The online survey on the Draft Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Plan is now available online. After being approved in Honolulu in late September, the plan is now ready for feedback from the people about the future of Hawai‘i. “We’re trying to
The online survey on the Draft Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Plan is now available online. After being approved in Honolulu in late September, the plan is now ready for feedback from the people about the future of Hawai‘i.
“We’re trying to get as much information as we can from the people,” Jeanne Schultz-Afuvai of the Hawai‘i Institute for Public Affairs said.
Hawai‘i — the first Hawai‘i State Plan was adopted in 1978 — is gearing for a new sustainability plan for a changing state.
Dubbed “The People’s Plan,” it looks to the future of Hawai‘i by helping guide policymakers, communities and individuals by shaping their ideas and values into the Hawai‘i they want. Feedback is crucial to this plan in order to maintain the integrity of Hawai‘i and its people, creators say.
According to the draft plan, the definition of sustainability in Hawai‘i means achieving a quality of life that, “Respects the culture, character, beauty and history of our states island communities; Strikes a balance between economic prosperity, social and community well-being, and environmental stewardship; Meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
The plan is managed by goals to obtain sustainability in Hawai‘i and strategic actions to attain these goals. The goals include way of life, economy, environment, community and social well-being, and culture and island values.
Guidelines for a sustainability council are included in the draft plan to ensure implementation and accountability.
An in-depth discussion of the plan is scheduled for Thursday on “Hawai‘i’s Island Insights” from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on PBS.
The broadcast will feature Sen. Russell Kokobun, chair of the Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Task Force; Jim Tollefson, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i; Susan Doyle, president and chief professional officer of Aloha United Way; and Lea Hong, director of the Trust for Public Lands Hawaiian Islands Program.
Participants in the online survey have a week to respond to the plan.
After the data from the survey is compiled, it will be available to the public as a Community Engagement Report.
“We have been getting a lot of responses,” Schultz-Afuvai said. “But we’re hoping to get many more people to respond.”
To review the Draft Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Plan and participate in the online survey, go to www.hawaii2050.org.
• Rachel Gehrlein, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or rgehrlein@kauaipubco.com.
