FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   April 2, 2007

Release No. M-29-07

MAYOR UNVEILS 21^st CENTURY AHUPUA‘A  CAMPAIGN

            City and County of Honolulu Looks Toward a Sustainable Future

            Mayor Mufi Hannemann today unveiled a new public awareness campaign that sets the tone for the city’s environmental and sustainability policies.

              Using public education and substantial adjustments to city facilities and operations, the mayor wants to focus on conservation, recycling and alternative energy use.  The new campaign features a symbolic connection to Hawaii’s past and includes the newly proclaimed “official City bird” the indigenous manu-o-Ku (white tern).

            “Hawaii's original inhabitants developed a sophisticated and successful resource management system based on the ahupua‘a land division that supported a population almost as large as it has today,” said Mayor Hannemann.  “We must continue to learn from the wisdom of our Polynesian ancestors and renew our commitment to self-sufficiency and protecting our precious island home.”

            “But, we’re not just looking back,” he added. “This is all about the future.”

            The principles of the 21^st Century Ahupua‘a to be practiced by the City include:

1.     Honoring the host Hawaiian culture

2.     Developing alternative energy and biofuels

3.     Building efficient transportation systems

4.     Recycling solid waste

5.     Restoring productive agriculture

6.     Promoting “green” building

7.     Protecting the forests and reefs

            The City plans to test new technologies that might be incorporated into its 10-year sustainability plan, with specific goals for energy and water conservation as well as identifying new sources and recycling strategies. Various City departments will be evaluating biofuels, rooftop photovoltaics, recycling of water, using municipal solid waste in building materials and pelletized fuel, as well as many other innovative approaches.

            “We live on a beautiful island, but also a fragile and isolated one,” said the mayor. “The City must lead by example when it comes to finding a better way, one that will ensure that our future generations enjoy an equal or even more rewarding quality of life.”

-30-

Contact:

            Bill Brennan, 527-2968

            Mark Matsunaga, 527-5767