KAHEA: The Hawaii Environmental Alliance is leading a rally to protest the proposed plan by Kyo-Ya Resort and Hotels to build a new massive tower next to the historic Moana Hotel on Waikiki Beach and asking for your support. The rally will take place on Saturday, May 7, and concerned citizens are invited to meet at the Zoo at 9:30 a.m. to walk down Kalakaua Ave. to the proposed site at 10:00 a.m. The rally will last about an hour and participants are asked to wear blue and to bring their families and friends. Members from environmental groups like KAHEA, Surfrider Foundation, Hawaii's Thousand Friends and the Ka Iwi Coalition will also be in attendance.

As part of the Waikiki Special District, zoning laws were passed decades ago to protect the treasured beaches of Waikiki and to limit shoreline development and the coastal erosion that comes with it. Existing hotels were allowed to remain as they were with the understanding was that all subsequent developments had to follow the new zoning codes. But Kyo-Ya and its corporate partners in New York want special exemptions to tear down an existing 8-story building and create a new 26-story tower. The Dept. of Planning and Permitting granted them variances to violate the existing height and shoreline setback requirements, but a coalition of petitioners is seeking to appeal this decision.

"We're asking people to draw a line in the sand against Kyo-Ya's plans," says Tim Tybuszewski, Surfrider's O'ahu Chapter Co-Chair, "because their new development will create a dangerous precedent for other developers to ask for similar exemptions from the zoning code so they too can start building taller towers closer to the water. While other high-end hotels such as the Hale Kulani have successfully abided by the rules, Kyo-Ya asserts they shouldn't have to adhere to the zoning code."

According to the zoning laws, beachfront buildings in Waikiki must be built 100-feet inland of the vegetation line. Shoreline setbacks were designed to protect our beaches and public safety, but Kyo-Ya wants to build new structures closer to the water and to harden the shoreline with a higher seawall. This is likely to cause more beach erosion. No amount of sand replenishment will be able to restore or save Waikiki's already shrinking beaches in the face of more construction, storms, hurricanes, tsunamis and sea level rise. Kyo-Ya asserts that beach sand replenishment, which will be paid for mostly by the taxpayers, will restore the beach in front of their new tower and wall, but for how long? As other walls on the Waikiki shoreline demonstrate, where the shoreline has been hardened, the beach washes away and with it goes beach access.

The new tower will also contribute to the canyon effect, dwarfing the beautiful and historic Moana Hotel and further destroying Waikiki's unique sense of place. If approved, Kyo-Ya's plans could motivate a new wave of developers to seek the same exemptions and build more towers and more walls on the Waikiki shoreline.

Baby Awearness is hosting a party in honor of Keiki Earth Day this Saturday, April 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at their Manoa Marketplace store. There will be planting, stenciling, live children's music, face painting, storytelling, and other educational activities. Bess Press will host keiki activities, sell children's and green books, and read aloud Whose Slippers Are Those? at 1:30 p.m. Bring the 'ohana!

Keiki Earth Day: Saturday, April 23rd from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

babyawearness.com
besspress.com

After the devastating earthquake and tsunami there has been an outpouring of support for Japan from Hawai'i businesses and residents and solar installer Sunetric is the latest to come up with a unique way to raise money for earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan. Sunetric has donated two $15,000 solar photovoltaic systems to raise funds for two local charities assisting Japan: the American Red Cross Hawaii State Chapter and the "With Aloha" Foundation. A website, solarforjapan.com, has been set up to assist with the giveaway and donations, which will go directly to the American Red Cross Hawaii State Chapter and the "With Aloha" Foundation to aid in the relief efforts. Donors giving $10 or more will automatically be entered to win one of the solar arrays, ten Trina PV panels of 230 Watts per panel. The system also features a 3000W centralized inverter and 25-year production warranty. Winners for both PV systems will be drawn live on ESPN radio's Bobby Curran Show on Monday, May 2.

The American Red Cross has been a primary source of support for the residents in the wake of the disasters in Japan. "We are so grateful to Sunetric for their compassion in this time of great tragedy. Their efforts in raising much needed funds for the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief effort will help us save lives and give hope to those in need. We cannot thank them enough for their wonderful contribution to the cause of humanity," said Coralie Matayoshi, CEO of the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter.

The "With Aloha" Foundation held their fundraiser on Saturday, April 9 at the Pagoda Hotel. The fundraiser block party, benefit concert and food tasting featured 24 local restaurants and entertainers from around the world. Proceeds from the event, along with donations raised by the solar giveaway, were sent to Tohoku University Hospital in Sendai, Japan, where many of the earthquake and tsunami victims are receiving care.

www.solarforjapan.com/

The Surfrider Foundation O'ahu Chapter and Scott Sandals are hosting an Earth Week cleanup on the Ewa end of Ala Moana Beach on Saturday, April 16 from 10:00 a.m. to noon to remove trash from Kewalos to Ala Moana. Scott Hawaii will be donating some of its products to participants and providing lunch. Please come down to help out. Show your support by bringing a reusable water bottle and by bringing old plastic bags to pick up the trash.

surfrider.org/oahu
riseaboveplastics.org

The Hawai'i Conservation Alliance hosts their free Last Wednesday of the Month Lecture Series on Wednesday, March 30 at the ING Direct Cafe in Waikiki. The theme this month is Conserving Land: 'A'ohe hana nui ke alu 'ia, No Task is Too Big When Done Together by All, and will feature guest lecturer Lea Hong, Hawaiian Islands program director for The Trust for Public Land.

Lea will present an overview of The Trust for Public Land's voluntary land conservation work in Hawai'i, focusing on past and current examples that have protected natural and cultural resources, involved diverse partnerships and resolved complex land use disputes. Hong will lecture about voluntary land conservation tools and how Hawai'i's natural and cultural resources can be conserved for future generations.

Don't forget, each attendee will receive a coupon for one free beverage to redeem at the ING DIRECT Cafe.

Celebrate Hawaiian culture, native plants and sustainable lifestyles at the Grow Hawaiian Festival on Saturday, April 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Bishop Museum. Presented by Hawaiian Electric Company, the festival offers activities for everyone in the family: Learn how to beat kapa, make lei, weave lau hala, and craft Hawaiian implements; Buy native plants, learn their traditional uses and get tips on growing them; Attend a special presentation on Hawaiian banana varieties; Learn about healthy, locally grown foods and sample awa; Talk to experts about climate change, clean energy, and conservation.

Children will have fun participating in a variety of activities and will marvel at Bishop Museum's exhibits. Take time to relax on the lawn with a plate of Hawaiian food and enjoy music by Weldon Kekauoha, Waipuna, and Kaukahi. Admission to the festival and the museum is free for kama 'aina and military. For details call 543-7511 or visit www.heco.com.

Check out these workshops at The Green House in Pauoa Valley on Saturday, April 2, 2011. Please register in advance at thegreenhousehawaii.com or call (808) 524-8427.

Backyard Aquaponics
Environmental Engineer Jeremai Cann will lead this workshop covering everything you need to know to start your own aquaponics system (organic gardening with fish and plants). The workshop is from 10:00 - 11:30 am and there is a $20 fee.

Graywater Harvesting
Jeremai Cann will lead this workshop on how to create your own "graywater" catchment system. Graywater refers to the reuse of water drained from baths, showers, washing machines, and sinks for irrigation and other water conservation applications. Water reuse will allow you to reduce your use of tap water helping the environment and lowering your monthly water bill. The workshop is from 2:00 - 3:00 pm and there is a $20 fee.

Natural Green Cleaning Recipes
Learn how to whip up a batch of handmade soap and explore simple cleaning recipes that are safe, effective, inexpensive and you may already have many of the ingredients in your kitchen cupboards. A booklet of natural cleaning recipes will also be shared. The workshop is from 2:00 - 3:30 pm and there is a $20 fee.

In an effort to keep our oceans clean and reduce our reliance on plastics, Surfrider Foundation is holding their "Rise Above Plastics" fundraiser event this weekend at the Waikiki Aquarium. You can purchase tickets to the event online at surfrider.org/oahu

The O'ahu Urban Garden Center's monthly event is this weekend. Supported by the UH Master Gardener program and the UH Cooperative Extension Service, this month's Second Saturday at the Garden is Plant Pono! Learn about invasive species in our backyards from the experts, what to plant and what to pull. Second Saturday at the Garden is Saturday, March 12 from 9:00 am till noon in Pearl City. There are classes available hosted by the Hawaii Invasive Species Council at 9:30 am and 11:00 am. The event is free, although there is a $5 class fee at the door. Walk-ins are welcome and pre-registration is not required. Space is limited, so please come early to sign-in at the door to reserve a seat. There are also free guided tours, UH Master Gardeners are on hand to answer your botanical questions and s UH seed sale. For more information please visit www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ougc/ or call 453-6050 or 453-6055.

If you missed Bag It, The Surfrider Foundation and the Environmental Law Society (ELS) are host an additional free screening of Susan Beraza's award-winning film at the William S. Richardson School of Law (2515 Dole St.), in Classroom 1 on Thursday, March 10, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided before the screening (5:00 to 5:30 p.m.) and a Q&A with representatives from Surfrider and William S. Richardson School of Law regarding single-use plastic bag bills will follow. The screening is free and open to the public and will be standing room only once seats are full. Attendees may park in the UH-M Parking Structure, Lot 20, located adjacent to the Law School and accessible from Lower Campus Road.

A growing list of cities, states and countries have enacted legislation limiting the amount of plastic consumed in their respective regions. In January, Maui and Kaua'i implemented a ban on single-use plastic bags and a handful of related bills are currently moving through the Hawai'i State Legislature. Citing environmental, economic and human health concerns, the Surfrider Club at U.H. at Manoa is working with other groups like ELS to reduce the amount of single-use plastic bags and bottles on campus. As Earth Month approaches, they hope to join universities across the country that are going plastic-free.

Oceanic Time Warner Cable received the prestigious LEED Gold certification for implementing sustainable building strategies in the over-all design concept of their new Hilo facility. LEED Gold certification of the Oceanic Time Warner Cable building was based on incorporating advance design concepts, including the use of photovoltaic and solar systems, materials containing low emissions with high levels of recycled content and optimizing thermal and lighting applications to reduce indoor pollutants.

The Hilo building, located at 548 Kanoelehua Avenue, is the first LEED Gold certified building on the Big Island. Awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council, a non-profit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings, Oceanic Time Warner Cable earned the LEED Gold certification for integrating eco-friendly design elements including energy and lighting efficiency, water conservation and use of eco-conscious materials. Additionally, much of the office furnishings selected are Green Guard certified, standards set by the Cradle to Cradle Design Protocol, which ensures furnishings are composed of environmentally safe materials, designed for reuse and assembled using 100 percent renewable energy.

Check out these workshops at The Green House in Pauoa Valley on Saturday, February 26. Advanced registration is required. Register online at thegreenhousehawaii.com or call 524-8427.

Just Desserts!
Dodi Rose leads a cooking workshop exploring how to use healthy, whole alternatives to refined sugars, flours and dairy products. She demonstrates three easy "no-bake" dessert recipes, all gluten-free and vegan, two kinds of Chocolate Mousse, plus Haupia Purple Sweet Potato Pie with no bake crust. The workshop is from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and there is a $30 fee.

Natural Gardening Techniques
This workshop explores natural gardening techniques, using cover crops, green manures, companion planting, beneficial insects and trap crops that enhance the health of your garden while letting nature do the hard work for you. The workshop is from noon - 1:30 p.m. and there is a $20 fee.

Growing a Container Garden
Laura Shiels demonstrate how to grow an easy container garden, propagate plants, save seeds, and also provides an instructional pamphlet, plant cuttings and seeds to start your own herb garden. The workshop is from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. and there is a $20 fee.

thegreenhousehawaii.com

Kupu, a Hawaii-based non-profit organization that runs the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps (HYCC) programs, is addressing an increased demand for green sector jobs by providing the training necessary for youth to compete in the expanding green job market. Through the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps programs, participants are provided with the unique opportunity to visit and help restore some of Hawai'i's most beautiful places, while also gaining hands-on experience in natural resource management.

These programs are aimed at exposing youth to the many threats facing Hawai'i's fragile ecosystems and teaching them how they can have a huge impact on restoration efforts. Young people are engaged in the protection of Hawai'i's unique natural and cultural resources under the guidance of natural resource managers. HYCC participants are given the training and skills necessary to succeed in the conservation field, by working alongside some of the top professionals in the field. Kupu hopes that through the HYCC programs, participants will earn a greater appreciation for Hawai'i's unique environment and a desire to pursue a career in natural resource management.

Kupu is accepting applications from youth and young adults for the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps' summer programs and encourages motivated individuals with strong leadership skills to apply for team leader positions. Member positions are for those generally 15-20 years of age, and team leader positions are open to those 21 years in age and older. The application deadline for 2011 summer program is Monday, February 28. HYCC members earn a $1,000 stipend for their six-week participation, plus the opportunity to receive college credit through the University of Hawai'i; team leaders earn $3,000 in stipends as well as an educational award of $1,000. Please call Kupu for more information at 735-1221.

kupuhawaii.org

Khaki weed is an invasive weed that is most notable for the pinch of its myriad burs and its assault on parks and bare feet. Concerned citizen Richard Morse is organizing the inaugural Khaki Weed Pull at Kaimana Beach Park (just Diamond Head of the Natatorium) on Saturday, February 26 at 10:00 a.m.

The invasive weed spreads rapidly because pieces of leaves or branches root easily, so the weeds must be removed by hand so that no part of the plant is left behind. If you're interested in getting involved, bring gloves, sun protection and a weeding tool or hand pick. Mr. Morse will supply bottled water. Kapiolani Park has donated garbage bags to collect the weeds. For more information call Richard Morse at 389-0499.

Don't miss Hawaii Conservation Alliance's Last Wednesday of the Month Lecture Series tonight at ING Direct CafÈ in Waikiki. Guest lecturer Deanna Spooner, coordinator for the Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative, will be presenting Conservation in a Changing Climate, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Some say that Hawai'i has the perfect climate-not too hot, not too cold, and just the right amount of rain to sustain forest, stream, and coral reef ecosystems. But what will happen to the natural and cultural heritage of Hawai'i and other Pacific Islands as global climate change impacts increase in the region? Join Deanna Spooner for a discussion about the future of the region and what is being done to help human and natural communities adapt to a changing climate.

Attendees will receive a coupon for one free beverage to redeem at the ING Direct CafÈ.

hawaiiconservation.org

Knowledge In Motion's "Ocean Awareness" event will be held on February 27 at Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i and Ward Warehouse Amphitheater from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Bring the 'ohana and enjoy free live music, arts and crafts, intermediate and high school science projects, environmental groups sharing their knowledge about a sustainable future for Hawai'i and a screening of the documentary film Heart of the Sea: Kapolioka'ehukai (a story about the beloved Rell Sunn).

