ALL NEW SELECTION OF 2009 FRAMES IN STOCK
Complete set of glasses * Restrictions apply. Frame and Lense purchase required. See store for details.
1415 South King Street :: Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 808.955.3532
Photo: Courtesy Solatube
CONTENTS
Photo: Kevin Whitton
36
Photo: Kevin Whitton
40
46 8
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
10
Editor’s Note The Air is Electric
14
On The Cover One Step at a Time
16
The Word Preserving Culture and Recreation // Return to Eden // Rewarding Homework // Who Killed the Electric Car // Native Plant Stimulus // Big Island, Big Plans
20
Body & Mind Eating for the Health of the Plant
22
Green Scene Sustainability Festival 2009
24
Style Guide Beachin‘ It
26
Do-It-Yourself Rainwater Catchment for the Urban Gardener
28
Green Economics Solar Hot Water
30
Q&A Brad Albert
34
Planet Earth Harnessing Wave Energy
36
Home: Natural Illumination Using Natural Light to Illuminate the Home
40
Garden: Planting With Purpose The Evolution of a Sustainable Garden
46
Food: Going To Town Flavor the Natural Way
52
Transportation: The Right Track Honolulu’s Rail Transit System
54
Marketplace Things We Like
56
Advertiser’s Directory Support Our Advertisers
58
Coming Next Issue
35% $1000 30% State Tax Credit
Phone: (808) 372-6691 Fax: (808) 943-1165 www.savingoahussolar.com
Utility rebate for solar hot water
Federal Tax Credit
• Customized solar installation in new and older homes • Quality work at an affordable price • Financing available
Visa / Master Card / Discover / American Expresss
Photo: Michelle Whitton
EDITOR’S NOTE
The Air Is Electric Surviving technology
Nature has a funny way of letting us know who’s boss. Take for example flying in an airplane. One of the most unnatural things we as terrestrial human beings have accomplished, yet it is something so mundane that we take the risks and sheer gravity (no pun intended) of traveling through the frigid atmosphere at 30,000 feet for granted. Read a book, watch a movie, get some shut eye, choke down nearly unpalatable single-serving portions of food and five hours later you’re on the mainland. That’s how my recent jaunt to Colorado was shaping up. We were going to see my wife’s parents since they hadn’t seen our daughter since she was born. The trip to LAX was minor and the transition to another airplane bound for Denver was seamless. Only two more hours till a home-cooked meal and a little help with the baby. As luck would have it, one of Denver’s famous spring storms was dumping heavy, wet snow on the flat lands and weather conditions were cold, wet and oppressive. We had seen the reports. We had our jackets and we had our daughter layered up and ready, but what we weren’t prepared for was a brush with mortality. We were 20 minutes out of Denver, descending through the storm system. Outside the window was a fog of pale gray nothingness. We were sitting in the next-to-the-last row in the aircraft. I was holding my sleeping daughter as my wife flipped through the in-flight magazine, killing time. Tha-wack! An explosion detonated outside our window with a blinding white and red fireball flash. My wife, Michelle, grabbed my leg, “Oh my god, did you see that? What was that?” “I don’t know,” I said in shock, ill-fated scenarios racing through my head. Michelle’s hands were shaking; she was rattled. I looked down at my 10-month-old daughter, so innocent and beautiful, so unaware. 10
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
There’s no way this is it for her, I thought. “The engines are up there on the wing, so it isn’t like an engine blew up,” I quietly tried to rationalize the situation with my wife to remain calm and embrace sanity, “and even if one did, they can fly the plane with just one engine. Maybe we were hit by lightning.” A stewardess emerged from the back galley, opened a few of the window shades in the rear of the plane, peered outside with concern and then strode into the back. And that was the extent of it. Several passengers who witnessed the explosion all seemed to settle on the collective, unofficial explanation as lightning. It took a few minutes for the adrenaline to subside and my heart rate to return to normal. After the plane touched down and the anxiety waned, I overheard the stewardess mention to another passenger that, in fact, lightning had struck the tail of the plane, a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, as it usually strikes the nose. Once in a lifetime—at least I got that one out of the way unscathed. My in-laws received us at the gate and the freezing temperature and pelting snow bit at my face as we walked to the car. My daughter’s cheeks were bright red, her first snow. As we left the airport, driving west toward Boulder, another feat of technology came into view. Row upon row, array upon array of solar panels blanketed the prairie, the power source for Denver International Airport. The uniformity and sheer number of panels was mind boggling. Human beings have built machines that fly across oceans, designed a panel that can capture the sun’s energy and power an airport, but as a species on an ecological level, we are no different than the birds we mimic or the sand used to create a single PV cell. All life is fragile and we all breathe the same air. On a grand scale, the Earth is one system. Sometimes all it takes is a brush with unadulterated nature to get your head out of the clouds and bring you back to Earth. —Kevin Whitton
Brett Schenk
(Realtor, CRS, GRI)
Published by Little Tree Publications VOLUME 1 // NUMBER 2 Editor Kevin Whitton Contributing Writers Jack Kittinger, Aubrey Yee, Jeff Mull, Dr. Mark Shigeoka Art Director Kyle Tanaka Graphic Designer/Web Assistant Nicolette Davenport Staff Photographers Willi Edwards, Michelle Whitton Contributing Photographers Isaac Frazer, Aubrey Yee, Carol Oliva, Kyle Tanaka, Kevin Whitton Sales and Marketing Kyle Tanaka, Kevin Whitton www.GreenMagazineHawaii.com Green P.O. Box 894061 Mililani, HI 96789 Green is distributed throughout the state of Hawai‘i at hardware and home stores, bookstores, grocery stores and retail stores. In addition, Green is also available at select expos and fairs throughout the year with no cover price. To subscribe to Green, please contact us at info@greenmagazinehawaii.com Other than letters to the editor, we do not accept unsolicited editorial submissions. Green, Little Tree Publications and its associates are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged submissions or the return of unsolicited material. One-way correspondence can be sent to: P.O. Box 894061, Mililani, HI 96789 Email editorial inquiries to info@greenmagazineawaii.com All contents of this issue of Green are copyrighted by Little Tree Publications, 2009. All rights reserved.
Woodstock Properties, Inc. 98-211 Pali Momi Street #430
•
Aiea, Hawaii 96701
mobile: (808) 222-3366 office: (808) 488-1588 fax: (888) 602-1957 email: brett@brettschenk.com www.brettschenk.com
Green is printed in the USA on recycled paper. Please recycle this magazine. Pass it on to a friend and extend the life of this publication.
Photo: Kevin Whitton
ON THE COVER
One Step at a Time There’s something about a meandering stone path that pulls you softly through a garden—the uneven texture, the leaf litter, the moss in the cracks and the plants that hang over its invisible barrier and brush against your knees. Leland Miyano installed his stone paths by hand. He rescued all the rocks from a trip to the landfill and has an intimate knowledge of all the functions they perform in his garden, from directing water throughout his verdant sanctuary to directing the wanderer into specific areas of the garden. A path through the garden is reflective of paths we take through life, sustainability being one we share. While some are just taking their first steps down the path of sustainability and others have walked the path for so long they can identify every plant species and understand their unique biology, we can all learn from each other at some level. Green would like to hear your thoughts, feeling and opinions on all things green in Hawai‘i, from the principles and politics to the stories published on these pages. Your path is unique and your voice is important. Please send all queries, comments and concerns to the editor at kevin@greenmagazinehawaii.com.
THE WORD
Photo: NPS Photo:Aric Arakaki
Preserving Culture and Recreation When recreational groups, communities and the people of Hawai‘i said they wanted improvements to beaches, parks and other recreational facilities, Senate Bill 636, the Recreational Renaissance was designed to address those issues. Unfortunately, the bill failed in the Senate, but that hasn’t stopped the momentum of broad community support to improve important recreational places. Of leading example is the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the National Park Service and the County of Hawai‘i recently signing a memorandum of understanding for cooperative management of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, a proposed 175-mile system of coastal trails that connects historic shoreline communities, national, state and county parks, natural areas, resort and rural communities. It also connects all four National Parks on Hawai‘i Island and is the only National Historic Trail in Hawai‘i, one of 18 in the United States. The western shoreline trail traverses the island from ‘Upolu Point through Kohala, Kona, Ka‘u, Puna and terminates at the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park boundary. It also contains sensitive Hawaiian cultural and natural resources, as indigenous Hawaiians constructed portions of the trail in stone, which are still used today for coastal access and cultural experiences. “This partnership with the State and County will allow for increased community-based involvement in the management of trails that aims at perpetuating traditional practices, protecting cultural and natural resources and meeting the need for recreational opportunities along Hawai‘i Island’s western shoreline,” said Aric Arakaki, Superintendent of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. Part of the effort to protect and improve the trail corridor for recreational use will include historic preservation and conservation.
