By Brandon Bosworth, Assistant Editor, Ho`okele
As part of its annual Earth Day Expo, the outdoor living center at the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange (NEX) offered a variety of educational presentations for children visiting from Navy Hale Keiki School throughout the week.
“This year we decided to reach out to the young ones so they can learn about the environment and Earth Day,” said Stephanie Lau, NEX customer relations manager. “We wanted to give them a chance to do some hands-on learning.”
The event included presentations on conserving energy, preserving the ocean, composting, gardening, recycling and Hawaiian monk seals. The children also learned about the upcoming ban on plastic shopping bags, which takes effect this July 1.
Volunteers from ‘Ai Manuahi Farms demonstrated how to pound taro and offered samples of the Native Hawaiian staple pa’i ai. Representatives from the Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH) Environmental Outreach Program and Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii were among those on hand to serve as educators.
“I think it was great being involved with the schools for this year’s Earth Day Expo,” said Patty Colemon, CNRH environmental outreach coordinator. “It gives our staff the opportunity to teach young minds.”