Bess Press will be showcasing contributors from Stories of Rell Sunn: Queen of Makaha, a moving collection of tales about the legendary water woman as recounted by her family members and her closest friends from the surf world. The book celebrates Rell's experiences and accomplishments with unforgettable stories as told by her daughter Jan, Rabbit Kekai, Bruce Jenkins, Brickwood Galuteria, Ron Mitsutani, Fred Hemmings, Kathy Terada, Bonga Perkins, Mark Cunningham, Sunny Garcia and Jeannie Chesser, among others.

Hawaii Energy is offering information update workshops for Hawai'i Island business owners, mechanical contractors, electrical contractors, engineers, architects, vendors and property managers this month in Kona and Hilo. The workshops will include information on Hawaii Energy programs and on the Central Plant Optimization Competition, which assists building managers with investigating ways to improve the operation and maintenance of their facilities. Details about the Light up the Savings program for small businesses will also be discussed. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback and present updates on projects that may need assistance from Hawaii Energy as well as to network with other energy efficiency professionals.

The Kailua-Kona workshop will be from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 24 at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii (NELHA). The Hilo workshop will be from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 25 at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Campus Center 301.

hawaiienergy.com

The Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Health are cooperating with the U.S. Army Garrison-Hawai'i to conduct work at Makua Beach and the Keawaula section of Ka'ena Point State Park as part of its Military Munitions Response Program to address potential munitions hazards resulting from past military training activities. During the closures work may be done at either section of Makua Beach or Keawaula-Ka'ena Point State Park, but they will not both be closed at the same time. Personnel will begin at Keawaula. When the fieldwork is completed it will reopen and then Makua Beach will be closed for work. The gated section of Makua Beach state park is normally closed Monday through Friday.

Makua Beach and the Keawaula section of Ka'ena Point State Park were used by the military for training, intermittently between 1930 and 1990. Historical records indicate that portions of these areas were cleared in the past; however, the Army is taking another look at the sites with today's advanced equipment to evaluate if further environmental restoration is needed. Closure signs will be posted around each location and security personnel will be on site to ensure public safety. Intermittent traffic stops may occur. For the latest update on the status of the beach closure the public can call DLNR public information office at 587-0320.

Scheduled dates for the area closures are expected as follows:

Keawaula section of Ka'ena Point State Park
Tuesday, February 22 through Thursday, February 24 from 7:00 to 10:00 am.

Makua Beach
Monday, February 28 through Wednesday, March 2 from 7:00 to 10:00 am.

A growing list of cities, states and countries have enacted legislation to limit the amount of plastic consumed in their respective regions. In January of this year, Maui and Kaua'i began the implementation of a ban on plastic bags and a handful of bills that relate to plastic bags are currently moving through the Hawaii State Legislature.

To bolster public awareness, the Surfrider Foundation's O'ahu Chapter and Sierra Club Hawaii are hosting a free screening of Susan Beraza's award-winning film Bag It at the Hawaii State Capitol Auditorium (415 S. Beretania Street) on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 6:00 pm. Following the screening there will be a lively panel discussion about the issue of plastic pollution and single-use plastic and paper bags. The panel will include key legislators including Senator Mike Gabbard and representatives from the Surfrider Foundation, Kokua Hawaii Foundation and the Sierra Club. Except for a possible appearance by the plastic bag monster, this will be a plastic-free event.

Bag It follows "everyman" Jeb Berrier as he navigates our plastic world. In this touching and witty film, Jeb is an average American guy that makes a personal pledge to stop using plastic bags. This simple action gets Jeb thinking about all kinds of plastic as he embarks on a global tour to unravel the complexities of our plastic world.

surfrider.org/oahu
bagitmovie.com

Come down and enjoy the O'ahu Urban Garden Center's Second Saturday at the Garden on Saturday, February 12, from 9:00 am to noon. Located centrally in Pearl City, the February event will feature the garden's annual plant sale, with roses being theme. The Honolulu Rose Society will be on hand to talk story, answer questions and extend Valentine's specials on their beautiful varieties. There will also be a class on growing roses in Hawai'i at 9:00 am and repeat session at 10:30 am. There is no pre-registration so please come early to sign up at the door and reserve your seat. Also on sale: native plants, assorted palms, assorted fruit trees, ornamentals and herbs. For more information please call 453-6050 or 453-6055.

ctahr.hawaii.edu/ougc/

At just two-and-a-half years old, Kenton Chan of Honolulu is already conscious of saving energy and is the first winner of The Energy Detective Guide energy pledge drawing. Kenton's award is an energy conservation kit from Hawaiian Electric to share with his family, including four-and-half-year old sister, Esther. The kit contains handy energy saving information and devices including a Kill-A-Watt meter to measure the amount of energy used by household appliances and electronics.

Kenton's mom, Monica, read about the Energy Detective Guide and called Hawaiian Electric for a free copy. "The guide is a cool way to get kids interested in saving electricity," she said. "Kenton and Esther have been to museums and seen interactive displays about energy and electricity, so this is a great way to reinforce what they've learned. The Energy Detective Guide is a fun activity to do around the home, and I would recommend it for elementary school-aged children."

With the help of the Energy Detective Guide, Kenton is able to recognize an energy-saving spiral compact fluorescent bulb from a regular incandescent bulb. "Kenton also knows that when you leave the room, you turn off the light," said his proud mom. "He also knows not to keep the fridge door open!"

Kenton entered the drawing for the energy conservation kit by completing the energy pledge at the back of the guide and mailing it in to Hawaiian Electric. The pledge encourages young energy detectives under the age of 17 years to do their part to conserve energy and help the environment through seven simple actions. The drawing runs through September 11, 2011, and two more winners will be selected by the end of year. For a copy of the Energy Detective Guide, call Hawaiian Electric's Education & Consumer Affairs Department at 543-7511.

Governor Neil Abercrombie has appointed Hanalei Representative and long-time House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee Chairman Hermina Morita as the Chair of the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The move represents a significant shift of power in Hawai'i's energy policy future. The three-member Public Utilities Commission governs much of the electricity policy in the state, as well as overseeing telecommunications, taxicabs, water and other regulated sectors.

Representative Morita's 14-year tenure in the House of Representatives leaves a legacy of environmental policy advances. She was instrumental in establishing the Barrel Tax in 2010 to fund clean energy programs-a policy with widespread support despite its cost. In 2002, she played a pivotal role in creating Hawai'i's Bottle Law, the five-cent deposit on beverage containers that has resulted in a tripling of the bottle and can recycling rate and captured nearly four billion beverage containers since the program's inception. Rep. Morita was a key advocate in passing measures that set a binding, enforceable limit on Hawai'i's greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy tax credits and require solar water heaters on most new homes. She was also featured in GREEN Magazine story, "Six People You Need To Know."

greenmagazinehawaii.com/profile_v2-1.html.

The Hawai'i Conservation Alliance launched its new website today. Naming the 2011 conservation priorities as biosecurity, climate change and watershed degradation, you'll also find information on the upcoming Hawai'i Conservation Conference, My Hawai'i Story Project, the 2010 Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative Annual Report, a host of resources and ways you can donate and volunteer. Go to hawaiiconservation.org.

The Hawai'i Conservation Alliance is hosting another Last Wednesday of the Month lecture at ING Direct CafÈ on Wednesday, January 26 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. This month's free discussion features research ecologist Richard A. MacKenzie, presenting "Understanding How Climate Change and Exotic Species Threaten Hawaiian Streams."

The remote nature of the Hawaiian Islands has resulted in unique assemblages of plants and animals. While many people are familiar with the colorful, native birds and plants found in Hawaiian forests, fewer are familiar with the native fish, shrimp, and snails that inhabit Hawaiian streams. Hawaiian streams provide habitat for four native fish, two shrimp, one snail, and numerous insects that are only found in Hawai'i.

Richard MacKenzie will present a general overview of Hawaiian streams and the native fish, shrimp, snails, and insects that are found within them. He will also discuss how the USDA Forest Service is working to protect Hawaiian streams through an increased understanding of the impacts of exotic species and climate change.

The Department of Energy and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will host public meetings on Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i, and O'ahu to receive comments on the scope of the Hawai'i Interisland Renewable Energy Program (HIREP): Wind Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. The EIS reviews possible environmental impacts that may arise from wind energy program development under the HIREP and the range of reasonable options.

TIMES, DATES AND LOCATIONS:

February 1
McKinley High School Cafeteria, 1039 South King Street, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

February 2
Pomaika'i Elementary School Cafeteria, 4650 South Kamehameha Avenue in Kahului, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

February 3
Mitchell Pau'ole Community Center, 90 'Ainoa Street, Kaunakakai, Moloka'i, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

February 5
Lana'i High & Elementary School Cafeteria, 555 Fraser Avenue, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Both oral and written comments will be considered by the DOE and DBEDT. Requests to speak at any of the public scoping meetings should be submitted to Mr. Allen G. Kam, Esq., AICP, HIREP-Wind EIS Manager, on or before January 28, 2011, by any of the following means: e-mail to hirep@dbedt.hawaii.gov, submit electronic comments on the EIS web page www.hirep-wind.com, fax (808) 586-2536, Attention Allen G. Kam, or mail to Allen G. Kam, Esq., AICP HIREP EIS Manager, State Energy Office, Renewable Energy Branch, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, P.O. Box 2359, Honolulu, Hawaii 96804. Requests to speak may also be made at the meetings; however, requests received by January 28, 2011, will be given priority in the speaking order. Additional project information can be found at the project website www.hirep-wind.com.

HOPE FOR MAN LAUNCH JANUARY 21st 2011 at Mu'umu'u Heaven, Kailua

January 21, 2011óA collection of 250 vintage aloha shirts will be available for sale for the first time at Mu'umu'u Heaven, with a personal story written by Author of "The Aloha Shirt Book", Dale Hope.

HOPE FOR MAN, and where it all began. Back in the 1950's in a tiny shop in Honolulu, TH The Hope family was designing and manufacturing quality Island garments. Now those days are gone but the HOPE family tradition remains the same. HOPE FOR MAN is a very special collaboration with Mu'umu'u Heaven. The collection enables us to explore a family's journey, their Island lifestyle and passion for fabrics and textile design. The Hope's always knew that it wasn't enough for a shirt to just look good. It had to mean more than that. It's all about the story. With this special collection we revisit 250 wonderful shirts, their beginnings, their pasts and their future. We are proudly introducing this collection of Hope family originals this Friday night, January 21st at Mu'umu'u Heaven, Kailua.

Dale Hope and Deb Mascia, owner , designer of Mu'umu'u Heaven first came together at a BBQ where they discussed their shared passion for all things aloha, especially vintage. It sparked a great friendship. Dale having so much experience and Deb having so much passion for recycling - they decided to collaborate on this HOPE FOR MAN collection.

"This collaboration has enabled me to really take a walk back in time. I can remember sitting on the floor of my Dad's delivery truck in front of our factory in Honolulu" said Dale Hope, "It is so strange to think I was surrounded by aloha shirts, some of the very same shirts as we have in this collection. What a time some of these beauties have seen and enjoyed. If only these shirts could talk."

About HOPE FOR MAN:

Founded in Palolo Valley, Hawaii in 2010 by three friends, HOPE FOR MAN is an ongoing magical project of recycling, vintage and story.

Contacts:
Dale Hope / Deb Mascia HOPE FOR MAN

808 349 5496 Dale
808 222 3598 Deb

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will be holding a second round of public hearings regarding proposed amendments to the rules and regulations of the State Land Use Conservation District, known specifically as Chapter 13-5, Hawai'i Administrative Rules (HAR). Through Chapter 13-5, HAR, the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL) is responsible for overseeing approximately 2 million acres of private and public lands that lie within the conservation district including beach and marine lands out to the seaward extent of the State's jurisdiction.

Based upon public input received during the first round of public hearing in August 2010, OCCL has made considerable revisions to the first proposed draft amendments. This second series of hearings and collection of public input will result in better-defined administrative rules to regulate the Conservation District to improve work efficiency, contribute positively to OCCL's core objectives related to natural resource conservation and will benefit landowners and agencies alike.

The public hearings will be held at 5:30 p.m. as follows:

January 24, 2011
Waiehu, Maui
Paukukalo Community Center, 657 Kaumuali'i St.

January 25, 2011
Hilo, Hawai'i
Hawai'i County Council Room, 25 Aupuni St.

January 31, 2011
Kaunakakai, Moloka'i
Mitchell Pau'ole Center, 90 'Ainoa St.

February 1, 2011
Lihu'e, Kaua'i
Lihue Library, 4344 Hardy St.

February 7, 2011
Kona, Hawai'i
Mayor's Conf. Room, 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy., Rm. 103

February 9, 2011
Honolulu, O'ahu
Kalanimoku Bldg., 1151 Punchbowl St., Rm. 132

The proposed 13-5 amendments may be found online at the OCCL's website at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/occl.

Anyone with special needs requiring accommodations or assistance please contact OCCL at least four days prior to the public hearing. For more information contact the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands at (808) 587-0377.

The Hawai'i Wildlife Center (HWC) recently received a $15,000 grant from Hawai'i Electric Light Company, Hawaiian Electric Company and Maui Electric Company to support the completion of a 4,500-square-foot facility in Halaula, North Kohala that will serve as a treatment center for sick, injured or orphaned native birds from throughout the state. The new, fully equipped facility will provide a much-needed statewide resource for county, state and federal wildlife agencies by caring for threatened avian species.

Linda Elliott, HWC President and Center Director, said the native wildlife rehabilitation and recovery facility has been long sought after by island wildlife biologists and conservationists. "This facility will be a state-of-the-art wildlife emergency response and rehabilitation facility, an important part of reversing trends in declining native wildlife populations. It is through the generosity of the community and businesses such as the Hawaiian Electric companies that we will be able to achieve the goal of opening this critical facility."

The injured, sick or orphaned wildlife will receive care based on their individual recovery treatment programs, and on completion, will be released back to the wild. HWC will maintain records on its "patients" that will become a part of its public information and education programs. The HWC has also kicked off the fundraising campaign, "Build It They Will Fly!" to complete the interior of the building and open this year.

For more information or to donate to the Hawai'i Wildlife Center, go to hawaiiwildlifecenter.org.

The holidays have passed once again and its time to take down the Christmas tree and holiday decorations and start fresh in the New Year. Wondering what to do with the Christmas tree. If you purchased a cut, live tree. All you need to do is cut it into thirds and place it in your green curbside recycling bin to be picked up on your regular green cart day. Make sure to trim the branches so it fits and to remove all the ornaments and tinsel (flocked trees cannot be placed in the green cart). For households on a manual collection route, cut the tree into lengths up to three feet and place them on the curb on your refuse day. If you aren't in the mood to reduce the size of the tree for the bin or the curb, you can drop off the tree at any of the City's Refuse and Recycling Convenience Centers seven days a week or at the composting facilities. The recycled Christmas trees will be made into free organic mulch that is available to the public at the Halawa Xeriscape Garden, Hawaiian Earth Products and Leeward Community College.

Clink the link to the City's Refuse and Recycling Convenience Centers: opala.org/solid_waste/Drop_off_Centers_for_Refuse.html.

