Andria Tupola on Environment

Protect environment by partnering with local orgs

People must understand what environmental protections do

If we take care of the land it will take care of our needs

Governor Ige pointed to the state's farm to school program as an initiative implemented under his watch to support local growers by buying their produce to serve in public schools. Concerning the tension between development and the environment, Ige said, "I really think it's about balance."

"What we should do is invest in agriculture," she says. "It's a no-brainer." Tupola acknowledges that building Hawaii's agriculture industry "won't happen overnight." The state has to invest money for infrastructure, like irrigation, and identify crops that can be lucrative enough to support an industry over the long term.

Tension between development & environment is about balance

As an example, Ige points to a mediated settlement approved by the Hawaii Water Commission, which restores water rights to Hawaiian homestead lands on Kauai. The 2017 Waimea Watershed Agreement was praised not only for providing water for farming on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands properties, but also for paving the way for a renewable energy venture involving DHHL and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, which supplies electricity to the island.