It’s Conservation Week in Hawai’i!
In addition to it’s annual conference, The Hawai’i Conservation Alliance is hosting several events that are free and open to the public. Opportunities include: two art exhibits, a conservation film festival, service trips, and public lectures by navigator Nainoa Thompson and marine biologist Sylvia Earle. Visit HawaiiConservation.org for more info.
Join the ‘AINA IS team of volunteers!
With the support of teachers, school administrators, and parents we’ve just completed a very successful ‘AINA IS two year pilot program with five schools on O’ahu. Five more schools will join in this fall. To support the rapid growth and sustainability of ‘AINA IS we need dedicated community volunteer support:
• Nutrition Docent: Teach nutrition lessons in the school to 2nd, 5th, or 6th graders. (Commitment: Attend 4 trainings and teach 8 classroom lessons per school year)
• Nutrition Lesson Assistant: Assists the nutrition docent with shopping for food, and assists during the lesson with food prep and lesson cart preparation. (Commitment: Assist with 8 classroom lessons per school year, 2 per quarter)
• Garden Lesson Assistant: Assists lead Garden Educators who teach garden lessons in schools. (Commitment: Attend 3 garden lessons per semester for K, 1st, or 5th grades. Once a semester for 4th grade.)
• Garden Party: Help to build and maintain school gardens. Duties can include assembling garden boxes, loosening soil, shoveling mulch, creating garden artwork, watering, and more. (Commitment: Attend “Garden Parties” at the beginning, middle and end of each school year, or as frequently as every week, depending on volunteer’s availability)
• Farm Connections: Do you know a farmer that may be interested in hosting a field trip, speaking to a class, or offering their local produce as a school menu option? Let us know!
There is something for everyone and training is provided! E-mail us at for more information!
July 19th & 20th
11th Annual Summer ArtFest
Hale’iwa Beach Park
Look for Kokua
HaleiwaArtsFestival.org
Plastic Free Hale’iwa Update
The Plastic Free Hale’iwa Coalition now has over 50 members actively using and seeking out alternatives to single-use plastic. Hale’iwa is buzzing with new ideas and its businesses are making positive changes. The Coalition will have countertop displays and customer sign-up cards in the participating coalition businesses by the end of the month. Please look for these displays and support these stores and restaurants!
Come down to the Hale’iwa Arts Festival on July 19th and 20th and check out the Plastic Free Hale’iwa Coalition’s booth. We’ll be sharing information, selling our PFH bags, and signing up individuals and businesses to support the cause. Don’t forget to bring your own reusable bag and water bottle!
Plastic Free Haleiwa Coalition
A new community project was launched, by the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, in January of this year called, The Plastic Free Haleiwa Coalition. It is a coalition of community members and business owners that strive to educate stores, restaurants, and patrons of Haleiwa Town on the environmental and health benefits of going plastic free in order to minimize the consumption and pollution of plastics in our islands.
To view a PDF slideshow about plastics and how it impacts our health and environment, please click here and see how you can be a part of the positive change!
Please go to our Community Page for more information on Plastic Free Haleiwa.
Attention Teachers!
Environmental Education Mini-Grants Available!
Does your classroom need a worm bin? Would you like a presentation on eco-footprints from The Green House. Kokua has started a mini-grant program to help Hawai’i public school teachers pay for supplies and trainings for their environmental education initiatives! Applications for this school year are available here.
This has been a great year for Environmental Field Trips!
26 schools participated in Kokua’s Environmental Education Field Trip Assistance Program during the 2007-2008 school year. In all, over 2000 students from Hawai’i’s schools were able to visit locations like Maui Nature Center in Iao Valley, Hawai’i Nature Center in Makiki, Waihe’e Shoreline on Maui and Camp Erdman on O’ahu’s North Shore. Principal Sheldon Oshio, along with the 2nd grade teachers of Waimalu Elementary School shared this about their recent trip to Hawai’i Nature Center, “… this field trip provided a wonderful learning experience for our students as well a first hand look in to the Cycles of Nature. They were given an opportunity to see, hear, and touch nature outside the classroom. Our students now have a better understanding and appreciation of nature’s delicate balance and how they can take an active role in the world around them. This certainly was a memorable field trip for all.�?
