Archive for September, 2008
Renowned Sustainable Agriculture Expert to Speak at MCC
Free Presentation Followed by Outdoor Gardening Workshop
On Wednesday October 1st, 2008 the Sustainable Living Institute of Maui (SLIM) will host a presentation and workshop to be given by Michael Ableman, renowned farmer, author, and photographer and a recognized practitioner of sustainable agriculture and proponent of regional food systems. Michael has written several books and numerous essays and articles, and lectures extensively on food, culture, and sustainability worldwide. Michael serves as a Food and Farming Advisor for the Center for Ecoliteracy based out of Berkley, California, is the founder of the Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens, currently directs the historic Foxglove Farm on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, and is developing The Center for Art, Ecology & Agriculture. Michael Ableman and Zenobia Barlow, cofounder and executive director of the Center for Ecoliteracy, recently joined a delegation from the Nobel prize-winning Grameen Bank in Jamaica to discuss the central role of food practices in alleviating poverty. He is also the author of several books, most recently Fields of Plenty: A Farmer’s Journey in Search of Real Food and the People who Grow It (Chronicle Books, 2005). Michael will be joined by Dr. Carolie Sly, education program specialist with the Center for Ecoliteracy. Dr. Sly holds a Ph.D. in science education from U.C. Berkeley and authored and coauthored several publications, including The California State Environmental Education Guide. She has taught elementary school, operated a private high school and teen café, and served on the faculty at San Francisco State University.
Michael will present on sustainability, farming, and education. His presentation will be held in the MCC Paina main dining area from 2:30p.m.–3:30p.m. on Wednesday October 1st. This presentation will be followed by an outdoor gardening workshop to be held from 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at the MCC Farm. All are invited to attend. Attendance is free.
We look forward to having you join us for this exciting sustainability event!
For additional information on Michael Ableman please visit: Fields of Plenty.com
For additional information on the Center for Ecoliteracy please visit: www.ecoliteracy.org,
U.S. Senate Passes Energy Bill
H.R. 6049, the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008, will provide approximately $18 billion of tax incentives for investment in renewable energy, carbon capture and sequestration demonstration projects, energy efficiency and conservation. The bill will also extends $27 billion of expiring temporary tax provisions, including the research and development credit, special rules for active financing income, the State and local sales tax deduction, the deduction for out-of-pocket expenses for teachers, and the deduction for qualified tuition expenses. In addition, the bill provides almost $10 billion of additional tax relief for individuals through an expansion of the refundable child tax credit and a new standard deduction for property taxes. The bill would be primarily offset by closing a tax loophole that allows individuals that work for certain offshore corporations, such as hedge fund managers, to defer tax on their compensation and would delay the effective date of a tax benefit that has not yet taken effect for multinational corporations operating overseas.
Ma‘alaea Algae Biodiesel Farm
Community Discusses Ma‘alaea Algae Biodiesel Farm Impacts
Experts Explore Water Recycling
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council discusses wastewater management and critical issues impacting the marine environment. “The ocean needs our kokua…”
Maui Weekly, Maui Weekly 9/18–24/2008 article
Pure Water from higher up the mountain
So much water has been taken from the water table that salty sea water is replacing it.
How about getting pure water from higher up the mountain and letting the water table replenish iteslf?
How about light rail for Maui?
Do you think Light Rail would provide practical transportation on Maui?
Bamboo Houses are lovely
Yes, they really are.
Emergency Preparedness
CERT – Community Emergency Response Teams – creating a citizens corps of local ‘first responders’ in every community. Maui County offers free training.
What should I do about drinking water in case of an emergency?
How much water do I need?
Consumers should ensure a safe supply of water for emergency use, by storing at least two (2) quarts of water per person per day that you expect an emergency to last. In other words, a supply of two gallons of water per person should last for 4 days. Don’t forget to have some water on hand for your pets.
Don’t wait to store water supplies. It would be wise to clean containers you will be using to store water ahead of time. Once you have been advised to store water, it would be best not to wait until the last minute, as many other people will be trying to draw water at the same time.
How can I disinfect my water for drinking?
If the water system did not have any main breaks or loss of water pressure, the water quality can generally be assumed to be safe for drinking. Otherwise, any water that will used for drinking, cooking, or brushing the teeth should be properly disinfected before use.
Consumers should listen to the radio for advisories on the areas where water has become contaminated and unsafe to drink. Follow directions and advisories from the Maui Department of Water Supply, Civil Defense, or the Department of Health on disinfecting water and/or the location of alternative water supplies.
Should there be any concerns over the safety of the potable water, the following may be considered for disinfecting water:
Heat
- Strain the water through a clean cloth into a container to remove any sediment or floating matter.
- Boil the water vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Allow the water to cool. The flat taste caused by boiling is easily removed by adding a pinch of salt to each quart of boiled water or pour the water back and forth from one clean container to another.
Chemical Treatment
When boiling water is not possible, chemical disinfection should be used. The two chemicals commonly used are chlorine or iodine. Strain the water as in step #1 above and purify with chlorine or iodine as follows:
Chlorine – Any household bleach solution (plain, not scented) that contains hypochlorite may be used for disinfection. The strength is given on the label; use the following to determine the amount of chlorine to add per quart of water.
| Available Chlorine | Drops per Quart of clean water* |
| 1% | 10 |
| 4-6% | 2 |
| 7-10% | 1 |
| *Double the amount for turbid (cloudy) water |
The treated water should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor, if not, repeat the dosage and allow the water to stand for an additional 15 minutes. If the treated water has too strong a chlorine taste, it can be made palatable by allowing the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or by pouring it from one clean container to another several times.
Iodine – Common household iodine from the medicine chest or first aid kit package may be used to disinfect water. Add five (5) drops of 2% United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) tincture of Iodine to each quart of clear water. For turbid water add 10 drops and let the solution stand for at least 30 minutes.
Asian Inspired Mango Salsa
By Peter Liu
Best made at peak mango season, when you can’t keep up with the mangos falling on the ground. The mango is the only sugar component in this dish.
- 2 large ripe mangos, finely chopped (squeeze the remnants around the pit into the bowl)
- Fresh ginger, about twice the size of your thumb, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 large shallot or 2 scallions (green onions) finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Ponzu (Kikkoman is best. Ponzu is just a seasoned soy + citrus so you may get similar results w/splash of soy)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- The juice of 1 calamansi (or 1/2 lemon or lime)
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt (just enough until you taste the shallots/onions)
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- Fresh chile pepper or dried red pepper flakes to taste.
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and allow to sit for a 1/2 hour. Serve with chips.
South Maui Sustainability 