Hawai‘i County Resource Center

Background

The Resource Center was established in 2001 to make government more accessible to everyday citizens and build community capacity for collaboration. To bring this vision into reality a diverse group of community champions from County and State Government, local businesses and non-profits formed a steering committee to identify holistic governance strategies.

Program Framework

Ho'owaiwai - Genuine Wealth Framework integrates five capital assets that are critical to the long-term economic, community, and family prosperity. 

• Financial Assets - income, savings and investments in form of bills, coins, EBTs, shares, bonds, and business equity
• Human (intellectual) Assets - gifts, skills, knowledge, and capabilities of local residents
• Built (physical) Assets - infrastructure, housing, goods, and materials
• Social Assets - networks, groups, and institutions
• Ecological Assets - ecosystem services and resources - foundation for all life

When economic analysis, strategies, and policies understand the links and interdependency that exist between these different types of assets, they are better able to meet the goals of building resilient economy and families. 

Program Goals

 Capacity building is a "process of developing and strengthening the skills, instincts, abilities, processes and resources that organizations and communities need to survive, adapt and thrive in the fast-changing world" (Philbin 1996).  The Resource Center develops new networks, knowledge, practices, and connection, so that the people of Hawai‘i Island have the information, choice and control to become more self-reliant and resilient.

Three major goals (2010-2011):

1. To encourage collaborative governance for a sustainable local government operations
   
2. To strengthen community capacity for green workforce and industry development
   
3. To implement Ho'owaiwai - Family Financial Empowerment Initiative
   

Program Focus Areas

Annual Supplemental Funding:

• Supplemental Funding - For Fiscal Year 2011.12 proposal is requested in the range of $3,000 to $20,000 for capacity building projects (training, workshops, promotion) related to greening the island economy, scaling community food systems, family financial empowerment and asset building.  The deadline to submit a proposal for FY2011.12 is March 31st 2011. 

Current Island Initiatives:

• Green Economy - Strengthen community capacity for green workforce and industry development through knowledge sharing, funding support, and technical assistance. 
  
• Green Government - Mayor's Green Team - Recommendations to improve Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance of local government operations (lead coordination). 
• Community Development Planning (CDP) (Outreach, Engagement, and Community Based Economic Development) - Information and resources for community planning on Hawai'i Island, including district-based Community Development Plans (CDPs).

Resources: 

• Resources - Sustainability related research, analysis, policy briefs and educational materials for citizens and organizations. 
  

Recent Island Initiatives:

• Healing Our Island Community Fund - Support community-based programs and collaborative grassroots efforts that provide drug-free lifestyle education and substance abuse prevention measures for community members of all ages.
• Disaster Preparedness - Resources and information for disaster preparedness.

Contact Information

Alex Frost

Sustainability Coordinator
Telephone: Kona - (808) 323-4702
Fax: (808) 935-1205
E-mail: afrost@co.hawaii.hi.us