Hawai‘i's Legacy from the IUCN Congress
As host of the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) from September 1-10, Hawai‘i galvanized public and private support for concrete actions on the Aloha+ Challenge statewide 2030 sustainability goals, showcased island models for integrated green growth, and strengthened global partnerships to drive long-term outcomes for Hawai‘i and island earth.
The Congress was a catalytic moment to build on Hawai‘i’s legacy of Hawaiian indigenous wisdom and sustainability that started long before today, and continue this important work for the sake of future generations. Hawai‘i’s Legacy builds on ancestral heritage and voyaging revival to cultivate a culture of sustainability for future generations; the Mālama Honua WorldWide Voyage and the Aloha+ Challenge together form Hawai‘i’s Sail Plan for a more sustainable and resilient future.
Learn more about the work of the WCC Legacy Committee and over 20 public-private action initiatives inspired by the IUCN Congress.
IUCN Congress Legacy Highlights
Throughout the Congress, key legacy initiatives were highlighted and celebrated, including President Obama's announcement to expand Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, wildlife trafficking legislation, He Lono Moku: The State of the Environment Report, the Hoala Lokoi‘a Guidebook, 100% renewable island commitments, and IUCN Congress food waste recovery pilot. All of Hawai‘i's seven proposed motions were approved as formal IUCN resolutions.
At the Opening Ceremony, Governor Ige announced his Sustainable Hawai'i initiative to achieve the Aloha+ Challenge, including 30 by 30 ocean and watershed targets, an interagency biosecurity strategy, local food production action, and Hawai‘i's ambitious clean energy goal. In addition, the Governor signed a MOU with Jeju and Okinawa at the first Global Green Island Summit on to ensure a lasting island partnership to meet the UN 2030 Agenda. Finally, the Governor formally accepted President Remengesau's invitation to join the the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA), and will work with island leaders to share best practices and scale island sustainability models, like Hawai‘i's Aloha+ Challenge, as part of GLISPA's Island Resilience Initiative.
At the Aloha+ Challenge event, the Governor, County Mayors, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and University of Hawai‘i highlighted action and progress towards the 2030 sustainability goals, including an announcement by UH launching an international student prize competition to Make the Ala Wai Awesome. UH and the Ala Wai Watershed Initiative hosted two hyrbid hack-a-thons for students and community members during the IUCN Congress to kick-off this initiative. On Student Day, the Hawai‘i Youth Challenge 2020 was launched with a design-thinking project for high-school students to identify top sustainability projects. The Student Sustainability Coalition of Hawai‘i and Peace Child announced the 2017 World Youth Congress will take place in Hawai‘i at UH Manoa from June 24- July 1.
Working with the Blue Planet Foundation to highlight regional solidarity on Hawaii's 100% renewable energy goal, the Kingdom of Tonga announced a new post-Paris 100% renewable energy by 2035 goal and American Samoa announced that two of their islands will be 100% renewable by the end of this year.