Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Blanch McMillen also known as AuntyBlanche. I have been meaning to meet this amazing woman and share her story for a while, and today is the day. She is the founder of Hui Mahi’ai’Āina, a homeless community program that provides village style housing, essential facilities, and long-term support for those facing hard times in Hawaii. Affordable housing for the state of Hawaii is one of our top sustainable initiatives. We are needing solutions to our problems, not bandaids and quick fixes, today we will talkabout solutions that provide hope, promise and a future!

Aunty Blanche is a lifelong supporter of Waimanalo, whose unwavering dedication to her community has made her acornerstone of hope and support for Native Hawaiians facing economic hardship. Deeply rooted in faith and compassion, she views herself as “God’s instrument,” teaching love and ‘ohana (family) to all those she helps.

Motivated by the struggles of her people—many of whom are unhoused and unable to afford living in their ancestralhome—Aunty Blanche took action. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she canvassed the Windward Coast to find and support those in need. With the help of volunteers, she established a homeless encampment on seven acres of vacant land, providing shelter, food, and medical support to over 60 people at Hui Mahi’ai 'Aina. She collaborates with nonprofits, churches, and local groups to keep her community safe, healthy, and housed.

Contact Information: Website: Home - HuiMahi'ai 'Āina www.huimahiaiaina.org

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (808) 482-5883

Address: 41-092 Oluolu St, Waimanalo, HI 96795

Drop-Off Donation Times

Mon – Sat: 9am – 5pm

Sunday: 9am – 12pm

You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghawaii.org⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_orgFacebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.orgIntro/Outro Music Compliments: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha⁠⁠

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Judy Meredith with PRMG Hawaii. Today we will be discussing land loans and how someone can obtain land to build on. A topic of discussion by many who are looking to find that perfect family land larger than the typical 5-10,000 square foot lot, something you can grow food on, live off of, have space away from the hustle bustle and stillafford it. Is this possible many ask and what does it take?

Judy is an Expert Loan Officer and PRMG Hawaii Area Manager with a passion for helping clients achieve their financial goals. Serving all Hawaiian Islands and 48 states nationwide, she specializes in Conventional, VA, FHA, USDA,Renovation, and Reverse Mortgage loans as well as Out of the Box specialty transactions. A Board member of the Hawaii Association of Mortgage Brokers and the Veteran’s Association of Real Estate Professionals, she also teaches Continuing Education for Realtors and Financial Advisers. She is the author of the column “Equity Matters” and is also known as “ The Mortgage Professor.” She is dedicated to making the home loan process seamless through education and expertise.

More Info:FB: @JudyTheMortgageProfessor:

https://www.facebook.com/JudyTheMortgageProfessor

Instagram: @judythemortgagepro: https://www.instagram.com/judythemortgagepro/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@judythemortgageproEmail:   [email protected] 

( Direct): 808-222-7903

Address:📍  3049 Ualena Street Suite 310 Honolulu, HI 96819

You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghawaii.org⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_orgFacebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.orgIntro/Outro Music Compliments: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):⁠⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha⁠⁠

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Councilwomen, Andria Tupola. We will talk about affordable housing in Hawaii. The hurdles we face, how we are tackling the hurdles…also some solutions, ideas and action items worth discussing. Councilwoman Andria Tupola: Andria Tupola, Ph.D., was born in Kahuku, Oʻahu. She attended Kamehameha Schools and attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She holds a doctorate from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. In 2014, Tupola was elected to represent District 43 (ʻEwa - Māʻili) in Hawaii’s State House of Representatives.