Who: Under the Yoga Tree & Stretch Your Imagination

When: Saturday, December 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Where: Downtown at the Hawaii State Art Museum, 250 S Hotel St # 102, Honolulu, HI 96813

What: Stretch Your Imagination First Annual Fundraiser Individual tickets are available for $100 Limited sponsorships are available for $450, $700 and $1,000

This elegant affair will feature live music, an exclusive dinner menu specially created by the talented chefs of Downtown Restaurant, hosted adult beverages by Barefoot Wine and Kona Brewery, thousands of dollars in unique silent auction items, prize giveaways, a holiday giving tree and more. Tables Sponsorships ($400, $700, $1,000) and individual tickets ($100) are available for purchase online at: stretchyourimagination.org.

Experience green,local and relaxing shopping this holiday season on the North Shore, November 26, 2010 from 9am-9pm. Art, crafts, massage, yoga classes, music, eco-fashion, plants, food and more at the Haleiwa Shopping Center locatied on 66-145 Kamehameha Hwy. For more info call 637-2117.

The new website to manage and accept applications for Hawaiian Electric's Feed-in Tariff program, goes online today, Wednesday, November 7, at noon. The Feed-in Tariff is designed to encourage the addition of more renewable energy projects in Hawaii for energy investors and offers pre-established rates and standardized contract terms, which will provide an easy way for individuals, businesses, governmental entities and other developers to sell renewable energy to Hawaiian Electric.

All applications for the program must be submitted through the website: www.hecofitio.com. The site is operated and maintained by Accion Group, an independent third-party observer that oversees the Feed-in Tariff applications on behalf of the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The website will start accepting applications for projects on O'ahu today and applications for projects on Hawai'i Island and Maui County will be accepted beginning Wednesday, November 24. As approved by the PUC, the program will accept up to 60 megawatts of Feed-in Tariff projects on O'ahu, 10 megawatts on Hawai'i Island and 10 megawatts in Maui County. Questions about the Feed-in Tariff can be emailed to fit@heco.com.

On Saturday, November 13, the Surfrider Foundation's Oahu Chapter presents the 8th Annual John Kelly Environmental Awards to those who have helped protect and enhance our coastal community and environment. The dinner, silent auction and party will be held at the Waimea Valley Pavilion and will feature solar-powered live music (thanks to Sunetric) from Paula Fuga, Rob Barreca and Jive Nene. The event will also be the kick-off party for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

Mark Cunningham will be given the Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and leadership with the Defend Oahu Coalition and the Junior Lifeguard Program. Along with being a world champion bodysurfer and lifelong lifeguard, Mark has worked for year to preserve the North Shore and stop the Turtle Bay Resort's massive expansion plans. This long struggle culminated in the State Supreme Court's decision this year to require the resort do a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement before expanding their property. The Honolulu Weekly will receive the Environmentally Friendly Local Company Award for their continuing coverage of the most pressing environmental issues in Honolulu. From the Save Pupukea-Paumalu campaign years ago to their most recent cover stories about Kyo-Ya's pending development plans for Waikiki, the publisher and editors of the Weekly have combined excellent research, in-depth reporting and a courageous commitment to go against the establishment to protect Oahu's environment and coastal areas. Duane DeSoto will receive the Professional Surfer Award for his work as a world-class waterman and the founder & president of Na Kama Kai. Duane is not only a talented surfer, but he and his friends at Na Kama Kai have dedicated themselves to offering ocean awareness classes and training to local kids around the Island. Continuing in the tradition of Surfrider Board Member Rell Sunn, Duane has shown a concern for teaching local keiki the importance of taking care of the environment and becoming stewards of our oceans and beaches.

"The Award Ceremony is in memory of John Kelly, one of the greatest surfers and environmental activists Hawaii has ever produced," says Surfrider's Stuart Coleman. "The event honors ocean-lovers and environmental leaders who have followed in his footsteps."

Tickets can be purchased online at the Oahu Chapter's website: Surfrider.org and are $40 in advance ($50 at the door), and proceeds will benefit Surfrider's Oahu Chapter. Tables can be reserved for sponsors as well. The day after the John Kelly Awards Party, the Oahu Chapter will be hosting a beach cleanup at Haleiwa Beach Park on Sunday, November 14, from 10:00 a.m. till noon. The event is co-sponsored by First Wind, who will be providing lunch afterward, and by Everpaddle, who will be bringing stand-up paddle boards to help clean plastic debris in the ocean and in the Haleiwa River.

surfrider.org

Frances Moore Lappe, the world-renowned democracy advocate, author, and food and hunger expert, will be featured at the Umematsu and Yasu Watada Lecture Series on November 5-6 at Church of the Crossroads (1212 University Ave., Honolulu). Lappe is perhaps best known for her groundbreaking book Diet for a Small Planet, in which she exposed the root causes of world hunger and addressed how to end it. Lappe is the co-founder of three organizations including the Small Planet Institute and Food First: The Institute for Food and Development Policy. She has received numerous national and international awards.

On Friday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m., Lappe will speak about "Food Democracy: Ideas and Stories to Liberate Our Food Systems" at Church of the Crossroads. On Saturday, November 6 at 9:00 a.m., Lappe will speak about a "Diet for a Small Island: Visioning Food Democracy in Hawai'i." Four panelists will join LappÈ on Saturday: State Senator Carol Fukunaga, Eric Enos (Ka'ala Farms), Dr. Ted Radovich (University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources), and Hi'ilei Kawelo (Paepae o He'eia).

Lappe also will be featured at the University of Hawai'i Distinguished Lecture Series. On Thursday, November 4 at 7:00 p.m., LappÈ will speak about "Facts and Myths of World Hunger: The Politics of Scarcity" at the UH Manoa Architecture Auditorium. On Friday, November 5 at 12:30 p.m., she will speak about "Challenging Cheap Food/Big Food" at the UH Manoa Kuykendall 101 Auditorium. The lectures are free and open to the public.

Arbor Day in Hawai'i officially falls on the first Friday in November, which falls on Friday, November 5 this year. In celebration of Arbor Day, Hawaiian Electric Company and its partners, Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program, Urban Garden Center, Wahiawa Botanical Garden, and Waimea Valley, are giving away 3,000 native and exotic trees and shrubs at six sites on O'ahu, early Saturday morning, November 6.

Popular flowering plants are among the diverse varieties that will be given away, one per family, while supplies last. One-third are fruit trees or spice plants. Experts will be on hand to offer advice on plant selection and to provide tips on the proper site for your new tree or shrub, planting and caring for the new plant.

The Hawaiian Electric Arbor Day Tree Giveaway will take place at the following locations and times:

Wai'anae: HECO Kahe Power Plant - 7:00 a.m.
Pearl City: Urban Garden Center - 7:00 a.m.
Honolulu: HECO Ward Avenue facility - 7:00 a.m.
Kailua: HECO Koolau Base Yard - 7:00 a.m.
Wahiawa: Wahiawa Botanical Garden - 9:00 a.m.
North Shore: Waimea Valley - 9:00 a.m.

For details on Arbor Day events and information on planting and caring for trees, go to:

arbordayhawaii.org

October is Energy Awareness Month and Children & Youth Month, so to bring the two together, families can find ways to reduce their electric bills with help from the younger generation with the Energy Detective Guide from the Hawaiian Electric Company. This free, colorfully illustrated booklet engages children and parents to uncover clues and find the hidden energy villains that contribute to higher utility bills. The guide was developed for children ages 10 to 12 years old (4th to 6th grade level), but parents will find the activities appeal to kids of all ages and empower them to play an active role in conserving energy at home.

Here's how the guide works: On the "most wanted" energy villain list are the Energy Bandits, those appliances that gobble up large amounts of energy such as the refrigerator, water heater and incandescent light bulbs. Energy Phantoms are those appliances and electronics that quietly steal energy even when they are turned off, such as the cell phone charger, video game station, television and computer monitor. Spotting the energy villains requires some careful detective work. For example, to spot a hot water bandit, take an empty half-gallon milk carton, hold it under a showerhead, turn on the cold water at full force and start the timer. If the container fills up in less than 10 seconds, an energy bandit is wasting water and electricity every time someone takes a hot shower. To defeat the hot water bandit, parents can purchase and install a new low-flow showerhead that uses less water.

Classic examples of energy phantoms are electronics that use a remote control, such as the television and stereo system, and appliances with digital clocks or display screens that are always on such as a DVD player or microwave. To capture the energy phantoms, plug electronics into a power strip and turn off the switch when not in use.

These and other clues to uncovering energy waste in the home plus the energy solutions are found throughout the 12-page booklet, which also invites young energy detectives ages 17 years and under to complete and mail-in an energy pledge for a free drawing to win an Energy Conservation Kit. To get a copy of the Energy Detective Guide, call Hawaiian Electric's Education & Consumer Affairs Department at 543-7511.

heco.com

The National Treasures of Hawai'i Lecture Series, presented by the Hawaii Conservation Alliance, continues on Wednesday, October 27 at the ING Direct Cafe from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Dr. Robert H. Cowie will present his lecture, 2010: International Year of Biodiversity, A Hawaiian Perspective. The United Nations designated 2010 the "International Year of Biodiversity," but what is biodiversity? Why should we be concerned about it? Dr. Cowie will try to answer these questions, while taking us on a whirlwind tour of Hawai'i's biodiversity and the threats it faces from habitat destruction to invasive species to global warming.

hawaiiconservation.org

Professional surfer Kekoa Cazimero is hosting the Koa Tree Foundation Keiki Surf Contest at Sandy Beach on the weekend of October 16 and 17. Proceeds from this event will benefit Kehau Sullivan, daughter of pro surfer Pancho Sullivan, who will undergo heart surgery.

There are shortboard, longboard, prone bodyboard and stand-up bodyboard divisions for boys and girls under 18 years old. There is a $10 entry fee per division. Lunch will be provided for contestants and there will be ample giveaways from Cazimero's sponsors, Da Fin, Kicks, Red Bull, Vitamin Water and more. There will also be a group of professional surfers and bodyboarders available for autographs at Sandy Beach. Entry forms are available at Hawaiian Island Creations and other fine surf shops on O'ahu.

"I think it's important to give back because when your career takes off, sometimes pro surfers forget to give back to their community, says Kekoa Cazimero about the upcoming event. "I feel like it's my job to give back to Sandy Beach because that's where I'm from and learned how to surf there."

In addition to the surfing, there will be live music at the Koa Tree Foundation Keiki Surf Contest by Natural Vibrations, The Green, Anuhea and Ernie Cruz. Jr.

kekoacazimero.com/blog

Down to Earth ALL VEGETARIAN Organic and Natural is holding a 40%-off sale on Sunday, October 10 to celebrate the nationwide launch of a new "Non-GMO Project Verified" logo that is starting to appear on non-GMO tested product packaging throughout the U.S. And in conjunction with new labeling, the all-vegetarian grocery store is also celebrating the first ever Non-GMO Month this October to build awareness of the new non-GMO logo.

Customers will get at least 40% off on a wide variety of non-GMO verified products including entrÈes, pasta sauce, breakfast foods, beverages, snacks, gluten-free products, and baking items. The sale will be held at all Down to Earth locations: Honolulu, Kailua, and Pearlridge on O'ahu; Kahului on Maui; and Hilo on the Big Island. The new logo will empower consumers to exercise their right to choose non-GMO foods.

The tenth of October, or 10/10/10, is also Non-GMO Day. On this day retailers throughout the nation will conduct educational activities to raise consumer awareness about the new "Non-GMO Project Verified" logo while also raising funds for the Non-GMO Project. Down to Earth will be donating 5% of sales from sales on that day to the Non-GMO Project. The proceeds will help advance consumers' right to choose and will help support the long-term availability of non-GMO food and ingredients.

downtoearth.org

October is Energy Awareness Month and Hawaiian Electric Company is offering three web-based energy audit tools to help customers save electricity and money by taking an inventory of their household energy use. The free, easy-to-use audits are accessible through the HECO's home page, heco.com, by clicking on "My Home Energy Check" and choosing from three audits: Home Energy Check, Microsoft Hohm and Home Energy Saver.

The Home Energy Check is available in two versions and provides results based on current electricity rates on O'ahu. HECO customers can take a "full" version that will analyze their household energy use with their actual account history. The "express" version does not require the user to have an electric account and bypasses the need for a log-in and password. Both versions will result in customized tips and recommendations for the customers' specific household.

Microsoft Hohm, from the well-known software developer, is an interactive web tool that allows users to create an account and update their profile as they switch to more energy efficient appliances and practices. The Hohm score measures a home's energy efficiency based on its structure and estimated energy use. Results include recommendations that can be added to an action list and check marked as they are completed. Users also have access to a library of tips and links to more energy saving information.

The Home Energy Saver, created by the U.S. Department of Energy, is developed and maintained by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The site lets customers have the option to manually enter utility rates or select Hawaiian Electric as the utility provider for energy cost estimates. While the web tool cannot integrate customer account history, the site does offer energy comparisons to other homes in the same zip code, a feature also offered by Microsoft Hohm.

Hawaiian Electric kicks off Energy Awareness Month on Saturday, October 9 with the Live Energy Lite celebration from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Pearlridge Center, Uptown Center Court. The event includes exhibits on clean energy and energy efficiency, live entertainment, games and prizes.

heco.com

Blue Planet Foundation and ten partners from across the islands will engage in projects that will help build Hawai'i's clean energy future on Sunday, October 10, or 10/10/10. By doing so, Hawai'i will join an international effort involving citizens from 180 countries to send a loud and clear message to world leaders: If we can get to work, you can get to work, too.

The 10/10/10 Global Work Party, organized by climate change watchdogs 350.org, is an opportunity to raise the collective voice of clean energy advocates worldwide to urge lawmakers to enact bold energy policies that will effectively address the climate crisis. Among the local groups partnering with Blue Planet Foundation to organize Hawai'i Community Work Day T.E.N. (Teach Energy Now) projects are Sunetric, the law firm Schlack Ito Lockwood Piper & Elkind, the O'ahu chapter of Surfrider Foundation, Apollo Kaua'i, Malama Kaua'i, Malama'ula Mauka Homestead Association, Laulima Kuha'o, Kanu O Ka A'ina, Maui's Community Work Day Program, Maui Community College's Go Green Club, and Sustainable UH.

Whether it is through helping in the installation of solar panels, planting gardens, holding a light bulb exchange, conducting energy audits, or organizing bicycle repairs, these groups will take action to encourage energy efficiency and promote Hawai'i's pursuit of a clean, renewable energy future. These projects will also involve an essential education component, giving participants a foundation on which they can help build the movement toward energy independence. Some of the beneficiaries include Honolulu's Hongwanji Mission School, Unity Church of Hawai'i, Kalaheo Elementary School on Kaua'i, and Kanu O Ka A'ina School on the Big Island and Moloka'i Youth Center on Moloka'i, Lokelani Intermediate School on Maui and Kanuikapono School on Kaua'i.

For more information on Hawai'i Community Work Day T.E.N. initiatives, please contact Francois Rogers at francois@blueplanetfoundation.org or 808.753.1330, or visit cleanenergyhawaii.org.

