Global Climate Change and Shoreline Changes for Maui—Zoe Norcross Nu'u

Click picture to view video.

Zoe is a coastal geologist who has been doing studies on Maui for the UH Extension program. On July 8, 2009, she shared a very dramatic presentation with the Rotary Club of Kihei/Wailea. She detailed the steady rise of the world’s oceans and how they affect Hawaii, what the future affects are likely to be and what needs to be done, sooner better than later, to prepare and prevent catastrophic effects on Maui. The main areas we need to manage are Coastal Development, Relocation of important infrastructure including at least one power plant and the water purification plant, and studies need to be funded to determine how run off will affect Maui and groundwater resources and how Maui will manage its beaches.

SMS at KCA June 16, 2009 – Review of Meeting

GROWING OUR FUTURE, TOGETHER
June 16, 2009, 68 p.m., Kihei Community Center, 303 E. Lipoa St. Kihei, Maui, HI

The Kihei Community Association hosted South Maui Sustainability for a slide presentation and breakout group discussion of community gardens, renewable energy, reef sustainability and recycling and conservation.

SUGGESTED ACTION ITEMS FROM BREAKOUT GROUPS

RECYCLING AND CONSERVATION DISCUSSION
Curbside Recycling
Advocate for full service curbside recycling
In the meantime set up neighborhood recycling groups where neighbors take turns transporting to the recycle/redemption centers.

Money collected could go to:
• The person who transports the materials
• The whole group
• Other organizations as a donation.

Advocate for the recycling of office paper.

Packaging
• Charge for plastic bags in the stores. This stick might be a more effective way to reduce use of plastic bags than the carrot of getting a small refund for using your own bags.
• Find a way to get money for plastic bags (by weight) to motivate the pubic to pick up the bags, especially off the beaches.

Energy and water Conservation
• Clean the exhaust ducts from electric dryers
• Turn off dishwaser “drying cycle”.
• Watch your wattage on all appliances with KillaWatt or other metering devices.
• Lower thermostat on hot water heater. 100 degrees is enough.
• Upgrade any appliances older than 10 years to Energy Star.
• Clean off the radiator tubes of your refigerator.
• Turn dishwashing and hand washing water off when not actually using it to wet or rinse.
• Turn off electricity for hot water heater, then turn on 15 minutes before needed. A timer box by the heater is better than using the circuit breaker for this.
• Plug appliances, sound and computer equipment into power strips and then turn off power strip when done.
• Use drip irrigation whenever possible
• Promote graywater usage and public policy.
• Advocate for Xeriscaping.
• Advocate for bike lanes, especially on the Norht/South Kihei collector road.
• Encourage bus usage
• Whenever possible rescue freshly dug up plants from beting taken to the landfill. Can take them to schools, Aloha Shares, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, churches, homes, etc. Also see www.MauiPlantRescue.com
• Use used coffee cans for storage.
• Convert old cloths into bags or material to chrochet into rugs.
• Take old towells to the Humane Society for use with the anmials.
• Use the library instead of buying new books.
• Use passive solar jugs to store heat for upcountry greenhouses
• Take used magazines to your doctor and dentist’s offices.

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REEF SUSTAINABILITY DISCUSSION
Most important issues

Carbon dioxide deposition, nutrient rich waters going into ocean.
• Run off from development (concrete, better construction, land use)
• Street run off, golf courses. Irvine& Newport Beach already doing good things. John Tetamer.com
• Decline in fish, over fishing
• Water quality
• Sewage dumping.
• Community ed. is poor, need to raise awareness. Population and growth problem

What needs to be done?
• Start at worst problem and work back.
• Put filters in run off areas, since wetlands are already built over.
• Promote natural wetlands, have penalties to over fishing, rules and regulations.
• Neighborhood watch program.
• Mooring. Rotationrest rotation – put into law?
• Small steps s/b encouraged faucets, car washes, look at selfbehaviors.
• Consulting Hawaiian Kahuna
• More gray water use – education
• Apollo alliance –Pam lightfoot
• Water recycling link west Maui, establishing political strength, Gary Hoosier, political advocacy, Malama Kauau = connecting
• Pick two/3 political issues, strength together State issues DNLR enforcement, 24 county offices to work with.
• Use wastewater instead of dumping It., proactively protecting reefs now. Spending now to save reefs/water later.

What is being done by other groups?
• Pump don’t Dump. Putting signs up to help protect reefs. Educating visitors PSA on Airlines, Ziggy Lovenut. “Eyes on reef” –How to recognize Coral Disease and algae Growth.
• Darla White. Shoreline reef cleanup Diving, snorkeling, beach line
• Aquamarine collection Legislation Dyer?

What can we do? And how will we do it?
• Education. Create Hawaiian island alliances to gain political power.
• Encourage –testify legislators – to save reefs and waters
• Create Education programs, all age schools
• Presentations –water quality, respecting our waters.

