Announcements

Kanu announces Simplify the Holidays campaign

Kanu Hawaii and the Kokua Hawaii Foundation have teamed up for a Simplify the Holidays campaign. Their goal to get at least 1,000 people to make specific commitments that reduce waste, build community or boost aloha this holiday season. As of Nov. 29, Kanu had recorded 335 commitments on its web site.

"The holidays are hard on the environment," Kanu says, "We produce 25 percent more waste during the holidays than during the rest of the year, and most of that is wrapping paper and food waste."

The campaign is about cutting down the wastefulness and getting in touch with the true spirit of the holidays. As Kanu member David Huitt of Kona put it, it's about "giving gifts from the heart instead of the wallet."

Commitments might include taking on one or more suggested simplifying tips:

  • WRAP WITH REUSED fabric, maps, calendars, envelopes, etc. Cut old clothes or sheets into simple squares and check out the "Furoshiki" wrapping technique ... http://bit.ly/8L8Rwq
  • MAKE HOLIDAY CARDS from reused materials or send e-cards. You'll never look at security envelopes the same way again ... http://bit.ly/1Gv69n
  • USE A LOCALLY GROWN or potted Christmas tree. Different options on different islands, including a company on Maui that pots native trees ... http://bit.ly/55BfII
  • SET UP RECYCLING BINS at your holiday parties. Plastic is a petroleum product. Recycle 30 bottles at a party and you've saved a gallon of oil.
  • COMBINE ERRANDS to save gas and cut emissions. A five-mile trip to the store emits almost five pounds of greenhouse gases. Plan ahead, combine errands, save gas, money and the climate.
  • GET OFF JUNK MAIL LISTS to save paper, trees and the climate. These paid services charge a small fee: precycle.tonic.com and 41pounds.org. Or, do it yourself with a little effort ... http://bit.ly/vozgW.
  • USE ENERGY EFFICIENT LED CHRISTMAS LIGHTS to save energy. Get $3 off an energy-efficient LED string lights if you bring in a regular working or non-working string ... http://bit.ly/J9QUo.
  • ORGANIZE A SECRET SANTA gift exchange. Free online services help with large groups, allow members to post wish lists, and notify folks by email who their Secret Santa ... http://bit.ly/bbzYW.
  • START A NEW ECO-FRIENDLY holiday tradition. Check out some of the ideas and stories from last year's Simplify the Holidays Campaign ... http://bit.ly/1pwe8h.
  • MAKE THREE HOLIDAY GIFTS YOURSELF instead of buying new ones.

Join the campaign today with one commitment (link below) to get updates on coming STH meet-ups, events, gift ideas, and more. Also, share your stories on the campaign page so we inspire others. Click to join the Campaign!