We look forward to supporting many more environmental field trips in the upcoming school year!
Why are these field trips so important? View this short video produced by the No Child Left Inside Coalition on the value of experiential environmental education. Check it out and sign on to the coalition today!
All At Once Community
All At Once (www.AllAtOnce.org) is Jack Johnson’s social action network providing information, tools, and motivation to empower individuals to become active in their local and world community. When on www.AllAtOnce.org, members discuss, explore, share, volunteer, and learn about important environmental issues and are rewarded for taking environmental action with free music downloads from Jack Johnson and friends. At Jack Johnson’s concerts, All At Once comes to life in the Village Green. Concert-goers connect with non-profit groups, learn about environmental actions they can take, capture environmental commitment photos, and enter to win a chance to watch Jack’s performance from the stage. Jack Johnson selected over 150 credible local non-profits worldwide to share their message online and in person at each show throughout the tour. Kokua Hawai’i Foundation is proud to be a non-profit partner of the All At Once Community. For a complete list of all non-profit groups and to become an All At Once member, visit www.AllAtOnce.org.
MAKE YOUR EARTH DAY RESOLUTION TODAY
Start a tradition of committing to reduce your eco-footprint every Earth Day and throughout the year. Our partners at Kanu Hawai’i will help us record Earth Day Resolutions year-round here on our website to measure the positive impacts we make together.
Get Outdoors Day – June 14
The first-ever National Get Outdoors Day is June 14 with special events taking place in dozens of communities across the country to raise awareness about the benefits of active time outdoors. Prime goals of the day are reaching first-time visitors to public lands and reconnecting our youth to the great outdoors.
Lets seek out healthy, active outdoor lives, please visit www.getoutdoorsusa.org.
Kids Go Green at the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center
Honolulu, Hawaii – Families will learn simple ways to care for the earth at a special event called “Kids Go Green” at the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center from 10am – 3pm on Saturday, June 14.
Children have an innate connection to nature. At an early age, they are fascinated by shadows from the sun, delighted when splashing in water and curious about animal habitats. Because of their great curiosity about the world, children make excellent stewards of the earth.
In a new play space called “Recycle City,” children will have a chance to be energy detectives by identifying everyday energy wasters and savers. They can practice sorting household recyclables, and even turn trash into treasures by building one-of-a-kind sculptures out of recycled objects. Children will also plant, grow and harvest a pretend vegetable garden free of pesticides and fertilizers.
To inspire families in our community to recycle, the Discovery Center is offering an admission special on June 14. For every person over age two, bring five or more HI5 recyclable items and pay $5 for admission. Visit the Discovery Center’s website.
Little Kitchens
A benefit for Slow Food O’ahu, which supports O’ahu farmers, schoolyard gardens and local foods.
Hawaii State Art Museum
Friday, June 13, 2008
5:30PM - 8:30PM
For your pleasure the galleries will be open until 8:00pm
250 South Hotel Street
This is a 21 and over event.
Click here for ticket purchases and more information.
The Kokua Hawaii Foundation, Slow Food O’ahu, and the Friends of the Earth Film Series Presents:
Date: June 1, 2008
Time: 5:00pm, discussion to follow
Place: Spalding Auditorium, University of Hawaii
Tickets: $5 at the door, Seniors Free
King Corn is a feature documentary about two friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation.
In King Corn, Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, best friends from college on the east coast, move to the heartland to learn where their food comes from. With the help of friendly neighbors, genetically modified seeds, and powerful herbicides, they plant and grow a bumper crop of America’s most-productive, most-subsidized grain on one acre of Iowa soil. But when they try to follow their pile of corn into the food system, what they find raises troubling questions about how we eat—and how we farm.
