CONTENTS
Sections 26 Science: Ka‘ena Point Spring A predator proof fence brings a new surge of life to the Ka‘ena Point Natural Area Reserve 28 Culture: Westside Woodworks The advantageous wooden art of Ray Nitta 30 Business: Flo Water A simple solution to help solve plastic water bottle pollution 42 Recreation: Saving Freight Trains After four decades of fighting the expansion of the harbor at Ma‘alaea, the Surfrider Foundation has prevailed in its effort to conserve the natural ecosystem and one of the best waves on Maui.
32 Food: One Song Farm
The size of a farm is not a measure of its output
38 Politics: Laws Of Nature
As Hawai‘i follows the national political climate, focusing on the economy and job creation in 2012, how has environmental legislation fared in the Aloha State?
44 Conservation: Big, Bad Weeds
Sustainable Living 16 Film Dirty Jobs 18 Outside Watchable Wildlife 19 Web Daily Reading 20 Home Night Light 22 Art Painting With Light 23 Local Strides Growing With Purpose 24 Style Dress Down 25 Simple Choices The Great Diaper Dilemma Departments 08 Editor’s Note 12 Contributors 14 Letters 50 Marketplace 54 Advertiser Directory 55 Distribution 56 Coming Next Issue
Stopping the spread of O‘ahu’s most dangerous invasive species, like the miconia tree, before they take root COVER ART: Colin Redican @colinredicanart.com
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Illustration: KT
EDITOR’S NOTE
Value and Vultures Eric had been surfing his whole life, or for as long as he could remember. He had a modest upbringing, but full of love and support none the less. He lived with his mom in a two-bedroom apartment on Pualei Circle, an alcove of low-rise apartments crammed in between Diamond Head and Kapi‘olani Park. From the lanai, barely wide enough for a beach chair, the third floor offered what a realtor would call a “peek-aboo view” of the ocean. Eric had a good head on his shoulders, understood the value of hard work and of the all mighty dollar, and that a dollar’s value could be stretched in other parts of the world. He started working at sixteen to support his surfing habit (buying boards and boardshorts mainly) and to put gas in the old gold Honda Accord he bought from his grandfather for a paltry $200. He did his homework, bussed tables and surfed. It was his life. By the time he was eighteen, Eric had been surfing for nine years and had grown accustomed to the big, powerful surf on the North Shore. And every summer, even though he was a quick bike ride or even a leisurely stroll from a few good south shore breaks, the small, lackluster waves just didn’t get his heart pumping like Off The Wall or Pipeline could. So on his nineteenth birthday he bought himself a plane ticket to Mainland Mexico, to Guadalajara actually, where he took a bus to a little known fishing village called Pescuales. He’d heard a few stories from traveling surfers on the North Shore about the black sand beaches, heaving barrels and all the fish you could eat for just a few pesos. The bus ride was a horrid experience, but it was cheap, and once the dust settled after the fuming exhaust factory on wheels limped away, Eric saw that Pescuales was nothing more than a few wood and palm frond palapas and a couple cement dwellings set back off the high tide line of a long, straight stretch of beach. There were fishing boats pulled up on the beach near a rivermouth, maybe a quarter mile to the north, and just a lonely dirt road leading down the beach to the south, into the scrub filled with snakes and scorpions. Eric made a B-line to the nearest palapa to get out of the blistering afternoon sun, his heavy board bag in tow. There were three rows of picnic benches covered in red and white checkered plastic table cloth—family style eating. A young lady—short, dark skin with the shine of worn leather, thick black braid that ran down to the small of her back, small hands, pudgy fingers—took his order. It was an awkward situation as he didn’t speak Spanish and she didn’t speak English, but in the end he had a cold beer and a whole fish on a plate with potatoes and handmade tortillas. His meal was 18 pesos, three
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dollars. He was freaking out. A local man sitting a few tables away, also watching the surf, approached him after the young lady cleared his plate. His name was Joaquin. Joaquin lived in one of the cement dwellings with his young wife and their two-year-old son. The edifice had an extra room he rented out to the infrequent traveling surfer or weary fisherman. Joaquin’s wife would cook three meals a day for their guest, inclusive in the small daily fee. Eric was game. It was right in his budget, about $10 a day. He stayed for a month. Eric went back every summer, religiously, staying with Joaquin and his family for a month at a time. He budgeted just enough for his month-long excursion, that same rate from Joaquin he had come to expect, along with the good cooking and treatment of American surf royalty. On his fourth annual excursion, Eric noticed some changes in town. More restaurants had sprung up as well as two new hotels, one with four rooms and the other with six. There were also a few more surfers hanging around, Americans from the West Coast and Texas (of all places). Joaquin asked Eric if he could charge him $15 a night. Fish had become more expensive and the new hotels (the six-room hotel had a pool table) were attracting return guests that had previously stayed with him. Eric apologized and said he only had enough for $10 a night. Joaquin obliged. When Eric returned his fifth year, he once again looked up Joaquin. Joaquin again asked for a higher rate for his services, but Eric, feeling dominant, proud and testing his prowess at haggling, was able to keep his room for the month at his usual rate. Of course Eric could afford the extra five dollars a night, but to Eric, it was principal. It was Mexico. It was supposed to be dirt-cheap. Eric returned the next year, his sixth, happy to see Joaquin in the small cement house and get as close to comfortable as possible in the small guest room. But an old, scruffy man named Hector answered the door and relayed a message to Eric. Joaquin could not afford to stay in Pescaules, renting rooms to surfers. They did not pay their fair share, and Joaquin was forced to take work farming in the mountains to make ends meet. Shit out of luck, Eric retired to the six-room hotel and paid $25 a night. Realizing he’d taken Joaquin’s hospitality for granted and lost a good thing, a product of his own frugality, ego and lack of foresight, he found it difficult to enjoy the pounding surf that usually gave him such a rush. Remorseful, he left after five days. It was his last trip to Pescaules. —Kevin Whitton
Published by Little Tree Publications VOLUME 4 :: NUMBER 3 :: JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 Editor Kevin Whitton Lifestyle Editor Aubrey Yee Contributing Writers Adam Ayers, Dr. Summer Baptist, Priscilla Pérez Billig, Catherine Mariko Black, Stuart Coleman, Jade Eckardt, Tiffany Foyle, Margaret Haapoja, Jennifer Metz, Nicole Milne, Laura Poirier, Samson Reiny, Lara Reynolds, Sarah Ruppenthal, Rosalyn Young, Tara Zirker Art Director Kyle Tanaka Contributing Photographers Willi Edwards, Beau Flemister, Isaac Frazer, Ian Gillespie, Margaret Haapoja, Nicole Milne, Kyle Tanaka, Kevin Whitton, Michelle Whitton, Aubrey Yee Contributing Illustrators Orthreb Arios, Abi Braceros, Nicolette Davenport Sales Representative Lola Cohen green@lolacohen.com General Inquries info@greenmagazinehawaii.com GREEN P.O. Box 894061 Mililani, Hawai‘i 96789 To receive a free subscription to the GREEN eZine, the complete online version of GREEN, please contact us at info@greenmagazinehawaii.com. Annual hard copy subscriptions are also available at $24 for four issues. 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, Hawai‘i 96789 Email editorial inquiries to info@greenmagazinehawaii.com GREEN is trademarked and tradename registered in the state of Hawai‘i. All contents of this issue of GREEN are copyrighted by Little Tree Publications, 2012. All rights reserved. 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.
CONTRIBUTORS
Sarah Ruppenthal Diploma in hand, Sarah Ruppenthal waved goodbye to a soggy college campus in Seattle, Washington eight years ago and boarded a one-way flight to Maui, searching for work and some much-needed Vitamin D. Today, she is an award-winning journalist, freelance writer and English instructor at University of Hawai‘i, Maui College. Sarah says she has discovered an endless supply of fascinating people, places and things in Hawai‘i—a writer’s dream come true. When she’s not hunched over her laptop working on a story, Sarah is relaxing at home on Maui’s iconic north shore with her husband and 115-pound puppy, Odie.
Lara Reynolds Lara Reynolds has a Master of Science in botany from the University of Hawai‘i at Ma- noa and is currently the outreach specialist for the O‘ahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC). Her dedication to learning about and working to conserve Hawai‘i’s unique native plants and animals was inspired two decades ago while living in Kona and exploring the many hiking trails on the Big Island. Lara left a job in the local film and video industry to pursue a career in science and conservation. She used to work as a field technician for OISC, scrambling up and down the steep slopes of the Ko‘olau Mountains to remove invasive plants, and now enjoys her role working on more level ground in public education and outreach. On and off the job, Lara encourages O‘ahu’s residents to see the connection between their own quality of life and the health of the island’s native ecosystems.
