Two new council members to guide Hawaii’s Green Fee spending

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Two new members will serve on the Green Fee Advisory Council for the next year.

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Governor Josh Green on Monday announced Cheryl Ka’uhane Lupenui and Samira Siale of the Kaua’i Visitors Bureau will serve on the 2026-2027 council, along with inaugural members Jeff Mikulina, Jeff Wagoner, Carmela Resuma, Dennis Hwang, and Jack Kittinger.

Mikulina will serve as advisory council chair.

“I’m deeply grateful to the outgoing council members who helped establish a strong foundation for our work and welcome the new members joining our effort to guide GreenFee funds toward projects that strengthen Hawai‘i’s natural resources and disaster resiliency,” said Mikulina.

Lupenui is president and CEO of The Kohala Center and Siale is the island director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau.

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The council will guide recommendations for the use of Green Fee funds as the new law moves into its second year.

The Green Free generates about $100 million annually through a 0.75% increase to the Transient Accommodations Tax for climate resilience and sustainable tourism projects.

Community members can submit input for using the climate impact fees through a recently updated public ideas portal.

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