KEAP Reminder
The Keiki Kokua Festival is fast approaching. We are excited to have received many Kokua Earth Action Projects (KEAP) proposals thus far.
Although the deadline for KEAP Projects requesting mini grants has passed, the deadline for KEAP proposals that do not seek mini grant assistance has been extended to January 25, 2008. If you have not heard of KEAP, click here and learn what it’s all about. Email all KEAP inquiries to .
Big Mahalo to Kokua Festival Attendees, Volunteers, Performers and Supporters!
photo: Brian Bielman
Mahalo nui loa for another amazing year!
2008 Kokua Festival Merchandise
Missed it at the show? The Eco-Friendly 2008 Kokua Festival Merchandise will be available for sale via the Kokua Hawaii Foundation online store starting Monday, April 28th.
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND:
The Kokua Hawai’i Foundation and Plastic Free Hale’iwa Coalition are excited to host a second screening of the film Message in the Waves. The BBC film looks at the impact of ocean plastics in Hawai’i and what we can all do to help. We will have a short and enlightening discussion following the film. Participants can join in the Plastic Free Hale’iwa Coalition, learn how to support a plastic free lifestyle and receive a complimentary reusable tote bag.
The event will be held in Waimea Valley on O’ahu’s North Shore. Come early for dinner--Waimea Falls Grill will be offering two dinner specials as well as their regular menu.
What: Message in the Waves Film and Discussion
When: Friday, April 4, 2008. Come early for dinner at 6:30; screening to follow at 7:15.
Where: Waimea Valley, O’ahu
Cost: Film is Free, but donations are appreciated.
Dinner Specials: Tofu Curry Wrap $6; North Shore Farmer Salad Wrap $5
Also this weekend: FRIENDS OF THE EARTH FILM SERIES & LOCALLY GROWN DISCUSSION
Sunday, April 6 at 3 PM at University of Hawai’i Manoa’s Spalding Auditorium
Film: The Real Low-Calorie Diet
Click here for more details on this film.
A panel discussion on locally grown produce follows the screening with Betty Gearen of The Green House.
KEEP THE NEWS COMIN’!
Don’t Miss Out on Future News & Events…
We are updating our Kokua Hawai’i Foundation and Kokua Festival mailing lists. You recently received an e-mail from us with <Confirm Your Subscription> in the subject heading.
Everybody who has ever signed up for a Kokua mailing list (members and non-members alike) will all need to re-opt in to the new mailing list system. This will ensure that your email address is current and can be identified by the mailing list server.
If you haven’t opted–in our new system through the previous e-mails, we will be sending another one on Thursday, April 3, 2008. Please check for the message and don’t miss out on the opportunity to continue receiving our e-newsletters and e–blasts.
Mahalo Beach Cleaners!
Participants at Malaekahana
on the North Shore.
Participants at Sand Island
on the South Shore.
The Kokua Festival STAR 101.9 Beach Clean ups were a huge success. We had 460 participants at the Sand Island event on the South Shore and 400 participants at the Malaekahana event on the North Shore. Wow! Thanks to all the amazing people who decided to come down and make a difference on two of Oahu’s beaches, a tremendous amount of trash was collected.
Mahalo nui loa to STAR 101.9, Surfrider, and the BYUH Ocean Appreciation Club for all your help.
The 2008 Kokua Festival is fast approaching!
We are sharing the following important dates and information so that you don’t miss out on purchasing your Kokua Festival tickets.
- February 4th - Kokua Festival lineup and show times will be announced!
- February 8th - Kokua Hawai’i Foundation Members Pre-sale. (Only members who have joined by Weds., Feb 6th at 10am HI time, noon PST, 3pm EST will be eligible for this pre-sale. There are a limited number of tickets available. We cannot guarantee that all members will be able to purchase tickets.)
- February 9th - Kokua Festival & STAR 101.9 Beach Clean-Ups
- February 10th & 11th – STAR 101.9 Beach Clean-Up Pre-Sale
http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/siksvl
- FEBRUARY 16TH - General Kokua Festival Ticket Sale
Please visit the kokuafestival.com starting February 4th for more information
Stop Stryrofoam!
