"Today, not Tomorrow" -Team 3

Today, not Tomorrow – Team 3

Minutes for Meeting #2

Project Proposal

Our group, “Today, not Tomorrow” is focused on taking action for a greener earth! We are interested in participating, as a community member, in a local event that deals with the vision of sustainability, communication and culture. So, We decided to team up with the Student Service Corps at the UHH Hilo in attending the South Point Beach clean-up on November 13, 2010. We plan to sign up for the event as the date becomes closer and will provide our services to our Island. Each group member will attend this event and will accumulate a total of 24 hours.

Our project will be in two forms; a detailed power-point presentation of the event with pictures and a 5 page individual response essay. We will be able to judge our project and its success by the amount of rubbish (in pounds) that we collect, creating new relationships by communicating with other volunteers as well as learning a little historical background about South Point.

Module 3.7 "Other Emerging Efforts"

Module 3.7 :” Other Emerging Efforts”

The link that caught my attention was Cohousing. After our assigned reading from “Beyond You and Me”, I was interested in further reading and exploring this type of life style.

Cohousing is a type of collaborative housing in which those who live in it, take part in a community based style by actively participating in the design and operation of their own neighborhoods. Their goal is to live simply and function and one unit, a community. This life style has proven to be beneficial for both parents and children by developing social skills, receiving assistance, diversity and many more.

In addition to the positive opportunities provided to each member of the community, the cohousing also supports the efforts of “going green”. They have a high level of environmental consciousness and incorporate green building materials and techniques in the design and construction of their community landscape. They are also attentive in minimizing their impact on the natural environment. An “EcoVillage at Ithaca, NY, the site of two adjoining cohousing neighborhoods, their goal is “to explore and model innovative approaches to ecological and social sustainability.”

Fortunately, this has already begun in Hilo. There are two locations were this cohousing communities are being developed. One is in Hilo, Hawaii, 96720, United States, Towards the Ocean off Akolea Rd. and the other in Opihikao Ecovillage/Cohousing located in Pahoa, Hawaii, United States. Further more, in order to create more cohousing communities in Hilo, I believe that the idea would have to be advertised to the public as well as educating the public on all the benefits that it provides for each individual. Finding a spot wouldn’t be difficult due to the land here on the Big Island, however finding the funds to build the facilities and landscaping the cohousing community would be a little difficult. I also believe that our Hilo community would support this project due to the hardships we have trying to survive individually with our families. Cohousing would provide every family with majority of what they would need.

Module 3.6 " When Cultures Meet"

Module 3.6 “ When Cultures Meet”

Culture is everywhere! Everyone follows a culture, belief system or a set style of living. Not everyone agrees or converges to the others morals and values, however all individuals must respect one another. No matter what language that is said in Japanese, Hawaiian, European, it is a universal rule.

As tourist journey here to the Hawaiian Islands, I am always amazed by their willingness to participate in the assumed activities that we, the locals participate in. For example, they all wear Aloha print collard shirts and dresses, attend Hawaiian Luau Dinners as well as seeing the volcano. I am proud that they are interested in out culture and always there to give them directions if asked.

On the other hand, in other cities and countries, the locals my not be as friendly or comfortable with the idea of tourists. There are situations where unintended consequences may occur when two cultures meet. For example, currently in Manila a third world country, tourism does more harm than good. According to Dr. Koson Srisang, former executive secretary of the coalition tourism as currently practiced "does not benefit the majority of people. Instead it exploits them, pollutes the environment, destroys the ecosystem, bastardises the culture, robs people of their traditional values and ways of life and subjugates women and children in the abject slavery of prostitution....it epitomizes the present unjust world economic order where the few who control wealth and power dictate the terms."

Although there are negative outcomes when different cultures meet, communication is an essential tool to improving the situation. Through communication comes teaching, stories and chants, relationships, communities ect. Communication can contribute to a positive outcome between cultures, like the Merry Monarch held here in Hilo, Hawaii. The Halau’s (hula clubs) from all over the world take part in this Hula competition that stems from the Hawaiian Culture. We need to share our culture with those who are interested, respectful and willing to learn!

“ 3.5 : Other Traditional Cultures”

“ 3.5 : Other Traditional Cultures”

The culture that I chose to study on is the Surui people from the Brazilian rainforest. This tribe is one of several thousand indigenous groups living in Brazil. The land, Terra Indigena Sete deSetembro covers 2,428 square kilometers of rainforest and is home to the1,300 members. They remained within the confines of their reservation and never left the forest. Forty-one years later, it is a suburb town of Cacoal in the northwestern Brazilian State of Rondonia. The leader of this tribe is Chief Almir Narayamoga Surui.

Chief Almir Naravamoga Surui and tribe members are currently fighting to stop the destruction of their homeland by the “logger” companies. Thus far they have lost 7% and saved 93% of the land to illegal loggers. IN addition to planting seedlings, they are using the Internet, GPS and Google Earth as their weapon to alert the situation and learn of organizations and people who can help! Furthermore, they plan to start carbon emissions trading. The chief believes that technology and tradition is the key to saving their land.

“They planted 1,900” seedlings. "No other indigenous people in all of Brazil has done this much for the revival of their forests."

(Thomas Pizer: Aquaverde Organization)

Interesting Facts:

-So far, the Surui have planted 120,000 trees. Another 40,000 are to be added this year. But despite their efforts, they are still a long way from Almir's dream of a million new trees -- partly because of persistent illegal logging.

-Almir estimates it will cost $120 million (€99.6 million) to protect his forests for 44 years. Stopping the logging will also prevent 16,475,469 tons of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere.

