Sustainable Initiatives by Andrea Dean

A presentation on Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) with Michael Kramer, Accredited Investment Fiduciary and Managing Partner at Natural Investments LLC.


February 23, 2010 • 6 pm • Kona Stories in Kainaliu • Free


Utilizing mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and other instruments, Natural Investments LLC serves clients large and small with customized portfolios that fulfill each person’s social and environmental concerns. With hundreds of socially responsible funds and managers investing in virtually every asset class, today’s investment portfolios can achieve the diversification and competitive performance of conventional approaches.


If you are looking for ways to make money while helping to fund solutions to the social and environmental challenges of our time, come learn more about Socially Responsible Investing from one of the leaders in the field of values-based investing.


Michael Kramer, M.Ed. AIF®, is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary and Managing Partner at Natural Investments LLC, Hawai`i’s only registered investment adviser which exclusively manages portfolios of socially and environmentally responsible investments. Natural Investments LLC is an investment adviser registered with the SEC with offices in five states which serves individual and institutional clients nationwide. Michael has lived in Kona since 1999, where he founded the Kuleana Green Business Program of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce in 2005 and the Kona Earth Festival. He currently serves on the board of the Sustainability Association of Hawaii and the Hawaii chapter of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies.

Yes, the rumors are true. Last night the Green Power Heroes swooped into the Kona Christmas Parade to deliver a message to the people. Led by Green Power Girl and her new accomplice Green Flash- Mercury Man, Buddy Biomass, Anti-GMO Man, Sir Zero Wasted, Ezra, Back to the Green and Mighty Mene Man came to tell one and all to GREEN YOUR HOLIDAYS. Unfortunately, that evil Crimson Tide also showed up. She was encouraging people to use more wrapping paper, increase fossil fuel consumption, and to throw their plastic trash in the ocean. A Green Power Hero’s work is never done. In and out of costume, the Green Power Heroes are always working hard in service to the earth. See the secret identities of the Green Power Heroes revealed here. All of the GPH costumes were made from recycled and found items.

Sir Zero Wasted, Back to the Green, Crimson Tide, Buddy Biomass, Mercury Man, Anti-GMO Man, Mighty Mene Man, Green Power Girl, Ezra in front. Where is the Green Flash?

Green Power Girl leads the Green Power Heroes

Back to the Green

Buddy Biomass

Crimson Tide

Anti-GMO Man

Mighty Mene Man

Mercury Man

Sir Zero Wasted

Green Flash

Ezra- He has the Whole World in His Hands

Green Flash turns to Susan for help with his cape.

It’s official! I have just launched my new weekly podcast- Going Green with Andrea Dean, Stories of Green Business from Hawaii and Beyond!

Help me spread the good green word and get 100 new subscribers by the end of June!

In this podcast I interview Michael Kramer of Natural Investments LLC. Michael Kramer is a Managing Partner and Director of Social Research at Natural Investments. Natural Investments is Hawai`i’s only registered investment adviser which exclusively manages portfolios of socially and environmentally responsible investments.


Michael Kramer is based in Hawaii and Natural Investments also has offices in Colorado, Washington and California. Natural Investments LLC have been leaders in the field of Socially Responsible Investing or SRI for over 20 years, and wrote two of the leading books on the topic, Investing from the Heart and Investing With Your Values: Making Money and Making a Difference.


You can also listen or download here:

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:01 — 4.2MB)

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.