Why is there so much talk about sustainability and green business these days? Studies have shown that in the past 30 years, we humans have used up one third of our planet’s natural resources. The United States now has less
Why is there so much talk about sustainability and green business these days? Studies have shown that in the past 30 years, we humans have used up one third of our planet’s natural resources. The United States now has less than four percent of its original forests left and 40 percent of the water in our waterways has been made undrinkable. Though the U.S. has only five percent of the world’s population, we currently consume 30 percent of the world’s resources and create 30 percent of the world’s waste, much of it toxic. If everybody on the planet consumed at the same rate as us in the U.S. we would need three to five planets to supply the resources for it.
This, and other disturbing information, was presented to Kapa‘a High’s Virtual Enterprise class by Jimmy Trujillo, a social activist, instructor at Kaua‘i Community College and member of Zero Waste Kaua‘i. Using a 20-minute video called “The Story of Stuff,” which explains our economic production and consumption patterns and their direct connection to many environmental and social problems, Trujillo helped students understand why sustainability is such an important issue to incorporate into the development of their Virtual Enterprise business, 808 FUSE, this year.
Other guest speakers from the community have come to the class to help students learn about starting a business, as well as about the skills and techniques necessary to run it successfully. David Bown, a Virtual Enterprise program mentor, is a financial planner and founder of “Strategies for Life.” He spoke on the importance of good interviewing skills, such as dressing well, speaking clearly and making eye contact. Bank of Hawai‘i Branch Manager Trevor Durham and Sonia Topio, vice president and business banking manager, discussed the importance of maintaining good credit. Entrepreneur Chris Jaeb, founder of Common Ground in Kilauea and co-founder of Malama Kaua‘i, started the first company to broadcast real-time audio programming on the Internet. He shared the importance of a sound business plan, as well as the need to be passionate about the work one is involved in.
Through the guest speakers who have come to share their experiences, students have learned about important issues, such as business’ relationships with, and responsibilities to, the community and local government. Developing a good relationship with Kaua‘i’s local government can also be helpful.
The Kaua‘i Farm Bureau provides marketing, networking and educational opportunities to small businesses that make or grow local products. Melissa McFerrin, director of the Kaua‘i Farm Bureau, discussed with students the importance of supporting local farmers as she talked about the significance of sustainability on a small island with finite resources. More than 85 percent of Kaua‘i’s food is shipped in and the island’s electricity is generated by burning diesel. This makes Kaua‘i extremely dependent on food and power from other places. Terry Sullivan, who is in charge of advertising and distribution for Kaua‘i’s “Edible Hawaiian Islands” magazine, said that it was a good business idea to use local and recycled resources as much as possible.
Doing this develops relationships in the community, supports other local businesses and helps make local jobs.
“Talking about all these issues has greatly impacted our class,” said Joni Esaki, the company’s public relations officer.
“The ideas for 808 FUSE were originally conceived with a focus on something fun for us to do on Kaua‘i, but now we realize that there are far bigger issues that must be considered if our island and our planet are going to thrive,” said president Gabrielle Buist.
Hearing about the experiences of all these different people on the island has helped students to connect the dots of how to get from the idea of another business idea to developing a business that makes a positive impact on our world.
