Ulupono Initiative

08/28/2026

Last month, our team was grateful to take part in a Community Huki volunteer day with Mālama Maunalua, helping remove invasive limu (seaweed) from Maunalua Bay’s nearshore waters. 🌊

Invasive limu can outcompete native limu species and alter the balance of nearshore ecosystems. By coming together to remove invasive limu, volunteers create space for native species to recover and support a healthier, more resilient ecosystem.

Mahalo to Mālama Maunalua for welcoming our team and for your continued work to mālama and steward Maunalua Bay! 💚

07/01/2026

2026 Hawai‘i Agricultural Conference (AG2026)🥬

For more than 20 years, the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Conference has brought together farmers, ranchers, businesses, researchers, policymakers and community leaders committed to strengthening Hawaiʻi's agricultural future.

This year's theme, Hawaiʻi Agriculture: Driving Dedication, Diversity & Diligence, recognizes that building a resilient, vibrant and sustainable agricultural sector takes collaboration, leadership and a shared commitment to future generations.

Ulupono Initiative is proud to support AG2026 and the people working every day to strengthen local agriculture across Hawaiʻi.

🎟️ Register to connect, learn and be part of the conversation.

📅 Nov. 9-10, 2026
📍 Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Hawaiʻi Island
🌱 Hosted by the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaiʻi
🔗 Learn more and register: hiagconference.org

06/26/2026

Last week, the Ulupono Initiative team spent the day with KEY Project during its monthly ʻOhana Foodbank Distribution in Kahuku, which serves more than 100 households each month in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Foodbank.

Working alongside KEY Project staff and volunteers, we helped prepare and distribute fresh produce, including lychee, and pantry staples while gaining a deeper understanding of the coordination, care and relationships that make this essential community effort possible.

Mahalo to KEY Project for welcoming us, sharing your ʻike, and showing us what community-centered food access looks like in action.

If you would like to learn more about the KEY Project or the ʻOhana Foodbank Distributions, please visit keyproject.org/community-development.

06/19/2026

What are we sacrificing for parking? A new Parking for the People resource supports smarter parking policy.

Across Hawaiʻi, communities are discussing how parking affects housing, land use, affordability and quality of life. Yet parking is often treated as a simple convenience, despite the significant tradeoffs that often go unaddressed.

Parking for the People is an online toolkit that explores those tradeoffs through local data, research, case studies and practical policy approaches to parking management.

In a place where land is limited, it's worth asking: How much of Hawaiʻi's land should be dedicated to parking — and why?

Explore the toolkit and learn more at ulupono.com/news-listing/new-parking-for-the-people-resource-supports-smarter-parking-policy/.

05/06/2026

Hawaiʻi's nonprofits are resilient, community-rooted, and doing extraordinary work across every island. They're also navigating real challenges and the path forward requires action from all of us.

The View From Here: Insights From Hawaiʻi's Nonprofits is Hawai'i Alliance of Nonprofits' new 2026 report on the nonprofit community. The report shares strengths, pressures, and opportunities ahead.

Visit hano-hawaii.org/resources/sector-report26/ to learn more and read the report.

05/02/2026

“For Cody, who grew up on O‘ahu, the work is meaningful and humbling. “It’s a responsibility that I don’t take lightly. Knowing that the data we collect helps inform decisions that affect stream health and local communities, it’s rewarding to be part of a team that protects these systems for the future.”

Ultimately, Cody wishes the public understood the streams’ ridge-to-reef connection. Healthy streams aren’t just for fish like ‘o‘opu; they are tied to groundwater recharge needed for drinking water and the health of the entire watershed. “Restoring flow is essential,” she says, “but true recovery depends on the broader ecological integrity of our watershed.”

Read the full story to learn more about the stewards behind this work at the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Commission on Water Resource Management and the data informing key decisions: mailchi.mp/33ce3a1cec95/news-from-the-hawaii-commission-on-water-resource-management-4905452?e=d78e1e0358.

Consider subscribing to stay informed on ongoing efforts: mailchi.mp/840877084f13/sign-up-for-cwrm-announcements.

Commission on Water Resource Management

04/20/2026

A day filled with gratitude, smiles, and new beginnings 🌺🚲

On April 11, the Maui Bicycling League brought together community, partners, and recipients to deliver 30 e-bikes to Maui fire survivors.

Each bike represents more than transportation — it represents:
- A path to work
- Support for families
- Improved health and well-being
- A step toward independence

With 362 applications, this program also highlighted a much greater need in our community — and the opportunity to continue this work.

