350Hawaii Backstory
In 2004, with the angst of another failed progressive candidate fresh in our minds, and determined to continue moving forward, I co-created a hui we called Facing the Future (FtF). This was a talented experienced team of community engagement professionals that included, Stephanie Castillo, Mike Bailey, Chuck Burrows and myself. Our main purpose was to plan, produce and bring sustainability speakers to Honolulu.
Rob Kinslow, 350Hawaii organizer, campaigns for climate justice by standing alongside Pali highway in Honolulu, Hawaii, with his 350.org sign
Rob Kinslow and then, Senator Neil Abercrombie
At the time, we were the only folks producing events on sustainable learning. Skepticism over climate change was high, even in Hawaii skepticism by policy makers was rampant and people were rough on the few climate change communicators.
Bill McKibben, noted author and founder of the 350.org movement, was brought to Honolulu and gave a breakfast talk, followed by two lectures at UH Manoa, on 15 April 2008. I caught up with him in an interview after the breakfast talk at the Hawaii State Art Museum.
350Hawaii created
Soon thereafter, inspired directly by Bill, I created my own personal 350 campaign in Honolulu, at one point, eagerly approaching then Senator Neil Abercrombie with a fast spoken request for a picture with him and my 350.org sign. As you can see, he was supportive. Several others jumped on-board the now ubiquitous climate campaign and created their own 350 campaigns in our islands, most notably Brodie Lockard on
Kamehameha Elementary School students, responding to a whole brain STE@M workshop, discovered 350. More than 330 students participated. This is some of their Art.
Facebook. You may see my own efforts for the global campaign on the 350 Hawaii flickr site.
Over the years, our hui has partnered with Hawai`i Pacific University’s Leadership series, the University of Hawaii Manoa Distinguished Lecture Series, `Olelo Media Centers, and the Umematsu and Yasu Watada Lectures on Peace, Justice and the Environment community dialogues to engaging conversations between our island communities and leaders in sustainability and social justice.
Honolulu Climate Communications events
I’ve produced for Frances Moore Lappe (food), Dr. Steven Schneider (futures), Al Gore (climate change), Bill McKibben (deep ecology), David Korten (sustainable development), Q`wichin (native alaskan), Charles Hall (energy security) and Richard Heinberg (peak oil). As you can see I’m deeply embedded in resilience building and social improvement. 95% of my efforts are self-funded. Now get out there and do something, anything to improve human society, OK?
Enjoy the interview with Bill McKibben
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