by Delia Montgomery

It was about six years ago green-movement “insiders” were talking about the upcoming bamboo fabric crash. Bamboo clothing was the rage at the time, so every eco-fabric industry leader wanted to ride the wave as long as possible.

Once word got to customers two years later, they fiercely resisted. Typical reactions were “I love my bamboo, you can’t take it away from me!”  —  along with expressions of disbelief. Read the rest of this entry »

by Delia Montgomery

Alan Joaquin founded FarmRoof, a privately held Hawaii Corporation, in 2008. His innovative company is based in Waimanalo, Oahu. Alan’s credentials include more than twenty years of experience in agriculture, engineering, environmental protection, and landscape construction.

The company’s primary focus is providing the world’s best rooftop environment for growing culinary herbs, gourmet greens, and heirloom vegetables. Through proprietary technology, the company may change our local food system and urban landscape. Although FarmRoof is gaining notoriety from eastern USA to Vancouver, Canada,  ―  Alan claims their roots are in the Hawaiian islands.

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by Delia Montgomery

Dovetail Partners, Inc. recently published a report titled Building Codes: Barriers to Green Innovation. I am confident that those concerned with the governmental nonsense we tolerate will find it a worthy read. My chosen intro excerpt follows:

Building codes ensure the health, safety and welfare of building users and the public. Unfortunately, many of today’s codes are prescriptive and based on traditional industry standards, thereby precluding innovative approaches to environmentally responsible design.

Dovetail Partners’ mission is to provide authoritative information about the impacts and trade-offs of environmental decisions, including consumption choices, land use, and policy alternatives. See where Hawaii ranks with the challenges presently faced.

RELATED POSTS:

Published on BIC through 2011 August

Amongst other things, blog contributor Delia Montgomery, d/b/a Chíc Eco, is an agent for environmental designers and artists. She holds a burning desire to witness local resources be utilized on island for production of goods in sustainable manners.

by Delia Montgomery

As a natural fiber enthusiast, I am noticing an increase in banana fiber production. Love the recent hessnatur advertisements and education of New SADLE, a nonprofit organization in Nepal that is responsible for weaving the banana silk scarves they offer.

Hawaiians are very creative with what they make from banana leaves. Yet fiber production is dormant on the Pacific islands. Wonder if that could change?

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 by Delia Montgomery

You can support current pending state laws to label genetically engineered foods. See a list of Hawaii legislation supported by the Organic Consumers Association below. Scroll down the OCA page to Hawaii for an active link to each item.

SB 1099 – Taro Security
SB 713 – Genetically Engineered Crops; Required Labeling
SB 712 – Department of Agriculture; Notification; Genetically Engineered Plants
SB 711 – Genetically Engineered Fish; Labeling
HB 1534 – H.B. No. 1534 – Hawaii’s GMO Truth-in-Labeling Bill
HB 591 – Taro Security
HB 434 – Genetically-Engineered Food; Labeling
HB 216 – Food Labeling; Genetically Engineered Material

OCA provides a list of key bills in congress as well.

RELATED POST:

Water and Politics

Amongst other things, blog contributor Delia Montgomery, d/b/a Chíc Eco, is an agent for environmental designers and artists. She holds a burning desire to witness organic agriculture and sustainable manufacturing on Hawaiian islands.

by Delia Montgomery

My drive to help aspiring designers who live in Hawaii is the basis for this post. We know most residents on Big Island go through an ordeal for proper services to birth a child. Apparently, it’s no easier for a student to find teachers to support their choice of artistic passion.

Of course it would be grand if students could be where the teachers are, but most don’t have the choice. My recommendations do require a computer with online access, so be prepared.
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by Delia Montgomery

The competition winner of Chic Eco’s 2009 Best Eco-luxury Infant Clothes Designer poll was Carrie Jekogian for LolaBabiez Organics. The announcement was written on FeelGoodStyle by Important Media Network.

I’m so sad to report that Carrie’s site has been down for a year and the phone number was disconnected. No clues as to what happened, but I hope you read about her and praises from her clients. (Because FGS was formerly run by Green Options Media, the comments were lost in conversion). Let’s hope she simply had to break from being a working teacher super-mom while running a business!

Our rapid global changes are effecting everyone as each individual seeks a balance between work and spirit. Hence, I can’t bring you an update about designer Carrie, but am compelled to help aspiring designers who live in Hawaii. For such individuals, I have some designer tools to share in my next post.

