ACES Act is Passed by House!

In national news, The House of Representatives voted and passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act on June 26, 2009! Also known as ACES, the act hopes to benefit the United States by transitioning the nation to clean energy and by creating jobs needed to rejuvenate the American economy. The bill was only introduced on May 15, 2009 and was very popular because it would allow low-income communities to access quality, clean energy jobs, as well as the training that is required for these green collar jobs. The vote was very close, but it is nonetheless a victory for a cleaner, greener, and sustainable nation. Provisions also include, "a cap-and-trade global warming reduction plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent by 2020," among other incentives for grants, green jobs, sustainable opportunities and options.



Reference:

1. American Clean Energy And Security Act of 2009." OpenCongress. 2 July 2009. <http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h2454/show>
   

Green Collar Jobs Training Program Update (6/29/09)

At the beginning of Week 3 the Green Collar Jobs Training Program brainstormed the goals for the week. For the online sustainability crew goals included gaining more web traffic, followers and subscribers. The tentative goals for the offline sustainability crew were to prepare the classroom in Mountain View by harvesting bamboo and koa for the trimming, and to paint the siding. However, the Green Collar Jobs Training Program trainees go where the work is needed and after the morning collaboration the offline crew ended up the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Aquaculture and Coastal Resource Center to plant more kalo. Workers also had to prep the soil with the same 103010 and chicken manure mix that was used similarly at Moku's farm.

The University of Hawai‘i Hilo Pacific Aquaculture & Coastal Resource Center.

Leroy and Dylan planting kalo.

Green Collar Jobs Training Program Update (6/26/09)

Just another day in the Green Collar Jobs Training Program office! The online sustainability group spent another day on the Internet blogging, posting images, and editing videos. Meanwhile, the offline crew took a long trip to Pahala in the Ka‘u district. They worked with Mati from Moemoea and picked up corrugated, aluminum roofing. After loading the tin roofing onto the flatbed, they spent the rest of the day driving back to Hilo to distribute the roofing at the Hilo recycling station. Hopefully the corrugated roofing will be put to better use!

Workers loading the corrugate roofing onto the flatbed.

Green Collar Jobs Training Program Update (6/25/09)

After taking a short lunch break, the offline sustainability group moved to another greenhouse to plant kalo. There the workers tilled the soil and fertilizer mix manually and planted kalo corms into the newly turned ground. When that was done they covered the plant crop with mulch to increase the kalo's chance for successful growth. Trainees also took the time to inspect the kalo that has been previously planted.

The look Green Collar Job Training Program workers will give you
if you talk about not being sustainable!

Trainees manually tilling the soil with pitch forks.

Workers (from left) Riana, Dylan, Dominic, and Leroy spreading mulch.

As if they hadn't done a lot of work that day, the labor group also made a trip to Mountain View to pot more kalo at the Green Collar Technologies property. It was a day full of work and lots of achievements in the world of green collar jobs and sustainability practices and opportunities.

Leroy potting kalo in Mountain View.

Green Collar Jobs Training Program Update (6/25/09)

Today the online crew continued to refine their skills on the Internet, and trainees continued to write blog posts, update twitter, upload images and edit videos taken of the offline sustainability group. Meanwhile, the labor crew went to Moku's Farm in Aloha Estate to plant basil and kalo in the greenhouses. There were approximately six greenhouse at Moku's farm.

Workers spread fertilizer mix onto the soil before Moku used the tilling machine.

Workers spread a fertilizer mixture of 103010 and chicken manure, and Moku informed workers on how to use a tilling machine to mix the fertilizer into the soil. Unfortunately, it is against Hawai‘i Workforce Development policy for trainees to operate machinery on the worksite, so they just had to settle for a visual demonstration.

Moku showing trainee's how far apart basil plants should be planted.

After tilling the soil workers started planting the basil into neatly spaced and organized rows. Moku showed workers how he wanted the basil to be planted (picture above). In time, the rows off basil will turn into the lawns seen in the top left corner of the picture seen below.

Trainees planting basil in neatly organized rows.

Green Collar Jobs Training Program Update (6/24/09)

After harvesting the kalo in the fields, the workers prepped the crop for transplant. They sliced the leaves, cut the corms and separated parts of the crop into organized piles. However, transplanting the kalo will be saved for another day of work.

Dylan and Leroy prepping the kalo.

Organized piles of kalo parts.

The online crew continued their efforts to document and promote the Green Collar Training Program on the web, in hopes to gain more support from individuals, businesses, and possibly the government. Check out the news and updates on the greencollartech.com website, various blogs, and twitter!

