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Habitat for Humanity Collaboration in Kawaihae, Hawaii

Server — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 06:14:22 +0000

Today our collaboration with Habitat for Humanity resulted in a great sustainable gardening class titled, “Backyard Food Production”. The goal of the class was to teach folks how to grow food. The class was held in Kawaihae at a Habitat for Humanity work site in Hawaiian Home Lands.

Claudia Ziroli from the University of Hawaii at Hilo Conference Center and Green Collar Technologies led the class. Claudia’s husband Eric also joined us. I rode with Eric and Claudia and learned more about the biology and wildlife on Saddle road than I have learned in a long time. We saw, Mouflon, goats, horses, cows and turkeys.

Students learned how to build a raised bed garden using hog-wire and shade cloth. This is a technique invented by Claudia that can really help folks on lava rock grow more with less. Claudia’s next class, Introduction to Sustainable Gardening is Thursday March 11th in Waimea.

Hog wire was donated by Green Collar Technologies. Recycled shade cloth was donated by Rudy’s Shade cloth (959-3475). Liz Bowen from Habitat for Humanity donated compost. Habitat for Humanity Kona picked up lunch from Tres Hombres who donated lunch -whoa! Awesome food!

Claudia’s class resulted in a big knowledge exchange and two large crop circles. Yep, that’s right, crop circles. At least that’s what one of our former students calls them. Thanks Chris, the name stuck. See photos below. Three teachers from Teach for America built a raised bed garden using rocks around the job site. It looked really great.

Kaena, the new homeowner already has lots of gardening experience and she’ll be planting a variety of food crops in her new raised beds. We also delivered a kalo starter.

L / R - Claudia, Eric, Kaena, Paul, Liz & Brent

The home was obviously well-built, yet modest with incredible views. What a great place to hold a class. The whales breaching just offshore seemed to constantly catch everyone’s eyes at once. Being on Hawaiian home lands always feels like home for some reason.

Mahalo Claudia and Eric for giving a day to spend working and helping others. Your devotion is truly island-wide. Mahalo Paul for sharing your time between commitments. Mahalo Josephine and Athea for going that extra mile to make the class. Mahalo Liz for introducing us to so many great people. John, Margo and everyone working the job site, mahalo a nui loa for a great day.

Backyard Food Production Class This Saturday

Brent Norris — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:24:34 +0000

This Saturday a small group of instructors, volunteers and representatives from Hawai‘i Habitat for Humanity and Green Collar Technologies will meet at a Habitat for Humanity Homesite for a class on Backyard Food Production.

Local gardening expert and biologist, Claudia Ziroli will be demonstrating along with Tyler Nethers from Oahu as they share techniques for growing food in raised bed gardens.

This is a great chance to network with Hawai‘i Habitat for Humanity on Oahu. We’re developing a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to help teach more folks how to live sustainable lives in Hawaii.

Everyone is invited. Donations will be accepted to support Sustainable Education onHawai‘iIsland.

Lunch will be provided by Hawai‘i Habitat for Humanity.

Please let us know you’re coming by sending us an email via our contact form here, or calling Brent at 808-896-7656

More details from Liz at Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity and Green Collar Technologies are partnering for green jobs training on the west side of the Big Island! To kick off this partnership, we are getting our hands dirty with a raised bed organic garden project. A few Green Collar Technologies instructors and students will be attending. Habitat for Humanity volunteers are encouraged to participate- we could use the help! Habitat volunteers- come out and help and learn more about composting and organic gardening for on-site food production!

Arrive at 11:00 and leave by 2:00- lunch and cold drinks provided. Bring your own bottle for water refills, work clothes, and gloves if you have them. We should have some extra gloves if you do not have a pair to bring.

A map of the area is below… the address is 61-4003 Kailopa Street Kawaihae, HI 96743

Looking forward to seeing everyone there- feel free to contact me on my cell if you have any questions after Wednesday since I will be on island and away from my office on Oahu. My cellphone number 919.210.0207.

Mahalo!

Sustainability Presentation at Institute for Astronomy

Server — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:21:15 +0000

Aloha attendees of the Sustainability presentation at the Institute for Astronomy.

Mahalo a nui loa for the opportunity to present today. Sincere appreciation for the discussion and mahalo for the gifts -you bet I’ll be back Seab!

Here’s the presentation. Feel free to register and leave any additional feedback on this site or on our Facebook page here.

