What exactly does it mean to plan for a "sustainable" Hawai'i? The newly minted Hawai'i 2050 Sustainability Plan released today is designed to help us chart that course well into the future.

And, so far, that course looks quite promising.

First, the priorities listed in the report are in sync with key issues facing the state today. Those priorities include: increasing affordable housing; strengthening public education; reducing our reliance on fossil fuels; increasing our recycling and other waste-reduction strategies; and developing a more resilient and diversified economy.

Indeed, all of those efforts are essential to any sensible plan for Hawai'i's future.

The Sustainability Plan offers a cogent blend of a strong economy, balanced with respect for the environment. It recognizes the crucial importance of a vibrant public education system to our future, while underscoring a deep appreciation of our unique cultural past.

In short, it's all about the "triple bottom line," says state Sen. Russell Kokubun, who is also chairman of the Hawai'i 2050 Sustainability Task Force. That concept balances our economic, societal and environmental goals.

The study is the result of a two-year comprehensive effort that included extensive community input along the way. Thousands of residents wrote in, filled out online queries or attended key meetings to provide their perspective on what a "sustainable" Hawai'i entails.

In fact, the plan's multifaceted definition of sustainability was the result of statewide community input from more than 10,000 residents. That's a smart approach — one that captures the diversity, complexity and nuance that makes our island home special.

As with any planning document, the key to this plan's success will be in how it's implemented, down to the details. A key question: Who will make sure it doesn't just sit on a shelf collecting dust?

If all goes well, that responsibility will rest with a newly created Sustainability Council. That council, which would include a broad cross-section of individuals predominantly nominated by the public, would have a modest budget and staff to track results and help move the plan forward.

A bill pending in the Legislature (SB 2833) authorizes the creation of the Sustainability Council. The bill deserves support and should remain free from special-interest politics. This should remain "the people's plan."

Another encouraging sign in the plan is its benchmarks. For instance, each goal outlined in the study — you can download the full report at www.hawaii2050.org — includes several "strategic actions" outlining specific ways to accomplish those goals, from incentives, to education efforts to funding and investment priorities. And it lists prioritized action steps with intermediate target dates along the way.

"What this plan does is set the blueprint for creating Hawai'i's preferred future," Kokubun says. "We have to think beyond ourselves, beyond just our kids and grandkids, we need to think about the future generations not yet with us today."

Hawai'i has had more than its share of poor, piecemeal planning. It's time for a more comprehensive and forward-thinking vision, guided by input from residents who are proud to call Hawai'i home. The Sustainability Plan helps us chart that sensible course — and that's something we should all support.