For decades, concentrated population growth along our nation’s shorelines has transformed our coastal landscapes and greatly intensified demand on finite coastal resources. In Hawai‘i this is particularly apparent as no point in the state is further than 29 miles from the coast. In response, UH Sea Grant championed the theme of environmentally, economically, and culturally sustainable coastal communities for Sea Grant programs across the country.

National Leader in Sustainable Development
As a national leader in the field of sustainable development, UH Sea Grant formed the first Center of Excellence in 2004, the Center for Smart Building and Community Design, to address the relationships between the environment, growing coastal communities and development within the state of Hawai‘i. It also helped to organize Sea Grant extension faculty across the nation to take the lead in creating vibrant and productive coastal communities integrated with healthy coastal and marine ecosystems.

Elevating the Quality of Life for Hawai‘i Residents
UH Sea Grant is dedicated to elevating the quality of life for our residents and assisting the communities to guide growth and development. From large-scale planning activities to helping individual non-profit community based organizations, it is widening its reach into the community by forming strong partnerships and bringing professional resources to assist in decision-making.

Advancing Sustainability at UH Mänoa
As the state’s third largest employer and the center of higher education, the university is poised to be a model of sustainability for the rest of the state and beyond. Many individuals and departments within the campus community look to UH Sea Grant as a source of unbiased information and technical expertise.

Preserving Traditional Culture
The development of new housing and business activities are bringing more people, jobs and recreational opportunities to coastal communities. This increases the pressure on the coastal lands and water supply, as well as the traditional culture and way of life. To resolve the growing number of conflicts this brings, UH Sea Grant is working collaboratively to ensure that the use of coastal resources is conducted in a sustainable manner while preserving traditional cultural practices.

Sea Grant Contributions to Hawai‘i and the Western Pacific Region:
Building the Future on Successes of the Past

• Sustainable Housing
UH Sea Grant brought a national team of smart growth experts to Hawai‘i to visit with local landowners, developers, and city planners. In response, the developer has completely redesigned its plans for 15,000 new housing units in O‘ahu’s “second city” of Kapolei. This represents the first of its kind, comprehensive approach to regional planning in Hawai‘i.

• Plan for Urban Growth
In Kailua, UH Sea Grant provided national experts and university sponsored educational forums as well as the assistance of faculty and graduate students to help the community plan for urban growth. As a result the community is now exploring innovative environmentally appropriate options for redevelopment.

• Community Development Planning
UH Sea Grant worked closely with other partners to fully engage residents on the island of Hawai‘i in the Community Development Plan process. This collaboration fostered consensus among the communities and will result in smart growth principles being included in future planned developments.

• Energy Efficient Standards
The Hawai‘i State Legislature requested that the Center for Smart Building and Community Design (CSBCD) develop energy efficient design standards for new construction, renovation and retrofitting of buildings throughout the University of Hawai‘i system. If approved, CSBCD will help to improve energy efficiency in all 10 campuses across the state.

• Outstanding Service to the Community
Dr. Stephen Meder, director of CSBCD, was awarded the Hung Wo and Elizabeth Lau Ching Foundation Award for his unparalleled commitment in connecting university expertise with community needs. In particular, he was recognized for his commitment to linking economic and environmental sustainability with an elevated quality of life for residents of Hawai‘i and for his work with underserved communities in Wai‘anae and Kalihi.