 show for people who care about their health at Live Dreaming Network series. I'm your host Dr. Grace O'Neill. Joining me today is Corey Nago from the project Genki Alawai. Welcome Corey. Thank you Dr. Grace. Appreciate you having me. Thank you for being on the show. So we want to learn about project Genki Alawai. Tell us about how you got involved and a little bit about the project. Okay, for sure. So the Genki Alawai project started in 2019 with the mission to use bioremediation, which is using good microorganisms to restore the environment. And the vision was to make the Alawai fishable and still mobile by seven years. So this started in 2019. We are under the Hawaii Exemplary State Foundation, which is the nonprofit organization that we're underneath then. Unfortunately, due to COVID, the plan didn't everything didn't go according to plan. You know, the project didn't get funded and whatnot, but despite that, you know, the project members at the time decided to continue to move forward anyway, right? Because we got the permitting to use the effective microorganisms for the Alawai. So we've been moving ever since on a volunteer and donation basis. You know, this is a community effort. The only reason why we needed this far was because of the support from the community. So it's been a blessing. So with the Hawaii Exemplary State Foundation, what does that mean? So the Hawaii Exemplary State Foundation was supposed to be a systems approach to addressing the flooding and the remediation of the entire Alawai watershed. So starting with the invasive Albezia trees in the mountains to removing the armoured catfish, the invasive armoured catfish from the streams. Our section was the Alawai canal and there was another group that was supposed to be monitoring the coral reef out there from the ocean. So systems approach, you know, something that's never been done before and we were also supposed to be part of the STEM education program from the schools. You know, all the schools in the Ho Hoa are, you know, letting them, empowering them with the tools, you know, educating them and, you know, having them take ownership of their, you know, their land, their ocean so that they can, you know, bring that make it better for the next generation. And as they grow up, you know, continue to take care of it themselves. So with the catfish, how are those introduced if they are not native species? That's a good question. I didn't really look into that, so I really don't know the history behind that, but that's something that I'll look into. Yeah, so, but with the Hawai'i Assembly State Foundation, so you were supposed to receive a large federal grant? Yes, I believe so. Dr. Ken Kanashiro is in charge of that and, you know, he's still going after that grant and, you know, we have faith in him. You know, it could come any day, you know, as he's been telling us, but, you know, instead of just waiting, you know, we've been making moves to what we can, you know. And again, the community, the Genkiowloi Project is a community project. You know, it really is a community endeavor. You know, we've been, you know, expanded from not only the schools, but, you know, corporate sponsors, you know, private sponsors, you know, all of these people coming together. Everybody from, you know, pre-K to our kupuna, you know, everybody can get involved. You know, this is a project that, you know, we can all buy into, you know, a worthy cause. So it's a bit, again, we're just so thankful for the community. So let's have some pictures of the little Genki balls. Can you show us, Michael, what they look like? Yeah, so the balls made out of. Yes. The idea originate, where did it originate from? Great, great question. Yeah. So the Genki balls are actually mud balls, simply with good bacteria. It's called EM. Effective microorganism is the main ingredient for these balls. And they were, EM was actually developed in Okinawa, Japan by Dr. Teru Higa, and, you know, it's been used all around the world, you know, from a little island to the whole world. So it's very, it was mostly known for agriculture, but, you know, you can use it really for anything. It's really holistic, but it's usually in a liquid form. But in this case, we make it into a ball form so that it can actually sink to the bottom of the canal where all the sludges, that's the main pollutant we're trying to address. So to get back to your question about the ingredients, you know, it has soil rice bran, which is basically the skin of brown rice, you know, the byproduct to make it into white rice. And EM, the effective microorganisms, and we have some molasses in there as well, you know, that acts as the food for the microorganisms. So really simple, just those ingredients, soil rice bran and some EM. Nice. So tell us about how you guys came up with the idea to do this. Who was the person who started all this? Yes. So we were actually inspired by the Osaka Fisherman's Cooperation. They used EM technology and these Genki balls. We actually got the name from them as well to clean up Dotonbori River in Osaka and to clean up Osaka Bay. So that river back in the day was kind of like the Alawai, you know, it was very infamous, you know, it was smelly, you know, nobody wanted to go in there, you know, if you fell in it, you know, they said you'll die. So that's kind of the reputation that that river had. And because the fishermen, their