hawai'i green growth

Hawai‘i Green Growth is committed to building a more resilient and sustainable future for Hawai‘i. Hawai‘i Green Growth serves as the backbone organization for the Aloha+ Challenge, and coordinates a broad stakeholder base to identify areas for statewide action on Hawai‘i’s 2030 sustainability goals. The partnership honors a collaborative and integrated approach to achieve environmental, social, and economic prosperity for future generations. Hawaiian culture and values are the bedrock the Aloha+ Challenge and Hawai‘i Green Growth, providing a trust-based framework to promote system-level change across Hawai‘i.

GREEN FUNDING & PRIORITY LEGISLATION: PROGRESS & ACHIEVMENTS

Photo Courtesy of Bree Chun

Hawai'i Green Growth: Legislative Progress & Achievements

2015 Legislature - Priorities & Outcomes

See complete list of HGG/Aloha+ Challenge 2015 Legislative Priorities and 2015 Priority Outcomes.

The following priority recommendations for the 2015 Hawai‘i State Legislature were selected through an extensive consultation process with public and private sector leaders from Hawai‘i Green Growth. These recommendations can significantly advance the Aloha+ Challenge targets, possess widespread support across sectors, have no known opposition, and are ready for action.

Five legislative recommendations are uniquely positioned to drive major advances on three or more Aloha+ Challenge targets:

Statewide Sustainability Coordination
Aloha+ Challenge Dashboard
Environmental Response, Energy & Food Security Tax (aka Barrel Tax)
Invasive Species Management & Watershed Protection
Native Hawaiian Sustainability Leadership

To achieve each Aloha+ Challenge target, the Legislature can kick start significant progress with these widely supported recommendations:

ALOHA+ CLEAN ENERGY:
- Adopt a Community-Based Renewable Energy Program
ALOHA+ LOCAL FOOD:
- Support Local Food Procurement by State Programs
- Facilities & Create two Farm-to-School Coordinator Positions
ALOHA+ NATURE:
- Fresh Water Security: Storm Water Management
- Marine Resource Management: Critical Positions
- Native Plant Restoration: Increase Hawaiian Plants in Public Landscaping
ALOHA+ WASTE REDUCTION:
- Fund a Statewide Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan
- Expand the Electronic Recycling Device Program
ALOHA+ SMART SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES:
- Include Hawaiian Crops and Small-Scale Farms
ALOHA+ GREEN WORKFORCE & EDUCATION:
- Establish a Sustainability Office in the University of Hawai‘i System
- Require Native Hawaiian Law Training Courses

2014 Legislature - Priorities & Outcomes

See complete list of HGG 2014 Legislative Priorities and HGG 2014 Priority Outcomes.

A resolution endorsing the Aloha+ Challenge passed 2014 Legislature with strong support from both the Senate and House. Over 45 people submitted testimony supporting the Aloha+ Challenge resolution, including 25 Hawai'i Green Growth Working Group members. Influential Working Group members co-authored an editorial on the Aloha+ Challenge resolution in the Star Advertiser.

HGG members agreed on top legislative actions that will significantly advance sustainability in Hawaiʻi and already have widespread support across sectors:

Environmental Response, Energy and Food Security Tax (Barrel Tax)
Watershed Initiative funding (Rain Follows the Forest)
Invasive Species
Aloha+ Challenge Resolution
State Sustainability Coordinator Position

2013 Legislature - Priorities & Outcomes

During the Hawai'i 2013 Legislature, Hawai'i Green Growth mobilized multi-sector support for two major green funding mechanisms:

Reallocating the barrel tax on imported oil to support high priority clean energy and food security projects (additional $16 million annually).
Securing a reliable source of funding (ca. $11 million annually) for the state's new Rain Follows the Forest watershed initiative, including invasive species control.

Influential Working Group members co-authored two well-timed editorials:

Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Legislature should put self-sufficiency back on priority list
Honolulu Weekly: The New Big Five—Local food, energy, water, habitat, jobs: They're all connected, so support these crucial bills

Though dedicated funding was not passed in 2013, the Legislature provided major increases in the biennium budget.

Program and Lead Agency	Funds Requsted	Annual Increase in FY14-15 Biennial Budget
Watershed Management – DLNR Invasive Species Control – DLNR	$11 million/year $2million/year	$3.5M GF; $5M CIP (FY14) No GF; 2.5M CIP (FY15) $750K GF (FY14)
Agriculture & Local Food Security – HDOA	$ 8 million/year	$7.4M GF (biennium) $48.5M CIP (biennium)
Clean Energy – DBEDT	$ 8 million/year	No Increase
Oil Spill Clean-Up – DOH	$1.2 million/year	No Increase