Return to Eden
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/forestry/crep
16
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
Photo: Kevin Whitton
There’s a new wave of habitat restoration taking place in Hawai‘i: converting farm and ranchland back to their native habitats. The Hawai‘i Farm Service Agency has put in place the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The program is the first of its kind in Hawai‘i and looks to restore habitats of native Hawaiian species, improve water quality in stream systems, reduce the spread of invasive species and enhance coastal and coral reef health. A tall order indeed, but the agency believes that incentive rental payments and shared reimbursement for their expenses will persuade farmers and ranchers to voluntarily enroll in the program committed to conservation practices. Their goal is to enroll up to 15,000 acres of marginal pastureland and cropland on six of the main Hawaiian Islands and convert them to natural areas by planting native trees, shrubs, grasses and restoring wetlands. The restoration of habitats will also protect watersheds and riparian areas (stream banks) on agriculture land. The program launches on Hawai‘i Island and Maui and expands to Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, Kaua‘i and O‘ahu from 2010 to 2013.
Photo: KT
THE WORD
Rewarding Homework Kids generally balk at the idea of homework, having already spent most of their daylight hours in a classroom. But the Department of Education and the Hawaiian Electric Company have teamed up to teach energy conservation to elementary school kids on O‘ahu by giving them some homework they can parlay to real world experiences. Schools and families participating in the Home Energy Challenge had the opportunity to win $10,000 for their school by decreasing their energy usage at home. Eleven elementary schools embarked last October on a six-month energy conservation curriculum. Educational materials were passed out, guest speakers were on hand, workbooks, videos and hands-on displays helped teach children and families low-cost ways to save energy at home. The school whose students’ home energy use decreased by the largest percentage was the winner. Over the six-month time period, 1,386 families participated and had a total energy savings of 404,123 kilowatt/hours, which translates to $101,030. Mililani Mauka Elementary won the Home Energy Challenge for the second year in a row. Haha‘ione Elementary took second place and $8,000 and Mililani Ike Elementary won $5,000 for third place. In addition to the energy savings and prize money for the schools, the real winners are the 6,000 keiki who have gained invaluable knowledge to practice and share.
THE WORD
Who Killed The Electric Car
Photo: Courtesy Sony
In 1996, the EV1, an electric car built by GM, began to appear all over California. These cars were fast, quiet, stylish, and produced no exhaust. Even more amazing, they ran without any gas at all. You simply plugged in your car at home or at a charging station and a full charge would yield 100 miles of driving. Imagine never having to pump gas again. Your car could charge while you slept and if your house could be powered with renewable energy… the possibility for a fossil free life was nearing reality. Almost 10 years later, the EV1 and its proprietary technology was effectively wiped off the face of the earth. Who killed the electric car? is a captivating documentary exploring the history of the EV1 and its untimely demise. EV1 owners, who still sorely miss their electric car, explain that GM leased them the EV1 and mysteriously recalled the vehicle with no explanation and no option to purchase. Even after a solid month of picketing at the recall sites, 24 hours a day, these passionate car owners were not able to get their cars back. Where did the EV1s end up? Crushed in a landfill in the middle of the desert. Sounds like a bad conspiracy theory, but unfortunately it’s true. Delving into the politics behind the rise and fall of the EV1 opens a window into the larger landscape of oil politics in America. With GM now accepting public taxpayer funds to avoid bankruptcy, one has to wonder if their pandering to political pressures and suppression of electric car technology was ironically one of the keys to their economic downfall. Imagine an American auto industry that was leading the world in alternative fuel technologies. It would be a very different economic picture today. So, who killed the electric car? While there is no one group to blame, this engaging film will open your eyes to the American auto industry—trapped in the past, struggling awkwardly to move into a renewable future. —Aubrey Yee
Native Plant Stimulus
Did you know: In pre-contact Hawai‘i there were over 1,400 endemic species of plants. Today, Hawai‘i unfortunately boasts the extinction capital of the U.S.: around 10 percent of the native flora is extinct, about 180 plant species are listed as endangered and rare (50 or fewer individuals remaining in the wild), two-thirds of the native bird species are extinct, more than half of the endemic land snails are extinct and the majority of all the coastal and lowland plant species have been wiped out for quite some time due to human occupation, development and invasive species. 18
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
Photo: Kevin Whitton
With Washington dolling out money to speed economic recovery across the U.S., Hawai‘i is slated to receive almost $4.5 million to fight invasive plant species across the islands. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is distributing the funding as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The state will select projects on state and private lands and the funding is geared to save native Hawaiian forests and flora as well as create jobs. Senators Inouye and Akaka vowed to continue efforts to get federal funding to fight the challenge of eradicating invasive plants from the islands.
Photo: Willi
THE WORD
Big Island, Big Plans The Big Island is aptly named not just because of its size, but because the island leads the state in renewable energy generation with 32 percent of their energy coming from renewable resources, mainly geothermal power. Unfortunately, the county itself is one of the biggest users of energy on the island, according to Mayor William P. Kenoi. The county recently acknowledged their grandiose energy budget and decided to scale back in more ways than one. First up on the energy audit was the recently renovated county building in Hilo, where a 100-kilowatt photovoltaic system is being installed to power the building with solar power. In addition to the solar takeover, 21 parking stalls at the building are being equipped with facilities for plug-in electric vehicles. On the leeward side of the island, the West Hawai‘i county building, which is still under construction, will be outfitted with a 400-kilowatt photovoltaic system and offer 14 parking stalls for recharging electric plug-in vehicles. To make sure the county is doing all it can to turn the tide and become energy efficient, the mayor has appointed an internal, multidepartmental “green team” to help the county mitigate their energy consumption and do all they can to make the switch to renewable energy. Mayor Kenoi is also selecting appointees to an energy advisory committee who will be charged with giving the island an all-encompassing energy audit, focusing on ways for the island of Hawai‘i to be more self-sufficient.
Photo: KT
BODY & MIND
The Hand That Feeds You Eating for your health and the health of the planet
Times have changed, and for the better. We use to think that being healthy meant counting calories and getting the recommended daily numbers of fruits and veggies, maybe even adding minimal exercise to a daily routine. Yes, being aware of what we eat and how much we exercise is very important and still considered healthy for our bodies, but it’s not the last word in achieving optimal and long-term health. To ultimately achieve our optimal health, we must consider the everyday choices we make for ourselves as well as our environment. The Gaia hypothesis, which simply views the Earth as a single organism, proposes the health of our bodies reflects the health of our environment. It states that all living and non-living parts have a regulatory effect on the Earth as a whole. In other words, the Earth is a mirror of our collective personal and global health. Whether we agree with the Gaia hypothesis or not, we can’t help but to notice the daily changes in our environment and how it directly affects us, a constant reminder that we are connected to the Earth. These reminders range from the increased incidence of seasonal allergies and respiratory complaints to the detrimental effects of global warming on sensitive environments and wildlife. As we become more aware of our own health and how it is married to the Earth’s health, it’s easy to contemplate, “What can I do to bring balance to my health and the health of our Earth?” Good question. Here are some answers and ideas to think about when considering daily health choices that can be made for your health as well as the health of Mother Earth. Grill it. Taking food outdoors to cook is not only a fun summertime event, but also a good way to reduce energy. Grilling on a barbeque uses less energy than cooking on a stove or indoor grill. Opt for organic. Eating organically grown food reduces your intake of pesticides, insecticides and antibiotics that contaminate the soil and much of the prepackaged and processed food available to the public. 20
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
You can taste the difference between organic and non–organic. It’s definitely worth the long-term investment for health and delicious food. Ditch the plastic bottles. Filling your reusable bottle with purified water from a home water-filtration system is a great habit to get into. You can cut bottled water out of your budget as well as the waste produced from all the small plastic bottles. Eat Local. When we decide to eat foods that have been grown, harvested, and raised close to our home environment, we reduce the amount of fossil fuels used to transport food and goods to our grocery stores. Local foods are fresher and can contain have more nutrients because of their natural ripening process. Local farmers’ markets are the best place to get local produce and fare. Buy Bulk. Buying bulk goods cuts down on paper and plastics used for packaging. Thinking of ways to reduce the amount of environmentally unfriendly waste will cut down on environmental pollutants. Buying bulk goods usually costs less than their packaged counterparts, always a great incentive. Use reusable grocery bags. We can all relate to coming home from a weekly run to the grocery store and putting away the groceries only to be left with a pile of plastic bags that we don’t need. Instead of finding creative ways to horde your plastic bags, use your cloth bags for your next grocery store trip. By being mindful of our environment’s health we are being mindful of our own health. Incorporate these healthy eating strategies into your daily life and you’ll be pleasantly surprised how they will help transform your personal health awareness as well as contribute to the sustainability and health of the environment. —Dr. Summer Baptist, ND
GREEN SCENE
Sustainability Festival 2009, University of Hawai’i
2
3
1
5
6
4
8
7
9
1. Gavin Baer and James Hadde, Sunetric 2. Shannon Yadon, Surfrider Foundation 3. John Sweeney, Styrophobia and Shanah Trevenna, Sustainable Saunders 4. Sustainability Festival Co-Coordinator Chloe Milligan and volunteer Lindsey Wilde 5. Mayumi Bendiner and Travis Hiramoto from the HI-5 program 6. Michelle Jones and Caroline Tucker, Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife 7. Pamela Boyar and Annie Suite, Hale‘iwa Farmers’ Market 8. Blaine Cacho, Corinne Chang, Liane Lum, Kathy Wong and Jan Wassman, HECO 9. Mark Cunningham and Katie Killebrew, Defend O‘ahu Coalition
22
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
STYLE GUIDE
1 2
3
5
24
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
STYLE GUIDE
Beachin‘ It What’s in your bag?
