SR 153: Endorsing and reaffirming support for the progress achieved by the aloha+ challenge through its integrated approach and six ambitious targets to be REACHED by 2030.

SENATE RESOLUTION

Endorsing and reaffirming support for the progress achieved by the aloha+ challenge through its integrated approach and six ambitious targets to be REACHED by 2030.

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is recognized as a global leader in sustainability for addressing poverty, protecting the planet, and fostering prosperity for all; and

     WHEREAS, since 2014, the Aloha+ Challenge has served as a vital framework for measuring the State's progress towards achieving six sustainability goals by 2030:

     (1)  Clean energy transformation;

     (2)  Local food production and consumption;

     (3)  Smart sustainable communities;

     (4)  Green workforce and education;

     (5)  Solid waste reduction; and

     (6)  Natural resource management; and

     WHEREAS, the State's sustainability goals align with and contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a comprehensive framework of seventeen Sustainable Development Goals adopted in 2015 to provide a shared blueprint for long-term peace and prosperity; and

     WHEREAS, the Aloha+ Challenge underscores the significance of how local action can make a global impact by demonstrating how the State's communities play an integral role in driving sustainable development on the local, national, and global scale; and

     WHEREAS, the Aloha+ Dashboard is an essential tool that tracks, measures, and reports progress on each sustainability target, thereby promoting transparency and accountability and supporting data-driven decision-making across sectors; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is the first and only state in the United States to submit a Voluntary Local Review to the United Nations, a report on progress towards achieving local sustainable development goals that was largely based on the Aloha+ Dashboard's data; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii Green Growth UN Local2030 Hub is a voluntary partnership of public and private leaders from multiple sectors that supports the Aloha+ Challenge, Hawaii's Voluntary Local Reviews submitted to the United Nations, and the State's broader commitment to sustainability; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that this body endorses and reaffirms its support for the progress achieved by the Aloha+ Challenge through its integrated approach and six ambitious targets to be reached by 2030; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body recognizes the eleventh anniversary of the Aloha+ Challenge, the statewide commitment to a culture of sustainability and resilience launched in 2014; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body recognizes the important work that the Hawaii Green Growth UN Local2030 Hub has undertaken to collaboratively track progress through the Aloha+ Dashboard and develop the State's Voluntary Local Reviews for submission to the United Nations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, who in turn is requested to transmit a copy to the Director of each executive department; Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and the Mayor of each county.

Report Title: 

Aloha+ Challenge; Hawaii Green Growth Local2030 Hub; Sustainability Goals

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1395

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 153

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.R. No. 153 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION ENDORSING AND REAFFIRMING SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRESS ACHIEVED BY THE ALOHA+ CHALLENGE THROUGH ITS INTEGRATED APPROACH AND SIX AMBITIOUS TARGETS TO BE REACHED BY 2030,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Endorse and reaffirm support for the progress achieved by the Aloha+ Challenge;

     (2)  Recognize the eleventh anniversary of the Aloha+ Challenge; and

     (3)  Recognize the important work that the Hawaii Green Growth UN Local2030 Hub has undertaken to collaboratively track progress through the Aloha+ Dashboard and develop the State's Voluntary Local Reviews for submission to the United Nations.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Re-Use Hawaiʻi, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the Aloha+ Challenge is a statewide commitment to achieve, by 2030, six ambitious sustainability and resilience goals that align with and contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  Your Committee notes that Hawaii is the only state in the nation to submit to the United Nations a Voluntary Local Review, a report on progress towards achieving local sustainable development goals.  According to testimony received by your Committee, the accomplishments of the Aloha+ Challenge to date highlight the State's ability to lead by example in sustainability efforts, showcasing the effectiveness of the Aloha+ Challenge's integrated approach.  This measure aims to maintain the momentum and continued success of the State toward a sustainable future.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 153 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,