terra talk

A couple weeks ago I had the fortunate opportunity to complete a three-part course on “User Experience” at Pacific New Media, located at the University of Hawaii’s Outreach College in Manoa.

Visiting artist, Maria Giudice, CEO of Hot Studio in San Francisco, cleverly delivered a mountain of valuable information on how to create a successful user experience for the web.

Over the weekend we covered Project Management, Interface Design and Brand, Content and Visual Strategy. To sum it all up, these classes were designed to help us students gain a better understanding of what makes a website successful for both the client and the user.

Even though the focus was on the website experience, I felt the model could be useful for a variety of business types. The class was great fun and I walked away with a ton of ideas and inspiration. Thanks Maria!

If you’ve ever driven down a country road where corn is the only thing you see for miles and wondered where it all ends up than “King Corn” is the movie for you. Even if you already know about the corn industry, this documentary will help to reinforce the fact that you need to pay attention to what you eat.

As a member of Netflix, I watched this movie instantly a couple weeks ago on my computer. It is an easy to follow documentary that covers the process of how corn is grown, how the corn farming business has transformed over the years into the booming business that it is today and what the corn is mainly used for.

After watching the movie, you’ll probably find yourself digging through the kitchen cupboards reading all the labels. Great movie!

Most of us have been aware for some time that a good percentage of the food we consume these days may contain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). I decided to take a deeper look into the issue and decided that it is definitely something not to overlook while you are out shopping for groceries.

According to the Institute for Responsible Eating, GMOs have been linked to possible toxins, allergens, carcinogens, new diseases, antibiotic resistant diseases, and nutritional problems.

In the United States, commercialized GM crops include soy, cotton, canola, corn, zucchini and yellow squash, Quest® tobacco, and our very own Hawaiian Papaya. Any products that are made with any of these ingredients can contain GMOs.

Other sources are:
• Dairy from cows injected with rbGH
• Food additives, enzymes, flavorings, and processing agents, including the sweetener aspartame (NutraSweet®) and rennet used to make hard cheeses
• Meat, eggs and dairy products from animals that eat GM feed
• Honey and bee pollen that may have GM sources of pollen
• Contamination or pollination caused by GM seeds or pollen

You are guaranteed a product that is free of GMOs when you buy organic. Another option is to grow your own vegetables, but you’ll have to do some research to make sure that the seeds or plants that you are getting do not come from a GM crop.

Because the US does not require GMO labeling and we rarely have time to read labels, I strongly recommend downloading a copy of the “Non-GMO Shopping Guide”. For more details about GMOs visit the Institute for Responsible Technology.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was developed in 1993 to combat habitat destruction, water pollution, displacement of indigenous peoples and violence against people and wildlife that often accompanies logging.

When a tree-based product, such as paper, is labeled FSC-certified, it verifies that it comes from a forest with the highest social and environmental standards. By supporting and purchasing these products we are helping to sustain our forests and to prevent future damage to the delicate eco-systems that are affected by the logging industry around the world.

Various retailers, such as The Home Depot, Lowes and Kinko’s regularly stock FSC products.

For printing needs there are various FSC-certified printers on the island of Oahu that can print a job using the FSC logo. When this logo is printed on a brochure, for example, it verifies that it went through the entire FSC chain-of-custody. So everything is FSC-certified from the forest that the paper came from to the printer where the brochure was printed.

FSC-CERTIFIED PRINTERS IN HAWAII

Edward Enterprises, Inc. 641 Waiakamilo Road, Honolulu HI 96817, 808-841-4231

Electric Pencil 501 Summer Street Suite 3b1, Honolulu HI 96817, 808-441-4411 

Hagadone Printing Company 274 Puuhale Rd., Honolulu HI 96819, 808-847-5310

Pioneer Ventures Inc. dba Fisher Printing 919 Kekaulike St., Honolulu HI 96817, 808-537-3966

Service Printers Hawaii Inc 1829 Dillingham Blvd, Honolulu HI 96819, 808-841-7644 

Since the invention of modern-day plumbing, humans have been consuming more water than ever before. Our demand for water is growing as our population grows. And in Hawaii, drought due to lack of rain has been putting a damper on our water supply over the last several years. With this in mind, now is the time for us to begin to think twice before we turn on the faucet.

To give an example, one 10-minute shower can easily use 30-60 gallons of water, which is something we rarely think about while we are lathering up after a long day of work or play. We are so spoiled that we often fail to realize that some people in the world are lucky if they get one gallon of water to use a day. 

