Smart Living Hawaii

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Councilwomen, Andria Tupola. We will talk about affordable housing in Hawaii. The hurdles we face, how we are tackling the hurdles…also some solutions, ideas and action items worth discussing. Councilwoman Andria Tupola: Andria Tupola, Ph.D., was born in Kahuku, Oʻahu. She attended Kamehameha Schools and attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She holds a doctorate from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. In 2014, Tupola was elected to represent District 43 (ʻEwa - Māʻili) in Hawaii’s State House of Representatives. In 2015 she became the first Samoan woman to serve as the State House Minority Leader and in 2016, she was re-elected to another term. In 2018, she was the Republican nominee in the Hawaii governor’s race. In 2021, Tupola was sworn in as Honolulu City Councilwoman to represent District 1 (ʻEwa Beach - Kaʻena Point). She served as Council Floor Leader and Chair of the Executive Matters and Legal Affairs Committee from 2021-2022. In 2023, she became Committee Chair for Public Infrastructure and Technology and in 2024 she was elected to a second term. More Info: FB: @AndriaTupola (20+) Facebook www.facebook.com/AndriaTupola Instagram: @andriatupola www.instagram.com/andriatupola/ Website: www.votetupola.com Priced Into Paradise: www.pricedintoparadise.com LinkedIn: (41) Andria Tupola | LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/andriatupola/ You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghawaii.org⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_org Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.org Intro/Outro Music Compliments: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha⁠⁠

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Mindy Jaffe, the worm lady. We will discuss composting, vermicomposting and how worms play a significant role in our food waste reduction and the hierarchy to reduce food waste while growing our community. We will share the hurdles and challenges faced over the last 20+ years in this waste sector and what we have overcome and accomplished thus far. Let’s learn together how we can support Hawaii’s future through composting! Mindy Jaffe: With over 20 years of experience, Mindy founded Waikiki Worm Company in 2004 which helped introduce vermicomposting to Hawaii. From there she became the coordinator of the Windward Zero waste School Hui, helped start the Oahu Worm Ohana and now working with the University of Hawaii as an educator in compositing. She is a wealth of knowledge and Hawaii is fortunate to have her dedicating her life to our food waste solutions. More Info: Facebook: @wormohana www.facebook.com/wormohana Instagram: @wormohana www.instagram.com/wormohana Website: www.wormohana.org and www.waikikiworm.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/wormohana Email: mindy@waikikiworm.net You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghawaii.org⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_org Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.org Intro/Outro Music Compliments: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha⁠⁠

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Chad Waters, the founder and CEO of Hawaii Construction and Development Consulting HCDC. We will hear about a developers journey to sustainability and finding his true passion in green and sustainable building and development here in Hawaii. The hurdles, challenges and what he is doing to overcome them. With over 25 years of experience in the real estate and development industries, Chad combines proven strategies and progressive visions to create smarter, more sustainable solutions for building in Hawaii. During his downtime, Chad enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends and strives for a good work/life balance. He looks for inspiration from nature when hiking, standup paddling, and canoe paddling. More Info: FB: https://www.facebook.com/hawaiicdc @hawaiicdc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiicdc/ @hawaiicdc Website: www.hawaiicdc.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chad-waters and https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawaii-construction-and-development-consulting/ Email: info@hawaiicdc.com You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghawaii.org⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_org Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.org Intro/Outro Music Compliments: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha⁠⁠⁠

