green volume 1 number 2

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CONTENTS

10 Editors Note The Air is Electric

14 On The Cover One Step at a Time

16 The Word Preserving Culture and Recreation // Return to Eden // Rewarding Homework // Who Killed the Electric Car // Native Plant Stimulus // Big Island, Big Plans

20 Body & Mind Eating for the Health of the Plant

22 Green Scene Sustainability Festival 2009

24 Style Guide Beachin It

26 Do-It-Yourself Rainwater Catchment for the Urban Gardener

28 Green Economics Solar Hot Water

30 Q & A Brad Albert

34 Planet Earth Harnessing Wave Energy

36 Home: Natural Illumination Using Natural Light to Illuminate the Home

40 Garden: Planting With Purpose The Evolution of a Sustainable Garden

46 Food: Going To Town Flavor the Natural Way

52 Transportation: The Right Track Honolulus Rail Transit System

54 Marketplace Things We Like

56 Advertisers Directory Support Our Advertisers

58 Coming Next Issue

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8 GREENMAGAZINEHAWAII .COM

Customized solar installation in new and older homes

Quality work at an affordable price

Financing available Visa / Master Card / Discover / American Expresss

Phone: (808) 372-6691Fax: (808) 943-1165

www.savingoahussolar.com

35%State Tax

Credit

$1000Utility rebate

for solarhot water

30%Federal Tax

Credit

EDITORS NOTE

The Air Is ElectricSurviving technology

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Nature has a funny way of letting us know whos boss. Take for example flying in an airplane. One of the most unnatural things we as terrestrial human beings have accomplished, yet it is something so mundane that we take the risks and sheer gravity (no pun intended) of traveling through the frigid atmosphere at 30,000 feet for granted. Read a book, watch a movie, get some shut eye, choke down nearly unpalatable single-serving portions of food and five hours later youre on the mainland. Thats how my recent jaunt to Colorado was shaping up. We were going to see my wifes parents since they hadnt seen our daughter since she was born. The trip to LAX was minor and the transition to another airplane bound for Denver was seamless. Only two more hours till a home-cooked meal and a little help with the baby. As luck would have it, one of Denvers famous spring storms was dumping heavy, wet snow on the flat lands and weather conditions were cold, wet and oppressive. We had seen the reports. We had our jackets and we had our daughter layered up and ready, but what we werent prepared for was a brush with mortality. We were 20 minutes out of Denver, descending through the storm system. Outside the window was a fog of pale gray nothingness. We were sitting in the next-to-the-last row in the aircraft. I was holding my sleeping daughter as my wife flipped through the in-flight magazine, killing time. Tha-wack! An explosion detonated outside our window with a blinding white and red fireball flash. My wife, Michelle, grabbed my leg, Oh my god, did you see that? What was that? I dont know, I said in shock, ill-fated scenarios racing through my head. Michelles hands were shaking; she was rattled. I looked down at my 10-month-old daughter, so innocent and beautiful, so unaware.

Theres no way this is it for her, I thought. The engines are up there on the wing, so it isnt like an engine blew up, I quietly tried to rationalize the situation with my wife to remain calm and embrace sanity, and even if one did, they can fly the plane with just one engine. Maybe we were hit by lightning. A stewardess emerged from the back galley, opened a few of the window shades in the rear of the plane, peered outside with concern and then strode into the back. And that was the extent of it. Several passengers who witnessed the explosion all seemed to settle on the collective, unofficial explanation as lightning. It took a few minutes for the adrenaline to subside and my heart rate to return to normal. After the plane touched down and the anxiety waned, I overheard the stewardess mention to another passenger that, in fact, lightning had struck the tail of the plane, a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, as it usually strikes the nose. Once in a lifetimeat least I got that one out of the way unscathed. My in-laws received us at the gate and the freezing temperature and pelting snow bit at my face as we walked to the car. My daughters cheeks were bright red, her first snow. As we left the airport, driving west toward Boulder, another feat of technology came into view. Row upon row, array upon array of solar panels blanketed the prairie, the power source for Denver International Airport. The uniformity and sheer number of panels was mind boggling. Human beings have built machines that fly across oceans, de-signed a panel that can capture the suns energy and power an airport, but as a species on an ecological level, we are no different than the birds we mimic or the sand used to create a single PV cell. All life is fragile and we all breathe the same air. On a grand scale, the Earth is one system. Sometimes all it takes is a brush with unadulterated nature to get your head out of the clouds and bring you back to Earth.Kevin Whitton


Brett Schenk(Realtor, CRS, GRI)

mobile: (808) 222-3366office: (808) 488-1588fax: (888) 602-1957email: [email protected]

Woodstock Properties, Inc.98-211 Pali Momi Street #430 Aiea, Hawaii 96701

Published by Little Tree PublicationsVOLUME 1 // NUMBER 2

EditorKevin Whitton

Contributing WritersJack Kittinger, Aubrey Yee, Jeff Mull,Dr. Mark Shigeoka

Art DirectorKyle Tanaka

Graphic Designer/Web AssistantNicolette Davenport

Staff PhotographersWilli Edwards, Michelle Whitton

Contributing PhotographersIsaac Frazer, Aubrey Yee, Carol Oliva,Kyle Tanaka, Kevin Whitton

Sales and MarketingKyle Tanaka, Kevin Whitton

www.GreenMagazineHawaii.com

GreenP.O. Box 894061Mililani, HI 96789

Green is distributed throughout the state of Hawaii at hardware and home stores, bookstores, grocery stores and retail stores. In addition, Green is also availableat select expos and fairs throughout the year with no cover price.

To subscribe to Green, please contact us [email protected]

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One-way correspondence can be sent to:P.O. Box 894061, Mililani, HI 96789Email editorial inquiries to [email protected]

All contents of this issue of Green are copyrighted by Little Tree Publications, 2009. All rights reserved.

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One Step at a TimeTheres something about a meandering stone path that pulls you softly through a gardenthe uneven texture, the leaf litter, the moss in the cracks and the plants that hang over its invisible barrier and brush against your knees. Leland Miyano installed his stone paths by hand. He rescued all the rocks from a trip to the landfill and has an intimate knowledge of all the functions they perform in his garden, from direct-ing water throughout his verdant sanctuary to directing the wanderer into specific areas of the garden. A path through the garden is reflective of paths we take through life, sustainability being one we share. While some are just taking their first steps down the path of sustainability and others have walked the path for so long they can identify every plant species and understand their unique biology, we can all learn from each other at some level. Green would like to hear your thoughts, feeling and opinions on all things green in Hawaii, from the principles and politics to the stories published on these pages. Your path is unique and your voice is impor-tant. Please send all queries, comments and concerns to the editor at [email protected].

ON THE COVER

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Theres a new wave of habitat restoration taking place in Hawaii: converting farm and ranchland back to their native habitats. The Hawaii Farm Service Agency has put in place the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The program is the first of its kind in Hawaii and looks to restore habitats of native Hawaiian species, improve water quality in stream systems, reduce the spread of invasive species and enhance coastal and coral reef health. A tall order indeed, but the agency believes that incentive rental payments and shared reimbursement for their expenses will persuade farmers and ranchers to voluntarily enroll in the program committed to conservation practices. Their goal is to enroll up to 15,000 acres of marginal pastureland and cropland on six of the main Hawaiian Islands and convert them to natural areas by planting native trees, shrubs, grasses and restoring wetlands. The restoration of habitats will also protect watersheds and riparian areas (stream banks) on agriculture land. The program launches on Hawaii Island and Maui and expands to Molokai, Lanai, Kauai and Oahu from 2010 to 2013.

http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/forestry/crep

Return to Eden

When recreational groups, communities and the people of Hawaii said they wanted improvements to beaches, parks and other recreational facilities, Sen-ate Bill 636, the Recreational Renaissance was designed to address those is-sues. Unfortunately, the bill failed in the Senate, but that hasnt stopped the momentum of broad community support to improve important recreational places. Of leading example is the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the National Park Service and the County of Hawaii recently signing a memo-randum of understanding for cooperative management of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, a proposed 175-mile system of coastal trails that connects historic shoreline communities, national, state and county parks, natural areas, resort and rural communities. It also connects all four National Parks on Hawaii Island and is the only National Historic Trail in Hawaii, one of 18 in the United States. The western shoreline trail traverses the island from Upolu Point through Kohala, Kona, Kau, Puna and terminates at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park boundary. It also contains sensitive Hawaiian cultural and natu-ral resources, as indigenous Hawaiians constructed portions of the trail in stone, which are still used today for coastal access and cultural experiences. This partnership with the State and County will allow for increased community-based involvement in the management of trails that aims at per-petuating traditional practices, protecting cultural and natural resources and meeting the need for recreational opportunities along Hawaii Islands western shoreline, said Aric Arakaki, Superintendent of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. Part of the effort to protect and improve the trail corridor for recreational use will include historic preservation and conservation.

