Diversified Island events, from Oahu beach clean ups to free events like concerts, classes, surf for kids, volunteer opportunities and Waikiki sustainable events for everyone in Hawaii.



Hawaii Events
Summer 2011 Follow becausewesurf on Twitter




Ocean Girls Sustainable Surf Camps, join us in Hawaii and coming soon..San Diego 2011


Sustainable living is about protecting, healing and conserving our  island resources for future generations.



Sustainable Hawaii

Let the unique beauty and uplifting power of Hawaii sustain endless generations

All of the Hawaiian Islands are complex with fragile ecosystems that can be easily affected and altered by introduced influences and outside factors. Did you know the Hawaiian Islands have the highest number of endangered and threatened plant and animal species of anyplace on the planet? Though these islands are some of the most remote in the world, we are by no means isolated, Hawaii hosts more than seven million visitors each year, or seven times more than the resident population.

Visitors, and the day to day operations of tourism can put unnatural stress on the physical environment and social/cultural fabric –  the very elements that make visitors want to come and enjoy the beauty, nature, heritage and people that are Hawaii.

Sustainable tourism in Hawaii is about protecting, enhancing and conserving these resources for the enjoyment of future residents and visitors.



The model for sustainability on the island of Hawaii and other Hawaiian Islands was already in place and practiced here for more than a millennium, well into modern times, by the first inhabitants, the native Hawaiians. They were masters at using the islands’ land and sea resources to sustain what are thought to have been populations that were as large as or maybe larger than that of today. Their fishing, farming, planting, aquaculture and methods of creative food sustainability and use of ahupuaa (contiguous land divisions which extended from the uplands to the sea) are widely regarded as the most efficient in the Pacific. The Hawaiians understood and were keenly attuned to their environment and how to keep in balance with it.

Though sadly the ancient Hawaiian ways of living are not practiced by the majority of inhabitants today, these ways can serve as a guide and constant reminder of the need to be in harmony with this sacred place.

The tourism community on the island of Hawaii – as throughout the world – is starting to realize the importance of adopting a sustainability ethic in its operations and activities if it wishes to survive and thrive.

Travelers are demanding it, and searching out those destinations and operations that indeed embrace and practice sustainable practices. We applaud your efforts!

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Be an Eco-Adventure Volunteer!




A great way to have fun and do good while exploring the Big Island’s wild places is to volunteer for conservation work. You can sign on for an afternoon or for multi-day trips to help with a variety of projects such as trail building and maintenance, planting native plants, controlling invasive species or clearing coastlines of marine debris. Some agencies to contact:

Hawaii Forest & Trail invites guests along for volun-tourism. (800) 464-1993, (808) 331-8505, www.hawaii-forest.com.

The Volcano Art Center holds Forest Work Days the third Sunday of every month. No experience or tools are required to participate. Volunteers are asked to bring rain gear in case of wet weather. To register or obtain further information call VAC at 967-8222, or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org

The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii is committed to preserving our plants and animals by protecting the island’s lands and waters. (808) 885-1786, www.nature.org.

The Sierra Club protects and restores Hawaii’s native habitats, prevents the introduction and spread of alien species, and cleans up coastal pollution. (808) 965-5460, www.hi.sierraclub.org/Hawaii/mokuloa.html..

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service protects birds and fish, documents cultural and natural resources, and assists with research. (800) 344-WILD (9453), www.fws.gov/volunteers..

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park protects and preserves all the natural and cultural resources within its boundries. (808)985-6166, www.nps.gov/havo/supportyourpark/volunteer.htm


Current & Upcoming Opportunities

Workshops at The Green House!

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OCEAN GIRL PROJECT
Sustainable Surf Camp for Girls


The ocean girl project is an exciting educational week full of learning about the ocean, environment, Hawaii, sustainability healthy and local food choices and most importantly a chance to teach confidence and uplift young girlsread more -Limited Openings for financially in-need families. Tell your friends! Sponsor a surfer girl in your extended family.



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Kokua Foundation's calendar-click highlights graphic to view!
Becausewesurf supports Kokua Foundation's wonderful sustainable work in Hawaii, we hope you can too.
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Hawaii Early Detection Network-You be the detective!

The Hawaii Early Detection Network was created to increase public awareness of invasive species and engage communities in the monitoring of their own neighborhoods. Find out how you help protect the environment of Hawaii by participating in the Eyes and Ears Team and attending an educational workshop or downloading your own copy from their web site.

INVESTIGATE IT! Early detection begins with looking for the plants and animals on the early detection hit list for Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Kauai, or Oahu.http://pbin.nbii.org/reportapest/






Volunteer, Community Drop-off spots and Events

Hawaii State Art Museum
The Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts invites you to visit Hawai‘i’s newest museum, the Hawai‘i State Art Museum (HiSAM). HiSAM is located on the 2nd floor of the No. 1 Capitol District Building, 250 South Hotel Street, Honolulu, Hawai‘i, 96813. Admission to museum, concerts and presentations are free at all times.