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Todd Cullison, the Executive Director of the Hawaii Nature Center. We will learn about the Hawaii Nature Center, their keiki programs, education and volunteer opportunities.   Todd Cullison has over 25 years in non-profit experiences with the majority concentrated on watershed restoration and environmental education. Mr. Cullison started his tenure as the Executive Director of the Hawai‘i Nature Center in August 2019 but has been connected to the Nature Center for many years as his son attended as a keiki.  Prior to the Hawaii Nature Center, he spent three years as the Director of Development at the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center.  From 2006-2016 Mr. Cullison was the Executive Director of Hui o Ko‘olaupoko, a non-profit working in windward O‘ahu to protect ocean health by restoring the ‘āina: mauka to makai. Before his relocation to Hawai‘i, he worked for nearly six years with five community groups on the north Oregon Coast focusing on salmon habitat restoration, community engagement and environmental education.  During college at Washington State University, he was a project leader/manager for four years at the Center for Environmental Education delivering K-12 classroom and in-the-field environmental education and implementation of stream restoration.  This was Mr. Cullison’s introduction to the impact of environmental education and the importance connecting all to nature. More Info & Contact: FB: www.facebook.com/HINatureCenter                               Instagram: Hawaiʻi Nature Center (@hawaiinaturecenter) • Instagram photos and videos Website: Hawaii Nature Center | Oahu's Best Kids Camp www.hawaiinaturecenter.org LinkedIn: (20) Hawaii Nature Center: Overview | LinkedIn Youtube: www.youtube.com/@HINatureCenter Phone:  (808) 955-0100 Location: 2131 Makiki Heights DriveHonolulu, Hawai‘i 96822 You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghawaii.org⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_org Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.org Intro/Outro Music Compliments: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha⁠⁠

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Jacob Roberts, Eco Rotary Club of Kakaako’s current president. We will chat all about our Rotary Club, how it differs from some of the other Rotary clubs out there, the environmental impact and the cool volunteer projects we work on in Hawaii! Jacob is a field sales consultant at Sunrun, Specializing in helping homeowners transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy sources, he emphasizes reducing carbon footprints and cutting electricity costs. His dedication to environmental preservation and sustainability is rooted in his academic background in marine biology and sustainable management. He has a bachelor's degree in marine biology from UC Santa Cruz and an MBA in sustainable management from Presidio Graduate School. His foremost objective is to facilitate environmental rejuvenation within his lifetime, striving for the restoration of biodiversity and natural equilibrium in ecosystems. His approach centers on sustainable urban development, permaculture, renewable energy, and the soil food web. As a certified soil food web consultant, he collaborates with clients across various scales, from residential gardens to expansive farms and urban environments, in advancing sustainable practices. Eco Rotary Club of Kaka’ako: Vision Statement To build a sustainable planet and future. Mission Statement Create sustainability through initiatives, innovation, education and strategic partnerships with local and global communities. Inspire and empower others with leadership, collaboration and service. 5 Areas of Focus: 1.    Environment 2.    Food Systems 3.    Clean Energy 4.    Waste Reduction 5.    Climate Action More Info & Contact: Email: ecorotarykakaako@gmail.com Website: www.ecorotary.org Instagram: @ecorotary: www.instagram.com/ecorotary/ Facebook: Eco Rotary Club of Kaka'ako: (20+) Facebook You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghawaii.org Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_org Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.org Intro/Outro Music Compliments: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha⁠⁠

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Ryan Naka, Director of Philanthropy and Marketing for Project Vision Hawaii. We will zero in on Project Vision Hawaii, homelessness and how we are tackling this housing crisis we face as a state. From Emergency Proclamations, respites, shelters, and long-term housing for the houseless, we will share how Project Vision Hawaii is making a difference! Ryan Naka is the Director of Philanthropy & Marketing for Project Vision Hawaii. He got his start in fundraising while working on political campaigns which eventually led him to PVH in 2020. Since then, Project Vision Hawaii has grown from a couple dozen staff members to over 100 statewide. Ryan also a Realtor with the Smart Living Hawaii Team and works as a Business Consultant for his family’s company, Charley’s Taxi.  Project Vision Hawaii started in 2007 providing vision screenings in Title I schools across Hawaii, hence Project "Vision". Throughout the years, PVH evolved into a multifaceted nonprofit organization, leveraging partnerships with government agencies, businesses, and other community partners to maximize its impact. PVH continues to adapt and evolve in response to the ever-changing needs of the community. With a steadfast commitment to its founding principles of compassion, collaboration, and empowerment, Project Vision Hawaii remains a shining example of grassroots activism and collective impact, inspiring positive change for generations to come. More Info & Contact: info@projectvisionhawaii.org www.projectvisionhawaii.org @projectvisionhawaii IG & FB (808) 201-3937 You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_org Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.org Intro/Outro Music Compliments: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha⁠

