Planner

Planners are vital to shaping Hawaiʻi’s water future by ensuring that infrastructure development is sustainable, equitable, and culturally appropriate. In the water and wastewater sector, planners coordinate land use with infrastructure needs, guide capital improvement plans, analyze the impacts of climate change, and collaborate with agencies and communities on long-range strategies. Whether working on cesspool conversion plans in rural areas, flood mitigation along low-lying coastlines, or integrating green infrastructure in urban redevelopment, planners help ensure that public health, ecosystems, and Native Hawaiian communities are considered in every step.

Their work often bridges technical and community-facing disciplines. Planners conduct research, analyze data, facilitate public engagement, write environmental documents, and align projects with local, state, and federal policies.

Education & Training

This position typically requires:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Urban & Regional Planning, Environmental Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Environmental Science, or a related field.

  • In Hawaiʻi, experience with community-based planning, Native Hawaiian consultation, environmental review (e.g., HEPA, NEPA), and coastal zone management is highly valued.

  • Professional certifications such as AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) or CNU-A (Congress for the New Urbanism – Accredited) can strengthen qualifications.

In Hawaiʻi, you can study at:

  • University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

    • Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP) – Offers BA, MA, and PhD in Urban & Regional Planning, with concentrations in environmental planning, community planning, and land use.

    • Website: https://durp.manoa.hawaii.edu

  • University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

    • Offers a BA in Environmental Studies or Geography with coursework in planning and resource management.

    • Website: https://hilo.hawaii.edu

  • Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HPU)

    • Offers a BA in Environmental Studies and Master of Arts in Sustainability.

    • Website: https://www.hpu.edu

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

  • Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS) and Hawaiʻi Environmental Policy Act (HEPA),

  • State and county land use and zoning regulations (e.g., SMA permits, shoreline setbacks),

  • Capital Improvement Program (CIP) processes,

  • Climate adaptation, coastal hazards, and sea level rise,

  • Environmental justice and Native Hawaiian cultural landscapes,

  • Infrastructure planning and public finance,

  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial data analysis.

Skill in:

  • Writing and reviewing Environmental Assessments (EA) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS),

  • Facilitating community engagement and public hearings,

  • Working across agencies, utilities, and community organizations,

  • Coordinating inter-island and multi-jurisdictional projects,

  • Communicating technical data in accessible formats.

Ability to:

  • Integrate traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into planning efforts,

  • Navigate complex permitting processes at county, state, and federal levels,

  • Mediate between stakeholder interests,

  • Promote water equity and resilience through policy and program development,

  • Support long-term, systemwide wastewater and water planning.

Scholarships

  • Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) – Scholarships for students studying planning, sustainability, and environmental science.
    Website: https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org

  • American Planning Association – Hawaiʻi Chapter (APA HI) – Offers scholarships and student support for aspiring planners.
    Website: https://hawaii.planning.org