Maui College Earth Day Community Event, April 20

Photo Credit: Student ʻOhana for Sustainability

The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College hosts the second annual UHMC Earth Day celebration on Wednesday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Earth Day event is free and open to the public.

Though this event, local organizations hope to foster conversations about sustainability and have the opportunity to outreach to the community to share ideas and projects.

“I hope the conversation about our commitment to helping the Earth continues to be a prosperous and lively one for everyone involved”, said Pali O’connell, UHMC student.

Photo Credit: Student ʻOhana for Sustainability

Students in the Sustainable Science Management program at the college are organizing the event. Through the program students learn to use critical sustainability thinking skills and applied science to develop knowledge, skills and leadership for the future.

“Earth Day started as a young people’s effort to help increase awareness about our planet’s degradation and limits during the tumultuous 1960s” said Tim Botkin, the SSM Program Director. “Sustainability science is building on the mechanisms for addressing similar, if even more complex contemporary issues, which makes it so appropriate that SSM students lead an annual celebration of our optimism for a healthy future in such a beautiful place.”

Some of the local organizations at the event include Trilogy’s Blue ʻĀina Campaign, Humpback Whale Sanctuary, Boo Boo Zoo, Surfrider Foundation, Coral Reef Alliance, Maui Cultural Lands/Polanui Hiu, East Maui Watershed Project, Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, Pacific Biodiesel, Hawaiʻi Ecotourism Association, Haleakalā Pacific Parks Association, Hui O Waʻa, Save Our Seabirds, Indigenous Crop Biodiversity Festival Group and Hawaiian Island Land Trust.

The event includes live music and performances, booths with carnival themes, a raffle for prizes, food and beverages, games, a bouncy castle, tree planting ceremony and more.