Section 80002 of the IRA appropriates $23.5 million to the Senior Program Director of the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations to carry out climate resilience and adaptation activities benefiting the Native Hawaiian Community. The funds may be distributed through the provision of financial assistance, technical assistance, or direct expenditure, or by entering into grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. Section 80002 appropriates an additional $1.5 million to the Director for administrative costs associated with this program. The appropriated funds are available until September 30, 2031.
Eligible Entities:
Environmental Justice Considerations:
Funds are dedicated to serving the Native Hawaiian Community.
Current Status:
Trump Administration Actions:
- Litigation Compliance Report Indicates DOI Released Some Previously Frozen Awards [04/23/2025]
- DOI Secretary Issues Order to Review IRA Regulations and Spending [02/03/2025]
- OMB Orders Temporary Pause on Financial Assistance Programs, Later Rescinded [01/27/2025]
- OMB Clarifies Scope of the Order to Halt IRA Spending [01/21/2025]
- Trump Issues Executive Order to Halt All IRA Funding Disbursements [01/20/2025]
Implementation Status at End of Biden Administration:
DOI has awarded $20 million to 17 Native Hawaiian organizations, which accounts for the majority of funds appropriated under this section. Up to $5 million is left unspent.
Biden Administration Actions:
Program Stakes:
This IRA provision helps to address Hawai’i’s particular susceptibility to climate impacts, including wildfires and warmer, more acidic oceans. Awards have been granted to Native Hawaiian organizations who will restore native ecosystems and improve food security relying in part on Indigenous traditional and ecological knowledge.