The Advantage of Being Green: More Businesses are Realizing it IS Easy Being Green
By Michael Kramer, AIF®
Our fragile island lifeline is, thankfully, waking people up to how we can survive here beyond the longstanding traditions of tourism and export agriculture. As consciousness shifts towards how we feed, shelter, clothe, work, and play in harmony with our ecosystem and our neighbors, people are becoming more aware of the impact of their lifestyle choices. As such, not only are people examining their patterns of energy and water use and waste produced, but they are thinking before they buy.
Where we shop, bank, and invest matters. When we spend our hard-earned dollars out, we want to know if these businesses take proper care of their customers and employees, give back to the community, conserve resources, and demonstrate a commitment to transparency, accountability and responsiveness to our concerns.
Local businesses in all industries that demonstrate such social and environmental consciousness are now being recognized by the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce’s Kuleana Green Business Program. If they qualify, they can display a special logo to distinguish themselves, while a bimonthly educational program and annual conference helps people in West Hawaii to adopt responsible and wise practices. Some of West Hawaii’s members are Captain Zodiac, Future Forests Nursery, Kona Brewing Company, RR Roofing, Hawaii Forest & Trail, Woodbury Inspection Group, Hualalai Academy, Hualalai Resort, and Pacifica Skin Wellness Institute.
Buying local is generally a good idea, particularly if the products are derived from the island’s raw materials. Here in Hawaii, the Honu Guide, based on Oahu, is the state’s first coupon book and resource guide for sustainable living. HawaiiGreenPages.com is a new web portal featuring many green products and services, while the Hawaii Island Visitors and Convention Bureau profiles its green business members and offers eco-tourism suggestions.
Evolution Sage is a Hawaii company that helps businesses calculate their carbon footprint and offset emissions with investments in the state’s renewable energy infrastructure.
Sustain Hawaii has launched the Pacific Integrated Knowledge Ohana, the first social networking site for Hawaii eco-enthusiasts. Kanu Hawaii asks people to make daily lifestyle commitments towards a more just and sustainable Hawaii. It also organizes service projects at such places as organic community gardens and beaches, bringing people together to give to the community in positive ways.
The Hawaii 2050 Task Force Report has numerous policy and business practices that will point our state in a more regenerative direction, while the Kona Community Development Plan articulates specific sustainable development protocols for West Hawaii.
When shopping for national brands, great care must be taken to look at how a company produces its goods. Check out “The Better World Shopping Guide”; it grades corporations on social and environmental criteria. You may want to know exactly why farmer’s markets and Cascadian Farms get an “A” while Del Monte gets a “D”.
A great resource for smaller green businesses is Green America (formerly Coop America), which for over 30 years has published the National Green Pages. Hawaii Island’s members include green business coaches Andrea Dean LLC and Lynn VanLeeuwen & Associates, Volcano Island Honey Company, Higher Vision Publications, and Natural Investments LLC.
Becoming a green business is easier than you might think. Through small commitments that care for employees and customers, give to the community, and steward the natural environment, more and more businesses are making money while making a difference in the lives of our people and the `aina. ❖
