Hawaii Native Species Get $300M Boost: New Federal Grant Program Targets Conservation Over 10 Years

A new piece of legislation, the Hawaii Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act of 2025, proposes establishing a dedicated grant program aimed squarely at protecting and restoring Hawaii's unique plant, fungi, and animal life. If enacted, the bill authorizes $30 million annually for 10 years – totaling $300 million – managed by the Secretary of the Interior via the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The core mission is to fund projects tackling major threats to Hawaii's native species, defined simply as those naturally occurring in the state.

Digging into the Grants: How It Works

The Hawaii Native Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program (detailed in Sec. 3) would provide funding through cooperative agreements or grants to a range of "eligible entities." This includes the State of Hawaii itself, local governments, Native Hawaiian organizations (using the definition from the NATIVE Act), nonprofits, businesses, and universities. Within 180 days of funding, the program would be up and running.

Key goals for funded projects include:

• Battling invasive species
• Addressing climate change impacts
• Restoring habitats
• Managing and recovering native populations
• Boosting scientific capacity and data collection
• Increasing public engagement

The Secretary is tasked with developing annual funding priorities by coordinating with other federal agencies (like NOAA and the EPA), Hawaii state agencies (Board of Land and Natural Resources, Board of Agriculture), and other stakeholders. Project proposals will be solicited annually via the Federal Register.

Generally, the federal government covers up to 75% of project costs. However, this cap can rise to 100% for projects led by Native Hawaiian organizations, those significantly contributing to youth workforce readiness, or smaller projects receiving $50,000 or less. At least 5% of the total annual funds are specifically earmarked for these types of projects, ensuring smaller initiatives and specific community groups have dedicated access. Importantly, if state or local government officials apply for a grant, they must recuse themselves from related funding decisions (Sec. 3).

Real-World Impact: From Reefs to Ridges

So, what does this look like on the ground? An eligible local nonprofit could apply for funds to remove invasive algae threatening a native coral reef ecosystem. A university research team might seek a grant to study how native forest birds are adapting to changing temperatures and develop strategies to help them. A Native Hawaiian organization could receive full funding to restore traditional agricultural systems using native plants, simultaneously creating youth training opportunities. The bill also mandates consultation with Native Hawaiian organizations for projects affecting their community and allows the Secretary to offer technical assistance, helping ensure projects are effective.

Accountability and Funding Flow

The legislation requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to Congress (Sec. 4), detailing every project funded and its current status. This provides a mechanism for tracking progress and ensuring accountability. The bill authorizes $30 million per year for 10 fiscal years (Sec. 5), indicating a sustained commitment. To maximize funds going towards conservation work, administrative expenses are capped at 5% of the available funds each year. Crucially, these grant funds must supplement, not replace, existing conservation funding streams (Sec. 3).