A New Approach to Restoring the Ala Wai Canal
BY EDWIN TORRES — The Hawaii Exemplary State Foundation’s (HESF) Genki Ala Wai Project is working to restore the Ala Wai ecosystem – one Genki ball at a time. Utilizing bioremediation technology, the project is aimed at suppressing harmful microbes, assisting with decomposition of harmful chemicals, preventing oxidation and ultimately making the Ala Wai Canal once again swimmable and fishable in seven years.
With success in multiple projects throughout the world, this innovative “mud ball” approach involves a mixture of clay soil, rice bran, molasses, water and an EM-1 (“Effective Microorganisms”) solution that has been proven to effectively digest waste buildup.
On April 7, members of the Outrigger corporate team joined Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel and OHANA Waikiki East by Outrigger to put together over 1200 of the small mud balls that will be released into the Ala Wai Canal on Earth Day, April 22, as part of the ongoing efforts to cleanse the historic waterway. We are excited to be a part of such a unique and innovative approach to sustainability and restoration, thrilled that we’ve been able to forge this partnership and look forward to seeing the Ala Wai Canal restored to its former glory.
The gallery was not found!Outrigger Fiji Beach Resorts Begins Recyling Project
BY ASHNEEL CHAND — On March 6, the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort (FOR) set up a recycling project which was conducted by the hygiene manager, Ashwindra Naidu, with the assistance of environment officer, Maryanne Shaw. Recycling is one way to control pollution because it is key to reducing the wastage of some useful materials. Recycling aims at environmental sustainability by substituting raw material input and redirecting waste output from our ecosystems.
FOR has been recycling over the past years where used oil and certain bottles (locally produced beer) were recycled with wet food waste and given to piggery farms in neighboring villages but as of today, we are going into a full recycling project and becoming more environmentally friendly.
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