Hawaii Sustainability Plan Update

HI Office of Planning News Release

Molokai residents wanting to participate in the State of Hawaii Office of Planning (OP) Statewide Sustainability Program will be able to do so in a series of virtual statewide Information Sharing Sessions to inform everyone about the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan (the Plan). The Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan is being updated and revised to serve as the State’s climate and sustainability strategic action plan.

“The people of the State of Hawaii have long understood the challenges of our finite resources and the importance of co-existing with our ʻaina,” said Gov. David Ige. “We are witnessing rising sea levels, temperature rise, and a decrease in precipitation; these climate change hazards require long-term sustainability planning to guide strategic implementation.”

To ensure that the plan reflects a sustainable and achievable vision, the State of Hawaii Office of Planning is renewing the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan for the decade ahead. The revised plan will guide the coordination and implementation of Hawaii’s sustainability and climate adaptation goals, principles, and policies (per Hawaii Revised Statutes §226-65). It will also provide recommendations for a sustainable and resilient economic recovery for Hawaii. The public is invited to participate to learn about the Plan and contribute to its revision process.

“This is an opportunity to integrate our local communities’ vision into the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan and provide recommended actions to guide Hawaii’s sustainable economic recovery,” said Mike McCartney, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. “The COVID-19 pandemic is changing how we live and work, and Hawaii’s economic recovery must reflect these changes while incorporating our sustainability goals for a resilient future.”

The virtual statewide Information Sharing Sessions will provide opportunities for online participants to share their perspectives on Hawaii’s ongoing sustainability and climate change initiatives, both local and statewide.

The virtual statewide Information Sharing Sessions will be separated into comprehensive and topic-focused categories and will be held on the following dates:

Comprehensive Virtual Information Sharing Sessions

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIuc-6grD4sEtUxZzQG7q_Etbfp9bnwij-W

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEtdeqtrD0jGtIG1CbR3H_xSgQcn8Ul9avZ

Topic-Focused Virtual Information Sharing Sessions:

Climate Action and Resilience: Friday, Oct. 2, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMldOyvrj8uG9VDXrHu9lW10wd9Lv7K2WHg

Natural Environment: Monday, Oct. 5, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcqcOigpzIrGtTuCqiVhf1PSdISD0Ecmceg

Rural Livelihoods and Traditional Customary Practices: Friday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEvcumsrDgtE9Tzk5bcCJuHtmZiaNDTMRde

Social Stability and Human Health: Friday, Oct. 16, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUoduGuqjwqHtV88pwklS9fhoe4d9WiO2RX

Urban Communities and The Built Environment: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctce6tqj0tHdadQUyjt-qb0g7Wmdyw82s3

Public involvement will help to keep the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan priorities timely and relevant. If you cannot participate in the virtual statewide Information Sharing Sessions but would like to contribute to the plan update, a survey is also available to solicit initial feedback through a short online survey, which will be open until Sept. 23, at surveymonkey.com/r/Hawaii2050.