Health, Wellness & Security
For all to prosper, we must have equitable access & ability to satisfy our most basic needs of health & security. Understanding our intricate interdependencies deepens proportionately with enhanced physical, emotional, cognitive & spiritual need-satisfaction within our ecological, socio-cultural and economic systems, enabling us to progressively act more efficaciously in the best interests of all.
Principles/Values
Think Global. Act Local.
To help us think globally, we’ve adopted the values and principles of the Earth Charter.“The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society for the 21st century.” To assist us with local action, we have looked to the indigenous wisdom of the ʻAha Moku system. “The ‘Aha Moku system recognizes the traditional geo-political division of each island into ahupua’a (akin to the present-day concept of watershed areas) and moku (a political district of two or more adjacent ahupua’a).”
Vision
To help create an enduring, healthy economy that ensures better quality of life for all in a just, equitable manner and within the limits of supporting ecosystems.
We’re dedicated to helping transform our islands’ capacity for enduring self-reliance by balancing ecological, socio-cultural and economic needs through community education, innovative practice and advocacy.
Mission
Organizational Structure
How we work?
Modeling a nimble network, Sustain Hawaii is intentionally lean and flexible. It has a small board of strategically-positioned directors, no fixed payroll, and limited office infrastructure, finding great efficiencies in virtual operations that can quickly mobilize the right people (e.g., partners, contractors, volunteers) at the opportune time. This networked model of organization does not include any personnel or fringes. The bulk of the expenses are associated with contractual services for project deliverables. In practical terms, this means that Project Team members and others will be contracted for specific deliverables appropriate to their experience and expertise.

Ramsay Taum
Board Chair / President
Ramsay is the founder and president of the Life Enhancement Institute (LEI) of the Pacific, LLC. He is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools, attended…

Randy Freitas
Vice President

Dr. Ted Radovich
Treasurer
Dr. Radovich is a Ph.D., Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University, 2004; M.Sc., Horticulture, University of Hawaii, Manoa, 2000; B.Sc., Horticulture…

Michael Kramer
Advisor
With an extensive background in social services, education, environment, economics and planning, Michael has maintained a lifelong commitment…

Manuel "Manny" Smith
Advisor
With ʻĀina as his motherʻs maiden name, Mannyʻs geneology has rooted him to the islands giving him the profound kuleana to care for our land…

Jackie Kozak-Thiel
Advisor
Jackie was recently named the City Chief Sustainability Officer of Fort Collins, CO where she oversees their sustainability services, which includes…

Dan Rudoy
Advisor
Dan is one of the most respected and well-known farmers in Hawaiʻi. He is an expert in farm infrastructure design and maintenance and has over 25…

Kawika Kahiapo
Advisor
Kawika is a carpenter by trade, an ordained pastor of Ka ʻOhana o Ke Aloha, musician, songwriter, and a board member for the Kokua Hawaiʻi Foundation..
Funders
Non-Profit Love
Through the multiple programs that Sustain Hawaiʻi has created and/or worked on over the past 10 years, we have gained support from many local and national funders. Here is a partial list of our funders (including past and present):
Overview
Previous Work
Our theory of change is simple – help people learn their way to a better world. Since its inception in 2003, Sustain Hawai‘i has and continues to focus upon creating ways to help people experience more sustainable living. Marrying contemporary and indigenous, place-based technologies and knowledge, Sustain Hawai‘i is prototyping and piloting strategies that expedite the transition to that life we want to lead.
Sustain Hawai‘i has 12 years of experience in providing services that support sustainable resource management practices.
Partnerships
Previous Collaborations
A unique, multi-disciplinary team accustomed to working on systems-based projects is needed to achieve our goals for our 21st century ahupua‘a vision. Thus, we implore upon many partners to help us execute our projects.


























Collective success demands that each of the core sectors of society (government, business, education, non-profits and community) advance these issues through practical actions. We recognize that transforming our communities’ capacities requires a collaborative effort. It is also an evolutionary process that requires change within each of the core sectors and, perhaps more challengingly, coordinated change across those sectors.
This knowledge heavily shapes our approach. It is why we first seek to educate about the need and possibility of island self-reliance. Then, we facilitate the identification of priorities, strategic actions and likely barriers to implementation. Finally, we support implementation of innovative solutions both within and across society’s sectors, emphasizing socio- ecopreneurship and supportive policies that can accelerate the spread of effective practices.
We’re always looking to have good fun by exploring creative ways to help transform talk story into walk story.
Get in Touch
Walk story for a Healthy Economy
41-1025 Kalanianaole Hwy
info@sustainhawaii.org