Slowly but surely, we are becoming more aware how closely everything is tied together in our world. With that in mind, a local company has created a "sustainable marketplace."
More than 30 organizations and companies dedicated to sustainability are featured in this marketplace located on the first floor of Group 70 on Bethel Street.
It is the brainchild of Francis Oda and his colleagues.
"A company that would really talk about sustainable infrastructure and integrated sustainable infrastructure. That's what we're lacking and so we thought would take a step in that direction,” said Francis Oda of Group 70.
Group 70 takes pride in including cultural sensitivity in its planning and development of projects. But Oda says there is something just as important to remember during these tough times.
"All of the great things of sustainability are important to us, including culture - the economic reality is really key because if it it's not economically sustainable, it's really not sustainable,” said Oda.
One of the companies included in this marketplace is Roth Ecological Design.
Lauren Roth sees sustainability as the strands of a lauhala mat.
"You have the economy, you have energy, you have environmental resources, the community, culture and it's the act of weaving all these things together that produces sustainability. And ecological design is really that mechanism of weaving and connecting those components,” said Lauren Roth of Roth Ecological Design.
As an example - this restorer, a small version of a wetland system that has been implemented around the world, a closed eco-system that is productive.
"So you have the microorganisms, the fungi, the higher plants, the fish and they all interact together and basically create a food web where these nutrients are assimilated and made into things like fish and plants,” said Roth.
In fact, the system has proved so viable at Hualalai resort on Hawaii island, fish from the restorer pond are served at the restaurant, truly an integration of infrastructure.
