Hawaii 2060

“If we have an understanding of the past, we can make better choices about the future. By training our minds to think across the generations, we can improve our own lives and those of our children and grandchildren” (Ariyoshi, pg. 7). In the next 50 years, in order for Hawaii to be the best place to work and live, we must assess the past and current state of the economy, look at trends and issues, work to resolve the issues with focus on sustainability for future generation. Changes needs to happen otherwise Hawaii and the generations to come will have overwhelming challenges and would possibly be in dystopia. To create our ideal future we have to reflect on the issues of the past and make changes for the future to make Hawaii the best place to live and work in the next 50 years.

We know that the beauty of our islands is one of the major attractions for tourism and is the major economic business in Hawaii. We have become dependent on tourism for our livelihood and employment of our people. When the national economy takes a downturn, “the ripple effect touches the economy and creates havoc with government revenues and government functions” (Ariyoshi, pg 24). We cannot rely on tourism for continued growth. Our leaders should look to diversify and look at other economic opportunities.

Hawaii also used to have agriculture as a major economic business. Sugar cane production and pineapple used to contribute to Hawaii’s economy and maintain jobs for the people (Ariyoshi, pg 24). In the 1970’s the both sugar cane and pineapple could no longer compete with other countries (Ibid). “The phasing out of agriculture in the late twentieth century created unemployment in rural communities and left land open for development” of some of these for resorts and subdivisions. “The high price of land and housing make it difficult for young families to start out on their own” (McGregor, pg 211).
Another issue that needs to be changed for our future is the dependency on oil. We are dependent on oil for “bringing tourists, food, automobiles, clothes – almost everything we consume” (“The Unholy Trinity, Plus One”, pg 35). The price of oil will only go up as supply goes down (Ibid). To diversify and sustain our economy, create and keep jobs in Hawaii and protect its natural resources and beauty, we must look to alternate energy sources and solutions that rely on wind, sun, ocean and geothermal (“The Unholy Trinity, Plus One”, pg 36). Such solutions include windmill projects (McGregor, pg 216) and solar energy to help to generate electricity, and biofuel from algae to help produce oil (“The Unholy Trinity, Plus One”, pg 36).

Research and investments in these alternatives will reduce our dependency on tourism for our economy. Alternative energy and technologies needs to become a national priority (Ariyoshi, pg 27) to help attract businesses to the islands, to create and keep jobs and people in our islands. We also need to protect our natural resources, to pay attention to what’s going on in our neighborhoods and community so that we preserve its natural beauty (McGregor, pg 213). With a future towards sustainability, and alternative energy solutions, Hawaii will be the best place to work and live.

Bibliography

McGregor, Davianna P. Hawaiian Sustainability. Value of Hawaii. United States of
America: Biographical Research Center, 2010. 209-216.
This Part of "The Value of Hawaii" book talked about different things that can improve Hawaii's future, and it also reflected on the good things of Hawaii's past that should be brought back into the future. This was very helpful because it gave me direct things on the future.

Dator, Jim. "The Unholy Trinity, Plus One." Journal of futures Studies. Feb. 2009: 35-36.
This article talked about the three things that are to happen in the future. This was very helpful because it gave me information on what oil is going to be like in the future, which related to the topic in my essay.
Ariyoshi, George R. Hawaii the Past Fifty Years. The Next Fifty Years. Honolulu: Water
Mark Publishing, 2009.
This book talked about different things that happened in the past , it also talks about different things that could happen in the future, and also what should happen in the future of Hawaii. This was very helpful because it supplied me with a lot of information to use in my essay.