| Green and Sustainable Resources for Hawaii |
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All of the Hawaiian Islands are complex but fragile ecosystems that can be easily affected and altered by introduced influences and outside factors. One simple example: the Hawaiian Islands have the highest number of endangered and threatened plant and animal species of anyplace on the planet. Though these islands are some of the most remote in the world, they are by no means isolated, hosting more than seven million visitors each year, or seven times more than the resident population. Following are several links to resources that have lots of information about our Hawaii environment, living "green" in Hawaii, and how we can develop a sustainable Hawaii that reduces our dependence for food and energy from outside sources. Have a suggestion for a link that we might have missed? Send your comments & suggestions to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Big Island Sustainability Festival E Malama Aina ("Lets Take Care of the Land"), a 2-day Big Island Sustainability Festival Nov. 7-8, 2008 at Hilo's Mooheau Park, which will offer consumers and businesses a firsthand look at Hawaii Island innovations and best practices aimed at sustainability. Hawaii 2050 Sustainability PlanFind answers in the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan – the people’s plan. Produced from one of the comprehensive community-based planning efforts in our state’s history, the Hawaii 2050 Plan is a blueprint for a sustainable Hawaii. In 2050, the energy we use is clean, renewable and produced mostly in Hawai‘i. Much of the food we consume is produced locally. We minimize waste by recycling. We are a strong and healthy community with access to affordable housing, transportation and health care. Our public education system prepares our people for productive, meaningful and fulfilling lives. The 21st Century Ahupua'a concept is a way of life thatʻs dedicated to the advancement of sustainable development which meets current and future socio-cultural (people), ecological (place) and economic (prosperity) needs. The concept borrows from the Native Hawaiian land, resource and behavior management model called an “ahupua’a.”
State of Hawai’i Ocean Resource Management Plan Recommends an integrated approach to managing natural and cultural resources by building traditional Hawaiian management principles (ahupua’a) that considers the impacts of land-based activities on ocean resources and fosters collaboration and stewardship. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (released in 2005) The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) was called for by the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2000. Initiated in 2001, the objective of the MA was to assess the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and the scientific basis for action needed to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of those systems and their contribution to human well-being. International Panel on Climate Change Report (IPCC)The IPCC is a scientific intergovernmental body set up by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The main activity of the IPCC is to provide in regular intervals Assessment Reports of the state of knowledge on climate change. The latest one is "Climate Change 2007", the Fourth IPCC Assessment Report. Kuleana Green Business ProgramInitiated in 2005, the Kuleana Green Business Program is the first program in the State of Hawai`i that promotes ethical and socially responsible business practices and environmental stewardship among every sector of the local economy. Chamber businesses qualify as program members by demonstrating their kuleana (right and responsibility) to generate profits while also creating positive impacts in their social and natural environments. As business citizens, they set high standards of integrity, commitment and respect in their engagement with employees, customers, community, and the environment. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. BALLE is 15,000-member strong meta-network of over 50 local business networks throughout the U.S. and Canada supporting the growth and development of community-based businesses. Members of local networks encourage local purchasing by consumers and businesses and advocate public policies that strengthen independent local businesses, promote economic equity, and protect the environment. BALLE connects its local networks to share best practices, and provides members with tools, business models, and other resources. The Hawaii Dala is a new private voluntary currency that protects everyone’s purchasing power, grows local business, and creates a strong local economy for everyone’s advantage. Ask for the new local dala throughout Hawaii in $20, $10, $5 Silver Dalas and now the new $1 Silver Dala Certificate. What is a steady-state economy? find out here are the Encyclopedia of the Earth. Sustainability indicators provide a roadmap for public policy. An effective set of indicators highlights critical social, economic, and environmental problems and provides a way to measure the effectiveness of programs designed to alleviate these problems.
This document reports on the state of the locally produced food and agriculture sectors on the Island of Hawaii, and analyzes these sectors to identify key barriers and leverage points for increasing local market share. There are over 15 farmer's markets on Hawai'i Island. This link lists the locations and dates of the farmer's markets for the Big Island. A Honoka‘a company owned by husband and wife team Susanne Friend and Tim Mann. Training other people in how to do aquaponics is part of their mission. They teach all aspects of construction, day-to-day management, and for the commercial training, marketing. They also offer free, two-hour farm tours on Saturdays at 10 a.m. Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA) Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA) is a non-profit membership organization that administers organic certification in the State of Hawaii. Located in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, HOFA promotes organic and sustainable agriculture through research, education, and by providing organic certification services in compliance with the Federal Organic Rule enacted in 2000. Learn how to build your own herb spiral to produce your own herbs for culinary or medicinal purposes. Quickly learn how with this DIY tutorial. This fact sheet in the “Food for ME” series includes suggestions on how to set up a community garden project, recruit volunteers and establish a garden plot. Alternative Farming Systems Information Center provides resources on how to develop community supported agriculture programs in your area. La’akea Community formed in 2005 when a group of six people purchased La’akea Gardens. Our vision as an intentional community is to: steward the land at La’akea, continue the mission of teaching permaculture at La’akea while expanding into others aspects of sustainability such as personal and relationship growth, communication techniques, emotional processing, healing arts and creative arts. EcoSutra is an organization dedicated to building the resources for people to network into new models of environmentally and economically sustainable villages. By bridging renewable energy technology to permaculture - an environmental design science that mimics naturally occurring ecosystems and accelerates the earth’s natural regenerative processes, we can create sustainable healthy communities to live, work and play. Through our events and media projects we look to propel the eco-movement and provide the public with the networking tools to achieve success. Sustainable Island Products (S.I.P.) Specializing in the sale and distribution of plant-based food and drink To-Go! supplies and other Planet and People Friendly products. Located in Hilo on Hawaii Island, S.I.P. provides superior-quality Sustainable product alternatives to well-established markets that currently utilize outmoded, unsustainable, toxic and volatile price-point products.
