Earth Day in Hawaii

Yay! Today is Earth Day! I went to my first Earth Day celebration at Venice Beach in L.A. around 10 years ago. It was a small, little known event...about the size of a small half acre park. Today, issues of environmental sustainability have caught on...not just as a marginalized political movement, but as a consumer lifestyle. Earth Day is no longer for the "hippie" types but your average everyday person. Department stores and local super markets alike promote reusable shopping bags; organic food and clothing have become accessible choices; and fair trade/non-sweat shop made products are finding their place in the consumer market. We are the Green Generation.

There are a few ways that Hawaii is taking part in today's Earth Day event:

Oahu:

The University of Hawaii, Manoa hosts an annual Sustainability Fest celebration in honor of Earth Day. Thousands of people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests will be on the UHM’s campus from 11AM to 10PM on April 22nd to enjoy an open air market place followed by a free outdoor concert. Participants enjoy delicious food and multi-cultural performances as they browse 100 booths with socially and environmentally conscious artists, musicians, businesses, and organizations. Guests participate in booth activities to receive stamps on a score card which they submit for great prize drawings including bicycles, surf boards and a solar powered back pack. The day concludes in the beautiful Andrew’s Amphitheatre with a free outdoor concert featuring local favorites such as John Cruz and Pressure Drop. http://sustainablesaunders.hawaii.edu/

Kauai:
Kauai Community College is hosting a collective Earth Day 2009 event and invites all to attend from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The goal is to hold a student centered, community involved event on campus to promote sustainable action.

Big Island:
World Botanical Gardens in East Hawaii (Hilo and the Hamakua Coast) are gathering each day at the Gardens for free Garden Director Tours and reduced pricing for those that mention Earth Day as the reason for their visit. http://www.wbgi.com

Volcanoes National Park hosts two programsin the Kipuka of the National Park: 1) Help restore the native forest and learn the history of kipuka along Mauna Loa Road - 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday, April 22.

The public is invited to join park botanist Sierra McDaniel for a tour of the upland forest along Mauna Loa Road. There will also be an opportunity to lend a hand in on-going efforts to restore the native forest. Call McDaniel at 985-6097 and leave a message that includes a contact name and phone number.

2) Hike through a kipuka of rare and ancient plants in Kahuku Unit - 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 22. Limited to 20 people. Pre-registration for both programs is required. http://www.hawaii247.org/2009/04/19/earth-day-at-hawaii-volcanoes-national-park/

Other
Feel free to post other events you know about from around the islands. {I'm sure other festivals and events will be hosted over the weekends. Check out the KCC Famers Market...at the very least I'd expect Earth Day to be recognized there.} Happy Earth Day!

Hawaii Public Rail System

It makes me mad that those in East Oahu are fighting against a public rail system. One reason I hear most stated is that the rail system will not benefit the Eastside, since the line will serve central and western Honolulu yet raise the taxes of all residents. Motivated by self-interests and short-term sight, what these individuals fail to take into consider is a) the larger positive impact of the entire island (e.g. decrease in pollution, traffic congestion, etc.) b) and larger long-term impact on the global environment as a whole. They also fail to consider that their children, aging family members, and even they themselves will benefit from the rail system in the future. If the welfare of the state, its people, and the larger earth is at stake, I think it ashamed that Eastsiders are putting personal economic concerns over the long term well being of the world.

Global warming – An Inconvenient Truth

I watched on DVD, a documentary of Al Gore’s quest to bring the issue of Global Warming to the forefront of our nation’s mind. “An Inconvenient Truth” was interesting, convincing and inspiring and should be viewed by public leaders and families alike.

In addition to presenting scientific data, the video highlights a personal side of Gore’s life including his motivation for running for the Presidential office and inspiration to support this cause. I found it interesting that it took just one lecture by a college professor to spark this young man’s mind and inform his politics for a lifetime. The near-death of his six year old son also caused Gore to think about the fragility of life and ponder how he would use the remainder of his own life on earth. With a renewed sense of life purpose, he has made it his mission (both in his early political career through this post-Bush election era) to stand for the fight against global warming.

Gore’s personal connections and public reputation allowed him access to scientific data, international travels, and savvy presentation technologies that most Americans and scientists for that matter are not per vie to. He is a clear communicator and convicted speaker, able to hold the attention of audiences across the world. In the film Gore doesn’t hold back in wrist-slapping George W. Bush and Phil Cooney (former White House Environmental Officer.) As much as this is marketed as an “educational” documentary, there is a subtle story line as well: I felt that the film was Gore’s way of reasserting his politics, clearing his name, clarifying the strength of his politics, and a chance to rebuff the republican party, W. Bush himself, and the American public who voted for him. The bottom line of the film—that Gore should have been the elected American President who would have (literally) saved the world. He claims he would have led the nation in a way that moved us toward global partnership rather than global conflict (and not abet the War on Terrorism). Personal politics aside, Gore concludes by suggesting that each one of us plays a vital role in reducing global warming and preserving the earth for the future generation.

For more information see:
http://www.climatecrisis.net
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/environment
http://www.greenpeace.org

Celebs Gone Green - Hybrid Cars

What do Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have in common?

It’s not what you think—it’s their shared concern for the environment.

Who knew that Hollywood would lead the way on LA’s green roadside?

Other famous celebrities who have gone auto-green:

George Clooney * Julia Roberts * Harrison Ford

Gwyneth Paltrow * Tom Hanks * Mandy Moore
Charlieze Theron * Jay Leno * Adam Sandler