Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green approved the state’s budget on Monday. House Bill 300, now Act 250, sets a total of about $39.5 billion for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Due to expected federal funding cuts and lower revenue forecasts, the governor used line-item vetoes to remove around $110 million from the budget, according to the Office of the Governor.
The state budget sets aside $3.3 billion for capital improvement projects in fiscal year 2026 and $2.3 billion in 2027. It includes over $10.5 billion in general funds each year and uses $1.4 billion in general obligation bonds for 2026 and $432 million for 2027. Governor Green said, “This budget is a tremendous undertaking for my administration, a framework that represents more than just numbers, but a tool that ultimately propels our state forward through the funding of essential initiatives.” House Bill 300 includes funding for housing, child education, healthcare, and public safety. It provides $26.6 million for biosecurity, nearly $12 million for Maui wildfire recovery, $5.53 million for Microsoft 365 G5 licenses, and additional funding for ambulance services and greenhouse gas reduction, as reported by the Office of the Governor.
The budget includes $7.35 million for livestreaming state and local board and commission meetings, $37 million for Kauhale Development Projects to address homelessness, and $30 million for electricity costs for the Department of Education. It also sets aside over $7 million for 9-1-1 emergency services and provides funding for healthcare education loan repayment and athletic programs. The Governor’s office described the plan as showing "fiscal prudence" through selected reductions, as stated by the Office of the Governor.
