Hawaii 2050 seeks suggestions from stakeholders

The Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task Force Chair, Senator Russell Kokubun, has emailed a request to participants in this planning process, "the most comprehensive and citizens-based planning effort since the Hawaii State Plan was created over three decades ago," asking them to complete a survey to help the University of Hawaii's Public Policy Center obtain feedback from the community on the Hawaii 2050 Plan.

"We seek further guidance on some of the long-range, priority actions and implementation recommendations to better understand how to best move forward with implementing Hawaii 2050," Kokubun said. The deadline to respond is Oct. 15.

Only participants with an email address on record with the task force can log into this survey, however, anyone can participate in an “asset mapping” survey sent to the more than 3,000 who have indicated a commitment to sustainability. "Through this mapping survey we intend to build an inventory of sustainability organizations, projects and activities throughout the state," Kokubun said.

The Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan was submitted to the 2008 Legislature, which decided Hawaii 2050 needed further review to better determine how the plan would best be implemented.  Lawmakers tasked the UH Public Policy Center with evaluating the Plan’s action items, long-range policies and governance recommendations.

Kokubun said hundreds of individuals, companies and organizations are already advancing a sustainability agenda for Hawaii, including Kanu Hawaii, the Sustainability Living Institute of Maui and the Hawaii Island Sustainability Festival. "Efforts to buy and grow Hawaii-made produce and food products are being advanced.  All levels of government are adopting smart sustainability practices, ranging from recycling, waste-to-energy treatment, promoting water conservation, and advancing aggressive renewable energy initiatives," he said.  "Large and small companies alike are conducting energy audits and retrofitting their facilities to maximize energy efficiency."

For more information, contact Kokubun, (808) 586-6760 or senkokubun@Capitol.hawaii.gov, or Sharon Miyashiro, (808) 956-7070 or sharonmi@hawaii.edu.