Media Contact: Patrick Williams

(808) 585-7931, x102

pwilliams@hipaonline.com

BIG ISLAND RESIDENTS CAN HELP SHAPE THE STATE’S FUTURE AT HAWAI‘I 2050 MEETINGS, OCT. 3 AND 4

Draft Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Plan Available Online at www.hawaii2050.org

Honolulu - What will the state of Hawai‘i be like in 2050?

What kind of jobs will our children and grand-children have? Can they afford to live in our Islands ?

How will we care for our lands and oceans?

Can we sustain the Aloha Spirit and our unique Island values for future generations?

The Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Task Force invites the public to help answer questions like these about the future of the state at a community meeting about the draft Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan. The Hawai‘i County meetings are scheduled for:

• Oct. 3 -- from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St .

• Oct. 4 -- 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Gateway Center of the Natural Energy Lab of Hawai‘i, 73-4460 Queen Ka‘ahumanu Hwy.

Those planning to attend should RSVP to community coordinator Steve McPeek at edestiny@gmail.com or 808-989-1533.

The Hawai‘i 2050 Plan is the state’s first long-range plan for the state’s economy, society and environment since the 1970s. Hawai‘i 2050 is driven by community input and contains goals, strategic actions and indicators derived from outreach to Hawai‘i citizens.

The public is strongly encouraged to download the draft plan at www.hawaii2050.org and read it before attending a meeting. Those who can’t attend a meeting can offer their comments via the website.

The draft Hawai‘i 2050 Plan will be revised into its final form based on the comments received this fall. The final sustainability plan will make policy recommendations on the future of Hawai‘i’s economy, society and environment. It is scheduled to be presented to the public and state Legislature in early 2008.

About the Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Task Force: The Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Task Force is developing the Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Plan—the state’s first sustainability plan since the 1970s. Chaired by state Senator Russell Kokubun, the Task Force has 25 members from the public and private sectors who bring a balanced “triple bottom line” approach that recognizes the interdependence of the economy, society and the environment in creating the sustainability plan. The Office of the State Auditor provides oversight of the Task Force. To learn more, visit www.hawaii2050.org.