Preserving Cultureand Recreation

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Kids generally balk at the idea of homework, having already spent most of their daylight hours in a classroom. But the Department of Education and the Hawaiian Electric Company have teamed up to teach energy conservation to elementary school kids on Oahu by giving them some homework they can parlay to real world experi-ences. Schools and families participating in the Home Energy Chal-lenge had the opportunity to win $10,000 for their school by decreasing their energy usage at home. Eleven elementary schools embarked last October on a six-month energy conservation curricu-lum. Educational materials were passed out, guest speakers were on hand, workbooks, videos and hands-on displays helped teach children and families low-cost ways to save energy at home. The school whose students home energy use decreased by the largest percentage was the winner. Over the six-month time period, 1,386 families participated and had a total energy savings of 404,123 kilowatt/hours, which translates to $101,030. Mililani Mauka Elementary won the Home Energy Challenge for the second year in a row. Hahaione Elemen-tary took second place and $8,000 and Mililani Ike Elementary won $5,000 for third place. In addition to the energy savings and prize money for the schools, the real winners are the 6,000 keiki who have gained invaluable knowledge to practice and share.

Rewarding Homework

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With Washington dolling out money to speed economic recovery across the U.S., Hawaii is slated to receive almost $4.5 million to fight invasive plant species across the islands. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is distributing the funding as part of the American Recovery and Reinvest-ment Act. The state will select projects on state and private lands and the funding is geared to save native Hawaiian forests and flora as well as create jobs. Senators Inouye and Akaka vowed to continue efforts to get federal funding to fight the challenge of eradicating invasive plants from the islands.

Did you know:In pre-contact Hawaii there were over 1,400 endemic species of plants. Today, Hawaii unfortunately boasts the extinction capital of the U.S.: around 10 percent of the native flora is extinct, about 180 plant species are listed as endangered and rare (50 or fewer individuals remaining in the wild), two-thirds of the native bird species are extinct, more than half of the endemic land snails are extinct and the majority of all the coastal and lowland plant species have been wiped out for quite some time due to human occupation, development and invasive species.

In 1996, the EV1, an electric car built by GM, began to appear all over California. These cars were fast, quiet, stylish, and produced no exhaust. Even more amazing, they ran without any gas at all. You simply plugged in your car at home or at a charging station and a full charge would yield 100 miles of driving. Imagine never having to pump gas again. Your car could charge while you slept and if your house could be powered with re-newable energy the possibility for a fossil free life was nearing reality. Almost 10 years later, the EV1 and its proprietary technology was effectively wiped off the face of the earth. Who killed the electric car? is a captivating documentary exploring the history of the EV1 and its untimely demise. EV1 owners, who still sorely miss their electric car, explain that GM leased them the EV1 and mysteriously recalled the vehicle with no expla-nation and no option to purchase. Even after a solid month of picketing at the recall sites, 24 hours a day, these passionate car owners were not able to get their cars back. Where did the EV1s end up? Crushed in a landfill in the middle of the desert. Sounds like a bad conspiracy theory, but unfortunately its true. Delving into the politics behind the rise and fall of the EV1 opens a window into the larger landscape of oil politics in America. With GM now accepting public taxpayer funds to avoid bankruptcy, one has to wonder if their pandering to political pressures and suppression of electric car technology was ironically one of the keys to their economic downfall. Imagine an American auto industry that was leading the world in alterna-tive fuel technologies. It would be a very different economic picture today. So, who killed the electric car? While there is no one group to blame, this engaging film will open your eyes to the American auto industrytrapped in the past, struggling awkwardly to move into a renewable future. Aubrey Yee

Native Plant Stimulus

Who KilledThe Electric Car

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The Big Island is aptly named not just because of its size, but be-cause the island leads the state in renewable energy generation with 32 percent of their energy coming from renewable resources, mainly geothermal power. Unfortunately, the county itself is one of the biggest users of energy on the island, according to Mayor William P. Kenoi. The county recently acknowledged their grandiose energy budget and decided to scale back in more ways than one. First up on the energy audit was the recently renovated county building in Hilo, where a 100-kilowatt photovoltaic system is being installed to power the building with solar power. In addition to the solar takeover, 21 parking stalls at the building are being equipped with facilities for plug-in electric vehicles. On the leeward side of the island, the West Hawaii county building, which is still under construction, will be outfitted with a 400-kilowatt photovoltaic system and offer 14 parking stalls for recharging electric plug-in vehicles. To make sure the county is doing all it can to turn the tide and become energy efficient, the mayor has appointed an internal, multi-departmental green team to help the county mitigate their energy consumption and do all they can to make the switch to renew-able energy. Mayor Kenoi is also selecting appointees to an energy advisory committee who will be charged with giving the island an all-encompassing energy audit, focusing on ways for the island of Hawaii to be more self-sufficient.

Big Island, Big Plans

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THE WORD

Times have changed, and for the better. We use to think that being healthy meant counting calories and getting the recommended daily numbers of fruits and veggies, maybe even adding minimal exercise to a daily routine. Yes, being aware of what we eat and how much we exercise is very important and still considered healthy for our bodies, but its not the last word in achieving optimal and long-term health. To ultimately achieve our optimal health, we must consider the everyday choices we make for ourselves as well as our environment. The Gaia hypothesis, which simply views the Earth as a single organism, proposes the health of our bodies reflects the health of our environment. It states that all living and non-living parts have a regulatory effect on the Earth as a whole. In other words, the Earth is a mirror of our collective personal and global health. Whether we agree with the Gaia hypothesis or not, we cant help but to notice the daily changes in our environment and how it directly affects us, a constant reminder that we are connected to the Earth. These reminders range from the increased incidence of seasonal allergies and respiratory complaints to the detrimental effects of global warming on sensitive environments and wildlife. As we become more aware of our own health and how it is married to the Earths health, its easy to contemplate, What can I do to bring balance to my health and the health of our Earth? Good question. Here are some answers and ideas to think about when considering daily health choices that can be made for your health as well as the health of Mother Earth.

Grill it. Taking food outdoors to cook is not only a fun summertime event, but also a good way to reduce energy. Grilling on a barbeque uses less energy than cooking on a stove or indoor grill.

Opt for organic. Eating organically grown food reduces your intake of pesticides, insecticides and antibiotics that contaminate the soil and much of the prepackaged and processed food available to the public.

You can taste the difference between organic and nonorganic. Its definitely worth the long-term investment for health and delicious food.

Ditch the plastic bottles. Filling your reusable bottle with purified water from a home water-filtration system is a great habit to get into. You can cut bottled water out of your budget as well as the waste produced from all the small plastic bottles.

Eat Local. When we decide to eat foods that have been grown, harvest-ed, and raised close to our home environment, we reduce the amount of fossil fuels used to transport food and goods to our grocery stores. Local foods are fresher and can contain have more nutrients because of their natural ripening process. Local farmers markets are the best place to get local produce and fare.

Buy Bulk. Buying bulk goods cuts down on paper and plastics used for packaging. Thinking of ways to reduce the amount of environmentally unfriendly waste will cut down on environmental pollutants. Buying bulk goods usually costs less than their packaged counterparts, always a great incentive.