Learn about and support State legislation to ban Styrofoam food service containers in Hawai’i. Go to stopstyrofoamhawaii.org. (Graphic from Stop Styrofoam Hawaii)
Honolulu City Council’s Sustainability Bills
City Council members Donovan Dela Cruz and Ann Kobayashi have introduced a package of sustainability bills and resolutions that would make O'ahu a much more environmentally friendly place to live. The bills and resolutions address everything from LED street lights to local community gardens. One of the proposed bills, Bill 84, addresses the plastic bag issue on O'ahu and would potentially ban the distribution of plastic bags by all O'ahu stores and business within the next five years. Unfortunately, the committees have passed on hearing and voting on these bills. This means without public support these bills will never be heard and the City Council will never vote on them.
Kokua Hawai'i Foundation urges youto call, email, fax and/or write the Mayor, City Council, and Council members in support of these sustainability bills and resolutions (#82 through 91). These bills need public support to pass. Please take a moment to let your voice be heard. Thank you for your kokua.
FOR A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EACH BILL CLICK HERE.
To see a complete list of the bills, go to
this website and click on “Bills Status/Text 2007,� then go
to bills 82 through 91.
CONTACT INFO FOR MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL:
By Mail: Honolulu Hale, 530 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
Mayor’s Office tel: 523-4141, fax: 527-5552
City Council Office tel: 547-7010, fax: 523-4220
Todd Apo: 547-7001,
Donovan Dela Cruz: 547-7002,
Barbara Marshall: 547-7003,
Charles Djou: 547-7004,
Ann Kobayashi: 547-7005,
Rod Tam: 547-7006,
Romy Cachola: 547-7007,
Gary Okino: 547-7008,
Nestor Garcia: 547-7009,
Renew Your Membership or Become a Member
January marks the one-year anniversary of our membership program. If you became a member last January, please take time now to renew your KHF membership. If you are only a subscriber to our e-newsletter, we invite your to become a KHF member. To learn about member benefits, to renew or confirm your member status or to join now please click here.
Friends of the Earth Film Series, Sun., 3/2 at 3 pm
The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
When Faith Morgan and Pat Murphy took a trip to Cuba through Global Exchange in August, 2003 to study peak oil production, they learned that Cuba underwent the loss of over half of its oil imports after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990...and survived. They wanted to see for themselves how Cuba had done this. They found what Cubans call “The Special Period” astounding and Cuban’s responses very moving. Both wanted to learn more about Cuba’s transition from large farms or plantations and reliance on fossil-fuel-based pesticides and fertilizers, to small organic farms and urban gardens. Cuba under went a transition from a highly industrial society to a sustainable one--and became, for them, a living example of how a country can successfully traverse what we all will have to deal with sooner or later. Several Cubans expressed the belief that living on an island, with its natural boundaries, breeds awareness that there are limits to natural resources.
Peter Rosegg, spokesman for HECO, and Betty Gearen of the Green House, will answer questions about energy sustainability in Hawaii after the screening
$5 general
Further info: 223-0130
Directions to Spalding Auditorium:
Proceed north on University Avenue two stoplights past Dole St. (Maile Way). Make a right onto the campus. 400 yards past the guard gate, park in the lot on the right at the corner of Maile Way and Farrington Rd. Walk through passage way to the front of the building. Auditorium is on the first floor.
Friends of the Earth Film Series begins Sunday, January 6th
The University of Hawai’i Cinema Series, in cooperation with the Kokua Hawai’i Foundation and Slow Food O’ahu, presents the Friends of the Earth Film Series on the first Sunday of each month from January to June. These films will cover all aspects of sustainable living in Hawai’i including ocean conservation, energy, architecture, and food production. Each film will be followed with Q&A sessions led by local experts in each field to discuss solutions to some of the problems facing Hawaii’s future. All films will be presented in the Spalding Auditorium at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. Admission is $5 for the film and discussion. On campus parking is free on Sundays. For more information and future films click here or call Don Brown at 223-0130.
