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.