SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Earth Month at U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii culminated with a grand Earth Day Festival, here, that brought together hundreds of families to learn about Hawaii's natural environment, April 24, 2013.
Organized by the Environmental Division, Directorate of Public Works, USAG-HI, and Island Palm Communities (IPC), dozens of organizations representing Army, state and community agencies, plus local businesses shared information, resources and activities that gave event-goers of all ages a fun, hands-on learning experience.
Attendees learned about preservation and conservation efforts taking place throughout the state and found out what they could do to support them.
"We've hosted the festival with IPC for six years, and it has grown to become one of our most popular events that exhibitors and families look forward to," said Col. Daniel Whitney, commander, USAG-HI.
"It's a great opportunity to show our Soldiers and families how we can preserve the environment and conserve our natural resources in the communities we live and work in. This is critically important in this era of financial uncertainty," Whitney added, "that we use the environmental program to facilitate our other missions for which our ability to train our Soldiers is paramount."
Among the most popular exhibits was the Hawaii Department of Agriculture's display of live invasive species, confiscated by its officers, including some sizeable Madagascar hissing cockroaches.
Another favorite was the Environmental Services' up-cycling booth, where kids decorated and sewed cool tote bags made from old tank tops.
Also, the lively theatrical musical of 'Ohia Production's "In the Clear Blue Sea" was a hit. It explored marine life that inhabit Hawaii's coral reefs through the eyes of Liona the lionfish and other delightful characters.
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