GMO IN HAWAI’I FORUM
Sunday, January 6 at 5 PM
Film: Islands at Risk
Come see the first film in the Friends of the Earth Film Series. This documentary film gives a comprehensive look at genetic engineering in Hawai’i and how local farmers and consumers are fighting to protect their food supply. 
Islands at Risk is an eye-opening look at genetic engineering in our own backyard and is a new production by Earth Justice Hawai’i. Paul Achitoff, Earth Justice Honolulu, Dr. Hector Valenzuela, vegetable extension specialist for UH Manoa, Dr. Lorrin Pang, Department of Health Officer Maui County, and Kimberly Clark, Organic CSA Oahu, have been invited to discuss GMO in Hawai’i and answer questions after the screening.
Happy New Year from the Kokua Hawai’i Foundation!
We hope that all of you had a wonderful Holiday Season filled with fun, family and friends. It’s the start of the a new year and everyone here at the Kokua Hawai’i Foundation is excited about the events, projects and programs we are working on for 2008. If you still haven’t made a New Year’s Resolution, Go Plastic Free and make a commitment to take your own reusable bags to the grocery store.
Save the Date: Sunday Dec. 2
Simplifying the Holidays: A Green Market Gift Fair
Date: Sunday, December 2, 2007
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Place: Church of the Crossroads, 1212 University Avenue, Mo’ili’ili (Honolulu)
Find and create gifts that give back to our environment and communities while reclaiming traditions, decreasing holiday stress & trash, and SAVING money!
Participating groups include Kokua Hawai’i Foundation, The Green House, Slow Food O’ahu, Hawai’i HI-5 Program, MA’O Youth Organic Farm,
Just Add Water CSA, Hoa’aina O Makaha, Habitat for Humanity, and many others. Food by Da Spot and other vendors to be confirmed.
Hawai’i Science Teachers Focus on Environment
Kokua Hawai’i Foundation is a co-sponsor for the Hawai’i Science Teachers Association’s conference to be held on October 20 at Farrington High School on O’ahu. Workshop topics include composting and bioremediation with microbes, teacher-at-sea programs, science fairs, recycling and more. Learn more at hasta.us.
“THE VERY BEST OF CHRISTMAS TALK STORY” by Honolulu Theatre for Youth
December 1 - 22, 2007, Saturdays, 1:30 & 4:30 PM. Kokua Hawai’i Foundation is co-sponsoring a playlet about reducing waste and simplifying the holidays, which will be a part of HTY’s annual “Christmas Talk Story” production. For ticket info, visit Honolulu Theatre for Youth.
Announcing Kokua Earth Action Projects--DEADLINE EXTENDED!
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 12/15!! The Kokua Hawai’i Foundation has some exciting news! Next year, as we celebrate Kokua Hawai’i Foundation and Kokua Festival’s 5th anniversary, we’ve added a unique program that could include your class or school. We are inviting Hawai’i elementary schools, grades K-6, to start or take part in a Kokua Earth Action Project. Groups submitting outstanding Kokua Earth Action Project proposals will be invited to participate in a Keiki Kokua Festival in 2008. All completed projects will be honored and showcased on our website.
Farmer John Brings The Real Dirt to Honolulu, 10/14
The Kokua Hawai’i Foundation and partners Sustain Hawai’i, Slow Food O’ahu and Town Restaurant are excited to present The Real Dirt on Farmer John. The film chronicles the story of Illinois farmer John Peterson’s decades-long struggle to keep his farm, stay true to himself and eventually transition to growing organically. Winner of over 30 film festival awards, this film has it all – life, death, sex, art, failure and success.
We are thrilled to have Farmer John himself join us for the Q & A discussion following the first screening.
Check out the film’s trailer.
