Oahu is an island, but we are an island within an island, since the Earth is also an island in space.  This summer the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) will reconvene in Rio De Janiero, Brazil.  This is another event which will shape the fate of humanity and life on Earth.  Start paying attention to Rio+20 in the news.  Start getting involved.  You can put yourself on the map of those supporting positive outcomes in Rio at http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/index.php?menu=116 ... 

The energy & environment committees of the Hawaii State Legislature are hosting a briefing on climate change next week: Tuesday, January 17, 2012 - 1 p.m., Conference Room 325, State Capitol, 415 S. Beretania Street. The agenda includes climate change and its impacts in Hawaii and globally, climate adaptation policy, federal efforts in climate change and variability, and a 2012 legislative initiative (presenters are experts from UH, NOAA, and the State Office of Planning). This is not a hearing and no public testimony will be accepted. For more information see the official notice (PDF).

Whidbey Island in Washington State is just over 1/4 the size of Oahu in area and much smaller in population. But this video on their Transition initiative has many ideas to offer as we implement transition here.

At the Forces for Good symposium yesterday, the t-shirts given to registrants have the words "Capitol Watch" emblazoned on the front. Capitol Watch is a Hawaii Sierra Club website that makes it easy for those who want to track the progress and content of a bill, and -- very importantly -- dates and times for public hearings. The site has been overhauled and will be relaunched soon.

One of the bills of high relevance to transition is an agriculture bill that would set a goal of doubling local food production/comsumption by 2020. Once the 2012 session is underway, you'll be able to track this and many other bills at http://www.sierraclubhawaii.com/capitol-watch.php.

Saturday, January 7, 2012 | 12:00pm - 5:30pm
Hawaii State Capitol Room, 415 South Beretania Street, Honolulu

The Sierra Club presents the 2nd Annual Forces for Good Symposium. Speakers include Bill McKibben, world-renowned environmental activist, author & educator, and numerous environmental and community leaders. The program includes panels focused on clean energy, food self-sufficiency, and smart growth development. (A separately ticketed awards dinner follows the symposium at the Downtown Restaurant at the Hawaii State Art Museum.)

Transition Oahu will be one of a number of other non-profit "forces for good" at the symposium. We'll have a booth with information about the Transition movement and would be so happy to see you there. We understand there is still some room at the event for walk-up registrations.

Don Brown has graciously offered to share proceeds of the Hawai`i premiere showing of GrowthBusters with Transition Oahu. Please support Transition Oahu, while you take in this enlightening movie.

Monday, January 23, 2012
7:00pm until 9:00pm
Bambu ~ the Venue, 1146 Bethel St., Honolulu, HI

Price for screening is $10 at the door. Doors open at 6:30pm
Half price for HPU students. For information: 436-4326

Come visit “Da Land” in Makaha.  Brian Kerins & Brandon Raynor will give us a tour of the orchard and garden that they planted & have been cultivating on the 2 acre hillside parcel on the mauka side of Farrington Highway.  They’ll show us how they have created a beautiful, abundant and diversified landscape, in the 5 years they’ve been working the land.
Saturday, January 21, 2012 | 10am to approx 12 noon
Farrington Highway, Makaha (about a mile past Makaha Beach, across from Keaau Beach). Look for sign  on right “Organic fruits and veggies”
For more info, see the calendar.

This free showing will be held Thursday, January 19, 2012, 7:00pm at the Peace Cafe (2239 S. King St., Honolulu). Permaculture teacher Geoff Lawton enters the intensive small space gardens in the city and looks at the way permaculture can be used to create sustainable abundance. See our calendar for more info.