Green Drinks is hosting a portion of the Hawaii International Film Festival's eco-friendly Green Screen program. The program will showcase five powerful documentary pieces that explore some of the most pressing issues confronting our planet at Green Drinks Honolulu October, at The Waterfront at Aloha Tower Marketplace's Oceanside venue on Tuesday, October 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

The Hawaii International Film Festival will be contributing two tickets for each Green Screen film for a giveaway and Green Drinks Honolulu will also play host to the festival's exclusive off-site box office, giving patrons a chance to purchase membership and tickets for the October 14 through October 24 festival. HIFF 30 buttons, available with a $10 donation, will also be available to the Green Drinks Honolulu crowd. The buttons will support the non-profit festival and help it to reach its $30,000 fundraising goal. In addition, button holders will enjoy exclusive access to events and screenings at the October festival.

Green Drinks Honolulu is also welcoming back Dr. Glenn Poulain of Ocean Arts Hawaii, an underwater photographer whose work captures the unique creatures and beauty of the Hawaiian oceans, and will also be featuring Hybrid vehicles from Mercedes-Benz of Honolulu and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

The Energy Expo 2010, sponsored by the Hawaiian Electric Company and Hawaii Energy on Tuesday, September 28, was a successful conglomeration of exhibitors, speakers, workshops and networking. Unlike so many building and home shows of recent, the Energy Expo was not clogged with myriad solar installers, giving a refreshing voice for other businesses and programs promoting clean, renewable energy sources.

The exhibitor's area featuring a number of lighting companies promoting LED lighting and other sustainable lighting for commercial and residential situations, a much-welcomed push. Several commercial air conditioning specialists displayed the newest technology. Metal and paper recycling on the commercial level were represented as well as companies demonstrating wind- and hydro-generated power possibilities.

Complimentary to the exhibitors and the ample networking opportunities were the workshops that discussed new products, technologies and applications. The workshops were divided into four tracks-renewable, commissioning, HVAC and lighting-so attendees could tailor their focus to suit their needs.

The Energy Expo was developed to speak to energy and property managers, design and building professionals and mechanical and electrical engineers and pulled together some of the best names in the industry. Scott Seu, from HECO spoke on feed-in tariffs and keynote speaker Kaulana Park, from the Hawaiian Homes Commission, talked about the sustainable Kaupuni Project. Attendees were also treated to a special round of speakers at lunch, the gubernatorial candidates.

For those in the industry seeking solid ideas and information for real-world solutions, the Energy Expo should not be missed. Mark your calendars for next year.

Jeremiah Cunningham of Coyote Creek Farm in Elgin, Texas will be on O'ahu from Wednesday, September 29 till Tuesday, October 5 to share his wealth of knowledge with area farmers. Jerry is an expert on organic chicken and egg farming, as well as the growing and processing of organic feed for chickens, cows, and pigs. Jerry will be at the Tin Roof Ranch at 61-470 Kamehameha Highway in Hale'iwa for a potluck and informative talk about organic animal husbandry concentrating on poultry on Monday, October 4 from 4:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. as part of the Hale'iwa Farmers' Market Farm Tours program. Tours of the Tin Roof Ranch farm are available from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This is a free event (potluck offering of a healthy food dish optional). Mr. Cunningham will also be available for individual, personalized farm consultations during his stay. Contact Pamela Boyar at 808-388-9696 or haleiwafarmersmarket@gmail.com for more information.

Hawai'i Conservation Alliance hosts another National Treasures of Hawai'i free lecture on Wednesday, September 29 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at ING Direct Café in Waikiki. "National Wildlife Refuges: Oases in the Pacific" features guest lecturer Barry Stieglitz, Project Leader of the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuges.

The Hawaiian and Pacific Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex oversees 22 refuges, which encompass over 54,000,000 acres. Some of these refuges were set aside primarily to benefit Hawai'i's endangered waterbirds, while others provide habitat for Hawai'i's rare and unique forest bird species, as well as threatened and endangered plants. Others protect a coastal home for migratory seabirds and unparalleled coral reefs. From the greatest depths of the ocean in the Mariana Trench to the lush vegetation and rare forest birds of the Hakalau Forest Refuge, learn about these unique areas throughout the Pacific and what it takes to live and work in them.

In honor of the Ocean Conservancy's 25th annual International Coastal Cleanup, the Surfrider Foundation's O'ahu Chapter is hosting the "Get The Drift & Bag It" beach cleanup at Sand Island Beach Park on Saturday, September 25 from 9:00 a.m. till 11:30 a.m. Surfrider is partnering with HONBLUE to clean the park and identify sources of debris in an effort to restore Hawai'i's beaches and waterways to their natural state. Participants should meet in the last parking lot and look for the Surfrider and HONBLUE tents. Sign-in starts at 9:00 a.m., and lunch and prizes will be offered after the cleanup.

The "Get The Drift & Bag It" beach cleanup is one of O'ahu's largest volunteer efforts to clean local beaches of debris and improve the health of our oceans. Keeping them free of trash will help preserve our biologically rich ecosystems and save endangered creatures like sea turtles, monk seals and sea birds that ingest or become entangled in plastic marine debris. These cleanups also benefit ocean goers, fishermen and visitors to our island as well as preserve the natural beauty of our island community.

Each year, Ocean Conservancy provides a compelling global snapshot of marine debris collected and recorded at more than 6,000 sites all over the world on a single day during the International Coastal Cleanup. During the 2009 International Coastal Cleanup, 498,818 volunteers picked up 7.4 million pounds of marine debris, in 108 countries and locations around the world and 45 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The majority of the debris is land-based plastic. For more details about Surfrider's Rise Above Plastics (RAP) Campaign and their monthly beach cleanups, visit surfrider.org/oahu.

In the spirit of Kanu Hawaii's Eat Local Challenge, nine-year-old Exec-kid Chef Duke Kenney and his assistant, Chef Ed Kenney, will demonstrate how to prepare a tasty, locally sourced meal that your family can make at home during the Eat Local Challenge. Join them on Wednesday, September 22 at the Wai'alae Elementary School dining hall at 6:00 p.m. Free samples of the chef's creation will be available for you to enjoy.

Wai'alae Elementary School, 1045 19th Avenue, Kaimuki
Doors Open: 6:00 p.m., Event Begins: 6:15 p.m.
Pre-order Bento Distribution: 7:15 p.m.
Q&A: 7:15 to 7:45 p.m.
RSVP: Dexter@kokuahawaiifoundation.org

GREEN: Hawai'i's Sustainable Living Magazine is proud to be a sponsor of Kanu Hawaii's "Eat Local Challenge," a weeklong campaign featuring locally grown and raised ingredients in markets, farms, stores and restaurants across the state. In its second year, the 2010 Eat Local Challenge theme is "Harvest to Table." The challenge and associated events begin Sunday, September 26 and run through Saturday, October 2.

The Eat Local Challenge asks all residents to eat solely locally grown/harvested food for the week. If you can't eat strictly local for a whole week, there are other ways to participate, from eating local for a day to hosting an all-local potluck, or shopping at participating stores and eating at participating restaurants.

Become an official participant by joining online. You'll get access to updates on market and restaurant offers and event information. Go to www.kanuhawaii.org and click on the Eat Local Challenge campaign logo.

The campaign also includes educational volunteer opportunities, panel discussions, film screenings on food sustainability, workshops, school events, restaurant offerings and in-store events.

Eat Local: Events

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010
"Eating in Place" is a success story of a Western Michigan community buying and eating local. Produced by the Grand Rapids Area Council for the Humanities and Calvin College, the film showcases the positive outcomes of supporting food sustainability. "Eating in Place" will be shown at Punahou School - Thurston Memorial Chapel in Honolulu (1601 Punahou Street). The film is scheduled from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free to the public.

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010
Nine-year-old kid chef Duke Kenney, and his assistant, Chef Ed Kenney, will demonstrate how to prepare a locally sourced meal at Wai'alae Elementary Public Charter School (1045 19th Avenue). The event is scheduled from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Kokua Hawai'i Foundation presents the "Cooking Local" event, with Whole Foods providing the ingredients.

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010
"Ingredients," a documentary directed by Bob Bates that features the food movement nationally and advocates for the support of green and farmers' markets, will be screened in Hilo at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo Room UCB 100 (200 West Kawili Street). Time is to be determined. Admission is free to the public.

Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010
The Hawai'i Kai Farmers Market will be at Kaiser High School (511 Lunalilo Home Road) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Featuring only local vendors and produce, the market is an ideal place for residents to support food sustainability in Hawai'i.

Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010
The Hale'iwa Farmers Market will be from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the traffic signal on the old Kamehameha Highway at the Bypass Road (Waimea side). Featuring only local vendors and produce, the market is an ideal place for residents to support food sustainability in Hawai'i. Brooks Takenaka of The United Fishing Agency will give a presentation on Hawai'i's fishing industry, with an audience Q&A session to follow at Hawaii Public Radio in the Atherton Studio on O'ahu at 3:00 p.m. Seating is limited and will be determined by a sign-up on Kanu's web site on a first come, first serve basis.

Monday, Sept. 27, 2010
"Ingredients," a documentary by Bob Bates that features the food movement nationally and advocates for the support of green and farmers' markets, will be screened at Bambu Bar 2.0 in downtown Honolulu (1144 Bethel Street). The film is scheduled from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Director Bob Bates will be present and will give a brief talk. $10 will be collected at the door.

Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010
A "Do It Yourself Garden" presentation will be given by designer Greg Lee of 1st Look Exteriors at Whole Foods on O'ahu (Kahala Mall, 4211 Wai'alae Avenue, Ste. 2000). Lee, an artist who focuses on "green" design products such recycled copper, glass and organic plant material in his work, will be using certified organic seed starters from Whole Foods. The presentation is scheduled from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010
A panel discussion on the state of Hawai'i's food systems will take place in the Atherton Performing Arts Studio at Hawai'i Public Radio. The discussion is scheduled from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and will include an audience Q&A session. Panelists include: Ed Teixeira from Hawai'i Civil Defense, Claire Sullivan from Whole Foods Markets, and organic farmer Charlie Reppun. HPR's Beth-Ann Kozlovich will moderate. Seating is limited and will be determined by a sign-up on Kanu's web site on a first come, first serve basis. "Ingredients" will be shown at Whole Foods in Kahului, Maui (70 Ka'ahumanu Avenue, #B) at 6:00 p.m. The documentary, directed by Bob Bates, features the food movement nationally and advocates for the support of green and farmers' markets. Admission is free to the public.

Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010
"Ingredients" will be screened at Island School (3-1875 Kaumuali'i Highway) in Lihue, Kaua'i from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The documentary, directed by Bob Bates, features the food movement nationally and advocates for the support of green and farmers' markets. Admission is free to the public.

Friday, Oct. 1, 2010
On O'ahu, cooking demonstrations and a contest among award-winning Kapi'olani Community College Culinary Institute of the Pacific students will take place at Whole Foods (Kahala Mall, 4211 Wai'alae Avenue, Ste. 2000). The event begins at 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010
The Hawai'i Kai Farmers Market will be at Kaiser High School (511 Lunalilo Home Road) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Featuring only local vendors, products and produce, the market is an ideal place for residents to support food sustainability in Hawai'i. An in-store event showcasing local farmers and their produce will take place at Whole Foods on O'ahu (Kahala Mall, 4211 Wai'alae Avenue, Ste. 2000) from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Kanu Hawai'i and the 'Aina In Schools program will host a Garden Party and Eat Local Challenge Potluck at Kainalu Elementary in Kailua (165 Kaiholu Street). A garden project will take place from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., with the potluck to follow from 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Please dress to get dirty and bring plates and utensils to reduce waste. The event is free to the public.

The World Congress on Zero Emissions Initiatives is unveiling "The Blue Economy" during their weeklong conference from September 13 to 17 at the Hawai'i Convention Center in Honolulu. Attracting experts from around the globe, The Congress will focus on design of an economic system driven by innovations, generating jobs and building social capital, known as "The Blue Economy."

In attendance will be world-renowned leaders and entrepreneurs including Professor Gunter Pauli, founder of Zero Emissions Research Initiatives (ZERI) and author of "The Blue Economy." Other keynote speakers include: Tomoyo Nonaka, Chair - GAIA Initiative (former CEO of Sanyo - Japan); His Excellency, The Honorable Minister of Education, Lyonpo Thakur S. Powdyel, Royal Government of Bhutan; Anders Nyquist, Architect SAR / MSA, Founder EcoCycle Design, Sweden and Nainoa Thompson, Native Hawaiian Master Navigator.

The innovations being addressed at The World Congress are related to energy, food, health, housing, transportation, waste and water, and how these innovations integrate and provide new job opportunities in today's changing world.

Daily registration is still open to the public and additional information is available at http://zeroemissionshawaii.org.

Monday, September 13
Opening Ceremonies, full access to exhibit hall, plenary luncheon with keynote speaker Professor Gunter Pauli, afternoon sessions, refreshment break and Evening Reception "Cuisines of Hawai'i." $250 for the day.

Tuesday, September 14
Full access to exhibit hall, morning sessions, coffee break, plenary luncheon with key note speakers Pono Shim and Nainoa Thompson, refreshment break and afternoon sessions. $170 for the day.

Wednesday, September 15
Full access to exhibit hall, morning sessions, coffee break, plenary luncheon with key note speaker Tomoyo Nonaka, refreshment break and afternoon sessions. $170 for the day.

Thursday, September 16
Full access to exhibit hall, morning sessions, coffee break, plenary luncheon with His Excellency, The Honorable Minister of Education, Royal Government of Bhutan, refreshment break and afternoon sessions and "The Blue Economy" Awards Dinner. $300 for the day.

Friday, September 17
Full access to exhibit hall, morning sessions, coffee break, plenary luncheon with key note speaker Paulo Lugari pioneer of Los Gaviotas. Followed by the closing ceremonies. $150 for the day.

It's anniversary time. Baby Awearness, in the Manoa Marketplace is a year old and they are throwing a party to celebrate on Saturday, August 28 from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m., with a merchandise sale, activities for the keiki, music, talk story and, of course, snacks.

Check it out: www.babyawearness.com

The Re-use Hawai'i tool trailer was stolen from a deconstruction job site in Portlock. Please help Re-use Hawai'i find it. They are offering a $250 reward for the successful recovery of this trailer.

It's white, 5'x8', on 2 wheels, with a Re-use Hawai'i sticker on the back and full of their tools. Please call the Re-use Hawai'i Warehouse, 953-5538, with any information. Mahalo.

Our friends at Momentum MultiSport have partnered with B-cycle to bring the first bicycle rental program to Hawai'i. The first two solar-powered stations will be located in Kailua and the one-year pilot project is slated to be operational by December 2010. Full Story

There is a great new community group forming on the windward side of O'ahu, the Hau'ula Ahupua'a. They are holding a presentation tonight, Tuesday, August 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kahuku Library to get their message out and garner support. Contact Dotty Kelly-Paddock for more information: dotty.kelly@verizon.net or 225-6944.

The Hawaii Conservation Alliance presents The Conservation Through Art exhibit with Hawai'i-based artists Merlin Edmonds, Susan Scott, Jack Jeffrey and Emma Yuen. The exhibit will be on show for the public on Thursday, August 5 at the Hawai'i Conservation Conference's free Open House.

