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Josh Green, Hawaii’s governor, borders on the politically hyperactive. While he is leading the state through a spate of economic reforms, Green is also getting national notice for pushing climate change reform. Green was featured in Time Magazine for being included in a guest piece in Time’s list of “100 people (who) represent the power of individuals to make significant progress in influencing the climate economy.” Time said: “These 100 people represent the power of individuals to make significant progress in influencing the climate economy. We asked them to talk about it, hoping their words will stir others to do the same.” Green was asked about how to deal with Hawaii’s continuing climate crisis. “We need greater public investment in climate adaptation efforts, particularly restoring natural environmental resources and defenses,” Green wrote in the magazine. “The state of Hawaii is the first U.S. state to initiate a visitor green fee, which will generate $100 million annually to fund environmental restoration efforts and adaptation support. Thanks to this policy, when travelers visit Hawaii, they are helping to fund and support our entire state’s community health and resilience and will enhance our natural resources.” At the same time that he is featured as a leader in climate reform, Green is also dealing with a financial crisis. Hawaii is a reasonably financially stable state, but the signs are starting to show that the partisan crisis in Washington is starting to hurt the state. Hawaii’s Democratic governor announced late last week that he was moving to kick off an emergency relief effort with a gubernatorial proclamation. Hawaii needs help, not because of an impending hurricane or a threatening lava flow as has happened in the past. The problem today is the federal government is not giving poor people enough help for food — something that until last week had been a normal procedure. Green said in his emergency proclamation that approximately $57,695,553 per month in SNAP benefits (food stamps) was issued in Hawaii. As congressional Democrats and Republicans continue to blame the other side for their inability to fund the federal budget, those relying on the needed money are suffering. “The shutdown of the federal government has caused uncertainty and will result in food insecurity for 165,000 individuals in Hawaii who depend on SNAP benefits,” Green said in his proclamation. Green ordered the state to provide support services for families affected by the loss of their SNAP benefits, directing the state “to supplement the current supply at food banks and set up a call center to provide information for those looking for help in getting benefits. “No one should go hungry or lose stability because of gridlock in Washington, D.C.,” said Green. Included in the state’s action, Green added, is that $2 million will be moved from the Human Services Department to the Hawaii Foodbank for assistance. The changes are not unexpected and much of the money that had been set aside because of anticipated economic problems is expected to be used. Freeing the federal logjam will not be resolved anytime soon, and Green’s political hyperactive mode may just become another normal day at the office as he plows through the state’s problems. Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays. Reach him at 808onpolitics@gmail.com.
