Hawaii Legislature Wraps 2026 Session: $55M for OHA, New E-Bike Rules, and a Chicken Problem Solved
The Hawaii State Legislature wrapped its 2026 session Thursday after passing more than 220 bills that will reshape daily life across Honolulu and the islands. From addressing feral chickens roaming neighborhoods to regulating the growing number of e-bikes on city streets, lawmakers tackled issues that have been buzzing in community meetings and social media feeds for months.
The session’s marquee achievement was securing $55 million in funding for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, marking the largest single appropriation to OHA in recent memory. The funding package includes $30 million for Native Hawaiian housing initiatives and $25 million for educational programs, addressing longstanding concerns about affordable housing shortages in communities from Kalihi to Hawaii Kai.
“This represents a significant step forward in fulfilling the state’s obligations to Native Hawaiians,” said Rep. Kailua Martinez, who chairs the House Committee on Hawaiian Affairs. “These funds will directly impact families who have been waiting years for affordable housing opportunities.”
For Honolulu residents navigating increasingly crowded bike lanes and sidewalks, new e-bike regulations promise to bring order to what many describe as the “Wild West” of personal transportation. The legislation establishes three classes of e-bikes, with different speed limits and location restrictions for each category.
Class 1 e-bikes, which provide assistance only while pedaling and cap at 20 mph, will be allowed on all bike paths including the popular Ala Moana Beach Park route. Class 2 bikes with throttles and Class 3 speed demons reaching 28 mph face restrictions on certain paths and must meet helmet requirements for riders under 18.
Feral Chicken Solutions and Health Measures
Perhaps no issue generates more neighborhood complaints than Hawaii’s estimated 400,000 feral chickens, and legislators finally approved funding for a comprehensive disposal program. The $2.3 million initiative will establish processing facilities on each island and create mobile collection units for communities struggling with aggressive roosters and property damage.
Kaimuki resident Sarah Chen, who has advocated for chicken control measures for three years, called the program “long overdue.” The legislation allows communities to organize collection events while providing humane processing options that some facilities will convert into pet food or compost.
Healthcare dominated much of the session’s final weeks, with lawmakers passing bills to expand mental health services and address the ongoing physician shortage. A new program will provide loan forgiveness for doctors who commit to practicing in underserved areas like Waianae and parts of Kalihi for at least five years.
The legislature also approved measures requiring insurance coverage for doula services and expanding telehealth options, recognizing how the pandemic changed healthcare delivery across the islands.
Campaign Finance and Future Challenges
In a move that could reshape local politics, legislators advanced campaign finance reforms limiting corporate contributions to Hawaii elections. The measure, which still requires additional approval, would cap corporate donations at $2,000 per candidate and increase transparency requirements for political action committees.
Environmental initiatives included $15 million for coral reef restoration and new restrictions on sunscreen chemicals, building on Hawaii’s reputation as a leader in ocean protection. The sunscreen bill expands the list of banned chemicals and requires clearer labeling for reef-safe products.
Budget negotiations consumed the session’s final days, with disagreements over teacher pay raises and infrastructure spending. The final $18.2 billion budget includes modest salary increases for educators and maintains funding for the rail project, though both remain contentious issues heading into the 2027 session.
Several high-profile bills died in committee, including proposals for statewide rent control and a visitor impact fee. Tourism industry opposition and concerns about economic impacts contributed to their failure, frustrating housing advocates who argue more aggressive measures are needed.
The session’s end sets the stage for implementation challenges across state agencies already stretched thin by staffing shortages and competing priorities. Gov. Linda Tanaka has 45 days to sign or veto the measures, with most taking effect January 1, 2027.
For Honolulu residents, the session’s outcomes touch nearly every aspect of daily life. Whether it’s navigating new e-bike rules on the Biki paths, participating in neighborhood chicken collection events, or benefiting from expanded healthcare access, the 2026 legislature’s work will ripple through communities long after lawmakers return home to their districts.
