State lawmakers weigh public funding for Michelin restaurant guide in Hawaii (Pacific Business News)

Hawaii lawmakers are considering using taxpayer money to bring the Michelin Guide to the islands.

By Virginia Noone | February 9, 2026

The state is considering a proposal to spend state money to pay for the creation of a Michelin Guide covering Hawaii restaurants in an effort to boost tourism.

Senate Bill 2072 proposes funding from the state's general fund go toward Michelin — the organization that awards Michelin stars — to evaluate Hawaii restaurants and publish an official guide. A Michelin Guide would give restaurateurs in Hawaii a chance to earn a coveted Michelin star rating.

The Michelin Guide, owned by the French tire manufacturer, is the world’s most widely recognized authority on fine dining. Michelin Guides are usually created only when a government or tourism authority pays for the guide to exist in that region. The creation of a guide is often done as a strategy to increase tourism.

It’s unclear exactly how much bringing a Michelin Guide to Hawaii would cost — other states have paid varying sums, as there does not seem to be a standard price.

In Florida, which received its first round of Michelin stars in 2022, the state’s guide was funded with more than $1.5 million from state and city tourism budgets, according to an investigation by The Miami Herald.

In Atlanta, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau paid as much as $1 million to bring the Michelin Guide to town, as reported by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

According to Hawaii’s SB 2072, the money would come from state general revenues. The bill leaves the dollar amount blank, which is common in early versions of bills. The actual amount would be decided later during the budget process.

The funds would be handled by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Supporters often argue that creating a Michelin Guide can boost prestige and visitor spending, while critics sometimes question whether public money should support a private rating system.

The Hawaii Tourism Association is one of the groups supporting the bill, according to the HTA’s public affairs officer, Jill Radke.

The bill, which passed first reading on Jan. 26, is slated for a public hearing at the Senate's committee on Economic Development and Tourism on Tuesday.

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