Aloha ē!
So far Chris and I have highlighted some of our favorite parts of sailing and gems from our travels. For this log entry I wanted to highlight one aspect of sailing that has opened my eyes and hurt my heart. This issue is pollution. For real, we saw trash almost EVERY DAY that we were out sailing (especially around 4th of July). We would try to reach out with a gaff (long pole with a hook at the end, usually used for hooking fish) but the trash is hard to grab - especially when under sail.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8hKuTp1/
We saw all kinds of ‘ōpala
(trash) we saw paper plates, plastic bags, fishing trash… but the most common thing we saw without a doubt was balloons! It was hard to believe that with no other human in sight we would still see balloons and all this other rubbish around us. Growing up surrounded by warnings of pollution and threatening data of climate change we knew it was an issue, but to be reminded every day made us sit and think hard on the issue with the knowledge of just how grave this danger truly was to our ocean, it’s inhabitants, and us! And I don’t just see rubbish in the pelagic ocean, I see it on the beach, in parking lots, and yes as cheesy as it sounds I’ve even seen it in my own backyard!
No matter how “doom and gloom” this monster of a problem may seem… each and every one of us has a vital role to play in slaying the beast! Pollution can often give us some serious climate anxiety, and is (in my opinion) over discussed. So, I’m going to focus in on the solutions, positive work being done and highlight some inspiring innovations. They inspired me by showing me anyone is able to bring ideas like these to light, and shrink the issue that much more!
There are sooo many beautiful people doing great work in the plastic pollution space. Because I want to keep these reading short, I chose three local Hawai’i organizations and individuals to share with you guys. Links will be included below each description where you can learn more. I hope they inspire you to also use your personal gifts to add a little positive change to the pollution problem!
Bottles4College: 501(c)3 created by a 15 year old Local boy, Genshu. Genshu first heard about recycling from his father when he was about 12. He had been wanting to go to private school but knew that funds would be a challenge to overcome. They came up with the idea to exchange recycled cans and bottles for money and save that money for school. Growing from there, he decided to involve the community and has since recycled over 1 million cans and bottles. He has also rewarded over $20,000 in scholarships to 5 local students, helping them go to college. I find it so inspiring that local youth like Genshu are finding better solutions out of the pollution crisis.
https://bottles4college.weebly.com
Full cycle take out: This pilot program is a newer concept but I believe it has a lot to offer any community. Their concept is simple- get rid of single use takeout boxes, bowls and containers! They do this by supplying local food vendors with more durable, multi use Tupperware. Customers use these multi-use containers and can drop them back at the restaurant next time they get a meal or at any of Full Cycle’s sanitation stations. Although this program is not entirely active anymore (I believe they just do events), it is a great idea that can inspire many more! With about 29% of greenhouse gasses coming from packaging -and only so much room in my cupboards for more food containers- this is a great part of the monster to attack!
https://www.fullcycletakeouthawaii.org
Precious Plastic: This one isn’t local necessarily, but stick with me, it’s truly exciting! Precious plastic has developed an innovative solution to give plastics another life, educate the community on a large scale about recycling responsibility, and they uplift creativity!! Using a plastics shredding and melting machine they are able to mold plastics into just about anything you can dream up! Hand planes, surfboard fins, chairs, mallets - and those are just a few of their countless creations that got me really excited! Best part is you can purchase or make their machines yourself, get crafty, and even start your own business. People are using their guides and methods to do just that all around the world (I want one so bad).
https://preciousplastic.com
So again, these are just a few and just focused on plastics. If you like reading about good news stuff like dis let me know. For me, these solutions and tools get me out of my anxious funk when it comes to monsters like pollution, climate change, etc. Being in the ocean everyday, you look at these issues face to face. If you aren’t doing something because it’s too big - stop doing that! You have a great gift that no one else has to fix this planet. And I can’t wait to see what that next idea is going to be!! (If it involves a precious plastics machine, you better call me).
-Keili
As always, thank you to my dear friends and family. Especially my mother, Illa, thank you for always supporting my dreams to create a better planet 🌎❤️
I’m totally inspired!!! Stay tuned 🧪🚀⛵️🏖️