On Monday during a news conference, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green outlined three ideas he has to help California recover from the wildfires, including putting first responders and survivors into vacant hotel rooms, and making it easier for California’s film industry to work in Hawaii. 

What You Need To Know

  • Hawaii's governor said he wanted to offer support to California as they recover from the wildfires, because "California supported us a great deal when we went through the Maui wildfire disaster”

  • After the fires are extinguished, Gov. Josh Green said he would like to provide hotel rooms for first responders to rest

  • Green also hopes to house California's wildfire survivors in vacant hotel rooms in order to alleviate some of the burden on the Golden State's housing

  • Lastly, the governor wants to make it easy for California’s film industry to work in Hawaii in order to finish ongoing projects

While most of Monday’s news conference was focused on the Aliamanu fireworks explosion, Green took a moment to share his thoughts on how Hawaii could help California recover from the devastating wildfires, which started on Jan. 7, 2025, and have killed at least 24 people. 

“We're going to try to do a lot to support Los Angeles,” said Green. “The reason is because, first, we care about people, but also … California supported us a great deal when we went through the Maui wildfire disaster.”

Green also mentioned that more than 40% of all the travelers to Hawaii are from California.

The governor outlined three ideas he plans to implement to help California’s recovery. 

First, he would like to give first responders “respite” in Hawaii, with reduced hotel rates and free flights from Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines. “They can heal here,” said Green. 

Green is also hoping to work with four other states — Utah, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico — to put California residents who lost their homes in the fire into vacant hotel rooms for up to 180 days, where they can work remotely. This would reduce pressure on their housing market, according to Green. He said either the Califonira wildfire survivors’ insurance or the Federal Emergency Management Agency would pay for the rooms. 

Lastly, the governor wants to make it easy for California’s film industry to work in Hawaii by waiving fees and giving them “immediate permits if they'd like to continue some of their work before they can go back to California.”

The governor also estimated the financial cost of the Southern California wildfires could be as high as a trillion dollars and that it may “crack the property and casualty insurance system.” 

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

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