In 2015 she became the first Samoan woman to serve as the State House Minority Leader and in 2016, she was re-elected to another term. In 2018, she was the Republican nominee in the Hawaii governor’s race. In 2021, Tupola was sworn in as Honolulu City Councilwoman to represent District 1 (ʻEwa Beach - Kaʻena Point). She served as Council Floor Leader and Chair of the Executive Matters and Legal Affairs Committee from 2021-2022. In 2023, she became Committee Chair for Public Infrastructure and Technology and in 2024 she was elected to a second term. More Info: FB: @AndriaTupola (20+) Facebook www.facebook.com/AndriaTupola Instagram: @andriatupola www.instagram.com/andriatupola/ Website: www.votetupola.com Priced Into Paradise: www.pricedintoparadise.com LinkedIn: (41) Andria Tupola | LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/andriatupola/ You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghawaii.org⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_org Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.org Intro/Outro Music Compliments: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha⁠⁠

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Mindy Jaffe, the worm lady. We will discuss composting, vermicomposting and how worms play a significant role in our food waste reduction and the hierarchy to reduce food waste while growing our community. We will share the hurdles and challenges faced over the last 20+ years in this waste sector and what we have overcome and accomplished thus far. Let’s learn together how we can support Hawaii’s future through composting!

Mindy Jaffe: With over 20 years of experience, Mindy founded Waikiki Worm Company in 2004 which helped introduce vermicomposting to Hawaii. From there she became the coordinator of the Windward Zero waste School Hui, helped start the Oahu Worm Ohana and now working with the University of Hawaii as an educator in compositing. She is a wealth of knowledge and Hawaii is fortunate to have her dedicating her life to our food waste solutions.

More Info:

Facebook: @wormohana www.facebook.com/wormohana

Instagram: @wormohana www.instagram.com/wormohana

Website: www.wormohana.org and www.waikikiworm.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/wormohana Email: [email protected]

You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghawaii.org⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_org

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.org

Intro/Outro Music Compliments: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha⁠⁠

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Chad Waters, the founder and CEO of Hawaii Construction and Development Consulting HCDC. We will hear about a developers journey to sustainability and finding his true passion in green and sustainable building and development here in Hawaii. The hurdles, challenges and what he is doing to overcome them.

With over 25 years of experience in the real estate and development industries, Chad combines proven strategies and progressive visions to create smarter, more sustainable solutions for building in Hawaii. During his downtime, Chad enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends and strives for a good work/life balance. He looks for inspiration from nature when hiking, standup paddling, and canoe paddling.

More Info:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/hawaiicdc @hawaiicdc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiicdc/ @hawaiicdc

Website: www.hawaiicdc.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chad-waters and https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawaii-construction-and-development-consulting/

Email: [email protected]

You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghawaii.org⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_org

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.org

Intro/Outro Music Compliments: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha⁠⁠⁠

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Todd Cullison, the Executive Director of the Hawaii Nature Center. We will learn about the Hawaii Nature Center, their keiki programs, education and volunteer opportunities.

Todd Cullison has over 25 years in non-profit experiences with the majority concentrated on watershed restoration and environmental education. Mr. Cullison started his tenure as the Executive Director of the Hawai‘i Nature Center in August 2019 but has been connected to the Nature Center for many years as his son attended as a keiki.  Prior to the Hawaii Nature Center, he spent three years as the Director of Development at the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center.  From 2006-2016 Mr. Cullison was the Executive Director of Hui o Ko‘olaupoko, a non-profit working in windward O‘ahu to protect ocean health by restoring the ‘āina: mauka to makai. Before his relocation to Hawai‘i, he worked for nearly six years with five community groups on the north Oregon Coast focusing on salmon habitat restoration, community engagement and environmental education.  During college at Washington State University, he was a project leader/manager for four years at the Center for Environmental Education delivering K-12 classroom and in-the-field environmental education and implementation of stream restoration.  This was Mr. Cullison’s introduction to the impact of environmental education and the importance connecting all to nature.

More Info & Contact:

FB: www.facebook.com/HINatureCenter                               Instagram: Hawaiʻi Nature Center (@hawaiinaturecenter) • Instagram photos and videos

Website: Hawaii Nature Center | Oahu's Best Kids Camp www.hawaiinaturecenter.org

LinkedIn: (20) Hawaii Nature Center: Overview | LinkedIn

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@HINatureCenter

Phone:  (808) 955-0100

Location: 2131 Makiki Heights DriveHonolulu, Hawai‘i 96822

You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghawaii.org⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_org

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.org

Intro/Outro Music Compliments: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha⁠⁠

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Jacob Roberts, Eco Rotary Club of Kakaako’s current president. We will chat all about our Rotary Club, how it differs from some of the other Rotary clubs out there, the environmental impact and the cool volunteer projects we work on in Hawaii!