Use reusable grocery bags. We can all relate to coming home from a weekly run to the grocery store and putting away the groceries only to be left with a pile of plastic bags that we dont need. Instead of finding creative ways to horde your plastic bags, use your cloth bags for your next grocery store trip.

By being mindful of our environments health we are being mindful of our own health. Incorporate these healthy eating strategies into your daily life and youll be pleasantly surprised how they will help trans-form your personal health awareness as well as contribute to the sus-tainability and health of the environment. Dr. Summer Baptist, ND

BODY & MIND

The Hand That Feeds YouEating for your health and the health of the planet

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GREEN SCENE

1. Gavin Baer and James Hadde, Sunetric 2. Shannon Yadon, Surfrider Foundation 3. John Sweeney, Styrophobia and Shanah Trevenna, Sustain-able Saunders 4. Sustainability Festival Co-Coordinator Chloe Milligan and volunteer Lindsey Wilde 5. Mayumi Bendiner and Travis Hiramotofrom the HI-5 program 6. Michelle Jones and Caroline Tucker, Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife7. Pamela Boyar and Annie Suite, Haleiwa Farmers Market 8. Blaine Cacho, Corinne Chang, Liane Lum, Kathy Wong and Jan Wassman, HECO9. Mark Cunningham and Katie Killebrew, Defend Oahu Coalition

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Sustainability Festival 2009, University of Hawaii


STYLE GUIDE

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STYLE GUIDE

The weather has warmed up, the sun is out and the days are long. Summer is upon us and theres no better place to enjoy than the beach. With myriad activities in and out of the water, theres alwaysa sustainable choice for the things that fill our beach bag.

1. Patagonia Silk Weight surf shirt A product of the Common Threads Garment Recycle Program, this surf shirt is ultra lightweight, quick drying and made from recycled garments. It is also UV rated to offer protection from the sun.www.mauka2makai.com

2. Rip Curl Jungle Thick Tie Side and Revo Fixed Tri top Bikinis are sustainable by design: they use very little material and make everyone happy. This pair has the added benefit of being constructed with recycled P.E.T. bottles.www.ripcurl.com

3. Rip Curl Tropical womens boardshort Ladies, now you can enjoy a comfortable boardshort made from recycled plastic bottles to match your eco-conscious friends in the lineup.www.ripcurl.com

4. Rip Curl The 40th Searching mens boardshort The boardies are made with recycled P.E.T. bottles and should make you surf better.www.ripcurl.com

5. Alpha Cruiser Classic Talk about a free renew-able resource, pedal power is the way to go to avoid parking altogether.www.bikefactoryhawaii.com

6. Loaded pintail bamboo skateboard No matter how far away you have to park from your favorite patch of sand, the trek is easy with this flexy deck.www.bikefactoryhawaii.com

7. Kahuna Bamboo Big Stick Now you can prac-tice your stand up paddle, or rather stand up push technique on dry land.www.bikefactoryhawaii.com

8. Simple Green Toe slippers These aint your cousins rubber slippers. Green Toes are made from materials like kelp and recycled car tires. Now thats cruising.www.mauka2makai.com

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Beachin ItWhats in your bag?

GREENMAGAZINEHAWAII .COM 25

HOW-TO

Add beauty and nutrients to your catchment barrel by put-ting water plants, like water hyacinth or a water lily, in one of the air vents on top of the barrel instead of covering it with screen. Also, put a couple small fish that can survive in low oxygen environments in the water. The fish add nu-trients to the water and eat mosquito larvae while the water plants offer a hiding spot for the fish as well as foliage and flower for your garden.

There are many types of rainwater catchment systems that are used to capture and store rainwater. Very simple systems capture rainwater for later use in the garden as a means to save the intermittent aqueous resource from a quick journey back to the sea. In urban areas, nearly 55 percent of rainwater becomes runoff that ends up in the ocean. More complex systems capture and store potable water for use in the home: drinking and showering. While gravity and the underlying Archimedes Principle remain constant for any system, one is only limited by imagination as to the design and scope: how much water to collect and where to put it. Jeremai Cann, environmental engineer at The Green House Sustainable Learning Center, demonstrates how to build a simple system to capture rainwater runoff from the rooftop and deliver it to thirsty plants in the garden.

What youll need for a basic rainwater catchment system:Barrel or other heavy-duty storage container, drill, 5/8" drill bit, threading tool, 1/2" tap, Teflon tape, 1/2" hose bib, 3/4" male hose adapter, hose,3" flexible pipe (length depending on distance from rain gutter).

8 Simple Steps1. Acquire a suitable receptacle for holding a large amount of water. There are many options, but for this application, a 55-gallon high-density polyethyl-ene (HDPE) barrel is preferred.

2. If the barrel doesnt have two holes already precut in the top, then cut two holes in the top of the barrel, one for the downspout and one for aeration. Cover the aeration hole with shade cloth attached with rustproof tin coated copper staples to keep the mosquitoes away.

3. Using a 5/8" bit, drill a hole near the bottom, about four inches up from the base.

4. Lay the barrel on its side and thread the hole using a threading tool and 1/2" tap. Make sure to apply ample pressure downward as you turn the tap and be sure you are not threading at an angle.

5. Wind Teflon tape around the threads of a 1/2" hose bib and insert the hose bib into the threaded hole.

6. Drill an overflow hole near the top of the barrel using the 5/8" bit. Thread the hole and insert a 3/4" male hose adapter. This will allow you to connect a length of garden hose so the overflow water drains away from the barrels foundation.

7. Place the barrel high enough off the ground to allow room to attach a hose to the hose bib at the bottom. Cinder blocks work well. Make sure the barrel is at a higher elevation than your garden or what you want to water, to allow gravity to create water pressure.

8. Using a piece of flexible 3" piping, direct the flow from the rain gutter downspout into the opening on the top of the barrel.

To see more photos of rainwater catchment systems and for other workshops offered by The Green House, go to: www.greenmagazinehawaii.com

Rain On MeRainwater catchment for the urban gardener

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GREEN ECONOMICS

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A conventional, electric hot water heater is one of the biggest draws of power, and your hard-earned dollars, in your home. Up to 40 percent of the average monthly utility bill is due entirely to this appliance. Compared to other common appliances, an electric hot water heater can demand almost the twice the amount of energy a month required to run a room air conditioning unit and more than five times the amount of electricity needed to power a clothes dryer. Installing a solar hot water heater is one of the first steps you should take to make your home more energy efficient and save some dough. By having a HECO-approved solar contractor install the system, you can save an addition-al $1,000 right off the top and are eligible for state and federaltax credits.

Lets add up the savings:$5,500 Initial cost of a quality solar hot water system$1,000 HECO/MECO/HELCO rebate$4,500 Total Due$1,575 35% state tax credit$1,350 30% federal tax credit$1,575 Net cost after incentivesAt that price, solar hot water systems pay for themselves in two to three years.

Hot doesnt have to burn:Keep the thermostat on your hot water heater set at 120F to 125F. Reducing the water temperature saves water by reducing heat loss.

Wrap it up:If the tank is warm to the touch, insulate it. Insulating your water heaters storage tank can reduce stand-by heat loss by 25 to 45 per-cent, which translates to a 4 to 9 percent savings in heating costs.

The Scout:HECO offers a $3 credit every month for those eligible and willing to install a free Energy Scout radio device that can temporarily turn off your water heater during times of emergency.

Size matters:Make sure to select the proper water heater tank size. The U.S. Depart-ment of Energy recommends a 60-gallon storage tank for one to three people and an 80-gallon tank for three to four people. If the tank is too large, energy will be wasted by keeping a greater volume of water hot. If its too small, hot water may run out. Yikes.

Saving up for solar:In the meantime, install a timer on your electric hot water heater to limit heating to an hour in the early morning and an hour in the eve-ning, just before you usually use hot water.

