Hawaii: Growth, Government, and Economy

Abstract

Rapid growth of tourism and the decline of an agriculturally oriented economy in Hawaii have generated many political, social, and economic problems of significant interest to civil engineers—principally in the areas of land use, urban design, housing, and infrastructure. This paper describes the Hawaiian state-planning system and other efforts that attempt to keep a delicate balance between growth and the sensitive environment. It describes two unusual, and possibly unique, state-level organizations created to supplement county and private efforts to alleviate the persistent housing shortage. Analyses are presented relating ASCE national policies on urban growth and land use to Hawaii's recent growth management, and specific comments are presented on Hawaii's present situation in energy, telecommunications, transportation, watersupply, wastewater systems, and construction.