Public input at Maui’s community meetings will help shape the new Hawai‘i Sustainability 2050 Plan—goals, strategic actions and indicators designed to move toward a more sustainable future.You may have heard the announcement on the radio: “What do you think Hawai‘i should look like in the year 2050? Join with your neighbors at Maui Economic Opportunity at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 8, or come to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13. Attend a community meeting to talk about how we can create a sustainable future for Maui and Hawai‘i. Your ideas will help shape the new Hawaii Sustainability 2050 Plan.”
It’s all about an effort funded by the state legislature and implemented by the Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Task Force, which is developing the plan, the first sustainability plan since the 1970s. Chaired by state Sen. Russell Kokubun, the task force is comprised of 25 members from the public and private sectors who bring what they like to call a “triple bottom-line” approach that recognizes the interdependence of the economy, society and the environment in creating the sustainability plan.
For the past 18 months, the task force has conducted extensive community outreach. The outreach included a kick-off summit in August 2006 that attracted 500 participants; two rounds of statewide community meetings; dozens of small group focus meetings; an Internet survey; a scientific public opinion poll; and the Hawai‘i 2050 Summit on Sept. 22, 2007, which drew nearly 1,000 people for the premiere of the draft plan.
Public input on the state’s long-range future drives the draft Hawai‘i 2050 Plan. It contains goals—strategic actions and indicators designed to move Hawai‘i toward a more sustainable future—as well as a proposed Sustainability Council that would implement the sustainability plan.
The draft Hawai‘i 2050 Plan will be revised into its final form based on the comments received this fall at meetings across the state. The final sustainability plan will make policy recommendations on the future of Hawai‘i’s economy, society and environment. It is scheduled to be presented to the public and state Legislature in early 2008.
Jeanne Skog, president and CEO of the Maui Economic Development Board, is spearheading Maui’s community involvement process for providing comment and feedback on the draft Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Plan.
“Just as in our successful ‘Focus Maui Nui’ effort, the community’s ideas about Hawai‘i 2050, the future of our economy, society and environment are critical to creating a more sustainable future for Maui County and Hawai‘i. I urge everyone who can to participate either at a community meeting or to comment through the 2050 Website,” said Skog.
At all Maui meetings, attendees will hear a presentation on the Hawai‘i 2050 Draft Plan. The public is encouraged to read the plan at the task force Website (available at www.hawaii2050.org) before attending the meetings.
Maui County has three representatives on the task force. They are David Goode, president of KSD Development; Stacie Thorlakson, business consultant; and Pamela Tumpap, president of the Maui Chamber of Commerce.
When asked why the Hawai‘i 2050 planning process is important to the future of Maui and Hawai‘i, Goode replied, “Rarely, if ever, do we get a chance to voice a preferred future for our grandkids—a future that will keep Hawai‘i vital.”
Tumpap pointed out that it is important for people to participate in the community meetings planned on Maui. “For it to truly be what it’s meant to be, the ‘People’s Plan,’ we must all get involved and share our wisdom, ideas and dreams. And, collectively, through different perspectives, but with common values, we will create a more forward-thinking and comprehensive sustainable plan and movement,” she said.
Thorlakson stressed the importance of good planning if Hawai‘i is to have a sustainable future. “Without a vision, how do we flourish?” she noted. Urging a strong community turnout, she said, “Let’s hold ourselves accountable and work together for a sustainable future!”
For more information, contact Focus Maui Nui at the Maui Economic Development Board at 875-2388, or email info@focusmauinui.com.