Paiko Lagoon with Alice Roberts (Oahu)

A chance to bid our migratory shorebirds goodbye, and to explore many other fascinating creatures along the shoreline. This is a wonderful treat of a field trip, and one that keiki will particularly enjoy! Wear old tennis shoes or reefwalkers, and bring binoculars, water, sunscreen, and a hat. Call Alice to register, (808) 864-8122

“Navigating Change and Aloha ‘Āina” is a workshop, part of International Year of the Reef, for educators who teach 4th, 5th and 7th grades. It will be held on June 12 at Moku o Lo‘e (Coconut Island), Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, Kāne‘ohe Bay. Cost is $20. Registration deadline is May 30.

This workshop will provide teachers with updated standards-based educational materials that focus on the marine environment and integrate Hawaiian culture with science, math and language arts; a teacher’s guide with lesson plans, student activity sheets, rubrics, CDs, a DVD an dother resources; hands-on sessions to try the activities with other educators; and a preview of field sites on the island. Lunch will be provided.

For more information or to register, call the Pacific American Foundation at 263-0081 or e-mail Maura O’Connor at mauraoc@hawaii.rr.com. Space is limited so register early!

A seed exchange is a time for local farmers to build food security for our isolated islands by coming together to share seed, cuttings, huli, roots and keiki of food crops that do well in their farms and gardens and are acclimated to Hawaii’s unique climate. This year honors “Fire” and its role in agriculture. No money is exchanged and all plant material is given freely to anyone who wants to grow it. The event, which will be held on June 21 at the Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Kealakekua, is free and open to the public. For more information visit www.hawaiiseed.org.

Hualalai Academy welcomes all families and individuals in West Hawai‘i to pitch in on May 10 to help the school clean, clear and prepare its garden area to further develop the students’ love of the land and nature. A school garden can become an integral part of the classroom, your home and the community. Research shows that gardening can improve student learning. Free and open to the public. Bring your own tools. Call Dan Sabo at (808) 326-9866 or (808) 990-1889.

Tour the beautiful Ginger Hill Farm in South Kona on May 4. The farm is a retreat center providing workshops in permaculture, art, cooking, Hawaiian culture, yoga, meditation and self-healing. All workshops are conducted by artists and activist Mayumi Oda, author of “I Opened the Gate Laughing.” Cost is $25 and includes a tour and light organic lunch sourced from the farm. E-mail angela@sustainablebliss.org or call (808) 345-6587 to make reservations.

The premiere Hawai‘i conference and expo promoting socially and environmentally responsible business practices will be held on April 29 at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort. This all-day event will feature guest speakers, more than 40 booths and an organic locally sourced gourmet lunch. Cost is $60, $50 for Kona-Kohala Chamber members. Keynote speaker will be Gil Friend, founder and CEO of Natural Logic (www.natlogic.com), one of the nation’s leading sustainable business consulting firms. Other topics will include green architecture, algae for biofuel, sustainable diversified agriculture, bamboo homes and cultural views of sustainability. For more informatoin call Michael Kramer at (808) 331-0910 or e-mail michael@naturalinvesting.com.

Join PATH and Friends of NELHA as walkers, runners and riders tour the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) on May 10 at the Gateway Center at NELHA in Kailua-Kona. This educational event promotes cycling and walking as a viable, no-emission transportation alternative. Proceeds will benefit co-sponsors and the Kona Earth Festival. Refreshments will be available. Cost ranges from $25 to $50 for adults, $15 to $40 for keiki. For more information or to register, e-mail Laura at lmd@hawaii.rr.com. Visit www.nelha.org.

Join Tropical Reforestation and Ecosystems Education (TREE) Center Hawai‘i in a tree-planting event on May 3 to celebrate Earth Day. Come plant native trees in O‘oma State Forest on the Hualalai Mountain. Free and open to the public. Bring lunch. Water will be provided. Space is limited, so call for reservations at (808) 333-0330.

This event, which starts at 7 a.m. at Kohanaiki in Kailua-Kona, brings together keiki and adults for a day of surfing and beach beautification. The goal is to perpetuate the practice of the surfing culture and to provide a positive environment to nurture healthy and safe family-building activities. During the day-long event, children will paint reminder signs such as “Mālama ‘Aina,” pick up litter and plant coconut trees. Sponsored by Na Keiki He‘i Nalu O Hawai‘i. For more information call (808) 325-0844 or visit www.kohanaiki.org.

This “eco-social” mixer is held every fourth Wednesday of the month at the Mixx Bistro in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy organic beverages and environmentally conscious fashion. For more information e-mail angela@sustainablebliss.org.