Small scale hydro power, water pumps, windmills, biodigesters, stoves. Doing great things with their technology all over the world. [via Make] ACEEE provides research, policy analysis, conferences and education on energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection. Collaborating with experts from universities, national laboratories, and the private sector, ACEEE has helped develop efficiency programs and policies for utilities, states and the federal government. They also provide technical assistance and research on energy efficiency in building, industrial applications, agriculture and transportation. Thinking about "going green"? The State of Hawaii and the US Federal government has programs that can reduce the cost! DSIRE
is a regularly updated database of state, local, utility, and selected
federal incentives & rebate programs that promote energy efficiency and renewable
energy. The State Energy Program (SEP) provides grants to states and directs funding to state energy offices from technology programs in DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. States use grants to address their energy priorities and program funding to adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. REPP’s goal is to accelerate the use of renewable energy by providing credible information, insightful policy analysis, and innovative strategies amid changing energy markets and mounting environmental needs. REPP’s activities include researching, publishing, and disseminating information, creating policy tools, and hosting on-line renewable energy discussion groups. Puna Geothermal Venture, the only commercial geothermal facility in the state of Hawaii, has been generating sustainable electricity for the Big Island for 15 years. Geothermal electricity accounts for 30 percent of the state’s renewable energy—more than wind and solar combine, and saves 144,000 barrels of oil a year—more than 1.8 million barrels since 1993. ProVision TechnologiesProVision Technologies, Inc was formed to take advantage of the growing market for photovoltaic (PV) applications across the Hawaiian Islands and the Asia-Pacific region. ProVision is based in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, the island known for its geographical diversity and strong potential for renewable energy applications. ProVision's mission is to provide solar electric solutions to power individual households, commercial facilities and the community. For information on solar hot water heaters, check out this great article from Fine Homebuilding magazine which details various type of solar hot water systems.
NAESCO publishes case studies focused on energy efficiency retrofits in local government facilities in the United States. These case studies demonstrate that local governments can modernize schools, hospitals, and municipal infrastructure and, at the same time, reduce operating costs. The IEA acts as energy policy advisor to 26 member countries (all members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) in their efforts to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for their citizens. The IEA’s initial role was to coordinate international measure in times of oil supply emergencies. Its work now also includes market reform, climate change policies, energy technology collaboration and outreach.
Ride the bus for free! Circumnavigate the Big Island! Environmental Principles in Practice- The vision of Aloha Green is to serve as a positive catalyst for economic-sustainability and revitalization of the Village communities along the Hamakua Coastal Region on the Big Island of Hawaii. Sustainable development is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Aloha Green is a co-chair of the E Malama Aina Festival, a 2-day Hawaii Island Sustainability Festival Nov. 7-8, 2008 at Hilo's Mooheau Park. Planetizen is a leading online forum for the urban planning, design, and development community. It includes urban planning news, commentary, interviews, event coverage, book reviews, announcements, jobs, consultant listings, training, and other resource. Content on Planetizen covers a wide number of planning, design, and development issues, from transportation to global warming, architecture, to infrastructure, housing and community development to historic preservation. PPS provides technical assistance, training, research and other services to cre3ate and sustain public spaces that build communities. Since 1975 PPS has worked in over 1,500 communities in the United States, Canada and around the world, helping people turn their public spaces into vital community places. Smart Growth America is a coalition of nearly 100 state and national advocacy organizations that have a stake in how metropolitan explansion affects the environment, quality of life and economic sustainability. The diverse coalition partners include national, state and local groups working on behalf of the environment, historic preservation, social equity, land conservation, neighborhood redevelopment, farmland protection, labor, town planning, and more. Smart Growth Network raises awareness, promotes best practices and develops tools for smart growth. The Network’s partners tend to work at a national level, and include environmental groups, historic preservation organizations, professional organizations, developers, real estate interests, and government entities. ULI is a nonprofit research and educational institute whose mission is to provide responsible leadership in the use of land in order to enhance the total environment. Established in 1936, the institute today has some 30,000 members and associates from fifty countries representing the entire spectrum of the land use and development disciplines. As the preeminent, multidisciplinary real estate forum, ULI facilitates the open exchange of ideas, information, and experience among local, national, and international industry leaders and policy makers dedicated to creating better places.
The purpose of this report is to inform the current conversation on the best practices available to the county for reducing the amount of waste that goes to final disposal. It includes recommendations that the author believes would enhance the overall sustainability of the economic and ecological systems of the island. by Helen Spiegelman (2006). Gives information and resources on how to change into a zero waste economy. Recycle Hawai`i is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization serving Hawai`i Island. We currently offer free public recycling educational services on behalf of the County of Hawai`i, the State Department of Health, and our contributors. The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,661 groups with 6,287,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Prevent waste at the source. If you receive mail that you don’t want nor need go to this website to remove your names from their lists. Create a vermiculture kit and use worms to create compost. Use this recycling guide to make sure that you are buying recycled products as well as recycling them too! A report prepared by Zero Waste - New Zealand Trust - on how landfill and incineration technologies are incompatible with the concept of sustainable economy and zero waste. Zero Waste is a whole-system approach to redesigning the flow of resources through society. New Zealand's Experience About Strategies for Sustainable Communities prepared by Envision New Zealand in August 2003.
Additional Readings in sustainable economy, materials economy, and energy. Additional readings dealing with extraction, distribution, consumption, indigenous people, global impacts, water, and disposal.
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