National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C.      Vol. 33, No. 11 * June 4, 2001

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‘Smart growth,’ Hawaii style,
means ‘just good planning’

By Beverly A. Schlotterbeck
executive editor

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David Blane

The Hawaiian archipelago is the most isolated in the world: It’s 2,400 miles from California and 3,200 miles from Japan. The state has seen a dramatic shift in its economy over the past 20 years: In 1980, there were 20 sugar and three pineapple plantations that contributed $821 million to Hawaii’s economy. In 1999, there were three sugar plantations and one pineapple plantation. They produced $275 million. Tourism, on the other hand, is an $11 billion industry, at least most recently, and exceeds all other industries in contributing to the economy.

David Blane, who directs the state’s Office of Planning in the State Department of Business and Economic Development, had these statistics at the ready when he introduced the topic of “smart growth” in Hawaii at the WIR Opening General Session.

To begin, Blane defined what smart growth is not: “It is not a partisan, political issue. It is not a ‘no growth’ issue; and it is not an environmental movement.”

In many ways, smart growth is “just good planning” that combines an older civic model of planning with more sensitivity towards the environment and the community.

Hawaii, which has a long history of stringent land use, has many lessons to offer to those about to begin or already engaged in smart growth planning, and Blane offered the following:

• “Regulatory controls alone will not produce the kinds of communities we want.”
• “The natural environment is our most important economic engine. … A portion of tourism dollars must be returned to maintain the environment.”
• “We cannot preserve our natural environment by copying mainland building codes.”
• “We cannot ignore the importance of our anchor cities. They cannot be expected to cope with problems alone.”
• “ Smart growth must mean social equity — affordable housing, for example. Smart growth must address inequities in taxation.” By way of explanation, Blane noted — to understanding nods from the audience — “People all say they want a rural lifestyle, but they also want urban services.” And finally,
• “We must consider the impact of tourism on Native Hawaiians. We need to balance economic development with traditional cultures.”

Or in other words, “Hawaii’s Smart Growth Plan: Keep Hawaii — Hawaii!”