livelihood depended on, you know, healthy, healthy water so that they can get the fish and their clams, they decided to do something about it. You know, they found out about Dr. Higa's EM and, you know, they took it upon themselves as a grassroots movement to really, you know, take care of not only the river but the entire Osaka Bay and they were able to do that. I believe it was like three to four years. All the sludge levels went down, odors went away, and they were able to, you know, see their clams come back like five fold. So it was a great result and that's what really, you know, inspired us. And that was back in 2003, I believe. They finished in like 2005 2006 and that was about the same time where the Alawai, you know, had that sewage dumped into the canal, right, 48 million gallons of raw sewage dumped into the Alawai and, you know, fortunately a man passed away from that infection. And that's, I believe, you know, what really made the Alawai infamous, you know, after that case, you know, that really solidified it. So it was around that same time that all of that went down. So they really inspired us to, you know, make it happen over here because in Japan, there's lots of cases, you know, where they use this technology to clean up the river and ecosystems, you know, even around the world. This is a proven thing, you know, this is not just a pie in the sky, you know, just trying, trying it out kind of thing, like there's proven cases and it's not a matter of, you know, if you ever work, it's a matter of will we make it work, right? So I believe that we can, we can do that, you know, Hawaii can just be another example, not only for, it won't be just a win just for us, but, you know, we can be an example for another example for the world. So show us some pictures, Michael, of the students that are involved, the students and teachers that are involved in the project. Yes. Also, this is a picture, we initially started with Alawai Elementary School and Jefferson Elementary School, you know, the Alawai, that's their backyard pretty much, you know, they're right along that canal and, you know, it started with them, you know, the teachers there, you know, they embrace the project. It's thanks to them that, you know, we're able to get things going from the jump. And this is a picture of them, you know, doing their initial toss, throwing the Genki balls into the Kapahulu end of the Alawai. And we started here strategically because that end is the most stagnant polluted portion of the Alawai. And for those who don't know, the Alawai canal, when it was built in the 20s, it was actually originally planned to connect to the ocean. So both ends were supposed to be open, but they realized that, you know, if the Alawai connected to the ocean through Waikiki, you know, all the beaches will be polluted. So, you know, funding had run out and, you know, they realized the potential pollution. So that's why it stops right there by the Kapahulu library. So we started there again because that was the, you know, the most polluted part, the most stink part. You know, if you walk by there, you know, back in the day, for those that remember, it was unbearable. But, you know, if you go by there now, there's almost no snow at all, you know, so that's where we started. So can you show us the pictures of the different schools on the website, Michael? Yeah, this is great. There's so many people involved. Yes, yes. Again, this is, this is really a community effort, you know, starting with all these schools, you know, educating the kids, you know, while they're young because our mission is to, you know, just really empower the people of the community and to work together to restore the Alawai watershed, right? And this project is really just the catalyst to open up the potential to clean up more waterways. And, you know, that's actually happening today. There's a collaboration between Kamehameha Schools and HCC, you know, they're calling it the Genki Kapalama Project. So the Kapalama Canal, you know, that's coming soon. So I'm looking forward to that as well. Yeah, so why don't you show us the picture of the life, the new life that is swimming in the Alawai. We have some pictures of that. Yes, unfortunately the left side was supposed to be a video. I'm sorry I didn't submit a picture. That's my fault. But, you know, we've been seeing a lot of biological indicators anywhere from stingrays. You know, last year we had the monk seal come through to the convention center side of the Alawai which was, you know, unheard of, right? And that was right before we did a toss out there too. So the timing of that was with Unreal, right? And, you know, people are sending us pictures of turtles, sharks, you know, just going there almost every weekend, you know, we see a lot of native fish coming back as well, not just tilapia, right? We're seeing ama ama, you know, we're starting to see mullets and like other small ahole-hole. It's a sight to see. That's amazing. So let's go to the collection sites. Can you show us the pictures of the different collection sites? Yes, yes, the test sites. Yes. So because, you know, we can't just throw it anywhere, you know, as much as we would love to, you know, we are data-driven so we do take before and after water quality samples, you know, just to measure the effectiveness of the project, right? We have four test sites right