LCC Celebrates Sustainability

Pack your mats, lawn chairs and coolers and bring the family down to Leeward Community College, which has a free sustainability festival from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 14 in the campus courtyards.

The fourth annual Ka Mole o Na Pua Festival kicks off the celebration of Earth Week at the college and is known for its engaging activities in celebration of sustainability. There will be cooking demonstrations, entertainment, local vendors, food, crafts for the keiki, Hawaiian games, educational discussions, information and demonstrations on sustainable practices and energy conservation and hands-on educational activities for young children.

Entertainment will be provided by the Ewa Elementary School Choir, the Leeward Jazz Ensemble, the Leeward Choir, Ashley K. Simpson, the Iroquois Point Band, the Manana Elementary School Choir and contemporary jazz artist Starr Kalahiki.

In addition to the usual family-friendly events, the festival also will include an opportunity for keiki to help paint a mural, Waianae Seariders Robotics demonstrations, Hawaii State Science Olympiad activities, a CFL light bulb exchange with Blue Planet Foundation and “drive-through recycling” with Aloha Aina Recycling.

Embracing the vision of a sustainable future is the mission of Ka Mole o Na Pua.

According to the group, the name Ka Mole is the Hawaiian term for the main root of the plant, and it illustrates the relationship between kupuna and keiki. As the main root nurtures the plant, the intent of the festival is to educate and engage young people in taking care of our environment.