Margaret A. Haapoja Margaret A. Haapoja is a former high school English teacher whose freelance writing career began after she took the Minnesota Master Gardener course 27 years ago. She’s written for dozens of national and regional magazines specializing in nature, gardening and travel. She and her husband live in the home they built in northern Minnesota, where they tend vegetable and flower gardens as well as a small tree farm and wildlife habitat planting. An avid traveler, Margaret has relaxed with Laysan albatross on Midway Atoll, tramped through remote wildlife reserves on Kaua‘i, traipsed along Minnesota’s newest birding trail and marveled at monk seals on Ni‘ihau. She and her husband have escaped Minnesota’s cold winters to soak up the sun on Kaua‘i for the past 21 years.
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Photo: KT
INBOX
Recycling Glass Love your magazine! You guys actually write about great stories. I really liked the article about going trash free for a year. I am a carpenter and quite often have lots of waste materials that have great reused half-life. Old bathtubs are great for growing lettuce, doors turned into workbenches, kitchen cabinets into garage storage, and the list goes on. There is one material I can't seem to see many reuse situations and that is jealousies. Everyone’s house has a pile of them somewhere and when I install new windows I hate to just throw them away. Are there any recycling centers that accept glass? Aloha. —Dave Gagnon via email Well Dave, according to Rick Mills, glass program chair at U.H. at Ma- noa, there is no hot glass recycling of “sheet glass” from windows on O‘ahu. But at the university they do have the capability to melt the window glass, which they used to crank out between 1980 and 1995 to the tune of 16,000 pounds a year. Maybe you should give them a ring and see if they can fire up the furnaces again. —KW
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Reusing Bicycles I read on your website that you take bike donations at The Hub. I live in Waikı- kı- and only ride a bike. However, I have a 2008 blue Schwinn Searcher to donate if it can be picked up. I have no other way to get it to you. This bike was stolen from me four years ago. I've since been riding a new bike when the police found the stolen bike recently. It is in good riding condition, some rust on the handlebars, but I only need one bike. Mahalo and aloha! —Ken via email Actually Ken, GREEN does not take bike donations, but I’m sure the folks at the Kalihi Valley Bike Exchange (KVIBE) would be more than happy to start a conversation. www.k-vibe.blogspot.com. —KW
Getting GREEN Aloha! My name is Michael Bell and I work for Body Glove Cruises on the Big Island. First off, I wanted to say what a fan of your magazine I am, and I am writing you in hopes to carry your magazine outside at our shop. I think our office would make a great place to have your
INBOX
magazine, we can carry up to 120 passengers on any given cruise and we have a large amount of foot traffic. I believe it is a great way to promote your magazine and a great way to show the direction that I want our company to grow. Cheers. —Michael Bell via email
Conservation Council Correction In your article about the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i it's written that CCH was created 50 years ago. Actually, it was 62 years ago—created in 1950. —Rick Ka‘imi Scudder, Past Chairman of CCH, 1984-1995 via email Our sincere apologies Rick. —KW
Concrete Example Interesting article in your September/October 2011 issue [Disappearing Sands, Volume 3 Number 5] by Adam Ayers on the disappearing sands at our beaches in Hawai‘i. It led me to ask the question that has haunted me for many years, and perhaps you know the answer. There are a lot of construction projects going on every day on O‘ahu, such as buildings, roads, parking lots, and now columns for the elevated rail system, all involving tons of concrete being poured. As you know, concrete consists of cement, sand, and water. Where does all this sand come from? Are the concrete companies taking it from our beaches, from beaches in other states or countries? Do the companies produce the sand themselves from local quarries? I know that an “aggregate,” consisting of some coarse rocks, is also used as filler, but still a fine sand is required for that smooth finished surface. I would appreciate your input on this issue. Thank you. —Burl Pepper via email Rest assured Burl, concrete manufacturing companies on O‘ahu are not taking sand from the beaches to produce their products. They source the sand used in their mixtures from Kapa‘a Quarry and other processing facilities. According to a gentleman in Ameron’s quality control division, “No one uses sand from the beach anymore, not for a long, long time.” —KW
Do you have insight, input, opinion, praise or criticism on the stories you’ve read in GREEN magazine? What are your feelings on issues of sustainability in general for Hawai‘i and beyond? If you want to raise your voice and possibly have it heard by others on the pages of GREEN, please send your letters to the editor to info@greenmagazinehawaii.com.
Photos: Robert Bates
LIFESTYLE FILM
Dirty Jobs
Producer and director Robert Bates shares insights on his recently released documentary focusing on the local organic food scene on O‘ahu Robert Bates is no stranger to creating striking and thought provoking films. He’s received the James Beard award for Best National Television Program, produced and directed myriad commercials and public relations films, directed three award-winning films on Hawai‘i history and culture and written and directed the documentary Ingredients, exploring local food movements across the continental U.S. Unable to ignore the burgeoning local food movement right here at home on O‘ahu, Robert produced and directed an O‘ahu-centric version called Ingredients Hawai‘i, which received acclaim upon its opening this past spring. —Kevin Whitton 16
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Why are food quality and food security such important issues for you as compared to other prevalent environmental or social issues? The choices we make about food and agriculture effect our human health, our environment, land and water use, urban planning, and importantly, local culture. I realized at a certain point that I knew just enough about how food affects these issues that I could bring an awareness to the positive attributes of eating local. Also, don't you think we should be concerned that were importing 92 percent of what we consume and the price of shipping is going through the roof ?
LIFESTYLE FILM
Farming is essentially a building block of society and humanity and you’ve merged that with technology in the food sharing app Abundance. How are people embracing the relationship? When developing a story today, you need to use as many of the media platforms as possible to reach the broadest audience. I thought it important to connect people who were growing food in their backyards to share their abundance as a way of reducing food waste and to develop a network of people like myself who did not grow up growing food. So far it's going well. Mango season for me is about to start and I want to trade mangoes for vegetables. Anybody game? Why did you focus on Ed Kenney, Mark Noguchi and the folks at MA‘O Organic Farms to drive your narrative? There were many stories I would have loved to include in this film, but this was a labor of love so I narrowed it down to the stories that best allowed me to illustrate the interconnectedness of the food scene here. Do you feel that Ingredients Hawai‘i, Part One has made an impact on O‘ahu and is there a way to measure that change for the better? There's a choreographer I'm working with on another project unrelated to Ingredients, who when we met for the first time told me that after seeing the film she and her husband planted a vegetable garden the very next day. That's about as good as it gets. From what people are telling me, there will be a lot of stories like that. Are we really what we eat? The statistics don't lie. Americans pay less for food and more for medicine than any other developed nation on Earth. Is there a correlation? You betcha. Have you started working on Ingredients Hawai‘i, Part Two? If so, what are the major themes and when can we look forward to its release? Ingredients Hawai‘i, Pt. II will depend on my ability to raise money for it. The trouble with the giving community in regards to documentaries is that films are ephemera. It's an uphill battle.
