U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii celebrates Earth Day

By Island Palm Communities, News ReleaseApril 29, 2011

U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii celebrates Earth Day
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U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii celebrates Earth Day
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SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - "You guys really pack 'em in," exclaimed Cory Larrieu about the crowds attending the fourth Annual Earth Day Festival, here, April 20.

Larrieu, a member of the Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative, was among dozens of community, civic and Army organizations participating in the annual event that drew more than a thousand family members, Soldiers and civilians to Sills Field, here.

U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii, Island Palm Communities and various community organizations teamed up to share a wealth of knowledge about environmental sustainability.

Participants enjoyed live entertainment and raffles. Displays showcased new technologies like the Army's Smart-Charging Micro Grid that provides a clean source of energy through solar panels. Also, Hawaii's Department of Agriculture displayed live creatures that are prohibited by the state, such as a python, Madagascar hissing cockroaches and coqui frogs that can harm the natural environment.

Past Earth Day Festivals focused on exhibits and activities for families, but this year an effort was made to bring in programming that would interest Soldiers, too.

"We just finished a course on solar grids, so I let my staff come over to see the micro grid," said Staff Sgt. Adam Konkle, Company A, 249th Engineer Battalion, "Prime Power," U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The IPC utilities booth offered information on how families can conserve energy at home, like taking showers that last less than 10 minutes. Sisters Daniella and Lauryn McCoy, who live in the Kalakaua community, stopped by the booth to learn new tips.

"I put my TV on the sleep mode, so if I fall asleep it will turn off," said Lauryn, 11. "And, I also turn off my sisterAca,!a,,cs TV if she falls asleep."

Organizations participating in the event included USAG-HI's Directorate of Public Works, Directorate of Emergency Services and the Native Hawaiian Liaison Office; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and the Department of Entomology, Tripler Army Medical Center.

View more photos on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usag-hi/sets/72157626549277504/.

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