Fostering Sustainability in Hawai‘i and Beyond

UH Definition of Sustainability

To pursue sustainability means actively fostering conditions in which we aloha ‘āina and live in balance with the ecosystems upon which we depend, supporting the well-being of present and future generations. - Executive Policy 5.232

The University of Hawai‘i has a rich history of teaching, research, and service to Hawai‘i, ushering national and international communities towards a more sustainable future. The University has important commitments towards sustainability, both in its own campus operations and in the focus of its teaching, research and service. Efforts to reduce energy consumption and waste generation, and increase renewable energy sources across UH campuses are led by the Office of Sustainability. The Institute for Sustainability and Resilience was established in 2017 as a complementary initiative to facilitate UH Mānoa’s teaching, research and outreach programs across multiple domains of sustainability. In 2024, UH Mānoa was ranked among the nation's top green colleges. 

What We Do 

The Institute for Sustainability and Resilience (ISR) provides campus-wide leadership and coordination for interdisciplinary education, research, and outreach related to climate change, environmental sustainability, and community resilience in Hawaiʻi and beyond. ISR:

• Equips students with the knowledge and skills to address critical local and global environmental challenges.
• Conducts collaborative research to address the climate crisis and other environmental change.
• Brings communities and other decision-makers together to share knowledge about environmental sustainability and community resilience.