The Conservation Through Art Exhibit aims to provide a venue for conservationists affiliated with HCA partner organizations to express, through an artistic medium, what inspires them to work in conservation. Each display is accompanied by an artist's statement describing the personal meaning of the image or object and how it relates to each individual's commitment to the conservation of the ecosystems, native species and culture that comprise Hawai'i. Their landscapes, seascapes and depictions of Hawaiian species express both awe and concern for the natural and native of Hawai'i. The works offer the unique viewpoints of artists who have dedicated themselves to natural resource management and have sustained their inspiration while confronting threats to the continued survival of their subjects. These works celebrate the exceptional and rare remains of Hawaii's natural features.

Jack Jeffrey, Big Island photographer and wildlife biologist, will also showcase some of his award-winning photographs in this exhibit. His work will be presented at a free 6:30 p.m. lecture during the August 5 Open House. Other entertainment includes live music by Kupa'aina, silk aerial dance performances by Samadhi Hawai'i, a hula performance and a community market featuring a variety of local food vendors.

It's official, this week is Hawai'i Conservation Week and the Hawai'i Conservation Alliance is helping the community get plugged into fun conservation activities and exhibits for the whole family. Hawai'i Conservation Week 2010 boasts a variety of events from invasive algae removal to guided interpretive nature hikes. Dr. Samuel M. 'Ohukani'ohi'a Gon III, Senior Scientist and Cultural Advisor at The Nature Conservancy of Hawai'i, will return for a second appearance in the Natural Treasures of Hawai'i Lecture Series with his presentation "Hula and the Natural World" on Wednesday, July 28. Conservation Week culminates with the Hawai'i Conservation Fair on Saturday, July 31 at the ING DIRECT CafÈ, where marine debris artist Susan Scott will present her latest work, middle school students will give short dramatic performances, and the short film Huliau will be screened. Local conservation groups will provide a variety of games and activities that teach about Hawaiian ecosystems and how to protect them.

The full Conservation Week calendar can be viewed at hawaiiconservation.org/2010hcw.asp.

On August 4-6, conservation scientists and Hawaiian cultural practitioners will join together at the Hawai'i Convention Center for the 2010 Hawai'i Conservation Conference. This year's theme is Pacific Ecosystem Management and Restoration: Applying Traditional and Western Knowledge Systems, and the Hawai'i Conservation Alliance is pleased to welcome speakers from across the Pacific. Aroha Te Pareake Mead, Chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy and Associate Dean of Maori Research at the University of Wellington, New Zealand, will give a keynote presentation and will also serve as a panelist during the "Indigenous Women in Conservation" luncheon panel presentation. Others on the panel include Julie Leialoha (DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife), Kalei Nu'uhiwa, and Melia Lane-Kamahele (National Park Service). The Honorable Togiola T.A. Tulafono, Governor of American Samoa, will also give a keynote presentation. This year's conference has seen an enthusiastic response from local community members given the presentations on traditional Hawaiian approaches in taking care of Hawai'i's lands and seas.

A free public HCA Open House will take place on Thursday, August 5 from 4:30-8:00 p.m. The evening will be jam-packed with entertainment including live music by Kupa'aina, silk aerial dancing by Samadhi Hawai'i, a hula performance and community marketplace featuring local vendors. Attendees will have a chance to check out the conservation poster and art exhibits on display in the conference exhibit hall and hear from Rick Barboza of Hui Ku Maoli Ola, a nursery that specializes in native Hawaiian plants. At 6:30 p.m. award-winning wildlife photographer and biologist Jack Jeffrey will enchant with images of rare Hawaiian birds and stories of his adventures in the field, a lecture not to be missed by photography buffs and bird lovers.

Mobile screening of the new film by David DeLuca, Huliau, is making a tour of O'ahu. ING Direct's CafÈ Cruiser will be on site to show the film on its flat screen TVs. Screenings will be: Sunday, July 18, Hale'iwa Farmers' Market, 9:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 24, Hawai'i Kai Farmers' Market, 7:30 a.m. till 3:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 31, Hawai'i Conservation Fair, ING Direct CafÈ, 2:00 p.m.

Huliau presents our human relationship with the environment as something more than just mere habitation. This unique 35-minute story takes you on a visually stimulating journey through digital and underwater photography, animation, painted illustrations, archival films and unique natural settings.

Hawai'i Conservation Week is July 25-31, 2010 and is a great opportunity to join the Hawai'i Conservation Alliance and a host of others in recognizing the need to protect, cherish and save Hawai'i's unique natural environment. There are lectures, art shows and events planned for every day of the week.

Check out hawaiiconservation.org/2010hcw.asp to view the online calendar and get involved.

The Waikiki Worm Company and the University of Hawai'i's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) welcomes Robert Olivier, pioneer in bioconversion technology and developer of the BioPod and ProtaPod, to present a morning workshop in black soldier fly larvae use and cultivation. The workshop is Saturday, July 31 from 9:00 a.m. till noon at the Windward Community College Hale Akoakoa, Room 101.

Black soldier fly larvae is a familiar denizen of compost and manure piles as well as well-fed worm bins, known for a voracious appetite and the ability to rapidly break down organic waste. This powerful recycler at its harvestable stage is 42 percent protein, 34 percent fat and high in calcium and other nutrients, making it an ideal feed for fish and chickens in both backyard and commercial applications. Separating the larvae from the waste is achieved with the patented design of BioPod and ProtaPod technology that promotes auto-harvesting. Mr. Olivier will demonstrate management and maintenance of this innovative equipment. Following the lecture, Dr. Clyde Tamaru, CTAHR Aquaculture Specialist, will lead a tour of the Windward Community College Aquaculture/Aquaponic research station where black soldier fly larvae technology is currently being tested.

To register for the Garbage to Gold Workshop, please contact Mindy at waikikiworm@hawaii.rr.com or 945-9676. Seating is limited so please make your reservation as soon as possible. A $20 fee includes written materials and refreshments.

The State is currently seeking grant applications from Hawai'i businesses, non-profit organizations and State and county government entities to support the installation of commercially available and standard-compliant electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment to accelerate the adoption of full-speed electric drive vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in Hawai'i. The Hawai'i EV Ready Grants Program has approximately 3 million dollars available for grants to make Hawai'i ready for electric vehicles. The funds are from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, and are explicitly directed for use in Hawai'i's State Energy Program under the United States Department of Energy. The deadline for application submission is July 26, 2010.

"The grant program is intended to help the infrastructure market in Hawai'i get established, to support the electric vehicles arriving later this year and in 2011 and 2012," explained Ted Peck, energy program administrator. "This grant program will support the installers of this important part of our energy independence and will employ electricians and others in building our energy future to use clean, renewable sources."

The grant program is in addition to an electric vehicle rebate program starting in August that will provide rebates of up to $4,500 for the purchase of full-speed, commercially available electric vehicles and up to $500 for electric vehicle chargers.

view the grant document

Last year, approximately 800 energy industry representatives participated in the first Asia-Pacific Clean Energy Summit representing at least 14 countries and territories including. This year, over 1,200 local, national and international participants are expected to attend the 2010 Asia-Pacific Clean Energy Summit and Expo at the Hawai'i Convention Center in Honolulu. The four-day summit takes place August 30 through September 2, 2010, where high-level speakers, workshops, exhibitions and networking will focus on the transformation to a clean energy economy in Hawai'i and beyond. Specific topics include: advances in renewable energy technology; international and domestic public policy on renewable energy; current and future energy efficiency systems and equipment; clean energy education on the school, workforce and community level; market demand and status for renewable energy and efficiency technology.

"The Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative partnership between the State of Hawai'i and U.S. Department of Energy was a year old when we held the first energy summit and expo last year," said Governor Linda Lingle. "This year, we look forward to discussing our state's tremendous progress to move Hawai'i toward our goal of 70 percent clean energy by 2030, including renewable energy projects currently underway, new energy efficiency programs and movement toward a new regulatory framework. In particular, the energy summit will provide a valuable opportunity to share the advances we have made with our partners at the local, national and international levels."

A key focus of this year's energy summit will be China's renewable energy, investments and policies and special breakout sessions will highlight energy efficiency, solar, wind, biofuels, geothermal, ocean energy, energy policy and investment in renewable energy projects. Additionally, participants will learn about the status of development, economics and competition of renewable energy projects in the global economy and will be provided with an update on Hawai'i's Clean Energy Initiative. The expo portion of the event allows summit participants to view first-hand the clean energy initiatives being pursued around the world and highlights Hawai'i's advances as an early adopter of clean technology solutions.

http://asiapacificcleanenergy.com

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will be holding public information meetings statewide regarding proposed amendments to the rules and regulations of the State Land Use Conservation District, under Hawai'i Administrative Rules Chapter 13-5. The Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL) is responsible for overseeing these rules covering approximately 2 million acres of private and public lands that lie within the conservation district, including beach and marine lands out to the seaward extent of the State's jurisdiction. Over the years, OCCL has identified many elements within the rules that could be modified to improve its efficiency and contribute positively to OCCL's core objectives related to natural resource conservation that will benefit landowners and agencies alike. The proposed Chapter 13-5 rule amendments may be found online at the OCCL's website. Go to http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/occl

Meetings will be held at 6:00 p.m. as follows:

O'ahu: June 29, 2010, Honolulu, Kalanimoku Bldg 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 132
Maui: July 1, 2010, Wailuku, Velma M. Santos Community Center, 395 Waena Place
Hawai'i: July 6, 2010, Kona, Mayor's Conference Room, 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy., Room 103
Hawai'i: July 7, 2010, Hilo, Hilo State Office Bldg, 75 Aupuni St., Room C
Kaua'i: July 12, 2010, Lihu'e, Wilcox Elementary, 4319 Hardy St.
Moloka'i: July 14, 2010, Kaunakakai, Mitchell Pau'ole Center, 90 'Ainoa Street

In reaction to the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Surfrider Foundation's Hawaii Chapters are working with other environmental groups to organize Hands Across the Sand events on beaches across the Hawaiian Islands on Saturday, June 26 from 11:00 a.m. till 12:15 p.m. The purpose of these gatherings is to send a message: NO to more offshore drilling and YES to clean energy. Similar events will also be taking place across the country.

"We are drawing a line in the sand against offshore oil drilling along America's beaches with solidarity events across America and around the world," said event founder Dave Rauschkolb. "No single industry should be able to place entire coastal economies and marine environments at risk with dangerous, dirty mistakes."

Hands Across The Sand is endorsed by national environmental organizations including Sierra Club, Audubon, Surfrider, Oceana, Greenpeace, Defenders of Wildlife, Alaska Wilderness League, Ocean Conservancy, Friends of the Earth, Environment America, 350, MoveOn.org, Center for Biological Diversity and CleanEnergy.org. Surfrider's Hawaii Chapters are helping to organize Hands Across the Sand events at Waikiki Beach (Oahu Chapter) and at Baldwin Beach in Pa'ia (Maui Chapter), and there will be gatherings on the Big Island and Kauai as well. For a complete list of venues and more info about the events, please visit the Hands Across the Sand website.

http://www.handsacrossthesand.org/

Pacific Corporate Solutions and Aloha 'Aina Earth Day Recycling is holding a free and unlimited ewaste recycling event on Saturday, June 19 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Washington Middle School on King Street. The Hawai'i Food Bank will also be on hand and are requesting donations of canned goods for the free recycling service.

Because of the joint recycling venture, all types of items will be accepted in addition to the unlimited ewaste. Bring computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, telephone books, magazine, batteries of all kinds, usable clothing and household items, scrap metal, bicycles, appliances, beverage containers, cooking oil, cellular phones, printer cartridges, eye glasses and hearing aids. If you'd like to donate an unwanted car, the event features free towing by appointment, call 306-1876. There are even free roll-off bin services for scrap metal, call 306-1876. Bring in your incandescent light bulbs and exchange them for 2 CFL light bulbs (2 per person).

Please be aware that tires, TVs, hazardous fluids, microwaves and motor oil will not be accepted.

Please join the O'ahu Invasive Species Committee for a volunteer trip to remove invasive Himalayan blackberry on Mau'umae trail on Saturday, June 12 from 8:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor) is a thorny vine native to Western Europe. Division of Forestry and Wildlife "Hawai'i's Most Invasive Horticultural Plants" list includes all species of the genus Rubus. Blackberry forms dense impenetrable thickets that exclude other native plant species and make access difficult for hunters, hikers and other visitors to forests. These thickets can produce 7,000 to 13,000 seeds per square meter, which can remain dormant in the soil for several years. Blackberry occurs in only a few locations on O'ahu. Help get rid of it before it takes over.

The hike to the work site is over an hour journey one way on a hot and sunny exposed ridgeline. The trip is recommended for advanced hikers only. Bring more water than you think you will need, at least two quarts. Please bring gloves, sunhat, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, long pants, long sleeves and sturdy hiking shoes. Pack a hearty lunch because it's hard work. Meet beforehand at the Church of the Crossroads parking lot.

To join the work trip, please RSVP by Thursday, June 10th by e-mailing oisc@hawaii.edu or call 286-4616.

Pencil this into your planner for World Ocean Day: Tuesday, June 8 at noon Hawai'i time, Dr. Jeremy Jackson, the guru of ocean science, will give a poignant talk from the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History entitled "Brave New Ocean." The lecture focuses on the changes affecting the ocean and how it functions, current research and how it is helping to change the tide in ocean science and conservation. A live webcast of "Brave New Ocean" will be broadcast on Ocean Portal.

http://ocean.si.edu/ocean-videos/changingtides/

Loved your beach lately? Even if you're a daily beach lover, help celebrate United Nations World Oceans Day on Tuesday, June 8 by lending a hand and cleaning up your local beach to say thanks to one of Hawai'i's many precious natural resources. The Waikiki Aquarium is celebrating World Oceans Day by partnering with local organizations and businesses including NOAA Pacific Services Center, the City and County of Honolulu, Duke's Waikiki and Kona Brewing Company Koko Marina Pub to host beach clean-ups, on-site activities and special promotions that honor and bring awareness to the world's oceans.

Staff and volunteers from the Waikiki Aquarium and Duke's Waikiki kick off the festivities with two separate beach clean-ups, while NOAA Pacific Services will also be on-site at the Waikiki Aquarium throughout the day, offering kid-friendly activities. In addition, Kona Brewing Company Koko Marina Pub in Hawaii Kai will donate a percentage of its proceeds to the Waikiki Aquarium that day from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Primo Beer is hosting a public beach clean-up at Sandy Beach starting at 8:00 a.m. Volunteers should check in at the Primo tent at the beach park.

The Waikiki Aquarium will also kick off its Summer Nights at the Aquarium on World Ocean's Day (and subsequently on the second Tuesday in July and August) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., offering guests the opportunity to explore the Aquarium during the warm summer evenings.

The Guava Shop, the North Shore O'ahu's beachy chic boutique, and Kokua Hawai'i Foundation are hosting the second annual community clothing swap. What is a clothing swap you might ask? It's the opportunity to trade some threads you haven't worn in a while for some new clothes (aka something someone else hasn't worn for a while).