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COMMUNITY GARDEN DISCUSSION

Possible Sites
• Kalama heights, Churches, ML&P land, Technology Center
• KCA back and front. Safeway –North Liloacatchment

Interested parties – Kirk Surrey, Anne, Michael

Ideas for bringing in the community
• Church out reach, parents of children in schools, Rotary, SMS mailing list, Advertising in Maui Weekly etc. Flyers on Apt. doors.
• Master Gardeners. Marin County model.
• Tova

Challenges of water cost.
Do prototype, then “sell” idea.
Create a social network.

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RENEWABLE ENERGY DISCUSSION

• Funding – Done by county or state – solar install paid on property tax bill and passes on to new owner w/tax credits over 50% it is a good return on investment 1017%. Also prop value goes up. $24,000.00 = 3KW system. Fed Gov will lend money for this. Standard measurement unit is peak power output of solar panels….?
• New units prices going down due to supply and demand
• MECO can invest in solar elect, themselves and will start doing installs.
• New super efficient glass which gives 3% better absorption of solar light.
• Panel warranties going up to 20 yrs.
• Efficiency = conservation w/out sacrificing
• Great person in Kihei for solar – Steve Fryer
• July 18th solar Town call Hawaii PV coalition.org
• Know what you need – Willy Bennett can do this for you.

Plant Rescue Maui

Have you ever seen someone or some organization digging up plants and throwing them away? Have you ever thought about how those same plants could be ‘recycled and bring joy and add a bit of color to someone’s yard, as well as continuing to help replenish the earth’s oxygen supply?

Next time you see it happening, call for help! Plant Rescue Maui is here for you.

www.PlantRescueMaui.com
Email: Karenmac1999@hotmail.com
Phone: 808-276-2900

Reusing Houshold Water (Greywater) Editorial – Maui News

There’s a way to ease the drain on Maui’s water supplies with the only cost to government being the time needed to revise current rules and regulations. Homeowner recycling of household graywater is illegal due to concerns about contaminating groundwater.

Arizona allows homeowners to use water from a clothes washer, bathtub, shower and bathroom sink to irrigate landscaping by drip or flood irrigation. Kitchen sinks and, of course, toilets must be connected to sewer or septic systems. Spray irrigation is not permitted and the graywater flow must be less than 400 gallons a day.

Homeowners using graywater irrigation need to use detergents that are low in chlorides, sodium, borax, sulfates and alkaline content – chemicals that are harmful to plants. There are an increasing number of so-called “green detergents” readily available.

It’s estimated that up to 1 million Californians are breaking state law by hooking drains to irrigation systems. The state’s Department of Housing and Community Development is trying to come up with new rules covering graywater irrigation.

There’s a long tradition on Maui of piping toilet and kitchen wastewater into septic systems and running water from bathtubs, bathroom sinks and washing machines out into a pasture or lawn. A washing machine uses about 15 gallons of water for every load of wash. Irrigation was a byproduct limited to the end of the pipe. The idea was to avoid overloading septic systems.

Household use of recycled water for landscaping looks to be safe, if handled properly. Arizona has found a way. Just last week, the Maui County Department of Water Supply was urging consumers to cut back water use, although conscientious homeowners have long since figured out ways to make sure every drop of water is used efficiently.

It’s more than apparent that it will soon be essential to get maximum mileage out of water and find safe ways to use graywater from wastewater treatment plants and from Maui’s individual households.

Maui News, June 9, 2009

Green Jobs: Hope or Hype?

David Brancaccio of NOW on PBS talks with environmental activist Van Jones, founder of “Green for All,” an environmental group dedicated to bringing green jobs to the disadvantaged.

In March, Jones was appointed as special advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Now that he has the President’s ear, will Jones be creating a new career frontier for America?

Related links:
Whitehouse.gov: Council on Environmental Quality

Green for All: What are green collar jobs?

YouTube: Van Jones Keynote at Powershift 09

Associated Press: Govt announces money for green jobs and training

The New York Times: Study Forecasts 297,000 Green Jobs

NPR: What Kind Of Green Jobs Will Stimulus Spawn?

Al Gore warns on latest climate trends: TED Video

Filmed February, 2009.

Ecology Action

Ecology Action is a Santa Cruz, CA nonprofit environmental consultancy delivering cutting edge education services, technical assistance, and program implementation for initiatives that assist individuals, business and government to maximize environmental quality and community well being.

Since 1970 Ecology Action has combined municipal, foundation, and private funding to establish cutting-edge conservation programs, prove their effectiveness financially and operationally, and establish each program as a permanent community resource.

They seek innovative ways to instill environmental awareness, promote pragmatic change, and create opportunities for individuals, businesses, and community agencies to save money, create jobs, and contribute to a sustainable local economy.

Browse some of their current programs:

Bike Smart! Promotes safe bicycling through fun, hands-on education programs at Santa Cruz County schools.   Bike to Work Provides incentives, free breakfast, and support to get you hooked on bicycling as transportation.

Business Waste Assessment Waste assessment software to help government and businesses reduce waste, save money, and promote resource conservation.   Clean Beaches Coalition Ongoing beach cleanups including the Annual Coastal Cleanup

Climate Solutions Program A leadership initiative to mobilize the entire Monterey Bay Area to radically reduce our carbon footprint.   Electric Bike Information Providing reduced prices, safety and skill training, and increased service for Santa Cruz County residents.

