Tough times may force saner lifestyle choices

Philip S. Wenz

Well, here we are at the beginning of the Not-So-Great Depression. After years of living beyond our means and having too much on our plates, now we will have just enough - if we're lucky.
Whether the current economic downturn lasts five years or 20, it will radically alter our lifestyles. Our material culture will be significantly dematerialized.

Meanwhile, the global environmental crisis is building toward a crescendo. Like a gigantic version of the 1930s dustbowls, it is beginning to settle and choke the very basis of our lives and livelihood. Critical resources are rapidly disappearing, and environmental devastation is draining the global economy. The economic and ecological crises are deeply intertwined, and we are about to experience their combined impact.

How can we survive this unique global transition? What will our lives look like if and when we manage to develop a sustainable economy that balances resources and consumption? What steps can we take to achieve happiness and well-being, knowing that most Americans will have fewer material possessions?

Monday, October 6, 2008

This is an example other Pacific islands should follow:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/new-zealand-transition-towns.php
"New Zealand's Transition Movement Gains Strength"
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 09.30.08

See video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APMTXrIL48A

"Transition Towns Spread Throughout New Zealand"

"It seems like only yesterday that I wrote about Transition Towns reaching New Zealand. Well, a lot can happen in a short time – as the above video/slideshow shows, the people of New Zealand/Aoteoroa have been remarkably busy. Transition groups are appearing all over the country, and events and workshops are being held on everything from community food production to renewable energy. On a brief visit to the Transition Town New Zealand web page we counted 52 communities that are actively engaged in the transition process, either formally or informally. Click below the fold for further links and reading on Transition Towns. Given the recent fuel crisis in the southern United States, Transition Town Atlanta may be a good idea…"

::Transition Town New Zealand::via Transition Culture::

Further Reading on Transition Towns
Transition Towns Reach Japan
Transition Towns Reach New Zealand
Transition Town Plants Up Nut Trees for Food Security
Interview with Rob Hopkins, founder of the movement
Transition City Bristol
The Transition Handbook
Transition Towns Reach Australia
The Virtual Orchard Project

Aloha, Brad

Classified Ads October 5, 2008 - 2:27 P.M. Subscriptions

KAUAI News

Landfill compensation talk tomorrow in Kekaha
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by Dennis Fujimoto - The Garden Island

KEKAHA — The Department of Public Works will hold a series of meetings to discuss host community benefits offered to the Kekaha community as compensation for the upcoming expansion of the Kekaha Landfill.

The first meeting will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center.

Topics that will be covered include the formation of a Citizens Advisory Committee, a volunteer group that will help develop a compensation package for the Kekaha community utilizing county funds.

Nominations will be accepted for consideration and appointment to the committee at the meeting.

Future meetings in this series will be coordinated by the advisory committee.

Kekaha residents who are interested in serving on the CAC but are unable to attend the first meeting can call the county Solid Waste Program Coordinator Allison Fraley at 241-4837. For more information or to request an auxiliary aid, contact Fraley.

Mālama Kaua`i
News Release
For Immediate Release: September 28, 2008

Keone Kealoha, Executive Director
keonemalamakauai.org">keonemalamakauai.org
Tel (808) 828-0685

Naue, Kaua`i - The Kaua`i Public Land Trust has joined Mālama Kaua`i’s effort to purchase land at Naue, on the island’s North Shore, to stop a house from being built atop ancient Hawaiian burials.

The KPLT, which already has acquired four parcels on Kaua`i appraised at $8.3 million and totaling 28 acres, agreed at its Sept. 25 meeting to take on the Naue project, said Keone Kealoha, executive director of Mālama Kaua`i.

“With our two organizations working together, we feel confident that this endeavor will meet with success,” Kealoha said. “KPLT brings a strong track record and high degree of experience to this initiative.”

Donors can take advantage of the tax deduction associated with making donations to either of the two nonprofit organizations.

Mālama Kaua`i launched the acquisition drive on Sept. 15 with a $75,000 pledge from an anonymous donor. The objective is to raise enough funds to purchase a 15,000 square-foot oceanfront lot at Naue, between Wainiha and Hā`ena, where 31 burials have been discovered.

Pledges promised to date total over $85,000 and continues to grow daily. “I’m confident that the people of Hawai`i will come together to do the right thing”, Kealoha said. “It will to take all of us pooling our resources, large and small, for this effort to be successful.”

Fun, family, and food all day at Kilauea Ball Park!

Aloha,

Thank you so much for your on-going support of The Friends of Kamalani
and Lydgate Park!

Please save Saturday morning, October 25 to participate in National
Make A Difference Day.

We'll be planting shade trees around the new sports fields so wear your
gardening clothes.

Show up for registration is 7:30 AM AT THE NEW SPORTS FIELDS and we'll
serve lunch to the volunteers.

Attached below are two flier layouts--one full 8-1/2" x 11" size and
one that you can cut into four from each letter-size sheet. Could you
please use the fliers to help spread the word?

Full details on this volunteer workday are at:
http://www.kamalani.org/soccer_fields.htm

Questions / comments / group arrangements--please call me.

Hope to hear from you, or see you in the Park on Saturday, October 25.