Module 3.4: Hawaiian Culture and Sustainability

Module 3.4: Hawaiian Culture and Sustainability

In Dr. Burrows presentation, he says that Hawaiians have a connection to the land and a spiritual ecology, I agree with his statement due to past and present observations and my own personal experiences. Attending a Hawaiian Immersion Elementary School, I was taught at a young age the Hawaiian values and the importance of the language and cultural practices. A great example would be how we, the students would chant every morning asking permission to enter the classroom, followed by a response from the Kumu or teacher and learning of the Hawaiian Chief Maui who rules the Hawaiian Chain.

The connection that the Hawaiian people have with their culture and the land is taught from the beginning of creation. Ancient legends of origin of how Hi’iaka and Pele created the earth in the chant of Kumulipo and also the birth of the first man from a Kalo or taro plant. Secondly, the connection comes from the na’au, or “gut” and understanding the mutual relationship between the people and the land. Meaning that the Hawaiian people were aware of taking care of the ‘aina or land and in return the ‘aina would provide for the people.

I also observed this connection while picking native ferns and flowers for hula compotions all over the island. As a member of the Halau Hula o Kou Lima Nani E, we learn specific protocols and chants asking the land and Hula godess Laka, for permission to pick the ferns and flowers needed for our adornments. We are taught the correct ways to pick the ferns and flowers without damaging or destroying the native plants. There is definitely a strong connection physically and spiritually between the Hawaiian people and the land.

Indigenous ecology is not just a new fad because: “1. There is significant knowledge about ecology of ecosystems in the homelands 2. The people practice an economy that uses land and resources sustainably 3. The people promote conservation of their natural environment and 4. They, the people are effectively guided by profound spirituality regarding the environment.”

The Hawaiian people evolved from the landscape, by using the materials from and off the land, like implements for the hula or music, agriculture tools, war weapons and what they needed to survive. They also believed in conservation ethics and values: Mana ‘o ‘I ‘o (faith, respect for nature), Kapu (sacred), ‘Ike (knowledge), ‘Aina (the living earth), Lokahi (unity) and Malama (caring). They utilized what the landscape provided.

The Hawaiian religion and spiritual beliefs connect to sustainability, because the Hawaiians were skillful in using the resources that were provided to them. For example, as the fisherman went fishing, they were aware of the different seasons and breading times of the fish. They took in to consideration the appropriate age of the fish, not killing those who were pregnant or too young. They also would ONLY fish according to their needs, rather than depleting their resources on one catch. They planted native trees, raised animals, built fish ponds and created many other sustainable methods and techniques to survive and provide for future generations.

I do feel that Hawaii is a more sustainable place than the western world because of the ethics and values that are instilled in the Hawaiian life style. As a member in a Hawaiian community, I notice the numerous activities, clubs and organizations that support and encourage the practices and beliefs of the Hawaiian culture. In comparison to the Hawaiian people, the western world value money and materialistic things, which eventually is depleted, rather than agriculture and its impact on sustainability.

The value that I most resonate with is ‘Ike or knowledge. The ancestors and kupuna were full of wisdom and knew how to live sustainably, they knew how to communicate effectively to future generations through chants and story telling and also assured survival strategies for generations to come.

“The land is the chief and the man is the servant”

Test Questions 1-10

COM 344: Test Questions 1-10

1. 1. In this cosmology, nature is recognized as a creative force. Trees grow from their seeds and they renew themselves. Streams renew themselves, water cycle goes on without any human help. This tremendous activity is the creative force of nature. This is an example of:

a. Mana

b. Shakti

c. Colonialism

d. Globalization

B, Beyond You and Me pg.280

2. 2. T/F In industrial society today, we actually spend more hours working than people in rural, agrarian economies.

True, Beyond You and Me, pg. 260

3. 3. T/F Co-housing communities offer an alternative way to solve social problems without involving public institutions.

True, Beyond You and Me, pg.16

4. 4. What is an Ecovillage?

a. Village that learns about ecology

b. Home for villagers

c. Campus where students learn about sustainability while actually living it.

d. Campus for a village

C, Beyond You and Me, pg.236

5. 5. What does a Footprint calculate?

a. The amount of area it takes to support your life style

b. Ecological Footprint

c. Amount of resource consumption

d. All of the above

D, Global Kuleana

6. 6. T/F We recognize that the impacts of climate change threaten food sovereignty and the security of livelihoods of natural resource-based local economies.

True, Environmental Communication pg. 284

7. 7. What are the Seven Hawaiian Values and Ethics that Dr. Charles Burrows covers in the Puana Ka Ike Lecture Series.

a. Mana, Kapu, Noa, ‘Ike, ‘Aina, Lokahi, Malama ‘Aina

b. Malama Kai, Mana, Noa, ‘Ike, ‘Aina, Lokahi, Na’auao

c. Aloha, Mana, Kapu, Lokahi , Noa, Malama Kai

d. Mana, Kapu, Noa, ‘Ike, ‘Aina, Lokahi, Aloha

A, Power Point Presentation: Key Hawaiian Conservation Ethics &Values

A, Power Point Presentation: laulima.hawaii.edu/access/meleteDocs.content/private/meleteDocs/HIL.12212.201010/uploads/

8. 8. T/F The four important factors in the “Circle” in the Gaia Education Design for Sustainability is Social, Worldview, Economic and Ecological.

True, Gaia Education Design for Sustainability pg.6

9. 9. T/ F Rachel Carson is the Author of The Silent Springs.

True (http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/09212007/profile.html)

10. 10. T/ F After the book SILENT SPRING by Rachael Carson was published, it didn’t prompted the Federal Government to take action against water and air pollution, as well as against the misuse of pesticides.

False (http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/09212007/profile.html)