The weather has warmed up, the sun is out and the days are long. Summer is upon us and there’s no better place to enjoy than the beach. With myriad activities in and out of the water, there’s always a sustainable choice for the things that fill our beach bag.
4
1. Patagonia Silk Weight surf shirt – A product of the Common Threads Garment Recycle Program, this surf shirt is ultra lightweight, quick drying and made from recycled garments. It is also UV rated to offer protection from the sun. www.mauka2makai.com 2. Rip Curl Jungle Thick Tie Side and Revo Fixed Tri top – Bikinis are sustainable by design: they use very little material and make everyone happy. This pair has the added benefit of being constructed with recycled P.E.T. bottles. www.ripcurl.com 3. Rip Curl Tropical women’s boardshort – Ladies, now you can enjoy a comfortable boardshort made from recycled plastic bottles to match your ecoconscious friends in the lineup. www.ripcurl.com 4. Rip Curl The 40th Searching men’s boardshort – The boardies are made with recycled P.E.T. bottles and should make you surf better. www.ripcurl.com 5. Alpha Cruiser Classic – Talk about a free renewable resource, pedal power is the way to go to avoid parking altogether. www.bikefactoryhawaii.com
6
6. Loaded pintail bamboo skateboard – No matter how far away you have to park from your favorite patch of sand, the trek is easy with this flexy deck. www.bikefactoryhawaii.com 7. Kahuna Bamboo Big Stick – Now you can practice your stand up paddle, or rather stand up push technique on dry land. www.bikefactoryhawaii.com
7 8
8. Simple Green Toe slippers — These ain’t your cousin’s rubber slippers. Green Toes are made from materials like kelp and recycled car tires. Now that’s cruising. www.mauka2makai.com GREENMAGAZ INE HAWAII.COM
25
HOW-TO
Rain On Me
Rainwater catchment for the urban gardener
1
3
2
4
There are many types of rainwater catchment systems that are used to capture and store rainwater. Very simple systems capture rainwater for later use in the garden as a means to save the intermittent aqueous resource from a quick journey back to the sea. In urban areas, nearly 55 percent of rainwater becomes runoff that ends up in the ocean. More complex systems capture and store potable water for use in the home: drinking and showering. While gravity and the underlying Archimedes Principle remain constant for any system, one is only limited by imagination as to the design and scope: how much water to collect and where to put it. Jeremai Cann, environmental engineer at The Green House Sustainable Learning Center, demonstrates how to build a simple system to capture rainwater runoff from the rooftop and deliver it to thirsty plants in the garden. What you’ll need for a basic rainwater catchment system: Barrel or other heavy-duty storage container, drill, 5/8" drill bit, threading tool, 1/2" tap, Teflon tape, 1/2" hose bib, 3/4" male hose adapter, hose, 3" flexible pipe (length depending on distance from rain gutter). 8 Simple Steps 1. Acquire a suitable receptacle for holding a large amount of water. There are many options, but for this application, a 55-gallon high-density polyethylene (HDPE) barrel is preferred. 2. If the barrel doesn’t have two holes already precut in the top, then cut two holes in the top of the barrel, one for the downspout and one for aeration. Cover the aeration hole with shade cloth attached with rustproof tin coated copper staples to keep the mosquitoes away.
5
6
3. Using a 5/8" bit, drill a hole near the bottom, about four inches up from the base. 4. Lay the barrel on its side and thread the hole using a threading tool and 1/2" tap. Make sure to apply ample pressure downward as you turn the tap and be sure you are not threading at an angle. 5. Wind Teflon tape around the threads of a 1/2" hose bib and insert the hose bib into the threaded hole.
7
8
Add beauty and nutrients to your catchment barrel by putting water plants, like water hyacinth or a water lily, in one of the air vents on top of the barrel instead of covering it with screen. Also, put a couple small fish that can survive in low oxygen environments in the water. The fish add nutrients to the water and eat mosquito larvae while the water plants offer a hiding spot for the fish as well as foliage and flower for your garden.
6. Drill an overflow hole near the top of the barrel using the 5/8" bit. Thread the hole and insert a 3/4" male hose adapter. This will allow you to connect a length of garden hose so the overflow water drains away from the barrel’s foundation. 7. Place the barrel high enough off the ground to allow room to attach a hose to the hose bib at the bottom. Cinder blocks work well. Make sure the barrel is at a higher elevation than your garden or what you want to water, to allow gravity to create water pressure. 8. Using a piece of flexible 3" piping, direct the flow from the rain gutter downspout into the opening on the top of the barrel.
To see more photos of rainwater catchment systems and for other workshops offered by The Green House, go to: www.greenmagazinehawaii.com 26
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
Photo: Kevin Whitton
GREEN ECONOMICS
Money Machines The money saving benefits of solar hot water systems
A conventional, electric hot water heater is one of the biggest draws of power, and your hard-earned dollars, in your home. Up to 40 percent of the average monthly utility bill is due entirely to this appliance. Compared to other common appliances, an electric hot water heater can demand almost the twice the amount of energy a month required to run a room air conditioning unit and more than five times the amount of electricity needed to power a clothes dryer. Installing a solar hot water heater is one of the first steps you should take to make your home more energy efficient and save some dough. By having a HECOapproved solar contractor install the system, you can save an additional $1,000 right off the top and are eligible for state and federal tax credits. Let’s add up the savings: $5,500 – Initial cost of a quality solar hot water system $1,000 – HECO/MECO/HELCO rebate $4,500 – Total Due $1,575 – 35% state tax credit $1,350 – 30% federal tax credit $1,575 – Net cost after incentives At that price, solar hot water systems pay for themselves in two to three years. Hot doesn’t have to burn: Keep the thermostat on your hot water heater set at 120˚F to 125˚F. Reducing the water temperature saves water by reducing heat loss. 28
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
Wrap it up: If the tank is warm to the touch, insulate it. Insulating your water heater’s storage tank can reduce stand-by heat loss by 25 to 45 percent, which translates to a 4 to 9 percent savings in heating costs. The Scout: HECO offers a $3 credit every month for those eligible and willing to install a free Energy Scout radio device that can temporarily turn off your water heater during times of emergency. Size matters: Make sure to select the proper water heater tank size. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends a 60-gallon storage tank for one to three people and an 80-gallon tank for three to four people. If the tank is too large, energy will be wasted by keeping a greater volume of water hot. If it’s too small, hot water may run out. Yikes. Saving up for solar: In the meantime, install a timer on your electric hot water heater to limit heating to an hour in the early morning and an hour in the evening, just before you usually use hot water.
