Going Green with Andrea Dean

Aloha friends! My blog and I will be on vacation in Fiji until August 6th! See you when I get back- follow my trip on facebook and twitter!

Bula! Andrea

Hey…I am testing out the world of QR Codes! Can someone who is QR code savvy read this for me and let me know what you see?

This year’s Kuleana Green Business and Environment Conference and Trade Show is Friday, April 23rd. Register Now!

Who is in with me for next year????


Well… its been a long month! I have been down with one these killer colds that has been going around, pinched nerves in my back and neck, and short list of other ailments that I won’t bore you with. I have also been hunched over my computer writing three grants- all for excellent community projects around local economic development and food self-sufficiency. All of this has been sandwiched between two of my biggest events of the Spring season: The Trash Bash last week and the Lavaman Triathlon this past weekend. Unfortunately, all of my activities have been working against each other… hunching over the computer hurts neck- biking hurts neck- working out prolongs cold- cold makes trash bash difficult to host- you get the picture. The moral of the story? Persevere (and take as much Ibuprofen and Sudafed as you need to!) I am not sure I am physically any better today, but I feel like I can do ANYTHING! Endorphins rock- all physical, mental and emotional worries are gone- I feel like super girl- or maybe lavaman!


I was not sure that I was going to be able to complete the race and was calling various friends who were instructed about what to do with my mortal remains. Despite all of my whining and mental backpedaling, I rocked the race (by my standards.. I am sure the elite athletes would not think that doing the race in 4:05 is great, but it is great for me!) Today I feel great, although I desperately need a day at the spa. Here are the pics:

Swim Start. An advantage of being an older woman, you start last and the bathrooms are not as crowded right before your race! The older woman crowd also tends to be very friendly and sisterly, although you still get kicked, scratched and thrashed in the swim (unintentionally, of course!)

Coming out of the swim into the bike transition. After initial panic in the water, I was able to calm down and have a good solid swim.

Coming out of the bike transition looking like I mean business. In fact, I took it kind of mellow. I had a great ride and did not do any further damage to my neck- which was my goal. Most people on the ride were really nice, except this one guy. He yelled on your left, and when I didn't move over quickly enough for him, he rudely yelled pick a lane, any lane. I wanted to remind him that he was actually riding with a predominantly over 45 female crowd... but I got my internal revenge later when I passed him on the run.

The run.. the don't call it Lava Man for nothing!

Sweet success! I finished feeling great- my goal! Time: 4:05, which is actually faster than my time 4 years ago, see, sometimes we do get better with age.

My support crew: Mary Jane, Lucky and Eddie

My support crew: My son Kanoe!

My support crew: Jeremy and Susan

From Nancy Redfeather:
I hope you’ve all had a chance to visit The Kohala Center’s Web site for the “Hua Ka Hua – Restore Our Seed” Symposium in Kona on April 16-18, 2010, at www.kohalacenter.org/seedsymposium/about.html.

The deadline to take advantage of the early registration discounted price is March 15. Before March 15, the registration fee is $100 for both days. After March 15, the cost goes up to $150. Spaces are limited, so register early to secure your spot at the Symposium. The Keauhou Beach Resort is offering a special rate for conference accommodations of $122.53 per night (including tax) for a single/double room with a partial ocean view and a daily buffet breakfast.

The Symposium will also feature a Seed Swap hosted by Regeneration Botanicals on Saturday, April 17, following the last session of the day. Information tables will be available in the foyer for a nominal fee, for conference participants who wish to share programs and information with the public.

This Symposium is an excellent opportunity to come together, expand our basic knowledge, connect with experts and resources, create island-wide working groups, and get our farmers and gardeners growing, selecting, processing, using, trading, and selling high quality seed. Seed is the foundation of a thriving local agricultural economy and food abundance. Please join us for this landmark event and let’s take charge of our agricultural future.

If you have any questions please call Nancy Redfeather at 808-322-2801 or e-mail nredfeather at kohalacenter.org. If you have already registered and are interested in an information table, please let me know. Mahalo! Please forward to all Farmers and Gardeners you know who are ready to take this step!