Danika Abenoja of Makiki, age 4 and a student at The Early School, is a green kid. She prides herself on her green habits and thinks everyone should have a green lunch box just like hers. In fact, she comes off as a mini-Martha Stewart when talking about the contents of her lunch box. You won't find her with a styrofoam container, juice box or can of soda. Her mother, Heidi, has taught her well. She even checks every plastic container to make sure there are no polycarbonates present.

Danika's green streak extends to her snack time as well. She keeps an aluminum water bottle in her cubby. Her mother insists that it doesn't take any extra time to prepare a green and healthy lunch. "She loves cheese, so I make her a cheese quesadilla, macaroni and cheese or cheese sandwich. And she always gets an apple or grapes, her favorites," Abenoja said.

Abenoja is in good company at The Early School, which was awarded a green certificate by Earth-Friendly Schools Hawai'i as part of the Keeping It Green Hawai'i program. It's an everyday habit there for the eco-savvy parents to green up their keiki's lunch boxes. See their tips below.