Archive - Giving Back RSS Feed

Santa Barbara International Film Festival: “The Great Huki”

Share on TwitterShare via email

We  are proud to announce the world premier of “The Great Huki” at the 27th Santa Barbara International Film Festival.  This is our debut film, a short documentary that is also officially accepted to the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival.

Here’s a link to the SBIFF Program Guide

World Premier SBIFF, The Great Huki

Photo: Celeste Dudderar                       Link to IMDB Trailer

“The Great Huki” (huki is the Hawaiian word meaning “pull together, gather”) tells the story of how a tiny community organization took a huge first step toward saving a beautiful Hawaiian bay, by attacking the invasive alien algae (mudweed) that was killing it.

Maunalua Bay was a dying bay. Malama Maunalua, a tiny non-profit, was started by a small group of concerned residents to restore it. After identifying invasive alien algae (mudweed) as one of the top threats to the Bay, Malama Maunalua enlisted and trained community volunteers to begin removing it. One bag at a time, the community began to take care of its Bay. Then, Malama Maunalua was awarded a NOAA grant for a ‘shovel ready’ project and accelerated their efforts for the restoration of the Maunalua Bad. They hired a contractor to remove the mud weed and thus began ‘The Great HUKI’.

During the 18 months of “The Great Huki”, full-time crews removed 3.0 million pounds of invasive alien algae and cleared 26 acres of precious near-shore area.

Today, the 26 acres remain cleared of silt and mudweed. All of the removed mudweed is being used as composts. Scientists are finding that the removal of the mudweed is indeed improving the health of the Bay. And the community continues its work –knowing that even such a large step, was only the first step.  MalamaMaunalua.org for more information about the great work of this organization.

See Also:  Oceanflimfest.org

See Also: WowBoyz.com

 

 

 

I LOVE NEW YORK and I LOVE GAY MARRIAGE

Share on TwitterShare via email

Gregg and I were married in California on September 13, 2008. Ther were many New Yorkers in attendance. We are so happy for the News out of New York State this weekend. We applaud Governor Cuomo for Championing the cause. Gregg and I, to be very honest with you,  are not totally sure of the state of our marriage in California. We believe it to be a valid marriage even as  Propostion 8 is still be fought  in the courts. The marriages that were made that summer were not declared invalid, nor have they tried to forcibily divorce us, yet.  New York has always been a champion of civil rights and frankly the “shit show” that has occured in California needs to be resolved soon. Let’s look to New York for inspiration and leadership. Meanwhile follow the Prop 8 Trial Tracker put up by the Courage Campaign. I Love New York!

Good Weave, Good Cause.

Share on TwitterShare via email

Recently, we were in touch with a friend, and well- loved local preschool teacher,  who moved to Washington D.C. to pursue her Masters in International Relations.  We found she has taken her love of kids with her and is now interning with Good Weave, an organization working to end child labor in the carpet industry and to offer educational opportunities to children in South Asia.

child labor, not neutral, elephants, kis rooms, child rugs,interior design, responsible shopping, green, sustainable, South Asia, coral, blue, silk, custom, fish skin, in style, mission,campaigne, importers,end child labor,retailers,online,Good Weave,illegal, slave labor, labor laws,

Vibra Silk at Carini Lang

child labor, not neutral, elephants, kis rooms, child rugs,interior design, responsible shopping, green, sustainable, South Asia, coral, blue, silk, custom, fish skin, in style, mission,campaigne, importers,end child labor,retailers,online,Good Weave,illegal, slave labor, labor laws,

Fish Skin Blue from the Animal Collection at Carini Lang Continue Reading…

Green Up for Earth Day

Share on TwitterShare via email

Earth day, ideas, ways to honor, plant, reduce, reuse, recycle, spring, plant a garden, switch, light bulbs, household products, green, sustainable ideas, family

green, sustainable, earth day, design, recycled, lighting, bamboo, rattan, plastic, earth day, celebrate, ideas, tips, links, wine, eco,platinum LEED, green roof,net-zero, fashion, hip tshirts, Phoenix Roadsterbarney's Co-op, biodigradable, books,organic, wine

