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The University of Hawai'i at M�noa Sierra Club is a new environmental organization led by some UH students. The club's aim is to inform students, faculty and the entire campus community about environmental issues that affect UH M�noa, and to communicate the importance of renewable energy sources.
The Sierra Club, founded nationally in 1892 by conservationist John Muir, now has several chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
The UH chapter has 10 active members that attend weekly meetings, and about 80 to 90 students are involved on a more limited basis.
"We are always looking for new people to get involved," said Kim Kido, a member of the Sierra Club.
The club, formed over the summer, gets students involved with hikes and clean-ups around the community.
Members meet on alternating Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 5 p.m. This gives students with a busy schedule the chance to participate in the club, Kido said. It is currently going through the process of electing officers for the upcoming semester.
"I think the most important thing is to be a conscious consumer," Kido said. "Buy local to support the industry here and reduce the amount of gas needed for importing goods. Buy organic to support those that don't use potentially carcinogenic pesticides. Someone once called this 'voting with your dollar.' It's easy and non-confrontational, and everyone can do it."
Linda Day has been advising the club since it formed in July. She organizes facilities, speakers and other resources for the club.
"The Sierra Club members are an incredible group of students," Day said. "They chose global warming as their primary issue because it is so critical and so timely."
The Sierra Club played a central role in Sustainability Week, Oct. 19 to 25. Members organized Pono Juice for Hawai'i, a renewable-energy forum and fund raiser, on Oct. 25. The goal of the event was to raise awareness about environmental issues that affect the campus community. Fruit smoothies made from a bicycle-powered blender were sold to raise funds for the purchase of solar panels for the UH campus.
A panel of environmental experts was at the event to answer questions and to provide information on political candidates' positions on renewable energy and the environment.
The panel featured Michael J. Antal, professor of renewable energy resources at UH's Hawai'i Natural Energy Institute (HNEI), and Jon Webster Abbot, renewable energy systems designer from 21st Century Technologies. Also speaking were Jenna King, marketing assistant of Pacific Biodiesel, and Dr. David Rezachek, associate development director of Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning.
For more information about the Sierra Club and future events, contact Linda Day at sustain@hawaii.edu.
