Webinar Recap: Understanding the Green Fee Funding Recommendations
On February 2, 2026, the Green Fee Advisory Council hosted its third public webinar to explain how its funding recommendations for the 2026 legislative session were developed and to answer questions from the community.
The webinar was intended to provide transparency into the Council’s evaluation process, reiterate its advisory role and outline what happens next as the Legislature considers final appropriations.
What We Covered
The Scale of Project Ideas Reviewed
The Council shared the scale of proposals reviewed during its first year of work, including:
More than 600 project ideas submitted by the public, state departments and agencies, counties, nonprofits and other partners
Over $2 billion in total funding requests for approximately $130 million in available year one funding
75 high-priority projects recommended for the initial funding period
Council members explained that some recommendations combine related efforts to improve readiness, coordination and impact.
How Projects Were Evaluated
A key focus of the webinar was the framework used to evaluate proposals. Council members walked through the five criteria applied to every project:
Results: Tangible outcomes and measurable public benefit
Readiness: Ability to move forward within required timelines
Relevance: Alignment with the statutory purpose of the Green Fee
Relationships: Strength of partnerships and collaboration
Region: Geographic equity and areas facing heightened need
Each project was reviewed by multiple Council members to ensure consistency and fairness. To learn more about the criteria, read our full breakdown here.
Funding Priorities Across Three Categories
Presenters highlighted how recommended projects align with the three funding categories established in statute:
Environmental stewardship: Ecosystem restoration and community-led stewardship
Climate resilience and hazard mitigation: Wildfire risk reduction, disaster preparedness and climate research
Sustainable tourism: Beach and park improvements, visitor education and infrastructure at high-use sites
The Council also discussed its recommendation to dedicate funding for monitoring and evaluation to track progress, outcomes and accountability. To learn more about each category, read our full breakdown here.
Legislative Process and Public Engagement
The webinar concluded with an overview of what happens next in the budget process. Council members explained that the governor’s office reviewed the recommendations for feasibility and implementation capacity as part of standard budget coordination, and that final funding decisions will be made by the Legislature during the 2026 session.
Participants were encouraged to stay engaged by tracking budget bills SB 2500 and HB 1800, submitting testimony and sharing feedback with legislators.
Mahalo for Joining Us
We appreciate everyone who attended and contributed thoughtful questions throughout the webinar. Visit our Year 1 Funding Recommendations page to review the full list of recommended projects, explore each funding category and find answers to frequently asked questions.
