What is a regenerative economy?
A regenerative local economy is a rooted, living system connected to the people and values of the communities it serves. Money and resources stay local—supporting small businesses, caring for people and place, and restoring the ʻāina—so that prosperity can last and grow over time. Because it is built this way, the economy can adapt, recover, and stay strong.
A regenerative economy serves the people, not the other way around. It is designed not to take from communities, but to build relationships—where economic activity is rooted in care, strengthening community well-being, protecting the environment, and supporting future generations.
A Regenerative Economy Prioritizes
People over Profits
Ecological Stewardship
Local Circulation of Value
Resilience and Adapability
Cultural and Spiritual Alignment
Social Equity and Shared Prosperity
Community Agency and Self-determination
Participatory Governance and Accountability
We are beginning to see signs that the extractive, capitalistic economic system is already changing. Some sectors will transform quickly, others over much longer time periods.
Energy. Expansion of distributed energy systems like microgrids and balcony/plug-in solar, community-owned renewable energy solutions, lowering energy costs, and energy independence.
Food Systems. Restoration of soil health, increased local food production and independence, shorter supply chains (farm to table), increased public investment into regenerative agriculture, agroforestry and food distribution systems.
Water + Land Stewardship. Watershed protection and restoration, advances in decentralized or ahupuaʻa-based management approaches, growing commitment to protecting conservation lands and upholding water as a public trust for current and future generations. Increased focus on solid waste management.
Health + Wellbeing. Prioritizing community well-being over economic output, with increased investment in preventative, community-based care, expanded access to trusted and culturally grounded health practices, and a deepening recognition of the connection between environmental conditions, toxins, and human health outcomes.
Other. Increased accountability and self-governance; decision-making becomes more participatory and transparent. These changes strengthen trust, build local capacity, and empower communities to shape their own futures.