Tuesday, April 17, 2007
U.S. EPA honors singer Johnson
Advertiser Staff
SAN FRANCISCO — The Kokua Hawai'i Foundation and its founder, Jack Johnson, were honored yesterday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their efforts to protect and preserve the Hawai'i environment.

Johnson, a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter, founded the nonprofit organization to support environmental education programs. All proceeds from the annual Kokua Festival event are used to support and expand school recycling on O'ahu, sponsor field trips and environmental curriculum, and develop a farm-to-school program.

This year's Kokua Festival is Saturday and Sunday at the Waikiki Shell. Artists will include Johnson, Eddie Vedder, Ernie Cruz Jr., Matt Costa and the Girlas.

The festival showcases locally grown organic food and beverages, earth-friendly products and services, alternative-energy demonstrations, interactive games and crafts for kids, and information about Hawai'i environmental groups.

The event also practices what it preaches, using biodiesel in festival vehicles and generators, recycling, using biodegradable concession ware, and offering eco-friendly merchandise such as reusable totes, bottles and organic cotton clothing.

Tickets are $125 and $40 for reserved seats, $40 for lawn general admission and $20 for children ages 3-12 lawn seating.

The EPA awards were announced at yesterday's Region 9 Environmental Awards Ceremony in San Francisco.
Honors were given to 39 groups and individuals selected from more than 160 nominees that included businesses, media, local, state and federal government officials, tribes, environmental organizations and citizen activists in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawai'i, other Pacific islands and tribal lands.