Green Collar Jobs Training Program Update (6/24/09)

Today was another change-up for the offline sustainability group. They headed to the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resource Center, located in Keaukaha, to work with Joe Bernabe. Joe taught trainees how to identify and pick kalo, and guided the workers as they spent much of the day harvesting kalo and prepping crop for transplanting.

Joe showing trainees how to handle kalo.

Leroy, Dominic, and Dylan weeding, while they pick kalo.

Green Collar Jobs Training Program Update (6/23/09)

Today the offline crew traveled back to Nanawale to continue work on Mark's Earthship. Trainees learned how to create a mixture of dirt, cinder, and cement to form a wall foundation that will be placed around the framework of the sustainable home. The concrete mixture was placed into white bags and placed on top of each other. Barbwire was also placed between these bags to add for increased support.

At the same time, the online crew continued work on the web. They shared information, discussed the Hawaii Sustainable Business Directory, wrote blogs, and edited videos. However, the day came to an early end because the Internet server went down.

Lessons and Tips of the Day:

1. Patients is a virtue!
2. Earthships are a sustainable, reliable, and affordable option.
   

Earthship

An Earthship is a type of home construction made of natural and recycled materials such as cinder, dirt, and tires. The advantages of this type of construction is that it utilizes available local resources and also naturally regulates indoor temperatures. Windows allow for light and heat, but thick outer walls allow for an effective insulation from intense summer heat. Variable constructions can also provide natural ventilation systems. In general Earthships are "off-the-grid" constructions and reduce the need for fossil fuels. However, the main reason why this concept is becoming an increasingly popular sustainable option is that it is economically feasible and doesn't take a lot of skill to create. More importantly, the design of and Earthship allows it to withstand hurricanes, earthquakes, termites, and water damage. Many will outlast regular homes! So instead of investing in a home that will only last a generation before demanding to be renovated or rebuilt, invest in an Earthship that will lasts the generations of an entire family. If you're interested and want to learn more, check this site out: www.earthship.org!

Green Collar jobs Training Program Update (6/22/09)

At the beginning of Week 2 the online trainees assessed their progress on the web. Using the Google Analytics program, it was found that visits to the Green Collar Technologies website were up and on average viewers were spending more time on the site. This might suggest that people are becoming more interested about green collar jobs, sustainable options, and opportunities here on Hawai‘i Island. This is also one of the intentions of the online crew's efforts. However, there is room for improvement and that only comes with more experience on the Internet.

Outside of the office, the offline crew gained knowledge, skill and experience with building Earthships. In the picture below, workers (from left) Dominic, Sandy, Dylan, and Leroy take a moment to smile before working with Tom Hansen. Tom is the owner of this Earthship that is located in the Nanawale sub-division of the Puna district.

Tom Hansen and the Green Collar Jobs Training Program trainees.

Green Collar Jobs Training Program Update (6/19/09)

Meanwhile the online crew continued to blog and video edit at the Hawai‘i Innovation Center back in Hilo. It's taking some time to learn some of the tricks of online antics and advertising.

After a lunch break the offline crew began planting kalo in the raised rock beds, and for the rest of the work day they transplanted kalo from their potting containers into the designated patches. They also watered the crop using rainwater collected in buckets placed around the property.

Workers planting kalo.

Kalo is a great plant to work with because not only does it add aesthetics to the property, but also allows for greater self-sustainability by allowing you to harvest your own food crop. Furthermore, working green collar jobs and living more sustainably can be rewarding for both you and the environment. If you are interested in increasing your sustainable practices or learning about green jobs check out our site to gain more information about classes, green jobs and sustainability on Hawai‘i Island.

Before and after workers planted kalo.

Lessons and Tips of the Day:

1. It may be common sense, but wearing protective gloves may save you from the uncomfortable feeling of a decent sized splinter logged deep in your finger (as one of our workers found out the hard way).
2. Kalo is a useful, self-sustaining plant.
3. Rain is a natural occurrence, thus rainwater catchment is a great, self-sustainable investment.
4. Green collar jobs and living sustainable is rewarding for both you and the environment!
   

Green Collar Jobs Training Program Update (6/19/09)

Today the offline crew headed back to Big Island Eko Systems (at the Hilo dump) to collect more mulch before the shipment ran out.

Dylan, Dominic, and Leroy shoveling mulch into the flatbed.

Loading the mulch into the truck went very efficiently this time because there was enough equipment for everyone. So after a few minutes of shoveling and racking, they took a trip up to the Mountain View property to unload the mulch.

Sifting through the mulch to get the good compost.