Folding Bikes in Buses Providing reduced prices on folding bikes and bus passes to promote bike with bus transportation for Santa Cruz County residents.

Cabrillo College Go Green Choose an alternative to driving alone and you can make a difference in reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse gases. For Cabrillo College students, staff and faculty members.

Green Building Information about the design and construction of healthy, sustainable places to live and work.

Green Business Program Offers free technical and promotional assistance to help you become a certified green business.

Green Gardener Program Provides professional training and certification in ecological landscaping and helps customers find certified Green Gardeners.

Home Composting Program Offers a wealth of home composting resources and opportunities for the residents of Santa Cruz County.

Household Hazardous Waste Provides information about local and regional drop-off facilities and alternatives to traditionally used chemicals.

Integrated Pest Managment Provides information and technical assistance about less-toxic alternatives to traditional pest management.

Livestock and Land Provides technical assistance and cost share dollars for manure and land management approaches that protect water quality.

LodgingSavers Program Delivers a comprehensive suite of rebated energy efficiency retrofits to Lodging Properties in PG&E service territory.

Model Schools Program Reduces pest problems, flooding and erosion, and the use of toxic chemicals in schools.

Multifamily Recycling A partnership with twelve local agencies and haulers, implementing comprehensive recycling and waste reduction programs at low income multifamily housing complexes.

Oil Recycling Provides information about local and regional used oil and filter drop-off facilities for cars, boats, and farm equipment.

Our Water Our World Raises public awareness about alternatives to using hazardous pesticide and fertilizer products in and around the home.

Santa Cruz County Recycles Provides information that enables people and businesses to reuse, recycle, and buy recycled in Santa Cruz County.

Special Event Recycling Offers recycling and waste reduction programs at events through technical assistance, outreach and education.

RightLights Program Provides subsidized lighting upgrades and free professional assistance to help businesses lower energy bills and boost cash flow.

Tourism Recycling Offers recycling and waste reduction programs at events through technical assistance, outreach and education.

Transportation Membership Services Encourages member employees to use other ways than driving alone to commute to and from work.

Waste Free Schools Program Assists Santa Cruz County schools in institutionalizing campus recycling, composting and reduce / reuse programs.

GoodGuide—Ratings of Natural, Green and Healthy Products

GoodGuide provides the world’s largest and most reliable source of information on the health, environmental, and social impacts of the products in your home. Cradle to Grave analyses.

• Find safe, healthy and green products that protect you and your family
• Search or browse over 70,000 food, toys, personal care, & household products to see what’s really beneath the label
• Use expert advice and recommendations on products to quickly learn the impacts of what you buy
• Find better products and make purchasing decisions based on what’s important to you
• Create a personalized favorites list with the products that are right for you and your family

GoodGuide gives what they consider the best information available, wherever and whenever you need it most. It can help you find better products that represent your values, avoid products that are harmful to your health, the environment, or society – and enable you to take actions to help improve the world.

Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

Skin Deep is a safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products brought to you by researchers at the Environmental Working Group.

Skin Deep pairs ingredients in more than 42,000 products against 50 definitive toxicity and regulatory databases, making it the largest integrated data resource of its kind. Why did a small nonprofit take on such a big project? Because the FDA doesn’t require companies to test their own products for safety.

Less Fossil Fuels Must Be Burned to Avoid Tipping Point

Two new studies (German and British) found a limit to how much manmade carbon dioxide can be added to the atmosphere before warming exceeds a 2 degrees Celsius or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit increase. The world must put less than one trillion metric tons of carbon in the air during the first half of the 21st century to avoid the proverbial point of no return.

During the first nine years of this century the world emitted one-third of that amount, and if current rates continue, the world will emit one trillion metric tons in 20 years, said Malte Meinshausen, lead author of the German study.

About 234 billion metric tons of carbon were emitted through 2006, which means only 760 billion tons are left to emit, if the study’s levels are correct.

President Obama wants to cut U.S. carbon emissions by 80 percent. Bill Hare, co-author of German study, said that is a “good start but it’s not enough to limit warming.”

If other countries cut their per-person emission levels to match U.S. cuts, the U.S. would have to cut 90-95 percent to keep the world from exceeding one trillion ton level, Hare said.

Fewer amounts of fossil fuels must be burned to cut emissions. Three quarters of known reserves must be untouched the authors of the German study said. “Only a fast switch away from fossil fuels will give us a reasonable chance to avoid considerable warming,” said Mainshausen.

World carbon emissions have to start dropping by 2015 or cuts will be too “draconian,” according to Meinhausen.

Since the industrial revolution started, about 500 billion tons of carbon have been emitted, according to a University of Oxford study. The study says that one trillion metric tons of carbon will be a tipping point for climate change.

“Emitting carbon dioxide slower will not prevent dangerous climate change unless it involves phasing out carbon dioxide emissions altogether,” the study said.

via Care2