Jacob is a field sales consultant at Sunrun, Specializing in helping homeowners transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy sources, he emphasizes reducing carbon footprints and cutting electricity costs. His dedication to environmental preservation and sustainability is rooted in his academic background in marine biology and sustainable management. He has a bachelor's degree in marine biology from UC Santa Cruz and an MBA in sustainable management from Presidio Graduate School.

His foremost objective is to facilitate environmental rejuvenation within his lifetime, striving for the restoration of biodiversity and natural equilibrium in ecosystems. His approach centers on sustainable urban development, permaculture, renewable energy, and the soil food web. As a certified soil food web consultant, he collaborates with clients across various scales, from residential gardens to expansive farms and urban environments, in advancing sustainable practices.

Eco Rotary Club of Kaka’ako:

Vision Statement

To build a sustainable planet and future.

Mission Statement

Create sustainability through initiatives, innovation, education and strategic partnerships with local and global communities. Inspire and empower others with leadership, collaboration and service. 5 Areas of Focus:

1.    Environment

2.    Food Systems

3.    Clean Energy

4.    Waste Reduction

5.    Climate Action

More Info & Contact:

Email: [email protected] Website: www.ecorotary.org

Instagram: @ecorotary: www.instagram.com/ecorotary/ Facebook: Eco Rotary Club of Kaka'ako: (20+) Facebook

You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghawaii.org

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_org

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.org

Intro/Outro Music Compliments: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha⁠⁠

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Ryan Naka, Director of Philanthropy and Marketing for Project Vision Hawaii. We will zero in on Project Vision Hawaii, homelessness and how we are tackling this housing crisis we face as a state. From Emergency Proclamations, respites, shelters, and long-term housing for the houseless, we will share how Project Vision Hawaii is making a difference!

Ryan Naka is the Director of Philanthropy & Marketing for Project Vision Hawaii. He got his start in fundraising while working on political campaigns which eventually led him to PVH in 2020. Since then, Project Vision Hawaii has grown from a couple dozen staff members to over 100 statewide. Ryan also a Realtor with the Smart Living Hawaii Team and works as a Business Consultant for his family’s company, Charley’s Taxi. 

Project Vision Hawaii started in 2007 providing vision screenings in Title I schools across Hawaii, hence Project "Vision". Throughout the years, PVH evolved into a multifaceted nonprofit organization, leveraging partnerships with government agencies, businesses, and other community partners to maximize its impact.

PVH continues to adapt and evolve in response to the ever-changing needs of the community. With a steadfast commitment to its founding principles of compassion, collaboration, and empowerment, Project Vision Hawaii remains a shining example of grassroots activism and collective impact, inspiring positive change for generations to come.

More Info & Contact:

[email protected]
www.projectvisionhawaii.org
@projectvisionhawaii IG & FB
(808) 201-3937

You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠_org

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.org

Intro/Outro Music Compliments:

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha⁠

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Rob Van Tassell, the President and CEO of Catholic Charities Hawaii. Not only will we learn about their expansive services, we will zero in on housing for the people of Hawaii. Robert “Rob” Van Tassell is a leader with more than 20 years of experience in non-profit management, including social service, affordable housing, community development and organizational leadership. Named as CEO and President of Catholic Charities Hawai‘i in November 2019, Rob leads a statewide agency of more than 40 programs and services serving our 80,000 clients a year. As with other social service agencies and non-profit organizations, the demand for assistance has increased exponentially during this COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. The leadership team at CCH has risen to the occasion amplifying and multiplying their reach with new programs, innovative technology solutions, and an increase in advocacy for those in most need. Prior to joining Catholic Charities Hawaii (CCH), Rob served as a vice president at Catholic Charities in Seattle. In this role, he led the development of over 30 housing projects and their related social services. A collaborative leader, Rob focuses on building assets and wealth for, by and within communities. Rob’s previous experience includes positions in the private sector such as developing affordable housing, Accounting Director at Starbucks Coffee Company and Accounting Manager for Blue Cross. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington. He and his wife reside in Honolulu, have three daughters and one grandson.