In Hawaii the main source of drinking water is groundwater, which is fresh water that is filtered through mountain watersheds and volcanic rock. When rainfall decreases, our water supply is significantly reduced and that’s why the Honolulu Board of Water Supply asks us to cut back during these times.

14 WAYS TO CONSERVE WATER

Take shorter showers- Turn water off while shampooing, lathering or shaving.

Don’t let water run while doing dishes- Fill a dish pan with soapy water, lather, then quickly rinse. Use garbage disposal sparingly because it requires a lot of water to function properly. Try composting your food waste instead.

Turn water off while brushing teeth, washing hands or shaving- Remember that 3 gallons of water go down the drain every minute that the faucet is on.

Use water-efficient plumbing fixtures-Aerated showerheads, kitchen faucets and garden hose sprayers can save gallons of water each day. Rebates are also available for the purchase of low-flush toilets.

Fix leaky faucets-Gallons of water are lost every minute due to leaky plumbing. If you are aware of a pipe or fixture that is leaking in your home or business, get it fixed right away.

Water lawn before 9am or after 5pm-Water only when necessary. Watering every three days is more than enough to promote deeper root growth. Adjust sprinklers if you notice that you are watering the sidewalk instead of your plants.

Select correct water level for laundry wash-If you only have a full-load setting, wait until you have enough dirty laundry to fill the space. Choose shorter wash cycles for lightly-soiled items. Treat for stains prior to washing so items do not have to be washed repeatedly.

Plant drought-resistant shrubs and plants-Your local nursery will be able to tell you which plants require less water.

Don’t let the hose run while washing your car-Go to the car wash instead, which uses significantly less water on average.

Use a broom to clean off the patio or driveway instead of spraying it down with the hose

Educate your family, friends and children on the importance of water conservation

Conserve water wherever you go-Just because you are staying at a fancy hotel doesn’t mean that it’s okay to take a 2-hour shower twice a day. It’s also important to teach children not to play with public sinks, showers and drinking fountains.

Don’t use the toilet to flush down the cockroaches-I’m guilty of this one on occasion, but have made an effort to whisk them outside whenever possible. Use your trash to dispose of dirty tissues and hair. Remember one flush uses up to 5 gallons of water depending on how new your toilet is.

Don’t take water for granted-Lack of clean and accessible drinking water is the second largest worldwide killer of children under five. Visit tapproject.org for more information and to find out how you can help.

After feeling guilty and disappointed with my Christmas tree choices over the past few years, I finally discovered a local gem that changed my whole opinion on the matter—Helemano Farms. I was fortunate to hear about them when I received an email at work from Malama Hawaii and was glad to know that a portion of our purchase would be donated to their organization.

I gathered the family on a Tuesday afternoon and we headed up to Wahiawa to find the perfect tree to bring home. Traffic was bad as usual, but I think our carbon footprint still ended up being less than if we would have bought a tree from the mainland. Trees from the mainland have to travel more than 2,500 miles to get here and are often carriers of invasive species.

As soon as we pulled in to the dusty, red dirt driveway we were greeted by a friendly guide who welcomed us to the farm. He mentioned that they had been quite busy, selling over 200 trees in the previous two days, which was great to hear. 

After we described what type of tree we were looking for he told us to follow him down the path. Most of the trees were already taken in the front rows, so he led us towards the back, weaving in and out of hundreds of different Norfolk trees. Some were really tall, some were too wide, some did not have enough branches, but finally we spotted the one we wanted across the way. 

Norfolk trees, sometimes labeled as “Charlie Brown” trees, are not typically the favorite choice among tree seekers-probably because they are not as full-bodied and lack the pine scent that Christmas trees usually have. I like to think of them as the “Hawaiian Christmas Tree” and they truly are the perfect tree for displaying fancy, sparkly ornaments because of the large gaps in between their branches. 

Our helper measured the tree from the waste up to make sure there would be enough tree remaining to survive and regrow once he made the cut. Knowing that the tree would grow back made me feel better. I had almost made the decision to go artificial until I heard about this local alternative.

The tree was carried back to the front of the farm and wrapped in plastic netting for the drive back to town. I could have lived without the plastic netting because you never know where it might end up. Next time I will request to go without.

As soon as we got home we put our little tree in it’s stand and we were very pleased. It didn’t take over our living room like other bulky trees had done in the past. It was also nice that it didn’t block all of the natural light coming in through the window. This tree will stay green and beautiful for over a month and won’t leave a pine needle mess. What more can you ask for? Now comes the fun part—decorating!

With Christmas nearly a month away it’s time to start planning out the holiday. It’s also a great time to start a new family tradition of giving not only to your family, friends and loved ones, but also to your environment.

