2010 Keiki Kokua Day

     
Congratulations to this year’s K.E.A.P. recipients that attended our 2010 Keiki Kokua Day event. The Kokua Hawaii Foundation, Bill Healy Foundation, RevoluSun, Stretch Island Fruit, Inc. and Simple came together with environmental organizations to celebrate the efforts made by students to make positive environmental change on their campus and communities.

This day of reward for students grades K-12 included an awards presentation, engaging educational activities, goody bags for all keiki to take home and dancing to a performance by Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley and Zach Gill.

This year’s Keiki Kokua Day was so much fun and we look forward to more schools joining us next year. Teachers and administrators please spend some time on our website to learn how you can submit a Kokua Earth Action Project proposal for 2010-2011. Hope to see you at next year’s Keiki Kokua Day.

Kokua Calendar Cover Art Winner Keiki Kokua Day and Kokua Festival participants viewed the artwork of the thirteen Kokua Calendar finalists. Everyone had the opportunity to cast their vote for their favorite “Be Energy and Water Wise” calendar art. Congratulations to first grader, Xander Amatore, whose artwork will be featured as the 2010-11 Kokua Calendar cover. 

Environmental Grants for Educators

Attention all educators! Our 2010-2011 Environmental Field Trip & Mini-Grant applications are now available at www.kokuahawaiifoundation.org/schoolprograms. Please fill out your grant applications and submit now. The deadline for all grant applications for the 2010-2011 school year is March 1, 2011. We look forward to assisting your school in furthering your environmental education goals. For more information about our grant opportunities, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

‘AINA In Schools Update

Fruit Trees for Wheeler Elementary! The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation and Stretch Island Fruit Company recently brought the “Fruit Tree 101” program to ‘AINA IS school Wheeler Elementary. The program donates and plants fruit trees and shrubs to schools nationwide in order to address important issues such as caring for the environment and proper nutrition. Volunteers and students planted over 40 trees including avocado, starfruit, jaboticaba, tangerine, banana and more. As the trees mature, they will provide Wheeler students and staff with tasty and nutritious snacks as well as more shade and fresher air on campus. Mahalo to all who helped with the planting.

Join ‘AINA In Schools: During the next school year, we will be adding up to three more elementary schools on O’ahu to the ‘AINA In Schools ‘ohana. Interested schools should email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for an application packet. Applications will be accepted until May 15, with school “AINA Team” interviews to follow. (If your school’s not yet ready to apply, don’t fret—we’re developing lots of helpful resources that will be available to any school as well as individual teachers!)

‘AINA In Schools Seeks Volunteers: We are recruiting volunteer docents to teach both gardening and nutrition lessons in the upcoming school year. Trainings for the first set of lessons will take place on the island of O’ahu in August. Get more information on these and other volunteer roles by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

May ‘AINA In Schools Garden Party Dates:
Sunset Elem. Tues. May 4th at 2:30 p.m.
Wai’alae Elem. Sat. May 8th 9:00 a.m.
Waikiki Elem. Sat. May 8th 9:00 a.m.
Aikahi Elem. Mon. May 17th 2:30 p.m.

RSVP to Kelly Perry at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

For more news from AINA In Schools, download our Spring 2010 newsletter and sign up for our ‘AINA IS newsletter.

May Highlights

• 5/1 Sat. 8am-11:30am Waianae Farmers Market Waianae High School at 85-251 Farrington Highway in Waianae, Hawaii
• 5/1 Sat. 2pm-5pm Hoa Aina O Makaha and Makaha Elementary School Annual Farm Open House A special celebration of the Nine Ahupua’a of Waianae. Experience the farm. The children will offer stories, songs, food, crafts, dances and more. 84-766 Lahaina Street, Waianae, 96792
• 5/8 Sat. 9am-noon Waimea Garden Tour by The Mala ‘ai Culinary Garden of the Waimea Middle School RSVP to Amanda Rieux at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• 5/15 Sat. 10am-3pm 12th Annual “E Malama I Ke Kai” Ocean Awareness Festival Kapiolani Park and Bandstand
• 5/22 Sat. 9am-1pm Makeke O Maunalua Farmers Market Grand Opening at Kaiser High School, Lunalilo Home Road, Hawaii Kai For more info: 808-388-9696
• 5/30 Sun. 9am-1pm ‘AINA In Schools at the Hale’iwa Farmers Market

Make Your Earth Day Resolution Today!

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Kokua Hawaii Foundation presents the Earth Day Resolution Campaign.
Through the entire month of April we are encouraging everyone to make an Earth Day Resolution and commit to reducing their eco-footprint.  All Earth Day Resolutions collected will be quantified by Kanu Hawaii in order to track our collective positive impact on the environment.

Earth Day Resolution commitment cards are available at Local Partner stores on Oahu.  Going to the Kokua Festival? Look for the traveling Kokua camera crew and the solar-powered photo booths located in the Kokua Village to make your Earth Day Resolution.

Click on the widget on the left to make your Earth Day Resolution now.  Make a commitment to celebrate Earth Day everyday!

Kokua Festival Fan Passport and Greening Actions

April is here and the Kokua Festival is back on Earth Day weekend, April 23rd and 24th, at the Waikiki Shell with eco-friendly activities, tasty food, and, of course, great music.

           
To help you gear up for the Kokua Festival, we are sharing our favorite Greening tips and causes.  During the month of April, in celebration of Earth Day and the 6th Kokua Festival, you can sign up for the Kokua Festival mailing list to receive our weekly eco-tips and other festival information.

Back by popular demand, the Kokua Festival Fan Passport! The passport is your guide and keepsake for the 2010 Kokua Festival and will be available for Kokua Shuttle* riders or upon entry to the venue. When you take at least three actions and receive passport stamps you can enter to win great prizes, including a pair of orchestra pit seats or an autographed ukulele!

Passport stamp actions include:
• Utilize the zero-waste stations at the venue by composting, creating piggy food with your food scrapes, and recycling your trash
• Bring your own reuseable water bottle to the show and fill up for free at the on-site water station
• Bike and park at the bike valet, ride the Kokua Shuttle*, take the bus, or carpool to the show
• Curb climate change by purchasing a CO2 offset sticker, with 100% of proceeds benefiting local renewable energy projects
• Connect with the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, along with other non-profit organizations and eco-businesses, in the Kokua Village
• Make an Earth Day Resolution!

Kokua Festival Shuttles
NEW for 2010! In order to keep more cars off the road and lesson our carbon footprint, the Kokua Festival is excited to announce the Kokua Festival Shuttles! Grab your friends and catch a ride to the Festival instead of driving and be entered to win VIP passes!  These passes are good for entrance to the private Kokua VIP reception within the Festival grounds. In addition to being entered for VIP passes, all shuttle riders will receive their first stamp in the Kokua Festival Fan Passport.  After taking two more actions you will be entered to win more fantastic prizes!

For more information on the Kokua Festival Shuttles, click here.

For more Kokua Festival greening measures please visit www.kokuafestival.com.

Mahalo and we are looking forward to seeing you at the Kokua Festival!