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Rob Van Tassell, the President and CEO of Catholic Charities Hawaii. Not only will we learn about their expansive services, we will zero in on housing for the people of Hawaii. Robert “Rob” Van Tassell is a leader with more than 20 years of experience in non-profit management, including social service, affordable housing, community development and organizational leadership. Named as CEO and President of Catholic Charities Hawai‘i in November 2019, Rob leads a statewide agency of more than 40 programs and services serving our 80,000 clients a year. As with other social service agencies and non-profit organizations, the demand for assistance has increased exponentially during this COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. The leadership team at CCH has risen to the occasion amplifying and multiplying their reach with new programs, innovative technology solutions, and an increase in advocacy for those in most need. Prior to joining Catholic Charities Hawaii (CCH), Rob served as a vice president at Catholic Charities in Seattle. In this role, he led the development of over 30 housing projects and their related social services. A collaborative leader, Rob focuses on building assets and wealth for, by and within communities. Rob’s previous experience includes positions in the private sector such as developing affordable housing, Accounting Director at Starbucks Coffee Company and Accounting Manager for Blue Cross. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington. He and his wife reside in Honolulu, have three daughters and one grandson. FB: Catholic Charities Hawaii | Honolulu HI | Facebook         Instagram: @catholiccharitieshawaii   Catholic Charities Hawaii (@catholiccharitieshawaii) • Instagram photos and videos Website: www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org LinkedIn: (42)Catholic Charities Hawaii: Overview | LinkedIn  Email: info@catholiccharitieshawaii.org Phone: (808) 524-4673 HELP LINE Phone: (808) 521-4357 Address: 1822 Keeaumoku Street, Honolulu, HI 96822 You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠_org Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠.org Intro/Outro Music Compliments: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha License code: CXR1Y53S8HXI1QU4

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Rebecca Staron the founder of HI-RES Grant Writing and Consulting. We will learn about the world of grant-writing and what it takes for sustainable nonprofits to secure grants and funding. Rebecca began her career in a small Connecticut restaurant and was immediately hooked on feeding people. She attended Johnson & Wales University earning Bachelors degrees in both Culinary Arts and Nutrition.  During this time, she participated in a term abroad in Singapore and Thailand doing an intensive study of South East Asian cuisines, it was here she fell in love with international cuisine, spicy foods, and traveling.  After over 20 years in various facets of the food service industry Rebecca decided it was time for a change; however, her passion still remained food and feeding people. Rebecca formed HI-RES Grant Writing and Consulting to help bring her passion for food and sustainability to organizations and communities on a larger scale. Through grant writing she discovered that she can take the knowledge and experience she’s amassed over the years and help communities in ways that she had never imagined before. She is very passionate about food literacy and expanding access to healthy foods for everyone through improved food systems, hands on education, and sustainable farming and gardening programs. Her and her team work in Hawaii and across the United States to help organizations find and secure funding to elevate their work and create a positive impact. Rebecca believes that together we can achieve greater food sovereignty and better health in our communities while still being good stewards to the environment and working to regenerate the world around us. Rebecca Staron: Instagram: @hi_res_grantwriting : @hi_res_grantwriting • Instagram photos and videos Email: rs2write@gmail.com Website: www.hi-resgrants.com You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠_org Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠.org