While unloading the mulch they used a common, industrial bread rack to sift for the good compost. This compost will be used to fill the raised rock beds for kalo planting. After unloading the mulch the workers also took some time to help Brent plant a tree in honor of his recently deceased friend. With time the tree will grow big enough to provide shade for the visitors and workers that come to the Green Collar Technologies office in Mountain View.

Workers then moved the nursery tables (shelves for plants) to the area where the new greenhouse will be constructed.

Trainees moving the nursery tables to the greenhouse site.

Green Collar Jobs Training Program Update (6/18/09)

Workers started off the day by braining storming a tentative plan for the next six weeks of work. Ideas were plotted onto the white board and left up for further consideration.

The offline crew then went to a house in the community to help clean a yard and move spare lumber to someone who needed it. It's so true that one man's trash, is another man's treasure! After that workers spent the rest of their day transporting mulch from Big Island Eko Systems to the tree house in Mountain View.

At the same time online workers became acclimated to the joys of online blogging. After creating accounts and learning a few of the bells and whistles, the intense blogging began. The online crew wrote numerous blogs on the Green Collar Tech, Green Hawaii, and Kanu Hawaii websites. You should check them out because many of them come from different perspectives of the same events and it's interesting to learn what each person thought of the same work. Quick links to the blogs are located under the News and Updates section on the top right of the Hawaii Green Collar Jobs Training Program blogger homepage. Check them out daily because we update daily!

Trainee's Lessons and Tips of the Day:

1. One man's trash is another man's treasure. So recycle!
2. Blogging is easy, fun, and can earn you income if you're good at it!
   

Green Collar Jobs Training Program Update (6/17/09)

Just another day in the office! After a quick brainstorm about the the day's tasks, the online crew continued to work on the sustainable business directory. There were about 420 companies accounted for, but lots of missing contact information so the trainees searched frantically to obtain the vital information. One of the online workers, Adam, also put his video skills into use by editing clips of previous Green Collar Technologies events. Videos will soon be posted on the web on sites such as Youtube.

In the meantime, the online crews "other half" went to the Big Island EKO Compost at the Hilo dump to collect valuable mulch before the next shipment ran out. Trainees shoveled a load of mulch into the flatbed, then headed back to Mountain View to add the mulch to the raised rock beds they prepped yesterday. The workers also spent time for beautification by weeding the property.

Big Island Eko Systems.

You can also get more information about Big Island Eko Systems on their twitter site.

Lessons and Tips of the Day:

1. You might want to invest in a few shovels and pitch forks if you have quite a few workers. Having one pitchfork saves money and workers don't get as tired because they take turns, but a small investment in more equipment may lead to more productive work day.
2. There are lots of sustainable options available on Hawai‘i Island. Sometimes you just need to take the time and effort to consider them.
   

Green Collar Jobs Training Program Update (6/16/09)

Not wasting any time, Green Collar Jobs Training Program trainees were immersed immediately into work after the quick but informative orientation. The offline crew took a trip to Mountain View to work on the property at the Green Collar Technologies tree house office. There they moved large lava rocks, some ranging over 50 lbs, from the driveway to the tree house. Rocks were stacked purposefully on the hill to make a boarders for raised bed kalo patches, which will hold the mulch and fertilizer needed for the kalo to grow. The natural soil of the forest isn't as fertile as you think because most nutrients are held within the trees, so the raised bed technique is used to enhance the growth of the kalo. However, planting of the kalo will held for another day's work.

Workers produced this raised bed kalo patch.

Meanwhile, the online crew stayed back at the office at the University of Hawai‘i Innovation Center to work on a Hawai‘i Island Sustainable Business Directory. Trainees gathered contact information and searched for other companies that also strive for a cleaner, greener environment and economy. This directory will hopefully build or strengthen partnerships between Green Collar Technologies and the other green companies, business, and individuals.

Online crew members (from left: Riana, Ashley, and Cody)
smile for quick moment before continuing work on the directory.

Lessons and Tips of the Day:

1. Always were safety equipment (gloves, shoes, etc)!
   
2. If you move heavy items such as lots of large lava rocks, you might want to invest in a wheel barrow. Makes the task a lot more efficient.
3. Use available services like Gmail to allow you and co-workers to work remotely and stay in touch. This will allow you to save on gas and other unnecessary fees and actions.
4. Many options are available to generate sustainable income online:

• Writing Blogs (Paid Blogging, Semantics)
• Tweets on Twitter.com
• Video Editing and Posting
• Search Engine Marketing (S.E.M)
• Posting and Advertising Events

Green Collar Jobs Training Program Update (6/16/09)

Today was the first official day of work for the Green Collar Jobs Training Program trainees and Brent Norris, founder of Green Collar Technologies, gave workers a brief overview of what to expect over the next 6 weeks. He stated the 3 P's of sustainability, People/Profit/Planet, and emphasized how the harmony between these concepts can create cleaner, greener developments and economies.

