It’s epic planet party time: Earth Day, first celebrated April 22, 1970, has evolved into Earth Month, giving us all the more opportunities — organized and spontaneous — to honor and support the island ecosystem to which we belong.
The big new happenings are Hawaii observances of two nationwide marches, one in support of science and one to raise awareness of climate change. As for individual actions, you can keep things simple or ramp it up.
Here’s an easy one: All month, Foodland shoppers with reusable bags can donate their 5-cent bag credits to Kokua Hawai‘i Foundation, which conducts environmental education and a Plastic-Free Hawai‘i Campaign.
Small actions add up to big benefits: To reduce her CO2 emissions — and get more exercise — Pilates therapist Cristal Mortensen said she’s getting a used surfboard rack for her bicycle so she can pedal instead of drive the mile to her favorite surf break.
A bigger step: Having a baby is a major lifestyle change and a time when many couples go green, or greener. Some, like Louise and Kahi Pacarro (he’s executive director of Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘i), are choosing washable cloth diapers and forgoing disposables altogether. Zooxanthellae, their baby daughter, will experience her first Earth Day this year at the group’s annual beach cleanup in Waimanalo.
Whatever your activity, choose a greener sunblock, one that’s free of benzophenone/oxybenzone, which harms coral reefs.
Below is a selection of Earth Month events, all free, unless otherwise noted.
MONDAY
>> Kapiolani Community College’s Earth Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Great Lawn, with sustainable food vendors, education booths, entertainment, yoga and a raffle. Bring a canned good for the Hawaii Foodbank drive and get an extra raffle ticket. 4303 Diamond Head Road. Contact: 734-9353 or kapiolaniserve@weebly.com.
WEDNESDAY
>> University of Hawaii’s Annual Earth Day Festival, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Manoa Campus Center courtyard, features a vendor fair, raffle, “trashion” show at 12:30 p.m., Lucie & The Perfect Wave at 3 p.m. and Taimane Gardner at 5 p.m. 2500 Campus Road.
FRIDAY
>> Earth Fest ’17, 1:30 to 8 p.m. at Kaiser High School on the Great Lawn. The theme is “Homegrown,” with vendors, food trucks, a farmers market and educational nonprofits. 511 Lunalilo Home Road.
SATURDAY
>> For early birds, a Waikiki Beach Cleanup from 7 to 9 a.m. starts at the Duke Kahanamoku Statue at Kuhio Beach; transportation provided to various cleanup areas. Includes validated self parking at Hyatt Regency and free continental breakfast. Contact: 923-1094.
>> Help out in Waimea Valley’s natural stream and forest environment from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the valley’s Mauka to Makai volunteer day. All those who sign up will be automatically entered into a raffle for prizes. For details, contact Melani Spielman at volunteers@waimeavalley.net or 638-5855.
>> It’s Children’s Day from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Honolulu Zoo, where children will help plant seedlings, pull weeds and harvest sugar cane, noni and sweet potatoes in the Children’s Discovery Forest. Wear closed-toe shoes and dirt-friendly clothes, and bring sun protection. Water provided; meet at Gate 6 on Monsarrat Avenue. across from Waikiki Shell. RSVP to LMDULING@hawaii.edu.
>> Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘i Earth Day Celebration, with beach cleaning from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by food and music till 2 p.m. at Waimanalo Beach Park. New this year is an underwater cleanup at Makai Research Pier. Lunch is free of charge — and free of plastic.
>> A Go Green community recycling and cleanup event goes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kapolei High School, 91-5007 Kapolei Parkway.
>> Honolulu March for Science, 3 to 7 p.m., starts with rally at UH-Manoa’s Sinclair Circle followed by a walk to Moiliili to protest the Trump administration’s proposal to cut funding for the Environmental Protection Agency and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
>> 10th Annual Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo at Waikiki Aquarium, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., provides hands-on learning activities, including a fish release and native plant giveaway. Bring a water bottle to fill. 2777 Kalakaua Ave; free parking and shuttles at Jefferson Elementary School from 8:45 a.m.
>> Malama for Marine Environment, a beach cleanup organized by Sea Life Park, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. across the highway at 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway (look for tent and banner). Bring gloves and a bucket for trash; $5 parking at Sea Life Park and half-price admission for concert and celebration, with food for purchase, from noon to 3 p.m. Contact: 259-2500.
>> Optimysstique’s Earth Day Farm Jam at Camp Erdman in Mokuleiea, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with live music, yoga, petting zoo, farm volunteering activities, seed swap, vendor village and more. Entry donation suggested. 69-385 Farrington Highway, Waialua.
APRIL 29
>> Honeybees, which pollinate our crops, are facing population pressures, so if you want to help bees make honey, check out “Basics of Beekeeping,” with Max Towey of Meli Honey Co., 9:30 to 11:30 am at Lyon Arboretum, 3860 Manoa Road. Cost is $30; registration required. Contact: 988-0456.
>> People’s Climate March, 10 a.m. at Waikiki Gateway Park. Contact: davidsher@juno.com.
APRIL 30
>> Ocean Aid concert, organized by DJ Big Daddy Carlos, 4 to 10 p.m. at Waikiki Shell, with CeeLo Green, Bootsy Collins, Ohio Players, Grandmaster Flash, Maxi Priest, Fishbone, Henry Kapono, DJ Lethal and others, benefiting Love the Sea, dedicated to freeing the oceans of plastics and other pollutants. Tickets: $69-$399.