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Neil Sims the founder and CEO of Ocean Era, Inc. We will learn more about fisheries, farming fish and limu and the innovative work he is doing in this space to be more sustainable, regenerative and kind to the environment we live in. Neil is Founder and CEO of Ocean Era, Inc., in Kona, Hawai’i, working in developing offshore culture systems for marine finfish - such as kampachi, snappers, mahimahi, and herbivorous reef fish - and tropical macroalgae, and exploring microbial biodigestion of macroalgae. Neil was born in Australia, and worked initially in marine resource management in the Cook Islands. He has lived in Kona for the last 30 years, working for a series of start-ups at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii (NELHA): initially in pearl oyster hatchery systems and pearl farm development, and then in marine fish hatchery production and offshore aquaculture. Neil has founded commercial offshore kampachi farms in Hawaii and Mexico. He led the Velella projects: an untethered, offshore ‘drifter pen’; and an unmanned net-pen operation in 2,000 m of water, 10 km offshore. Ocean Era is planning to deploy an offshore macroalgae array in Kona, and is applying for permits for an offshore fish and macroalgae farm off Oahu, and offshore permits in the Gulf of Mexico, off Florida. Neil sits on the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s Technical Advisory Group, and is a NELHA Boardmember. He holds a B.Sc.(Marine Biology) from James Cook University, in Queensland, and a M.Sc.(Zoology) from University of New South Wales, Australia. Neil Sims: Instagram: @ocean_era_inc : Ocean Era (@ocean_era_inc) • Instagram photos and videos LinkedIn: (34) Ocean Era: Overview | LinkedIn Email: ⁠neil@ocean-era.com Helpful Links: Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index 2023/2024 You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠_org Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠.org

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Dr. Albie Miles, where we will be discussing Hawaii’s food systems, the need for a comprehensive food system plan and food system resilience and disaster preparedness for Hawaii. We will learn about the Hawaii Food Summit coming up in December 2023 and how we can participate in Hawaii's food security, plan and legislative session in 2024. Albie Miles is Associate Professor of ⁠Sustainable Community Food Systems⁠ (SCFS) at the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu. Dr. Miles received his Ph.D. in ⁠Environmental Science, Policy and Management⁠ (ESPM) from the University ofCalifornia, Berkeley. Dr. Miles is a trans-disciplinary scholar working in the field of agro-ecology whose work is focused on advancing health, equity, resilience and sustainability in the food system of Hawaii and beyond. His research explores the relationship between ⁠farming system biodiversity and ecosystem services from agriculture⁠ and the ⁠structural obstacles and opportunities to sustainable food and farming system⁠s. He has worked at the ⁠UN FAO in Rome, Italy⁠ and the ⁠Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems⁠ (CASFS) at UC Santa Cruz. Dr. Miles currently serves as an Executive Committee member and chairs the Research Working Group of the ⁠Inter-Institutional Network for Food, Agriculture, and Sustainability⁠ (INFAS) funded by the WK Kellogg Foundation. Dr. Miles serves as Specialty Chief Editor of the ⁠Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems ⁠⁠Section on Social Movements, Institutions & Governance⁠. For the University of Hawaii System, Dr. Miles chairs the ⁠UH System Basic Needs Committee⁠, and co-directs the new UH Center for Sustainable Island Food Systems. Food Summit details: https://transforminghawaiifoodsystem.org Dr. Albie Miles: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/albie-miles-a86866250 Email: albie@hawaii.edu You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠_org Facebook: ⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠.org

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Quinn Vittum, Executive Director of Reuse Hawaii. We will learn about construction and the huge carbon footprint it leaves behind. From demolition to new build its waste is massive and we must find solutions to this problem…thanks to Quinn and his team, they are paving the path to our future! Quinn Vittum is the Executive Director of Re-use Hawaiʻi. He co-founded the organization in 2006 after founding a Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Olympia Salvage, an independent non-profit, both in Washington State. Quinn’s life mission is to create a more sustainable world by helping create innovative solutions to the demolition and disposal paradigm. With a talented staff of 37 people, Quinn oversees Re-use Hawaiʻi’s Deconstruction and Material Redistribution Programs, including a recent expansion to Hawaiʻi Island. Quinn studied Fine Art and Sustainability at SUNY New Paltz, the University of New Hampshire, and Evergreen State College. As an Omidyar Fellow and through his work with the Hawai’i Leadership Forum, Quinn aims to help Hawai’i navigate its waste management challenges and develop a more robust circular economy in the State. Quinn sits on the Board of Directors of HEMIC Insurance, Hawaii’s largest workers' compensation insurance carrier.  He lives in Kaimuki with his wife, Kara, and five-year-old son, Skylar.  Connect: FB: Re-use Hawaii | Honolulu HI | Facebook  @reusehawaii Instagram: Re-use Hawai‘i (@reusehawaii) • Instagram photos and videos @resusehawaii Website: www.reusehawaii.org LinkedIn: (48) Quinn Vittum | LinkedIn Email: info@reusehawaii.org You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠ |  Instagram: ⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠_org |  Facebook: ⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠.org