Money MachinesThe money saving benefits of solar hot water systems


Q & A

As the alternative energy industry in Hawaii grows by great strides each year with the public mindset shifting to renewable resources and the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative mandating that at least 70 percent of the states power come from clean energy by 2030, solar contractors are still held back by outdated energy policy. Consumers are willing to purchase PV for their homes, but imposed limits on installed PV sys-tems per island capita are stifling the demand. For Brad Albert, owner of Rising Sun Solar Electric, installing solar on rooftops isnt enough to curtail Hawaiis energy quagmire. Brad has made it his lifes work to affect change in the industry by attacking the problem at its source, in the legislature. As president of the Hawaii PV Coalition, a non-profit organization working to promote solar electricity and energy independence for the state of Hawaii through education and outreach, his goals are to get the pubic educated and involved in local energy policy and see to it that PV is accessible and affordable throughout the islands.

What got you involved in Hawaiis energy policy in addition to beinga solar contractor?If you do something like solar, you start to see the big picture and solar is just a part of it. Everything is a circle, just like the recycle logo. Once you see that, youre not going to be happy just installing a few solar systems, because ultimately you want more than just the ones you can put in. You have to be part of your community and part of that is participating in the political process. Furthermore, our industry is

policy driven. Our business will either increase or Ill be laying people off based on what happens with national and state level policy. So it only makes sense, in terms of a self-sustaining interest, to be involved as well. If were successful as an industry that means more people are getting solar power and thats helping the economy. In the renewable energy economy, prosperity is only going to lead to more prosperity versus now, under the carbon-based energy generation model of oil and coal, where were taking resources that are destroying other resources, which eventually is going to really hurt our economy.

How does the Hawaii PV Coalition fit into shaping policy?Theres an industry component and theres an individual member com-ponent to it. People that get PV systems should become part of the PV Coalition because now theyre part of that family. People who want to learn more about solar should also become part of it and also people in the industry that want to promote solar. Were promoting the renewable energy and energy conservation agenda in the state, but specifically PV, because theres no limit to solar hot water systems or light bulbs in your house, but there is a limit for PV. There are also technical debates going on like is it better to have centralized renewable power, like a big wind farm, or is it better to have distributed generation, like PV systems on your house. And the question is not whether its going to be one or the other, but whats the blend and whats better for Hawaii. The PV Coalition is not the driving force behind creating legisla-tion. Unfortunately, were understaffed and theres no Oahu manpower,

Time for ChangeBrad Albert talks solar policy and laying the foundation for sustainable success

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Interview by Kevin Whitton


Q & A

which it would take to do the legislative piece, but it seems like the Hawaii Solar Energy Association is handling that. The HSEA has been more of the lobbying branch and the PV Coalition has been more of the public awareness and support effort. But you need both.

With the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative in place, doesnt a cap or limit to the number of installed PV system in Hawaii seem counter-productive towards that goal?The cap was made so that the public utilities commission can ap-prove limits for different islands. In Kauai, the limit is one percent of peak demand, which means that when the grid is hitting its peak in demand, how every many kilowatts of power that is, one percent of that. Kauai is already at one percent, theyre done. We are limit-ing jobs. There are solar installers on Kauai that are probably out of business that were doing work a year ago. On Oahu, the number is one percent also, but its a much larger grid and the energy rates are a lot less here, so less people have put in systems, so theres still space available. On Maui and the Big Island, we hit the one percent just in the first quarter of the year, but they raised the limit as of December 26, 2008 to three percent, and well be there soon enough. But having a limit is differ-ent than setting a goal. So just the fact that there is a limit discour-ages people and it makes it very difficult for local solar installers.

Who benefits from limiting solar installations?The utilities push back is that potentially the circuits cant handle what they call as available or intermittent power on the electri-cal grid. But there are controls that can go on each individual circuit and there are other ways the grid can be smarter, but that cost has never fully been assessed. The only thing that I think would be a potential public benefit would be that the utility would say were limiting it until we can study our grid and make sure its not going to disrupt our power quality. But they already know they can go to 15 percent without even trying to think about it. Until we have a visible policy that is best practices and makes the most sense to get to our goal the quickest, we are not going to be moving there in an efficient man-ner. People like myself are going to have to spend more time trying to change policy instead of putting in more solar systems.

What changes have you seen over the last five years in your industry? Literally, when I went to Maui in 2003 there were seven solar sys-tems and we installed the eighth one. Well probably do eighty this year. The rate of adoption of new technology is faster now than any other point in history. The solar industry in the U.S. grew by 80 percent just last year. My company in Hawaii grew exactly that amount. We went from seven employees to fifteen. And were using more outside services, which is money going into the economy. But theres a lot of guys, electricians and other trades, that are on the bench and dont have work right now. Theres just not enough people who want solar sys-tems or who are trained to install them. Work force development is the thing, but you cant have the chicken before the egg.

Are you pleased with the progress of people utilizing photovoltaics for home energy needs?The industry is growing, but I feel like it could be a lot more rapid. Ive been doing this for ten years and every year I see more people do it, but also feel like it wasnt enough and there always seems to be a push back from the utility or in the policy. It took an economic

crisis of historic proportion to pass the extension of the tax credit. You would think that its just so obvious thats its just the right thing to do for the economy and the world. It had been introduced 20 times in 2008 to be passed in both the House and Senate, but never passed. They did the right thing for the wrong reasonsonly because there was a crisis that had nothing to do with the environ-mental crisis. It just makes you wonder if this oil-based economy was behind all this, because why wouldnt they want the solar tax credit when its just a smart policy to have.

What can be done to make PV even more sought after?The most empowering thing would be to have a program run by the state or county that says this is how you put energy efficient and energy generating devices on your home and well spoon feed it to you, which has been happening with solar hot water to a degree, and its been successful. Its just a matter of doing that across the board, but it has to be policy driven, creating a policy that is going to influ-ence massive change instead of incremental or isolated change, and thats what the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative is seeking to do. With PV it feels to us like instead of saying, everyone should get one of these on their home or business, the utility is accepting of it, but probably not happy about it. The policy from the state is that PV is available, but theyre not really advertising it or promoting it. Theres no public awareness piece attached to anything that exists. Its supposed to be up to the industry to go out and sell it, but in other places like Berkley, California and Colorado, they came up with a county thing where you get funding by creating a loan that isnt attached to the owner of the house, but attached to the property. In other words, its part of the property tax. If you sell the house, the loan just carries forward. The loan is 0% and secured because its with the property tax, so theres no process to get the loan, because if you pay property tax, which everyone who owns a house does, then you get the loan. If you foreclose, the whole thing just passes to the next owner, so its really clean. This is something that would encour-age a lot of people en masse to get PV on their houses.

What was the energy legislation tucked into the big financial bailout?If you look at the growth on Maui, the number of PV systems installed in the first quarter of 09 was over three times the number of systems installed in 08. And its 100 percent attributable to a policy change that wasnt made by Obama, it was made by the Eco-nomic Recovery Act of 2008, the seven-billion-dollar bailout. To get signatures, they extended the federal tax credit for solar energy and other renewable energies. Its called an ITC and it was going to end at the end of 2008, but they extended it for another eight years and they fixed the language in the bill and thats the important part. Before, in 2008 and going back, you were limited to $2,000 for a PV system and it was supposed to be a 30 percent federal tax credit. If you spent more than $6,000 you were maxing out that credit, you were never getting the full 30 percent. The same thing is true on the state side; on the residential side you were limited to $5,000. So now the feds said theres no more limit, its the whole 30 percent for the next eight years if you invest in renewable energy, solar specifically. Theres a bill right now, SB 464, to make the state tax credit refundable. Thats good because a lot of people dont have state tax liability, or they have very little, so they dont really see a benefit. So between making it unlimited and refundable and what Obama wants to do, which is make the federal one refundable too, if all that hap-pens well get another immediate market reaction.

