Carvalho Joins Statewide Sustainability Commitment (w/ video)

Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. joined Gov. Neil Abercrombie, all other county mayors and Office of Hawaiian Affairs leadership to launch the Aloha+ Challenge: A Culture of Sustainability — He Nohona ‘Ae‘oia at a declaration signing held earlier this month at the state Capitol in Honolulu.

“We are a state separated by ocean, but we are connected in so many ways – by families, by businesses and by shared values and traditions,” Carvalho said. “It is important for us to always remember that. When our leadership focuses on one vision, we are united.”

The statewide joint leadership commitment signed July 7 sets clear targets for clean energy transformation, local food production, natural resource management, waste reduction, smart growth, climate resilience, green jobs and education by 2030.

“The Aloha+ Challenge brings us all together across jurisdictions, agencies, sectors and communities to build a sustainable Hawai‘i for current and future generations,” Gov. Abercrombie said.

The state Legislature unanimously passed the Aloha+ Challenge through resolution this year. Hawai‘i Green Growth, which brings together key leaders from federal, state, county, business and nonprofit organizations, hosted the declaration signing to show broad support.

The Aloha+ Challenge commits Hawai‘i to reaching six targets by 2030:

—            Clean Energy: 70 percent clean energy – 40 percent from renewables and 30 percent from efficiency (reinforcing the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative).

—            Local Food: At least double local food production – 20 to 30 percent of food consumed is grown locally
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—            Natural Resource Management: Reverse the trend of natural resource loss mauka to makai by increasing freshwater security, watershed protection, community-based marine management, invasive species control and native species restoration.

—            Waste Reduction: Reduce the solid waste stream prior to disposal by 70 percent through source reduction, recycling, bioconversion and landfill diversion methods.

—            Smart Sustainable Communities: Increase livability and resilience in the built environment through planning and implementation at state and county levels.

—            Green Workforce and Education: Increase local green jobs and education to implement these targets.

City and County of Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Hawai‘i has to invest in its own future, and “now is the time to do it.”

“Alternative energy sources like H-Power, solar and wind, combined with fewer car trips and reduced energy consumption, will help us sustain our island for future generations,” Caldwell said.

Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi said The Aloha+ Challenge is about protecting Hawai‘i and maximizing its resources to improve the quality of life for the communities.

“It reinforces that our decision-making as a state must focus on sustaining our resources for generations to come, and must be rooted in aloha,” Kenoi said.

“The Aloha+ Challenge is about leading by example,” Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa said. “Our goal is to provide a higher quality of life for our children, and to build a community for our grandchildren that they can be proud of.”

OHA CEO Kamana‘opono Crabbe The active participation of community partners in this effort will also play a major role in bringing about a better, brighter future for all people of Hawai‘i.

“We must honor our past while also preparing for our future,” Crabbe said.