Hawai'i and Sustainability

As an island nation, Hawai'i is particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change, and thus by necessity must take strong action towards developing sustainable living strategies.

### Biodiversity and Geography

Hawai'i is host to an incredible amount of geographic and biological diversity. Indeed, it possesses "more ecological diversity in a single location than any place on Earth", consisting of 27 "lifezones" or unique environmental habitats on the Holdridge Lifezone System chart and hundreds of unique flora and fauna (Hawaii at the Environmental Crossroads; Lessons). However, because of the destructiveness of human practices, it now has the title of "Extinction Capital of the World" (Hawaii at the Environmental Crossroads).

### Culture

Because of its extreme isolation, the original inhabitants of Hawai'i were effectively forced to live sustainably (Hawaii at the Environmental Crossroads). The term *ahapua'a*, for example, dates back to the Kingdom of Hawai'i and describes the ability to live in harmony with nature using technology (hawaiiansustainability.org).

During pre-contact with the Western world, Hawai'i supported human populations rivaling any other advance civilizations of the time while utilizing very little of the land, with 100% self-sufficiency (Lessons). Its self-sufficiency has since plummeted to 15%, and a vast majority of the land is now used by humans. This is in direct conflict with the traditional ideas of *wao kanaka* (the place of the people, the lowlands) and *wao akua* (realm of the gods, the mountains and highlands), wherein behavior in *wao akua* was strictly regulated and the land was considered sacred, without need for human intervention (Lessons). The *wao akua*, inhabited by one's ancestor-gods, is not fearsome but instead encourages the respect of nature as part of one's own family (Lessons).

The *aloha* culture of Hawai'i, of "empathetic compassion" and love, extends to *wao kanaka* and *wao akua* via *aloha 'āina*, the love of the land (Lessons). The land in this way cannot be viewed as property, for it is a part of one's being (Lessons).

### Policies

Hawai'i has a plethora of organizations as well as state-driven actions to move towards a sustainable future. It has consistently been a leader on this front. For example, Hawai'i was the first U.S. "state" to "enact an enforceable coastal management plan in 1978", and is also the only "state" to have "clear sustainabiltiy targets" in every one of its counties (Hawaii at the Environmental Crossroads; Mason).

#### 2008 Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI)

Motivated by a concerningly strong dependence on imported oil for energy needs, the State of Hawai'i and U.S. Department of Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding to commit to building a "clean energy future" (HCEI). The Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative initially had a goal of achieving "70% clean energy by 2030", but has since switched to a 100% goal by 2045 (Mason, HCEI).

Its goals are, as defined on the official website:

* > "Define the new infrastructure needed to move Hawaii to a clean energy economy.
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* > Foster and demonstrate innovation in the use of clean energy technologies, creative financing, and public policy to accelerate our transition to clean energy.
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* > Create economic opportunity by developing and diversifying Hawaii's economy so all of us reap the benefits of a sustainable energy policy.
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* > Establish an "open source" learning model that supports other island communities seeking to achieve similar goals and makes Hawaii a world model for clearn energy-based economies.
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* > Build our workforce with new skills that will form the foundation of an energy-independent Hawaii."
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##### Progress

Thus far, the Clean Energy Initiative has succeeded in promoting the use of electric vehicles, with 12,716 such automobiles operating in state, and "generating a record 29.8% of our energy from renewable resources in 2019" (HCEI). It is also reportedly "investing in smart infrastructure and exploring next generation technologies" (HCEI).

#### The above-mentioned plan has five goals, according to the Billy Mason of the Huffington Post:

1. > “Living sustainably is part of our daily practice in Hawaii.
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2. > Our diversified and globally competitive economy enables us to meaningfully live, work and play in Hawaii.
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3. > Our natural resources are responsibly and respectfully used, replenished and preserved for future generations.
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4. > Our community is strong, healthy, vibrant and nurturing, providing safety nets for those in need.
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5. > Our *Kanaka Maoli* and island cultures and values are thriving and perpetuated.”
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## Sources

“Hawaii at the Environmental Crossroads.” *YouTube*, Hawaii Community Foundation, 19 Sept. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=c\_4e3gzwww4.

“Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative.” *Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative Comments*, Hawaii.gov, energy.hawaii.gov/testbeds-initiatives/hcei.

“hawaiiansustainability.org.” *Hawaiian Sustainability Foundation*, Hawaiian Sustainability Foundation, hawaiiansustainability.org.

“Lessons from a Thousand Years of Island Sustainability | Sam 'Ohu Gon III, PhD | TEDxMaui.” *YouTube*, TEDx Talks, 29 Dec. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9fv\_2XIJBk.

Mason, Billy. *The Future of Sustainability in Hawaii*. 25 Jan. 2014, www.huffpost.com/entry/the-future-of-sustainability\_b\_4311008.