Hawaii's Big Island Tackles Data Centers and Definitions

WASHINGTON, Oct.14, 2026 – On Hawaii's Big Island, some hope to ban data centers completely. But first, residents and officials must agree on what one is. 

Heather Kimball, Hawaii County councilwoman, introduced Bill 170 in July, 2026 aiming to ensure that mainland, large-scale data centers are not permitted anywhere on the Big Island. If passed, the law would ban these centers with an exception for special use permits.  

“We don’t want it, and we, as a community, have every right to say no,” argued a local resident.  

Like many communities across the United States, residents are concerned about the environmental and economic impact these centers would bring. However, putting this bill in action requires the council to clearly define what a data center is. 

In 1996, the county defined a data processing center as an office focused business that uses computers to perform administrative and technical duties. While technology has exponentially advanced in 30 years, this definition has not.

With the current meaning, the Big Island has two data centers. One being the Hawaiian Telcom which serves as a critical telecommunications provider. Therein lies the issue. 

Advocates for banning the data centers are worried the definition will be too broad, ultimately excluding necessary infrastructure, or, will be too specific and create loopholes for developers to exploit. 

“It’s OK to be more specific, but you don’t want to get so specific to the point that there are ways to work around your definition,” Kimball said. 

The unclear definition has already led the Windward Planning Commission - advisors for matters of planning and land use concerning the west side of the island - to rule unfavorably for the bill, despite agreeing with the proposal. 

The state argues these policies are not even necessary, emphasizing that data centers need bandwidth and cheap energy, neither of which Hawai‘i has.  

Despite this, neighboring Kauai Councilwoman Felicia Cowden, said, “I think it’s good to have the policy in place… I have never heard from a single soul who does want it.”

On Oct. 15. The Leeward Planning Commission, responsible for the eastern half of the island, will take the next steps to weigh the ongoing issue.