AASHTO Journal - Hawaii DOT Helps Host Federal Funding Summit

The Hawaii Department of Transportation, in collaboration with Governor Josh Green (D), Hawaii’s congressional delegation, several federal agencies, and the White House, hosted a major three-day “federal funds” summit in July.

[Above photo by the Hawaii Governor’s Office]

The summit – part of the Gov. Green’s “Investing in Hawaii’s Future” initiative to maximize federal funding for the state – featured workshops hosted by experienced state, county, and community leaders on the federal grant application and administration process, including strategies for securing matching funds, grant writing logic models and lessons learned.

Federal partners from the U.S. Department of Transportation, as well as Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, and Treasury departments – as well as from the Environmental Protection Agency and the White House Executive Office of the President – hosted sessions on their respective grant programs, offering local grant teams the opportunity to meet federal partners face to face to ask questions and advocate for community projects.

“Federal funding is a huge benefit to Hawaii,” noted Gov. Green in a statement. “While this year’s summit is pau [all done], the conversations and collaborations it catalyzed are only beginning. Together, we will build upon this momentum to secure as many federal resources for Hawaii as possible.”

Approximately 500 in-person and virtual attendees registered for the summit, indicating strong statewide interest in federal funding. Given the summit’s positive reception, Gov. Green plans to host a summit annually to continue to facilitate connections and knowledge sharing.

“Federal funding presents unique opportunities for Hawaii to advance our communities and infrastructure, even though navigating the process can be challenging,” added Ed Sniffen, director of the Hawaii DOT.

Sniffen – who has served as the chair of the Council on Water Transportation for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials since July 2023 – pointed out that summit helped his agency to address specific grant needs and discover new opportunities that align with the state’s transportation vision.

“This dialogue is essential as we work together to bring transformative projects to life across Hawaii,” he said.