HI SB2484

Establishes the Hawaii Climate Institute at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, administratively attached to the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, to lead climate adaptation research and workforce development.

Requires the institute to provide AI-enabled climate projections, develop degree programs integrating Hawaiian knowledge, support internships and fellowships, and attract federal and philanthropic funding for resilience research.

Creates eight new faculty positions across multiple UH schools including ocean sciences, public health, medicine, Hawaiian knowledge, and tropical agriculture, plus two administrative staff positions.

Allocates 6% of revenue from transient accommodations tax rate increases beginning January 1, 2026, and from cruise fare assessments to fund the institute's ongoing operations.

Appropriates $6 million total for fiscal year 2026-2027: $3 million for core operations and $3 million for collaborative research and community engagement projects.