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St. Francis Hospice. The hospice program, under St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii, is seeking compassionate individuals who are interested in becoming volunteers. A four-session volunteer training program begins next Saturday and runs on consecutive Saturdays through Jan. 29. Location will be determined on the responses. To register or for more information, contact Patty Martin at 547-8134 or pmartin@stfrancishawaii.org.

MAKIKI FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT-
The O'ahu Nā Ala Hele Trails and Access program needs volunteers to weed, pick up branches, plant, water and fertilize native plants as part of the Makiki Watershed Awareness Initiative forest restoration project. Bring long pants, long-sleeved shirt, shoes or boots, gloves, insect repellent, water and lunch; families welcome; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., selected Saturdays monthly; meet at Makiki forestry base yard above new Hawai'i Nature Center (from Makiki Street, take a left onto Makiki Heights Drive; the entrance is before first hairpin turn); 973-9782.
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Niaulani Forest Work Day Big Island
3rd Sunday of each month
9 a.m to 12 p.m.
Volunteers needed to preserve the rain forest;  Volcano Art Center, Niaulani campus, Volcano Village, Big Island; 808-967-8222.
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CHUNS REEF BEACH/ COAST CLEANUP,
Last Saturday monthly begins at noon
 
Adopt-a-Beach Hawaii and Save the Sea Turtles International
61-529 Kamehameha Highway, HaleNormal'iwa;
trash bag, gloves and purified water provided;
bring hat, sunscreen and beach shoes; 637-2211
.
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CITY PEOPLE'S OPEN MARKETS: 25 market sites offer weekly sale of agricultural and aqu-acultural products, ethnic and other food items; information:
www.honolulu.gov/parks/programs/pom, 522-7088.
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Free 5 day Cancer Retreats
Kokolulu Farm and Cancer Retreats in Hawaii

Free 5 day Cancer Retreat-Our cancer retreats include in-depth workshops designed to help you take control of your healing journey & diagnosis, plus lodging & meals. 808-889-9893
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Cancer screening for women:
Free mammograms and Pap smears for women ages 40 and older with little or no medical insurance.
Call Tusi Toomata-Mayer of Hawaii Medical Center at 547-6889
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Free!! Organic mulch holds in moisture, controls weeds and reduces soil erosion, saving energy and resources.

Free mulch sites include:

* Ala Wai Community Garden
* Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden (Kaneohe)
* Hawaiian Earth Products Windward, Ltd. (Kailua and Campbell Industrial Park)
* Hawaii Kai Community Garden
* Kaiaka Bay Beach Park
* Leeward Community College

* Makiki Community Garden

* Waimea Valley
* Wahiawa Community Garden

For additional information, call the City's Recycling Office at 768-3200.

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FREE DROP-OFF RECYCLE INFORMATION:

City and County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off  (every other month)

Help all island kids!

Call 768-3201 no later than one week prior to each event to schedule an appointment, or email us. For more information about household hazardous waste, click here. Drop-off dates are scheduled every other month.

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FREE Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off (every other month)
For more information about household hazardous waste, please click here. Drop-off dates are scheduled every other month.

FREE eWaste Drop-off Events
For e-waste recycling options visit our eWaste recycling page.

www.hawaii.edu/ewaste

Pacific Corporate Solutions Collection Events
www.ewastehawaii.com

Green Market - Fort Street Mall
** Call 488-8870 to schedule drop offs **

Island wide Events

Call 488-8870 to schedule large drop offs

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Aloha Aina Earth Day (monthly)
Each month, in a different Oahu neighborhood, local businesses provide free services for the collection of recyclables. In turn, the community is cleaned up and the participating recycling companies donate the funds generated to local non-profit and charitable organizations. Items that are typically collected include: scrap metal, appliances, newspaper and cardboard, beverage containers, cellular phones, car batteries, old computers, and much more. For listing of all events planned.

For more information on the Aloha Aina Earth Day events, please contact Rene Mansho at 306-1876.

HAGADONE Recycle here!
FREE Drive-Up. Drop-Off

Hagadone web site


They accept glossy magazines, catalogs, brochures, mailers, and phone books.

IMPORTANT, please remove:
• Magnets on Phones Books • Hardback Covers • Rubber bands • Metal & Spiral Bindings
• Carbon paper • Photographs • Blueprints • Shrink Wrap • Adhesives (labels, post-its, stamps, tape).
Staples are OK, but all other metals must be removed to avoid shredder jamming.

Monday 8am to 5pm
Tuesday 8am to 5pm
Wednesday 8am to 5pm
Thursday 8am to 5pm
Friday 8am to 5pm
and Second Saturday of each Month 8am to Noon

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drop-off at any Lex Brodie’s
(during regular business hours):
Location Address
Honolulu 701 Queen St., Honolulu 96813
Pearlridge 98-115 Kamehameha Hwy, Aiea 96701
Waipahu 94-169 Farrington Hwy. Waipahu 96797
Kalihi 333 Kalihi St., Honolulu 96819
Kaneohe 46-158 Malina Pl., Kaneohe 96744

North Shore Residents:

Hale’iwa Farmer’s Market
First Sunday of each month

Address: 274 Puuhale Road
Honolulu, HI 96819
Phone: 808-847-5310
Neighbor Islands:800-491-4888

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