Table of Contents

Goals, Strategic Actions and Indicators

Priority Actions and Intermediate Steps

Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan

Page 4 of 4 pages « First < 2 3 4

Critical Concepts

About the term Kanaka Maoli

Throughout this plan, you will see the term Kanaka Maoli. This term is a more appropriate description for Hawai‘i’s indigenous people – Native Hawaiians. This description of Native Hawaiians was suggested by Kanaka Maoli leaders who participated in the Hawai‘i 2050 process, and subsequently was adopted by the Task Force.

Ahupua‘a: An overarching metaphor

Our Hawaiian islands are blessed with a Kanaka Maoli tradition and heritage that make our state uniquely special. The Task Force is committed to integrate the values and principles of the traditional Kanaka Maoli concept of the ahupua‘a resource and behavioral management system as a philosophical basis for a sustainable Hawai‘i. The values of the ahupua‘a system ensure that people respect the air, land, water and other scarce natural resources that make life sustainable from the mountains to the sea.

Education is key for a sustainable Hawai‘i

A major premise of Hawai‘i 2050 is that education and awareness of sustainability is essential to the plan’s success. It is important that Hawai‘i’s community be engaged and committed to the concept of sustainability, and be an active partner in ensuring Hawai‘i’s sustainable future. Such public acceptance, including the need to change social behavior, requires an aggressive effort to educate Hawai‘i’s people on the value and necessity of sustainability.

The Task Force also recognized the need to educate Hawai‘i’s people by integrating the concepts of sustainability within Hawai‘i’s educational curriculum. This involves teacher preparation, professional development, curriculum development and assessment, and course requirements in sustainability. Such core concepts could provide the foundation for lifetime awareness about sustainability in the same way that Hawai‘i’s students learn about math, reading and history.

There may be important strategic actions not included in this plan

While Hawai‘i 2050 consolidates key actions and indicators, we may have missed a few important elements or action items. We did our best to include those that were identified by the community, stakeholders and experts, but some may have been omitted. Likewise, some strategic actions may have been left out because they were not identified as a priority at this time. This plan is a beginning, not the end, of the conversation about strategic actions relating to Hawai‘i’s future. The intent is for this plan to be revised periodically, making it continually relevant and applicable in the years ahead.

No plan can predict or control the future, so we must plan to adapt

In ten or twenty years, some of the strategic actions identified in this document may not fit because of changing priorities, technologies or other environmental, political or economic conditions, so we must be prepared for change.

What about other planning efforts? How does Hawai‘i 2050 fit in?

There are many long-term strategic initiatives already in place, ranging from coastal zone and water resource management strategies, to county general and development plans, to economic development and visitor industry plans. Hawai‘i 2050 is different from other government plans in that it creates a long-term action agenda for achieving sustainability for our state. Hawai‘i 2050 consolidates into one document key goals and initiatives that will – over time – create a Hawai‘i that is stronger, more diverse and resilient because of its balanced approach to implementing sustainability goals and strategies.

Hawai‘i 2050 does not replace the Hawai‘i State Plan. Similarly, Hawai‘i 2050 does not “trump” other governmental plans, including the county general and development plans. The Task Force is respectful of and is cognizant that each county has its own comprehensive planning process and plans.

Hawai‘i 2050 provides over-arching State goals that the counties can use as a guide to further their sustainability efforts. With representation on the Task Force by all four counties, Hawai‘i 2050 has had direct input from county government officials and residents. Each mayor appointed three members from their county to be on the Task Force. Hawai‘i 2050 is intended to augment and complement other existing government plans, and provides an action agenda that is oriented towards achieving sustainability goals and principles.

Page 4 of 4 pages « First < 2 3 4