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PLANET EARTH

Imagine this: Its a beautiful, sunny day at the beach. The waves are rolling in, 2- to 4-foot sets, glassy and perfect. Just a few other surfers share the lineup, loving life. At the same time, just a few miles off shore, snake-like machines are riding those same swells, passively generating electricity. If you think waves are just for surfing, the Pelamis Corporation would like you think again. Founded in 1998 with the aim of devel-oping the first viable wave-energy farm, the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter can now be found in action at the Agucadoura wave farm, five kilometers off the northern coast of Portugal. Here, three of the 140-meter long, 3.5-meter wide cylindrical machines can be seen riding the passing swells. They use energy from the waves to power internal hydraulic motors, which drive generators that create electric-ity. The power is then fed down a cable to the ocean floor which links to the shore, feeding into the citys power grid. Presto, wave energy powering near-by homes. Each Pelamis Wave Energy Converter can conceivably power approximately 500 homes per year, depending on the wave action. It sounds like an ideal solution to the energy crisis, but to some critics, the biggest problem with this technology is its scale. Production of 30 megawatts of energy requires 1 square kilometer of ocean surface to house 40 machines. Considering that a city like Los Angeles uses 13 gigawatts of energy, a sufficient wave farm would have to cover the surface area of 256 square kilometers of ocean. Its hard to justify ty-ing up such a vast swath of ocean. If, however, this technology is used in combination with other alternative energy solutions, it could prove to be a very viable piece of the renewable energy puzzle. What does this mean for Hawaii? For starters, we have some of the most powerful waves per square meter in the world. Then, consider

that each of our islands operates on a stand-alone energy system. With these smaller pockets of energy consumption, a reasonably sized wave farm could provide a considerable portion of each islands energy needs. There are some exciting plans in the works already for wave energy farming in Hawaii. On Maui, the Australian company Oceanlinx Ltd. has announced a plan to farm wave energy for the island with a patented system similar to the Pelamis model. It uses rising and falling sea swells to push a turbine and create electricity. They say this system could be in place off the northeast coast of Maui by 2011, provid-ing up to 2.7 megawatts of energy for the island. The Office of Naval Research is testing another experimental system using buoys outside of Ka-neohe Bay. The traditional buoy shape allows an internal genera-tor to create energy using the up and down bobbing motion. HECO is currently helping with the transfer of the energy to shore. When it comes to renewable energy, there is no one right answer. The future will likely be composed of a combination of technologies suited to a variety of climates and the renewable resources available there. Fortunately for us, Hawaii enjoys an abundance of all things renewable: wind, sun and surf. So the next time youre in the lineup waiting to catch the perfect wave, just think of all that usable energy rolling past you. Thats energy that could one day soon help to power our lives, fossil fuel free. Aubrey Yee

To see the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter hard at work surfingthe high seas, go to: www.greenmagazinehawaii.com

Surfing the High SeasHarnessing wave energy in Spain

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HOME

By Kevin Whitton

Using natural light to illuminate the home


HOME

Kenneth Sheeks a resident of the northern tip of the Big Island, recently remodeled his kitchen. He installed dark, granite counter tops and cherry wood cabinets, a dark wood rich with mood and grain. But immediately after the project was complete, Kenneth noticed some-thing was missing. Light. The dark countertops and cabnitry gave his new kitchen a walk-in closet feel; the furniture absorbed the light, making the space feel small and cramped. But instead of installing more light fixtures to solve the problem, Kenneth opted for natural lighting to brighten the space, an energy-saving option those in the know are embracing with open arms. The appliance is not new, but the technology and performance are. In fact, solar light tubes, tubular skylights or tubular daylighting devices, whichever you prefer to call them, have been around nearly

20 years, lighting peoples homes naturally. But with the recent, widespread focus on sustainable design and energy- and cost-saving upgrades in the home, solar light tubes offer attractive ways to light large spaces in your home during the day, without ever having to flip on the light switch. Every home is plagued with the common problem, an office with-out a window to call its own, a dark bathroom, a long hallway or a room on the north side of the house that receives only reflected light. If you have to turn a light on in your home during the day, then you have the ideal place for a tubular skylight. The name says it all and solar tubes are just thattubes that ex-tend from the roof to the ceiling and bring natural light into the home. The actual tube can range in size from ten to twenty-one inches in diameter, depending on how much space you need to light. The tubes

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HOME

can be angled and adjusted to fit in most attic spaces, so that no structural adjustments are necessary. In fact, licensed contractors can complete an installation in about two hours. So how does it work? The dome on the roof captures sunlight coming from just about any angle, at any time of day, and focuses it into the tube. The tube itself is made of highly reflective material and the light reflects and refracts as it travels through the tube. Before the light exits the tube and enters your home, it refracts one more time through a diffuser, the cap you see inside your home, which resembles typical recessed lighting. Cool, natural light is spread evenly around the room and the electric lights can stay off, morning, noon and eve-ning. There are only several majors brands of solar light tube used by contractors in Hawaii, so make sure and do some comparative shopping first. Of utmost importance, the dome on the roof should be made of high grade acrylic that is weatherproof and can withstand high impact. In addition, the dome should offer at least 95 percent UV protection, which keeps the sun from bleaching carpet and furniture. Different brands will offer different upgrades, like single and double light fixtures inside the tube, ventilation kits for bathrooms and dim-mer kits, so you can essentially turn off the natural light. They also of-fer diffusers made from different materials that alter the color and feel

of the incoming daylight, depending on your preference. For instance, frosted diffusers broadcast cool, soft and even light, while other lenses deliver crystal clear, bright and sharp daylight. What size is right for your dark room? Generally, a 10-inch device will spread light up to 150 square feet. Compared to light bulbs, it would take 300 watts of energy to power bulbs that bright and far. For residential applications the next size up is a 13- to 14-inch tube and has a coverage area of up to 300 square feet and the wattage equiva-lent of almost 500 watts. For larger spaces, 18- and 21-inch light tubes are available. Another advantage to the solar light tube is that there is no heat gain to the living space that is associated with incandescent bulbs or traditional skylights. The air trapped in the tube acts as insulation and the diffuser cap remains cool to the touch. The monthly savings in the utility bill comes from cutting out the energy needed to power light bulbs on a daily basis and the additional cooling necessary to offset that source of heat. Now you can stop wasting energy with electric lighting during the day and take advantage of sunlight to brighten up your home naturally. Where light from a light bulb will have a line of demarcation and a shadow, light from solar light tube is pure light cast evenly in all direc-tions, sans electricity.

The cost of a solar light tube is about one-third the cost of a traditional skylight and installs in two hours, rather than two to three days.

The sun light reflects downthe reflective tube to itsdesired location in the house.

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OUTDOOR


What is a weed? I have heard it said that there are sixtydefinitions. For me, a weed is a plant out of place.Donald Culross Peattie (1896-1964), botanist and author

For some, gardens are an extension of their physical prop-erty, a natural space to compliment the home. For others, gardens are an extension of their psyche, an expansion of ideas, a place to let the mind wander and a place to establish a tangible connection to the earth. For the latter, sustainable landscaping makes sense because it involves practices and analysis more closely tied to the ecosystem where the garden grows. What exactly is a sustainable garden? Is it filled with native Hawaiian plants? Does it conserve water and use recycled materials? Are the plants useful in some way, whether for food, medicine or material? Are the bugs out of control? The answer is not so black and white. As Leland Miyano, landscape designer, sculptor and naturalist, would tell you, its a continual work in progressa controlled ecological experiment. Gardens are site specific and gardener specific, so no two are alike. But the principles behind sustainable garden-ing, though many and diverse, can offer a rewarding venture for the conscious gardener as well as the environment, no matter what the combination of conditions and practices. Taking advantage of the local ecology in your specific area, like temperature and rainfall, and using them to your advan-tage is simply the key. Leland saunters down one of the many dry-laid stone paths that wind through his one-acre backyard garden. Some of the stones are large, flat and rectangular, stones he retrieved from a swimming pool excavation that were headed for the landfill. Artfully juxtaposing the angular stones are round and smooth cobblestones, which were found in the

