Elements of a Healthy, Local Economy


When I first became interested in Hawaii's political independence in '93 or so, it was in the larger context of my interest in economic independence. I was coming from an environmentalist's perspective, and working on ways to support local self-sufficiency (such as a large-scale green waste composting project that I was involved with at the time). Hawaii is extremely vulnerable because of our great dependence on imports for our basic needs, especially food and energy (approx. 90% imported), yet we also have the potential to be a model of self-sufficiency, with abundant agricultural opportunities and renewable energy resources. And while I obviously think political independence is important, it means little without greater economic independence. The two aspects should be seen in relation to each other, each supporting the other, but we should be pursuing the economic side on whatever practical levels we can all the time. Thus my work in my own community restoring ancient taro patches and other projects for culturally based economic self-sufficiency with the Kipahulu Ohana. I get excited and inspired by local community economic work, such as that done by HACBED, a great organization with whom we have worked closely, and so I want to draw your attention to a two-part series in the Hawaii Island Journal that reports on various efforts and ideas for developing a health local economy in Hawaii. Read Part 1 and Part 2.


Posted: Sat - May 7, 2005 at 05:21 PM    
   
 
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Published On: Dec 27, 2005 10:15 PM
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