Mahalo to our partners, funders, and volunteers who helped make this possible. This is a strong example of what can be achieved through collaboration — and a reminder of the work still ahead.
Ulupono Initiative Foundation
Hawai‘i Bicycling League Aventon Maui Sunriders Bike Shop Maui MPO

We are grateful for our West Maui CM Tamara Paltin for her attendance and support. And Maui MPO, Rotary Club Of Lahaina Sunset, and Maui Mountain Bike Coalition, an IMBA Chapter attendance.

We look forward to continuing and expanding this effort.

04/16/2026

🔋 Don’t miss the Hawaii Sustainability Expo & Electric Home Show
📍 Blaisdell | April 24–26

Join powerful conversations with local leaders, innovators, and changemakers:

🌊 Inside the Navahine Climate Settlement
Discover how Hawaiʻi’s youth helped drive a landmark climate case — and what it means for the future of transportation and climate action in our state. This talk with Doorae Shin will share how the case is shaping new policies and elevating youth leadership through the Hawai'i Youth Transportation Council.

🌱 Hawaiʻi’s Sustainability Journey
Hear from former PUC Commissioner Lorraine Akiba, State Sustainability Coordinator Danielle Bass, and Senator Chris Lee as they unpack Hawaiʻi’s groundbreaking 100% clean energy law — and what’s next.

⚡ Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan for the State's Fleet
DOT Director Ed Sniffen shares how Hawaiʻi is rapidly electrifying transportation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions statewide.

🏡 Resilience for Your Biggest Investment
Learn how to cut your HECO bill and prepare for outages with experts in solar, batteries, cooling, and energy efficiency — featuring leaders from Rinnai, EP Cube, Maiven Energy, Island Cooling, and more.

🔗 View the full program via the link in bio or at electrichomeshow.com/program

Also at the expo:
- Discover hundreds of ways to lower your electric bill and live more sustainably
- Explore ultra-efficient AC systems that use 40%+ less energy
- Test ride e-bikes + check out EVs like the Kia EV6, Kia Niro EV, VW ID.4, and the electric Hummer
- Enjoy a farm-to-expo food court featuring local poke
- Bring the keiki for a kids zone with non-toxic toys + a solar-powered bounce house
- Join 8 wellness classes and more

🎟️ Register now: electrichomeshow.com (tickets $7.70)

04/08/2026

The Maui Bicycling League, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Bicycling League, announced the recipients of the 2026 E-Bike Giveaway for Maui Fire Survivors, a program designed to support mobility, recovery and access to transportation for individuals impacted by the 2023 Maui wildfires.

04/04/2026

Hawaiʻi knows what it means to care for what sustains us. As global events have underscored the risks of relying on imported fuel, building local, resilient energy systems matters more than ever.

Renewable energy can help lower costs, strengthen energy security, and move us toward greater self-sufficiency. And where we build matters.

Oʻahu residents are invited to help shape that future through upcoming Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) workshops with Hawaiian Electric.

Community input now can help balance cost, reliability, cultural considerations and care for ʻāina.

What kind of energy future do you want for your community? Consider sharing your manaʻo at the upcoming REZ workshops. You can also explore the interactive map and share input here: https://hawaiipowered.com/rez/cycle2/

Oahu residents: We are seeking community feedback on an initiative to help guide where future renewable generation projects should be sited. It’s why we are hosting public workshops on Renewable Energy Zones, or REZ, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Leeward Community College and Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Windward Community College.

REZ are designated areas with high potential for clean energy generation, such as solar, that can be easily connected to the grid. They help focus development where renewable projects will be most efficient, cost-effective and impactful. The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has directed our company to designate at least two REZ on Oahu by June 2026.

Community members are invited to join us to:
• Learn about the key criteria used to evaluate different sites for REZ
• Ask questions and interact with subject matter experts
• Provide anonymous input and comments on an interactive online map

Third-party data analysis and input from community working group members narrowed a pool of eight REZ to the four best suited for siting renewable projects:
• Zone 1 – Kunia/Schofield
• Zone 4 – Mililani Mauka, Waipio-Waiawa
• Zone 5 – Kualoa/Hauula to portions of Halawa/Moanalua
• Zone 6 -- Koolaupoko

Our Renewable Energy Zones public meetings are as follows:
📅 Zones 1 and 4: Monday, April 6, 2026, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
📍 Leeward Community College Education Building, room 201 (96-045 Ala Ike St., Pearl City, 96782)

📅 Zones 5 and 6: Thursday, April 9, 2026, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
📍 Windward Community College,
Hale Akoakoa, room 113 (45-720 Keaahala Rd. Kaneohe, 96744)

For both workshops:
• 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Open house with displays, refreshments provided
• 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Presentation and Q&A.

The presentation portion will be streamed live on our page starting at 7 p.m. for those unable to attend in person.

To learn more about Renewable Energy Zones and to comment anonymously on the interactive map, please visit https://hawaiipowered.com/rez/cycle2/