‘AINA IS Gardens Get Ready for Fall Lessons!

Mahalo to the many volunteers who came out in September to help build and prepare gardens at three of our ‘AINA IS schools: Wai’alae, ‘Aikahi, and Sunset Beach Elementary. We pulled weeds, loosened soil, added mulch to walkways, and built a few more boxes for additional classrooms participating in the program. With the help of students, parents, and other community members, the garden boxes are now ready for the first lessons of the semester. We especially thank the volunteers from Mokichi Okada Association Hawai’i as well as Hawaiian Earth Products for their generous kokua

Revolution Green Film on 8/12 in Honolulu

2nd Show Added: 7PM. Kokua Hawai’i Foundation, in partnership with Sustain Hawai’i and the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance Presents: Revolution Green: A True Story of Biodiesel in America. Based on a true story, Revolution Green follows the lives of Bob and Kelly King, whose pioneering vision created America’s first sustainable biodiesel refinery for the island of Maui.  More than 10 years later with 10 plants built, the King’s and business partner Willie Nelson are elevating sustainable biodiesel production in communities all across America. A question and answer session with Bob and Kelly King of Pacific Biodiesel, will immediately follow the screening.

Date:  Sunday, August 12th
Time: 4 PM SHOW IS SOLD OUT. SECOND SHOWING AT 7 PM. Feel free to come at 6 p.m. for the Q&A.
Location:  Honolulu Design Center, 1250 Kapi’olani Boulevard
Ticket Cost: $5

Go Green for Back to School

After a quick summer vacation, many of Hawai’i's students have already returned to classes. We hope you and your family will remember the environment this back-to-school season:

• Map out safe routes for riding a bike or walking to school instead of driving. If walking and biking aren’t options, carpool or ride the bus.
• Purchase earth-friendly school supplies like recycled paper, refillable pens and pencils, and durable supplies that will last for several years. Check out greenearthofficesupply.com and thegreenoffice.com to buy online, or ask your local retailer to identify their recycled goods. Before buying new, ask which supplies from last year are still usable?
• Pack waste-free lunches by using re-usable containers & utensils whole fruits that come in their own “wrapper”, and cloth napkins. Reusable food and drink containers can be purchased online or locally at stores like Longs and Shirokiya. More info: www.wastefreelunches.org;  www.lunchlessons.org
• Get involved in greening your school

Get more ideas at New American Dream and the Green Schools Initiative’s websites.

Rethinking School Lunch

This summer, two Kokua representatives visited the Center for Ecoliteracy in Berkeley, California for a workshop on Rethinking School Lunch to network with other farm to school programs from across the U.S. They were also able to visit the Edible Schoolyard and met Renegade Lunch Lady Ann Cooper. Encouraging healthier school lunches is one of the main goals of our ‘AINA In Schools program.

‘AINA IS Presented at Reading Conference

Kokua Hawai’i Foundation staff presented the ‘AINA In Schools program at Read to Me International’s annual conference on literacy. The ‘AINA IS garden-based learning program utilizes read aloud books to reinforce concepts learned in the garden and to foster a love for reading. These include children’s classics like “Tops and Bottoms” and “The Sunflower House” as well as newer locally produced books like “My Hawaiian Farm.” Our website includes a list of suggested books and links to find them in Hawai’i libraries.