If you have any trouble viewing try this link:

http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dr7xhtp_930dp38w7d5

Sustainability Applied Resources

Server — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:41:03 +0000

Energy

HELCO – Systems Operations Report
http://www.heco.com/vcmcontent/HELCO/RenewableEnergy/IRP/HELCO_IRP4_AG02_082208_07_Sys_Op.pdf

Net Metering Resources (see bottom)

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=HI04R&re=1&ee=1

DEBDT
http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy

The HECO/Hawaii “transformational” agreement – may not be so transformational after-all?
http://garyhooser.livejournal.com/26818.html

Food

Farmer’s Union – (HFU)
http://hawaiifarmersunion.orgBusiness Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE)
http://www.livingeconomies.org

Hawaii Organic Farmer’s Association (HOFA)
http://www.hawaiiorganic.org

Know Your Farmer’s Alliance (KYFA)
http://knowyourfarmeralliance.com

Hawaii Sustainable Education Initiative
Koh Ming Wei – 808 443-9231 (cell)

Kohala Center Ag Plan

http://www.kohalacenter.org/agplan.html

Water

Department of Water Supply – The Department of Water Supply is a semi-autonomous agency, which is responsible to manage, control and operate the waterworks of the County and all property thereof.
http://www.hawaiidws.org/

Rainwater Harvesting Guide
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/RM-12.pdf

—- Net Metering Scenarios —-

SITUATION 1:

I want to install a renewable energy system and sign up for net energy metering.

STEP 1: Research and decide what type of renewable energy system will best meet your needs. Enclosed is some basic information about photovoltaics, wind, hydro and biomass.

STEP 2: Contact two or three vendors to obtain comparison quotes for the installation of your renewable energy system. You should work with a licensed electrical contractor to coordinate installation of the system.

STEP 3: Review and complete the Net Energy Metering customer agreement, including obtaining the required signature from a licensed electrical contractor, certifying compliance with all safety standards.

STEP 4: Submit completed agreement to us at the following address:

STEP 5: Our Customer Installations Department will inspect your electric meter and install any special electric meter, if required.

STEP 6: Net energy metering will be activated for your account.

Situation 2:

I have already installed a renewable energy system and simply want to sign up for the net energy metering option for electric billing purposes. Skip steps 1 and 2 above. Complete Steps 3 through 6.

Questions?

Call us at

543-4784 (Oahu),

969-0127 (Big Island),

871-8461 (Maui/Lanai/Molokai).

Oahu: Hawaiian Electric Company, “Net Energy Metering,”

Energy Services Department, P.O. Box 2750, Honolulu, HI 96840.

Big Island: Hawaii Electric Light Company, “Net Energy Metering,”

Customer Services Department, P.O. Box 1027, Hilo, Hawaii 96720.

Maui/Molokai/Lanai: Maui Electric Company, “Net Energy Metering,”

Energy Delivery Department, P.O. Box 398, Kahului, Hawaii 96733.

Sustainable Living Educational Series 5

Server — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:27:46 +0000

Mahalo plenty to everyone in North Hawaii for supporting the SLES in Waimea. Wow! What an absolute pleasure it has been working with Cathy Youtkas at Waimea Community Education. Great Big Mahalo to Paul Zabel for organizing, marketing and making the Waimea series a success.

Now we turn our attention to the next Sustainable Living Educational Series. This time it’s in gorgeous Honokaa at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, North Hawaii Educational Research Center. This is the perfect opportunity to visit historic Honokaa and check out NHERC while attending a class. Classes start at 6pm and end at 8pm. Bring your family. Bring your notebook and something to write with. These classes are super educational. You’ll learn enough in two hours to fill your brain with ideas for the next two years. In fact, many lessons learned in class provide attendees with money-saving tips that can easily pay for the tuition a dozen times over!

North Hawaii Educational Research Center

The Honokaa series is just $20 per person, per class. The tuition pays our instructors and helps to cover the cost of the facilities and some basic marketing. Our goal is to educate, raise awareness and provide the knowledge, skills and abilities to help folks live a more sustainable lives on Hawaii Island.

View complete details on the Sustainable Living Educational Series homepage.

2009 County of Hawaii Agricultural Development Plan

Server — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:15:56 +0000

Media Release Found on : http://hawaii-agriculture.com

The public will have a final opportunity in late October and November to provide input into the 2009 County of Hawaii Agricultural Development Plan, being prepared for the Department of Research and Development by Agricon Hawaii LLC and The Kohala Center.

The Kohala Center is conducting islandwide listening sessions prior to finalizing the plan, which is intended to guide the revitalization of agriculture as a basis for the island’s economic development by focusing on measures designed to increase the production of food for local consumption and support the growth of export products.

The preliminary draft of the plan will be available for review by Oct. 10 at kohalacenter.org/agplan.html.

Download and read the Initial Draft of the Kohala Agrculture Plan

After the fall round of public sessions, The Kohala Center will incorporate public input and present the final draft to the county Department of Research and Development in early December.

In addition to attending a listening session, the public can provide suggestions and comments to Guy Kaulukukui, director of The Kohala Center’s Food Self-Reliance Program, at agplan@kohalacenter.org or 887-6411.

