UH West Oʻahu students and staff, along with a project to plant breadfruit and coconut trees around the Kapolei campus were among the winners of the 3rd University of Hawaiʻi President’s Green Initiative Awards that were honored on Feb. 8 as part of the 6th Annual Hawaiʻi Sustainability in Higher Education Summit, according to a UH News story.
The awards recognize student initiative, innovation, creativity and civic engagement in campus and community sustainability with cash prizes totaling $40,000 and are presented by the Hawaiian Electric Charitable Foundation, the Castiglione A. Casauria Foundation, Johnson Controls and Trane C.
“We are grateful for the support of our partners who sponsor these awards every year,” said UH President David Lassner. “They help us recognize, honor and reward the amazing work of our students, faculty and staff across all ten campuses as they innovate, collaborate and lead in amazing ways to inspire us in advancing sustainability across all ten UH campuses and the state.”
Green Project Implementation Awards
The award recognizes student-driven sustainability projects on-campus or in the community with measurable outcomes. Among the four winners was a project for the West Oʻahu campus:
- The ʻUluNui Project ($5,000 from Castiglione A. Casauria Foundation) Planting 10 ʻulu (breadfruit trees) from at least 3 different species of breadfruit and 10 niu (coconut trees) from at least 4 different species of the coconut family which are expected to produce fruit year-round at the UH West Oʻahu campus.
“The complex and interconnected challenges of our times—climate change, sustainability and resiliency—will require new ways of thinking, being and doing if we are to solve them,” said Matthew K. Lynch, UH System sustainability coordinator. “The creativity, passion and sophistication recognized through these awards can give us all hope for a brighter future.”
Green Student Leader Awards
Kahiau Kauluwehi from UH West Oʻahu received $1,000 Green Student Leader award presented by Jay Ignacio on behalf of the Hawaiian Electric Charitable Foundation.
The award recognizes students who take on leadership roles in sustainability related activities on campus and in their communities. The honorees receive $1,000 each from Johnson Controls, Hawaiian Electric Charitable Foundation and Trane Comprehensive Solutions. UH West Oʻahu’s award winner, Kahiau Kauluwehi, was among 10 award recipients.
- Kahiau Kauluwehi, UH West Oʻahu—For restoring ʻāina momona (abundancy to the natural environment), and leading by example with the spirit of aloha.
Faculty and Staff Leadership in Sustainability Awards
This award recognizes excellence among UH personnel to lead sustainability initiatives across operations, curriculum, research, engagement and cultural connections.UH West Oʻahu staff accepted two of the six awards given. Staff honored were:
- Tiana Henderson, UH West Oʻahu—For creating a flourishing community through cultivating a flourishing campus garden and commitment to na mea waiwai (our cultural and natural resources).
- Tasia Yamamura, UH West Oʻahu—For creating a flourishing community through cultivating a flourishing campus garden and commitment to na mea waiwai (our cultural and natural resources).
For a complete listing of the awards, see 2018 President’s Green Awards recognize leadership in sustainability across campuses.