now, you know, behind the think-tank logo. That's where we started on the Kapa Hulu end of the canal. That's where we do most of our tosses. Number two is right behind Alawai Elementary School by the community gardens out there and right across the street by La Nui Kalimoku Street. And that area was sponsored by the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, you know, they were able to sponsor the water quality testing there. So, you know, shout out to Ritz-Carlton. And number four by the convention center that was sponsored by the Honolulu Festival Foundation. So thanks to them, you know, we're able to open up so we kind of have two ends of the Alawai and the middle as well. You know, of course, we want to expand those sites and, you know, be able to take more data, you know, present more data to the public, you know, not just, you know, we want to be able to map where else. The sludge levels, you know, elsewhere on the canal and, you know, take measurements there as well. But that's where we're at right now. So who's taking the data? Is it the volunteers that's taking the data and who's developing the data? That's a good question. So we do need, it has to be official. So in the beginning, the city and county was helping us out with the data collection. You know, we had a support from the governor. Unfortunately, you know, the Red Hill crisis happened. So, you know, all of their resources went there, you know, naturally. But luckily, we were able to partner with Equal Slabs, which is a third party, another third party lab that has been able to assist us with obtaining that water quality data. But the sludge levels though, that's just on our own. We have our measuring meter sticks and we just stick it in the sludge and, you know, it's been fun seeing the sludge levels go down, you know, being able to see that for yourself and actually see sand on the bottom of the all away. You know, I wouldn't have believed it until I seen it myself. So. So usually sludge just covers the whole bottom. Exactly. Yeah, it covers the bottom. It covers the reef, you know, people might not know, but there's coral reefs in there, you know, and there's sand on the bottom. And, you know, that's, that's under all that sludge. So that's why we're making into the bop form to remove, you know, the sludge layer by layer. So can you explain to us how the sewage gets in the alloy? How does that happen? I'm not too sure exactly how all of that sewage got it. And that's something I have to look into. But a lot of story dreams, you know, lead up to lead up to the alloy. So, you know, that that plays a huge role. And, you know, of course, we have Polo Stream, Manoa Stream, and Matiki Stream that feeds the alloy as well. So, you know, a lot of the pollution from upstream, you know, that that's that's the main cause of. Yeah, people need to throw away their dog poop and all that. Definitely. Definitely. You know, and this is a reactive solution for sure. You know, for some people that might be thinking, well, you know, if you don't address the issues upstream, the alloy will never get clean. I mean, that's that's valid. But, you know, we'll we'll get there. Right. This is a, this is a systems approach. You know, right now it's just the beginning, you know, getting people where, you know, empowering them with the tools and, you know, we do see results though. Right. So once we start with with the alloy, you know, we want to work upstream or using EM for the upstream, you know, into from the mountains so that, you know, we'll get that whole effect cleaning the whole watershed, not just the canal. So let's go to the current results slide if you can, Michael. Yeah, so show us what this is. What is this? Also, this is just a chart of the sludge levels where we first started, you know, from 2021. This shows where we first took the measurements of sludge. And this was actually a story that I wasn't there. But my father was telling me, you know, how the city and county people were trying to take the water test and they stepped into the sludge like knee deep, and they lost the slipper. And, you know, they're like, oh, wow, we found a sinkhole. So that was, you know, the point where we started measuring that that sinkhole where, you know, he went knee deep. And, you know, since then it's been over 20 inches to less than five, you know, that's, that's a huge difference. So, you know, seeing that in just the two testing spots, you know, we want to have more, you know, elsewhere on the canal where we can, you know, take these measurements. And then show us the other slide with the Enterococcus. I think there's a slide with Enterococcus. Yes, yes. So that is the fecal bacteria, you know, the main bacteria that people are concerned about, you know, it was this fluctuating according to rainfall whatnot but as you can see, you know, from 690 to 46 right the acceptable levels are 130 so anything below 130 is is good news. So, you know, being able to see that go down as well is awesome. So I also see down here on the third line of that chart, like the alloy it looks like it started off like less. Yes. How is that even possible. Again, it just, it depends on the, the, the rainfall and the different conditions and whatnot you know there's a lot that goes into it but yeah the timing of the test as well. So, it does fluctuate. Yes. Can you go to the current results section in the