Simplify the Holidays

The holidays are a time of celebration with family, friends, and the community. Every family celebrates the season in different ways and for different reasons, but there is a universal act in which most participate: Giving. This once-simple holiday tradition has led to consumption practices that can have serious impacts on our environment—and the family budget!

This year the environment and the economy have taken center stage leading into the holiday season.  Families are much more conscious consumers and are choosing green products, alternative gifts and eco-friendly traditions such as: picking up litter when caroling and celebrating with a locally grown or potted Christmas tree.

Please see our 12 Days of A Green Holiday for more ideas to help simplify your season.

(Christmas Seal by Heather Brown)

‘AINA In Schools Cooking Demonstration

KCC Culinary Institute-trained Chef Nina Beatty visited Waialua and Sunset Beach Elementary Schools’ 3rd graders in October. Chef Nina prepared two easy “close to the source” snacks for the students to sample: guacamole and banana sorbet. These visits were part of the Agricultural Literacy component of the ‘AINA IS program.  Students learned about locally grown foods and that cooking can be fun and tasty! Mahalo, Nina!

To receive future updates about the ‘AINA In Schools program, click here.

KHF Programs updates

“The Trash Heap” premieres on Oct. 13
The Kokua Hawai’i Foundation is partnering with the Department of Health’s HI-5 Recycling Program and Kahilu Theatre to bring “The Trash Heap” to Hawai’i schools. “The Trash Heap” is a musical production about the 3 R’s: Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling. The play’s main character, Kai, discovers how to practice the 3 R’s to take care of these islands.
Teachers at participating schools will receive an educational curriculum guide to accompany the show. The guide can also be downloaded here. The first run of twenty shows will take place on O’ahu and Hawai’i Island in October and November and more performances throughout the state will be added in the spring. See future newsletters for updates.

2008-2009 Kokua Earth Action Projects: Submit Proposals Now!

Once again we invite Hawai’i elementary schools, grades K-6, to start a Kokua Earth Action Project. Kokua Earth Action Projects are environmental service learning initiatives aimed at taking care of our islands and encouraging long-lasting change in your classrooms, schools or community. 

All completed projects will be honored and showcased on our website. Groups submitting outstanding Kokua Earth Action Project proposals will be invited to participate in a Keiki Kokua Event next year. Proposals must be postmarked by November 14, 2008.
Download the proposal template and read about last year’s KEAP projects and Keiki Kokua Festival on our website.

‘AINA IS School Garden Basics workshop for teachers

Back by popular demand! Kokua’s ‘AINA In Schools program presents School Garden Basics: A free workshop for Hawai’i educators. The workshop will be offered on October 11, November 8, and December 13, 2008. Download our flyer for more information.

Take another Plastic Free step and ‘Break the Bottled Water Habit’

The New American Dream website is challenging us to ‘Break the Bottled Water Habit’ and encourage our work places, family, and friends to use reusables. Bottled Water comes in plastic bottles that are #1 and #2. These are meant for single-use only.  86% of all bottles of water do not get recycled!  Not to mention the amount of energy it takes to create them, ship them, store them, and then recycle or dispose of them. Did you know it takes 3 liters of water to create a 1 liter bottle of water? Now that seems very wasteful when most of us have excellent tap water at home, over 90% of the water systems in America are above the EPA standards. 

Please join the Plastic Free Hale’iwa group effort by taking the pledge and encouraging your friends and family to do the same.

To take the pledge as a part of the Plastic Free Hale’iwa group, click here .

Take the “Eat Local Challenge!”

Have you ever had a truly satisfying meal? One where every ingredient had a story, a direct line you could trace from the soil to your fork? Your local foodshed is a gem when it comes to high quality foods that are minimally processed and closest to the source.  Eating locally gives you the opportunity to know your food and where if comes from, meet your neighbors, support small farms and the local economy, practice a sustainable habit, and eat healthy and fresh with the seasons.  Take the challenge at EatLocalChallenge.com.

Check out these websites for more benefits of buying and eating food locally:
100MileDiet.org
LocalHarvest.org
AnimalVegetableMiracle.com

Encourage local, healthy eating this Halloween!  October is macadamia nut season! Give out nuts, chocolates from Hawai’i, or dried fruit instead of high-sugar, artificially colored & flavored candies.