UH Maui College to Hold Earth Day Celebration

Members of the UHMC Student Ohana for Sustainability. Courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

Conservation groups, student clubs, artists and musicians will congregate  on the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College campus to celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Events will kick off at 11 a.m. with a native tree planting ceremony and blessing on the Great Lawn, followed by music, games and booths until 2 p.m.

Members of the UHMC Student Ohana for Sustainability. Courtesy photo.

UHMC students have taken the lead in organizing the event on campus this year.

The events will focus on fostering conversations with businesses, community organizations and students about sustainability, and celebrating Earth Day through education, music and play.

“We want to raise awareness about how students can get involved in supporting our island,” said UHMC student Pali OʻConnell, Earth Day coordinator for the campus Sustainability Club. “The whole community is invited to join us for workshops, interactive activities, networking and fun.”

“The hope is that this event will plant the seed for ways that students can become involved in an aspect of sustainability that is meaningful to them–both on and off campus–whether it be through joining a community club, or through volunteer, paid, or internship work opportunities,” said Alexander de Roode, executive director of the Sustainable Living Institute of Maui.

Entertainment will include live music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a photo booth, a large Earth ball game, volleyball, tug-of-war and more.

Artistic expression is encouraged with free writing and sketching activities, photography, video and a wall exhibit of artwork from Maui Open Studios.

Music Instructor Anne Ku will lead an Earth Day Music Jam at 9 a.m., and again at 6 p.m. in Kupaʻa 104.

“Earth Day Music Jam is open to the public,” Ku said. “We encourage everyone to bring your own instrument or join us on one of the 22 digital pianos and two acoustic grand pianos to make music.”

“We hope to inspire folks to learn more about volunteering through projects like the Great American Cleanup and Art of Trash,” said Jen Cox of Mālama Maui Nui. There are so many ways to make a difference on Maui.”

Groups participating in the event include Blue Aina, Coast Processes, Hawaiian Humpback Whale Sanctuary, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, KIRC, Maui Ocean Center, Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, Mālama Maui Nui, MISC, Rising Sun Solar, the Sustainable Science Management program at UHMC, West Maui Kumuwai, West Maui Ridge 2 Reef Initiative and Whispering Winds.