The clothing swap will be at Guava Shop on Saturday, June 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In addition to the fashion trades, all clothing swap participants can take advantage of discounts off green-themed items throughout the store. Here's what you do: Starting Tuesday, June 1 and every day until 6:00 p.m. the night before the event, anyone can bring their swappable clothes to Guava Shop to receive swap tickets. These swap tickets can be used to "purchase" clothing on the event day. The amount of swap tickets you are given will depend on the "value" of the clothing you bring in. The value will be determined at the discretion of the Guava Shop owners or the Kokua Hawai'i Foundation volunteers and depends on the cleanliness, quality, style and brand of the clothing items. Swappable items include quality wardrobe items that you'd typically consign or share with a friend-clothing others would be happy to wear. Items must be clean (freshly laundered) and in very good condition. All unclaimed items are donated to various local non-profits that provide clothing to people in need. Out of respect for fellow swappers and the community, please do not bring ripped, dirty, stained items or non-functioning clothing items.

For more information contact the Guava Shop at www.guavahawaii.com

The Hawai'i PV Coalition is hosting the fifth annual House of the Sun Solar Tour on Saturday, June 5 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The self-guided tour, winding across the Valley Isle, is a unique opportunity to learn more about photovoltaic (PV) energy, solar hot water systems and energy efficiency by touring a number of innovative "green" residential and commercial buildings across Maui. With some of Hawai'i's leading solar experts on-hand to provide information and answer questions, the day-long event will shed light on solar options available to island residents, as well as energy-saving techniques, sustainable building design, energy efficient appliances and use of green materials during construction or remodeling. Additionally, this year's tour will feature a question-and-answer session from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. with Rising Sun Solar & Electric's Brad Albert and CPA Doug Levin, of Levin & Hu, LLP.

Last year, the House of the Sun Solar Tour drew more than 250 participants, with more anticipated this year, so early registration is encouraged. Upon registration for the event, participants will receive a tour program, which includes a map, driving directions and list of properties with descriptions of solar system types, sizes, brands and energy efficiency measures. Carpooling is encouraged. The tour stresses practical, real-world examples of sustainable energy choices that can help lower utility costs, support energy independence, protect against power outages and reduce carbon emissions.

To register, visit www.hawaiipvcoalition.org/solartour.php and complete the online registration form. For more information, contact the Hawai'i PV Coalition at (808) 579-8288.

The Hawai'i Conservation Alliance and the Honolulu Zoological Society are hosting Hawai'i's inaugural celebration of Endangered Species Day on Saturday, May 22 from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. at the Honolulu Zoo. The event brings awareness to the 377 endangered species in Hawai'i and the thousands more across the globe. Educational exhibits, games, crafts and a silk aerial performance by Samadhi Hawai'i will be among the festivities. Zookeepers will talk story about their experiences with zoo residents and the Hawai'i Conservation Alliance and other conservation groups will be on hand to discuss several endangered species recovery projects and habitat restoration efforts in Hawai'i.

Endangered Species Day is celebrated annually across the U.S. on the third Friday in May. This Endangered Species Day event is a fun and unique way for keiki and adults to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species in Hawai'i and around the globe. Protecting wildlife and plants today is a legacy we leave to our children and grandchildren, so that residents and visitors alike can continue to experience the rich variety of native species that help to define Hawai'i, many of which are critically endangered and are found nowhere else on earth.

This Sunday, May 16, is the second annual Bike to the Zoo Day. Anyone who rides a bicycle to the Honolulu Zoo gets in free! Bicyclists should enter at the Monsarrat gate where there will be free valet bike parking. The event is from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Bring the whole family!

Car manufacturers are flocking to Hawai'i with zeal to implement new sustainable technologies. In addition to the Nissan LEAF coming to Hawai'i in 2011, General Motors has recently partnered with The Gas Company in an effort to bring hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology to O'ahu. GM will be supplying the fuel cell vehicles and The Gas Company will deliver the hydrogen to power them.

The Gas Company produces hydrogen along with synthetic natural gas and delivers it in its utility gas stream, with more than 5 percent hydrogen content. Through a proprietary separation process, TGC plans to tap into its 1,000-mile utility pipeline system at key locations and separate the hydrogen for use by local fueling stations for fuel cell vehicles.

"This is the type of enabler that a hydrogen transportation infrastructure needs because it addresses both the source of the hydrogen and a feasible way to deliver it for fuel cell vehicle use," said Charles Freese, executive director of GM Global Fuel Cell Activities. "The Hawai'i infrastructure could eventually support tens of thousands of fuel cell vehicles."

GM, which has invested more than $1.5 billion in fuel cell transportation in the last 15 years, is developing a production-intent fuel cell system that could be ready for commercialization in 2015. Depending how the pricing for the hydrogen is set, it could be available at the equivalent price of gasoline or less.

U.S. Senator Dan Inouye (D-Hawai'i) supports the pilot project and worked to bring the two companies together. "It is an important step forward in the establishment of a hydrogen transportation infrastructure upon which new fleets, both military and civilian, can be tested and utilized," said Inouye, "and I am committed to support the resourcing of this endeavor."

It's official. Hawai'i has been selected by Nissan North America as one of its initial launch markets for the all-electric Nissan LEAF. Beginning in early 2011, the option to purchase and drive a highway-rated all-electric vehicle will be in your hands, an opportunity not yet available on such a broad scale across the islands. The LEAF has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $32,780 and is eligible for a federal tax credit of $7,500.

If you'd like to be one of the first people to take the new arrival home, you'll need to make a reservation because the vehicles are in such high demand. Reservations open to the public on Saturday, May 15 and require a $99 fully refundable reservation fee. If you're ready to plug in instead of pumping up, then visit Nissan's website to reserve the LEAF.

www.nissanusa.com

Keiki Day at Baby Awearness was a great success for parents and kids alike. While parents took a break and talked story, the kids were entertained with stencil art, gardening, baby hula, a sing-a-long and of course, the GREEN magazine coloring contest. Enjoy the artistic expression of these inquisitive toddlers and kids.

If you missed the recent screening of the documentary FLOW, you have another chance to see the film. The East-West Center's Leadership Certificate Program has organized a film symposium about the world water crisis and is hosting a free screening of award-winning film FLOW - For the Love of Water at Spalding Auditorium at the University of Hawaii at Manoa on Sunday, April 25, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A panel discussion and reception after the screening of Flow - For the Love of Water are also scheduled. Additional information on environmental initiatives and community initiatives will be provided through booth displays.

FLOW "gives viewers a look at the people and institutions providing practical solutions to the water crisis and those developing new technologies, which are fast becoming blueprints for a successful global and economic turnaround." Making clean water accessible as a natural resource to be enjoyed by all without restrictions based on societal status and standing is a generational challenge many people face.

Participants are warmly invited to attend the free screening of this film and participate in the panel discussion and reception afterward. Awareness campaigns also include a petition calling on the United Nations to include water as a human right. Sixty years after the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "over a billion people across the planet lack access to clean and potable water and that millions die each year as a result." The proposed Article 31 asserts that: "Everyone has the right to clean and accessible water, adequate for the health and well-being of the individual and family, and no one shall be deprived of such access or quality of water due to individual economic circumstance".

flowthefilm.com

www.article31.org

For Earth Day, 2009 Disneynature released a stunning nature film entitled EARTH. This year, they are focusing on the basis for all life, the oceans. OCEANS premiers on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22. Directed by Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud and narrated by Pierce Brosnan, the film features spectacular, never-before-seen imagery captured by the latest in underwater filming technologies.

A donation from opening week ticket sales will go towards saving our coral reefs. To watch a preview and learn more about the film and where it is showing, visit:

disney.go.com/disneynature

If you missed your chance to recycle electronic waste at the past LCC eWaste recycling drive, you have another chance to ditch those old, broken and outdated electronics at the UH at Manoa Earth Day Event. Pacific Corporate Solutions will be on campus on Thursday, April 22 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. next to Andrews Amphitheatre. Drop off computers, monitors, laptops, printers, fax machines, servers and telecom equipment. The recycling drive is open to the public as well as commercial business and there is no quantity limit. Unfortunately, no TVs, batteries or microwaves will be taken.

And in an extra measure of giving, the Hawaii Foodbank will be on hand to accept donations of canned food.

www.ewastehawaii.com

One day of celebration for Earth Day is just not enough for the folks at University of Hawai'i at Manoa, so they have an entire week of festivities ready to go. Here's the run down on Sustainability Week in Honor of Earth Day 2010:

Monday, April 19 - Movie and Panel
Campus Center Ballroom
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy a free movie and panel discussion on the role of politics in the sustainability movement. For more information visit www.sustainable.hawaii.edu

Tuesday and Wednesday, April 20-21 - Art Installation
Campus Center Courtyard
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Planet Illogica in association with Sustainable UH presents: Infiltrate by Julie B of Pretty in Plastic. Also visit with the Surfrider Foundation, B.E.A.C.H., and the Save My Oceans Tour for free movie tickets to the premier of Disney's movie "Oceans."

Wednesday, April 21 - Film Screening "Oceans"
Ward Theaters
Doors open at 7:00 p.m., movie at 8:00 p.m.
FREE advanced screening of Disney's movie "Oceans."
For more information on how to obtain FREE tickets, visit www.savemyoceans.com

Thursday, April 22 - Earth Day Festival and Free Recycling Drive
10:00 a.m. - Sunset
Krauss Lawn and McCarthy Mall
Celebrate Earth Day at UH Manoa as over 100 socially and environmentally conscious businesses, organizations, and artisans come together for O'ahu's largest Earth Day celebration. Enjoy live local music, slam poetry, eco-fashion show, technology demos, delicious food and more, all day long. Bring all recycling, including electronic waste, to Krauss Lawn. Bring your old light bulbs to the Sustainable UH booth and we will switch them to energy efficient CFLs for free, limit 5 per household. Cycle Manoa will be accepting and rebuilding old bicycles to get them out on the road again. Donate your old bike, too. The aim of the festival is for zero waste, so bring your own cup, plate and silverware for discounts off food.

7:00 p.m. Diet, Health and Sustainability: Powerful ways you can make a difference
Consumer awareness has become an important topic in the arena of sustainability. Learn steps to create healthy ecosystems from the inside out in this informative talk from Ola Loa Wellness.

Friday, April 23 - Campus Center Board presents Aloha Bash 2010 with Pepper, Tribal Seeds & Go Jimmy Go!
Andrews Amphitheater
5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Top off Earth Week by attending the Aloha Bash 2010. Enjoy the music of Pepper, Tribal Seeds, Go Jimmy Go and the Resorts. This annual concert, brought to you by the Campus Center Board, aims to bring you a zero waste event, so do your part by bring your own shopping bag, water bottle, plates and cutlery. Water refill stations will be provided throughout the event. Tickets on sale now at the UH Manoa Ticket, Info & Id Office. Campus Center 212. Call (808) 956-7235 for ticket information.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS:
Please join 100 student volunteers on Wednesday, April 21 and Thursday, April 22 and receive free lunch and a great bamboo and organic cotton t-shirt. Please contact Chloe Milligan, Sustainable UH Sustainability Festival Coordinator at chloejm@hawaii.edu

sustainable.hawaii.edu

Spring celebrations abound in honor of Earth Day and Earth Week. Next on the list, the Surfrider Foundation's O'ahu Chapter is hosting a cleanup of the Ala Wai Canal on Sunday, April 18, from 10:00 a.m. till noon. Surfrider is partnering with the Lokahi Canoe Club, Mai Tai Bar and the Honolulu Zoo to remove trash along the Ala Wai Canal before it flows into the ocean. Student groups from the Shidler College of Business at UH at Manoa, the East West Center and UH West Oahu will also be volunteering their time and efforts. Lokahi Canoe Club will donate canoes for volunteers who wish to paddle and collect trash and Mai Tai Bar will provide pupus, prizes and refreshments after the cleanup is pau. The Honolulu Zoo will also give free entry to volunteers following the event. Participants should wear sunscreen and shoes and are invited to recycle old plastic bags to collect the trash and bring reusable water bottles. The cleanup will commence at the park next to the Waikiki Library at 400 Kapahulu Avenue. Please park at the Waikiki Library and along the golf course access road off of Kapahulu Ave.

As part of its Rise Above Plastics campaign, Surfrider is working to raise awareness of the prevalence of plastic marine debris, reduce the use of single-use plastics (bags and water bottles) and to promote a more sustainable lifestyle in Hawaii. "After the massive discharge of sewage into the canal in 2006, Surfrider's O'ahu Chapter has been working with the City & County and other environmental groups to make sure that the old sewer lines were replaced and that no other spill like that ever happens again," says Stuart H. Coleman, the Hawaii Chapters Coordinator. "The Ala Wai Canal is an important watershed that needs to be protected."

On Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, Down to Earth ALL VEGETARIAN Organic & Natural will hold a special sale offering 30 percent off the regular price of more than 100 best-selling products. The event will include a special Earth Day talk by Down to Earth's Chief Vegetarian Officer and the launch of "Meatless Mondays." Beginning on Monday, April 26, and every Monday after that, customers will get up to 40 percent off the regular price of selected ALL VEGETARIAN Preferred Brand items. The Earth Day Sale includes grocery, produce, chill and frozen items, cosmetics and supplements.

Mark Fergusson, Down to Earth's Chief Vegetarian Officer, will give an informative and eye opening talk entitled, "Saving the Planet: One Bite at a Time," in which he will discuss why adopting a vegetarian diet is the single most important thing an individual can do for the environment and how it literally saves the planet one bite at a time. "There are only positive benefits to going meatless, with no unwelcome tradeoffs or unintended negative side effects," says Fergusson.

The talk will take place at Down to Earth's Lifestyle Center, 2515 S. King St. 2nd floor (next to Down to Earth Honolulu). Seating is limited, so please call (808) 947-3249 for reservations.

www.downtoearth.org

Check it out! Jamba Juice has a great coupon to take advantage of till April 25th

Click here for the coupon: Jamba Juice Coupon

For all you eco-conscious parents and lucky keiki, Baby aWEARness and Hot Mama Maternity is hosting their very own Earth Day celebration in store this Saturday, April 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be engaging activities for the kids like stencil creations with local artist/fashion designer Sierra Dew, the GREEN Magazine coloring contest, bucket gardening with Auntie Pualani, keiki hula class with Kumu Malia, live music with Uncle Wayne Watkins, healthy snacks and beverages. The family fun day wraps up with special prize giveaways.

There will be activities for adults too. Experts will be on hand to talk about cloth diapering, baby wearing/sling techniques, square foot gardening, preparing healthy meals and more. In addition, Baby aWEARness offers a natural parenting resource center filled with eco-friendly educational materials.

Bring your own cup for complimentary refreshments and bring old items such as bags and shirts to make new again with one of Sierra Dew's custom earth-inspired stencils. For more information contact the store at 988-0010 or visit www.babyawearness.com

Keiki Earth Day Schedule
11:00 a.m. - Stenciling Project (all day), Coloring Contest (all day), Square Foot Gardening (all day), Eco-Fairy Princess (TBA)
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Bucket Gardening
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Keiki Hula Class
Noon - 2:00 p.m. - Healthy Snacks
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Music with Wayne Watkins
2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. - Prize Giveaway

Duke's Waikiki honored traditional Hawaiian fisherman Mac Poepoe for his dedication and contribution to perpetuating Hawaiian culture and traditions with its prestigious Ho'okahiko Award. Poepoe, an acclaimed Moloka'i conservationist and founder of the nonprofit organization Hui Malama o Mo'omomi, was recognized for his commitment to resource preservation through sustainable fishing methods and the use of traditional Hawaiian fishing practices. He exemplifies Ho'okahiko, meaning to cling to the traditions.

