Please note that this is a work-in-progress so drop by often as we add more STUFF!
LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, May 5, 2008



HONOR YOUR MOTHER EARTH!!!

QUICK `N DIRTY CLEANUP
Kapa`a Quarry Road
Meet at Kalaniana`ole Highway entrance opposite Le Jardin Academy

12:30 - 2 PM
SUNDAY, MAY 18
The week after Mother's Day

&

PAU HANA PARTY
Boardrider's on Hamakua Drive
2:15 pm - 4 pm
SUNDAY, MAY 18

Starting at 12:30 and running until 2 pm on SUNDAY, MAY 18, QUICK 'N DIRTY CLEANUP volunteers will fan out along Kapa`a Quarry Road starting at the Kalaniana`ole Highway and moving north towards the big dip in the roadway at the now-closed entrance to the old landfill. If enough volunteers show up, they'll be sent past the Kapa`a Transfer Station and beyond.
At the conclusion of the workday, all volunteers are invited to a hosted Pau Hana Party at Boardrider's on Hamakua Drive from approximately 2:15 pm to 4 pm.
Normally, these community stewardship activities which alternate between the mauka and the makai edges of Kawainui Marsh are held on the Second Sunday of each month; occasionally, however, WAA has scheduled them on other Sundays because something special is happening on the regular day - for example, Mother's Day in May.

WHAT TO WEAR - boots or closed-toe shoes with gripping soles, long pants because volunteers may need to go into the bushes, and a cap or hat. Bring along a long-sleeved shirt which can be removed. Gloves, trash bags, safety vests, tools, bottled water, bug spray & sun screen will be provided.

Pre-registration is not required for adult volunteers although students in grades 7 - 12 seeking community service credits must pre-register by phone or by e-mail.
For more information and for student pre-registration, call 247-6366 ext. 1#, 224-4496 or 223-4481 or send an e-mail to info@waa-hawaii.org.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE???
IT'S UP TO YOU!!

For long-time Windward Ahupua`a Alliance supporters, you know how much effort we've spent to get people to step forward & take on a leadership role in the organization as Boardmembers & Key Volunteers. It's embarrassing that WAA which is now wrapping up its sixth year of operations still has an interim Board of Directors.
Simply put, the organization can no longer function without an expanded base of volunteers who can take on a variety of responsibilities. These volunteers will in turn make it significantly easier for WAA to receive funding to hire staff.
Although WAA has been a major success in many different public policy & educational areas, a realistic & honest assessment shows that, as of this writing, it is barely better off operationally and, by extension, financially than it was back in July, 2002, when it first began.
It's time to re-visit the notion that there's a need for the organization. These discussions have already begun with a final decision to be made in early June.
Therefore, between now and May 24th, we're asking you to select which of three very different futures you want for WAA. You'll be given several opportunities over the next six weeks to make a selection via WAA's e-newsletter or you can vote using the website. You'll also be able to pick up printed ballots at the next Quick `N Dirty Cleanup on May 18.
With nearly 4000 individuals receiving WAA's e-newsletters, we'd like to get at least 100 responses to all three categories combined. Fewer than that will be a fairly clear indication that there is little support for WAA; however, that issue will not be taken up until after the count over Memorial Day Weekend. An announcement as to what will happen next will be sent out in early June.


To take part in the vote - only one vote per e-mail address, please - click on the appropriate e-mail address. For Option B and Option C, there is no need to do anything else except to click the SEND button in your e-mail program.
However, if you select Option A, then ALL of the required information must be included. Any incomplete Option A votes will not be counted.

OPTION A: If you select Option A, then you want to see the Windward Ahupua`a Alliance grow & expand in the months and years to come AND you are willing to step forward to volunteer either as a Boardmember or a Key Volunteer to carry out its mission to:
...educate & inform residents, visitors, businesses, policymakers, and the media about using Smart Growth planning principles which promote sustainability.These include Designing long-term waste management systems; improving illegal dumping/derelict vehicle legislation & enforcement; developing & implementing comprehensive curbside recycling programs; providing research & support on public access issues; establishing both state & county-level "legacy lands" funds to support affordable workforce housing initiatives and critical land purchases to protect against inappropriate development; creating alternative energy systems to reduce Hawai`i's dependency on fossil fuels & to mitigate the impacts of global warming; and, setting long-term watershed protection policies based upon ahupua`a concepts & principles using the Ko`olau Greenbelt & Heritage Trails System as one model.
You'll also be asked to make a financial commitment.

