The state of Hawaii imports 85-90 percent of its food with consequent food security issues and a large carbon footprint. This has catalyzed a growing movement in Hawaii to promote self-sufficiency and encourage production and consumption of locally-grown foods.

Hawaii Sea Grant, in collaboration with Maryland Sea Grant, Bishop Museum, University of Hawaii at Hilo Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center, and two non-profits developed an aquaponics curriculum for the Hawaii Island School Garden Network. The network, consisting of 63 schools on Hawaii Island, connects students and their families to fresh food, healthy eating habits, and sustainable farming practices through participation in school learning gardens. The aquaponics curriculum developed by Hawaii Sea Grant and partners was adopted and is in use by teachers in the network. Eleven aquaponics systems were also established at eight schools and three community organizations in the network.

Hawai`i Sea Grant partnered with the City and County of Honolulu on a joint application that resulted in a $1 million grant from the non-profit 100 Resilient Cities to improve Honolulu’s resilience to current physical, social, and economic challenges. Honolulu's mid-Pacific location and heavy reliance on imported goods and services makes it highly vulnerable to natural disasters including hurricanes, tsunamis, flooding, and rising sea levels. These hazards could damage critical coastal infrastructure such as the airport, power plants, port and harbors, and potentially devastate Honolulu’s in-port dependent economy.

The 100 Resilient Cities non-profit awarded the City and County of Honolulu a $1 million grant over a two to three year duration. At the City’s request, Hawaii Sea Grant conducted two site tours for City and County of Honolulu staff, community leaders, and the Rockefeller Foundation 100 Resilient Cities liaison in December 2016 and identified Hawaii Sea Grant as a critical partner in project implementation.

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a network of estuarine regions nationwide that are protected for long-term research, water-quality monitoring, education, and coastal stewardship. Hawai`i Sea Grant was invited by the University of Hawaii, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology to participate on the research focus group for the He`eia watershed on Oahu. Sea Grant's participation in the focus group informed the development of a He`eia site management plan which facilitated and supported the designation of He`eia as the 29th National Estuarine Research Reserve. A next step involves the development of a draft memorandum of understanding between the University of Hawaii and NOAA.