Environment & Sustainability

At Down to Earth, Earth Day is one of our favorite days of the year. We love promoting sustainable practices to help keep our Earth healthy! On our website, we have articles on the many reasons to go vegetarian, one of those being for the sake of the environment. One article brings up that vegetarian and vegan diets use significantly lower amounts of Earth’s resources. If you are already vegetarian, or maybe not quite ready to make the leap, there are many other practices you can implement to lower your environmental impact.  

In early March, a group of Down to Earth team members attended Expo West, one of the largest Natural Product shows in the entire world. At this convention, the main draw is usually to see new products and upcoming innovations. There are also numerous events and workshops that cover relevant topics surrounding the Natural Products industry. One of the most popular events focuses on predicting upcoming trends. Usually these feature trending categories like specific kind of snacks or beverages (i.e. plant-based jerky, kombucha, etc.) that are gaining popularity.

With Thanksgiving approaching, everyone will soon be taking time to acknowledge what they’re grateful for. I am grateful for many things, but one thing that stands out to me the most is my puppy Mango. I recently rescued a puppy from the Humane Society. Going to the Humane Society or any rescue agency is probably one of the saddest things ever, but also rewarding in many different ways.

As you drive up the Wai'anae Coast, especially coming from Honolulu, you might notice a wonderful sense of vibrancy growing as you go further west. This invigorating feeling intensifies as you pull up to the seemingly quiet fields of Ma’o Organic Farms. As you look up into the incredibly dry Wai’anae Range in the background, you may be surprised that anything grows out here, let alone a commercial farm that sells a huge volume of produce. You can feel that something very special must be happening here to not only survive but to flourish. Ma’o is definitely doing something special. 

This past March, a group of Down to Earth Team Members (including myself) dedicated some time to volunteering at Green Rows Farm, a special place nestled under the Ko’olaus in beautiful Waimanalo, Oahu. The farm is managed and cared for by Sean Anderson and a group of young farmers all dedicated to regenerative practices, excited by Oahu’s local food movement, and enthusiastic about getting dirty, having fun, and growing delicious food. Every Wednesday Green Rows Farm invites the public to help out on their farm.

Earth Day is on April 22, one day before my birthday. Growing up, I always felt a connection to Earth Day; it was like my own special holiday. My young mind seemed to think that Earth Day was actually the Earth’s birthday and so close to mine – it made me feel like I was “birthday buddies” with the Earth. Of course I eventually knew the real story behind the day but it hasn’t taken away this odd sense of kinship with my “birthday buddy”.

When you think of the word sustainability, do images of farms, recycling symbols, and windmills come to mind? Sustainability can be a huge concept to wrap your mind around. Working at Down to Earth, I’m usually surrounded by like-minded people who incorporate sustainable practices in their lives without a second thought. However when I run into the “real world”, it shocks me sometimes how little many care about sustainability. 

Living in Honolulu, it’s so easy for me to forget that I live on land that is still very much alive. This past December, a group of thirteen Down to Earth team members (including myself) dedicated some time to volunteer at a special place tucked deep in Kalihi Valley. Ho’oulu ‘Aina is a beautiful nature preserve and organic community garden -- if you haven’t been there, it’s truly breathtaking! Every Thursday, Ho’oulu ‘Aina invites the public to their Growing Farmers community workday from 9:30am to 12:00pm.