Hawai'i Sustainable Community Food & Energy Systems

With a unique location as a remote volcanic archipelago in the Central Pacific, the Hawaiian islands are renowned for their rugged landscapes of cliffs, waterfalls, tropical foliage and beaches. Hawai'i's remote location also makes it a microcosm of the world and a fascinating case study for agriculture and energy independence. As an island state that imports 90% of its food and exports 80% of it's agricultural production, Hawai'i has been focusing efforts on farming infrastructure and technology as it strengthens its food and energy security. In collaboration with The University of Hawai'i at Mānoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, this course examines the nexus between food, water, and energy systems in Hawai‘i with an emphasis on sustainable development. Examining traditional Hawai‘i as a model system we examine how food production relates to environmental variability, and, in turn, drives socio-political development. We then discuss examples of barriers and opportunities for sustainable food, water, & energy development in contemporary times.