Genki Ala Wai Challenge
Donation protected
WHY?
Our bold vision is to make the Ala Wai Canal swimmable and fishable in 7 years. To do this, we are using Effective Microorganisms® to remove sludge and clean the waters of the canal.
HOW?
Effective Microorganisms (EM) have been used for more than 35 years in over 100 countries to remove sludge, improve water quality and restore eco-systems. In Hawaii, a commercially available bioremediation product (EM•1® from EM HAWAII, LLC) has been used in agriculture (permitted by the State Department of Agriculture) and other applications such as to reduce sediment within shrimp production ponds and the hippopotamus pond at the Honolulu Zoo, and in the anchialine ponds at the Four Seasons Hualālai Resort.
WHAT?
The "Genki Balls" shown above are the carriers for Effective Microorganisms (EM). EM is a mixed culture of aerobic and anaerobic beneficial microorganisms that are found in the natural environment. They are primarily lactic acid bacteria, yeast and phototrophic bacteria that co-exist and work with other microbes in the environment. The main function of EM is to decompose and ferment organic matter. EM also effectively suppresses harmful microbes, decomposes harmful chemicals, prevents oxidation and eliminates foul odors. One of the advantages of these beneficial microorganisms is that they are safe and environmentally-friendly.
WHO?
We are working closely with Ala Wai Elementary and Jefferson Elementary Schools. Children from several grades have made the Genki Balls that contain the beneficial microbes. They are introducing these into the canal by tossing the balls in. They then sink to the bottom and slowly release the microbes. The students are also helping to measure sludge depth and take water samples. The project has been integrated into their STEM curriculum.
FUNDING
We need funds to pay for:
-Materials to make the Genki Balls (soil, molasses, rice or wheat bran and the EM•1 solution)
-Water sampling kits and water testing
-Our permit from the Hawaii State Department of Health / Environmental Protection Agency which cost $1,000
-The public notice regarding the permit which cost $1,700
-Software to help us present and share the data we gather with the community
All 5 of our team members have volunteered a massive amount of their time (including weekends and late nights) since we started working on this project at the end of 2018. In addition, some team members have put in their own cash to fund our activities. They need to recoup some of these funds and we will need more funds as we plan to continue this project throughout this school year and start a second cycle the following school year. No one will be paid from these funds -- we'll all continue to volunteer our time and energy because we really believe that EM is going to clean the Ala Wai!
We feel that this is a worthwhile project of immense benefit to the community. Once we are successful with this pilot project, we plan to scale-up our activities to clean and restore the ecosystem of the entire Ala Wai Watershed. Thank you for your support!
More Information: www.genkialawai.org
Our bold vision is to make the Ala Wai Canal swimmable and fishable in 7 years. To do this, we are using Effective Microorganisms® to remove sludge and clean the waters of the canal.
HOW?
Effective Microorganisms (EM) have been used for more than 35 years in over 100 countries to remove sludge, improve water quality and restore eco-systems. In Hawaii, a commercially available bioremediation product (EM•1® from EM HAWAII, LLC) has been used in agriculture (permitted by the State Department of Agriculture) and other applications such as to reduce sediment within shrimp production ponds and the hippopotamus pond at the Honolulu Zoo, and in the anchialine ponds at the Four Seasons Hualālai Resort.
WHAT?
The "Genki Balls" shown above are the carriers for Effective Microorganisms (EM). EM is a mixed culture of aerobic and anaerobic beneficial microorganisms that are found in the natural environment. They are primarily lactic acid bacteria, yeast and phototrophic bacteria that co-exist and work with other microbes in the environment. The main function of EM is to decompose and ferment organic matter. EM also effectively suppresses harmful microbes, decomposes harmful chemicals, prevents oxidation and eliminates foul odors. One of the advantages of these beneficial microorganisms is that they are safe and environmentally-friendly.
WHO?
We are working closely with Ala Wai Elementary and Jefferson Elementary Schools. Children from several grades have made the Genki Balls that contain the beneficial microbes. They are introducing these into the canal by tossing the balls in. They then sink to the bottom and slowly release the microbes. The students are also helping to measure sludge depth and take water samples. The project has been integrated into their STEM curriculum.
FUNDING
We need funds to pay for:
-Materials to make the Genki Balls (soil, molasses, rice or wheat bran and the EM•1 solution)
-Water sampling kits and water testing
-Our permit from the Hawaii State Department of Health / Environmental Protection Agency which cost $1,000
-The public notice regarding the permit which cost $1,700
-Software to help us present and share the data we gather with the community
All 5 of our team members have volunteered a massive amount of their time (including weekends and late nights) since we started working on this project at the end of 2018. In addition, some team members have put in their own cash to fund our activities. They need to recoup some of these funds and we will need more funds as we plan to continue this project throughout this school year and start a second cycle the following school year. No one will be paid from these funds -- we'll all continue to volunteer our time and energy because we really believe that EM is going to clean the Ala Wai!
We feel that this is a worthwhile project of immense benefit to the community. Once we are successful with this pilot project, we plan to scale-up our activities to clean and restore the ecosystem of the entire Ala Wai Watershed. Thank you for your support!
More Information: www.genkialawai.org
Organizer
Ian Pelayo
Organizer
Honolulu, HI