About Us

In 1996 Mike Gabbard and daughter Tulsi Gabbard joined forces with people who were concerned about the environment in Hawai’i. They formed an organization called People for Environmental and Community Health (PEACH). In 2001 the organization was renamed Healthy Hawai’i Coalition (HHC).

HHC is a 501(c)3 non-profit, educational organization made up of concerned citizens from across the state, whose two-fold purpose is to protect the environment and to improve individual and community health. We are motivated in our efforts out of respect and love for the ‘aina and for all life that depends on it.

We recognize the interconnectedness of our polluted natural environment and our degrading personal health. Through community education, government lobbying, and grassroots activism, HHC strives to preserve and restore environmental quality, which supports individual well-being and vitality.

HHC Founder Mike Gabbard was born in 1948, one of eight children whose father felt privileged to devote his life to serving his country in the U.S. Air Force. Selfless service was a way of life for Mike's family. Protecting our country and the values America represents — democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and all the other rights and freedoms we cherish — was seen as more important than the family's comfort or convenience. Mike’s personal desire to be of service to his country and community also extends to his natural environment and he enjoys working with other members of HHC to protect Hawaii’s precious ‘aina.

Mike is currently the State Senator for District 19 in West Oahu. He previously served on the Honolulu City Council from 2003-2005 representing Ewa, Kapolei and the Waianae Coast.

Tulsi Gabbard was raised in Hawai’i and was taught from a young age to love and respect our land and oceans, and sees Healthy Hawai’i coalition as a vehicle to share that love through education and action. She served in the Hawai’i State House of Representatives for two years, until she deployed to Iraq with the Hawai’i Army National Guard. Upon her return, she worked as a legislative aide to U.S. Senator Dan Akaka in DC, specializing in issues relating to veterans affairs, energy, natural resources, and homeland security. She deployed a second time to the Middle East with her National Guard unit as a Military Police officer, and successfully brought her platoon of 33 Soldiers home.

Tulsi now devotes her time to expanding Healthy Hawaii Coalition’s educational program, creating new grassroots community initiatives in order to promote sustainable living, continuing her part-time National Guard duty by working as a Platoon Trainer for the Army’s Officer Candidate School, as well as working with national and international non-profit organizations in the areas of national security, veteran concerns, and foreign policy. She will soon be promoted to Captain.