Here are a few ideas to consider:

Buy quality gifts that will last-Steer clear of novelty or trendy items (especially plastics) that often become a thing of the past within weeks or months. For children, stick with traditional gifts like wooden toys, cloth dolls, books, board games, puzzles, school supplies or other items that have low environmental impact. These types of gifts often hold up long enough to donate to a school or daycare once your child has outgrown them. For adults, maybe consider a gift certificate so that they can buy something that they really need. 

Try a potted tree-They don’t hold nearly as many lights and ornaments, but they make an environmental statement. If you are seeking more glitz consider an artificial tree. Once decorated they look real, plus they don’t require water and will last for years. If you can’t live without the scent of a fresh cut pine tree, there are plenty of candles and potpourri that create the same effect.

Use energy efficient lighting- LED holiday lights are 10 times brighter, last longer and use 90% less energy than regular christmas lights. 

Donate unwanted toys, books and clothing to charity-or sell them on craigslist or ebay.

Utilize your talents- Whether it’s a yummy batch of peanut brittle or a new ornament for the tree, anything homemade is special.

Support local markets and farmers- Buying from your local farmer means that you are getting an item that has traveled a lot less than most things you find at your average grocery store. Keep that in mind while preparing your Christmas menu. Don’t forget to bring your personal shopping tote and to avoid plastic packaging.

Recycle christmas paper- Using newspaper or fabric is also efficient. If you need to buy paper, buy recycled.

Buy gifts that come with little or no packaging- If you have ever have tried to get a Barbie doll out of it’s box you know what I am talking about. One can fill an entire trash bag with cardboard, twist ties, plastic backing and sticky tape from just one toy. It’s unbelievable how much stuff they have to use to package toys these days. 

Try to get shopping done in less trips - Save on gas by making a list of what you need in order to avoid going back and forth across town. The closer to the holiday the worse the traffic gets, so early planning is helpful. 

Prevent double-gifting- Communicate with relatives and friends so that your child does not receive the same gift twice. Also, consider telling relatives to donate their money to a college fund or dance lessons to avoid a pileup of toys and other unnecessary items.

Recycle your tree-If you decide to buy a cut tree, don’t forget to recycle it. It can be reused for landscaping and other gardening needs. There are several drop-off sites in Hawaii. For more information visit the Hawaii Department of Health.

Avoid disposable cups, plates, etc.-Use reusable dining items and cloth napkins.

Choose rechargable batteries- Don’t forget to recycle old batteries. In Hawaii, most Radio Shacks or Napa Auto Parts have a recycling program for used batteries.

Buy your tree locally-If you’re determined to have a cut tree, check around for local Christmas tree farmers. On the island of Oahu Helemano Farms grows a variety of Norfolk trees to choose from.

Send E-cards-Save paper waste by sending a custom card via email. If you don’t have the computer software to make your own card you can visit a variety of online sites like Care2.com that do the job for you.

Just recently made the “long” trip from town up to the Friends of Malaekahana camp site located in Laie on Oahu’s north shore and was very impressed with the experience. While there I noticed a few ways that we could have reduced waste and made things more friendly for the environment. 

I think it has become a habit to bring as much as you can fit in your car for a weekend of camping and that’s not going to cut it next time around. My kids were completely content with a flashlight, food, drinks, a net to catch fish or crab with and a campfire. Let nature be the playground. 

Make sure to bring a reusable set of dinnerware for everyone. Paper cups, plates and utensils really are not necessary. Don’t forget a sponge, biodegradable soap and a couple of bins (one for dirty dishes and one for clean) to carry everything in. Napkins and paper towels are nice to have, but you can probably leave them if there is running water nearby. Unscented wet wipes are most useful if you need something of this sort, especially with kids who tend to turn into a sticky mess after indulging in smores.  

Bring high energy foods that won’t spoil quickly like oatmeal, cereal, granola, pasta, rice, beans, edamame or peanut butter. Pack this food in containers that will return home with you. Keep your meats and dairy in a cooler of it’s own with plenty of ice and avoid opening it until it is time to use those items. Rethink bringing cases of beer, juice or soda. If beer is essential, maybe consider a keg, which is refillable, reusable and recyclable. Bring a large beverage dispenser and fill it with plenty of ice and juice or water. Skip the individually packaged snacks and juice boxes for the kids and tell them why you are doing so.

Take the opportunity while you are out in nature with your children to educate them on ways to respect the environment. Make it a goal or project to leave the campsite how you found it (or even better) and with the least amount of trash possible.