City invests $9 million in Climate Resiliency Fund portfolio

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Tuesday the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Climate Resiliency Fund portfolio.

Read more Healthier Hawaii: The opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence in healthcare

The City and County of Honolulu is investing $9 million into projects that prepare communities, modernize public infrastructure, strengthen food and water security, restore natural systems, and reduce climate risks before disasters occur.

This portfolio marks the first full annual investment strategy under the City’s Climate Resiliency Fund.

The CRF was created in 2024 through a City charter amendment and implementation legislation, providing a local resource to address growing climate impacts.

“Climate change is no longer a future challenge – it is a daily reality affecting our neighborhoods, coastlines, infrastructure, economy, and families,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “This portfolio represents our commitment to safeguarding the people of Oʻahu through purposeful projects being activated this year.”

Read more Covering the Cost: The cost of defense in the Pacific region and competition with China

This year’s portfolio includes investments to:

The Climate Resiliency Fund was created not only to finance projects, but also to attract investments from federal agencies, state partners, philanthropy, nonprofits, universities, and the private sector.

By providing dependable local funds, the City is better positioned to compete for external grants and accelerate implementation of community priorities identified through the City’s Climate Action Plan, Climate Ready O‘ahu, Oʻahu Resilience Strategy, O‘ahu Food Systems Plan, and the Long-Term Disaster Recovery Plan.

“The City’s Climate Resiliency Fund portfolio is about putting resources where they can make the greatest difference this year,” said Chief Resilience Officer and Executive Director of the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, Kealoha Fox. “Climate resilience isn’t just an environmental priority – it’s one of the smartest long-term investments we can make in our economic and community well-being.”

Read more Hawaii Island police issue nearly 300 DKI Highway citations

Click here for more information.