In connection with our April 22 Earth Day feature on how people involved in environmental issues live "green" at home, we asked readers to tell us about their efforts to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle and help preserve the planet’s precious resources. Here are some of the responses:
‘Food Inc.’ prompts son to grow his own
"We live in Waimanalo, and last year we put in a solar photovoltaic system. It worked so well that we decided to buy a Mitsubishi iMiev 100 percent electric car, and it worked so well that we decided to add a solar hot water system. Also, last year our son James saw the movie ‘Food Inc.,’ and the next day he was out digging up our front yard for a garden. He now has four raised-bed vegetable gardens, and he also built a chicken pen for hens. We now pay practically nothing for household electricity, nothing for fuel to move our car around and practically nothing for awesomely delicious vegetables and eggs.
"We share the harvest with the neighbors, too, and they love it. And it’s all very green — that’s some deal!"
— Brian, Karen and James Malanaphy, Waimanalo
Abundant produce has couple sharing
"We have embraced the goal of sustainability as much as possible.We installed a photovoltaic system that now generates most of our electricity, heat our water with solar water heaters and cool our home with reflective roof-coating and solar ceiling-exhaust fans. Our vegetable garden is very large, covering most of our relatively large backyard, and it produces more than 15 varieties of fresh vegetables, including several types of lettuce and greens, beans, tomatoes, asparagus, cucumbers and strawberries. We enrich the garden soil with both compost and vermicompost (worm castings) made exclusively from our kitchen and garden waste.Over 90 percent of our produce goes to our neighbors, friends and relatives to help reduce their dependence on imported vegetables in a small way.I’ve also helped several friends start their own gardens to share the joy and rewards of growing your own food."
— Francis and Yvonne Nakamoto, Moanalua Valley
Safe roads becomes focus for bicyclist
"For me, ‘living green’ means getting involved. I’ve always tried to make conscious choices, whether it be recycling, biking, shopping at Savers or simply not buying stuff that I know will end up in the landfill. My personal choices are important, but to be truly sustainable I have recently decided to take the biggest step: to get involved. … Each day I struggle through traffic just to go a few miles here or there, and most often I choose to ride a bike because it feels good and is easier to park. But at the same time, our roads are some of the most dangerous in the nation, with pedestrian and bicycle fatalities occurring too frequently. I have decided to put my energy into making Oahu’s roads safer for all users by joining the Honolulu Bicycling League. Our problems are truly overwhelming, but if we focus on one issue and work with others by joining a group or organization, we can affect change."
— RJ Martin, Kanu Hawaii volunteer
Sustainability has grown into lifestyle
"For me it’s just a part of my lifestyle. Sustainability wasn’t a part of my vocabulary growing up. That doesn’t mean trying to live sustainably doesn’t take effort. It’s a mindset and an expression of my values. Here is one example: Save dishwashing water to water my garden (don’t use detergent so it’s safe, no worries)."
— Joannie Pan, Kanu Hawaii volunteer
Avoiding disposables protects resources
"I live green by using my own bag, water bottle, cloth napkin and utensil set when shopping, eating on the go or even lunching at work. I keep these essential tools handy to cut down on single-use items, especially plastics. I avoid so-called disposables that squander natural resources, pollute our watershed and clog Oahu’s waste management system. I smile when familiar store cashiers greet me with ‘no need bag.’"
— Rachel Harvey, Kanu Hawaii volunteer
Author transforms writings to e-books
"I have practiced the usual environmentally friendly behavior for years, having installed energy-efficient doors, windows, appliances, insulation and lighting in my homes, turning off lights when leaving rooms, not using air conditioning unless absolutely unbearable, using the back side of used paper for notepads, using old plastic and paper shopping bags for trash bags, shopping locally whenever possible, and formatting two books I authored to e-books."
— Gary Westernoff, Waikiki
