The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is seeking to bring a casino to the Aloha State as the legislative session is set to begin in January.
The department oversees housing development, infrastructure, and resource management throughout the state. DHHL management believes a casino could provide added revenue for the department.
However, the Hawaii State Legislature has nixed similar casino proposals in the past. Convincing lawmakers to approve a casino on the island may still be an uphill climb.
“This year’s going to be really tough,” DHHL Director Kali Watson told Hawaii Public Radio.
Past Efforts Came Up Short
Hawaii legislators have flirted with legalizing gambling several times in the past. Earlier this year, an effort to legalize sports betting was passed by the House. However, lawmakers couldn’t reconcile House and Senate versions before the end of the legislative session.
Gov. Josh Green (D) has backed using casino money to help fund the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District project. The plan would renovate Aloha Stadium and redevelop the area around the venue with residential market and housing options, hotels, offices, retail, commercial, and entertainment options.
In 2024, the state also saw bills filed to legalize online poker and sports betting. However, those efforts also came up well short. Funds raised would have been earmarked for the state’s wildfire fund, to help prevent fires and aid victims.
The state is facing significant costs associated with the August 2023 wildfires in Maui, which left more than 100 people dead and caused massive property damage in Lāhainā, Upper Kula, Pūlehu/Kihei and Ka’anapali. The damage was estimated at more than $5 billion.
A bill to legalize a casino in Kapolei in 2020 also came up short. Hawaii and Utah remain the only states in the US without any form of legalized gambling or a lottery.