New Boardmembers will join current Directors James Kwong, David Donovan, and (temporarily) me. It is my plan to move off the Board and, if selected by it, into an executive director's slot. Jim Wood has asked to be replaced since he wants to spend more time working with the Waimanalo Health Center where he serves as its Treasurer.

Here are Boardmembers' duties & responsibilities in descending order of priority.
1. To elect officers; set up committees; recruit new/replacement Boardmembers; develop Key Volunteers;
2. To establish policies & procedures; re-examine & amend the Bylaws as needed;
3. To develop a budget & raise money through personal solicitations, special events & grants;
4. To make a minimum annual financial commitment;
5. To support & expand current entrepreneurial activities and to establish new entrepreneurial programs;
6. To raise awareness of WAA's environmental, cultural, social & educational goals with policy-makers, media & the public;
7. To sponsor and fully support existing environmental, educational & economic development projects as well as implement new programs;
8. To re-start long-standing & develop new formal & informal community partnership agreements & alliances; and,
9. To hire staff & set up an office.
A Key Volunteer is someone who'll take on a specific task such as coordinating HI-5 drives or overseeing information tables at community events or chairing a special event fundraiser or preparing food for major community stewardship workdays or keeping the database up to date or ????? Key Volunteers are also expected to make a minimum annual financial commitment.

Currently, WAA's recruitment priorities are to find individuals with professional training & experience in accounting, law, earth & marine sciences, urban & regional land use planning, fundraising/development, farming/horticulture/fishing, fine or performing arts, multi-media and IT, banking & finance, quantity food preparation, and social/cultural studies. WAA also seeks people with strong administrative, marketing, and event organizing skills as well as employees in management training programs sponsored by local businesses, government agencies & other non-profits plus students, faculty & researchers in a wide variety of fields.
Retired folks with these skills as well as residents living anywhere in Hawai`i who can meet on O`ahu several times a year are welcome to serve on WAA's Board.

If you are willing to step forward to lead WAA into its next phase of its lifecycle, first click option-a@waa-hawaii.org and then copy & paste the following information into the new e-mail. Fill out the requested information and then push the SEND button. You'll be contacted after May 24 about what will happen next.

FULL NAME

E-MAIL ADDRESS

DAY PHONE

NIGHT PHONE

CELL PHONE

MAILING ADDRESS


POSITION VOLUNTEERING FOR - you can select both
BOARDMEMBER
KEY VOLUNTEER

SPECIAL SKILLS & TALENTS



OPTION B: If you select Option B, then you want the Windward Ahupua`a Alliance to cease its activities and go into a sleep mode for up to three years in order to preserve its 501c3 tax status which could then be transferred to another group of community activists who would like to use it as a way of getting organized and fully-operational without having to go through the long process of setting up a new non-profit from scratch.The IRS does allow this option. However, should this be the future selected, the new group would have to have a fair amount in common with respect toWAA's mission & vision.
WAA will make sure that all required forms are filled out in a timely fashion during the dormant phase; however, it will no longer be active in any way including public policy work and stewardship activities.
If this does not happen at the end of three years, then WAA will go through the steps outlined in Option C.
To select this option, click option-b@waa-hawaii.org. Once the e-mail form pops up in your browser, push the SEND button.



OPTION C: If you select Option C, you are asking that the Windward Ahupua`a Alliance disband as soon as possible under the rules governing non-profits established by the State of Hawai`i and the IRS. This should be accomplished by July 1, 2008.
To select this option, click option-c@waa-hawaii.org. Once the e-mail form pops up in your browser, push the SEND button.

