About This Project

The Past’s Plan for Hawai‘i’s Future uncovers the legacy of the 1970s in Hawai‘i, a transformative period marked by debates over land development, the decline of the sugar plantation industry, explosive population growth, economic recession, and the fight to preserve natural and cultural resources. These challenges catalyzed an unprecedented wave of civic engagement, as citizens and policymakers sought to navigate rapid social and economic change.

Though the legacy of this pivotal era (1969–1983) continues to shape Hawai‘i today, the original documents and foundational debates are often overlooked. This project seeks to revive those discussions and make these historical records accessible. By offering a curated website, public forums, and educational materials, we aim to explore how Hawai‘i’s history frames its future.

This resource began as a project developed with a grant from the Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities (Grant Number REG-23A-05).