website. So basically what we're doing with the microorganisms is just restoring that balance right in, in any environment in any ecosystem, you know, there's microbes, they're everywhere, you know, bacteria is everywhere, you know, in our bodies and the air and the water. So, with EM what we're basically doing is putting more good bacteria in there and, you know, just making that shift so that there are a lot of neutral or opportunistic bacteria who follow the leader right they're influenced by you know what there's more of so if you have a good bacteria in the water and ecosystem, you know all those neutral middle bacterias will follow suit so we're we're just rebuilding the ecosystem from the bottom up right the the food chain microorganisms. They're the bottom, but they're the foundation as well you know that's the most important part once you get that good then you know everything else will flow nicely so that's that's the simple idea. Mediation. I mean I see this to you have oxygen saturation test and yes, like it's greatly improved. Yes. Here's even 135% house. Yes. Yes, so the microorganisms you know they oxygenate the water so it is possible to go over those levels. Yes. 100 was the highest and then there's a turbidity to that's gone down a lot. Also, this thing salinity I was a little bit confused how that helps you because isn't that dependent on the water. Yes, so that that is dependent on. Yeah, like you said the water the rainfall, you know, and all of that, but that's just another thing that when they take the water quality. Tests that that's what they include as well so we just included everything that the state or not state the will the state test for the Department of Health and you know the the labs, the data that they give us we just try to present everything as much as possible. How about temperature is a lower temperature better or a higher temperature. That's a good question on higher temperatures, you know, are usually breeding grounds for you know like the Vibrio like the flesh and disease that's naturally in there so I mean it does vary in terms of that but with with when you have in there even if the temperatures do rise, you know, it keeps in check those other microorganisms those other bacteria viruses that you know may thrive it keeps their levels in check so. And this pH is it better for should the pH be around 7.4 more alkaline I'm assuming and that acidic I. Yes, yes, yes, more neutral cage would be good. Yes, for sure. There's so many things here it's amazing and I even have an ammonia test and nitrite test can you explain that. Yeah, so the ammonia is, you know, the smell obviously but that fluctuates a lot as well but you know I mean if you're a alloy regular, you know, you know somebody that goes there. I think, you know just we've been getting a lot of testimonials from you know regulars people that paddle there that wow like, you know it really doesn't smell anymore. Although those numbers may show otherwise, I mean just being their first hand you know, experiencing it for yourself I think is the the great the biggest indicator for that. Now that's great. So, was there a reason that you and your father specifically got involved in the alloy do you play golf near there do you paddle. Um, so actually, my father was again inspired by the Osaka fishermen you know around that time where they finished not finished on what where they really started seeing great results of you know bringing back their waterways. We had, you know, that that spill of sewage into our waterway right so he actually raised his hand at that time saying like you know we can use him to you know bring this back but unfortunately how the laws written you know you can't just pour anything into open waterways so unfortunately at that time. You know we weren't able to get the permitting the whatnot you know I'm not too sure the full details of that but you know it's timing right you know there's a time for everything and you know in 2019 we're able to get that so yeah here we are now. Making it happen. Do you, when you want to have a community event where you have the balls. Yes, you have to apply for a permit for that or just on. Yes, so it depends on the location. Um, you know, we do need, if it's on the promenade by the convention center side and whatnot or elementary school. We need a permit from the state knows part of the parks and wrecks, but luckily for us, you know, the couple who the library has been a great partner, you know, since the beginning of the project and our community projects are usually done there on their lawn. So, you know, we don't really need a permit there you know they've allowed us to you know use their lawn. And, you know, make the Genki balls and you know to work from that end as well so you know shout out to couple who library, all the staff there. Yeah, so I'm wondering to like if an independent group say wanted to make their own Genki balls. Would they, how would they go about doing this? So we do work with, you know, corporations companies that do want to just make it on their own. A lot of the major hotel groups in Waikiki, you know, you know who you are, you know, thank you so much for for all your support. We've been working with them. We'll just, you know, they can make it anywhere but when it comes to throwing just a project member would have to be there. According to the permit, you know, just