Poepoe also publishes the Pono Fishing Calendar, an illustrated guide promoting good fishing behavior based on phases of the moon. The guide teaches fishermen when not to fish as to keep fish populations flourishing, while respecting the natural rhythms and renewal processes of the ocean. He is also involved in educational outreach efforts to Moloka'i youth.

As part of the iconic restaurant's commitment to raise awareness of Hawai'i's traditions, Duke's Waikiki also hosted its first Reef and Ocean Expo. The free public event took place on the restaurant's lanai and featured exhibits on ecosystem management, box jellyfish, invasive algae and water safety.

A true testament that Hawai'i largely sets the example in sustainability for the continental U.S., the NBA's New Jersey Nets are making a big push to promote going green and they're doing so with the help of a local company The Wiki Garden. The Nets chose The Wiki Garden as one of the prizes for their "Greenest Fan" award. The Wiki Garden creator, Alan Joaquin, was thrilled for the opportunity to team up with the NBA and gain worldwide attention for his new invention. "My goal when I started this business was to bring sustainable organic food production to the masses," said Joaquin, "and seeing a Wiki Garden on an NBA court 5,000 miles away gives me hope that I will achieve my goal."

The presentation of The Wiki Garden to the Greenest Fan came with a life-sized cardboard cutout of Joaquin at half court hoisting a Wiki Garden over his head. The prop is reminiscent of NBA players posing with basketballs. Joaquin joked that it's the closest he'll ever come to being a pro basketball player. Another Greenest Fan will be honored and bestowed a Wiki Garden on Friday, April 9 during the Nets vs Bulls game.

www.thewikigarden.com
www.netsgogreen.com

If you've worked with the Oahu Invasive Species Committee before, then you'll know that this is not the typical volunteer work trip. On Saturday, April 10, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. OISC has a treat for the adventurous: a miconia survey. Volunteers and staff will be surveying for invasive Miconia calvescens in the Ko'olau's. The majority of the survey will be conducted off-trail and volunteers will encounter steep, unstable, and highly vegetated terrain. All new volunteers are required to conduct a brief interview before participating and must be in good physical condition.

Miconia is a highly invasive tree that has taken over 80,000 acres of native forest in Tahiti, where it has become known as the "purple plague" due to its bright purple undersides. Miconia forms a dense umbrella over the watershed, excluding other plants, causing erosion and reducing the amount of water absorbed in our aquifers. Volunteers will learn more about OISC's number one target, how to identify it and how we control it on the volunteer trip.

In order to join the work trip, all volunteers must complete brief interview by Thursday, April 8. Email oisc@hawaii.edu or call 286-4616. There is a limit on the amount of volunteers, so please sign-up early.

Be prepared: Bring along more water than you think you will need-at least 2 quarts. Wear sunscreen, mosquito repellant, long pants and long sleeves. Due to contamination issues with seeds, OISC will provide footwear and gloves unless specified otherwise. No slippers allowed. Pack a hearty lunch because we work hard!

Pacific Corporate Solutions is partnering with LCC and the Hawaii Foodbank to help the environment by recycling old outdated electronics. The event is free and there are no limits on the amount of ewaste you can drop off. Think about a canned food donation for the Hawaii Foodbank as well.

The recycling event is Saturday, April 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Leeward Community College main parking lot. It is open to the public and all commercial businesses. Acceptable materials are computers, monitors, laptops, printers, fax machines, servers and telecom equipment. Unfortunately, no TVs, batteries or microwaves will be accepted.

So bring your electronic waste, bring a can of food and help the community.

ewastehawaii.com

The Hawaii Conservation Alliance hosts their final discussion series at ING Direct CafÈ in Waikiki on Wednesday, March 31 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Hawai'i Kua Uli, The Sweep of Hawaiian Ecosystems features guest lecturer Dr. Samuel M. 'Ohukani'ohi'a Gon III, senior scientist and cultural advisor. The discussion explores the many ecosystems of Hawai'i, from the coast to the summits, from Lake Waiau down through the streams to the sea and from surface water to subterranean regions. The presentation will be a blend of scientific and cultural perspectives on the systems, plants and animals that reside in the unique environments. On free beverage for each attendee.

hawaiiconservation.org/hcalectures.asp

Earth Hour is almost upon us and everyone should get involved. What is Earth Hour, you may ask? Earth Hour is a global initiative started by the World Wildlife Fund to show support of action on climate change by turning out your lights for one hour. Earth Hour is the largest climate event in history and in 2009, more than 4,000 cities in 87 countries went dark. In the United States, an estimated 80 million Americans participated, along with 318 cities and 8 states.

Earth Hour is on Saturday, March 27 at 8:30 p.m. local time. Crack a beer and enjoy the stars. www.myearthhour.org/home

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold a public information meeting on Maui on Tuesday, March 30 to present to the Maui community the findings and recommendations of an independent federal investigation on damage caused to the Keawakapu reef last December. DLNR will be seeking public input on the recommendations and options for restoration of live coral in the future. The meeting will be held in Kihei, Maui at Kamali'i Elementary School Cafeteria, 180 Ke Alii Alanui Street, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The public may also send comments on the report's findings and preferences regarding further remedial action to keawakapu.comments@yahoo.com

Two federal agencies, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have produced an independent assessment on damage caused to live coral when a set of concrete modules were submerged by DLNR employees to expand the state's Keawakapu artificial reef off the coast of Maui on December 2, 2009. The investigation by the federal agencies was conducted in January and involved a site inspection, a preliminary assessment of damage to corals, preliminary recommendations as to immediate actions that may be undertaken to mitigate the damage, and best practices to avoid damage in the future.

The current federal assessment is the first phase of an agreement between DLNR and these agencies, and is focused on immediate mitigation of current damage and prevention of further potential damage. The second phase, which has not yet begun, will address the longer-term mitigation work that might be required of the division and the Department. The report is posted on the DLNR website at hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/pdf/keawakapu.pdf

Wild Local Food And Medicine Plants
Learn how to identify and appropriately harvest local wild food and medicinal plants with herbalist and ethnobotanist Laura Shiels. Saturday, March 27 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. There is a $20 fee and advanced registration is required: thegreenhousehawaii.com or call (808) 524-8427.

Music is Life, an Introduction to Junk Jam
The Junk Jam is an instrument and music-making workshop developed and taught by 21-year professional percussionist John Martin. Participants of this class will transform unwanted raw, reused or recycled materials into musical instruments (sound making devices). Woven into the fabric of the workshop is the theme of sustainable living and our connection to the planet. Saturday, March 27 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. There is a $20 fee (per person or parent/child team) and advanced registration is required: thegreenhousehawaii.com or call (808) 524-8427.

Geo Force Horizons presents a free lecture and demo on Saturday, March 27 to demonstrate the components and features of a modern rainwater harvesting system. Topics include the components necessary for a rainwater harvesting system, integrated sustainable water management, LEED points possible followed by a Q&A. Also included in the seminar are discussions on lumber sealers, bamboo and cork flooring and roof coatings. The seminar will take place at the Green Energy Outlet from noon to 4:00 p.m.

www.geoforcehorizons.com

gogeogo.com

The 2010 First Hawaiian International Auto Show is coming to the Hawaii Convention Center from Wednesday, March 26 to Friday, March 28. Along with the typical gas guzzling autos we're used to seeing on our roads, a few electric vehicles will be showcased as well: the Mini Cooper E, a test-phase plug-in electric that produces zero emissions and at the other end of the monetary spectrum, a Tesla Roadster that averages 240 miles per charge will be on display. Also, rumors abound that Nissan may make a marketing announcement at the auto show regarding the release of the Nissan Leaf in Hawai'i.

Pick up a copy of the Spring 2010 issue of GREEN, hitting the shelves in early April, to learn more about electric vehicles coming to Hawai'i.

www.motortrendautoshows.com/honolulu

I know that flat of bottled water at Costco is so convenient and appealing, but it's time to think twice about the source of the water, the waste associated with the bottles and your rights to clean drinking water. To drive the message home, Kokua Hawai'i Foundation and UH Cinema Series are kicking off World Water Week with a screening the film Tapped on Sunday, March 21 at 5:00 p.m. at the UH at Manoa's Spalding Auditorium.

Tapped, Stephanie Soechtig's award-winning debut feature is an unflinching examination of the big business of bottled water. From the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car and I.O.U.S.A., this timely documentary is a behind-the-scenes look into the unregulated and unseen world of an industry that aims to privatize and sell back the one resource that ought to never become a commodity: our water. The impact of plastic water bottles in Hawai'i is especially pronounced. In addition to the enormous environmental and monetary costs associated with importation and disposal, plastic from the single-use bottles litters our beaches and endangers wildlife.

Admission is $5 for general public and $3 for Kokua Hawai'i Foundation Members and UHM students.

www.kokuahawaiifoundation.org
www.tappedthemovie.com

If you're all about those wonderful veggies, then the Great American Meatout is right up your alley. The Meatout is an international observance that encourages everyone to kick the meat habit for one day, Saturday, March 20 and evolve to a wholesome and compassionate diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. If you're already on that wagon, then all the more to celebrate.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Meatout and Down To Earth markets are celebrating by offering 30% off selected meat substitute products. The sale is being held all day at all their locations on the meatless Saturday.

To find out more about the Great American Meatout, the world's largest annual grassroots diet education campaign, check out www.meatout.org

You can also find a list of the on sale meatless products at Down To Earth at: www.downtoearth.org

Mokulua Restoration

DLNR-DOFAW and the Offshore Islet Restoration Committee are looking for volunteers to help plant native plants on Moku Nui islet off Lanikai on Friday and Saturday, March 19 and 20. Volunteers and staff will be planting native ilima, naio, nehe, ihi, pa'uohi'iaka and other species to replace invasive weeds, enhance seabird nesting habitat and reduce soil erosion. The planting will be on Moku Nui, the northern islet of the Mokulua in Kailua Bay. The islet is part of the state seabird sanctuary and other than the sandy beach, recreational use of the islet is normally prohibited.

If you have your own water transportation, volunteers are meeting on the islet around 8:00 a.m. If you need water transportation, meet at the Pokole beach right-of-way (1400 block) in Lanikai a little before 8:00 a.m., where a boat will run between the islet and the right-of-way. Bring water, snacks, gloves and trowel if you have one. Be prepared to get wet getting on and off the boat, which may require wading through chest-high water or even a very short swim.

Please sign up with Jaap Eijzenga at jaap.eijzenga@hawaii.edu or call 721-0698.

"Dancing Green," an unforgettable dance work based on environmental themes and inspired by the desire to make eco-friendly changes that positively impact the environment and reduce waste, is showing on in the Manoa Valley at Kennedy Theatre's mainstage on March 11, 12, 13 at 8:00 p.m. and March 14 at 2:00 p.m. The annual dance concert is choreographed by University of Hawai'i at Manoa's Department of Theatre and Dance faculty and guest artists with performances by theatre and dance students. There is also a free pre-show chat scheduled for Saturday, March 13 at 7:00 p.m. By partnering with a variety of community and campus organizations to increase awareness on green initiatives, "Dancing Green" offers a fun and enriching theatrical experience with a clean conscience.

All costumes in "Dancing Green" are made from recycled materials and the concert is paperless. Concert programs will be projected for audience viewing and available on the web, and the promotional flyers are virtual.

Tickets for "Dancing Green" are now available online at etickethawaii.com and by phone at 944-2697. Tickets will also go on sale at the Kennedy Theatre Box Office beginning March 8 and may be purchased Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with extended hours on the days of performances. Prices are $20 regular; $18 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff; $12 students; and $5 UHM students with a validated Spring 2010 UHM photo ID. Ticket prices include all service fees. For more information or disability access, call the Kennedy Theatre Box Office at 956-7655 (voice/text).

www.etickethawaii.com

Blue Planet Friends are invited to meet Cisco DeVries, the pioneer of a revolutionary policy that eliminates one of the obstacles to the installation of residential and commercial clean energy: the upfront cost. Described by the Harvard Business Review as one of "10 Breakthrough Ideas for 2010," the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program is a means to easily fund clean energy projects - like photovoltaic and solar water heaters - through low-interest government bond funding. These bonds, in turn, are paid back over time through a subscriber's property tax.

Cisco DeVries, the inventor of the PACE program, will discuss the experiences learned in implementing this system in other states. Other energy experts will contribute to the discussion about the PACE program in Hawai'i and how it could radically stimulate our clean energy industry.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010
9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
YWCA - Elizabeth Fuller Hall, 1040 Richards Street, Honolulu
RSVP by March 1

Seating is limited, admission is free. A limited number of travel grants are available for individuals traveling from the neighbor islands.

The Hawaii Conservation Alliance's free lectures series presents A Bird's-eye View of Hawai'i, with guest lecturer Jim Jacobi, principal investigator for the U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Island Ecosystem Research Center on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the ING Direct Cafe in Waikiki.

Hawai'i has been home to over 100 unique species of birds. While many have already become extinct, nine are critically endangered. Join HCA for a talk story with Jim Jacobi about what the U.S. Geological Survey's Pacific Island Ecosystem Research Center is doing to protect Hawai'i's unique species and ecosystems.

James D. Jacobi is a biologist and authority on Hawaiian flora and forest ecology. Having invested over thirty years in the conservation of Hawaiian species and ecosystems, his research has included vegetation mapping, conducting bird and plant surveys, studying impacts and management of invasive species, plant community restoration, species range modeling, and assessing the potential impacts of climate change on our island ecosystems.

hawaiiconservation.org

FLOW: For the Love of Water, an eye-opening documentary about the global issues facing our most important and valuable natural resource, is screening at Baby aWEARness on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 3:00 p.m. Dr. Kapua'ala Sproat, professor of Native Hawaiian and Environmental Law, specializing in natural resource protection and management, and Isaac Moriwake, attorney in the Honolulu office of Earthjustice where he litigates state and federal environmental issues under the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, State Water Code and various Hawai'i environmental laws, will be on hand for a poignant Q&A about water rights and management in Hawai'1.

Due to limited seating, please RSVP at FlowScreening@gmail.com. This is a Bottled Water Free event. Reusable water bottles are welcome. Filtered tap water and snacks will be available. The free screening is at Baby aWEARness: The Natural Source for Your Blossoming Baby, Manoa Marketplace, Second Floor, 2752 Woodlawn Dr., Suite 5-209, Honolulu, 96822.

