Hawaii

Governor Green highlighted improvements in kindergarten readiness, noting over 70% of kindergartners are now on track in key developmental areas according to a UCLA study. He cited a 6-week intensive tutoring program that served 17,000 students and produced an 8% jump in literacy proficiency. He announced the goal of reaching the national 87% average high school graduation rate, up from the current 80% highest rate in 15 years.

Governor Green, himself an ER doctor, announced nearly $190 million in federal funds for the Rural Health Transformation Program and committed $16.5 million in state funds to cover enhanced ACA tax credits. He highlighted the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program (HELP) covering over 900 providers, raised Medicaid rates for nearly 400,000 people, and described the state's approach of treating 'housing as healthcare' for the homeless, noting a 76% reduction in healthcare costs when unhoused individuals receive permanent housing.

Governor Green reported Hawaii has the third-lowest unemployment rate in the nation, with GDP 5% higher in 2025 than 2019 and record visitor spending per traveler. He emphasized economic diversification through healthcare, conservation, construction, and creative industries, and proposed expanding stackable film tax credits including removing the cap for productions spending $60 million or more.

Governor Green highlighted the safe removal of 104 million gallons of fuel at Red Hill to protect water infrastructure, and detailed the Maui recovery effort including a $500 million interim housing plan with over 3,000 housing units. He also emphasized the state's energy transformation plan to transition to fully renewable sources while reducing energy costs, and securing nearly $190 million in federal Rural Health Transformation funds to modernize rural healthcare infrastructure.

Governor Green did not make public safety a central focus of his address, concentrating instead on cost of living, housing, homelessness, and healthcare. His public safety references were limited to emergency response and disaster preparedness following wildfires and typhoons.

Governor Green highlighted Hawaii's transformational energy plan to reduce dependence on oil and transition to fully renewable sources while reducing energy costs. He noted the successful removal of 104 million gallons of fuel at Red Hill and announced the nation's first 'Green Fee' generating over $100 million annually for climate action and conservation. He emphasized Hawaii's vulnerability to climate change with stronger storms, coastal erosion, and drought.

Governor Green made housing one of his top priorities, reporting dramatic progress since taking office. He cited emergency housing proclamations that approved over 10,000 new low-income housing units, entitled over 5,500 affordable units, and brought more than 6,500 affordable units online. He announced tracking over 62,000 housing units across 250+ projects statewide including 46,000 affordable homes. DHHL granted more than 2,500 homestead leases in 2025 — the most in its 100-year history — growing to 7,000 in 2026. He also pledged to return more short-term rentals to local families, targeting at least 10,000 additional homes.

Governor Green proposed pausing tax cuts planned for 2027-2029 to recover $1.8 billion for critical services impacted by federal cuts, while preserving all current and previous tax cuts. He highlighted the largest income tax cut in state history enacted during his tenure, doubling the earned income tax credit and food tax credit, and growing the rainy day fund to $1.5 billion. He proposed $600 million of the recovered funds must go to food security and childcare needs.

Governor Green discussed expanding film tax credits to include streaming service productions for the first time and removing credit caps for large productions spending $60 million or more. He also mentioned deploying wildfire and wind sensors statewide for early alert capabilities and using technology to transform healthcare delivery through telehealth and Food is Medicine programs.

Governor Green discussed expanding land use for local agriculture and ranching, protecting critical pasturelands, and strengthening the statewide food security plan by expanding regional kitchens and food hubs. He also highlighted the state's commitment to making local produce more accessible through SNAP matching programs.

Governor Green highlighted the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program (HELP) providing loan repayment for over 900 providers statewide, which benefits veteran communities through improved healthcare access. He also proposed $16.5 million to cover enhanced ACA tax credits for Hawaii families, including veterans, and highlighted nearly $1 billion in rural health transformation funding over five years.

Governor Green focused on government efficiency in disaster response, noting the state provided over 6,800 temporary housing solutions for Maui fire survivors. He emphasized reducing spending by $1 billion in 2023 and another $500 million in 2024 without cutting needed services, while growing the rainy day fund to $1.5 billion.

Governor Green detailed one of the most comprehensive social services agendas, including universal free childcare from birth to age 12 (the first state to offer this), expanded SNAP matching programs, and the Sun Bucks summer food benefit. He committed $50 million annually for kauhale villages to reduce homelessness and reported a 76% reduction in healthcare costs for formerly homeless individuals placed in housing. He also proposed $16.5 million to cover ACA tax credits to maintain affordable health coverage.

Governor Green centered much of his address on affordability, noting Hawaii's highest housing costs in the nation. He doubled the earned income and food tax credits, delivered the largest income tax cut in state history, and expanded free childcare and school meals. He reported tracking over 62,000 housing units including 46,000 affordable homes. He proposed pausing future tax cuts planned for 2027-2029 to recover $1.8 billion for critical services after federal cuts, while preserving all existing tax relief. He also committed $16.5 million to cover ACA subsidies threatened by federal inaction.