Welcome, JUNK!

Kokua and the Plastic Free Hale’iwa Coalition welcome JUNK and its crew as they educate our community about plastics in our oceans. 

Three months and 2,300 miles after departing from Long Beach, California, the JUNK raft and its two eco-mariners Dr. Marcus Eriksen and Joel Paschal arrived in Honolulu at the end of August. Made from 15,000 plastic bottles and a Cessna 310, JUNK is a project of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation, which is dedicated to the protection of the marine environment. Your family can visit the JUNK raft NOW at the Waikiki Aquarium through Sunday, September 7. Check it out and find updates about JUNK-related events at www.junkraft.blogspot.com

Building the Nature Gap during Take a Child Outside Week!

“Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder,” authored by Richard Louv, has stimulated an international conversation about the future relationship between children and nature, and has helped spawn a grassroots movement to reconnect children and nature. 

In 2006, under Louv’s leadership, the Children & Nature Network (C&NN) launched a nationwide campaign to encourage and support the people and organizations working to reconnect children with nature. The network provides a critical link between researchers and individuals, educators and organizations dedicated to children’s health and well-being.  Going outside:

  * connects children to the natural world
  * helps kids focus in school
  * reduces chances of obesity

So take a child outside!  Take a Child Outside Week is September 24—September 30, 2008.  Visit TakeChildOutside.org.

Check out a recent story Kokua put together.  The list of simple activities is featured in the 2nd Annual Hawai’i Parent Guide, which was distributed in the 8.27.08 Honolulu Advertiser and at public libraries.  The guide is also online; check out Kokua’s page here.

Thank you for your support!

This past school year we were able to make positive impacts through our various school programs.  With the support of over 2600 members and over 400 volunteers, we served almost 14,000 students islandwide in Hawai’i.  Here’s how we measure up:
* Environmental Education Field Trip Assistance – 2023 students, 100 teachers, 25 schools
* Environmental Education Mini Grants – 256 students, 16 teachers, 4 schools
* AINA IS Garden Lessons - 600 students, 28 teachers, 3 schools
* Schools with Gardens on Campus - 8 schools
* Kokua Earth Action Projects - 1280 students, 62 teachers, 14 schools
* 3R’s Program - 9576 students, 527 teachers, 16 schools
* Worm Bins-Composting – 96 students, 8 teachers, 3 schools
* KHF membership – 2671 (If you are not a member, join now!)
* Volunteers - 410
We are looking forward to making bigger impacts this school year!

“GO GREEN!” at School

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind at the start of this new school year:
1) Pack a smart lunch.
• Use reusable containers, utensils, and cloth napkins to pack a waste-free lunch of yummy local and/or organic products. Whole fruits come in their own “wrapper” and are healthier than processed snacks! Visit LunchLessons.org or WastefreeLunches.org for more ideas.
2) Rethink your school supplies.
• Before buying new, check out which supplies from last year are still usable.
• Purchase earth-friendly school supplies like recycled paper, refillable pens and pencils, and durable supplies that will last for several years.
3) Get involved in greening your school!
• Save energy, start a garden, or reduce and recycle waste on campus. Get more ideas GreenSchools.net.
• “Increase Your Green School” Competition – Applications due December 15
DoSomething.org is calling on students to green their schools!  Students who make the biggest effort to reduce their school’s carbon footprint this fall could win up to $1,500 to further their efforts.

Get your KHF 2008-2009 School Calendars now!

From July 2008 through June 2009, this edition features vibrant works of art that follow the theme “The Earth is Our Playground.”  Facts found in these pages offer helpful ways to minimize our carbon footprints.  The 35 Hawai’i school students whose artwork is featured will each receive a set of LED light bulbs for their home as part of our offsetting efforts for the 2008 Kokua Festival.  All proceeds from the sale of this calendar will go to Kokua programs.  Printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper with soy inks.  Cost:  $10.
Visit the Kokua Store to get your copy today!  View the artwork here.