Once the ballots are tallied at the end of May - and there is no minimum number which need to be turned in - whichever selection receives the most valid votes will be the one which will carry the most weight in making the final decision to restructure, become inactive, or disband. If you have any questions, please call me at 247-6366 ext. 1# or 224-4496 rather than sending an e-mail.

WHO?? WHAT???
IS THE
WINDWARD AHUPUA`A ALLIANCE????

The Windward Ahupua`a Alliance was established in July, 2002, to create the Ko`olau Greenbelt & Heritage Trails System in order to restore, protect & provide public access to the mauka (mountain) lands on the Windward side of O`ahu along the base of Na Ko`olau as well as to support locally-owned sustainable economic activities in the more developed areas. Over time, however, its mandate has expanded well beyond these vitally important regionalissues.

Many folks think that WAA just organizes community cleanups, but, in fact, that is just a very small part of its overall mission. We are much more than that. Education, empowerment, and accountability drive just about every aspect of the organization's actions - especially when it comes to changing public policies.

So what exactly does WAA support - and do? WAA now works to educate & inform residents, visitors, businesses, policymakers, and the media about using Smart Growth planning principles which promote sustainability.These include Designing long-term waste management systems; improving illegal dumping/derelict vehicle legislation & enforcement; developing & implementing comprehensive curbside recycling programs; providing research & support on public access issues; establishing both state & county-level "legacy lands" funds to support affordable workforce housing initiatives and critical land purchases to protect against inappropriate development; creating alternative energy systems to reduce Hawai`i's dependency on fossil fuels & to mitigate the impacts of global warming; and, setting long-term watershed protection policies based upon ahupua`a concepts & principles using the Ko`olau Greenbelt & Heritage Trails System as one model.

WAA has established partnerships with over two dozen organizations, coordinated field trips to meet with people who are engaged in sustainable economic activities in agriculture, tourism & high technology, and co-sponsored or played an active role in seminars, workshops & conferences on a wide range of public policy issues including health, education, social justice, sustainable economic development, homelessness, and workforce housing.

WAA’s accomplishments include establishing the state-wide BUST-A-DUMPER Campaign which grew out of WAA’s highly-successful Kapa`a Quarry Road clean-ups. Another is setting up four RECYCLING FOR CHANGE programs to help underwrite WAA’s activities. A third victory is being one of the major supporters of ACT 234 - The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2007.

WAA has also played a significant role in strengthening the laws, ordinances & administrative rules dealing with solid waste management, long-term land use planning, and renewable energy.

Taking part in Windward Ahupua`a Alliance activities is open to individuals, businesses, other non-profits, and government agencies who share its values without respect to residency or location.
YOUR $$$$$ SUPPORT IS NEEDED

The Windward Ahupua`a Alliance now uses PAYPAL, an electronic funds transfer program, to accept contributions.
Click here to donate for Windward Ahupua`a Alliance's general program activities:

WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?
How Global Warming & Climate Change Will Impact Everyone - Even Non-Believers & Denier

WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? How Global Warming & Climate Change Will Impact Everyone - Even Non-Believers & Deniers is a multi-media presentation by Shannon Wood based upon Al Gore's AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH. Attendees at all presentations will receive coupons for compact fluorescent lights from HECO.
Wood is one of six O`ahu residents - and one of ten across the state - trained by Al Gore in Nashville to carry the messages about global warming as articulated in his award-winning documentary.
The other Hawai`i Presenters are: Michael Bailey/O`ahu; Josh Cooper/O`ahu & Maui; Susan Cox/Big Island; Kyle Datta/Big Island; Rob Kinslow/O`ahu; Jeff Mikulina/O`ahu; Alan Nakagawa/Big Island; Nadine Newlight/Maui; Stuart Scott/O`ahu.
All totaled, there are approximately 1,000 Climate Messengers in more than a dozen countries around the world who are working with schools, churches, business organizations, community & non-profit groups, government agencies & elected officials, and concerned individuals to provide solid scientific information as well as small, but critically important positive steps we all can take to slow down or reverse the warming trends. The main message: We can do it - together.
NOTE: Wood has prepared 20-minute, 40-minute, 60-minute & 90-minute presentations. Each program also includes additional time to discuss the issues and to answer questions.