Page 29 - Living Aloha Magazine 21 May April June 2017

Sadly, there is no current State or County government
position in Hawaii solely focused on sustainability.
However here on Maui, the University of Hawaii Maui
College has hosted a fast growing course, the Sustainable
Science Management (SSM) program. Professor Tim Botkin Inform, Educate, Document & Protect
has overseen the SSM as it has expanded from a 2-year
curriculum to a 4-year degree program, with a dozen
graduates in 2016. The Maui Miracle Lives

Botkin told me it is hard to find people in Hawaii with the • Your support of the GMO moratorium petition drive
expertise to talk about Sustainable Science Management. alerted the community to the extent of pesticide use
“We tend to fragment the conversation,” he stated, in Maui County.
“looking at individual segments rather than the whole • Your 23,400 votes in November 2014 rocked the state.
sustainability umbrella.” • Last year you supported the Ohana Candidates and
His overview brought to mind community-led efforts helped to elect four outstanding leaders who will
from nearly a decade ago by South Maui Sustainability stand for a healthy and sustainable Maui.
and Upcountry Sustainability. Impassioned citizens held
collaborative strategy meetings, presented informational
lectures and movie presentations. Sincere efforts were made
to engage elected officials in the vital discussions. In time,
the principal organizers and board members gravitated to
their own areas of interest: school gardens; farmers markets; “If you are not at the table you are on the menu!”-Alika
renewable energy; smart community planning; supporting Your continued active support of SHAKA, SAFE, and
progressive political campaign platforms. the vision we share for a sustainable and resilient
Botkin said their Sustainability 101 class teaches these island is critical to a successful future of our island.
“segments,” as well as addressing the question, “How does Show your support;
it all tie together?” Inherent to the core of SSM study is • Be sure you are registered to vote.
the concept of Systems Thinking. “We must train people • Ask your friends to register to vote.
in this discipline,” Botkin says, in order to address big • Join the SHAKA Movement’s Facebook page to stay
picture issues, not just the component parts. informed. Then “like” and repost from the page.
• Volunteer to be at community events.
“We need to ask, ‘Where is Maui going?’ And, what does it
take to implement that vision for a sustainable Maui?” Here is the secret that they do not want you to know...
I would submit that one key thing needed to set Maui/
Hawaii on a course of sustainability is a lead entity According to the public trust doctrine, we the people
willing to connect the component parts—government, are the highest authority in the Islands.
community, academia, and business—into a cohesive Our politicians work for us and the seven
movement and force for positive change. generations to come! Maui, your grassroots have
become strong and unshakeable, turning into
Hawaii Green Growth, the statewide ad hoc sustainability a serious political force.
group has done exactly that in striving to set goals and So stay current and stay informed.
measures through the Aloha + Challenge. The A+C sets
goals in six sectors: clean energy transformation; local Now... Let’s keep reminding those in charge
who they work for.
food production and consumption; solid waste reduction;
natural resource management; green workforce and
education; and smart, sustainable communities. MAUI YOU ARE THE MOVEMENT
[SEE: www.hawaiigreengrowth.org/aloha-challenge] Join the over 23,000 members
To date, the Aloha + Challenge has buy-in and
commitment from 4 County mayors, 2 governors, and the of the SHAKA movement
heads of Office of Hawaiian Affairs and University of Hawaii.
Modeled after other global agreements such as the The Shaka Movement is committed to protecting, preserving and improving the Public Trust Resources
Micronesian Challenge and Caribbean Challenge, the A+C for current and future generations. It aims to empower and protect farmers, their children
and the people around these farms
seeks to achieve mutually agreed upon sustainability goals The Shaka Movement is a non-profit tax-exempt organization • CONTACT: 808-875-8820 E-MAIL: info@shakamovement.org
To educate yourself and others visit: MauiGMOMoratoriumNews.org

SUMMER 2017 | Living Aloha MAUI 29