Photo: Kevin Whitton
Q&A
Time for Change
Brad Albert talks solar policy and laying the foundation for sustainable success Interview by Kevin Whitton As the alternative energy industry in Hawai‘i grows by great strides each year with the public mindset shifting to renewable resources and the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative mandating that at least 70 percent of the state’s power come from clean energy by 2030, solar contractors are still held back by outdated energy policy. Consumers are willing to purchase PV for their homes, but imposed limits on installed PV systems per island capita are stifling the demand. For Brad Albert, owner of Rising Sun Solar Electric, installing solar on rooftops isn’t enough to curtail Hawai‘i’s energy quagmire. Brad has made it his life’s work to affect change in the industry by attacking the problem at its source, in the legislature. As president of the Hawai‘i PV Coalition, a nonprofit organization working to promote solar electricity and energy independence for the state of Hawai‘i through education and outreach, his goals are to get the pubic educated and involved in local energy policy and see to it that PV is accessible and affordable throughout the islands. What got you involved in Hawai‘i’s energy policy in addition to being a solar contractor? If you do something like solar, you start to see the big picture and solar is just a part of it. Everything is a circle, just like the recycle logo. Once you see that, you’re not going to be happy just installing a few solar systems, because ultimately you want more than just the ones you can put in. You have to be part of your community and part of that is participating in the political process. Furthermore, our industry is 30
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
policy driven. Our business will either increase or I’ll be laying people off based on what happens with national and state level policy. So it only makes sense, in terms of a self-sustaining interest, to be involved as well. If we’re successful as an industry that means more people are getting solar power and that’s helping the economy. In the renewable energy economy, prosperity is only going to lead to more prosperity versus now, under the carbon-based energy generation model of oil and coal, where we’re taking resources that are destroying other resources, which eventually is going to really hurt our economy. How does the Hawai‘i PV Coalition fit into shaping policy? There’s an industry component and there’s an individual member component to it. People that get PV systems should become part of the PV Coalition because now they’re part of that family. People who want to learn more about solar should also become part of it and also people in the industry that want to promote solar. We’re promoting the renewable energy and energy conservation agenda in the state, but specifically PV, because there’s no limit to solar hot water systems or light bulbs in your house, but there is a limit for PV. There are also technical debates going on like is it better to have centralized renewable power, like a big wind farm, or is it better to have distributed generation, like PV systems on your house. And the question is not whether it’s going to be one or the other, but what’s the blend and what’s better for Hawai‘i. The PV Coalition is not the driving force behind creating legislation. Unfortunately, we’re understaffed and there’s no O‘ahu manpower,
Q&A
which it would take to do the legislative piece, but it seems like the Hawai‘i Solar Energy Association is handling that. The HSEA has been more of the lobbying branch and the PV Coalition has been more of the public awareness and support effort. But you need both. With the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative in place, doesn’t a cap or limit to the number of installed PV system in Hawai‘i seem counterproductive towards that goal? The cap was made so that the public utilities commission can approve limits for different islands. In Kaua‘i, the limit is one percent of peak demand, which means that when the grid is hitting its peak in demand, how every many kilowatts of power that is, one percent of that. Kaua‘i is already at one percent, they’re done. We are limiting jobs. There are solar installers on Kaua‘i that are probably out of business that were doing work a year ago. On O‘ahu, the number is one percent also, but it’s a much larger grid and the energy rates are a lot less here, so less people have put in systems, so there’s still space available. On Maui and the Big Island, we hit the one percent just in the first quarter of the year, but they raised the limit as of December 26, 2008 to three percent, and we’ll be there soon enough. But having a limit is different than setting a goal. So just the fact that there is a limit discourages people and it makes it very difficult for local solar installers. Who benefits from limiting solar installations? The utilities push back is that potentially the circuits can’t handle what they call “as available” or “intermittent” power on the electrical grid. But there are controls that can go on each individual circuit and there are other ways the grid can be smarter, but that cost has never fully been assessed. The only thing that I think would be a potential public benefit would be that the utility would say we’re limiting it until we can study our grid and make sure it’s not going to disrupt our power quality. But they already know they can go to 15 percent without even trying to think about it. Until we have a visible policy that is best practices and makes the most sense to get to our goal the quickest, we are not going to be moving there in an efficient manner. People like myself are going to have to spend more time trying to change policy instead of putting in more solar systems. What changes have you seen over the last five years in your industry? Literally, when I went to Maui in 2003 there were seven solar systems and we installed the eighth one. We’ll probably do eighty this year. The rate of adoption of new technology is faster now than any other point in history. The solar industry in the U.S. grew by 80 percent just last year. My company in Hawai‘i grew exactly that amount. We went from seven employees to fifteen. And we’re using more outside services, which is money going into the economy. But there’s a lot of guys, electricians and other trades, that are on the bench and don’t have work right now. There’s just not enough people who want solar systems or who are trained to install them. Work force development is the thing, but you can’t have the chicken before the egg. Are you pleased with the progress of people utilizing photovoltaics for home energy needs? The industry is growing, but I feel like it could be a lot more rapid. I’ve been doing this for ten years and every year I see more people do it, but also feel like it wasn’t enough and there always seems to be a push back from the utility or in the policy. It took an economic
Q&A
Dr. Summer Baptist, ND Licensed Naturopathic Physician
(808) 783-0361
Specializing in: Family Medicine
• Women’s Health • Men’s Health • Children’s Health • Metabolic Detoxification Programs • Nutrition & Lifestyle Counseling
4 Week Detoxification Program Ideal for: • Skin conditions (acne, eczema or psoriasis) • Digestive problems (IBS, Crohn’s disease, colitis) • Inflammatory conditions (arthritis, fibromyalgia) • High cholesterol, hypertension and Type 2 diabetes • Chronic headaches, migraines, fatigue, pain or muscle tension • Chronic exposure to toxins and pollutants Includes: • 90 minute initial assessment • 3 weekly follow up visits • Detoxification Program Manual • Discounted on-site use of infrared sauna
Four Main Purposes of an Individualized Detoxification Program: • Decrease the toxic load built up in the body • Identify and change or remove obstacles impeding health • Initiate the natural healing process • Implement a healthy regimen and lifestyle to reach optimal health Call for additional information:
Downtown Honolulu Office 1188 Bishop Street. Suite 1509 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone 808-783-0361
www.sacredhealingarts.info
crisis of historic proportion to pass the extension of the tax credit. You would think that it’s just so obvious that’s it’s just the right thing to do for the economy and the world. It had been introduced 20 times in 2008 to be passed in both the House and Senate, but never passed. They did the right thing for the wrong reasons—only because there was a crisis that had nothing to do with the environmental crisis. It just makes you wonder if this oil-based economy was behind all this, because why wouldn’t they want the solar tax credit when it’s just a smart policy to have. What can be done to make PV even more sought after? The most empowering thing would be to have a program run by the state or county that says this is how you put energy efficient and energy generating devices on your home and we’ll spoon feed it to you, which has been happening with solar hot water to a degree, and it’s been successful. It’s just a matter of doing that across the board, but it has to be policy driven, creating a policy that is going to influence massive change instead of incremental or isolated change, and that’s what the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative is seeking to do. With PV it feels to us like instead of saying, everyone should get one of these on their home or business, the utility is accepting of it, but probably not happy about it. The policy from the state is that PV is available, but they’re not really advertising it or promoting it. There’s no public awareness piece attached to anything that exists. It’s supposed to be up to the industry to go out and sell it, but in other places like Berkley, California and Colorado, they came up with a county thing where you get funding by creating a loan that isn’t attached to the owner of the house, but attached to the property. In other words, it’s part of the property tax. If you sell the house, the loan just carries forward. The loan is 0% and secured because it’s with the property tax, so there’s no process to get the loan, because if you pay property tax, which everyone who owns a house does, then you get the loan. If you foreclose, the whole thing just passes to the next owner, so it’s really clean. This is something that would encourage a lot of people en masse to get PV on their houses. What was the energy legislation tucked into the big financial bailout? If you look at the growth on Maui, the number of PV systems installed in the first quarter of ’09 was over three times the number of systems installed in ’08. And it’s 100 percent attributable to a policy change that wasn’t made by Obama, it was made by the Economic Recovery Act of 2008, the seven-billion-dollar bailout. To get signatures, they extended the federal tax credit for solar energy and other renewable energies. It’s called an ITC and it was going to end at the end of 2008, but they extended it for another eight years and they fixed the language in the bill and that’s the important part. Before, in 2008 and going back, you were limited to $2,000 for a PV system and it was supposed to be a 30 percent federal tax credit. If you spent more than $6,000 you were maxing out that credit, you were never getting the full 30 percent. The same thing is true on the state side; on the residential side you were limited to $5,000. So now the feds said there’s no more limit, it’s the whole 30 percent for the next eight years if you invest in renewable energy, solar specifically. There’s a bill right now, SB 464, to make the state tax credit refundable. That’s good because a lot of people don’t have state tax liability, or they have very little, so they don’t really see a benefit. So between making it unlimited and refundable and what Obama wants to do, which is make the federal one refundable too, if all that happens we’ll get another immediate market reaction.