ingredientshawaii.com
Photo: Conservation Council for Hawaii
LIFESTYLE OUTSIDE
Watchable Wildlife
Know where to go and what to look for Have you ever sat on the beach and watched humpback whales breech just offshore, wondering what they’re up to? Or maybe you’ve strolled by a wetland area, only to wonder what type of bird species graced your view. If you see a brown and white binocular logo on an informative sign, the nationally recognized symbol for a wildlife viewing site, then you’re in luck. As part of the Hawai‘i Watchable Wildlife Program, more than 30 viewing sites have been established across the state with informative placards that describe the wildlife and include viewing tips and ways to view responsibly to help protect the plants and animals. From Hawaiian monk seals and humpback whales to forest, wetland and seabirds, the wildlife viewing signs afford an opportunity to identify Hawai‘i’s flora and fauna as well as learn interesting facts about the species and their environment. Look for the interpretive signs at Po‘ipu- Beach Park on Kaua‘i; Ka‘ena Point Natural Area Reserve and Waimea Valley on O‘ahu; Hulopo‘e Bay on La- na‘i, Polipoli Springs State Park, Wai‘a- napanapa State Park, Kanaha- Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, and Wahe‘e Ridge Trail on Maui; and Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve on Hawai‘i. Nearly 90 more signs will be incorporated at designated wildlife viewing sites this year. In coordination with the viewing signs, the Hawai‘i Wildlife Viewing Guide is available to help nature enthusiasts find just the right spot to view wildlife and know just what to look for. So grab those binoculars and go for a walk. —Kevin Whitton
hawaiiwildlife.us
LIFESTYLE HOME
Night Light
Solar-powered accent lighting to perk up your summer nights
Once July rolls around there is no mistaking it; summer is here. With the warm summer weather and time to relax, get ready to spend more time out of doors. Every well-decorated outdoor space takes into account carefully placed lighting. A thoughtfully lit gardenscape can create a magical mood in your backyard, perfect for unwinding after a long and stressful day at the beach. Solar lighting makes sense because it uses the day’s rays to power the night’s light. —Aubrey Yee
Hang It Place these hanging solar garden lights around your yard to create a magical nighttime feeling. Shaped like cones or cornets, they can be hung from tree branches or on a string for festive mood lighting. The solar cells will soak up the sun’s rays all day so that they can shine at night with no maintenance. $44.95 for a set of 3 – amazon.com
LIFESTYLE HOME
Wrap It For those who don’t like the bluish light that many solar lights emanate, the Aurora Solar String lights give off a warm amber glow. Looking like crushed amber glass, the string of lights can frame a trellis or wrap around a palm tree. Each globe is round, hand blown glass with an LED amber light and its own hook. $49.95 for a set of 6 lights – illuminatedgarden.com
Mix It Up Soji solar lanterns come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. You can choose string lights, larger lanterns or tabletop lights to create a unique atmosphere outside. They are perfect for a party or a wedding or just everyday living. The classic white is great or get festive and mix a bunch of colors together in a cluster. $49.95 for lamp shown. Prices vary on style - amazon.com
Photo: colinredican.com
LIFESTYLE ART
Painting With Light
Colin Redican’s murals capture Hawai‘i’s unique natural beauty When Whole Foods recently opened in Kailua, they were looking for local artists to enhance their massive new space. Colin Redican was chosen as the mural artist for their seafood bar. But in a pinch just a week before opening, there was still more wall space to cover. Colin stepped in to save the day, creating an incredible wall mural of the Ko‘olau mountain range. Now his brightly colored murals paint a picture of life in the islands. Vibrant canoe paddlers mingle with ahi, ocean waters, sea birds and verdant mountains in an explosion of color and texture. These massive paintings inspire feelings of joy and an appreciation for our island living that have become a hallmark of Colin Redican’s artwork. Born and raised in Kailua, Colin is at home in Hawai‘i’s ocean waters. A lifelong surfer, free diver and fisherman, it’s no wonder that so many of his paintings depict the wealth of the ocean environment. His paintings also reflect a unique artistic style that has taken years to develop. From childhood, he knew that art was his passion. He dabbled in painting, sculpture, wood, metal, mixed media, exploring all different kinds of materials and mediums to bring his unique visions to life. 22
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Colin left Hawai‘i after graduating from Kalaheo High School to study art at the University of Chicago. He then moved to Seattle, Washington and built a name in the art scene there. After some years on the mainland, he met the love of his life and they decided it was time to move home to the islands where his heart has always remained. The vibrant colors in his work reflect the unique natural light and vivid colors seen in Hawai‘i, a byproduct of our position on the equator and the abundance of trade winds that naturally minimize air particles. It’s a quality of light that allows our natural landscapes to come alive in a parade of rich pigments. Colin’s work uses paint to capture the essence of this phenomenon. Experiencing one of his paintings is akin to swimming in the deep ocean water on a warm, blue sky summer day. You can’t help but feel his deep love for Hawai‘i and embrace his perspective oozing out through the paint. It gets under your skin and promises to bring a smile to your face. —Aubrey Yee
colinredicanart.com
LIFESTYLE STYLE
Dress Down
From boardshorts to bikinis, fashion designers have embraced sustainable materials and methods to produce some of the hottest and smartest beach apparel in decades by Aubrey Yee
Classy Vintage
Bikini Pool Party
Katharine Hamnett was an ’80s fashion icon—think Boy George, stonewashed denim, leggings and Lycra. At the top of her career she recalls feeling empty, full of fame yet without inner fortune. So she dropped out. Fast-forward to today and Hamnett is a crusader for ethical, environmental fashion. Her swimwear line focuses on pieces that recall a bygone era and are made with only organic cotton. yoox.com - $175
Nikster’s motto is “the sexier side of green” and these bikinis are certainly sexy. They utilize bamboo, soy and organic cotton in their construction. Some of their bikinis are made in Brazil, but recently their eco-line was produced in the U.S. to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. Nikster donates a minimum of five percent of gross sales to help organizations that focus on protecting endangered sea turtles. It’s the swimsuit that gives back, in more ways than one. niksters.com - $120
Material Girl Where do speed skater costumes go after the Olympics? BTC Swim Suits has found a new purpose for that shiny fun fabric. Their swimsuits come in bright fun colors like the teal two-piece. The suits are also made stateside in Portland, Oregon. The brainchild of Portland based designer Anna Cohen, her line is created out of all sustainable materials like bamboo, organic cotton and surplus fabrics. btcelements.com - $98
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Board Riders For the boys there are a few great options for a more sustainable boardshort, like the Billabong Corsair Eco Boardshorts. Made from 100 percent recycled polyester, the fabric used is called Recycler Hydrostretch. With this technology, the boardshorts feel sleek and stretchy and look even better when your friends know that your boardies took about 10 recycled PET bottles out of the waste stream to make them. evo.com - $26
Photo: DLNR DOFAW Staff
SCIENCE
This pair of Laysan albatross are now privy to a nesting site at Ka‘ena Point free from predators.
Ka‘ena Point Spring A predator proof fence brings a new surge of life to the Ka‘ena Point Natural Area Reserve
For a locale steeped in Hawaiian mythology, cultural heritage and ecological and biological significance, Ka‘ena Point has seen its share of maladies over the decades. From destructive off-road vehicles that were prohibited in the 1980s to deadly invasive species—even cats and dogs—the area had long been in severe decline. To stop the rampant decline and restore an ecological health to the Ka‘ena Point Natural Area Preserve, the 59-acre wilderness area at O‘ahu’s northwestern-most point, the Ka‘ena Point Ecosystem Restoration Project was formed. A joint effort between the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
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Service, the Wildlife Society, Hawai‘i Chapter and local conservation and education groups like Ma- lama Hawai‘i, the coalition constructed a predator proof fence to keep out the invasive mammals that threaten the native and endangered species at the reserve. Completed in April 2011, the marking of its one-year anniversary was a show of successful conservation efforts and the resilience of the natural world. Like other natural area reserves, Ka‘ena Point was designated to preserve and protect representative samples of unique biological and geological ecosystems so future generations can enjoy, study and experience
SCIENCE
Photo: DLNR DOFAW Staff
Since the predator proof fence was erected just over a year ago, the sight of a fledgling albatross has now become commonplace.
Photo: KT
The fence prevents invasive mammals from going over or under its strategic barrier.
Hawai‘i’s natural heritage. Shoreline access is even maintained for fishing. Sparsely vegetated, the reserve contains three species of endangered plants, archaeological evidence of an ancient Hawaiian fishing village, fragile coral reefs, sandy beaches and a number of isolated coves that represent unique marine habitats for the north O‘ahu coastline. Ka‘ena Point is also an extraordinary resource because it is the best example in the main Hawaiian Islands of the type of ecosystem that can be found in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The difference being that anyone on O‘ahu can drive to Ka‘ena Point to see this spectacular display of plants and animals. The reserve is home to a host of native plants, including 11 species that are federally listed endangered species, and a key point
of refuge and breeding grounds for thousands of seabirds, one of only three accessible albatross colonies in the world. Ka‘ena Point also boasts two more species of breeding seabirds, as well as occasional views of humpback whales, Hawaiian monk seals, pods of spinner dolphins, threatened green sea turtles, and even beneficial insects. Predation on the seabird eggs and flightless young by mongoose, rats and mice, which also eat native plants and seeds, posed a terrible threat to the special resources at Ka‘ena Point. And dogs and cats are directly responsible for the killing of a significant number of wedgetailed shearwater and Laysan albatross chicks. The long-term solution manifested itself as a special predator proof fence to keep invasive species out of the preserve to bolster the seabird habitat. The marine-grade stainless steel mesh fence runs along the base of the mountain, following a World War II-era roadbed, and protects the peninsula from all predators, even two-day old mice. At just over six feet high with a rolled hood on top and a buried mesh skirt underground, animals can neither climb over nor dig under the fence. Access to the preserve remains open to the public for recreational activities by entering though specially designed double doors that create a safe atrium space that fit up to nine people and gear like bicycles or fishing poles. The fence is the first of its kind in the United States. One year later after its instillation the point has seen a return of native vegetation and an encouraging increase in nesting seabird populations. As hoped for, nesting albatross have increased, showing the highest number of nests ever recorded. Currently there are 34 active nests, many of which are in close view of the designated walking paths. While it used to be a rare treat to catch a glimpse of one of the fluffy albatross chicks, it’s now a common, but none-the-less special of an occurrence. In 2011, the wedge-tailed shearwaters nesting in the reserve also experienced a record high number of chicks fledged, most likely due to elimination of predation. In addition to the predator-proof fence, the Ka‘ena Point Stewardship Team, with input from local residents and regular users of the reserve, are delineating authorized roads at the adjacent Ka‘ena Point State Park Reserve, Mokule- ‘ia section, by installing posts and signs and marking the edges of designated roadways. By keeping vehicles on a reduced number of selected roads, the controlled vehicle use in the sensitive areas will prevent further resource damage. Reducing the number of roads used in the park should also curb soil runoff into the ocean and erosion aggravated by uncontrolled vehicle use. The designated road network provides access to the main areas favored by fishers, access to the reserve for hikers and birders, and avoids sensitive native vegetation, sand dunes and cultural sites. Above all, when taking in the natural beauty of the reserve, remember to respect the natural and cultural heritage of the area by staying on marked trails, packing out trash, observing wildlife from a distance and by leaving dogs at home, as no dogs are allowed in the preserve. “We are pleased by the success of the predator proof fence at Ka‘ena in protecting the last remaining intact coastal dune ecosystems on O‘ahu,” says DLNR Chairperson William J. Aila, Jr. “These results are encouraging other similar projects throughout Hawai‘i and may serve as a model for others in the country.” —Kevin Whitton
restorekaena.org
GREENM AGAZ INE HAWAII.COM
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CULTURE
Photos: Margaret A. Haapoja
Craftsman Ray Nitta creates from his workshop in west Kaua‘i. Opposite: Using native tree species and reclaimed wood for his pieces, Ray creates furniture, paddles, sculptures and bowls.