Date: Sunday, October 14th 2007
Update: The film and discussion were great. If you missed the film, check farmerjohnmovie.com periodically for DVD release updates. For ideas on how you can support Hawai’i’s local farmers, click here.
‘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
Little Kitchens Food Event, 10/12
Honolulu Weekly presents the 3rd Annual “Little Kitchens,” a culinary event highlighting locally produced food provided by some of the island’s best small restaurants. It will be held at the Hawai’i State Art Museum in downtown Honolulu from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. A silent auction will benefit Slow Food O’ahu, a Kokua/’AINA In Schools partner that supports sustainable agriculture and rediscovery of the pleasures of the table. Visit www.honoluluweekly.com/littlekitchens/ to learn more and to purchase tickets.
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.
Hawai’i Conservation Week: July 24-28
In celebration of Hawai’i Conservation Week, Kokua has partnered with the Hawai’i Conservation Alliance to co-sponsor its “My Hawai’i” anthology of stories and poems written by Hawai’i middle schoolers. Winning entrants participated in a nature writing workshop and were recognized by Governor Lingle during Hawai’i Conservation Week. The “My Hawai’i” Anthology will be available in public libraries and online soon at www.hawaiiconservation.org.
KHF Membership Update
Since January of this year, over 940 people have signed up to be members of the Kokua Hawai’i Foundation. We thank all of our supporters for helping to make our programs a success! If you’re not already a member, join today! We also offer gift memberships that you can purchase for friends and loved ones, so check those out at our membership page.
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.
Hoea Ea Food Sovereignty Conference
Wai’anae students
demonstrate making
their “healthy
musubi.”
1st Annual Hawai`i Parent Guide
Aimed to support families and caregivers for infants through adolescents, this reference provides valuable ideas, tips, and contacts for guidance and support. ‘AINA In Schools featured a page with tips on reinforcing healthy physical, nutritional, and environmental habits. The 1st Annual Hawaii parent guide: A Resource for Families is sponsored in part by Kokua Hawai’i Foundation, and is available to you in print or on-line at http://familysupport.k12.hi.us .
Kokua Partners With Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool
Jack Johnson and fellow Kokua Hawai’i Foundation board member, Kawika Kahiapo, have been visiting the Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool sites over the last two weeks as part of a collaboration between the Kokua Hawai’i Foundation and the Partners in Development Foundation. The two foundations co-created a parent education guide with the 3 R’s theme. Jack and Kawika visited all six Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool sites on Oahu to play music and hand out the guides and Curious George cds to all the kids and their families. To read more about the preschool visits check out the Honolulu Advertiser article from 5/2/07.
Cans for Cash Challenge 2007!
Kokua Hawaii Foundation is partnering with Reynolds Recycling to sponsor the 2007 Cans for Cash Challenge. Schools can raise funds and earn prizes by collecting beverage containers.
Deadline to sign up is January 26, 2007
Get more info and sign up at: www.reynoldsrecycling.com/events/2007_cans_for_cash_challenge.html
Generous GIFT for ‘AINA IS Program
The GIFT (Giving Inspiration For Tomorrow) Foundation of Hawaii recently presented checks of $55,000 each to The Kokua Hawaii Foundation and the North Shore Community Land Trust. GIFT, a three-year-old nonprofit volunteer organization of young professionals dedicated to supporting and empowering charitable groups in Hawai’i, raised the $110,000 awarded Thursday from its fourth annual sold out costume gala held in October 2006.
Funds donated by GIFT to Kokua are being dedicated to it’s ‘AINA In Schools program.
‘AINA In Schools is off to a great start!
Garden Coordinator Tia Silvasy leads
kindergarteners in starting “butterfly garden” seeds.
With the help of many school and community volunteers and donors, we’ve been building gardens, starting nutrition lessons, and tasting some yummy afterschool snacks! The Honolulu Weekly recently featured ‘AINA In Schools in a front page article: http://honoluluweekly.com/cover/2006/10/growing-a-revolution/
For more information, see our “Programs” page and follow the link to ‘AINA In Schools.