HONOLULU – Earth Day celebrations are taking place in Hawaii this weekend.
The holiday falls on Volunteer Hawaii Week, an effort in which approximately 10,000 people are expected.
The 2022 Annual Sustainability report will be released by Honolulu County. Mayor Rick Blangiardi will speak at the Board of Water Supply headquarters located on Beretania Street late Friday afternoon.
It’s been over a year since the mayor launched the city’s first ever climate action plan. The plan aims to become carbon neutral by 2045 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45% over the next five-years.
Matt Gonser, chief resilience officer and executive vice-president at the city’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, is Matt Gonser. He believes municipal governments must lead by example and cites Red Hill’s efforts to reduce water consumption during the Red Hill water crisis to illustrate how they did so.
As a large water user institution, we wanted to protest and heed the Board of Water Supply’s call to all islanders to reduce their water usage in this difficult time. We are thrilled that we can step up in this regard, but in particular on climate action, we are very happy to share that the city has decreased or reduced its energy consumption for four consecutive years.
Gonser stated, This includes efficiency measures as well as investing in our buildings and operations so that we can continue sustainable city operations and return those savings to the people.
This weekend, there are many beach cleanups.
Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii will host a large-scale community effort at Waimanalo Beach Park for the first time in 2 years.
Rafeal Bergstrom is the Executive Director of Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii. We have a whole host of activities planned with around 22 organizations. They will share their booths with interactive opportunities, educational activities, and other opportunities to teach people about waste streams.
Register for the eventIt will take place at Waimanalo beach Park at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 24, 2019.
Sea Life Park and 808 Cleanups are collaborating on the Windward side for a beach cleanup and the release two young honu from their honu conservation program. Enjoy half-off admission to the park, where there are more activities planned after the event.
People are often shocked to see how much trash is left on the beaches. Unfortunately, many marine animals end up eating it. Jeff Pawloski, Sea Life Park’s animal curator, said, “I think people are shocked when we do beach clean-ups.” By cleaning the beach, you not only get rid of the opala but also protect the animals from getting it accidentally.
TheKaupo Beach Park is where cleanup will beginThis Sunday, April 24, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. in Waimanalo, followed by the blessings and honu releases at 11 a.m.
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