Mission
Through sustainable development practices, Hawai`i Pacific University aims to make positive contributions to the environmental, social, and economic health of the State of Hawai’i and the planet. Implementing sustainability into the culture of our university encourages the inclusion of sustainability concepts, principles and practices in the curriculum, enhances social justice in the HPU community, improves upon human and environmental health, and ultimately ensures the long-term success of Hawai`i Pacific University.
Principles
Sustainable development is all development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Hawai`i Pacific University should pursue the principles of sustainable development in all academic and operational aspects of the university. The sustainable development principles used to guide the sustainability initiatives of Hawai`i Pacific University include:
- Protect Land and Ecosystems
- Use Resources Wisely and Efficiently
- Use Local Resources
- Limit Waste and Recycle Everything Possible
- Seek Continual Improvement of Environmental Performance
- Seek Continual Improvement of Human Health, Well-Being and Safety Performance
- Uphold Fundamental Human Rights, Respect Cultures, Customs and Values
- Reduce HPU’s Ecological Footprint, Including the Reduction of Atmospheric CO2 levels
- Contribute to Hawaii’s Clean Energy Initiative to be 70% Free of Fossil Fuel use by 2030
Sustainability Background
The sustainability project at Hawai`i Pacific University began years ago with the hard work and dedication of several student organizations. Paper and HI-5 recycling programs were put in place and managed by the HPU GREEN Club, Filipino Club and Natural Science Student Association. Since then, the issue of sustainability has become a priority to many HPU students, staff, faculty, and the community. The recycling programs have expanded throughout campus to include paper, HI-5 bottles and cans, ink cartridges, batteries, electronic waste, and cardboard recycling.
In the fall, 2010, Hawai`i Pacific University took two important steps towards creating a culture of campus sustainability by hiring the first ever Campus Sustainability Coordinator, as well as obtaining membership in AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education). The Campus Sustainability Coordinator position has been in place since November, 2010, starting as a part-time student position and becoming a full-time staff position in September, 2011. The AASHE membership allows HPU to promote its sustainability initiatives to a national audience, as well as acquire information and ideas from other universities around the country. These two steps lay the necessary groundwork for creating a more sustainable campus, and for becoming a model for campus sustainability among universities in Hawai`i.
Like our Facebook page at: www.Facebook.com/sustainablehpu
For more information, please contact:
Josh Prigge
Campus Sustainability Coordinator
jprigge@hpu.edu
