Community, Culture, & the Environment
Future ‘Tropical Living’ festivals are in the dreaming stages….
ASC’s Tropical Living festivals have historically given the community opportunities to experience demonstrations, products, & strategies that promote stability in our island home. This previously held annual Spring festival featured live entertainment, local food vendors, family-friendly activities, and a variety of community educational booths. ASC strives to highlight the strengths of our community and celebrate our island's healthy, connected lifestyle.
Tropical Living Resources
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The Kohala Center
The Kohala Center is an independent research, education, and ‘āina stewardship non-profit for healthier ecosystems. We turn ancestral knowledge and research into action to improve the conditions that lead to stronger relationships with our place, water, food, and people.
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Blue Zones Project
Inspired by Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author who identified five regions of the world — or Blue Zones® — with the highest concentration of people living to 100 years or older. The project incorporates these findings and works with cities to implement policies and programs that will move a community toward optimal health and well-being.
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Hawaii Environmental Restoration
Starting with the Keau’ohana State Forest Reserve in Puna in 2014, the mission of Hawaii Environmental Restoration is to help restore the natural integrity of Hawai’i’s environment; to preserve its native beauty and dignity wherever possible.
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Malama O Puna
Malama O Puna is a non-profit corporation and 501(c)(3) volunteer service organization which focuses on the environment. Their mission is to assure critical habitat for native species and open space for future generations through environmental education, hands-on projects, advocacy, watch-dogging and land trusting.
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Zero Waste
Hawai‘i County has passed legislation adopting the mission to reduce our ecological footprint. With the right strategy and appropriate education, we can all begin to see valuable resources in our waste and divert those resources from the landfill to the right place for recovery.
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Rapid Ohia Death
The University of Hawaii has an energetic and collaborative team working on education and outreach for Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. They work with schools, communities and event organizers to share about the importance of ʻōhiʻa and the threat posed by ROD.
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Neighborhood Place of Puna
The goal of NPP is to ensure that families have access to the resources and skills they need to raise safe and healthy children, free of abuse and neglect. NPP is a Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention agency with primary services including housing, disaster relief and our Family Strengthening home-visitation program.
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Men of Pa'a
The Men of Pa'a (Positive Action Alliance) is an organization dedicated to helping men stay clean and sober through community service.
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Mainstreet Pahoa Association
The Mainstreet Pahoa Association is the connecting point for Pahoa town. They bring together Punaʻs citizens, non-profits, businesses, and government representatives to advocate for the historic town ASC calls home.
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Community Emergency Response Team
CERT provides residents and businesses alike with the basics in how to properly prepare and respond to an emergency at home, at work, or in the community.
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Hawaii Invasive Species Council
The HISC was established in 2003 for the special purpose of providing policy level direction, coordination, and planning among state departments, federal agencies, and international and local initiatives for the control and eradication of harmful invasive species infestations throughout the State and for preventing the introduction of other invasive species that may be potentially harmful.
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Big Island Invasive Species Committee
The mission of BIISC is to prevent, detect, and control the establishment and spread of invasive species threats to the Big Island environment, economy, and way of life. They work island-wide protecting our native forests, communities, and agriculture from new and ongoing threats.
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Rat Lungworm Working Group
Rat lungworm disease (RLWD) is caused by the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis and is considered as a global, emerging infectious disease. It is among the most serious threats to human health of all diseases carried by wildlife in Hawaii, and in many other tropical and subtropical countries around the world.
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East Hawaii Farmers Union United
As a Chapter of the larger Hawaii Farmers Union United State organization, the East Hawaii Chapter is in alignment with State and National Mission Statements. These largely revolve around supporting family farms and promoting regenerative agriculture.
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Hawaii Seed Growers Network
The Hawai’i Seed Growers Network is a statewide group of artisanal farmers that have worked together for the past 5 years to grow, develop, and bring high quality, locally grown and adapted seed to Hawaii’s gardeners and market farmers. You can meet their farmers and buy seeds on their website.
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Bamboo Living
Bamboo Living creates the only internationally certified, permit-ready bamboo homes and buildings in the world. Since 1995, they have proudly designed hundreds of beautiful bamboo homes and buildings for clients worldwide.
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Ola Design Group
Ola Design Group is a collective of ‘āina minded professionals with distinct business entities; allowing them to be agile collaborators on a wide array of design projects. Their experience in design, horticulture, ecology, and land stewardship can help your landscape evolve to meet your needs and exceed your expectations!
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Malu 'Āina
Malu ‘Aina is a a 501(c)3 non-profit organization for non-violent education and action. It is a spiritual community based on peace, justice and sustainable organic farming.
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Hawaiian Sanctuary
Hawaiian Sanctuary focuses on wellness and ecological recreation in the spirit of Aloha. They are dedicated to experiential education in the areas of health, wellness, permaculture, leadership and sustainability, as well as opportunities for personal and collective growth.
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Hawaii State 4-H
Hawaiiʻs 4-H program is providing hands-on learning activities that can be done at home with free 5 minute videos. There are also links to challenges, contests, and activities to complete to stay connected to Hawaii 4-H. Visit their site to join the East Hawaii social media groups.
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Hawaii Chocolate & Cacao Association
Founded in 2012, Hawaii Chocolate and Cacao Association's mission is to promote the emerging chocolate and cacao industry in Hawaii. They work diligently to assure the health of their industry and provide education and information to their members and the public.
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Hawaii 'Ulu Cooperative
HUC is a farmer-owned business working to revitalize ‘ulu (breadfruit) as a viable crop and dietary staple by empowering farmers as change-makers in Hawaiʻi’s food system. Their vision is a thriving cooperative that sustains and uplifts producers, consumers, and society as a whole.
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Hawaii Oil Seed Producers
HOSPRO is an agricultural cooperative that seeks food and fuel security for Hawai`i. They have a small mill to extract palm oil from the original proof of concept trees which are now producing. They are developing STEM programs to train intern students because hundreds of people will be required to man this new industry. They are fostering a working relationship with the new Institute for Tropical Bioeconomy to be centered at the University of Hawai’i in Hilo, Hi.
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Orchid Growers of Hawaii
OGOH is an alliance of professional potted and cut flower orchid growers in the state of Hawaii. Its goals are to promote the development of this industry by supporting marketing, research and educational projects. A non-profit service organization, it is dedicated to being an active, ethical member of the business and public sectors of Hawaii.