so that we can observe, you know, anything. If anything unusual happens or whatnot. We'd be there to report it. So that's pretty much the main protocol so we do not, you know, really recommend people just going out there and throwing it anywhere. There are rules and regulations that we want to abide by, you know, just be respectful of so. So, I mean, what percentage of the Geki balls is actually the yeah. So, yeah, I'm is quite expensive. I buy that online for my garden. Oh, right on. Yes. So to make it cost, I don't know the exact percentage of, you know, in terms of racial to solids to liquid or whatnot, but we do make something called activated. So, like you said, it may seem expensive. And that's because it's a concentrate. So, regular EM can be extended 20 times we make something called activated. So out of that EM concentrate will extend it with the molasses and water. So that that's able to, you know, make a lot more economical for everyone. And I know you said that corporations have been providing some of the. Yes, yes, we've been getting a lot of donations. Yeah, you know, like that is that all funded by sponsors. Yes. Yes. All the donation that we receive, you know, go towards mostly towards materials, you know, for, you know, being able to put on community events or, you know, just to support on the schools as well. You know, some, some people, some schools don't have like budgeting or like, you know, some other nonprofits that we partner with, you know, may not have the budgeting, but, you know, because of those donations, we're able to give back to the community. You know, they're able to, you know, pay for, you know, support another community making event. Yeah, that's great. Do you guys have any, I know I saw an email that you guys have also run a community event every month or something. Yes. Yes. And you know, we would love to put on a lot more but you know, with our limited numbers and we're at one one a month for now but we will, we're looking to scale it you know in advance for sure. We try to release the date at the beginning of the month but usually it's on the second to second to the last weekend or last weekend so usually on a Saturday, and it will be at the couple who library and you know we try to release information about that. If you're on our email link list or on our social media as much as much as possible. So it's a few hours that you're dedicated. It's actually really quick on making drinking balls. It, especially, you know, when you have a group that is really efficient, you know, we can make 1000 balls in about an hour and a half. So, so we've been doing two sessions because of the, we've been getting a lot of inquiries so we do about, we do two sessions so about 2000. So, you know, we also give them the opportunity to throw as well so it's not just making the balls. Yes. Yeah, no that's amazing. So, I think, you know, I definitely want to participate in one of those sessions. Yes, we'd love to have you we'll be honored to have you out. So, how many people you do you have in a core group of volunteers that, you know, leads the session usually. Yes, so our main, or I guess the main members of the group official there's about five of us right now, six, including Dr can so we do have a good, you know, regular volunteer people that come out often, you know, shout out to them. It's been a huge help. So, we just want to be able to organize that better on our end so that, you know, we can help scale this project out, you know, so we can make that bigger impact that we need to make. Yeah, I mean, what if somebody wanted to volunteer. How would they get in touch with you want to show that page. Yes, yes, if you can, um, you know, go on our website there's our email there Genki alawai at gmail.com is our email but you can find that contact information on our website, or on through social media you know we usually post on Instagram but you know, it goes on Facebook as well so someone, you know, if anybody wants to get involved or help out, you can contact us through there. And are the, the sessions you have to ask you ahead of time is yes, yes, if you could just be if you'd be so kind of send us an email you know we'll send you all the information that you need for the events. And how many people are usually there at the event. There's about, wow, I mean, about 60, 50 to 60 people per session so a lot of people have been coming up. It's a blessing. I know that's awesome. Well, thank you so much. I mean this has been very informative I learned a lot about these ganky balls and I think it's great you're doing this project to clean up the alawai. We're out of time so we have to wrap it up. I'm Dr. Grace O'Neill this is healthy planet on the think tech live streaming network series we were talking with Corey Nago of the project ganky alawai. And thanks to your listeners for listening. I'll see you in two weeks for more of healthy planet on think tech, the shows of people who care about their health and the health of our planet. My guest will be Kavika Carlson, founder of the Hawaii running project. If you have ideas for the show and questions from my future show guest, please contact me at healthy planet think tech at gmail.com. Check out my website at greaseandhawai.com or Instagram at Grace for Living 365 for more information on my projects, including future show guests. I'm Dr. Grace O'Neill. Aloha everyone.