Waiākea and A New Earth Project’s new initiatives foster Hawaiian growth and sustainability.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WAIĀKEA
“I have never seen a group of people more conscientious toward making ethical business decisions, focusing on conservation, sustainability and taking care of our ‘āina, all while putting people and our planet above profits,” says Geoli Nawahiekaluaopele Ng, director of Hawaiian-based alkaline water company Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Water’s Kōkua Initiative. Through the Kōkua Initiative, Waiākea has impacted more than 50,000 Native Hawaiian and local families in Hawai‘i and is only getting started. While it has been an integral part of the brand to give back to Hawai‘i and its people through a wide array of charitable programs with a focus on education, addiction and environmental stewardship, COVID-19 furthered the need for communities to pull together. Waiākea rose to the challenge, dedicating the initiative’s programs to helping those that were affected, providing food, masks, necessities, education and healthcare access. And recently, Waiākea, together with new brand ambassador NBA star Klay Thompson, donated over 3,000 books to promote childhood literacy in Hawai‘i, the Bay Area and Washington. “Waiākea is a brand that is rooted in its community,” says co-founder and CEO Ryan Emmons, who split his time between home and Hawai‘i growing up. “With the Kōkua Initiative, our hope is that we can continue to make Waiākea a brand that’s more than just the product.” waiakeasprings.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER KING
A New Earth Project began last year when O‘ahu professional surfer, photographer and documentarian Peter King and President of Atlantic Packaging Wes Carter decided to partner together in a joint effort to rid the oceans of plastic pollution and usher in a new Earth and new way to do business for the health of the planet. Now, this collaboration between the global surfing community and the industrial packaging supply chain has launched New Earth Approved—a catalog of packaging products from leading suppliers around the world that use fiber-based, curbside recyclable packaging solutions and avoid single-use plastic materials. With this introduction, King and Carter have produced a documentary that intersects surf culture and the importance of ocean advocacy. Look for its first series Journey to a New Earth this spring. “Together we can achieve anything,” says King. “As surfers we now have a partner in the supply chain to make a huge difference on our impact through solutions that will rid our oceans of plastic pollution.” anewearthproject.com
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