Sustainable Initiatives by Andrea Dean

Pictured at right: Kenneth Sheeks- Hawaii Skylights & Solar Fans, Michael Kramer- Natural Investments LLC & Kuleana Green Business Program founder, Andrea Dean.


On Wednesday night at the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce after hours, my company was recognized as a participant in the Kuleana Green Business Program.


The Kuleana Green Business Program recognizes businesses that promotes ethical and socially responsible business practices and environmental stewardship. Chamber businesses apply to the program and are evaluated based upon the following criteria:


• Product/Service Quality
-Unique products / services that deliver benefits to consumers, society and the environment.
• Community Relations & Benefits
-Activities that help the community to flourish socially, culturally, and economically.
• Customer Relations
-Strategies to provide outstanding service and attain customer loyalty.
• Employee Relations
-Policies for hiring and retaining employees, and for promoting accountability
• Environmental Stewardship
-Actions to minimize the business’ impact on the land, and efforts to conserve and regenerate resources.
(Source: Kuleana Green Business Program website)


Some of us think all businesses should integrate social and environmental strategies into their operations. Just the application process to Kuleana is a learning experience. Apply today! The committee has people to help you with your application.

Last week I had the great pleasure of meeting Yosh Kanematsu from Greenz.jp.  Greenz.jp is a Media Activism & Global Network based in Tokyo. Greenz is a news provider for treehugger.com, yahoo! Japan and others, they also organize Earth Day Tokyo and Green Drinks Tokyo.

Yosh heard about my green business ideas and we met in Waimea where he interviewed me. Yosh was probably the first person that I have met that instantly understood the value of coaching in moving green businesses forward towards achieving their goals. What a great affirmation of this part of my approach.