Aug 15, 2010

Kipuka (latest interview video!)

A film I made about a month ago- finally have good internet to upload the file!
Video still may be processing- large file!!

Aug 15, 2010

Denmark, Germany, Poland and beyond!

Still exploring Europe- enjoying every moment.
Meeting people with similar interests and new types of work I couldn't imagine.
I remember trying to explain to a gentleman that I'm studying conservation. He was so happy and excited- going: "ah yes yes- conssservation! I love conssservation! What is your favorite artist to conserve?"
Apparently he thought I conserved art.. Took a long time to explain that I conserve the environment.. He was deeply disappointed unfortunately.
Berlin in Germany was amazing! I rented bikes with my sister and rode around for half the day. So bike-friendly and encouraging.
I hope to go back just to bike!
Internet access is limited- however I'm uploading a new video I made about a month ago. Took a long time to find an internet resource where I can just sit for an hour and let the video upload.. This is the 8th time I've tried- every other place was either too slow or I had to leave after 20 minutes..
Video is almost up!
Will provide a link

Jul 24, 2010

Swedish biking

Currently in Sweden- a lot to reflect on. One note to share is a new system set up by a town for free bikes.. What you have to do is give 5 krona (less than $1 USD ) to the bike provider. Then you can have the bikes for however long you want. When you return them; you get your money back! It is free and encourages biking.
The twist:
The bikes are a bit heavy and have no gears. For someone who rides bikes every once in a while it is good. For a starter= not the best.
Everywhere there are bike paths and maps so it is quite encouraging to explore nature without using any petrol!
The bike system set up in England was fantastic as well- felt very good where I was and seemed to be taken advantage of

till then
ciao

Jul 10, 2010

Commitments in England

For the past few weeks I've had various encounters with different people who have never met someone from Hawaii. Naturally it is part of my being to question people about their feelings of the environment and what they do on a personal level. I find that mostly people do recycle, as they can simply leave the items outside for a truck to pick them up on specific days. Though it is common, at least among the people I've met, to not have composts. I noticed a LOT of green waste going..well..simply to waste. Most of the trash bags are filled up with recyclable material, which especially are of green waste.
I have no problem telling people my thoughts in a positive manner.
Questioned why no compost? Do you grow anything? Want to?
It seems that at most people I know want to just grow flowers. Organic food here is quite cheap and available in this summer that it is kind of pointless to grow their own crops (according to a generalization of quotes).
I suppose it makes sense- There are even services to drop off organic veggies to your door. Farmer's markets and festivals flourish with amazing colors and tastes.
The only thing I truly miss from Hawaii are the bananas.. The ones here don't taste very good.. I miss my homegrown delicious bananas!
I commit to educate anyone I meet regarding organic farming and sustainability. So far I have been quite successful on sharing such ideas.

Jun 27, 2010

Plastic Bag

Fantastic short film narrated by Werner Herzon ( I recommend to look him up)
Short film (less than 20 min) about a plastic bag. A must see.
Very strong and important message. I really loved the effort gone through to make this film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDBtCb61Sd4

cheers

Jun 27, 2010

England and beyond

It has been a very difficult past few weeks regarding internet usage. I've been traveling after graduating high school and turning 18 through England. Quite a blessing and eye opener.
I have many new photos and videos I wish to share, however the computers I use to access the internet won't connect with my hard-drive, so I must just simply right. I do apologize to those who have shown interest in what I share.. It is simply my time to learn how to get on here when I can while enjoying traveling of course.
This whole new environment has been quite a shock in good and bad ways.
First, I've been staying near the university of Essex as the students finished their semester and transitioned to the summer. Meaning a lot of parties and festivals... Also meaning a lot of rubbish and mindless partying. Every following day of these events would bring me to a beautiful morning with trash in all directions.. Quite depressing, for places such as trees, lakes, rivers and fields were filled with unexpected (mostly recyclable) rubbish. Even a sofa was found in the lake?!
While most days were depressing for me to walk around and find a beautiful spot containing various trash items, I did find some peace. Peace with the food system and people. I managed to sit down with various people and ask simple questions. My first thought was of how they viewed the trash. Such as is it a big issue to see it? Would you pick it up if I gave you gloves and a bag? What kind of food do you eat?
Overall I got smooth answers with positive views. Mostly all agreed that trash is certainly not something they are comfortable seeing, in fact most pointed out how disgusted they were at seeing it. The food certainly has its share being imported, but the imports are not too far off. Mostly delicious fruits, cheeses, and wine were what I'd hear to be of interest.

