Governor Green Announces Climate Advisory Team, All Tied to UH

New members of the Climate Advisory Team (CAT) who were convened to provide guidance on climate resilience and disaster recovery all have ties to the University of Hawaii. Governor. Josh Green announced the members of the CAT in July.

THE CAT The team is tasked with developing policy recommendations to minimize the impacts of future climate-related natural disasters and accelerate recovery from the physical and financial damage they cause. The team will develop policy recommendations in preparation for the 2025 deadline. Hawaii state legislative session through consultations with subject matter experts and community leaders.

THE CAT is led by Chris Benjamin, President of Climate Hawaiispecial advisor to the governor, former president and CEO by Alexander and Baldwin Inc. and member of the UH Mānoa Shidler College of Business Advisory Board.

Governor. Green and Chairman Benjamin added the following members to the CAT:

• Denise Antolini, professor of law emeritus at the University of UH Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law with 30 years of experience in environmental law.
• Robin Campaniano—UH Manoa alumnus, chairs the UH Manoa College of Business Advisory Board Shidler, Former Insurance Commissioner, Past President/CEO of AIG Hawaii Insurance company
• Chip Fletcher, interim dean of UH The Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology has extensive expertise in climate change, coastal community resilience, and the impacts of sea level rise.
• Kawika Riley, vice president of external affairs at Kupu, who graduated Doctorate in political science (politics and law and indigenous policies) UH Manoa.
• Gwen Yamamoto Lau—UH Manoa alumna who serves as executive director of Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and served on the EPACorporate Financial and Environmental Advisory Board.

Wildfires ravage Maui

As Hawaii continues to recover from the devastation caused by the historic Maui wildfire disaster, Governor. Green stressed the importance of climate resilience efforts. In convening the CATThe Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing a strong policy framework that prioritizes the well-being and safety of residents, while effectively managing state resources for a sustainable and resilient future.

THE CAT includes local experts in climate, environmental management, finance and insurance, dedicated to finding solutions that emphasize justice, equity and aloha ‘āina.

Members of CAT They work on a voluntary basis and do not require Senate confirmation.

Legislative proposals

THE CAT The project engages with a broad range of community stakeholders and experts to inform its work. Its goal is to propose a set of bills for the Governor’s consideration, which will be submitted to the Legislature for consideration in the 2025 legislative session.

“Prevention of climate-related disasters is the best insurance, but some impacts are probably unavoidable; that is why the CAT “The focus is on developing resilience and recovery strategies,” Benjamin said. “Resilience initiatives will likely include investments in our natural environment to minimize the impact of climate change and in our built environment to reduce potential loss of life and provide shelter and economic activity.”