Photo: Courtesy Pelamis
PLANET EARTH
Surfing the High Seas Harnessing wave energy in Spain
Imagine this: It’s a beautiful, sunny day at the beach. The waves are rolling in, 2- to 4-foot sets, glassy and perfect. Just a few other surfers share the lineup, loving life. At the same time, just a few miles off shore, snake-like machines are riding those same swells, passively generating electricity. If you think waves are just for surfing, the Pelamis Corporation would like you think again. Founded in 1998 with the aim of developing the first viable wave-energy farm, the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter can now be found in action at the Agucadoura wave farm, five kilometers off the northern coast of Portugal. Here, three of the 140-meter long, 3.5-meter wide cylindrical machines can be seen riding the passing swells. They use energy from the waves to power internal hydraulic motors, which drive generators that create electricity. The power is then fed down a cable to the ocean floor which links to the shore, feeding into the city’s power grid. Presto, wave energy powering near-by homes. Each Pelamis Wave Energy Converter can conceivably power approximately 500 homes per year, depending on the wave action. It sounds like an ideal solution to the energy crisis, but to some critics, the biggest problem with this technology is its scale. Production of 30 megawatts of energy requires 1 square kilometer of ocean surface to house 40 machines. Considering that a city like Los Angeles uses 13 gigawatts of energy, a sufficient wave farm would have to cover the surface area of 256 square kilometers of ocean. It’s hard to justify tying up such a vast swath of ocean. If, however, this technology is used in combination with other alternative energy solutions, it could prove to be a very viable piece of the renewable energy puzzle. What does this mean for Hawai‘i? For starters, we have some of the most powerful waves per square meter in the world. Then, consider 34
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
that each of our islands operates on a stand-alone energy system. With these smaller pockets of energy consumption, a reasonably sized wave farm could provide a considerable portion of each island’s energy needs. There are some exciting plans in the works already for wave energy farming in Hawai‘i. On Maui, the Australian company Oceanlinx Ltd. has announced a plan to farm wave energy for the island with a patented system similar to the Pelamis model. It uses rising and falling sea swells to push a turbine and create electricity. They say this system could be in place off the northeast coast of Maui by 2011, providing up to 2.7 megawatts of energy for the island. The Office of Naval Research is testing another experimental system using buoys outside of Ka-ne‘ohe Bay. The traditional buoy shape allows an internal generator to create energy using the up and down bobbing motion. HECO is currently helping with the transfer of the energy to shore. When it comes to renewable energy, there is no one right answer. The future will likely be composed of a combination of technologies suited to a variety of climates and the renewable resources available there. Fortunately for us, Hawai‘i enjoys an abundance of all things renewable: wind, sun and surf. So the next time you’re in the lineup waiting to catch the perfect wave, just think of all that usable energy rolling past you. That’s energy that could one day soon help to power our lives, fossil fuel free. —Aubrey Yee To see the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter hard at work surfing the high seas, go to: www.greenmagazinehawaii.com
FOR ALL YOUR SOLAR NEEDS RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
PHOTOVOLTAIC
Up to 65% funded by state and federal tax credits. Photovoltaic credits up to $5000 from state. With 30% unlimited federal tax credits. Call for your customized energy savings quote.
SOLAR HOT WATER • SOLAR ATTIC EXHAUST FANS ALL FORMS OF PLUMBING Commercially licensed plumbers specializing in residential solar License No. C24062
HECO APPROVED INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR 0 DOWN, 0 INTEREST FOR 12 MONTHS ic
s Photovolta
Solar Panel
Solar Att
ic Exhau
st Fan
MICHELL JOHN Se habla Español
SOLAR PROFESSIONALS LLC 96-1362 Waihona Street Pearl City, Hawaii 96782
Tel 808-778-3538 michell-john@hotmail.com www.solarprohawaii.com
HOME
Using natural light to illuminate the home By Kevin Whitton
36
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
Photo: Courtesy Solatube
Photo: Willi
HOME
Kenneth Sheeks a resident of the northern tip of the Big Island, recently remodeled his kitchen. He installed dark, granite counter tops and cherry wood cabinets, a dark wood rich with mood and grain. But immediately after the project was complete, Kenneth noticed something was missing. Light. The dark countertops and cabnitry gave his new kitchen a walk-in closet feel; the furniture absorbed the light, making the space feel small and cramped. But instead of installing more light fixtures to solve the problem, Kenneth opted for natural lighting to brighten the space, an energy-saving option those in the know are embracing with open arms. The appliance is not new, but the technology and performance are. In fact, solar light tubes, tubular skylights or tubular daylighting devices, whichever you prefer to call them, have been around nearly
20 years, lighting peoples’ homes naturally. But with the recent, widespread focus on sustainable design and energy- and cost-saving upgrades in the home, solar light tubes offer attractive ways to light large spaces in your home during the day, without ever having to flip on the light switch. Every home is plagued with the common problem, an office without a window to call its own, a dark bathroom, a long hallway or a room on the north side of the house that receives only reflected light. If you have to turn a light on in your home during the day, then you have the ideal place for a tubular skylight. The name says it all and solar tubes are just that—tubes that extend from the roof to the ceiling and bring natural light into the home. The actual tube can range in size from ten to twenty-one inches in diameter, depending on how much space you need to light. The tubes GREENMAGAZ INE HAWAII.COM
37
HOME
can be angled and adjusted to fit in most attic spaces, so that no structural adjustments are necessary. In fact, licensed contractors can complete an installation in about two hours. So how does it work? The dome on the roof captures sunlight coming from just about any angle, at any time of day, and focuses it into the tube. The tube itself is made of highly reflective material and the light reflects and refracts as it travels through the tube. Before the light exits the tube and enters your home, it refracts one more time through a diffuser, the cap you see inside your home, which resembles typical recessed lighting. Cool, natural light is spread evenly around the room and the electric lights can stay off, morning, noon and evening. There are only several majors brands of solar light tube used by contractors in Hawai‘i, so make sure and do some comparative shopping first. Of utmost importance, the dome on the roof should be made of high grade acrylic that is weatherproof and can withstand high impact. In addition, the dome should offer at least 95 percent UV protection, which keeps the sun from bleaching carpet and furniture. Different brands will offer different upgrades, like single and double light fixtures inside the tube, ventilation kits for bathrooms and dimmer kits, so you can essentially turn off the natural light. They also offer diffusers made from different materials that alter the color and feel 38
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
Photo: Courtesy Solatube
The sun light reflects down the reflective tube to it’s desired location in the house.
Photo: Courtesy Solatube
The cost of a solar light tube is about one-third the cost of a traditional skylight and installs in two hours, rather than two to three days.
of the incoming daylight, depending on your preference. For instance, frosted diffusers broadcast cool, soft and even light, while other lenses deliver crystal clear, bright and sharp daylight. What size is right for your dark room? Generally, a 10-inch device will spread light up to 150 square feet. Compared to light bulbs, it would take 300 watts of energy to power bulbs that bright and far. For residential applications the next size up is a 13- to 14-inch tube and has a coverage area of up to 300 square feet and the wattage equivalent of almost 500 watts. For larger spaces, 18- and 21-inch light tubes are available. Another advantage to the solar light tube is that there is no heat gain to the living space that is associated with incandescent bulbs or traditional skylights. The air trapped in the tube acts as insulation and the diffuser cap remains cool to the touch. The monthly savings in the utility bill comes from cutting out the energy needed to power light bulbs on a daily basis and the additional cooling necessary to offset that source of heat. Now you can stop wasting energy with electric lighting during the day and take advantage of sunlight to brighten up your home naturally. Where light from a light bulb will have a line of demarcation and a shadow, light from solar light tube is pure light cast evenly in all directions, sans electricity.