Westside Woodworks The advantageous wooden art of Ray Nitta
A weathered wooden structure is nestled between the trees just past the old Kekaha Sugar Mill in a neighborhood of former plantation homes. It’s easy to miss the faded Westside Woodworks sign that points to premier craftsman Ray Nitta’s shop. The sweet scent of wood shavings fills the air and a radio tuned to a local station plays softly; geckos scurry across the open doorway. It is here that Ray pursues his craft, here that he feels most at home. Born on O‘ahu, Ray sought higher education in Berkeley, California in the early 1980s before joining the Peace Corps and working in Brazil before returning to Hawai‘i in 1986. “After going to school, living on the Mainland, traveling abroad—Hawai‘i was always a pull for me,” he says. “I guess you could say, you can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy.” Ray has a special fondness for the west coast of Kaua‘i, where he lives amidst what he refers to as the “last stand of native Hawaiians” and frequently volunteers teaching woodworking to students who attend the nearby Ni‘ihau School. “I speak a little Hawaiian, so I can communicate with the kids,” he says, “and this is the last crop of native speakers.” An avid surfer, fisherman, diver and paddler, what Ray creates is a product of his surroundings, of the rich culture enveloping
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him. He leans toward creating canoe paddles, sculptures and bowls, preferring to use woods native to the islands—milo, koa, kauila, uhi uhi, and kamani. Creating furniture and wooden implements for more than 20 years, Ray utilizes Japanese, Swedish and Danish styles of woodworking because of their functionality, clean lines and subtle embellishments. Taught by a master Japanese craftsman back in Berkeley, Ray learned various methods of joinery and building techniques using mostly Japanese hand tools: chisels, planes and saws. The process taught him to work intuitively, rather than with cut and dry measurements. Lately, Ray has turned to downed wood or reclaimed wood from cargo containers that often end up in the dump or get burned. Two years ago he created what he called a “palette piece,” transforming palettes into a table, lamp and chair. Now he searches for downed trees discarded at the dump or even washed up on the beach after a big rain. To identify his finds, Ray keeps a knife on him to scrape the surface of the dead wood and determine the type of tree to see if it is worth salvaging. After hard rains this March, a tabebuia tree uprooted in front of
CULTURE
the West Kaua‘i Visitor Center in Waimea. Serendipitously through the coconut wireless, he learned it would be discarded and asked if he could have the downed tree. Before long it was in the bed of his pickup and back in his yard. He plans to transform the tree into several exquisite turned bowls he’s fond of creating. Because Ray believes people in today’s society are moving away from their inner creativity, he enjoys teaching woodworking to folks young and old. He knows from personal experience how therapeutic the craft is. “I think it’s an innate thing, like watching a campfire or looking at the ocean; it strikes a chord. And working with your hands, especially on wood—it’s primal. “I’m kind of a madman,” Ray chuckles, in his relaxed manner. “I’m involved in so many things and so many things interest me. I get pulled in so many directions and woodworking centers me. It keeps me sane. It doesn’t matter if it’s making a box to put rubbish in or turning a bowl. It’s just so satisfying.” —Margaret A. Haapoja
BUSINESS
Photo: Kevin Whitton
BYOB—Bring Your Own Bottle— there’s only healthy, chilled and filtered water in this vending machine.
Let It Flow, Let Yourself Go A simple solution to help solve plastic water bottle pollution
Yvon Chouinard, founder of the outdoor clothing company Patagonia, once said, “Business for the right reasons.” A young and impressionable Kaua‘i-born undergraduate at University of San Diego, Wyatt Taubman, was listening intently. After all, he was personally invited to hang out and surf with Chouinard in Northern California based on his academic focus—environmental studies and economics—and time spent volunteering in Ecuador. Wyatt took the experience to heart and, coupled with his coursework focusing on the global issue of plastic pollution and his passion to make a positive environmental impact through his work, decided to do something about it. At 21, as a junior, he developed the concept for Flo Water, a water bottle refilling station to lessen the need for single-use plastic bottles. “Flo Water wasn't formed because I was looking to start a business,” explains the now 25-year-old eco-entrepreneur. “Flo Water was formed because I was looking to end plastic water bottle pollution. If
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plastic water bottle pollution didn't exist, I'd likely be trying to solve another one of our world’s most pressing social or environmental issues through the use of basic economics.” Making sure to not put the cart before the horse, Wyatt launched his Flo Water stations in schools across Hawai‘i, where he knew they would be utilized by students eager to learn and engage in sustainable behavior. U.H. at Ma- noa, Punahou and ‘Iolani School on O‘ahu, and Island School and Kaua‘i Community College on Kaua‘i all have Flo Water stations. Recently, Wyatt has expanded Flo Water to two Kaua‘i island shopping centers and even across the Pacific to the University of California, San Diego. The concept isn’t revolutionary; in fact, 5-gallon bottle refill stations have been around for decades, but with a hint of genius for marketing and timing, Wyatt is bringing chilled and highly filtered water to thirsty people at a time when reusable water bottles are becoming the norm. Flo Water stations take tap water and run it through a complex,
Photo: Sam Wolff
BUSINESS
At the 2011 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, Flo Water machines made it possible to divert over 10,000 plastic bottles from entering the wastestream.
five-stage purification process, complete with a coconut carbon filter. The water is chilled and dispensed in multiple preset amounts to match standard reusable water bottle sizes. Place a Flo Water next to a standard vending machine and it’s to safe to say that filling up your water bottle for less than a dollar sure beats the twodollar water in a plastic container in the next vending machine. One of Wyatt’s self-professed biggest accomplishments to date with Flo Water was introducing the stations at the recent 2011 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, where thousands of people were treated to free, fresh, filtered and chilled water. During the six-week professional surfing event on the North Shore of O‘ahu, the Flo Water stations were able to divert over 10,000 plastic water bottles from entering the landfill. And thousands more plastic bottles are being saved from the landfill as students, faculty and staff fill their water bottles at both U.H. at Ma- noa and ‘Iolani School every month. Next on the agenda for Wyatt, he’s developed Flo Water Office, a smaller version with six-time purification for office and retail applications. After all, everyone should have the opportunity to refill their reusable water bottle. The more the merrier. —Kevin Whitton
FOOD
The size of a farm is not a measure of its output Words and images by Margaret A. Haapoja
In March, torrential rains dumped more than 30 inches of rain over the course of a week on the north shore of Kaua‘i. With rain gauges in Ha- ‘ena recording two inches of rain falling per hour at times, streams flooded, roads closed and small, low lying neighborhood farms were devastated. After the skies cleared and stream waters receded, a community familiar with coping with heavy rains (though not for such a prolonged period) got back to business and reopened the local farmers’ market. For post-storm shoppers, it was obvious the toll the severe weather had taken on community farms. Very few farmers were offering vegetables on their tables, save for one small, organic farm known as One Song Farm. With two feet of drainage beneath their vegetable beds and copious amounts of mulch to shed and distribute the falling rain, preventing soil from splashing onto tender veggies—which breaks down the cells in the plants—One Song Farm was still able to offer a bounty of fresh produce to hungry and water-logged residents. Located on less than an acre of land near Moloa‘a, One Song Farm’s organic vegetable garden is as beautiful as any formal botanical garden; rows of vegetables march down neat raised beds carefully mulched with not a weed in sight. Owners Sun and Lisa call it edible landscaping, because in addition to the vegetables they grow to support their farm, they use edible plants to decorate their productive garden. Crinkly dark green
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FOOD
One Song Farm is a viable vegetable farm and edible botanical garden, utilizing just three-quarters of an acre.
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Lisa Fuller, a hospice nurse for 18 years, had never farmed before her move to the Garden Isle in 2008.
leaves of kale, shiny beet greens with red stems and veins, blue-green onion tops and ruffled lettuces ranging from chartreuse to maroon-freckled reach toward the sunlight. Surrounding the gardens are a smattering of fruit trees—jackfruit, mango, banana, papaya, lemon, lime, breadfruit—as well as ornamentals like ginger, hibiscus, coconut palms and more. Sun, in a previous life a carpenter running milliondollar construction projects in Southern California, and his partner Lisa Fuller, a hospice nurse for 18 years, had never been exposed to farming before their move to Kaua‘i in 2008. “I grew up with a backyard and a push mower,” remembers Sun, “and I hated that mower. I hated grass because we had to cut it.” After the couple relocated, they reinvented themselves as organic farmers. Although they were told that their small organic farm would never succeed, they vowed to prove the naysayers wrong. And they’ve done just that. “By the end of 2010 we were grossing, on average, $3,000 a month,” says Sun. “When we were in full swing, we had $7,000 a month. Remember this was all done on less than one acre in hand-dug beds.” Their three-and-a-half-acre plot was former pineapple land, leaving the fallow agriculture zone with some of the poorest soil on the island. As stipulated in their lease, they were only allowed to farm two acres, comprised of their market garden, hoop house, orchard and permaculture area. After performing a soil test to
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determine the soil deficiencies, they infused the spent earth with rock phosphate, a local product containing trace minerals, gypsum to help with soil texture and their own mature compost. “They used DDT and every pesticide you can think of,” explains Lisa, “and they also used black plastic. We were just putting life back into the soil because there was none.” The couple double-dug (a gardening technique used to increase soil drainage and aeration) each 100-squarefoot raised bed at least once, and in between they used Lisa’s favorite tool, an implement called a Ubar. Every stomp on the U-bar reaches down a foot and a half and turns over the red soil, bringing dozens of thin, iridescent red worms wriggling to the surface. But these aren’t the only worms at One Song Farm because the couple also raises worms for composting and uses worm castings to improve their compost and make vermicompost tea. Sun insists their composting process isn’t difficult. They simply compost in big piles because of the amount of green matter they accumulate. Everything is broken down to a foot or less in size to minimize the decomposition time. They have a working pile for one year, then turn it and let it rest covered for another year. The final product is sifted through a half-inch screen at a 45-degree angle to make a useable and beneficial soil amendment for the beds. Sun and Lisa are advocates of true hands-on farm-
FOOD
The soil at One Song Farm is double dug to increase drainage and aeration. Compost and vermicast also amends the soil for healthy produce.
ing—no machine noises here. Instead, birds sing and bees buzz. Flowers intermingle with the vegetables, luring beneficial insects like ladybugs, wasps, syriphid flies and wild bees. The couple uses shade cloth covers to protect some of the tender seedlings and they irrigate faithfully. By rotating crops, using quality compost and adding proper minerals, they deter root knot nematodes (microscopic worms that feed on plant roots affecting the flavor and growth of food crops) that can wipe out any size garden. No pesticides or chemicals of any kind touch their plants. Focusing on fruits and vegetables that thrive in Kaua‘i’s climate is key, Sun emphasizes. Last year they experimented with growing tomatoes and cucumbers in a hoop house to avoid the fruit flies that plague those crops. “This is not tomato country,” Sun says. “They are a challenge because of the fruit flies here. And all the peppers, squash, cucumbers—you have to deal with the fruit flies.” Instead, he and Lisa grow lettuce, beets, chard, shallots, herbs, mustard cabbage, kale, taro and daikon radishes. Over the years Sun and Lisa have tried selling their produce through CSA outlets and to grocery stores, restaurants and at farmers’ markets. “I recommend to new farmers that they try all venues to find the balance that works for them because each group takes a different focus,” says Lisa. “CSA, I found, was
The hoop house.
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On less than one acre, One Song Farm can bring in from $3,000 to $7,000 a month.
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FOOD
Sun, a carpenter by trade, has focused his life’s mission on educating others how to establish organic community gardens and take part in their own food production.
way too detailed to get boxes put together for people. With grocery stores there was pressure to perform, and restaurants have to have the quantity when they want it. We chose to keep the farmers’ market because I can just see what vegetables are ready to go that day.” After four years on the leased land, the two believe their soil is just about perfect, but unfortunately, they’ve been asked to move. They aren’t discouraged, though, and they intend to continue preaching the gospel of growing your own food organically and sustainably. Living on an island where more than 90 percent of the food is imported, Sun and Lisa believe there’s a better way. Their new focus, which they are undertaking at an interim farm just north of Kı- lauea, is to create a more sustainable garden with more of the crops that thrive in Kaua‘i’s north shore environment. They also are looking to take growing these vegetables one step further, by creating a long-term education space to teach small-scale farmers and gardeners on Kaua‘i the techniques that allow them to grow a lot of food in a
small space with minimal input and no machines, and how to prepare the vegetables. An admirer of the pre-contact Hawaiian ahupua‘a system, Sun would like to see community collective gardens become more of a commonplace. For Lisa and Sun, the way to accomplish this goal is to reconnect people with the experience of being close to their food source. “When people can have an intimate experience with their food, it changes everything,” she believes. “When I grew my first vegetables and took them into my kitchen and cooked them, it was the most incredible meal I have ever had in my entire life because I participated 100 percent in that meal. Everything in that meal was from the garden I grew—from the herbs to the edible flowers in the salad to the kale and the taro. I was a part of that. “We can feed a lot of people growing food on a quarter acre,” Lisa continues. “I know my life has been changed for the better by being in the garden. It’s a good life and I’m happy to share it with others.”
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POLITICS
As Hawai‘i follows the national political climate, focusing on the economy and job creation in 2012, how has environmental legislation fared in the Aloha State? by Sarah Ruppenthal
I’m just a bill. Yes, I’m only a bill And I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill. Well, it’s a long, long journey To the capital city. It’s a long, long wait, While I’m sitting in committee, But I know I’ll be a law someday, At least I hope and pray that I will, But today, I am still just a bill. —School House Rock
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POLITICS
Sound familiar? If so, like me, your first lesson in basic civics may have been enshrined in a Saturday morning cartoon. But the political process isn’t child’s play, and unless you’re a political science major or watch C-SPAN for fun, it can be a tricky minefield to navigate. Admittedly, I do have a bachelor’s degree in political science, and yes, I do watch C-SPAN for fun (on occasion). Even so, I understand why so many find the parliamentary procedure to be riddled with complexities and uncertainties—especially when there’s so much at stake. For example, when a particularly controversial measure makes it through the legislative pipeline, I’ve witnessed cognitive whiplash (“How the heck did that just happen?”) and blindsiding (“Where the heck did that come from?”) that tends to breed discontent, distrust and, even worse, complacency. To many, the legislative process is like an elaborate jigsaw puzzle—and when it comes to the environment, there are even more pieces to the puzzle. For the state of Hawai‘i, 2012 was a big year for environmental policymaking. That should really come as no huge surprise, as the state is inching ever closer to its ambitious goal, the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI), which requires that 70 percent of the state’s energy come from renewable sources by 2030. With the clock ticking, state lawmakers are undoubtedly feeling the pressure of such a significant deadline looming on the horizon. It can be a difficult balancing act, though, when legislators are also tasked with finding the magic bullet that will fix the economy. These competing objectives have the potential to create a sharp ideological
divide when it comes to prioritizing issues. Although environmental protection is often viewed as a part of the larger economic solution, there are some who believe it takes a backseat to job creation. According to Robin Kaye, spokesperson for Friends of La- na‘i, this is what happened during the 2012 legislative session. “This session was a serious assault on environmental regulations,” he says. “It came down to weighing jobs versus the economy—and jobs came out on top.”
Back To School Before we get to that, let’s explore one fundamental question: how does a piece of legislation get from Point A to Point B in the Hawai‘i State Legislature? Keep in mind, every state government is different, and some still use antiquated rules of order that date back to the era of powdered wigs, wooden teeth and horse-drawn buggies. Thankfully, the Hawai‘i State Legislature has a user-friendly web site (capitol.hawaii.gov) that provides a refresher course in legislative politics, but here’s a quick rundown of what happens at the Hawai‘i State Capitol. First things first, the Hawai‘i State Legislature is a bicameral governmental body consisting of the 51-member House of Representatives (the lower chamber) and 25-member Hawai‘i Senate (the upper chamber). The Hawai‘i State Constitution requires that every law enacted originate as a bill, either in the Senate or House of Representatives (if it passes a third reading in the
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House, it is then sent to the Senate, where it is either amended or passed without amendments). After it is introduced, a bill will run a gauntlet of committee hearing and readings. If it is rejected at any phase (“killed” in political vernacular), the legislator who sponsored the bill will be back to square one. However, if it passes inspection in both houses, the bill is then certified and shipped off to the governor, who has 45 working days to decide if it will be signed into law or vetoed. If the governor decides to veto the bill, legislators do have an emergency chute available to them— they can return to the Capitol in July and override the veto with a two-thirds vote of approval in each chamber. The 2012 legislative session adjourned sine die (without assigning a day for a further meeting or hearing) on Thursday, May 3. Throughout the 60-day session, more than 2,200 bills were introduced to legislators, and on the final day, the legislature passed 345. Of these, some will directly or indirectly impact Hawai‘i’s environment—if Gov. Neil Abercrombie gives his stamp of approval. It would be impossible to include them all here, but here is a brief snapshot of some of the landmark environmental legislation that passed—and failed—this year.
SB 2785 (Passed) Arguably one of the most controversial measures, SB 2785 was an initial step toward the development of an undersea cable system funneling wind-generated electricity from the two proposed wind farms on the islands of Moloka‘i and La- na‘i into an upgraded electric grid and operations system on O‘ahu. The bill sought to establish a regulatory framework for any interisland cable proposal to be developed, financed and considered, with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) as the designated approving authority for all proposed projects. With a price tag estimated at $4.5 billion, the financial viability of the project has generated a substantial amount of opposition, particularly on Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i and Maui. A similar piece of legislation, SB 367, stalled during the 2011 legislative session, but as many predicted, the issue resurfaced on the Senate floor this year. And this time, it survived. State senators passed the measure on the final day of the session in a vote of 22 to 3; however, ten of the votes were “a yes with reservations.” It was a decision applauded by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who has ardently supported the project as the solution to Hawai‘i’s looming energy woes. “This is a long-term infrastructure investment that is needed now,” he says. “An integrated grid will stabilize energy prices and equalize rates between the islands, which will benefit all of us. As I mentioned at the start of the session, there is no legislation more critical to our future.” Addressing the concerns of their neighbor island constituents, legislators were quick to point out that the bill merely establishes a regulatory framework. “This
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bill establishes the regulatory framework for developing, financing, and constructing an underwater electric transmission cable,” explains Sen. Roz Baker (D-Maui). “It is important to note, however, what this bill does not do. This bill does not require that an underwater transmission cable be built, nor does it specify that certain islands will be the subject of a potential cable.” But Robin Kaye of Friends of La- na‘i sees this as a green light for development. “Contrary to what they say, this is the first step toward actually doing it,” he says. “The bill provided no protection for the people who overwhelmingly disapprove of it. It’s a regulatory framework that will built upon the backs of every ratepayer in the state.”
SB 2511 (Failed) On the heels of plastic bag bans enacted by the counties of Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i, SB 2511 would have made Hawai‘i the first state in the nation to abolish singleuse plastic bags. If it had passed, SB 2511 would have required businesses statewide to collect a fee for single-use plastic bags at the point of purchase—and for a good cause. According to Surfrider Foundation Hawai‘i Coordinator Stuart Coleman, “As part of the Surfrider Foundation’s Rise Above Plastics Campaign, our five chapters in Hawai‘i have been working for several years to pass a statewide bag bill that would put a small fee on all single-use plastic and paper grocery bags.” The ten-cent fee would have been used to help fund the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ watershed protection initiative. In spite of support from the Governor's Office and many legislators, House leadership blocked the bill from going forward. But all is not lost. At the urging of the Surfrider Foundation, Sierra Club and other groups, the Honolulu City Council passed Bill 10, a measure banning plastic bags on the county level. It was signed into law in May, making Hawai‘i the first state in the country to ban plastic grocery bags in every county.
HB 2703 (Failed) Another highly contentious measure, HB 2703, would have required the state Department of Agriculture to develop food sustainability standards in order to promote local food production. An amended version of the bill called for all locally grown food intended for local consumption to double by 2020. To many, especially local farmers, HB 2703 set the stage for an agricultural renaissance in Hawai‘i, and many felt it would have been the first step toward improving the state’s tenuous food security situation (currently, Hawai‘i imports more than 90 percent of its food). Legislators, however, could not reach a compromise on HB 2703. Simply put, the bill needed some editing, as the language of the bill was perceived as too vague. But the decision does not spoil the potential for food
POLITICS
sustainability legislation in the future. Like most legislation that withers and dies on the proverbial vine, proponents of HB 2703 say they plan to patch up the bill’s weak spots and introduce a similar, amended measure during the next legislative session.
SB 2288 (Failed) If it had passed, SB 2288 would have drastically reduced the state’s renewable energy tax credit, a measure that was perceived by many as a direct threat to the burgeoning renewable energy industry. Among other things, the bill sought to change the current structure of extending credits per-system to a per-property basis. It would have also prohibited residents from claiming tax credits for “installing a renewable energy system or entering into a power purchase agreement with a county, state or federal agency.” Not surprisingly, solar companies across the state were outraged by the proposed legislation, and in a display of solidarity, several banded together to form Save Hawai‘i Solar. The group launched a full-scale attack on SB 2288 and it appears that these efforts paid off as the bill was squashed on the Senate floor.
SB 2747 (Passed) Owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are likely charged up by the passage of SB 2747, a bill that clarified the state’s rules governing reserved parking stalls for electric vehicles. EVs will soon have the luxury of “plugging in” at designated parking spaces outfitted with charging systems, as SB 2747 requires owners of public parking lots or structures with 100 or more stalls to include EV parking and at least one electric vehicle charging station. Don’t own an electric vehicle? Take note: The new law will also impose a warning on any person who parks an unauthorized vehicle in a space designated for an EV. Proponents of SB 2747 hope their victory will encourage more residents to purchase an EV.
Checks and Balances Again, this is just a brief snapshot of some of the environmental legislation that passed through the halls of the Hawai‘i State Capitol this year. What’s the take home here? Participation in the political process is one way to protect the environment, which is why I’d recommend perusing capitol.hawaii.gov for a more comprehensive overview. If you want to make environmental protection a top priority with our elected officials, you can contact your representative or senator directly or submit testimony online (for pending measures only). For another perspective on where our policymakers stand on environmental issues, Sierra Club Hawai‘i’s “Capitol Watch” (CapitolWatchHawaii.org) is a political watchdog site that monitors legislation with “good and bad environmental consequences.” In the meantime, it’s never too late to get involved. And with election season right around the corner, there’s no better time to do it. It may be a tired cliché, but knowledge is power. As Thomas Jefferson once said, “An informed citizenry is the only true repository of the public will.” He was right.
Photo: Jimmie Hepp
RECREATION
CONSERVATION
Stopping the spread of O‘ahu’s most dangerous invasive species, like the miconia tree, before they take root by Lara Reynolds
The steep ridgeline is slippery after a morning rain in this section of degraded forest in the southern Ko‘olau Mountains on O‘ahu. The ground is mostly bare and there aren’t many trees to hold onto to prevent a fall down the slopes below. A team of six people in brightly colored shirts and camouflage pants line up in search party fashion at the bottom of the ridgeline and will head upslope as they begin another of their daily treks across acres of rough terrain. This team is not looking for a missing person; their target is the miconia tree (Miconia calvescens), a plant from Central and South America brought to O‘ahu in the 1960s that escaped cultivation and is now one of the greatest threats to the remaining healthy forests that collect freshwater for the island. If left unchecked and allowed to spread, the invasive miconia tree could easily take over these essential watershed forests that cover the mountain summits.
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Photo: OISC
CONSERVATION
Miconia is a prime example of an invasive plant: fast growing, fruits at an early age and produces millions of seeds every year that are easily dispersed by birds. Good thing OISC field technicians are working to remove miconia from O‘ahu before it becomes established.
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Miconia grows quick and up to 50 feet tall, forming a thick canopy. A mature miconia forest smothers everything below in its shadow, destroying the natural complexity of a healthy native Hawaiian forest.
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Photo: OISC
CONSERVATION
CONSERVATION
The rugged terrain makes an OISC field technician’s work dangerous and emotionally and physically draining.
Photo: OISC
The six-person team is the field crew of the O‘ahu Invasive Species Committee. OISC is one of five island-based invasive species committees in the state, all of them grassroots organizations that work to protect each island from incipient invasive plants or animals that pose the greatest threat and are the most feasible to control. “We are about prevention and going after invasive species before they become a major problem,” explains OISC field coordinator, Susie Iott. Miconia is an example of the type of invasive species that OISC focuses on; it is a major threat to the island’s native species, environment, economy and quality of life, but is not yet widespread. Understanding what the team is protecting helps to understand why they are willing to endure daily exposure to extreme temperature changes, heavy rainfall, swarms of mosquitoes and hazardous terrain. By searching in the degraded landscape, OISC guards the healthy forest above it. A healthy forest is complex, with a diversity of native species and multiple layers of plant life—trees, shrubs and groundcover—that collect water from mist and rain. Water slowly drips down the layers of plants, percolates into the soil and eventually makes its way into O‘ahu’s homes, businesses and agricultural fields. In this biologically diverse forest, native species live side by side in close association and leave no bare ground exposed; it’s a balance they have achieved by living together for thousands upon thousands of years. The natural complexity of O‘ahu’s native forests is what makes them most efficient at capturing water and holding the soil in place, preventing erosion and runoff onto the fragile reefs of the island’s coastal waters. What’s more, Hawai‘i’s native forests, like its language and culture, are totally unique. Ninety percent of Hawai‘i’s native plants are endemic, meaning the species as well as the forest communities they’ve formed on the mountain slopes of O‘ahu can’t be found anywhere else on earth. How is a tree that was first brought to O‘ahu for its beauty so threatening to the biodiversity and health of the island’s watershed forests? Miconia has all the traits that make for a harmful, invasive plant; it grows quickly, starts to fruit at an early age, produces millions of seeds per year that are easily spread over long distances by birds, can outcompete other plants for resources and has no natural enemies here in Hawai‘i. It’s a ready-made invader for Pacific Islands. In miconia’s native range, a forest canopy of multiple tree species blocks sunlight to the plants below it. Miconia’s large leaves, quick growth and abundant seeds are all adaptations to deal with the type of forest where the competition for sunlight is fierce. Hawai‘i’s native forests are more open and sunny by comparison and miconia can easily dominate if it is not stopped early. What makes miconia worse than other invasive species is its ability to have such a profound effect that it threatens to change a large portion of O‘ahu’s environment. It forms thick canopies up to fifty feet tall that act like an umbrella over the landscape, blocking sunlight from other plants below it and smothering almost everything in its shadow. In this way, miconia destroys the natural complexity of a healthy forest and simplifies it to a forest dominated by miconia. A miconia forest reduces the amount of water that can percolate into the ground and its shallow root systems promote landslides and erosion. “Protecting O‘ahu from miconia and keeping the island from the devastation that Tahiti has experienced is extremely important,” says Taylor Marsh, OISC field technician. Tahitians refer to miconia as the “green cancer.” It has invaded approximately 200,000 acres of Tahiti—a little less than half the size of O‘ahu—where it has caused severe erosion and landslides and threatens nearly half of the island’s native plants with extinction. Working to defend O‘ahu from incipient invasive species isn’t as simple as being able to hike for several hours a day. The work is
off-trail and that means scrambling up crumbly slopes where there are few groundcover plants holding the soil in place, or pushing through impenetrable stands of shrubs or trees. One of the worst obstacles is a particular vine called cat’s claw that, as its name suggests, has thorns the same shape and sharpness as an angry feline. “The work can sometimes be very difficult. Hiking over difficult terrain through dense vegetation, having to climb through hau bush and getting drenched with rain and covered in mud, it can be discouraging sometimes,” explains OISC field technician Megan Carr. “It helps to keep in mind all the good things about the job. We can see the difference our work can do in an ecosystem.” The crew is also well trained in rappelling and helicopter safety for the aerial surveys they do in areas that are too steep to search on foot. And, of course, they know their plants. They’re skilled at spotting miconia mixed in with other vegetation and they are also on the look out for other species making an unwanted advance into the forest from nearby urban areas. O‘ahu residents might not realize that the lower elevation forests of the island are now almost entirely non-native. By the early twentieth century, native forests in these areas had been severely damaged by intentional fires that had been set to locate highly desirable sandalwood trees, and goats, cattle and pigs that had grazed and browsed the forest to stubble. In an attempt to remedy the deforestation problem, early foresters thought they could re-create the water-capturing abilities of the complex native forest by planting fast-growing non-native species. Although these non-native species do form a canopy, there is often bare ground underneath and many of them became invasive and outcompeted native plants. This is why early action for incipient invasive species like miconia is so important. There is not much left of Hawai‘i’s native forests and they are extremely vulnerable. One of the simplest reasons for protecting the island’s native for-
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CONSERVATION
Hau presents a formidable obstacle as does a notorious vine called cat’s claw.
ests is water. Water is an essential requirement for O‘ahu’s residents, businesses and agriculture. Food security will not be possible without ample, affordable irrigation water. Not everyone recognizes the connection between the green on the mountains above their homes and the water coming out of their taps. Safeguarding native biodiversity by controlling invasive species not only keeps the island’s watersheds healthy, it helps preserve unique communities of native plants and animals and ensures that traditional Hawaiian gathering practices in native forests can be perpetuated. The crew finishes its search for the day and emerges from the forest soaked in sweat and smeared with dirt. A few have bleeding scratches on their skin from pushing through cat’s claw and other entangled branches they encountered along the way. They found and removed several immature miconia plants, which means they caught them before they fruited for the first time and added more seeds to the forest. In 2011, the crew removed 3 mature and over 400 immature plants from their search areas. Finding a mature plant in an area is like having to hit a reset button for another 16 to 18 years, the duration a miconia seed stays viable in the soil. That’s how much longer OISC’s crew would have to keep rechecking that location before it could be declared free of miconia. This longevity means that island-wide eradication won’t be achieved for at least another few decades.
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CONSERVATION
Photo: Lara Reynolds
Photo: OISC
A healthy Hawaiian native forest ecosystem, rich and diverse with plant species, is part of the reason for the fresh water that flows from the tap.
Mature miconia trees are still found on occasion and tend to be those that eluded the crew on previous searches because the plants were located in extremely steep areas and concealed by dense vegetation until they grew taller. Susie Iott says finding a mature tree is daunting and sometimes depressing, “We all work so hard and the work feels never ending.” OISC is the only group that controls miconia on the island. They work year-round, rotating through every part of the 20,000 acres they search so that none of it is left unchecked for longer than the time that a newly sprouted miconia plant could reach maturity. All of the crew agree that the rigors and danger of the work can be challenging, physically and emotionally. What keeps them going and sustains their passion for what they do is that the total number of miconia plants they find each year is declining. Susie Iott says this gives her a feeling of accomplishment, “We see numbers dropping and our strategy and treatment methods are working. I like knowing that we are preventing the next big, bad weeds from getting a stronghold here on O‘ahu.” Back at the OISC baseyard, the team thoroughly
washes their gear and clothing from the day to make sure it is free of any dirt contaminated with miconia seeds that they wouldn’t want to carry to another search area. Everything is then packed away and made ready for the next miconia hunt. The efforts and accomplishments of the OISC field crew go unseen by most on O‘ahu, and that’s as it should be. If the public started seeing miconia trees, or any of the other invasive plants they target, it would mean the battle is already lost and the plant has spread beyond the point of feasible control. That won’t happen as long as these protectors of the forest are on the ground. The next time you get water from the tap, think of the mountain forests and this team, out there everyday putting themselves at risk to prevent watershed-destroying weeds from harming O‘ahu’s native biodiversity and becoming a permanent part of the island’s ecosystems.
Lara Reynolds is the outreach specialist for the O‘ahu Invasive Species Committee
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We are a locally owned garden store, dedicated to satisfying all of your gardening needs. No need to drive into town, we’ve got what you need in the country. We carry organics, hydroponics, aquaponics, vermiculture, lighting, education and more. Now offering aquaponic classes. Open Monday thru Saturday 11 am – 5:30 pm.
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GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWAII.C O M
Baby Boot Camp 808.218.1894 babybootcamp.com
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Having trouble finding that perfect home? Incredibly low interest rates combined with my years of experience representing O'ahu home buyers will give you the edge when searching for your new home. Contact me today to begin your new home search!
Cool Roof Hawaii is a licensed roofing and waterproofing contractor specializing in Cool Roofs. Cool Roofs reflect up to 90 percent of the sun’s energy, which dramatically drops the interior temperature of your property, in turn lowering your HECO bill with an environmentally friendly waterproof membrane. Cool Roof Hawaii offers affordable, reliable and professional service with long-term waterproofing warranties. (#C-28824)
Pacific Environmental Solutions 2333 Alahao Place #1C Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 808.848.0513 environmentalbiotech.com
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MARKETPLACE
Affordable Solar Energy
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Not only is solar energy abundantly available in Hawai‘i, but the cost to have your own system has never been lower. With attractive financing options, going solar makes more financial sense than ever. Eliminate some or all of your electricity bill with a Bonterra PV system! Call me today to schedule an appointment.
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Segway of Hawai‘i
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Grow Your Own
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Mu‘umu‘u Heaven is a fun-loving clothing brand based in Kailua town. Their dresses are one-of-a-kind treasures re-purposed from vintage mu‘umu‘u, all thoughtfully made by local seamstresses. The store fixtures and accessory products found in their flagship concept store in Kailua are similarly inspired.
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Slant of Light by Aubrey Yee slantoflightimages.com
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWAII.C O M
Mu‘umu‘u Heaven 767 Kailua Road, Suite 100 Kailua, Hawaii 96734 808.263.3366 muumuuheaven.com
Ohana Greenhouse & Garden Supply 2001 Democrat Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 808.841.GROW (4769) ohanagreenhouse.com
ADVERTISER DIRECTORY
Oahu
Hale‘iwa Farmers’ Market 808.388.9696 haleiwafarmersmarket.com
Muumuu Heaven 808.263.3366 muumuuheaven.com
Sunetric 808.262.6600 sunetric.com
Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance 808.586.0916 hawaiiconservation.org
Native Books 808.596.8885 nativebookshawaii.com
Surfrider Foundation surfrider.org
Hawaii Kai Farmers' Market 808.388.9696 haleiwafarmersmarket.com/hawaii-kai
North Shore Organic Gardening 808.637.2069 nsog.org
Hawaii Skylights and Solar Fans 808.847.6527 hawaiiskylights.com
North Shore Soap Factory 808.637.8400 hawaiianbathbody.com
Hawaiian Electric Co. 808.548.7311 heco.com
Ohana Greenhouse & Garden Supply 808.841.4769 ohanagreenhouse.com
Book Ends 808.261.1996
Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods 808.595.8847 hawaiianlegacyhardwoods.com
Organik Clothing theorganik.com
Carbon Zero Aina 808.220.6761 carbonzeroaina.com
Honolulu Board of Water Supply 808.748.5000 hbws.org
Certified Hawaii 808.836.0911 associaonline.com/site/certified-hawaii
Honolulu Furniture Company 808.597.9193 honolulufurniturecompany.com
Conservation Council for Hawaii 808.593.0255 conservehi.org
House Of Pure Aloha 808.373.5111 houseofpurealoha.com
Cool Roof Hawaii 808.282.0477 coolroofhawaii.com
Hui Ku Maoli Ola Hawaiian Plant Specialists 808.235.6165 plantnativehawaii.com
Ala Moana Farmers' Market 808.388.9696 haleiwafarmersmarket.com/ala-moana Aloha Air Cargo 808.836.4191 alohaaircargo.com Baby Boot Camp 808.218.1894 babybootcamp.com Bishop Museum Press 808.847.3511 bishopmuseum.org Bonterra Solar - Chad Haraguchi 808.599.0306
Defend Oahu Coalition defendoahucoalition.org Details International 808.521.7424 details-international.com Down To Earth 808.947.7678 downtoearth.org
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Jamba Juice jambajuicehawaii.com Kai Ku Hale 808.636.2244 kaikuhale.com King Windward Nissan 888.385.3203 kingwindwardnissan.com
Drift Boutique 808.284.1177 driftboutique.com
Kokua Hawaii Foundation kokuahawaiifoundation.org
Futura Stone of Hawaii 808.841.7433 futurastonehawaii.com
Kona Brewing Co. 808.334.2739 konabrewingco.com
Green Builder’s Depot 808.839.9700 greenbuildersdepotintl.com
MiNei Hawaii 808.734.3499 mineijewelry.com
Green Clean 808 808.484.9822 greenclean808.com
Mokulua Woodworking, LTD. 808.263.9663 mokuluawoodworking.com
Support Our Advertisers
When contacting our advertisers, please be sure to mention that you saw their ad in GREEN. Mahalo!
GRE E N M A G A Z I N E H AWAII.C O M
Pacific Home 808.596.9338 pacific-home.com Paradise Eyewear 808.955.3532 Peace Cafe 808.951.7555 peacecafehawaii.com RevoluSun 808.748.8888 revolusun.com
Sustainable Marketplace of the Pacific 808.441.3455 sustainablemarketplacepacific.com The Bike Shop 808.591.9162 bikeshophawaii.com The Green House 808.524.8427 thegreenhousehawaii.com Volcom New Future newfuture.volcom.com Waikiki Worm Company 808.945.9676 waikikiworm.com Whole Foods Market - Kahala 808.783.0820 wholefoodsmarket.com
Maui Down to Earth 808.877.2661 downtoearth.org
RevoluSun - Iolani Lewis 808.285.2210
Hawaiian Moons Natural Foods 808.875.4356 hawaiianmoons.com
Rich Dela Cruz 808.375.9620 rdc0013@hotmail.com
Mana Foods 808.579.8078 manafoodsmaui.com
Segway of Hawaii 808.941.3151 segwayofhawaii.com
Ohana Greenhouse & Garden Supply 808.575.9999 ohanagreenhouse.com
Servco Home & Appliance Showroom 808.564.2493 servcoappliance.com
State Farm Insurance Agent Carey Tanaka 808.877.4450
Simplicity Imports 808.306.2382 simplicityimports.com Slant of Light 808.216.8368 slantoflightimages.com Summer Baptist, ND, L.Ac. 808.351.2977 drsummerbaptist.com
DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS
Ala Moana / Kakaako
Mapunapuna / Salt Lake
Ala Moana Farmers’ Market Design Center - Inspiration Green Energy Outlet Jamba Juice (Keeaumoku) Jamba Juice (Ward Center) Native Books Hawaii Pacific Home Patagonia The Bike Shop
Green Builders Depot (Airport Center) Jamba Juice (Airport Center) Jamba Juice (NEX)
Kapahulu / Waikiki Diamond Head Health Bar Jamba Juice (Kapahulu)
Aiea / Pearl City Down To Earth Jamba Juice (Pearl Ridge Center) Jamba Juice (Aiea Shopping Center) The Bike Shop
Waipahu / Waikele Jamba Juice (Waikele Outlet Mall)
McCully / Manoa Down to Earth Waikiki Worm Company
Kahala / Kaimuki Drift Boutique Jamba Juice Kaimuki Public Library Whole Foods
Hawai'i Kai Hawaii Kai Farmers’ Market House of Pure Aloha Jamba Juice (Koko Marina Center) Kale’s Natural Foods Kona Brewing Company
Kaneohe / Kailua Book Ends Jamba Juice (Kailua Village) Jamba Juice (K. Bay Shopping Center) King Windward Nissan Koolau Farmers (Kailua) Koolau Farmers (Kaneohe) Muumuu Heaven The Bike Shop
Downtown / Kalihi Downtown Restaurant Jamba Juice (Alakea Street) The Sustainable Market of the Pacific Umeke Market and Deli
Ewa / Kapolei Down To Earth Jamba Juice (Ewa) Jamba Juice (Halekuai Center) Jamba Juice (Kapolei Parkway) Jamba Juice (Royal Kunia)
Mililani / Wahiawa Jamba Juice (Mililani Town Center) Jamba Juice (Mililani Shopping Center)
North Shore Foodland Guava Shop Haleiwa Farmers’ Market Kai Ku Hale North Shore Organic Gardening North Shore Soap Factory Universe Juice Cafe
Neighbor Islands Maui
Jamba Juice (Lahaina) Jamba Juice (Kahului)
Big Island
Jamba Juice (Kailua-Kona) Jamba Juice (Hilo)
Kauai
Jamba Juice (Lihue)
Photo: Kapaliku Schirman
COMING NEXT ISSUE
Ha‘iku- Valley, the best classroom for hands-on learning.
Papahana Kuaola Good work comes from hard work
In the Ha‘iku- Valley in Ka- ne‘ohe, a group of kids is hard at work learning Hawaiian traditions and cultural practices. Their method is to transform the land and revive a traditional watershed ecosystem by clearing away invasive plant species, restoring lo‘i and preparing kalo. The valley is their classroom and taking care of the land is their curriculum, an exercise in cultural heritage. In the October/November/December 2012 issue, GREEN gets dirty with Papahana Kuaola educational organization and the students that are the future of a lifestyle respectful of ka- naka, ‘a- ina and akua. Also featured in the upcoming issue, GREEN travels to an organic hearts of palm farm on the Big Island. GREEN also
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takes a look at the Maui Smart Grid, the technology, the operation and what we can learn and share with other communities. Look for the October/November/December issue starting in October 2012 at Jamba Juice locations across the state. Check greenmagazinehawaii.com for a location near you. Email info@greenmagazinehawaii. com and request your free subscription to the eZine, the complete online version of GREEN, delivered directly to your inbox. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @grnmagazine to stay up to date on all the latest green news, events and ideas.