Strategic Planning and Coordination

The Environmental Planning Office (EPO) closed effective May 2, 2018.  Due to federal EPA funding reductions, the office is no longer providing services.  The information posted here will temporarily remain in place for public reference.  For Standard Comments, please see the EPO Land Use Planning Review webpage or contact the appropriate Environmental Health Administration branches and offices directly using DOHEHALandUseContactList_20240827.pdf.

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EPO assists with Environmental Health Administration (EHA) strategic planning, development, communication, coordination, and implementation.

EHA’s various objectives, roles, plans, partners and milestones are incorporated into the Department of Health Strategic Plan and Strategy Map available at: https://health.hawaii.gov/opppd.

EPO strives to align EHA activities with the frameworks and visions set forth by our leaders and partners at the state and federal levels.  Links to their strategic plans are provided below.

 

Environmental Health Administration (EHA): Guiding Strategic Plans 

 

I. State of Hawaii, Administration of Governor David Y. Ige

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  A. Environment Plan, 2015-2019

  1. Direct the newly-created Pacific-Asia Institute for Resilience and Sustainability, to mitigate risks from natural and man-made hazards, as well as to develop solutions for sustainable economic growth and adaptive plans for climate change.
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  2. Move for implementation of Department of Health rules that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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  3. Increase funding to control the damage by invasive species through prevention, control, and outreach activities. An immediate action will be to step up the inspection of baggage and cargo for invasive species.
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  4. Provide funding to protect Hawaii’s watersheds to ensure a continuous supply of clean drinking water for all.

 

Environmental Initiatives

Click on the 4 intiatives to learn more.

1. Climate Change Adaptation

Climate Change Health Impacts Concept MapClimate change is having wide-reaching impacts in Hawaii.  EPO assists various DOH Programs in incorporating climate change considerations as they move forward with their work, and communicates climate change’s impact–both current and anticipated– to the public and public health stakeholders.

https://health.hawaii.gov/cab/hawaii-greenhouse-gas-program/

2. Greenhouse Gas Reduction

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution in Hawaii is of vital importance.  In order for the United States to lead the world back to a sustainable climate footprint, states like Hawaii must reduce their GHG emissions.   DOH’s Clean Air Branch worked diligently on getting new Greenhouse Gas Rules passed.

https://health.hawaii.gov/cab/hawaii-greenhouse-gas-program/

3. Vector & Disease Control

DOH works with state and federal partners to ensure that new human diseases and potential vectors for those diseases do not become established in the islands.

https://health.hawaii.gov/epo/strategic/disease/

4. Clean Drinking Water

WQS GirlProtecting Hawaii’s watersheds continues to be DOH’s mission, ensuring a continuous supply of clean drinking water for all.  The Clean Water Branch is planning to conduct studies to examine the effects of changing weather patterns and ocean chemistry as a result of climate change.  The Safe Drinking Water Branch is working to update its Water Quality Standards…

https://health.hawaii.gov/epo/strategic/water/

 

~B. Department of Health (DOH) Strategic Plan (https://health.hawaii.gov/opppd/)

~C. Environmental Health Administration (EHA) Long-Range Strategic Goals

  • Reduce Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions to 1990 Levels by 2020
  • Increase the percentage of wastewater reused to 20% by 2020
  • Reduce Solid Waste Prior to Disposal by 70% by 2030


II. Federal, U.S. Administrative Agencies and Departments~

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~A.  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

  1. EPA Strategic Plan, 2014-2018

 

~B.  Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

  1. HHS Strategic Plan, 2014-2019
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  2. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Strategic Priorities, 2014-2018

 

 

“Hili hewa ka mana‘o ke ‘ole ke kūkākūkā.”
Discussion brings ideas together into a plan.

Last update: 08/27/2024 (first paragraph only)