MIDWEEK
APRIL 1
2019
PROOF POSITIVE
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Community Foundation established Hawai’i Fresh Water Initiative (Wai Maoli) back in 2013. The action plan was a direct response to water shortages around the wor d in places like Sao Pau lo and Cape Town. In addition, research conducted by the nited Nations estimates that more than 50 percent of the world’s pulation wifi live in a water scarce area in 30 years. “Water touches everyone, especially in Hawai’i,” says Tim Johns, president and CEO of Zephyr In surance Co. Wai Maoli has since completed two of its three phases, and now is focused on the final chapter garnering community support/funding and increas ing public awareness. To that end, Harold K. L. Castle Foundation, Oak Foundation (which has issued a $225,000 challenge grant for new funders in support of the Fresh Water Initiative) and several other partners have joined in to offer assistance. All have at their forefront a goal to make Hawai’ i more sustainable by creating an additional 100 million gallons per day of fresh water by 2030. “Look at what’s happening globally,” Johns says. “Water scarcity is growing, and it’s not just based on climate change, though it might exacerbate the problem.” In phase one of the project, Wai Maoli brought together individuals from all walks of life agriculture, private landowners, scientists and government officials to form a Fresh Water Council. The group developed a foundational Blueprint for Action and Summary that has within its pages specific goals on how to achieve all those gallons of fresh water by 2030. (The study also found that the state’s rainfall has decreased by 22 percent over the last 30 years, and shows signs of continuing that trajectory.) Phase two saw the Fresh Water Council take early action on policy recommenda tions. What resulted were 12 laws at the state level that address stormwater treatment, requiring water audits, identifying barriers to water reuse and much more. “Now, in phase three, we’re gearing up for even greater collective action,” contin ues Johns, who chairs the Fresh Water Council. “That will require more support and education of the broader public to create more change.” Expect more public demonstrations and educational opportunities, but now, Johns adds, change is in the hands of Hawai’i’s people. “We want to start with the kids “Johns says. “We want to get people to really understand what a valuable resource we have. We can fix leaky faucets, use native plants in our yards, collect rain water and advocate for larger policy change. Let your representatives know how important it is to protect our groundwater and aquifers for future generations. “We can all play a role in securing Hawai’i’s fresh water future,” Johns adds. For more information, visit hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/strengthening/ fresh-water. Nicole Kato
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Celebrating The Children Of U.S. Military Members
ough we live on an island, water conserva
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By Patti Mitchell, grandparent and volunteer with avy Hale Keiki School was established in 1946HaleKeiki as a cooperative School preschool in response to the need for an early childhood program in the Pearl Harbor area. Over the-years, Navy Hale Keiki School has sewed the military and surrounding community, and grown from a preschool to now include stu dents through fifth grade. The school has earned ac creditation from Hawai’iAsso ciation ofIndependent Schools and Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and is a member of the National Asso ciation ofIndependent Schools. ore than 95 percent of Navy Hale Keiki School’s Stu dents are children of current or former U.S. milit. service members. Many ofthe students have two active-duty parents. April is the Month of the Militaiy Child in honor of the sacrifices and tenacity of our U.S. military keiki worldwide. “PurpleUp!”isadaytowear the color to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices. Purple was chosen because it symbol izes the colors ofthe flags of all branches of the military. At Navy~Hale Keiki School, we will celebrate all month,and even had a special Purple Up! DayApril 12.. Military children can often Navy
find themselves with one or ore of their parents dep oyed at any given moment. ese times apart range from weeks to more than a year. The stressors of deployment and moving every two or three years add to the challenges of being a military child. The students at Navy Hale Keiki School are settled into a unique community of sup-
community and giving back, the student body participates in activities such as donating food, paper products and per sonal hygiene supplies every year to Fisher House at Tripler Anny Medical Center in cel ebration of their 00th day of school. Othe activities include The Young Patriots’ Club “Heart of a Hero” celebration each spring
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Navy Hale Keiki School is a safe haven for military children and their families. PHOTOS COURTESY NAVY HALE KEIKI SCHOOL
port emphasizing educational physical, emotional, social, civ ic and character development. Our staff, parents, extended family volunteers and com munity members combine. their efforts in support of the children. The family setting at Navy Hale Keiki School is built on a strongly engineered, maintained, and time-tested foundation oftrust, respect. and accountability. To foster students’ sense of
to honor a military member’s service and contribution to our nation, and student council-led community outreach programs, which have included homeless outreach and viding support for veterans. In May our students will host a special Lei Day event to cel ebrate the culture o Hawai’i. To learn more about Navy Hale Keiki School and ways to support us, visit nhks.org or call 423-1727.
Hawai’i charitable organizations may send requests for space in either Proof Positive or the free advertisement below to bmossman@midweek.com
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