2025 Legislative Policies
Government
Various
Renewable Energy, Clean Transportation, Local Food Production, Freshwater
Why We Invested
We invest time and resources in support of good policy
Ulupono Initiative advocates for measures at the state and county levels that support locally produced food, renewable energy, clean transportation, and better freshwater management. The following are current priority bills within each sector:
Local Food
HB773 proposes funding grant specialist positions within the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture to help secure and manage agricultural grants. Grant specialists are instrumental in supporting local food producers by helping them apply for federal, state, county, and private funding opportunities, as well as maintaining existing grants amid federal uncertainties.
Renewable Energy
HB1020 proposes a statewide environment assessment of geothermal energy exploration and the creation of a slim-hole resource characterization program under the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism in collaboration with the University of Hawai‘i’s Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center to advance sustainable energy.
Clean Transportation
SB1117 seeks to expand Hawai‘i’s Electric Mobility Device Rebate Program to improve access to electric bicycles. The bill clarifies device definitions, expands eligibility and enhances subsidy impact.
Safe Routes to School — Ulupono also advocates for consistent funding for the Safe Routes to School Program to address transportation barriers contributing to chronic absenteeism and several safety issues among public school students. Established by Act 244 (SLH 2023), this program provides low-cost, accessible options for students to get to school and reduces personal vehicle reliance and busing while promoting civic and academic participation.
Fresh Water
HB306 seeks to strengthen the State Water Code by updating penalties and expanding violation definitions. The bill introduces a minimum and maximum penalty for each violation, authorizes the Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) to consider each day that a violation exists a separate offense, and establishes factors that CWRM must consider when imposing penalties, which would enable stricter freshwater resource management.
Bookmark this page to track the latest status on these bills.
Read our fact sheet about the "ROI" of investing in grant writing personnel within key departments and agencies:
Read our fact sheet about the importance of Safe Routes to School:
