Case Studies
The Genki Ala Wai Project
Hawaii, United States of America
Overview
The Ala Wai Canal is an artificial waterway located in Honolulu, Hawaii of approximately 2.4km in length. It was built almost a hundred years ago to drain the rice paddies and swamps that would become Waikiki later. At that time, Ala Wai was a clean canal where people used to swim and go fishing, but over the decades, pesticides, heavy metals, and all kinds of pollution from upstream roads and urban areas flowed into the canal. Today, it is one of the most seriously polluted water bodies in Hawaii.
The Genki Ala Wai Project was launched in 2019 under the Hawaii Exemplary State Foundation. The project aims to make the canal fishable and swimmable again by 2026 with the cooperation of the educational sector and the community. Our partner EM Hawaii LLC is the Technical Advisor on how to make *Genki balls.
*In Hawaii, EM Mudballs are commonly known as “Genki Balls”
The Ala Wai Canal is an artificial waterway located in Honolulu, Hawaii of approximately 2.4km in length. It was built almost a hundred years ago to drain the rice paddies and swamps that would become Waikiki later. At that time, Ala Wai was a clean canal where people used to swim and go fishing, but over the decades, pesticides, heavy metals, and all kinds of pollution from upstream roads and urban areas flowed into the canal. Today, it is one of the most seriously polluted water bodies in Hawaii.
The Genki Ala Wai Project was launched in 2019 under the Hawaii Exemplary State Foundation. The project aims to make the canal fishable and swimmable again by 2026 with the cooperation of the educational sector and the community. Our partner EM Hawaii LLC is the Technical Advisor on how to make *Genki balls.
*In Hawaii, EM Mudballs are commonly known as “Genki Balls”
EM Application
The EM application started on November 27th, 2019 in the most polluted area.
As a form of environmental education, the project has empowered hundreds of volunteers such as students, teachers, the local community, and tourism agencies to come together and make a difference using Genki Mudballs. In addition, the project has been introduced by the local media.
Each event includes making and throwing Genki balls and made Genki balls are connected to the next events. As of June, over 50,000 Genki Balls had been tossed into the Ala Wai Canal.
The EM application started on November 27th, 2019 in the most polluted area.
As a form of environmental education, the project has empowered hundreds of volunteers such as students, teachers, the local community, and tourism agencies to come together and make a difference using Genki Mudballs. In addition, the project has been introduced by the local media.
Each event includes making and throwing Genki balls and made Genki balls are connected to the next events. As of June, over 50,000 Genki Balls had been tossed into the Ala Wai Canal.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach
In 2022, The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach has become the first hotel to partner with the Genki Ala Wai Project. They introduced the “Genki Ala Wai Project Accommodation Plan” in collaboration with the Malama Hawaii Project, to donate to the Genki Ala Wai Project every time guests book under this plan.
In 2022, The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach has become the first hotel to partner with the Genki Ala Wai Project. They introduced the “Genki Ala Wai Project Accommodation Plan” in collaboration with the Malama Hawaii Project, to donate to the Genki Ala Wai Project every time guests book under this plan.
The Honolulu Festival in 2023
The Honolulu Festival is one of Hawaii’s largest cultural events. JTB Brighter Earth Project collaborated with the Genki Ala Wai Project and hosted an EM booth in the Honolulu Festival's Educational Program. In February, the JTB Brighter Earth Project organized a Genki balls-making event involving students, local residents, and JTB Group employees, making 1,000 Genki balls. During the Honolulu Festival on March 11th and 12th, participants threw these Genki balls into the Ala Wai Canal as part of the program.
The Honolulu Festival is one of Hawaii’s largest cultural events. JTB Brighter Earth Project collaborated with the Genki Ala Wai Project and hosted an EM booth in the Honolulu Festival's Educational Program. In February, the JTB Brighter Earth Project organized a Genki balls-making event involving students, local residents, and JTB Group employees, making 1,000 Genki balls. During the Honolulu Festival on March 11th and 12th, participants threw these Genki balls into the Ala Wai Canal as part of the program.
Effects and result
Residents along the Ala Wai Canal reported the positive changes they noticed at the EM application site.
・Reduction of odors
Residents along the Ala Wai Canal reported the positive changes they noticed at the EM application site.
・Reduction of odors
・The water became clear. The photo is from the Jefferson Elementary School site.
・Large mullets, herrons, and ducks returned to the canal.
・Reduction of sludge bottom depth
・In 2023, various marine life such as manta ray, hammerhead shark, and Hawaiian monk seal were spotted in the Ala Wai Canal by local residents.
・This is the Ala Wai Canal in April 2023, after all of the flooding and runoff. You could see the difference in water quality in the back of the Canal.
・This is the Ala Wai Canal in April 2023, after all of the flooding and runoff. You could see the difference in water quality in the back of the Canal.
Data is being collected at four test sites by Genki Ala Wai Project participants, as well as by the Hawaii State Department of Health and the City and County of Honolulu’s Water Quality lab. See the current result of the project, Click here.
Nowadays the Genki Ala Wai Project is ongoing, and has set a goal of throwing 300,000 Genki balls to improve water quality.
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For further information, please contact our partner at:
EM Hawaii, LLC
Na Lama Kukui, Suite 217A, 560 North Nimitz Highway, #65 Honolulu, HI 96817 USA
1-808-548-0396
1-808-548-0396
infoemhawaii@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Genki Ala Wai Project
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The photos are courtesy of EM Hawaii LLC
Photo Credits: Umi Shimura
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Nowadays the Genki Ala Wai Project is ongoing, and has set a goal of throwing 300,000 Genki balls to improve water quality.
･･････････････････････････････････････････
For further information, please contact our partner at:
EM Hawaii, LLC
Na Lama Kukui, Suite 217A, 560 North Nimitz Highway, #65 Honolulu, HI 96817 USA1-808-548-03961-808-548-0396infoemhawaii@gmail.comWebsiteFacebookInstagramGenki Ala Wai Project･･････････････････････････････････････････
The photos are courtesy of EM Hawaii LLC
Photo Credits: Umi Shimura
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(April 2023)