OUTDOOR
40
GR E E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
OUTDOOR
The evolution of a sustainable garden Words and photos by Kevin Whitton
What is a weed? I have heard it said that there are sixty definitions. For me, a weed is a plant out of place. —Donald Culross Peattie (1896-1964), botanist and author For some, gardens are an extension of their physical property, a natural space to compliment the home. For others, gardens are an extension of their psyche, an expansion of ideas, a place to let the mind wander and a place to establish a tangible connection to the earth. For the latter, sustainable landscaping makes sense because it involves practices and analysis more closely tied to the ecosystem where the garden grows. What exactly is a sustainable garden? Is it filled with native Hawaiian plants? Does it conserve water and use recycled materials? Are the plants useful in some way, whether for food, medicine or material? Are the bugs out of control? The answer is not so black and white. As Leland Miyano, landscape designer, sculptor and naturalist, would tell you, it’s a continual work in progress—a controlled ecological experiment. Gardens are site specific and gardener specific, so no two are alike. But the principles behind sustainable gardening, though many and diverse, can offer a rewarding venture for the conscious gardener as well as the environment, no matter what the combination of conditions and practices. Taking advantage of the local ecology in your specific area, like temperature and rainfall, and using them to your advantage is simply the key. Leland saunters down one of the many dry-laid stone paths that wind through his one-acre “backyard” garden. Some of the stones are large, flat and rectangular, stones he retrieved from a swimming pool excavation that were headed for the landfill. Artfully juxtaposing the angular stones are round and smooth cobblestones, which were found in the
GREENMAGAZ INE HAWAII.COM
41
OUTDOOR
farmers’ fields near his home. Situated in the Ka‘alaia Valley on the windward side of O‘ahu, the private botanical retreat was never meant to be a public place, but his efforts to grow natives, be water wise and use recycled materials have transformed the garden into a living demonstration in sustainable gardening techniques and an educational arena. And Leland is embracing his role as ecological designer and educator. “I would call myself a naturalist. I love all of natural history, not just the plants, but the animals, everything that’s impacting this place,” says Miyano, as he wanders through his garden complete with canopy, understory and groundcover. He pulls weeds and dead leaves as he walks and throws them into strategic piles along the pathway. “That’s as opposed to a specialist. A specialist tends to look at one thing and they’re not looking at the ecology of something. I’m always looking for more naturalists in this world because I think that too many people are specialists. “You have to be a naturalist or generalist thinker in order to see the big picture and to see this thing as a holistic system that somehow works together. That’s why I keep my options open so I can understand what I’m seeing in front of me. Then I analyze that and make 42
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
my decisions and that’s why I’m trying not to make too many rules for myself here because this is a grand experiment. It’s not necessarily a designed garden, but the plants are driving the design, or the ecology is driving the design. And yet it still has to be a livable and usable space.” Leland sets the bar by defining his sustainable garden with loose guidelines while working within the ecology of the valley: low maintenance, using natives when possible, being water wise and growing plants with purpose or utility. What started out more than 25 years ago as a field with several invasive trees has transformed over the decades into a lush garden that is self-sustaining and productive. “I don’t have an irrigation system. I rely on the rain. I don’t want this garden to be dependant on me,” says Miyano. To accomplish this, Leland is growing plants that thrive in the particular microclimate in which he lives. The valley receives more than 70 inches of rain per year and Leland has designed the dry-laid stone pathways to move water through the garden as it percolates down through the stone. Following several of these paths to the back of the garden, Leland surveys the young starts growing in the
OUTDOOR
top left: Compost rich in nutrients and microorganisms is the cornerstone of any healthy garden. Leland’s “small” pile is one of many throughout his garden. top right: This Panax species of tree is commonly called the Palau Bowl because its cup-shaped leaves are useful as a vessel. bottom left: Termite-ridden remains of the previous shade house frame built from reclaimed lumber, still of use in the garden. bottom right: Epiphytes like this vibrant staghorn fern thrive in the moist Ka‘alaea Valley. GREENMAGAZ INE HAWAII.COM
43
OUTDOOR
nursery. Set on brick recovered from a contractor’s dump run, hundreds of species of exotic and native plants spread their roots in small growing containers resting on stainless steel refrigeration racks from WWII and recycled-plastic benches, which he prefers to reclaimed lumber because they are termite resistant. Old restaurant stainless steel sinks and racks hold a potpourri of gardening supplies. He points out one of his mulch piles on the other side of the path, a 6-foot high, 12-foot long pile of organic debris. He started this pile a year ago and plans to harvest in about six months, digging out bucket loads from the bottom of the pile. As part of his penchant for low maintenance, he doesn’t turn his piles, allowing the breakdown process to run its natural course. He refers to this pile as the “small” compost pile. Leland explains that while growing his garden of experimentation and design, if plants don’t do well on their own, they tend to get shuffled out of the deck, his method coming from years of species analysis. “The one thing that I do not want in here are invasive plants. Some plants may not be invasive for a long time and then they start manifesting characteristics that are too much for me to handle and then they are edited out.” For the humble naturalist, native plants are important in the garden, but not the end-all be-all for a sustainable garden. According to Leland, the natural ecology of pre-contact Hawai‘i is so altered, that a mix of exotics and natives works best for him. “I have a lot of native plants planted in and amongst things. I try to grow non-invasive ground covers that are easily gotten rid of if I have to take them out,” says Miyano, “just waiting for the natives to grow, because a lot of the native species are a little slower to grow. As the native plants get a little larger and more vigorous, I take out the other ground covers. I grow herbs as ground covers too. I’m trying to introduce more of the edible component—Italian parsley, peppers, basil—but its all part of the landscape.” In addition to the ongoing work designing and planting in the garden, Leland toys around with hybridizing ti to develop disease resistant varieties of the plant so people can enjoy trouble-free ornamentals for their homes without having to spray chemical pesticides. He also is working to develop disease resistant ‘o-hi‘a lehua, which is taking a big hit on O‘ahu from ‘o-hi‘a rust. “The whole garden is attempting to be sustainable,” continues Miyano. “I say attempting because it’s a process. I make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes, but if you observe and trust your own eyes you can see what works and what doesn’t. And things may change, for example I have a lot of plants that I don’t know exactly what the growth rate of the plant will be, but I’m not trying to control the growth of that plant, I’m trying to see what it will do in this ecology.” To answer our question about what components are required for a sustainable garden, the one thing that holds constant is to make sure that no plant is out of place. 44
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
FOOD
Local first, organic whenever possible, with aloha always Words by Jeff Mull // Photos by Kevin Whitton
46
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
FOOD
Dawn. As the budding sun pulls itself over the horizon, shedding light upon the coming morning, Dave Caldiero, chef at Town Restaurant in Kaimuki, has his eyes keenly trained to the local produce just unloaded at the Diamond Head Farmers’ Market. He’s looking for only the freshest of greens and the juiciest of fruits, because that’s all that makes it into his kitchen at Town. Situated in the beating heart of Kaimuki along Waialae Avenue, Town has become a staple eatery among those in the know. Since opening their doors to a loud cry of approval from the local foodies and run-of-the-mill diners alike in 2005, Town has forged itself into one of the most revered and environmentally respected restaurants in the Honolulu dining scene. Walking past the herb garden that skirts the sidewalk near the façade of the restaurant, the gastronomical experience of eating at Town literally begins before you walk in the door. The
unmistakable bite of rosemary lingers in the air, prepping your palette for what’s to come. Basil, as verdant a shade of green as anything you’ll find along the Pali, stands at attention, ready to be picked and placed in one of the restaurant’s signature homemade, hand-cut pasta bowls. Inside the building, the light base of lounge music glides through the air, giving the eatery a livelihood that feels as comfortable as any of your favorite neighborhood digs. Once seated, you won’t find a haughty wait staff or stiff-lipped maitre d’ standing vigil, but you will be presented with down-home flavors and a T-shirt-wearing staff that represent the bounty of local produce, fish and game prepared with a wealth of culinary knowledge and a flare for the fantastic. Tucked away in the back corner and seated at one of the few empty tables during the lunch rush, Chef de Cuisine Caldiero takes an GREENMAGAZ INE HAWAII.COM
47
FOOD
hour off from working the line for our interview. He’s not wearing the traditional white chef’s coat emblazoned with his name and culinary title. No, he’s adorned like your average 30-something island hipster, trimmed in jeans and a faded T-shirt. He nurses a warm cup of black Italian coffee sans sugar and, despite being a man that has been on his feet cutting, chopping, sautéing and roasting for the past five hours, he remains remarkably alert and well spoken. “I’ve never really been into wearing a chef’s coat or anything like that,” he says with a wry grin as he takes another sip of his mid-afternoon mud. “Everyone in the kitchen knows who I am already…so what’s the point?” Caldiero’s cool-as-cucumbers demeanor and unpretentious attitude serve as a gateway into the soul of the restaurant. Although the décor is not overstated and stiff, it drips a sense of modernity and chicness that isn’t always present in the Honolulu restaurant scene. The tables at Town are not draped with overly-starched linens, but are instead constructed of brushed stainless steel. The menus, written and updated daily according to what’s fresh and seasonal, are typed in an old newsprint font and are bound to a sheet of thick cardboard by a nifty metal clip. The food is a contemporary take on traditional heart-warming Italian joined by a modern American flair and has kept diners singing to the tune of mouth-watering praise. Perhaps the most remarkable of all elements that have forged Town’s success may not lie directly in the kitchen, but with the local farmers and producers they have worked so closely with since opening their doors over four years ago. More than just choosing to support local vendors, the crew at Town are committed to keeping their environmental impact as minimal as possible. From the fry grease that becomes biodiesel to the worm bin in the back of the restaurant to the biodegradable take-out containers, it’s clear as crystal that Town is damn serious about sustainability. “We take a lot of pride in always trying to work with the local farmers and to support what they do. We don’t want a tomato that was ripened in the back of a truck or anything. I’m of the mindset that food doesn’t always need to be complicated. To me, a tomato for instance, tastes the best when it’s picked fresh with just a little bit of salt, pepper and olive oil. Our motto here is ‘local first, organic when possible, and aloha always’ and we really stick to that principle.” Originally hailing from New York City, Caldiero came to the islands after attending culinary school back east. Upon graduating, he worked a brief-but-enlightening stint in a small French restaurant. “Culinary school’s great, but it can only teach you so much. When you graduate, you know the basics and how to hold a knife, but you’ve got to get into the kitchen before you can really understand what it’s all about,” he says. Upon returning from Europe, Caldiero made his way to Hawai‘i where he worked under local Italian restaurateur Chef Donato for a few years before starting Town with fellow chef and owner Ed Kenney, a man equally 48
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
above: Chef de Cuisine Dave Caldiero shows off his pride and joy, a colorful mix of locally grown cherry tomatoes—as fresh as it gets. below: For Caldiero, simplicity is the key and his humble, hardworking approach to tasty, natural food is apparent in his disdain for traditional chef’s attire.