Words and photos by Kevin Whitton

The evolution of a sustainable garden

OUTDOOR


farmers fields near his home. Situated in the Kaalaia Valley on the windward side of Oahu, the private botani-cal retreat was never meant to be a public place, but his efforts to grow natives, be water wise and use recycled materials have transformed the garden into a living demonstration in sustainable gardening techniques and an educational arena. And Leland is embracing his role as ecological designer and educator. I would call myself a naturalist. I love all of natural history, not just the plants, but the animals, everything thats impacting this place, says Miyano, as he wanders through his garden complete with canopy, understory and groundcover. He pulls weeds and dead leaves as he walks and throws them into strategic piles along the pathway. Thats as opposed to a specialist. A specialist tends to look at one thing and theyre not looking at the ecology of something. Im always looking for more naturalists in this world because I think that too many people are specialists. You have to be a naturalist or generalist thinker in order to see the big picture and to see this thing as a holistic system that somehow works together. Thats why I keep my options open so I can understand what Im seeing in front of me. Then I analyze that and make

my decisions and thats why Im trying not to make too many rules for myself here because this is a grand ex-periment. Its not necessarily a designed garden, but the plants are driving the design, or the ecology is driving the design. And yet it still has to be a livable and usable space. Leland sets the bar by defining his sustainable garden with loose guidelines while working within the ecology of the valley: low maintenance, using natives when possible, being water wise and growing plants with purpose or utility. What started out more than 25 years ago as a field with several invasive trees has transformed over the decades into a lush garden that is self-sustain-ing and productive. I dont have an irrigation system.I rely on the rain. I dont want this garden to be depen-dant on me, says Miyano. To accomplish this, Leland is growing plants that thrive in the particular microclimate in which he lives. The valley receives more than 70 inches of rain per year and Leland has designed the dry-laid stone pathways to move water through the garden as it percolates down through the stone. Following several of these paths to the back of the garden, Leland surveys the young starts growing in the

OUTDOOR


OUTDOOR

top left: Compost rich in nutrients and microorganisms is the cornerstone of any healthy garden. Lelands small pile is one of many throughout his garden.top right: This Panax species of tree is commonly called the Palau Bowl because its cup-shaped leaves are useful as a vessel.bottom left: Termite-ridden remains of the previous shade house frame built from reclaimed lumber, still of use in the garden.bottom right: Epiphytes like this vibrant staghorn fern thrive in the moist Kaalaea Valley.


nursery. Set on brick recovered from a contractors dump run, hundreds of species of exotic and native plants spread their roots in small growing containers resting on stainless steel refrigeration racks from WWII and recycled-plastic benches, which he prefers to reclaimed lumber because they are termite resistant. Old restaurant stainless steel sinks and racks hold a potpourri of gardening supplies. He points out one of his mulch piles on the other side of the path, a 6-foot high, 12-foot long pile of organic debris. He started this pile a year ago and plans to harvest in about six months, digging out bucket loads from the bottom of the pile. As part of his penchant for low maintenance, he doesnt turn his piles, allowing the breakdown process to run its natural course. He refers to this pile as the small compost pile. Leland explains that while growing his garden of experimentation and design, if plants dont do well on their own, they tend to get shuffled out of the deck, his method coming from years of species analysis. The one thing that I do not want in here are invasive plants. Some plants may not be invasive for a long time and then they start manifesting characteristics that are too much for me to handle and then they are edited out. For the humble naturalist, native plants are important in the garden, but not the end-all be-all for a sustainable garden. According to Leland, the natural ecology of pre-contact Hawaii is so altered, that a mix of exotics and natives works best for him. I have a lot of native plants planted in and amongst things. I try to grow non-invasive ground covers that are easily gotten rid of if I have to take them out, says Miyano, just waiting for the natives to grow, because a lot of the native species are a little slower to grow. As the native plants get a little larger and more vigorous, I take out the other ground covers. I grow herbs as ground covers too. Im trying to introduce more of the edible compo-nentItalian parsley, peppers, basilbut its all part of the landscape. In addition to the ongoing work designing and planting in the garden, Leland toys around with hybrid-izing ti to develop disease resistant varieties of the plant so people can enjoy trouble-free ornamentals for their homes without having to spray chemical pesti-cides. He also is working to develop disease resistant o-hia lehua, which is taking a big hit on Oahu from o-hia rust. The whole garden is attempting to be sustain-able, continues Miyano. I say attempting because its a process. I make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes, but if you observe and trust your own eyes you can see what works and what doesnt. And things may change, for example I have a lot of plants that I dont know ex-actly what the growth rate of the plant will be, but Im not trying to control the growth of that plant, Im trying to see what it will do in this ecology. To answer our question about what components are required for a sustainable garden, the one thing that holds constant is to make sure that no plant is out of place.

OUTDOOR


FOOD

Words by Jeff Mull // Photos by Kevin Whitton

Local first, organic whenever possible, with aloha always


FOOD

Dawn. As the budding sun pulls itself over the horizon, shedding light upon the coming morning, Dave Caldiero, chef at Town Restaurant in Kaimuki, has his eyes keenly trained to the local produce just unloaded at the Diamond Head Farmers Market. Hes looking for only the freshest of greens and the juiciest of fruits, because thats all that makes it into his kitchen at Town. Situated in the beating heart of Kaimuki along Waialae Avenue, Town has become a staple eatery among those in the know. Since opening their doors to a loud cry of approval from the local foodies and run-of-the-mill diners alike in 2005, Town has forged itself into one of the most revered and environmentally respected restaurants in the Honolulu dining scene. Walking past the herb garden that skirts the sidewalk near the faade of the restaurant, the gastronomical experi-ence of eating at Town literally begins before you walk in the door. The

unmistakable bite of rosemary lingers in the air, prepping your palette for whats to come. Basil, as verdant a shade of green as anything youll find along the Pali, stands at attention, ready to be picked and placed in one of the restaurants signature homemade, hand-cut pasta bowls. Inside the building, the light base of lounge music glides through the air, giving the eatery a livelihood that feels as comfortable as any of your favorite neighborhood digs. Once seated, you wont find a haughty wait staff or stiff-lipped maitre d standing vigil, but you will be presented with down-home flavors and a T-shirt-wearing staff that represent the bounty of local produce, fish and game prepared with a wealth of culinary knowledge and a flare for the fantastic. Tucked away in the back corner and seated at one of the few empty tables during the lunch rush, Chef de Cuisine Caldiero takes an


hour off from working the line for our interview. Hes not wearing the traditional white chefs coat emblazoned with his name and culinary title. No, hes adorned like your average 30-something island hipster, trimmed in jeans and a faded T-shirt. He nurses a warm cup of black Italian coffee sans sugar and, despite being a man that has been on his feet cutting, chopping, sauting and roasting for the past five hours, he remains remark-ably alert and well spoken. Ive never really been into wearing a chefs coat or anything like that, he says with a wry grin as he takes another sip of his mid-afternoon mud. Everyone in the kitchen knows who I am alreadyso whats the point? Caldieros cool-as-cucumbers demeanor and unpretentious attitude serve as a gateway into the soul of the restaurant. Although the dcor is not overstated and stiff, it drips a sense of modernity and chicness that isnt always present in the Honolulu restaurant scene. The tables at Town are not draped with overly-starched linens, but are instead constructed of brushed stainless steel. The menus, written and updated daily according to whats fresh and seasonal, are typed in an old news-print font and are bound to a sheet of thick cardboard by a nifty metal clip. The food is a contemporary take on traditional heart-warming Italian joined by a modern American flair and has kept diners singing to the tune of mouth-watering praise. Perhaps the most remarkable of all elements that have forged Towns success may not lie directly in the kitchen, but with the local farmers and producers they have worked so closely with since opening their doors over four years ago. More than just choosing to support local vendors, the crew at Town are committed to keep-ing their environmental impact as minimal as possible. From the fry grease that becomes biodiesel to the worm bin in the back of the restaurant to the biodegradable take-out containers, its clear as crystal that Town is damn serious about sustainability. We take a lot of pride in always trying to work with the local farmers and to support what they do. We dont want a tomato that was ripened in the back of a truck or anything. Im of the mindset that food doesnt always need to be complicated. To me, a tomato for instance, tastes the best when its picked fresh with just a little bit of salt, pepper and olive oil. Our motto here is local first, organic when possible, and aloha always and we really stick to that principle. Originally hailing from New York City, Caldiero came to the islands after attending culinary school back east. Upon graduating, he worked a brief-but-enlighten-ing stint in a small French restaurant. Culinary schools great, but it can only teach you so much. When you graduate, you know the basics and how to hold a knife, but youve got to get into the kitchen before you can really understand what its all about, he says. Upon returning from Europe, Caldiero made his way to Hawaii where he worked under local Italian restau-rateur Chef Donato for a few years before starting Town with fellow chef and owner Ed Kenney, a man equally

above: Chef de Cuisine Dave Caldiero shows off his pride and joy, a colorful mix of locally grown cherry tomatoesas fresh as it gets.below: For Caldiero, simplicity is the key and his humble, hard-working approach to tasty, natural food is apparent in his disdain for traditional chefs attire.

