Sustainable Initiatives by Andrea Dean

The Big Island (with two locations in Waimea and Waikoloa) joined 250 groups in all 50 states today in a National Day of Action to get REAL FOOD in the schools spearheaded by Slow Food USA. No more Tater Tots? No more Mystery Meat? Ahhh… such fond memories of school lunches… NOT!


I am sure the Tater Tots will be safe for a while as the task at hand is to get the U.S. Congress to change the Child Nutrition Act to dedicate enough resources for the schools to buy REAL FOOD. SIGN THE PETITION.


Our local “eat in” at Waimea School was great. The cafeteria was full and the local food was great- lots of fresh, local food prepared lovingly by many hands. Missed it? Check it out:





From Slow Food USA: Together, we are publicly rejecting the notion that our schools cant afford to feed kids anything but the bad food that makes them sick. And the way were making this statement is by bringing neighbors together in the spirit of good will and for the joy of sharing good food.


Check out the Slow Food USA National Day of Action website for interviews with Michael Pollan and others on this national movement.
The New York Times article Stars Aligning on School Lunches is also great.

I am just not that good at coming up with witty, marketable names for my classes. Help me!


My first Green Business Coaching Group is wrapping up in July and I am launching a new Green Business Group/Class in September. The new Group will feature different green business topics being taught each week by me and special guest speakers. Coaching techniques (active listening, powerful questioning, asking for commitments and accountability, etc) will be incorporated in the conversation in order to enhance learning and help participants to achieve their goals. Participants will also be able to help drive the agenda- asking for classes on topics of interest to them. People in the current group have really enjoyed the conversations that we have had and the connections they have made with each other. Feeling connected to each other and exchanging ideas has been a rich part of our group.


The New Name

Some basic info:

Here are some of the words that I have been playing with, but unable to put into any great order:
Connect (Connection)
Engage (Engagement)
Achievement (Achievement)
Accomplish (Accomplishment)
Regenerate
Action
Stimulate
Accomplishment
Network with linke-minded….
Advancement
Progression
Expansion
Innovation
Resource
Evolution
Innovate (Innovation)
Eco preneur
Eco innovation
Aina innovation
Green Business
Green Biz
Sustainable business class series
Sustainable Business
Sustain biz
Greenasiannce
Socio eco
Green biz innovators class series
Eco biz
Green Team…..
Green Biz Blast
Hawaii Green Innovators
Eco Innovators
Going Green Hawaiian Style
Hawaii Eco-preneurs
Green Business Instutute of Hawaii
Green Biz Grow and Connect


If I choose a name that you come up with, I am happy to offer you a place in the Green Biz Group (or whatever it’s called!)- a $390 value.

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.