Posted on: Sunday, November 21, 2004

Big Isle businesses urged to focus on environment

Associated Press

WAIKOLOA, Hawai'i — Big Island businesses need to shift their focus from financial concerns to the island's natural resources to secure economic success and to preserve the quality of life, an expert says.

More than 120 people attended an environmental and natural resources conference Friday, which included a panel discussion and small-group sessions on more than a dozen topics.

The forum, sponsored by the Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce, focused on the island's natural resources and cultural traditions and how they relate to economic and business development.

"We need to get people thinking about the link between business and the environment," said Eric von Platen Luder, chamber president.

"The environment and the culture are our biggest assets and we need to raise the awareness of their importance," he said.

Kyle Datta, a Hawai'i native and managing director of the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Institute in Colorado, said the Big Island is at a crossroads and has the opportunity to choose its own path to sustainability.

Datta said while much attention is paid to financial wealth and physical assets, equal emphasis should be placed on human and natural resources.

"Real wealth is defined by quality of life," he said. "Hawai'i has a sense of place that is a real cultural experience people are looking for. It should not feel like you could be anywhere in the world. It would be a shame if Kona became another Aspen (Colo.) or Long Island (N.Y.)."

One key to smart growth is looking for ways to reduce waste and utilize alternative energy sources, such as solar power and wind farms, Datta said.

New developments should be designed "green' or environmentally friendly, he said.

For the Big Island, he said, that should include housing, infrastructure and such alternative transportation modes as bicycle pedestrian paths.

"It's a lost opportunity if we don't demand that it's designed right," Datta said.

Chamber officials said they were pleased to see attendance that was double what they had expected and plan to make the conference an annual event.

"It's hard to be more encouraged," said Andy Levin, executive assistant to Mayor Harry Kim.