Written by Jamesie Kai‘aokamālie Spencer, Blue Zones Project - Hawai‘i Ambassador

In Hawaiʻi, the ancient cultural value of Aloha ʻĀina structured centuries of sustainability grounded in the relationship between the Kanaka Maoli and the land. The term Aloha ʻĀina means to "love for the land," this very relationship drives indigenous Hawaiian identity and is integral to our existence. We are committed to act as protectors of the land, thus we must do all we can to preserve our islands. Aloha ʻĀina has evolved over generations to reframe the ways of thinking and organizing global economic processes while responding to the current issues of climate change, oligopolistic markets, and contemporary land management. Recent efforts incorporate Aloha ʻĀina and the Circular Economy model to explore opportunities, generate solutions to global concerns, and address environmental and social injustices (Kamanamaikalani Beamer).

GIF by Kamanamaikalani Beamer

A circular economy is an economic system, different from the traditional and current profit-driven linear economy. A linear economy has a model of production that takes, makes, and disposes of. The approach of the linear economy is unsustainable generating excessive consumption and exhaustion of finite resources while contributing to environmental issues. Whereas the circular economy is a regenerative approach that takes action against climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. Nature’s biological metabolism works in loops, effectively resulting in zero waste and naturally recycling materials. 

Every year we throw away 300 million tons of plastic, 50 million tons of electronic waste, and 1/3 of all food produced. By creating a circular economy there would be $4.5 trillion in economic opportunity by avoiding waste, stimulating business growth, and creating job opportunities. This is how we can transition toward a circular economy:

• Reduce: lessen consumption of finite resources. 
• Re-Use: use something again in a different way.
• Repair: fix back into good condition. 
• Remanufacture: rebuild or recover a previous product into a newly functional product.
• Re-Purpose: use something for a different purpose. 
• Recycle: recover waste into useful products and reusable materials. 

We can all contribute to Aloha ʻĀina and make the transition towards a Circular Economy by making these small steps of reducing, reusing, repairing, remanufacturing, repurposing, and recycling. Following the philosophy of Aloha ʻĀina and adopting the Circular Economy model will be vital for the future of our islands and instrumental for the well-being of our people for years ahead. Now is the time for the people of Hawaiʻi to empower and embrace more sustainable and equitable outcomes for our island’s economy and our future generations.