What is Kanu Hawaii?

Each of the founders made commitments to each other, pledging specific steps they would take to address worrisome trends and help Hawaii achieve its promise. They held each other accountable, measured their impact whenever possible, and searched for ways to work together for bigger changes around them. 
That gathering defined Kanu Hawaii's vision of islanders leading the way toward environmentally sustainable, compassionate, and economically resilient communities.  And, the founders' commitments defined Kanu's method: We would strive toward change rooted in kuleana (responsibility) -- a commitment to "be the change/" even as we encourage change in others. 
Launched in February of 2008, the organization has used an innovative combination of custom-built web tools, social media, and a be-the-change message to engage people in personal change and group actions. Thousands of members have made commitments as the founders did, and about a third of these people have also taken part in group actions ("Challenges"), organized by Kanu Hawaii, speaking out together on Hawaii's energy and food security, affordable housing, education, waste, and more.

Kanu Hawaii was founded by a group of young people who worried about the future of Hawaii and believed deeply in its potential as a source of lessons for the world. They were troubled by the degradation of Hawaii's natural environment, our economic insecurity, and the fading of tolerance and aloha -- a loss of the very things that make life in Hawaii special and the source of powerful island insights for an island earth. 

Each of the founders made commitments to each other, pledging specific steps they would take to address worrisome trends and help Hawaii achieve its promise. They held each other accountable, measured their impact whenever possible, and searched for ways to work together for bigger changes around them. 

That gathering defined Kanu Hawaii's vision of islanders leading the way toward environmentally sustainable, compassionate, and economically resilient communities.  And, the founders' commitments defined Kanu's method: We would strive toward change rooted in kuleana (responsibility) -- a commitment to "be the change/" even as we encourage change in others. 

Launched in February of 2008, the organization has used an innovative combination of custom-built web tools, social media, and a be-the-change message to engage people in personal change and group actions. Thousands of members have made commitments as the founders did, and about a third of these people have also taken part in group actions ("Challenges"), organized by Kanu Hawaii, speaking out together on Hawaii's energy and food security, affordable housing, education, waste, and more.

 

We are Kanu Hawaii.

 

 

 

We are a movement of everyday people working to build a more sustainable, compassionate, self-reliant Hawaii. We believe that change begins with us, and that personal commitments become social change when we stand together.

Whether you live in Hawaii or simply wish to live with island values wherever you are, will you stand with us?

Learn more about our vision for Hawaii, and get involved by making a commitment to personal change.

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