In anticipation of President Scott's announcement of the Punahou 2016 sustainability initiative, we are beginning work on an online site where individual students and teachers with their classes can collaborate on developing project ideas and get started on real-world projects. The site will has the potential to serve as an archive for sharing the results of the projects. Come visit us at
Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. is a Kailua, Hawaii based company. They specialize in ocean engineering and naval architecture. They are also looking into and reasearching sustainable and renewable energy sources and ways to cut back on our energy usage.
HECO provides many great resources in terms of research.
This is, as the title states, a list of resources having to do with sustainability that was put together by the Hawaii State Public Library System for Hawaii 2050.
http://www.earth911.org/master.asp
I originally found this sight a while a go when I was researching battery recycling as an environmental project. However, it has a lot of connections to sustainability and not just in terms of waste management. This is a green advice site; it has lots of articles, facts, and tips on how to lead more environmentally friendly and sustainable life. It touches on everything from recycling to water quality to organic shopping. I like this site because it’s well organized and easy to read. I also really like the cheery “you can make a difference” corner.
The Annual Energy Review published by the Energy Information Administration
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/overview.html
This website has every fact and statistic on energy in the US that you could ever imagine and probably a bunch you never could. I just looked at the Energy overview, and even that its packed with information on how much energy we use, how much we produce, how much we buy, what kinds (renewable, coal, gas), where it comes from and so much more! It also breaks down energy consumption by state, which is interesting.
However, it's important to note that these are raw statistics. Its not light reading. This is definitely a resource older students and teachers. However, it might have interesting curricular potential. Students can look at this data in math classes; they can use real world data in their exercises while simultaneously learning about sustainability.
http://www.gotcurbside.org/
This is a really good site on local effort to implement curbside recycling. It includes information on current waste levels on O‘ahu, a landfill countdown and links to help you contact your representatives. I used this site to contact members of the state house who are currently debating curbside legislation and submit testimony in support of such a bill. The “Take Action” link makes it really easy and all the evidence you need to back up your position can be found on the sight. On other good thing about this sight is that it has a "tools for teachers" link as well, with math activities and essay prompts. So, it has a curricular componet. I think this site would be an ideal tool for an ISS or contemporary issues class. They could use it as a spring board for getting involved in local politics.
Sun Power for Schools is a voluntary partnership between Hawaiian Electric Company, Oahu's public schools, and the community. HECO is committed over the next two years to install, operate, and maintain solar electric systems using photovoltaic technology in selected schools. HECO also used a grant for the development of a renewable energy teaching manual which includes lesson plans and activities that are aligned with the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards (HCPSII). This manual is available to middle and high school teachers through their school libraries.
This document is about solar lighting and the applications of it.
What Is Renewable Energy?
Electricity is produced from a variety of energy sources. Some are fossil fuels such as oil and coal (natural gas is also a fossil fuel, but is not available in Hawaii). Other energy sources are "renewable," which means they can be replenished, often using sources from nature.
OTEC, a promising new technology is beginning to emerge and the Hawaiian Electric Company is looking into it. More information about this plan to come.
TheBus is adding two new hybrid electric buses to its fleet. With 40 hybrid buses in service, at $485,000 each, Oahu Transit Services now operates one of the largest fleets of hybrid buses in the nation. More environmentally friendly the other buses that it operates, the buses also feature passenger ammenities, making it more comfortable and for greater ease of access. At just 11 inches from the ground and with a low-floor design, there is no need for steps which allows the elderly to board and depart.
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PUNAHOU SCHOOL