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Matthew Gonser, the Chief Resilience Officer and Executive Director of Oahu’s Resilience Office: Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency. We will learn what Oahu as a county has for Resiliency Goals and how we are implementing those goals. Since January 2021 Matthew Gonser serves as the City and County of Honolulu Chief Resilience Officer and Executive Director of the City’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency. He joined the City and the Resilience Office in October 2017 and previously served as Coastal and Water Program Manager. Prior to joining the office he served for nearly six years as the Community Planning and Design Extension Agent with the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program. Connect: FB: Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency | Honolulu HI | Facebook @ResilientOahu Instagram: Resilient Oʻahu (@resilientoahu) • Instagram photos and videos @resilientoahu Website: www.resilientoahu.org  volunteer: www.resilientoahu.org/getinvolved LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthewgonser , (24) City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency: Overview | LinkedIn Email: resilientoahu@honolulu.gov You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠ |  Instagram: ⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠_org |  Facebook: ⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠.org

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Nicole Chatterson, the Director of Zero Waste Oahu.  We will dive into their mission, partners, initiatives and resources for our community and breakdown waste and how we can tackle this beast!   Nicole is the co-founder and Director of Zero Waste Oahu and also has her own consulting firm focused on developing sustainable strategies, corporate sustainability and responsibility metrics and business plans that focus on the ESG. What is the ESG you ask? Well it stands for Environmental, Social & Governance…what you need to measure a company’s sustainability & ethical impact.  We originally met when she was working at the University of Hawaii System Office of Sustainability as a coordinator and never had the chance to do a podcast until today!  She has also worked at the Kupu Hawaii as a Program Director where she managed and mentored cohorts of fellows working on sustainability projects throughout Hawaii. These ranged from sustainable seafood, to waste reduction, to clean transportation.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree at California State University Long Beach and moved to Hawaii and obtained her Master’s here at the UH Manoa.  FB: https://www.facebook.com/zerowasteoahu/  @zerowasteoahu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zerowaste_oahu/ @zerowaste_oahu Website: www.zerowasteoahu.org LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nicole-chatterson-32547b32 Email: oahu.zerowaste@gmail.com You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠ |  Instagram: ⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠_org |  Facebook: ⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠.org

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Brittany Zimmerman, the CEO and Chief of Innovation of Yummet. We will go into depth on Circular Living and focus on the future of waste. How we can transform our waste to concrete, hydrogen, water and biochar through Yummet's technologies, biomimicry and indigenous practices to empower communities to truly become sustainable. Brittany Zimmerman: Before founding Yummet (Yamay), Brittany served as a NASA Principal Investigator and Aerospace Systems Engineer developing life support systems for long-duration spaceflight and habitation. She has committed herself and her company to bettering the conditions of humanity and is implementing her multidisciplinary expertise of space systems to make life support technologies easily accessible and affordable for terrestrial humanity, us right? ​ Brittany holds an M.S. in Space Studies with a focus on Bioregenerative Physical-Chemical Environmental Control and Life Support Systems for Long-Duration Human Spaceflight. Ms. Zimmerman has been repeatedly recognized for her innovation and leadership: ·    >95% Proposal Selection - Exceeding $85 Million in Awards ·    SSPI Promise Award Recipient ·    SSPI 20 Under 35 Award Recipient ·    3X NASA Principal Investigator ·    Technologies selected for the ISS, Artemis Program, DoD ·    Future Space Leader Awardee ·    Analog Astronaut: Inflatable Lunar/Martian Habitat, Crew 3 ·    Analog Astronaut: Mars Desert Research Station, Mission 171 Connect: Website: www.Yummet.com   Email: Brittany@Yummet.com You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠ |  Instagram: ⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠_org |  Facebook: ⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠.org

