Kaua‘i state legislators tout support for key Garden Isle investments in state budget

Addressing the unique needs of all Garden Isle communities is a priority for Kaua‘i’s legislative delegation at the state Capitol in Honolulu.

Targeting investments to strengthen infrastructure, enhance public services and build long-term resilience help meet those needs and also foster sustainability on the island, creating a place where residents, their families and their future generations can thrive.

Lawmakers were able to finalize early last week a state biennium budget plan for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 after convening a joint conference committee to work out differences between previously proposed House and Senate versions. 

Collaboration led to House Bill 300 moving forward. It also was key to critical funding for many priority projects on Kaua‘i gaining traction and receiving funding in the next biennium. The spending measure appropriates nearly $40 billion through all means of financing during the next 2 years, including a little more than $21.2 billion in general funds:

ALL MEANS OF FINANCING

• Fiscal Year 2026: $19.94 billion.
• Fiscal Year 2027: $19.76 billion.

Total biennium amount: $39.7 billion.

GENERAL FUND

• Fiscal Year 2026: $10.59 billion.
• Fiscal Year 2027: $10.64 billion.

Total biennium general funds: $21.23 billion.

Budgeted for Kaua‘i priorities throughout the next 2 years is a grand total of nearly $200 million, which includes some county and federal matching funds, as well as other funding sources.

The breakdown includes $193,916,000 for notable projects, $615,000 for operating budget items in fiscal year 2026 and $2,034,000 for capital improvement projects in fiscal year 2026.

“These investments reflect our shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents, preserving our environment and strengthening the island’s future,” said Hawai‘i Senate President and Kaua‘i/Ni‘ihau state Sen. Ronald Kouchi in a release from the Kaua‘i delegation about the approved budget. “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together and remain committed to seeing these projects through for the people of Kaua‘i.”

Here’s a look at important Kaua‘i County investments appropriated in the biennium state spending plan for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, from highest to lowest price tag.

Notable budget highlights

• Acquisition of agricultural lands from Grove Farm: $39 million for FY 2026.
• Hawai‘i Health Systems Corp. Kaua‘i Region (plans, designs and equipment for new facilities, renovation, expansion, equipment): $32.5 million for FY 2026/27.
• Kaumuali‘i Highway improvements: $31 million total for FY 2026/27 (includes $20.8 million match ing federal funds and $5.2 million revenue bond funds).
• Līhuʻe Airport improvements: $18,966,000 total for FY 2026/27 (includes $4.6 million matching federal funds and $5.14 million revenue bond funds).
• Vidinha Stadium improvements: $16 million total for FY 2026 (includes $8 million matching county funds).
• Nāwiliwili Harbor improvements: $15 million total for FY 2026/27 (includes $4.99 million special funds, $4,000 matching federal funds and $4,000 private contributions).
• Kaua‘i Community College student/workforce housing: $15 million total for FY 2026/27.
• Hanapēpē Stadium improvements: $7 million total for FY 2026 (includes $3.5 million matching county funds).
• Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority Ka Lei Momi Development, Kapa‘a Homes plans and design: $4 million for FY 2026.
• Kūhiō Highway (Hardy to Oxford streets) water main replacement: $3 million total for FY 2026 (includes $1.5 million matching county funds).
• New Kapa‘a Library plans and design: $2 million for FY 2026.
• University of Hawai‘i Community College Systems AI Based Center Pathways Program: $2 million for FY 2026/27.
• Hoʻōla Lāhui Hawai‘i, a medical and dental outpatient clinic for a federally qualified health center and Native Hawaiian health care system, site plans and design: $1.5 million for FY 2026.
• Acquisition of agricultural lands in Waimea: $1.3 million for FY 2026.
• Wilcox Elementary School tennis courts plans, design and construction for reconstruction of Līhuʻe public tennis courts: $950,000 for FY 2026
• Mana Dragstrip Improvements (track and facility maintenance, repair and upgrades to stadium, track lighting, spectator lighting, equipment acquisition): $700,000 for FY 2026.
• Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital plans and design, including connector road planning: $500,000 for FY 2026.
• Plans and design for breach of lower Kapahi Reservoir to comply with dam safety regulations: $500,000 for FY 2026.

Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget

• Rescue Tube Foundation: $200,000
• Kumano I Ke Ala o Makaweli: $185,000
• The Waipā Foundation: $80,000
• Ho‘okipa Kaua‘i: $75,000
• Kaua‘i Foodbank: $75,000

Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Improvements Projects

• Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity: $600,000
• Namahana Education Foundation: $400,000
• Hui Mālama O Kāneiolouma: $400,000
• Mālama Kaua‘i: $350,000
• Hale ‘Ōpio Kaua‘i: $168,000
• Kaua‘i Foodbank: $116,000

House Speaker Nadine Nakamura, who represents Kaua‘i’s state House District 15 and is the first woman House speaker in state history, reiterated her state Senate colleague’s sentiments, saying the budget reflects the Kaua‘i delegation’s shared vision of strengthening public safety, supporting education and investing in infrastructure.

“It highlights what we can achieve together through community input and collaboration,” Nakamura said in the budget announcement from legislators.

House Majority Floor Leader Rep. Dee Morikawa, who represents Kaua‘i’s state House District 17, emphasized that the Garden Isle’s lawmakers in Honolulu are always aimed at ensuring rural and neighbor island communities, such as those on Kaua‘i, are not left behind.

“This budget includes meaningful support for the people of Kaua‘i, and I’m grateful for the collaborative process that made it possible,” Morikawa said in the announcement.

Kaua‘i state Rep. Luke Evslin, who represents state House District 16, said he especially encouraged by funding included in the budget approved by lawmakers on that supports long-term resilience and sustainability for our home.

“Strategic investments in housing, agricultural lands and water infrastructure are essential to preserving the health of our communities and ensuring that future generations can continue to live and thrive on Kaua‘i,” Evslin said in the budget announcement.

The spending plan now must pass a final floor vote by each chamber of the state Legislature before heading to Hawai‘i Gov. Josh’s Green’s desk for his decision.