1. Here’s a good start: Choose Organic or, even better, Bio-dynamic Wines.  Read more at Real Simple/Blog.           2. Support Clean beaches by buying a T-Shirt made out of beach trash. Featured at Art Basil Miami, these organic-cotton Loomstate T-shirts by Barbara de Vries are available exclusively at Barney’s Co Op via Ecouterre.            3. Plant a tree, or spend more time in one.  See amazing eco tree house or this Family Tree House in Mission Hills by Salfdie Rabines via Re-Nest.  There are more great inspirations of tree house designs at Inhabitat.         4. Yoga is a Hindu word that means union. Traditionally, it refers to that mind-body-spirit connection that we seek, in a world where mass-produced items often harm our health and the environment. It’s really key to make sure our  gear is in line with that union.”  says Feel Good Style     5. If you are feeling over the top or just looking for a new vehicle, the Phoenix is the first biodegradable car.  This elegant roadster was made in 10 days from bamboo and rattan by Kenneth Cobonpue and Abrect Birkner.  See more about it at Inhabitat.         6.  Buy Recycled Goods like this Recycled Penta Lamp by Luca Casarotto via Yanko design.

See a Green Roof on our Net Zero, Platinum LEED Beach House project here.

More ideas:  Visit Wikihow OR buy this book: Do One Green Thing: Saving the Earth Through Simple, Everyday Choices.

 

Happy Earth Day to All of You.

Bye Bye Violet Eyes

Share on TwitterShare via email

Celebrate Elizabeth Taylor’s Life and Give to AMFAR, Foundation for AIDs research.

Elizabeth Taylor

Image: fullissue.com

Our favorite Elizabeth Taylor movies (Gregg)  Cat On A Hot Tin Roof & (John) Butterfield 8.

Work Incentive = Luxury Travel

Share on TwitterShare via email

A friend of mine is preparing for an all-expense-paid vacation with her husband through his work. What a great way to keep a positive vibe and work ethics in sync. I am not sure what company they are using for the trip–and she is counting  the days– but I found Luxe Travel and their division of Performance Solutions. This incentive luxury travel agency  has plenty of dreamy photos of serene, sophisicated, warm and relaxing destinations that would inspire motivation to succeed on many levels. Here is just a taste of the options.  Where would you go?

incentive travel, destinations, corporate incentive,luxury,travel agency, world-class, top 5, vaction destination, tropical, adventure, sno, ski, pool, massage, high end, boutique hotel, european, europe, u.s., united states, four seasons, globally gorgeous,wow boyz, distraction from panic, maienza wilson, caribbean, mexico, motivator,

Bulgari Hotel-Milan

incentive travel, destinations, corporate incentive,luxury,travel agency, world-class, top 5, vaction destination, tropical, adventure, sno, ski, pool, massage, high end, boutique hotel, european, europe, u.s., united states, four seasons, globally gorgeous,wow boyz, distraction from panic, maienza wilson,

Wakaya Club | Fiji Islands

incentive travel, destinations, corporate incentive,luxury,travel agency, world-class, top 5, vaction destination, tropical, adventure, sno, ski, pool, massage, high end, boutique hotel, european, europe, u.s., united states, four seasons, globally gorgeous,wow boyz, distraction from panic, maienza wilson, caribbean, mexico, motivator,

Armani Hotel -Dubai

Singita Faru Faru Lodge

Necker Island-British Virgin Islands

Although I have never been a part of the corporate system, I do know the value and integrity that comes with being supported and recognized for being a part of a team.  Having a small team is like being part of a family.  John and Gregg have been my role models with  their hip ,sophisticated style,  but it’s the infusion of integrity and generosity that really inspires the drive and motivation to give back.

Page 1 of 3123»