FOOD
skilled behind a knife and range as he is he at running a successful business. In the unlikeliest of events, the duo met playing ultimate Frisbee. Over time, the pair became friends and soon realized that they both held similar interests and approaches to what cuisine is, and how it should be presented. A few months later, a little salt, a little pepper, a lot of work and voila`, Town was born. “When we first opened, we had really hoped that people would be receptive to the restaurant and the whole way we approach food and using local produce,” says Caldiero, “but you just never know. But so far, we’ve been really lucky and have had a really steady flow of customers.” Caldiero understates the success of the restaurant. After keeping a steady base of well-fed and happy clientele, they expanded to open up a sister restaurant in the Hawai‘i State Art Museum on South Hotel Street, aptly named Downtown. Utilizing the same methodology that has proven to be so successful, Downtown caters to the Honolulu 9-to-5ers looking to grab a quick, tasty bite to eat. Since opening, both Town and Downtown have been featured on Conde Naste’s Restaurant “Hot List.” If you ask Caldiero about the positive press and media coverage the restaurants have received, he’ll tell you that even though it’s exciting, they’re in the business because they love it. Additionally, you can’t speak to Caldiero without the word “family” infiltrating the conversation. It’s a dynamic that sits at the very base of the restaurant. “For us, family is everything. From the people that work here to our own families, it’s a very important part of working here. We’re not open on Sundays, as an example, and that’s so we can all have that time off to just hang out and relax away from work.” Caldiero speaks the truth. On any given day, it’s not uncommon to see either his wife, or partner Ed Kenney’s wife, seating people at the front of the restaurant. It’s clear that for both families, running Town is a labor of love and is something that they hope to continue to do in the coming years. When asked about where he sees the future of the restaurant moving forward, Caldiero and Kenney both remain optimistic that their unique take on cuisine and utilizing fresh, local produce will continue to support their growth. “You never know… maybe another restaurant?” says Caldiero with a laugh. Let’s hope he’s not kidding.
above: Town’s burger is one of their top sellers. Hand-crafted patties from locally raised Big Island and North Shore Cattle Company beef pack more than enough flavor to make any omnivore weak at the knees. below: Caldiero stretches homemade focaccia bread by hand.
GREENMAGAZ INE HAWAII.COM
49
TRANSPORTATION
The Right Track Honolulu moving at the speed of rail transit
52
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
Honolulu’s proposed rail transit system might have slipped temporarily out of the public buzz domain, overrun by news of the nation’s economic implosion, severe declines in tourism and the completely-blown-out-ofproportion swine flu. But progress is quietly being made on the 20-mile elevated transportation alternative. The final Environment Impact Statement will be published later this summer and if approved by the Federal Transportation Administration, local construction crews will
TRANSPORTATION
be breaking ground in east Kapolei by the end of 2009 for the first leg of the route to Leeward Community College. The entire system will be elevated around 25 feet off the ground to separate the train from the traffic below. Passenger stations will have an open air design and utilize cooler, industrial fabrics instead of plastics or metals. The train’s storage and maintenance facility is being designed to LEED Silver Certification standards and the project is directly and indirectly creating an estimated 11,000 jobs. Planners are looking at ways to allow riders to bring bicycles on the train and once the 20-mile stretch
to Ala Moana Center is complete, county bus routes will be reconfigured for lighter duty. The U.S. Department of Energy states that rail uses on average 25 percent less energy per passenger mile than cars and 40 percent less for trucks. With a projected ridership of 95,000 passengers per day, that’s a significant energy savings. Couple that with the rail system’s goal of being powered by alternative energies like solar, wind and hydrogen power, this mass transit system has the capability of decreasing Honolulu’s carbon footprint in more ways than just reducing the number of cars on the road. GREENMAGAZ INE HAWAII.COM
53
MARKETPLACE
Hale‘iwa Farmers’ Market
Bonafacio Dining Table
RC Green Sofas
50 booths offering a wide variety of the freshest local produce, artisan foods, children’s activities & live music. Hale‘iwa Farmers’ Market encourages everyone to buy locally, bring your own shopping bag and help to green O‘ahu… one Sunday at a time.
This beautiful table is made entirely of reclaimed teak. Wood that was once an old home or railway track has found a fabulous new life. Priced at $2,150
Hale‘iwa Farmers’ Market North Shore, O‘ahu Sundays 9am-1pm 808.388.9696 www.haleiwafarmersmarket.com
Pacific Home 420 Ward Avenue Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 808.596.9338 www.pacific-home.com
A fabulous new line of 100% green Sofas - recycled steel springs and FSC certifed wood frames, non-toxic, water-based, formaldehyde-free glues and stains. The cushions are made of natural latex wrapped in 100% organic wool and organic cotton with pillows of natural feathers. A wide range of upholstery options are available using natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, hemp, and bamboo. Prices depends on style and fabric chosen.
Green-Core Cabinetry
Ice Stone
Megagarden System
Balancing durable cabinetry and environmental responsibility, Crystal offers Green-Core and Green-Core Plus with no added urea formaldehyde, 100% recycled, low-emitting, and rapidlyrenewable cabinet components.
IceStone durable surfaces are made from 100% recycled glass and cement to create a high performance, green concrete material. IceStone is an ideal choice for countertops, backsplash, bathroom vanities, table tops, bar tops, interior walls and commercial flooring applications. Cradle to Cradle Gold Certification.
Get the convenience of an Ebb & Flow System in a 22” x 22” x 10” size garden by Hydrofarm. Ebb & Flow Systems work by pumping nutrient solution up from a reservoir to a controlled water level tray. All plants are watered uniformly on a timed cycle.
Archipelago Hawaii Refined Island Designs 560 N. Nimitz Hwy Ste 121-A Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 808.536.7739 www.archipelagohawaii.com
54
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
Hawaiian Hydroponics 4224 Waialae Avenue Honolulu, Hawaii 96816 808.735.8665
MARKETPLACE
Converse Eyewear
Spiritual Stones Hawaii
Eco-friendly goodies
Converse All-Star eyewear, inspired by urban street wear. Great eye protection on a bike ride, hike, kayak adventure or a day at the beach. Models for men and women, available in a variety of colors, Converse All-Star Sunglasses ensure you’re covered. Literally.
