Our Vision

Empower people-driven political leadership to achieve economic, social, and environmental justice.

Our Mission

Activate and mobilize communities to improve the quality of life for the people of Hawaiʻi, through political action.

Our Story

Pono Hawaiʻi Initiative (PHI) was conceived and created in response to the urgent need to address the accelerating deterioration of societal, economic, and environmental conditions in Hawaiʻi. We are undeniably at a pivotal point where action to slow and reverse these conditions is a moral obligation. Our government institutions and business community are moving at a glacial pace to address the critical issues affecting Hawaiʻi. Or, they are moving us in the wrong direction.

We are witnessing a resurgence of a level of engagement and grassroots activism that we haven't seen in quite some time. Young and old alike across Hawaiʻi, the country, and the world are feeling and responding to that same urgent need. They are engaging in policy making, electoral politics, and community organizing.

Driven by that strong sense of urgency and a keen awareness of pervasive injustice, new leaders willing to challenge the status quo are emerging. PHI eagerly joins that growing chorus of individuals and organizations doing important work to reverse the alarming trends we are seeing in the world today.

With these dynamics in mind, we will be focusing on dual, but parallel approaches:

1. Accelerating progressive public policy change at the state and county level through the development of bold systemic change initiatives.

2. Changing the tone and politics of government by working within existing networks and with partners on every island to aggressively support the election of new candidates for elective office who are champions of and willing to fight for economic, social, and environmental justice.

Now is the time for bold action. Now is the time for significant policy and political change in Hawaiʻi. Working with our friends and allies, and with you, we can create a seismic shift to our State's approach on important issues. Together we can a course puts people and the environment above corporate and political greed and obstinacy.