The sessions are 6-8 p.m. at the following dates and locations:

* Tuesday, Oct. 20, Kohala High School Cafeteria

* Wednesday, Oct. 21, Kona Outdoor Circle

* Thursday, Oct. 22, Waimea Community Center

* Tuesday, Oct. 27, Pahala Community Center

* Wednesday, Oct. 28, Aupuni Conference Room, Hilo

* Thursday, Oct. 29, Paauilo School Cafeteria

* Wednesday, Nov. 4, Pahoa Community Center

Downtown Hilo Sustainable Design Assessment Team Final Report Now Available

Server — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:29:45 +0000

In May 2009, a team of multi-disciplinary experts from around the country visited Hilo and met with stakeholders and the community to discuss ideas for the sustainable development of Downtown Hilo. Their recommendations are now contained in a 54-page report and include several suggestions; including, Relocating Bayfront Highway, Designating Downtown Hilo as a Historic District, Developing a Form-Based Code, and Forming a Business Improvement District.

The Final Report by the American Institute of Architects Sustainable Design Assessment Team Program for Downtown Hilo is now available online.

It can be accessed on the American Institute of Architects website at:
http://www.aia.org/about/initiatives/AIAS075426 (Click on Hilo Report).

or on the EnVision Downtown Hilo 2025 SildeShare website at:
http://www.slideshare.net/edh2025/downtown-hilo-sdat-final-report

Waimea Community Education and Green Collar Technologies Present the Sustainable Living Educational Series

Server — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 03:21:20 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hawai`i Innovation Center at Hilo, Hawaii

September 1st, 2009 Hilo, Hawaii

(Download Press Release)

In partnership with Waimea Community Education, students will learn how to live a more sustainable life on Hawaii Island.

Four evenings of education in various sustainability practices are coming to Waimea.

The four classes include:

Sustainable Gardening with Claudia Ziroli on September 23rd
Rainwater Harvesting with Neil E. Soicher on September 30th
Alternative Power Basics with Neil E. Soicher on October 7th
Sustainability Applied with Brent Norris on October 14th

This series will feature classes with a straight-forward approach to living a more sustainable lifestyle on Hawai`i Island. These classes will offer education, networking and information about green jobs. Plenty of time will be available at the end of class for topic discussion.

Paul Zabel, Director of Green Collar Technologies mentioned, “We are very proud to partner with the Waimea Education Center to bring this series to North Hawai`i. It’s a great opportunity to learn the basics of sustainability from some of the best sustainability practitioners on the island.”

The entire series is $100 or $25 per session. If you wish to enroll in any of the sessions without taking the entire series, please submit a check to our office and call us to register at 885-1539. The online payment system will only accept registrations for the entire series.

Everyone is invited regardless of involvement, skill level or abilities. e komo mai!

Click here to register and pay for this class online.

Help us promote this event by sharing these flyers:

Green Jobs Funding on Hawaii Island – a gathering with the Mayor

Server — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:48:09 +0000

Come join Hawai`i County Mayor Billy Kenoi, Mike Gleason, Chariperson of the Hawai`i County Workforce Investment Board and others to learn what a green collar economy and green collar jobs can do for Hawaii Island.

Come learn about the latest research into green jobs from the County of Hawai`i and stratagies for partnering for green jobs funding. Specific funding opportunities will be shared. Specific partner opportunities will be shared. Open discussion at the end with panel from the County and State.

This meeting was put together by Hawai`i State Workforce Development.

If you’re into the green jobs movement, this seminar is for you.

Hawaii Island Green Collar Jobs Funding
Click here to download and share PDF flyer for the Green Collar Jobs Funding – Employer Workshop

An employer workshop to be held
Thursday, August 13th 9:00 am to 11:00 am registration: 8:30 am
Workforce Development Division Presentation Room
1990 Kino`ole Street, Suite 102
(Next to Kawate Seed Shop)

Topics of Interest

Green Collar Jobs and Greener Economies – Brent Norris, Green Collar Technologies
Green Job Employer – Michael Kaleikini, Puna Geothermal Venture
Overview of Specific Grant Opportunities Related to Hawai`i Island – John Carroll, Hawai`i Island Workforce & Economic Development Ohana
How to Establish Partnerships & Alliances to Acquire Funding – Alex Frost, Hawai`i County Research & Development Department and Susan Akiyama, Office of Housing & Community Development

In partnership with:

Hawai`i Island Workforce & Economic Development Ohana
Hawai`i County Workforce Investment Board
Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce
Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawai`I
Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association
Big Island Workplace Connection

Call Bunnie Au-Suehiro at 981.2860 ext. 236 for registration & payment information.

Workforce Development Division
1990 Kino`ole Street, Suite 102
(Next to Kawate Seed Shop)

Green Collar Job Training Program Ideas Wanted!

Server — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 04:04:18 +0000

Got an idea for a green collar job training program?

Together we can bring Green Jobs to Hawaii Island but we need your help!

We need to create model programs to train a greener workforce. Your idea could lead to funding, training and employment.