The State of Hawaiʻi Office of Planning (OP) Statewide Sustainability Program is pleased to announce a series of virtual statewide Information Sharing Sessions to inform everyone about the Hawaiʻi 2050 Sustainability Plan (the Plan). The Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi have long understood the challenges of our finite resources and the importance of co-existing with our ʻāina,” said Governor 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 Hawaiʻi Office of Planning is renewing the Hawaiʻi 2050 Sustainability Plan for the decade ahead. The revised plan will guide the coordination and implementation of Hawaiʻi’s sustainability and climate adaptation goals, principles, and policies (per Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes §226-65). It will also provide recommendations for a sustainable and resilient economic recovery for Hawaiʻi. 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 Hawaiʻi 2050 Sustainability Plan and provide recommended actions to guide Hawaiʻi’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 Hawaiʻi’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 on-line participants to share their perspectives on Hawaiʻi’s ongoing sustainability and climate change initiatives, both local and statewide. These virtual statewide Information Sharing Sessions will provide information on the update process and planned improvements as well as solicit feedback regarding ongoing sustainability and climate change initiatives, gaps in existing policies and efforts, and recommended actions that the government, organizations, communities, and individuals can take to achieve the plan’s goals over the next 10 years.
“We look forward to hearing how the community envisions the future of Hawaiʻi. Your manaʻo and experience can help shape Hawaiʻi’s future through this renewal of the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan,” said Danielle Bass, State Sustainability Coordinator. “The United Nations aptly named this decade --spanning between 2020 and 2030-- as the ‘Decade of Action,’ the revised Hawaiʻi 2050 Sustainability Plan will align with this momentum and provide recommendations for the next 10 years to achieve a sustainable and climate resilient future for our islands.”
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
Friday, September 25, 12:00 Noon — 1:30 pm https://icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMvcuqprjMtE9U1fKZtSr6aqMQbkSnN3RfF
Wednesday, September 30, 10:00 am — 11:30 am https://icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYkcOCvrTgoGtaSGx0a_F2muDhO4cBxCebq
Tuesday, October 13, 2:00 pm — 3:30 pm https://icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIuc-6grD4sEtUxZzQG7q_Etbfp9bnwij-W
Tuesday, October 27, 7:00 pm — 8:30 pm https://icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEtdeqtrD0jGtIG1CbR3H_xSgQcn8Ul9avZ
Topic-Focused Virtual Information Sharing Sessions
Climate Action & Resilience: Friday, October 2, 9:00 am — 10:30 am https://icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMldOyvrj8uG9VDXrHu9lW10wd9Lv7K2WHg
Natural Environment: Monday, October 5, 1:00 pm — 2:30 pm https://icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcqcOigpzIrGtTuCqiVhf1PSdISD0Ecmceg
Rural Livelihoods & Traditional Customary Practices: Friday, October 9, 11:00 am — 12:30 pm https://icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEvcumsrDgtE9Tzk5bcCJuHtmZiaNDTMRde
Social Stability & Human Health: Friday, October 16, 1:00 pm — 2:30 pm https://icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUoduGuqjwqHtV88pwklS9fhoe4d9WiO2RX
Urban Communities & The Built Environment: Wednesday, October 28, 3:00 pm — 4:30 pm https://icfi.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctce6tqj0tHdadQUyjt-qb0g7Wmdyw82s3
Public involvement will help to keep the Hawaiʻi 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 September 23, 2020: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Hawaii2050.
If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, contact Danielle M. M. Bass, Office of Planning, at Danielle.m.bass@hawaii.gov, allowing one week for accommodations. The State Office of Planning thanks all on-line participants for their time and manaʻo.