PUHI — Earth Day is about doing good for the planet. That’s according to Kauai Community College instructor Brian Yamamoto, who’s college spearheaded an Earth Day celebration on its campus Monday. The students planted trees and greens in observance of
PUHI — Earth Day is about doing good for the planet.
That’s according to Kauai Community College instructor Brian Yamamoto, who’s college spearheaded an Earth Day celebration on its campus Monday.
The students planted trees and greens in observance of the day dedicated to environmental protection.
“We did a last-minute planting with about eight or nine Botany students of native plants in the Hawaiian studies garden,” Yamamoto said. “This way, we will have plants for future generations to learn and talk about.”
Yamamoto said the students were enthusiastic about having something to do instead of just looking at exhibits, or learning about Earth Day-related events.
Student leaders from the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii — Kauai Community College Student Activities Council assembled the annual observance with the goal of heightening awareness while offering positive, practical and sustainable solutions with an atmosphere of food and entertainment.
Laura Kelly, the county’s waste prevention specialist who had a table on recycling, said The Green Pig, a vendor who was also serving lunch, was also walking the talk.
“They use compostables,” Kelly said. “The food might cost a little more because of the compostable containers, but all of the items they serve can go straight into the ‘compostable’ containers at the Zero Waste Kauai stations. That is the ‘green’ in The Green Pig.”
Valerie Saiki of Tobacco Free Kauai showed off a bottle of used cigarette butts collected at Lydgate Park, suggesting that legislation, or a redemption fee, be assessed on cigarettes to keep smokers from littering.
“The filters are made from spun plastic which can be recycled,” Saiki said. “There should be a redemption fee similar to the HI5, perhaps a penny a butt. You pay for it when you purchase cigarettes, but get the refund when you redeem the butts.”
She said they are in the process of organizing a beach cleanup on the Westside focusing on cigarette butts on the beaches.
“It’s all about doing,” Yamamoto said. “Information is fine, but what are you doing about it?”
Earth Day is actually today, but early observance isn’t out of the norm.
On Saturday, 150 people helped clean up Lydgate Park.
Tasks ranged from collecting litter, cleaning up the Morgan’s Ponds beach, clearing green waste from the Hikinaakala Heiau complex, and applying linseed oil wood sealer to the Kamalani Kai Bridge.
Volunteers worked for about a half day, completing all the tasks due to the number of people who turned out to help.
Kalaheo Elementary School fourth grade student Molly Malu traveled from Lawai to be part of the clean up effort.
“I love things Hawaiian and could not miss this,” Malu said.
