City releases Oahu's 2026 Sustainability Report highlighting climate, transit gains

HONOLULU (Island News) — The City and County of Honolulu has released its 2026 Annual Sustainability Report, outlining progress on climate, energy and resilience goals across Oahu.

The report, published during Earth Month, is now available in an interactive online format, allowing residents to explore data from 2025 through charts and visuals.

City leaders said the report reflects a coordinated effort across departments to address long-term environmental challenges.

“Our city departments share a collective responsibility for integrating sustainability into our plans, programs and policies,” said Rick Blangiardi. “Tracking city-wide progress empowers us to plan strategically and take meaningful action toward our sustainability goals.”

Key highlights from the report include

• City solar systems generated 12.2 million kilowatt-hours in 2025, a nearly 15% increase from the previous year
• Ridership on the Honolulu Skyline rail nearly doubled following the Segment 2 expansion, reaching more than 281,000 monthly trips in December
• Fuel use by city vehicles dropped by 1%, while fuel costs fell 14%
• Four miles of new bikeways were added, including protected lanes and a King Street extension into Downtown Honolulu
• More than 1,400 trees were planted in 2025, contributing to over 12,000 planted island-wide since 2018
• Renewable energy made up 32% of electricity generation on Oahu, driven largely by rooftop solar
• Electric vehicle registrations topped 30,000, marking significant growth over the past five years

The report also highlights broader resilience efforts, including coastal restoration projects and community-based programs aimed at improving food access and disaster preparedness.

City officials said the findings will help guide future planning as Honolulu continues working toward long-term sustainability and climate goals.

“Sustainability isn’t a one-time choice—it’s a daily commitment backed by bold, long-term action and reaffirmed through detailed and transparent data reporting,” said Dr. Kealoha Fox, chief resilience officer and executive director of the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency. “The key findings and stories of impact found in this report—in addition to the everyday efforts of individuals, communities and organizations—emphasize the collective efforts underway that improve our quality of life now and for future generations.”

City officials are encouraging residents to take part in sustainability efforts, from volunteering at community workdays to participating in resilience training programs. Resources such as rebates for water-efficient appliances are also available to help households reduce costs and environmental impact.

More information and ways to get involved can be found by visiting resilientoahu.org/getinvolved.

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