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Michael O’Keefe, the Deputy Director of the Department of Environmental Services. Jumping into landfills and hurdles we face with our waste here on Oahu.              Mike has worked in the City & County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services (ENV) for 15 years, including 10 years in its Refuse Division, 3 years in its Office of Administrative Support (OAS), and 2 years as Deputy Director.  In Refuse Mike oversaw ENV’s solid waste collection, recycling and disposal operations, the landfill and H-POWER.  In OAS Mike oversaw ENV’s long range CIP planning and budgeting, GIS, labor relations, wastewater customer service, and safety.  Mike also manages ENV’s financial model and its wastewater revenue bond program.  Mike has a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Southern California and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Hawaii. Instagram: @hnl.env Facebook: @HNL.ENV1 Website: www.ENVHonolulu.org Twitter:  @hnl_env YouTube:  ENV Email: env@honolulu.gov Address: 1000 Ulu‘ohia Street, Suite 308 | Kapolei, HI  96707 Phone: (808) 768-3486 You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠ |  Instagram: ⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠_org |  Facebook: ⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠.org

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Indy Rishi Singh who will be discussing community development, cooperatives and why regenerative civic engagement is so important to our communities today. Indy Rishi Singh is a well-being engineer & amateur social scientist. He's a co-founder of 2 cooperative businesses reimagining education, community development and regenerative civic engagement. Indy's podcast, “Political Hope with Indy Rishi Singh”, explores hope in its various forms, and he also leads neuroplasticity-themed wellness workshops and retreats with Fortune 500 companies, provides burnout & resilience retreats+workshops for healthcare workers, law enforcement and activist organizations, schools, & more. Learn & connect with Indy's work at https://linktr.ee/mysticscience LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/indyrishisingh/ Email: indyrishisingh111@gmail.com You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠ |  Instagram: ⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠_org |  Facebook: ⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠.org

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Hiro Nago, the President of EM Hawaii, LLC and one of the team members of the Genki Ala Wai Project. We will learn about EM ®, Effective Microogranisms ® and ways we can use them to heal our soils, fresh water sources like our Ala Wai Canal (with Genki Balls) and more! EM ® in many countries is providing solutions to problems we face globally such as food production, depletion of natural resources, environmental pollution, food safety, nutrition and health! Hiro Nago: Hiro’s ancestral roots come from Gushikawa- Okinawa in Japan. His grandfather immigrated at a young age and moved his family to various islands and finally settled in Kula, on the island of Maui. His father was raised on a vegetable farm and Hiro grew up in an environment of naturally grown foods and having fond memories of visiting the Maui farm. This led Hiro to change his major from engineering and earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. After graduation, Hiro wanted to learn more about his Okinawan roots, so he lived and worked as an assistant English teacher for Intermediate and Elementary schools in a small rural town called Sashiki for five years. Inspired after attending several lectures in Okinawa and reading “An Earth Saving Revolution” by Prof. Teruo Higa. Hiro decided that promoting the benefits of EM® and getting away from the overuse of chemicals would be his life mission. He joined EM Research Organization as a researcher in 1995 and opened the branch office (EMRO HAWAII), Inc. in 1996 to share the benefits of this amazing technology. Hiro then had the opportunity to take over and reorganize as a locally owned company EM HAWAII, LLC since 2006 and has over 24 years of experience with “Effective Microorganisms®”. Instagram: @genkialawaiproject  https://www.instagram.com/genkialawaiproject/ and @em.hawaii.llc https://www.instagram.com/em.hawaii.llc/ Facebook: @GenkiAlaWaiProject  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067879364795 and @emhawaii https://www.facebook.com/emhawaii/ Website: www.genkialawai.org and www.emhawaii.com Email: info@emhawaii.com Public Address for EM Hawaii LLC: 560 N. Nimitz Hwy Suite 217A, Hon, HI 96817 Phone: 808-548-0396 You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: www.smartlivinghi.org |  Instagram: @smartlivinghawaii_org |  Facebook: @SmartLivingHawaii.org