Every morning, select three stones for daily inspiration and apply these messages to your day’s experiences. See how these words of wisdom can lead to more clarity of thought! 32 river stones, each engraved with a different “word to live by.” $45 per set
Located in the heart of Manoa in the Manoa Marketplace, the Red Ginger Cafe and gift shop features eco-friendly products for everyone to enjoy. Organic candies, handbags made of recycled materials and other made in Hawai‘i items are just a few things to name.
Paradise Eyewear 1415 South King Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 808.955.3532
Spiritual Stones Hawaii 2111 S. Beretania St. Suite102 Honolulu, Hawaii 96826 808.228.7432 www.spiritualstoneshawaii.com
Red Ginger Cafe 2752 Woodlawn Drive 2nd Floor Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 808.988.0588 www.redgingercafemanoa.com
Bokashi
Teco Pottery
100% natural, biologically active and safe compost that will reduce odor of food and pet wastes and serves as a soil rejuvenator to provide for the best healthy, disease-resistant plants. Bokashi is a symphony of beneficial microbes that produces nutrients, antioxidants and better aeration for soils and plants. $14.99 5-pound bag
Iconic ceramic vases designed by architects of the Prairie School at the turn of the last century, each piece is proudly produced in the US and each high quality reproduction maintains the integrity of its original pottery design. Available in many colors and styles. Starting at $95 each
Soh Bright collection by Kaypee Soh
www.bokashicenter.com
SoMace 808.593.8780 www.somacedesign.com
Produced from original master molds of post WWII Danish Modern design, these table lamps with custom Kaypee Soh shade designs are both high quality and unique. The heavyweight fine stoneware bases are handmade in the USA, as well as the shades. SoMace 808.593.8780 www.somacedesign.com
GREENMAGAZ INE HAWAII.COM
55
ADVERTISER’S DIRECTORY
Activities Hawaii Polo Club www.hawaiipolo.com Hawaiian Electric Company www.heco.com Waimea Valley 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy. Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712 808.638.7766 www.waimeavalley.net
Apparel Mu‘umu‘u Heaven 767 Kailua Road, #100 Kailua, Hawaii 96734 808.263.3366 www.muumuuheaven.com Paradise Eyewear 1415 South King Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 808.955.3532 Stylus Honolulu 2615 South King Street #301 Honolulu, Hawaii 96826 808.951.4500 www.stylushonolulu.com
Food // Beverages Coffee Talk 3601 Waialae Avenue Honolulu, Hawaii 96816 808.737.7444 Down To Earth 2525 South King Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96826 808.947.7678
98-129 Kaonohi Street Aiea, Hawaii 96701 808.488.1375 www.downtoearth.org Hale‘iwa Farmers’ Market North Shore, O‘ahu www.haleiwafarmersmarket.com Jamba Juice www.jambajuicehawaii.com Red Ginger Cafe & Gift Shop 2752 Woodlawn Drive 2nd Floor Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 808.988.0588 www.redgingercafemanoa.com
Garden // Landscape Hawaiian Hydroponics 4224 Waialae Avenue Honolulu, Hawaii 96816 808.735.8665 Hui Ku Maoli Ola Hawaiian Plant Specialists 46-403 Haiku Road Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 www.plantnativehawaii.com Koolau Farmers 1199 Dillingham Blvd # C109 Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 808.843.0436 45-580 Kamehameha Highway Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 808.247.3911 1127 Kailua Road Kailua, Hawaii 96734 808.263-4414
201 Hamakua Drive Kailua, Hawaii 96734 808.262.3838
Support Our Advertisers
56
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
When contacting our advertisers, please be sure to mention that you saw their ad in Green. Mahalo!
Health // Fitness Alice Inoue 2111 South Beretania St. #102 Honolulu, Hawaii 96826 808.598.2655 www.aliceinoue.com
So’Mace 1115 Young Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 808.593.8780 www.somacedesign.com
BHIP Energy Drink bhiphawaii808@gmail.com 808.489.4574
Home Improvements Ace Hardware 3384 Waialae Avenue Honolulu, Hawaii 96816 808.732.2891
Joy of Pilates Haleiwa, O‘ahu 808.744.2335 www.joyofpilateshawaii.com Wellness Lifestyles 2111 South Beretania St. #102 Honolulu, Hawaii 96826 808.941.7676 www.wellnesslifestyleshawaii.com
Home Furnishings Archipelago Hawai‘i Gentry Pacific Design Center 560 N. Nimitz Hwy, Ste 121-A Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 808.536.7739 Kai Ku Hale 66-145 Kamehameha Hwy. Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712 808.636.2244 www.kaikuhale.com Pacific Home 420 Ward Avenue Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 808.596.9338 4450 Kapolei Parkway #106 Kapolei, Hawaii 96707 808.674.9338 www.pacific-home.com
Energy Unlimited 808.533.0356 Hawaiian Island Solar 111 Hekili Street Suite A462 Kailua, Hawaii 96734 808.489.2026 Hawaii Skylights and Solar Fans P.O. Box 1169 Kapaau, Hawaii 96755 808.345.1779 www.hawaiiskylights.com Inter-Island Solar Supply 761 Ahua Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 808.523.0711 Oahu 808.329.7890 Kona 808.871.1030 Maui www.solarsupply.com Ray’s Solar Fans 808.258.7366 www.rayssolarfans.com Saving Oahu’s Solar 808.372.6691 www.savingoahussolar.com Solar Professionals 96-1362 Waihona Street Pearl City, Hawaii 96782 808.778.3538
Sun Energy Solutions 1124 Fort Street Mall #204 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 808.587.8312 www.sunpowerhawaii.net
L & O Contractors 808.227.0321
The Green House 224 Pakohana Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 808.524.8427 www.thegreenhousehawaii.com
Salon Utopia 1130 Koko Head Avenue #1 Honolulu, Hawaii 96816 808.732.7124
Keiki Dolphin Diaper Service LLC. 2302 Coyne Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96826 808.261.4775 www.DolphinDiaperService.com
Organizations Hawai‘I Conservation Alliance 1151 Punchbowl St., Rm 224 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 808.586.0916 www.hawaiiconservation.org
Real Estate Woodstock Properties, Inc. Brett Schenk 98-211 Pali Momi Street #430 Aiea, Hawaii 96701 808.488.1588 www.brettschenk.com Cadmus Properties Corp. 332 North School Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 808.531.6847
Services Mobotech 824 Bannister Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 808.841.0005
Pro Glass Tinting Specialist 808.221.1150
State Farm Insurance 1221 Kapiolani Boulevard Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 808.593.9288
Maui Down to Earth 305 Dairy Road Kahului, Hawaii 96732 808.877.2661 www.downtoearth.org Hawaiian Moons Natural Foods 2411 South Kihei Road Kihei, Hawaii 96753 808.875.4356 www.hawaiianmoons.com Lahaina Design Center 75 Kupuohi Street, #103 Lahaina, Hawaii 96761 Mana Foods 49 Baldwin Avenue Paia, Hawaii 96779 808.579.8078 www.manafoodmaui.com Pacific Home Lahaina Design Center 75 Kupuohi Street, #103 Lahaina, Hawaii 96761 www.pacific-home.com
Photo: Kevin Whitton
COMING NEXT ISSUE
Aquaculture, farming freshwater and saltwater creatures like fish, has been around for thousands of years. Hydroponics, growing plants in nutrient rich water, is over 100 years old. Aquaponics, a relatively new method of sustainable farming, merges these two methods of growing and harvesting fish and plants, each benefiting the other in a closed and controlled cycle. The fish fertilize the plants and the plants, substrate and microorganisms filter the water the fish live in. It’s a simple and economic way to grow herbs, fruits and vegetables, whether growing food for your family or to support a community. Also featured in the Fall issue of Green: an off-the-grid home on the windward side of O‘ahu built with reclaimed lumber; the incredible story of a man who returned to his homeland on Moloka‘i and created a sustainable tropical flower business; “I do,” not want to harm the environment—energy-neutral weddings.
58
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWA II.C O M
design|build solar systems.
R
E
C
O
S
I
M
D
M
E
E
N
R
T
I
A
C
I
A
L
L
Change your power Change your planet
P r o v e n
Q u a l i t y
a n d
R e l i a b l e
S e r v i c e
Call to learn the benefits of going solar. 579-8287
Lic # C-28184
www.risingsunsolar.com