More than 150 guests recently attended the Fourth Annual Hawaiʻi Sustainability in Higher Education Summit at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Folks from across the state—ranging from students to professors—all came together to discuss eco-conscious education.
Kamehameha Schools Sustainability Manager Amy Brinker was one of the summit’s keynote speakers and discussed sustainability's founding principle: You cannot manage what you do not measure. In order to manage KS' sustainability efforts, Brinker had to first measure the organization's current state of being.
In order to do that, Brinker conducted an audit and used that information to create what she calls “boardroom-to-classroom” graphics. At the summit, Brinker showcased her findings through these infographics, which depicted how Kawaiahaʻo Plaza (KS' downtown office) and KS campuses were doing in waste diversion, carbon emission and consumption of food, water and energy.
By conducting that audit Brinker was able to determine how KS could improve its sustainability initiatives. As a result, KS has implemented various eco-friendly strategies including tinting building windows, installing energy-efficient light bulbs and putting out recycling bins. Brinker hopes that the content from her infographics encourages other campuses to measure where their own school currently stands, in order to effectively move forward on their sustainability journey.
“I wanted to make sure that all this information could be integrated right into the classroom,” explained Brinker. “The same documents that an executive group could use to make decisions, the students could also use to figure out what they want to work on in their campus.”
At the summit, Brinker attended the Sustainability Curriculum Coordination workshop where attendees examined existing sustainability curriculum in hopes of enhancing teaching and learning experiences within the education sector.
“Sustainability is moving in a lot of places,” noted Brinker. “As we all move together, I think Hawaiʻi has a very unique opportunity to do sustainability better than anyone else has done it.”
See how you can contribute to sustainability by visiting KS' Donation Station.
By working with members within the UH System and discussing the future of sustainability curriculum, the summit ties into KS' Goal 2 of SP2020, as the organization continues toward being an improved educational system.
Sustainability is moving in a lot of places. As we all move together, I think Hawaiʻi has a very unique opportunity to do sustainability better than anyone else has done it.
Amy Brinker, KS Sustainability Manager
Last year KS earned a state Green Event Award for its eco-friendly practices. Above, KS Community Engagement and Resources Senior Director Sydney Keliʻipuleʻole and Brinker accept the award from Gov. David Ige.
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