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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, April 20, 2008

Maruya, 2 others from Hawaii honored by EPA

 •  Oahu inventor makes cool find

Advertiser Staff

The Environmental Protection Agency recognized three Hawai'i recipients at its 10th annual Environmental Awards ceremony in San Francisco last week.

The Region IX Environmental Awards acknowledge significant contributions toward protecting and preserving the air, water and land or increasing awareness of environmental challenges.

In addition to Richard Maruya's work on developing an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerant, the Hawai'i winners are:

  • Kapi'olani Barber of Baseyard Hawai'i, a part of the Nanakuli Housing Corp., which assists Native Hawaiian families. Baseyard Hawai'i collects and distributes, at little or no cost, reusable surplus construction materials to families and nonprofit organizations.

    Since its inception in 2001, the nonprofit organization has kept nearly 1,000 tons of reusable materials from O'ahu's overcrowded landfills "and serves a nexus for community-based environmental stewardship," according to the EPA.

  • Debbie Gowensmith, Hawai'i program director for the Community Conservation Network. After only three years in Hawai'i, the nonprofit has made a significant impact in protecting the state's nearshore marine environment, the EPA said.

    The network helped numerous community groups come together and form active local programs, including youth activities and beach patrols, to protect their natural resources.

    "The nonprofit's new 'sea-roots' network is a true gift to Hawai'i with tremendous transformative potential — bringing new attention, resources and partnerships to long-neglected coastal areas," the EPA said.