In support of the mission to keep Hawaii beautiful, folks from across the islands will gather on Maui in late August for the annual Laulima Conference and yearly meeting of Keep the Hawaiian Islands Beautiful (KHIB).
In support of the mission to keep Hawaii beautiful, folks from across the islands will gather on Maui in late August for the annual Laulima Conference and yearly meeting of Keep the Hawaiian Islands Beautiful (KHIB).
The Aug. 25 session at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center will involve representatives from Keep Hawaii Beautiful, the Big Island affiliate, and the state’s other area groups — Nani O’ Waianae, Community WorkDay Program, Keep Kalaupapa Settlement Beautiful, Keep Honolulu Beautiful and Keep Kauai Beautiful. Together, they form the statewide network of the Keep America Beautiful system in Hawaii.
“Keep the Hawaiian Islands Beautiful and our six local affiliates invite you to participate and support the work that these community-based organizations have accomplished to improve the health and beauty of our precious islands,” said KHIB state leader Jan Dapitan.
“Litter control remains at the heart of the volunteer partnerships throughout the state,” said Dapitan. “Beautification has expanded to include greening initiatives like community gardens, streetscapes and landscaping, and the removal of invasive species, and practices of sustainability.”
In keeping with a national Keep America Beautiful emphasis, a native species planting day has been scheduled for Sept. 8 throughout Hawaii.
“The community improvement focus puts KHIB in the common and unique community issues of environmental education, preservation of culture and natural resources, brush removal and fire abatement, enforcement of abusive practices such as illegal dumping, abandoned automobiles, neglected property, clearing and cleaning of streams and beaches — flood control measures and marine debris — and public response to request for information, direction and direct help with problems,” said Dapitan.
The concept of Environmental Court is the theme of the agenda, as Hawaii seeks answers to increasing practices that address natural area abuses and urban practices that are environmentally disruptive to public safety and healthy lifestyles.
Judge Larry Potter, the national founder of the Environmental Court, will keynote the conference. A mock trial presentation and panel discussion will result in an action plan to move the concept forward, said Dapitan.
Keep the Hawaiian Islands Beautiful is the state leader affiliate for the six Keep America Beautiful certified affiliates serving communities across the island state, with the mission to encourage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving the community environment and preserving the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands.