Hawai’i 2050 Panel Seeks to Reflect the Larger Community
By Hawaii State Senator Russell Kokubun
David Shapiro’s Aug. 22 column (”Sustainability panel creates own roadblock”) misses the point of the statewide public opinion poll commissioned by the Hawai’i 2050 Sustainability Task Force and the work of the task force itself.
The poll was designed to help the task force gauge the public’s attitudes toward sustainability and our long-term future. Sustainability is a complex, multi-dimensional issue, and we needed an in-depth, objective poll that examined a variety of issues.
Through our statewide community meetings, we understand that for many residents sustainability encompasses a wide range of topics, from Native Hawaiian values, renewable energy and the environment to economic growth, taxes and affordable housing.
Working with the market research firm SMS Research and Marketing, we analyzed people’s responses to the entire poll — not just individual questions — and identified groups with common characteristics.
The results are fascinating. Nearly 80 percent of the public support an approach to sustainability that balances the economy, society and the environment. Clearly, sustainability has become a mainstream value in Hawai’i.
Just as importantly, the task force poll was a part of our continuing effort to ensure that our work reflects the concerns and values of the larger community.
We determined from the beginning that Hawai’i 2050 will be powered by broad-based priorities for sustainability — an inclusive “bottom-up” approach that places the wisdom of our communities at center stage. A workable and effective plan for sustainability cannot be limited to the priorities of interest groups.
State Senator Russell Kokubun represents the 2nd Senatorial District (S. Hilo, Puna, Ka’u) on the Island of Hawai’i. He chairs the Hawai’i 2050 Sustainability Task Force.