Mahalo,

Thomas

Thomas A. Noyes

General Coordinator
The Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park

www.kamalani.org

c/o YWCA of Kauai 3094 Elua Street Lihue HI 96766
office: 808.245.5959 cell: 808.639.1018 home & fax: 808.822.5075

Published on Thursday, September 25, 2008 by The Seattle Times
The Local Community Radio Act Will Increase Local Voices, Choices

by Jonathan Lawson

This fall, Congress has the opportunity to expand local radio choices for people in cities and towns across America by passing a single, bipartisan piece of legislation. The Local Community Radio Act will allow hundreds more small noncommercial stations to fill vacant spaces on the radio dial - increasing local voices and music choices.

Folks in Opelousas, La., have a particularly strong understanding of the value of local community radio. When the Federal Communications Commission granted permission for a Low-Power FM (LPFM) community radio station in 2002, it was a point of pride for locals because the station would air zydeco music.

Despite its deep cultural roots in the community, zydeco could no longer be heard on the big commercial stations. And while the new station KOCZ didn't have the reach of the area's commercial stations - many of which are owned by conglomerates based in Las Vegas and Cincinnati - it served its listeners well with local church services, community forums and, of course, zydeco.

But when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana in 2006, the small local station rose to the occasion. Staying on the air throughout the storm and its aftermath, the community-based station was uniquely situated to provide essential public-safety information. KOCZ broadcasts helped coordinate grassroots-led aid efforts, providing information for evacuees seeking shelter and services.

SACRED KAUA'I HULA, OLI, & LORE
KUMU PONI KAMAU'U OF THE SACRED KAUA'I LUAHINE LINEAGE

By Popular Request ... A rare opportunity learn the Sacred Kaua'i Hula, Oli, and
Traditional Lore from Kumu Hula, Cultural Practitioner, and Spiritual Icon
Kumu Poni Kamau'u.

Poni is the Grand-Nephew of Hawai'i's last Hula Kapu, 'IOLANI LUAHINE, and the
son of renowned Kumu Hula and Chanter Hoakalei Kamau'u. He sat at the knees
of Hawai'i's revered Na Kumu, Kupuna, and Native Hawaiian Scholars, and is a
Cultural Resource for the Bishop Museum and the Department of Education's
Kupuna Program. He is the Keeper of the Sacred Luahine Lineage and shares
through Halau Kaleihulumamo and whenever his presence is requested.

INTRODUCTORY EXPERIENTIAL KAUA'I HULA, OLI, & SACRED LORE LECTURE
September 26th, Friday, 7:15 to 9pm
Contribution: $25

INTRODUCTORY KAUA'I HULA & OLI CLASS
September 27th, Saturday, 11am to 1pm
Contribution: $25
>>
SACRED KAUA'I HULA & OLI WORKSHOP
Experienced Hula Dancers, Cultural Practitioners, and Attendees of Introductory Lecture & Class
September 27th, Saturday, 3 to 7pm
Contribution: $45 Full Workshop Partial Workshop: $25 (3 to 5pm or 5 to 7pm)

MALAMA KAUA'I COMMUNITY ROOM
4900 Kuawa Road, KILAUEA

Presented by: INSPIRIT: Divine Entertainment & Communications
inspirit11hotmail.com">inspirit11hotmail.com www.inspiritdivine. Com

La’au Lapa’au Celebration
A Kupuna Event, honoring our elders, and offering the sacred knowledge of La’au Lapa’au in a public workshop.

Malama Kauai Guava Kai, Saturday October 4th 2008
Limited Seating…Prior Reservations Required

Contact Malia Locey to reserve your place :o)
821-2737 malialomiyahoo.com">malialomiyahoo.com
Proposed Schedule of Events for La'au event 9am-3pm,
10am-11am Kupuna panel
11am-12pm Lunch served
12pm-3pm La’au class with featured la'au teacher
Music and Hula by Papa Lau’ae O Makana
some plant products for sale
$60 prepaid before October 1st
$75 cash at the door.

Sponsored by Papa Laua’e ‘o Makana & OHA

Papa Laua’e ‘o Makana Inc. is the non profit organization of the Kaua’i branch of halau Pua Ali’i ‘Ilima and is dedicated to the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture and the environment through education.

Malia Locey 821 2737
malialomiyahoo.com">malialomiyahoo.com

September 28th from 6pm - 8pm at the Storybook Theatre in Hanapepe

*We cannot wait any longer Kauai! The time is now!*

*_Mana `Ohana, LLC is holding a FINAL MEETING to inform EVERYONE of how they can get involved in helping Kauai to stop importing 90% of it's food!_*

This is NOT a government organization, it is NOT a non-profit and this meeting isn't to sit around and talk about what we "Could Do." (Comment not directed at the many organizations helping with positive change through grass roots efforts) We want people who are ready to IMMEDIATELY take action, and start moving Kauai towards sustainability TODAY! Mana `Ohana, LLC has the facilities and the plan to start to help make this dream a reality! If you are a; farmer, local products business, active community member, baker, caterer, aspiring restaurant owner, potential investor or are involved in any type of business that aspires to sustain the food/products supply on kauai through local means, or someone who aspires to increase the health, wellness or homeopathic awareness on Kauai, please attend!