On Tuesday, March 9, 2011, a forum was held in the Aloha Center discussing the topic of “Sustainability.” The forum featured three guest speakers: David Keala from Food Services, Theresa Holmes from Sustain BYU–Hawaii, and Carol Feenga from the Kokua Hawai'i Foundation. Each of the speakers called for a better and more sustainable BYU–Hawaii.
Several projects highlighted at the event are already in progress, helping the university and the community take a step toward sustainability. Food Services discussed their donation all of excess grease and fat to Hawaii Reserves Inc. (HRI) who then converts the grease into biodiesel fuel. A portion of that biodiesel fuel is given back to BYU–Hawaii and students from the biochemistry department make soap with the biodiesel fuel.
Sustain BYU–Hawaii discussed their efforts to have more recycle bins on campus and to educate students on how it is easy to become sustainable. The Kokua Foundation is highly involved with educating the surrounding schools including, Laie Elementary, Kahuku High and Intermediate, and Sunset Elementary schools about ways they can become more environmentally friendly. The forum ended with Carol Feenga challenging each participant to inspect their own life and find ways that they can become more educated about sustainability and contribute to a more sustainable community.
With the efforts of these three groups, BYU–Hawaii is moving toward becoming a leader in sustainability efforts on this side of the island. Those interested in helping the sustainability efforts can join the Sustain BYU–Hawaii group which meets every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. on campus in Aloha Center Room 135. Add “Sustain BYU-Hawaii” as a friend on Facebook and learn more about the events that they will be holding.