FOOD


above: Towns burger is one of their top sellers. Hand-crafted patties from locally raised Big Island and North Shore Cattle Company beef pack more than enough flavor to make any omnivore weak at the knees.below: Caldiero stretches homemade focaccia bread by hand.

skilled behind a knife and range as he is he at running a successful business. In the unlikeliest of events, the duo met playing ultimate Frisbee. Over time, the pair became friends and soon realized that they both held similar interests and approaches to what cuisine is, and how it should be presented. A few months later,a little salt, a little pepper, a lot of work and voila`, Town was born. When we first opened, we had really hoped that people would be receptive to the restaurant and the whole way we approach food and using local produce, says Caldiero, but you just never know. But so far, weve been really lucky and have hada really steady flow of customers. Caldiero understates the success of the restaurant. After keeping a steady base of well-fed and happy clientele, they expanded to open up a sister restaurant in the Hawaii State Art Museum on South Hotel Street, aptly named Downtown. Utilizing the same methodology that has proven to be so successful, Downtown caters to the Honolulu 9-to-5ers looking to grab a quick, tasty bite to eat. Since opening, both Town and Downtown have been featured on Conde Nastes Restaurant Hot List. If you ask Caldiero about the positive press and media coverage the restaurantshave received, hell tell you that even though its exciting, theyre in the business be-cause they love it. Additionally, you cant speak to Caldiero without the word family infiltrating the conversation. Its a dynamic that sits at the very base of the restaurant. For us, family is everything. From the people that work here to our own fami-lies, its a very important part of working here. Were not open on Sundays, as an example, and thats so we can all have that time off to just hang out and relax away from work. Caldiero speaks the truth. On any given day, its not uncommon to see either his wife, or partner Ed Kenneys wife, seating people at the front of the restaurant. Its clear that for both families, running Town is a labor of love and is something that they hope to continue to do in the coming years. When asked about where he sees the future of the restaurant moving forward, Caldiero and Kenney both remain optimistic that their unique take on cuisine and utilizing fresh, local produce will continue to support their growth. You never knowmaybe another restaurant? says Caldiero with a laugh. Lets hope hes not kidding.

FOOD


Honolulus proposed rail transit system might have slipped temporarily out of the public buzz domain, over-run by news of the nations economic implosion, severe declines in tourism and the completely-blown-out-of-proportion swine flu. But progress is quietly being made on the 20-mile elevated transportation alternative. The final Environment Impact Statement will be published later this summer and if approved by the Federal Trans-portation Administration, local construction crews will

TRANSPORTATION

The Right TrackHonolulu moving at the speed of rail transit


be breaking ground in east Kapolei by the end of 2009 for the first leg of the route to Leeward Community College. The entire system will be elevated around 25 feet off the ground to separate the train from the traffic below. Passenger stations will have an open air design and utilize cooler, industrial fabrics instead of plastics or metals. The trains storage and maintenance facility is being designed to LEED Silver Certification standards and the project is directly and indirectly creating an estimated 11,000 jobs. Planners are looking at ways to allow riders to bring bicycles on the train and once the 20-mile stretch

to Ala Moana Center is complete, county bus routes will be reconfig-ured for lighter duty. The U.S. Department of Energy states that rail uses on average 25 percent less energy per passenger mile than cars and 40 percent less for trucks. With a projected ridership of 95,000 passengers per day, thats a significant energy savings. Couple that with the rail systems goal of being powered by alternative energies like solar, wind and hydrogen power, this mass transit system has the capability of decreasing Honolulus carbon footprint in more ways than just reducing the number of cars on the road.

TRANSPORTATION


Haleiwa Farmers Market50 booths offering a wide variety of the freshest local produce, artisan foods, childrens activities & live music. Haleiwa Farmers Market encourages everyone to buy locally, bring your own shopping bag and help to green Oahu one Sunday at a time.

Haleiwa Farmers MarketNorth Shore, OahuSundays 9am-1pm808.388.9696www.haleiwafarmersmarket.com

Bonafacio Dining TableThis beautiful table is made entirely of reclaimed teak. Wood that was once an old home or railway track has found a fabulous new life. Priced at $2,150

Pacific Home420 Ward AvenueHonolulu, Hawaii 96814808.596.9338www.pacific-home.com

RC Green SofasA fabulous new line of 100% green Sofas - recycled steel springs and FSC certifed wood frames, non-toxic, water-based, formaldehyde-free glues and stains. The cushions are made of natural latex wrapped in 100% organic wool and organic cotton with pillows of natural feathers. A wide range of upholstery options are available using natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, hemp, and bamboo. Prices depends on style and fabric chosen.

Megagarden SystemGet the convenience of an Ebb & Flow System in a 22 x 22 x 10 size garden by Hydrofarm. Ebb & Flow Sys-tems work by pumping nutrient solu-tion up from a reservoir to a controlled water level tray. All plants are watered uniformly on a timed cycle.

Hawaiian Hydroponics4224 Waialae AvenueHonolulu, Hawaii 96816808.735.8665

Green-Core CabinetryBalancing durable cabinetry and envi-ronmental responsibility, Crystal offers Green-Core and Green-Core Plus with no added urea formaldehyde, 100% recycled, low-emitting, and rapidly-renewable cabinet components.

Archipelago HawaiiRefined Island Designs560 N. Nimitz Hwy Ste 121-AHonolulu, Hawaii 96817808.536.7739www.archipelagohawaii.com

Ice StoneIceStone durable surfaces are made from 100% recycled glass and cement to create a high performance, green concrete material. IceStone is an ideal choice for countertops, backsplash, bathroom vanities, table tops, bar tops, interior walls and commercial flooring applications. Cradle to Cradle Gold Certification.

MARKETPLACE


Converse EyewearConverse All-Star eyewear, inspired by urban street wear. Great eye protection on a bike ride, hike, kayak adventure or a day at the beach. Models for men and women, available in a variety of colors, Converse All-Star Sunglasses ensure youre covered. Literally.

Paradise Eyewear1415 South King StreetHonolulu, Hawaii 96814808.955.3532

Bokashi100% natural, biologically active and safe compost that will reduce odor of food and pet wastes and serves as a soil rejuvenator to provide for the best healthy, disease-resistant plants. Bokashi is a symphony of beneficial microbes that produces nutrients, an-tioxidants and better aeration for soils and plants. $14.99 5-pound bag

www.bokashicenter.com

Spiritual Stones HawaiiEvery morning, select three stones for daily inspiration and apply these mes-sages to your days experiences. See how these words of wisdom can lead to more clarity of thought! 32 river stones, each engraved with a different word to live by. $45 per set

Spiritual Stones Hawaii2111 S. Beretania St. Suite102Honolulu, Hawaii 96826808.228.7432www.spiritualstoneshawaii.com

Teco PotteryIconic ceramic vases designed by architects of the Prairie School at the turn of the last century, each piece is proudly produced in the US and each high quality reproduction maintains the integrity of its original pottery design. Available in many colors and styles. Starting at $95 each

SoMace808.593.8780www.somacedesign.com

Eco-friendly goodiesLocated in the heart of Manoa in the Manoa Marketplace, the Red Ginger Cafe and gift shop features eco-friendly products for everyone to enjoy. Organic candies, handbags made of recycled materials and other made in Hawaii items are just a few things to name.