GREEN is Sponsoring Square Foot Gardening Teacher Certification Training in Hawai'i

GREEN: Hawai'i's Sustainable Living Magazine is proud to be a Presenting Sponsor of the first annual Square Foot Gardening (SFG) Teacher Certification Training in Hawai'i. This one-of-a-kind training course will be led by Square Foot Gardening Founder Mel Bartholomew on May 20 - 22, 2010 at Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of O'ahu. This course also doubles as the launch of the World Hunger Symposium in the Pacific, a movement to raise funds to combat world hunger while teaching individuals how to be sustainable. All Hawai'i residents who register by March 1, 2010 will receive a discounted rate of $145 (regular price: $165) per person, or $195 (regular price $215) per household. Please see the registration form for more details. Register Form

SFG Teacher Certification is the perfect opportunity for business owners, teachers, families or anyone interested in growing their own food to not only learn about sustainable gardening, but also become certified to teach this easy and efficient gardening process. Square Foot Gardening employs water conservation, uses no pesticides and requires much less space than a traditional garden. Growing your own food is one facet of a sustainable and healthy life, one that saves money, promotes self-sufficiency and reduces strain on the environment.

To register visit: www.squarefootgardening.com

If you are interested in joining GREEN as a sponsor of this event or have any questions, please email Valerie Kon, the event coordinator for World Hunger Symposium - Hawaii Square Foot Gardening Foundation at: whs.sfg@gmail.com. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there!

The Kamehameha School Kapalama Campus is hosting its very own sustainability fair on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Konia Field. GREEN: Hawai'i's Sustainable Living Magazine will be participating with more than 20 other eco-conscious companies like Hui Ku Maoli Ola native plants, the Kokua Hawai'i Foundation, Kanu Hawai'i and Sunetric. Be sure to stop by, talk story with the vendors and take home some fresh ideas for sustainability. Check out the website for all the info. kssf.weebly.com/index.html

As part of Hawaiian Electric's Home Energy Challenge, students at elementary schools across the island created their own New Year's resolutions to conserve energy at home, drawing colorful pictures to illustrate their pledges for 2010.

"These resolutions help the children to remember to be good stewards of the environment, help their families save some money on their electricity bills and will ultimately help the students work towards their goal to reduce home energy use in order to win a cash prize for their school," said Ka'iulani de Silva, Hawaiian Electric director of education and consumer affairs.

This year, there are two ways for elementary schools to win cash prizes in the Home Energy Challenge: there is a school-based competition encouraging students and their families to lower their home energy usage, as well as an energy conservation project competition. Eight schools from across O'ahu have signed up to learn about energy conservation and compete for a cache of $25,000 in prize money, sponsored by the State of Hawaii Department of Education and Hawaiian Electric Company.

The winners include:

Waikiki Elementary
Gordon Cheung Pledge: "I could save power and turn off computers."
Teacher: Mrs. Caine, grade 2

Sunset Beach Elementary
Zoe Curtis Pledge: "I will save energy by turning off the sink when I brush my teeth. When I walk out of a room, I will turn off the lights. I will turn off the TV when I am finished."
Teacher: Mrs. Hatter, grade 4

Mililani Mauka Elementary
Kamryn Sasaki Pledge: "I promise to conserve electricity at home by removing the plug from devices that are not being charged."
Teacher: Mrs. Horie, grade 4

UH Lab School's First Annual Recycle-A-Thon and Sustainability Fair

Date: Saturday, February 13, 2010

Location: University Laboratory School, 1776 University Avenue, Honolulu
(on the campus of the University of Hawaii)

Time: 11:00a - 4:00p (entertainment from 11:30a - 2:30p)

Free public screening of the film Fresh begins at 2:30p

Hosted by teenagers from the University Laboratory School for anyone interested in learning more about living green, recycling, sustainability and supporting the Lab School, featuring local vendors such as Aloha 'Aina Recycling Partners, Blue Planet Foundation, Hagadone Printing, City & County of Honolulu's Opala.org, Waikiki Worm and B.E.A.C.H., among others. Also features games and crafts for keiki, music performances and a free public screening of the highly acclaimed film, Fresh. To educate the public about ways to live more sustainably by learning ways to reduce, reuse and recycle, and to drop off your recyclables. Suggested donation for admission is 5 Hi-5 redeemable containers per person (equivalent to 25¢), or $1 per person without Hi-5 containers. Lunch is free with participation in our Green Tour (visits to our featured guests), or $5 donation per person with $1 off for bringing your own plate.

For more information please contact Miki Tomita at mtomita@hawaii.edu

The Kokua Festival and STAR 101.9 are once again offering a chance at purchasing pre-sale tickets by helping to clean Hawai'i's beaches. Come out, malama'aina and earn a pre-sale code that is good for purchasing two Kokua Festival tickets. All participants will be entered in a drawing for two free tickets to the Kokua Festival and other great prizes. All clean-ups will take place on Saturday, Feb. 13, from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Three on Oahu

BYUH-SIFE North Shore Clean-Up
*Thanks to Surfrider Oahu for assisting with this beach clean-up.
Beach: Malaekahana and Kahuku Golf Course, Seventh Hole Beach
Meeting Place: Malaekahana Beach Park (by Goat Island, look for signs!)

Kanu Hawaii & Rep. Maile Shimabukuro West Side Clean-Up
Beach: Kea'au Beach Park, Makaha
Meeting Place: Kea'au Beach Park (the park after Makaha Surfing Beach)

Surfrider Oahu South Shore Clean-Up
Beach: Sand Island State Park Beach
Meeting Place: Third beach parking lot, at the very end of Sand Island Access Road

One on Maui

The Maui Times Clean-Up
Beach: Kahalui Harbor
Meeting Place: Kahalui Harbor Park by MACC

The pre-sale will begin on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 9:00 a.m., ending on Monday, Feb. 15 at midnight and only accessible through the STAR 101.9 website with a beach clean-up passcode. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles, small grocery bags for picking up little items, sunscreen, and a hat. Please visit www.kokuafestival.com or www.star101.9.com for more information.

Our favorite natural parenting store in Manoa Marketplace is looking for Hawaii's Next Hot Mama and we want to help! This is your chance to honor and empower the fabulous women in your life. Nominate the wonderful women in your life online at www.BabyaWEARness.com

What Makes A Mom a Hot Mama?
Being a Hot Mama isn't about being a super model; it is about being a mom that is awe-inspiring, energetic and creative. Most of all it is about taking pride in one's role as a woman and a mother. As the face of the Baby aWEARness/Hot Mama partnership, Hawaii's Next Hot Mama will serve as an inspiration and role model for mothers and families throughout Hawaii.

Who Can Be Hawaii's Next Hot Mama?
Hawaii's Next Hot Mama can be an expecting-mom, a brand new mommy, or a mother of many! She can be a full-time mom, a business-minded mom, a military mom - any kind of mom! Nominate yourself, or a candidate that you think would best represent Hawaii's Next Hot Mama. Follow Hawaii's Next Hot Mama Contest on the Baby aWEARness Facebook Page and on Twitter. So come on all you amazing moms, show us what makes you Hawaii's Next Hot Mama! Good luck and happy entering!

Here are all the details you need to enter, or make nominations for Hawaii's Next Hot Mama Contest, presented by Hot Mama & Baby aWEARness. You can fill out a nomination form in person at the store (2752 Woodlawn Drive, Suite 5-209, Honolulu, HI 96822), or online at www.BabyaWEARness.com. Click on the Hot Mama Contest link on the Homepage.

Hawaii's Next Hot Mama will receive an entire package of prizes, including serving as the face of Hot Mama in all advertisments, as well as on their website, newsletters, posters, and in-store promotions. The winner will receive a professional photo shoot in preparation for her role as Hawaii's Next Hot Mama. Along with the photo shoot, the lucky winner will receive a well-deserved spa package and over $1,000 in prizes from Baby aWEARness and Hot Mama.

How to Enter
Submit your nomination online Submit Entry or visit Hot Mama in Baby aWEARness and fill out a nomination form at Baby aWEARness in Manoa Marketplace.

Baby aWEARness
2752 Woodlawn Drive, Suite 5-209
Honolulu, HI 96822

"Own Sewn" Baby Carrier Wrap
Malia Otto will teach students how to make their own personalized baby carrier wraps out of 100% recycled fabrics. A kit with all necessary materials will be provided and students will be instructed on how to cut the material to their size and finish the outer edge by hand. She will also go over baby-wearing techniques. These baby wraps are simple, dynamic, and help infants through toddlers develop special bonds with their caregivers. No sewing experience necessary.

Saturday, Feb. 13, 10:30 a.m. - Noon, fee: $30, advanced registration required, register online www.thegreenhousehawaii.com or call (808) 524-8427.

Garbage into Gold Backyard Composting
Jeremai Cann will lead this hands-on workshop in how to build and harvest a compost pile. A detailed booklet of composting methods and information will also be provided.

Saturday, Feb. 13, 10:30 a.m. - Noon, fee: $20, advanced registration required, register online www.thegreenhousehawaii.com or call (808) 524-8427.

Worms Eat My Garbage
Get up close and personal with worms and learn how our organic waste can be made into compost by feeding it to worms that eat food scraps, cardboard, newspaper, and junk mail. You will meet the worms and learn the basics of the living soil food web, which worms play a critical part. Make a small worm bin in class made from recycled items to take home.

Saturday, Feb. 13, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., 4 years old and up, fee: $20 per person or $20 per parent/child team, advanced registration required, register online www.thegreenhousehawaii.com
or call (808) 524-8427.

The February O'ahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) volunteer field trip is set for Saturday, Feb. 13, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This month's important mission is fountain grass control work on the Lanikai Trail. Fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) poses a major fire threat to many of Hawai'i's natural and developed areas and has been designated a noxious weed by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. The Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has designated fountain grass as one of Hawai'i's Most Invasive Horticultural Plants. It is established on Diamond Head and the Lanikai Trail. OISC is working to prevent fountain grass from becoming established in the Wai'anae Range by monitoring areas where fountain grass had been introduced in the past and removing it from high traffic areas.

In order to join the work trip, please RSVP by the Thursday, Feb. 11 to oisc@hawaii.edu or 286-4616. Volunteers will be treated to a potluck BBQ after the day's hard, yet rewarding work has been completed.

The Rise Above Plastics Coalition is holding a rally at the Hawaii State Capitol's Rotunda on Wednesday, Feb. 10, from noon till 1:00 p.m. and the public is welcome to participate, learn and share their support. As part of the event, the Surfrider Foundation is partnering with the Sierra Club, Styrophobia and other organizations to educate people about the dangers of plastic marine debris and the proliferation of single-use plastics (SUP) like bags and bottles in our environment. The Coalition will show artwork by local first-graders depicting plastic pollution in our oceans and the Plastic Bag Monster will be there as well. This strange creature is made of 400 plastic bags and represents the amount of SUP bags the average person consumes each year.

On a more serious note, the Rise Above Plastics Coalition is supporting legislation to reduce the amount of plastic pollution in Hawai'i through a statewide ban (SB2559) or a small fee (HB2125) on single-use plastic bags. As part of the rally, activists will be visiting the legislators and talking to them about these bills and the benefits of switching to reusable tote bags and metal canteens. Of noteworthy example, in Ireland the government imposed a $.20 fee on plastic bags and their use declined by 90 percent within one year. The fee bill has many benefits: it will bring in needed revenue for the state; change people's buying habits; save stores from buying so many wasteful bags; help the counties cut costs in having to clean up these toxic tumbleweeds; extend the life of our landfills and make Hawai'i a more beautiful place to live.

Check out www.riseaboveplastics.org to learn about how plastics impact our marine and coastal environments and how you can take steps to reduce your own plastic footprint.

At the very end of the road on Oahu's north shore lies a stunning and fragile landscape. Buffered on both sides by Ka'ena Point State Park, Ka'ena Point Natural Area Reserve protects a unique dune system, which provides critical habitat for nesting seabirds and rare native plant communities. Unfortunately, it is also a favored destination for off-road vehicle devotees, having a detrimental effect on Ka'ena Point in recent decades.

Recently, ten community volunteers joined DLNR staff to install light fencing materials to protect native dune vegetation and cultural sites in the reserve. This project was envisioned by the Ka'ena Point Advisory Committee as an emergency measure to deter use of inappropriate routes for vehicular access along the sensitive shoreline area. "It is the sincere hope of DLNR that the public honors and respects this community effort to protect these resources. The Ka'ena Point Natural Area Reserve hosts ground nesting seabirds, Hawaiian monk seals and native coastal vegetation," said Laura Thielen, DLNR chairperson.

The group, made up of fishermen, members of the Friends of Ka'ena, conservationists and cultural practitioners, met at Camp Erdman early in the morning and loaded into three vehicles laden with work materials for the slow, bumpy drive along a heavily eroded and impacted access road. At the project site, the volunteers took turns vigorously pounding approximately 120 steel fence posts into the oftentimes compacted and rocky soil along the mauka edge of the dunes. Others followed and pulled yellow nylon rope tight and attached it to the posts with plastic zip ties. In addition, signs were attached at key sections to inform and educate park visitors about the need to eliminate vehicle use in this specific area.

At the end of the day, approximately 1,500 feet of coastal dune had been marked as sensitive habitat. While the rope line is clearly not a significant physical deterrent, it clearly delineates the area that community groups and DLNR management staff agree should be protected from the now rampant vehicle use. The advisory committee hopes to extend the quality of the Natural Area Reserve into the adjacent State Park, improving and enhancing not only the environment but also the aesthetic and cultural satisfaction of users who visit the area.

Is the old, yellowing monitor in the garage collecting dust and taking up space? What about that PC tower that crashed five years ago that you're still keeping around for who knows what? Do you have a drawer in the house dedicated to broken cell phones? Did that free printer you received break already? Of course! So take the high road and head over UH at Manoa for Recycle Mania on Wednesday, Jan. 27. The recycling drive, being held off Correa Road in the heart of campus, runs from 8:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. and is open to the public and businesses. Pacific Corporate Solutions will be on hand to collect electronic waste: computers, monitors, printers, etc. Hagadone is taking magazines and paper and HI-5 will be collecting plastics, aluminum and glass.

If you're considering recycling large quantities of electronic equipment, truck loads of plastic and silicon, Pacific Corporate Solutions is extending the e-waste drive at their headquarters on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 99-1305 B Koaha Place in the Halawa Valley. Check out www.ewastehawaii.com for more information on the Saturday e-waste drive.

Local Produce Donations to Benefit Community Organizations

There's a new way to help those less fortunate in Hawai'i and it's happening at the Saturday Kapi'olani Community College (KCC) Farmers' Market this January. The community initiative is all about sharing local foods with those in need. Give It Fresh Today (GIFT), is a local program collecting donated food and distributing it to Hawai'i's homeless. And what better place to host this endeavor than at one of the busiest farmers' markets on O'ahu?

Vivian Chau, a 28-year-old teacher at Assets School, spearheaded the program after becoming increasingly interested in local food issues and sustainability in Hawai'i. As of now, the collected food donations are being distributed to the Unity Church of Hawaii, which has two nights of food service for their Ho'opono (food service to the homeless in Waikiki), the Gregory House and the Institute for Human Services, which has been looking for ways to get more fresh produce into the meals of the families and individuals served by their shelters.

The GIFT tent is located at the entrance to the KCC market next to the Hawai'i Farm Bureau table. Stop by to donate and get involved or contact: giveitfreshtoday@gmail.com.