FB: Catholic Charities Hawaii | Honolulu HI | Facebook        

Instagram: @catholiccharitieshawaii   Catholic Charities Hawaii (@catholiccharitieshawaii) • Instagram photos and videos

Website: www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org

LinkedIn: (42)Catholic Charities Hawaii: Overview | LinkedIn 

Email: [email protected] Phone: (808) 524-4673

HELP LINE Phone: (808) 521-4357

Address: 1822 Keeaumoku Street, Honolulu, HI 96822

You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠_org

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠.org

Intro/Outro Music Compliments:

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/gotcha

License code: CXR1Y53S8HXI1QU4

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Rebecca Staron the founder of HI-RES Grant Writing and Consulting. We will learn about the world of grant-writing and what it takes for sustainable nonprofits to secure grants and funding.

Rebecca began her career in a small Connecticut restaurant and was immediately hooked on feeding people. She attended Johnson & Wales University earning Bachelors degrees in both Culinary Arts and Nutrition.  During this time, she participated in a term abroad in Singapore and Thailand doing an intensive study of South East Asian cuisines, it was here she fell in love with international cuisine, spicy foods, and traveling. 

After over 20 years in various facets of the food service industry Rebecca decided it was time for a change; however, her passion still remained food and feeding people.

Rebecca formed HI-RES Grant Writing and Consulting to help bring her passion for food and sustainability to organizations and communities on a larger scale. Through grant writing she discovered that she can take the knowledge and experience she’s amassed over the years and help communities in ways that she had never imagined before. She is very passionate about food literacy and expanding access to healthy foods for everyone through improved food systems, hands on education, and sustainable farming and gardening programs. Her and her team work in Hawaii and across the United States to help organizations find and secure funding to elevate their work and create a positive impact.

Rebecca believes that together we can achieve greater food sovereignty and better health in our communities while still being good stewards to the environment and working to regenerate the world around us.

Rebecca Staron:

Instagram: @hi_res_grantwriting : @hi_res_grantwriting • Instagram photos and videos

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.hi-resgrants.com

You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠_org

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠⁠.org

Today we will continue our Sustainable Leaders series and have a Talk Story with Neil Sims the founder and CEO of Ocean Era, Inc. We will learn more about fisheries, farming fish and limu and the innovative work he is doing in this space to be more sustainable, regenerative and kind to the environment we live in.

Neil is Founder and CEO of Ocean Era, Inc., in Kona, Hawai’i, working in developing offshore culture systems for marine finfish - such as kampachi, snappers, mahimahi, and herbivorous reef fish - and tropical macroalgae, and exploring microbial biodigestion of macroalgae.

Neil was born in Australia, and worked initially in marine resource management in the Cook Islands. He has lived in Kona for the last 30 years, working for a series of start-ups at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii (NELHA): initially in pearl oyster hatchery systems and pearl farm development, and then in marine fish hatchery production and offshore aquaculture.

Neil has founded commercial offshore kampachi farms in Hawaii and Mexico. He led the Velella projects: an untethered, offshore ‘drifter pen’; and an unmanned net-pen operation in 2,000 m of water, 10 km offshore. Ocean Era is planning to deploy an offshore macroalgae array in Kona, and is applying for permits for an offshore fish and macroalgae farm off Oahu, and offshore permits in the Gulf of Mexico, off Florida.

Neil sits on the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s Technical Advisory Group, and is a NELHA Boardmember. He holds a B.Sc.(Marine Biology) from James Cook University, in Queensland, and a M.Sc.(Zoology) from University of New South Wales, Australia.

Neil Sims:

Instagram: @ocean_era_inc : Ocean Era (@ocean_era_inc) • Instagram photos and videos

LinkedIn: (34) Ocean Era: Overview | LinkedIn

Email: ⁠[email protected]

Helpful Links:

Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index 2023/2024

You can reach Smart Living Hawaii at:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.smartlivinghi.org⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@smartlivinghawaii⁠⁠⁠_org

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠@SmartLivingHawaii⁠⁠⁠.org