Resources
Hawaiʻi’s Soul: “You know it when you feel it.”
The Rediscovering Hawai‘i’s Soul initiative began in 2022 in response to growing divisions around critical issues. Recognizing that the soul of our home was at risk, HEC partnered with Reos Partners to convene a diverse group of 43 leaders – kūpuna, Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, and leaders from business and nonprofits (the Scenario Team). Guided by Reos, a global social impact company, the team gathered for two in-person workshops.
Together, they co-created two things:
Possible Futures of Hawai‘i’s Soul
The Hawai‘i’s Soul Scenarios are stories about what could happen in Hawai‘i in the future, from 2022 to 2050. They are not stories about what will happen (forecasts) or what should happen (a vision). Rather, the scenarios hypothesize different ways the future could unfold for Hawai‘i’s communities, economy, environment, and culture. The purpose of these stories is to offer a shared language for talking together about what is possible and what must be done. The starting point for these stories is the current environment. While some things about the future are certain and constant, such as Hawai‘i’s geography, these scenarios explore what is uncertain about the future, considering both factors within Hawai‘i and external to it. The scenarios are used as a tool to provoke new thinking, make opportunities and threats more visible, and enable richer, more useful conversations about what Hawai‘i must do to nourish and sustain Hawai‘i’s Soul.
Hawai‘i’s Soul Framework
The Hawai‘i’s Soul framework describes what living Hawai‘i’s Soul means – which is that everyone on our islands regardless of background or ethnicity – lives with island consciousness and that we must live in a reciprocal relationship with all living things: the ‘āina, the ocean, the sky, the kānaka who originated from the islands, and immigrants and people who call Hawai‘i home. With this heightened awareness of what it means to live with Hawai‘i’s Soul, it is then our kuleana or responsibility and kūlana our role, to care for Hawai‘i and each other so that people and place can thrive together.
When Hawai‘i’s people – no matter where they come from or how long ago – realize their shared kuleana (responsibility) to embrace these indigenous practices, then aloha thrives and robust outcomes ensue for the kaiāulu (community), mo‘omeheu (culture), and ‘āina momona (land).
Kaiāulu
Care for community
There is an inherent, unspoken bond to embrace the island’s way of life. Whether Native Hawaiian, born and raised in Hawai‘i, or those who moved to Hawai‘i, we all must take personal responsibility to care for our communities to build a healthy and thriving society for all of our people.
ʻĀina Momona
Creating an abundant ‘āina
Creating an abundant ‘āina is a reciprocal relationship that can’t be separated from how we live, work, and play on our islands. If we call Hawai‘i home, we have a duty to embrace and act on our kuleana or responsibility to mālama or care for, preserve, protect, and to perpetuate all Hawai‘i’s lands, oceans, natural phenomena, and elemental forces.
Pilina
Fostering healthy relationships
Creating relationships with intention and sincerity is essential to the health and well-being of our multi-ethnic society. Healthy relationships between Hawai‘i’s ethnic groups, our humanity with our ‘āina and families, communities, and Hawai‘i as a whole is critical to creating thriving islands.
ʻŌpu Aliʻi
Benevolent and courageous leadership
Leadership through island consciousness is one that emulates an enduring affection for Hawai‘i—its lands and oceans, environment, people, and pono stewardship of natural and cultural resources (this more accurately describes what kind of leadership it is). ‘Ōpū Ali‘i is selfless leadership that exemplifies the virtues of compassion, care, forgiveness, and aloha coupled with boldness, thoughtfulness, and strength.
Aloha
Compassion and kindness with reciprocity
An illuminating attribute of people from Hawai‘i is our Aloha for one another. It is the compassion, kindness, and reciprocal relationship and respect for those who are kupa o ka ‘āina, or natives, born and raised of this land, and those who moved here and choose to call these islands home. We all have a kuleana to emulate this quality and obligation to teach our families, communities, and future generations.
In the News
Explore the articles, interviews, and media coverage highlighting how this movement is taking root and creating real impact across the state.
Scenarios & RHS Summary
Rediscovering Hawai‘i’s Soul Summary
Future Scenarios of Hawaiʻi’s Soul
Possible Futures of Hawai‘i 2-Page Summary
Circle of Life for Us is the essence of Hawai‘i’s Soul. We will always have life here if we understand the big movement of reciprocity or aloha.”
– Aunty Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele