Pilot network of community Sustainability Hubs on Oʻahu

Hawaiʻi Sustainability Hubs: A Network for Change

Establish a $2 million pilot initiative creating a network of three to four community-based Sustainability Hubs across Oʻahu, operated by Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi (SCH). The hubs would be accessible, community-driven spaces that demonstrate practical sustainability solutions, strengthen local environmental stewardship, and accelerate progress toward Hawaiʻi's Aloha+ Challenge goals.

Rationale: Hawaiʻi faces an urgent need to reduce waste, strengthen local food systems, restore natural resources, and build community resilience. Communities often lack the infrastructure, resources, and hands-on opportunities needed to translate the state's sustainability targets into everyday action, and existing sustainability efforts are frequently fragmented, limiting opportunities to share resources, replicate successful practices, and maximize collective impact. The hubs would address this gap by connecting existing community spaces, organizations, businesses, schools, and volunteers through a coordinated network of shared infrastructure, educational programming, and practical resources. Each hub would serve as a demonstration site, training center, and community resource for implementing accessible, locally relevant sustainability solutions.

Scope: the initiative builds on SCH's existing Sustainability Solutions Center in Kahuku, which would serve as a flagship demonstration and education hub. SCH would expand the Center's existing programming and establish two to three additional hub locations across Oʻahu, prioritizing community partnerships and areas where accessible sustainability infrastructure and resources are most needed. Together, the hubs would create a connected network where communities can learn from one another, access shared resources, participate in hands-on environmental stewardship, and adopt practices that reduce environmental impacts. The pilot would also establish a replicable model for expanding community-based sustainability infrastructure across Hawaiʻi.