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Sean Anderson and Greg Williams w/ Full Circle Farm. We will talk about the Full Circle Farm they established and how their regenerative practices with composting, chickens, food scraps and more lead to healthy soils. From what was once waste going to our landfills and our H-POWER incinerator we now have alternatives that can be solutions for Hawaii’s future. Gregory Williams, began working in regenerative agriculture in Hawaii in 1998, working with the first organic sprout farm on Oahu to scale production island wide. In 2002, he began working in education bringing elementary school children from urban areas to organic farms for immersion experiences in Southern California. Gregory has over a decade of experience in operations and logistic management. He’s passionate about closed loop systems and helping build catalyst hubs that support change for the greater good. Sean Anderson has over ten years of experience in regenerative agriculture and composting. His degree in Global Studies from UC Santa Barbara helped build his global perspective and systems-based approach to problem solving. Sean is enthusiastic and passionate about composting and regenerative practices and shares his excitement through various educational tours and demonstrations hosted on their farm, in schools, and other organizations. Instagram:  @full_circle_farm_hi Full Circle Farm (@full_circle_farm_hi) • Instagram photos and videos Facebook: @FullCircleFarm (20+) Full Circle Farm | Waimanalo HI | Facebook Website: www.fullcirclefarmhi.com | Email: Connect@fullcirclefarmhi.com You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: www.smartlivinghi.org |  Instagram: @smartlivinghawaii_org |  Facebook: @SmartLivingHawaii.org

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Joseph Valenti w/ the Albizia Project. We will talk about the Albizia tree, an invasive tree here in Hawaii and solutions due to it’s rapid growth as it takes over our Hawaii forests. From building homes, furniture and now surfboards, there is much to learn about this species and how we can restore our native ecosystem. Joey Valenti is founder of the Albizia Project & co-founder of Bizia Surf. Albizia Project was established in 2017, when Joey was studying the efficacy of building with Hawaii's most prolific invasive species: albizia. He has since built everything from pavilions to performance wood surfboards using a material that was once widely discarded in Hawaii. He currently oversees two USDA Wood Innovations Grants in partnership with Hawaii Division of Forestry & Wildlife, Kaiser Group (Oregon), Albizia Project, and Bizia Surf. Albizia Project has grown to become a custom design & millwork business and a local distributor of their in-house certified regenerative lumber. Follow @albiziaproject on IG or visit albiziaproject.com Bizia Surf is slated to open its online and Wahiawa-based, brick & mortar store in December 2022. They will sell performance wood surfboards, branded merchandise, and ocean-friendly surf products. Follow @biziasurf on IG or visit biziasurf.com Instagram: @albiziaproject The Albizia Project (@albiziaproject) • Instagram photos and videos and @biziasurf Facebook: (20+) The Albizia Project | Facebook @albiziaproject Website: www.albiziaproject.com and www.biziasurf.com Email: joey@albiziaproject.com You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: www.smartlivinghi.org |  Instagram: @smartlivinghawaii_org |  Facebook: @SmartLivingHawaii.org

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Sandy Ward, the co-founder and executive director of the Malama Puuloa Program. Greatest goal is to restore Puuloa, Pearl Harbor and they focus on community stewardship, education and partnerships. We will learn more about what they do, how they support our keiki and students and how they work within the community for a more vibrant and thriving community in the future. Sandy is a Retired public teacher with 38 years of experience connecting students to place-based, project-based, inquiry-based learning. She has a Masterʻs of Science Education from Lewis and Clark College. Here is a quote from Sandy: "As someone was a teacher in Mililani 25 years, and now loving the opportunity to work with youth all over `Ewa, I want to create pathways to a better future for them! I believe with all my heart in a future of restored abundance for Pu`uloa and the surrounding `Ewa Moku and Itʻs an honor to help grow the next generation of empowered change-makers!" Instagram: @malamapuuloa Website: www.malamapuuloa.org LinkedIn: (99+) Hale Partners: Overview | LinkedIn You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: www.smartlivinghi.org |  Instagram: @smartlivinghawaii_org |  Facebook: @SmartLivingHawaii.org