Green aims to end tax on food as Hawaii's new governor
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii Gov. Josh Green took the oath of office on Monday and immediately vowed to address homelessness and housing, and ask the Legislature to help eliminate the state's tax on food and medication.
Green said in his inaugural address that he wanted to get rid of regressive taxes. Hawaii's general excise tax covers the sale of food and medication in addition to other goods.
“The poorest families are hit the worst, and those who are struggling to survive from paycheck to paycheck really can’t afford that tax,” Green, a Democrat, said to loud applause.
Green also vowed to encourage the construction of more housing for residents. He said he has “humbly suggested” to the mayors of each county that they all build “Kauhale Homes," or small homes, for homeless individuals like those Green helped build on Oahu when he was lieutenant governor.
He said the state would meet aggressive renewable energy goals set by past governors by approving a range of new projects.
The world will look at how Hawaii is taking action on housing, homelessness, poverty and climate change, he said.
“But it will only happen, only happen if we truly come together and commit ourselves to putting our values of ohana and aloha into practice and making them a reality for everyone in the state of Hawaii,” Green said, using the Hawaiian word for family.
Green took over from fellow Democratic Gov. David Ige, who served two terms marked by a series of emergencies and crises ranging from volcanic eruptions to the COVID-19 pandemic and a false missile alert.
Green has spent the past four years as lieutenant governor under Ige. Before that he was a state senator and representative.
He defeated Republican former Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona in last month's general election by a wide margin.
Green, who...