As an island archipelago, Hawaii is particularly dependent on a healthy marine ecosystem. Protecting this precious resource through marine management is critical to sustaining livelihoods, protecting biodiversity, and preventing economic loss. Fishing and tourism are at the heart of Hawaiis coastal economy, so ensuring that these industries are managed sustainably is crucial to the vitality of Hawaiis oceans and to ensure that future generations continue to benefit from these resources.
The Aloha+ Nature 2030 goal is Hawaii's commitment to reverse the trend of natural resource loss mauka to makai (mountain to ocean) by increasing marine resource management, watershed protection, freshwater security, invasive species control, and restoration of native species. The Aloha+ Nature goal is outlined on an online open-data Dashboard with measurable targets and indicators for each of these areas to track progress, provide accountability, and ensure transparency. As of January 2016, 13.1% of Hawaiis marine waters are under active management as part of this effort.
This 2030 commitment to natural resource and ocean management is part of the "Aloha+ Challenge: He Nohona Aeoia, A Culture of Sustainability", which is Hawaii's statewide initiative on sustainable development. Launched in 2014, the Aloha+ Challenge is led by Hawaii's Governor, all four County Mayors, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, State Legislature, and statewide public-private partners to achieve integrated goals by 2030 for environmental stewardship, community resilience, and economic prosperity. In addition to natural resource management, goals include clean energy transformation, local food production, solid waste reduction, smart sustainable communities and climate resilience, and green workforce and education.
The Aloha+ Challenge is recognized as a place-based model that can be scaled to help achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Climate Agreement. Hawaii is working with the Global Island Partnership, UN Development Programme, and other partners to scale the Aloha+ Challenge as a locally and culturally appropriate model to meet the UN 2030 Agenda.
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
December 2030
Marine Management: Increase Marine Management in Hawaii; State committed to effectively manage 30% of nearshore marine waters by 2030
December 2030
Fresh Water Security: Increase Fresh Water Capacity by 100 Million Gallons per day
December 2030
Watershed Management: Protect 30 Percent of Priority Watershed Forests by 2030
December 2030
Native Species: Increase Hawaii's Invasive Species Control and Restoration of Native Species
