Hawaiian Research Project - Overview

We've returned from our 3 month adventure in Hawaii, conducting the Hawaiian Reseach Project. It was an invaluable experience to educate ourselves...as well as to grow as people and adventurers.

While in Hawaii, Melinda and Dani became aware of their next step to evolve D.r.e.e.m. Reality - to attend the University of California - Berkeley for Conservation and Resources, and Energy and Resources (respectively). In order to accomplish this sudden and exciting goal, we have swiftly moved to Berkeley and are deep in the application process.

As we see D.r.e.e.m. Reality as the motivating factor to furthering our education in these areas, Dani has chosen to provide an evaluation of the Hawaiian Research Project as one of her entrance essays. The following is her submission, which provides a general overview of the findings. We definitely want to have a more in-depth evaluation at some point, but for now - here it is!

~Dani

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Hawaiian Research Project Review

On August 16th, 2010 at approximately 1pm Greenwich Mean Time, I cautiously climbed up to the raised bed, constructed completely of local guava tree wood, that would act as my open-aired room for three weeks. I pushed through the mosquito net that offered the only separation between myself and the surrounding tropical jungle, to plop down after my first day of work exchange at Hedonesia Eco-Hostel. Sun burnt and exhausted, I couldn't have been more satisfied with my decision to conduct this three month long research project throughout the Islands of Hawaii . I'd like to share the details of this project in order to demonstrate my affinity for hands-on research and education, which I am eager to proliferate through graduate studies with the Energy and Resource Group.

I've always had in interest in the creation and execution of research projects, and have been known to interview and evaluate friends, family, and co-workers for various reasons. The recent establishment of an educational non-profit, called D.r.e.e.m. Reality that I am co-founder and Vice President of, offers opportunities to apply my desire to administer significant research. The purpose of this organization is to empower people to make informed choices and actions toward sustainability. In order to provide such services, we must first ensure that we are properly informed ourselves by humbly becoming the student. The Hawaiian Research Project (HRP) was the first attempt of my organization to learn through true hands-on experience. In addition to creating this study, my role in the HRP was to be participant, observer, documenter and evaluator.

The objectives of the HRP were to:

1. Gain understanding of the environmental, social/cultural, and economic sustainable techniques of various communities and farms
2. Educate ourselves with hands on experience
3. Test and fine tune evaluative and observational techniques
4. Begin a vast network of new friends, family, and resources

The following methods were used to accomplish these objectives:

1. Immersion and Integration
2. Observation
3. Interview
4. Earth Charter Assessment.

During our time in Hawaii, we were able to spend two to three weeks at each location with some evaluative, resting, and adventuring time in between. In total, we participated in three different communities/farms – each varying in their size, structure, mission, and lessons. Notes were taken in dedicated folders as we lived and worked within the community. Additionally, a quantifiable evaluation of the community's sustainability was done with the “Earth Charter Assessment”, created by the well established educational non-profit organization called Earth Charter (www.EarthCharterUS.org). We find that this organization's mission is in line with many of our own “Universal Principals” and mission, therefore seeing it as a valuable tool in this research project.

The following is a brief profile of each community/farm that was studied:

1. Hedonisia Eco-Hostel. A 3 acre plot with community-like elements such as shared facilities and group work. Number of residents range from 4-8 at any time, with 2 permanent residents and the rest guests or staff. Study conducted for 3 weeks.
2. Pele Aina. A 10 acre farm with strong sense of community, sharing facilities, meals, traditions, and work. Number of residents range from 6-12 at any time, with semi-long term status. Study conducted for 2 weeks.
3. Pueokea and Apanalani. Two private residences (3 acre each), with established gardens and orchards. The family welcomes people to share in household chores, cooking, work load, etc, while integrating them into the family environment at either property. Study conducted for 3 weeks.

It is my desire to share an overview of the findings from the HRP, as they now are to be incorporated into the educational tool-box of D.r.e.e.m. Reality. Below I will discuss the important environmental, social, and economic techniques I discovered from observing both the communities' successes and areas of improvement. It should be noted that each community/farm has signed a release waiver and are aware of my intention to use the results for educational purposes.


Environmental Techniques
The following are effective techniques that could be utilized while establishing environmental sustainability:

• Food, agricultural, and human waste for composting and soil creation
• Passive solar heated and gravity fed water
• Rain catchment – effective in conserving water, but demanding to maintain
• Utilize local and recycled materials for building needs
• Tropical environment allows year-round farming

Social Techniques
The following are effective techniques to be explored while establishing social sustainability:

• Community meetings, shared meals, group motivation and creation
• Organization and leadership that clearly defines roles and responsibilities
• Established decision making and conflict resolution methods
• Individual living structures with shared facilities and common areas

Economic Techniques
The following are effective techniques to consider while building economic sustainability:

• Eco-Hostel – housing guests with options for work-trade to lower rates
• Woofing and work trade – providing living basics for workers, while having free or low cost labor
• Renting property or rooms
• Sales of goods and products produced in the community with its resources
• Independent financial responsibilities of residents – work outside the community
• Ensure proper zoning and permitting for community to avoid future costs and complication

Another enriching part of the research project was to ask for advice from the founders of the communities. Below are the responses to the question “What are 3-5 tips or pieces of advice you could share about building and maintaining a sustainable entity?”.

1. Hedonisia Eco-Hostel. Make a profit to ensure economic sustainability, have an effective leadership structure in order to make decisions, and be respectful and open with conflicts.
2. Pele Aina. Choose your residents and leaders carefully, it is important to trust them; allow for individual as well as community space; have a theme or purpose for your community.
3. Pueokea and Apanalani. Prioritize, keep goals reasonable, utilize good time management; be creative, barter, share, give. It's like eating an elephant so to speak, one bite at a time.

In conclusion, the experience of creating and administering The Hawaiian Research Project has provided a well of knowledge about sustainable techniques that will trickle down through D.r.e.e.m. Reality and into the community. It is this kind of first-hand education that solidifies the knowledge gained through books and within classrooms. I am eager to refine my research skills and evolve my topics of interests through the Energy and Resource Group studies at UC Berkeley, in order to create substantial change throughout the community and world.