I think what I want to find is the root of how people go out of their way to put trash in random locations, how would I say, almost deliberately offensive? What I mean is going on a gorgeous walk down a path while coming upon a tree stuffed with bottles, paper, boxes, various metals, etc... Just 5 more minutes down the path is a rubbish bin (which still isn't the solution, but what can we do?)

An interesting thought that I've shared with people is the first development of trash. Mostly seeming to come after the 2nd world war. We shared more of the idea of trash that does not die. Who to blame? Blame ourselves or the system? Cannot? Does our effort make a difference? How long until the situations. We all shared an unknowing feeling, that nothing is certain.


In my travels I went to Edinburgh, Scotland for 3 days. Quite beautiful and unique (I love the accents!). My first day, after getting off the megabus (a gigantic bus that drove overnight about 400 miles one way- about 9 hours?) I ate delicious pastries on a bench next to an overfilled recycling bin. Almost 5 minutes after I had sat down a large truck came with several men looking official and barely awake. They opened a metal box attached to the recycling bin and pressed some buttons, bam, it started to rise! The bin rose about 10 feet revealing a platform underneath the bins where roll-away boxes contained the recyclables. I personally have never seen this, perhaps it is on our islands? I reside on the big isle so for me it is new.. Quite a shock. What the real positive action that occurred was of a random citizen. Later, a few containers flew down the street from the wind and a man coming from another direction chased the containers. He picked them up, ran to the bin, put them in and wiped his suit clean then walked away.
I noticed this among some other people. Good to know people do make an effort. Although the trash itself still is mostly recyclable and people don't sort it out.
Only note I can say: I wish there were more bins available.
I myself could not find a bin for my bottle and carried it for 3 days back to London before finally finding a bin. Even London was difficult to find...

I will attempt to connect back here. More to share
Perhaps off to Ireland soon, but for sure Sweden mid-July
Cheers

Jun 01, 2010

ATTENTION BIG ISLE KANU MEMBERS

I'm currently working on a project involving only big isle Kanu members (for now) and would love it if anyone would respond to this.
My project is about members of the community and what they do in their life to make a difference. Will be doing interviews ideally in the next week. All I need is a moment of your time- I can provide more information if you email me at:
ninjoid@gmail.com
with your name + kanu web link

Mahalo

Dominik

May 22, 2010

Organic coffee farm

Yesterday (May 20th) I visited a coffee farm I used to work at.
Just thought it'd be a great time to get photos and footage. Photos will be up later as well as some general information.
I used to pick coffee every once in a while for a whole day. Was a fun and unique experience I'd recommend to all- especially if you love coffee= nice to know what you are drinking!
Not a fan of coffee myself- working in this farm environment is what I love.
A 2-acre farm with two giant slopes full of Cacao, Vanilla and coffee trees.
Complete local business in Hilo- everything sold at the farmers market.
Currently working on an interview with the owner before giving all the information in this post :)

May 20, 2010

Oil reactions

Just some thoughts with the oil spills in the more recent gulf of mexico. Thinking with others what kind of solution could we possibly have? How can these events occur so simply? Although I have no knowledge in that area- it seems like a problem that should have a solution when it occurs already rather than the latter.
What about some sort of ship that sucks up the water+oil and filters it out? Can't we have this kind of technology by now?
Or is everything really ruled by profit rather than safety...?

May 20, 2010

Do non-GMO Papayas exist?

I was talking to a few people who work in agriculture. The idea of all papayas being GMO came up at one point. It seemed that the collective thought was Papayas are all GMO here.
I really have no clue in this area of discussion- although I talk to people who say they deal with Papayas organically.. Yet one even admitted that while they deal with the papayas organically... the seeds are in fact GMO.
The others claimed that the papayas have been affected with GMO so much already and we aren't aware of it.
My only reason of bring this up is because I'd like to hear what others think.
What would you say to a farmer who grows their own GMO who said this?!
I was shocked and unsure-