community co-management agreement. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
HB 2436
DOE;
STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS; ARTS INTEGRATION; POSITIONS;
APPROPRIATION
In Progress Committee: House Standing Committee on Culture & Arts
DOE;
STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS; ARTS INTEGRATION; POSITIONS;
APPROPRIATIONCommittee: House Standing Committee on Culture & Arts
HB 1800
STATE BUDGET; EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET
In Progress Committee: House Standing Committee on Finance
STATE BUDGET; EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGETCommittee: House Standing Committee on Finance
SB 847
SHPDA;
BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY; PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY; CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS; PILOT
PROGRAM; SUPERVISING PHYSICIAN OR PSYCHIATRIST; FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH
CENTERS; COUNTY OF KAUAI; COUNTY OF HAWAII; RULES; REPORT
In Progress Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services
SHPDA;
BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY; PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY; CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS; PILOT
PROGRAM; SUPERVISING PHYSICIAN OR PSYCHIATRIST; FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH
CENTERS; COUNTY OF KAUAI; COUNTY OF HAWAII; RULES; REPORTCommittee: Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services
SB 2543
DAGS;
DOE; OFFICE OF THE STATE
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER; PILOT PROGRAM; DESIGN REVIEW SPECIAL FUND; POSITIONS;
APPROPRIATION
In Progress Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Government Operations
DAGS;
DOE; OFFICE OF THE STATE
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER; PILOT PROGRAM; DESIGN REVIEW SPECIAL FUND; POSITIONS;
APPROPRIATIONCommittee: Senate Standing Committee on Government Operations
SB 2580
DOTAX;
DBEDT; MOTION PICTURE, DIGITAL MEDIA, AND FILM PRODUCTION INCOME TAX CREDIT;
QUALIFIED PRODUCTION; COSTS; THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION; GENERAL EXCISE TAX;
LOAN-OUT COMPANIES
In Progress Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism
DOTAX;
DBEDT; MOTION PICTURE, DIGITAL MEDIA, AND FILM PRODUCTION INCOME TAX CREDIT;
QUALIFIED PRODUCTION; COSTS; THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION; GENERAL EXCISE TAX;
LOAN-OUT COMPANIESCommittee: Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism
HB 2095
JUDICIARY
PACKAGE; SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET; APPROPRIATIONS
In Progress Committee: House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
JUDICIARY
PACKAGE; SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET; APPROPRIATIONSCommittee: House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Key Players
Legislative Leaders
These lawmakers are key players in the Legislature on issues affecting the neighbor islands as identified by Civil Beat.
Ron Kouchi
District 8, Kaua‘i
Nadine Nakamura
District 15, Kauaʻi
Lynn DeCoite
District 7, Maui
Joy San Buenaventura
District 2, Hawaiʻi
Jeanné Kapela
District 5, Hawaiʻi
Non-Legislative Leaders
Other than legislators, these are the people or organizations that have been most active when it comes to issues affecting the neighbor islands.