Workers were also split into two groups (the "offline sustainability" trainees and the "online sustainability" trainees) in order to maximize the efforts and achievements of the Green Collar Jobs Training Program. In summary, the "offline" group does front line, sustainable labor such as building sustainable products (Earthship, Rainwater catchment, etc.), growing food crop, and learning to use renewable sources of energy; While the "online" group works on sustainable practices on the Internet by documenting the "offline" efforts and promoting the company through website updates and other media such as blogs, images, and videos. The two sectors work hand-in-hand because the online group needs the offline group to produce material for documentation, and the offline group needs the online group to advertise and promote the company so that more job opportunities, income, and partnerships may become available.

Lessons and Tips of the Day:

1. The 3 P's of sustainability: Planet, People, and Profit
2. Two types of sustainability: Offline and Online
   

Green Collar Jobs Training Program, Summer 2009

This summer Green Collar Technologies has partnered up with Goodwill Industries of Hawai‘i such as Ola I Ka Hana and the Hawai‘i State Workforce Development in support of their opportunities for summer work experience programs. During a period of six weeks (June 16 - July 28) 10 individuals of various ages (16-24), backgrounds, and skill levels will learn how to become more self-sufficient in hopes to build greener economies on Hawai‘i Island.

The Green Collar Jobs Training Program will focus on two main areas of sustainability: Online Sustainability and Offline Sustainability.

• The trainees in the "online sustainability" sector will learn how to use the Internet to become economically self-sufficient. This includes learning several of the skills employers are demanding such as online marketing, search engine optimization, and online collaborative communications. The goal is to prepare the trainees for remote collaboration and telecommuting jobs.

• The trainees in the "offline sustainability" sector will learn knowledge and skills about the labor aspects of sustainability such as in the development of rainwater harvesting, growing food crop, and using renewable energy sources for power. The goal is to provide the trainees with knowledge and skills needed to produce these sustainable practices.

Regular updates on the progress of the Green Collar Training Program will be posted on this site as well as many of the other sites affiliated with this program. Comments and suggestions are appreciated! This is the first year for this summer program and every lesson gained is valuable to both us and the community.

Sustainable Education for Hawai‘i

GET INVOLVED! Learn how to help create a positive, sustainable change on Hawai‘i Island.

Learn OFFLINE sustainability practices and become more self-reliant:

• Catch and store you own water supply.
• Grow and prepare your own food.
• Produce your own alternative energy.

Learn ONLINE sustainable practices and earn money at home by telecommuting to work anywhere:

• Use the Internet to telecommute and earn money from home.
• Reduce business costs with free online services and tools.
• Increase sales through online marketing and ecommerce.

Interested in sustainable education classes? Subscribe here to get email updates.

Green Collar Jobs

What exactly is a "Green Collar" job? In honesty, there is no standard definition, but in general a green collar job is one that satisfies the demand for sustainable development by applying environmentally conscious design, policy and technology in hopes to improve sustainability and conservation. It's a concept that strives to conserve the environment, reduce mankind's ecological footprint, and create an entirely new branch of employment. What doesn't sound great about this idea?

An organization at the front line of this movement is Green For All. Their main vision is to shift to clean energy economy to improve the health and well-being of low-income people who suffer disproportionately from cancer, asthma and other respiratory ailments in the dirty-energy economy. Another aspect is also to create entrepreneurial, wealth-building opportunities for those who need new avenues of economic advance. This organization was founded by Van Jones who is the public face of this organization and the Special Advisor for Green Jobs to the White House. Check out the website at: www.greenforall.org. There lots of information on their mission, their current position in the green movement, images, videos, resources, and ways you can get involved!

Green Collar Technologies

With the Hawai‘i Furlough Plan, possible budget cuts and layoffs on the horizon the demand for local jobs will only increase in the days to come. However, in this difficult economy finding a job is a task easier said than done. Businesses all over are reducing their budgets and available job positions. So how do we cope with this current economic crisis?

Green Collar Technologies is a company located in Hilo, Hawai‘i that is working to create more jobs, specifically "green collar" jobs, by promoting and educating people about the sustainable opportunities and options available here on Hawai‘i Island. In the long run, the larger goal is to create a global model for sustainability by creating partnerships, raising awareness and delivering training programs. For more information check out the site www.greencollartech.com!