Think B.I.G.
Think B.I.G. (Big Island Green) is a non-profit coalition working to improve the Big Island's resiliency, equity, and sustainability
The County of Hawaii’s Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience
Think BIG hosted a panel discussion to explore how the recently created Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) will lead the island’s journey to a sustainable future. The panel covered the importance of OSCER, its role in the County’s programs and policies, and how it will facilitate decisions and actions necessary for a sustainable future.
We are focused on strategic initiatives that can spur significant change in the time-scale required
We have seen how vulnerable our island is to the various crises that have come our way in recent years, from major tsunamis last century, the financial crisis of 2008, to the Kilauea eruptions of 2018, various hurricanes and tropical storms, the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 and the Ukraine war in 2022. Our mission is to dramatically improve our resilience to whatever crises come our way in the future, but to do so in a way that also improves equity (fairness for all) and sustainability. The result will be better resiliency but also more livable, enjoyable communities. We are pursuing targeted initiatives in the areas of renewable energy, local agriculture, waste management, parks and recreation, and education
Our Focus
Renewable Energy
A key aspect of resiliency, equity and sustainability is renewable energy and transportation. Renewable electricity means getting our power from solar, wind, small hydro and possibly, if done right, geothermal. Green transportation means electric vehicles, green cities, bikeshare programs, clean buses, and ride sharing. The Big Island could easily produce all of its power needs locally.
Local Agriculture
Perhaps the most important aspect of resiliency here in Hawaii that we’re lacking is local agriculture. We have water and warmth provided by the aina, and some food grows naturally, but to feed our growing population well, no matter what disasters come our way, we need to dramatically increase our focus on local agriculture. We import a large majority of our food and this is highly unsustainable.
Waste Management
A small island, even when it’s called the Big Island, has limited space for permanent storage of waste products. We should reduce, reuse, recycle (and upcycle!) as much as possible to reduce landfill. Recycling has taken a huge hit in recent years as global markets have changed. We need to think big about how to improve our currently broken recycling and solid waste management systems.
Parks & Trails
Parks and trails, and the recreation and enjoyment we can derive from these things, are an important part of resiliency, human health and a healthy environment. Think B.I.G. is working to improve existing parks and trails, and to add new parks and trails to our county, state and federal systems.
Our mission is to improve resiliency, equity, and sustainability in our island home.
“Small world, Big Island”
— local saying
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