PUHI — A weak visitor industry, rising fuel costs and a slowing economy may be just the motivation that Kaua‘i needs to get moving on “green” solutions to help the island become sustainable and independent, speakers and political insiders said yesterday.
For Keone Kealoha, executive director of Malama Kaua‘i, there’s no longer a choice in the matter.
“If we start getting local with our food system, that’s green jobs. If we start getting local with our energy system, that’s green jobs. If we start diversifying into green building, recycling, our waste systems, county composting facilities, those are all green jobs. Mass transit, the bus system, more green jobs,” Kealoha said at the “GreenForAll” Kukakuka at Grove Farm Park in Puhi, part of the nationwide Green Jobs Now National Day of Action. “We can take care of ourselves.”
Sustainability and independence were on the minds of other attendees, too.
April Capil, a volunteer with Malama Kaua‘i and an alumnus of the “Green MBA” program at Dominican University in California said Kaua‘i could be a model for other cities and countries.
“We have a luxury in that we’re an island, and we have a border, so we know where our influence stops,” Capil said. “I think that we are so dependent on outside help, but for hundreds of years, this island didn’t need any outside help to feed and clothe and shelter itself.”
Other guest speakers included Glenn Hontz of the Office of Continuing Education and Training for Kaua‘i Community College, Ben Sullivan of Apollo Kaua‘i and Beth Tokioka of the county’s Office of Economic Development.
“In the crisis is an opportunity,” said Mayoral candidate JoAnn Yukimura. “We initiated the energy self-sufficiency plan for this island in 1978, but most people at that time didn’t understand the need to move ahead. Now, because gasoline is almost $5 a gallon, it’s in our face, and we need to move even though the solutions are now harder because we waited too long.”
Yukimura and rival Bernard Carvalho each had the opportunity to discuss their plans for a “green” island and took questions on a range of issues, including sustainable farming, energy independence and GMOs.
“We’ll continue to look at ways to keep our beautiful Garden Island prospering and moving forward and being green, whether it’s through jobs, through recycling issues, whatever it takes to make it happen,” Carvalho said.
After the mayoral candidates, more than a half dozen County Council candidates shared their ideas as well.
“It’s educational not only for the public but for the politicians. It’s a constant barrage of information,” Kealoha said. “Right now it’s just little steps until a switch gets flipped.”
The event, organized by Jonathan Jay, Jimmy Trujillo and Jimmy Torio, also included a farmers’ market and swap meet, a showcase for green products and services, food and refreshments, activities for keiki and live music.
For more information on the Green Jobs Now campaign, visit www.greenjobsnow.com