Red Ginger Cafe2752 Woodlawn Drive 2nd FloorHonolulu, Hawaii 96822808.988.0588www.redgingercafemanoa.com

Soh Bright collectionby Kaypee SohProduced from original master molds of post WWII Danish Modern design, these table lamps with custom Kaypee Soh shade designs are both high qual-ity and unique. The heavyweight fine stoneware bases are handmade in the USA, as well as the shades.

SoMace808.593.8780www.somacedesign.com

MARKETPLACE


98-129 Kaonohi StreetAiea, Hawaii 96701808.488.1375www.downtoearth.org

Haleiwa Farmers MarketNorth Shore, Oahuwww.haleiwafarmersmarket.com

Jamba Juicewww.jambajuicehawaii.com

Red Ginger Cafe & Gift Shop2752 Woodlawn Drive 2nd FloorHonolulu, Hawaii 96822808.988.0588www.redgingercafemanoa.com

Garden // LandscapeHawaiian Hydroponics4224 Waialae AvenueHonolulu, Hawaii 96816808.735.8665

Hui Ku Maoli OlaHawaiian Plant Specialists46-403 Haiku RoadKaneohe, Hawaii 96744www.plantnativehawaii.com

Koolau Farmers1199 Dillingham Blvd # C109 Honolulu, Hawaii 96817808.843.0436

45-580 Kamehameha HighwayKaneohe, Hawaii 96744808.247.3911

1127 Kailua RoadKailua, Hawaii 96734808.263-4414

Health // FitnessAlice Inoue2111 South Beretania St. #102Honolulu, Hawaii 96826808.598.2655www.aliceinoue.com

BHIP Energy [email protected]

Joy of PilatesHaleiwa, Oahu808.744.2335www.joyofpilateshawaii.com

Wellness Lifestyles2111 South Beretania St. #102Honolulu, Hawaii 96826808.941.7676www.wellnesslifestyleshawaii.com

Home FurnishingsArchipelago HawaiiGentry Pacific Design Center560 N. Nimitz Hwy, Ste 121-AHonolulu, Hawaii 96817808.536.7739

Kai Ku Hale66-145 Kamehameha Hwy.Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712808.636.2244www.kaikuhale.com

Pacific Home420 Ward AvenueHonolulu, Hawaii 96814808.596.9338

4450 Kapolei Parkway #106Kapolei, Hawaii 96707808.674.9338www.pacific-home.com

SoMace1115 Young StreetHonolulu, Hawaii 96814808.593.8780www.somacedesign.com

Home ImprovementsAce Hardware3384 Waialae AvenueHonolulu, Hawaii 96816808.732.2891

Energy Unlimited808.533.0356

Hawaiian Island Solar111 Hekili Street Suite A462Kailua, Hawaii 96734808.489.2026

Hawaii Skylights and Solar FansP.O. Box 1169Kapaau, Hawaii 96755808.345.1779www.hawaiiskylights.com

Inter-Island Solar Supply761 Ahua StreetHonolulu, Hawaii 96819808.523.0711 Oahu808.329.7890 Kona808.871.1030 Mauiwww.solarsupply.com

Rays Solar Fans808.258.7366www.rayssolarfans.com

Saving Oahus Solar808.372.6691www.savingoahussolar.com

Solar Professionals96-1362 Waihona StreetPearl City, Hawaii 96782808.778.3538

ActivitiesHawaii Polo Clubwww.hawaiipolo.com

Hawaiian Electric Companywww.heco.com

Waimea Valley59-864 Kamehameha Hwy.Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712808.638.7766www.waimeavalley.net

ApparelMuumuu Heaven767 Kailua Road, #100Kailua, Hawaii 96734808.263.3366www.muumuuheaven.com

Paradise Eyewear 1415 South King StreetHonolulu, Hawaii 96814808.955.3532

Stylus Honolulu2615 South King Street #301Honolulu, Hawaii 96826808.951.4500www.stylushonolulu.com

Food // BeveragesCoffee Talk3601 Waialae AvenueHonolulu, Hawaii 96816808.737.7444

Down To Earth2525 South King StreetHonolulu, Hawaii 96826808.947.7678

201 Hamakua DriveKailua, Hawaii 96734808.262.3838

ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY

Support Our Advertisers When contacting our advertisers, please be sure to mention that you saw their ad in Green. Mahalo!


Sun Energy Solutions1124 Fort Street Mall #204Honolulu, Hawaii 96813808.587.8312www.sunpowerhawaii.net

The Green House224 Pakohana StreetHonolulu, Hawaii 96813808.524.8427www.thegreenhousehawaii.com

KeikiDolphin Diaper Service LLC.2302 Coyne StreetHonolulu, Hawaii 96826808.261.4775www.DolphinDiaperService.com

OrganizationsHawaiI Conservation Alliance1151 Punchbowl St., Rm 224Honolulu, Hawaii 96813808.586.0916www.hawaiiconservation.org

Real EstateWoodstock Properties, Inc.Brett Schenk98-211 Pali Momi Street #430Aiea, Hawaii 96701808.488.1588www.brettschenk.com

Cadmus Properties Corp.332 North School StreetHonolulu, Hawaii 96817808.531.6847

ServicesMobotech824 Bannister StreetHonolulu, Hawaii 96819808.841.0005

L & O Contractors808.227.0321

Pro Glass Tinting Specialist808.221.1150

Salon Utopia1130 Koko Head Avenue #1Honolulu, Hawaii 96816808.732.7124

State Farm Insurance1221 Kapiolani BoulevardHonolulu, Hawaii 96814808.593.9288

MauiDown to Earth305 Dairy RoadKahului, Hawaii 96732808.877.2661www.downtoearth.org

Hawaiian Moons Natural Foods2411 South Kihei RoadKihei, Hawaii 96753808.875.4356www.hawaiianmoons.com

Lahaina Design Center75 Kupuohi Street, #103Lahaina, Hawaii 96761

Mana Foods49 Baldwin AvenuePaia, Hawaii 96779808.579.8078www.manafoodmaui.com

Pacific HomeLahaina Design Center75 Kupuohi Street, #103Lahaina, Hawaii 96761www.pacific-home.com

COMING NEXT ISSUE

Aquaculture, farming freshwater and saltwater creatures like fish, has been around for thousands of years. Hydroponics, growing plants in nutrient rich water, is over 100 years old. Aquaponics, a relatively new method of sustainable farming, merges these two methods of growing and harvesting fish and plants, each benefiting the other in a closed and controlled cycle. The fish fertilize the plants and the plants, substrate and microorganisms filter the water the fish live in. Its a simple and economic way to grow herbs, fruits and vegetables, whether growing food for your family or to support a community. Also featured in the Fall issue of Green: an off-the-grid home on the windward side of Oahu built with reclaimed lumber; the incredible story of a man who returned to his homeland on Molokai and created a sustainable tropical flower business; I do, not want to harm the environmentenergy-neutral weddings.

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to:

Kev

in W

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on

R E S I D E N T I A L

C O M M E R C I A L

www.risingsunsolar.com

design|build solar systems.

Lic # C-28184

C h a n g e y o u r p o w e r C h a n g e y o u r p l a n e t

C a l l t o l e a r n t h e b e n e f i t s o f g o i n g s o l a r . 5 7 9 - 8 2 8 7P r o v e n Q u a l i t y a n d R e l i a b l e S e r v i c e


Pho

to:

Kev

in W

hitt

on

R E S I D E N T I A L

C O M M E R C I A L

www.risingsunsolar.com

design|build solar systems.

Lic # C-28184

C h a n g e y o u r p o w e r C h a n g e y o u r p l a n e t

C a l l t o l e a r n t h e b e n e f i t s o f g o i n g s o l a r . 5 7 9 - 8 2 8 7P r o v e n Q u a l i t y a n d R e l i a b l e S e r v i c e

green volume 1 number 2

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