RELATED POSTS:
Chíc Eco — Best Eco-luxury Infant Clothes Designer Competition: Jennifer Murphy for Chapter One Organics
Chíc Eco — Best Eco-luxury Infant Clothes Designer Competition: Rachel Hart for Miss Sugar Pops
Chíc Eco — Best Eco-luxury Infant Clothes Designer Competition
Chíc Eco — Best Eco-luxury Infant Clothes Designer Competition: A Look at Sckoon Organics
Ever Gotten Organic Cotton?

Amongst other things, blog contributor Delia Montgomery, d/b/a Chíc Eco, is an agent for environmental designers and artists. She holds a burning desire to witness organic cotton, and other sustainable resources, to be farmed on Hawaiian islands. Please contact Delia if you wish to be known as a local-eco farmer or designer-crafts person.

By Delia Montgomery

This morning I received a digital letter from our 2nd District Hawai’i Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono. The letterhead is from the Congress of the United States House of Representatives in DC.

The purpose of sharing is in regard to the House Bill HR 872 and mangrove eradication with poisons encouraged by Monsanto in Hawai’i. There were a lot of comments on BIC and Congresswoman Hirono did vote against the legislation. Accordingly, I think BIC readers may be interested, so here goes … Read the rest of this entry »

By Delia Montgomery

Several weeks ago Rob Guzman displayed his pesticide-free cotton at SPACE. Hey, grown in Seaview!

Unfortunately, Rob said his stay is temporary, but he kindly gave me some seeds and said that our Big Island climate is well suited for cotton ag.

Read the rest of this entry »

by Delia Montgomery

I introduce you to Jennifer Murphy who produces modern fun baby and toddler clothes from sustainable fabrics. She is a Chicago resident who lives with her husband, daughter, and son. They hold a family passion for farm animals and the future of our environment. Jennifer’s mission is to improve the lives of others through her talents, creativity, intuition and knowledge.

Jennifer’s clothing company, Chapter One Organics, fosters organic farming by using 100% organic cotton. Dyes are low impact and in all, this responsible and ethical company is an admired model to organic cotton farmers and the apparel industry. Read the rest of this entry »

by Delia Montgomery

Some babies are born fashion divas. They just love to dress up.

That’s what happened to Rachel. So she decided to create exclusive and unique hand sewn or stitched garments with plenty of spunk and pizazz. Her passion started and continues from vintage treasures. Durability was also important to Rachel, so each item is made to last.

Vintage pieces are incorporated into designs that bring a little from the past into the present. Her favorite materials to work with are tulle, velvet, specialty ribbons, laces and  good quality silk flowers. That’s recycling fun!
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by Delia Montgomery

Purpose reminder: awareness of exceptional green designers. Not only for their creativity, but their production strategies as well. Comments and ideas from local designers are invited.

Competition reminder: nominations were honored through 2009 August and announced in October of that year. Winners will be announced at the end of this competition series.

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by Delia Montgomery

Summer of 2009 a designer competition was launched to poll for the most admired eco-luxury infant clothes designer. Being that our BIC hostess has a newborn, it seems appropriate to share the results.

Admittedly, the global contest was not about the “best buy” and without concern of where production took place. And although infants don’t demand gender threads, fashion typically highlights female garments. No intentional prejudice here!

The purpose was to expand awareness of exceptional green-baby designers. Not only for their creativity, but their production strategies as well.

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By Delia Montgomery

Do you wish to help stop Monsanto, BASF, and other chemical giants from pushing their poisons on the public?

House Bill HR 872, also called the “Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act” proposes to exempt all pesticide and herbicide use in and near waterways from requiring a permit under the Clean Water Act, (NPDES or National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit).

This is a House vote, no public hearings, and tentatively scheduled this Tuesday. So what can anyone do? Read the rest of this entry »

by Delia Montgomery

Well, I could not resist more DIY pallet results. After all, less money to buy things can enhance creativity and self sufficiency. That is an up-side to our challenging times in life.

Let your imagination grow from the lawn chair, potting bench and bicycle trailer pictured here. You may then think beyond pallets as did German Cabinetmaker Thorben Wuttke who moved from Big Island to Oahu.

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by Delia Montgomery

This is a specific kind of rubber material ― tubes from motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles. These examples are hot with a sensual look. Leather designers who try this get hooked. They say it’s more like sculpting than sewing.

From 1997 until autumn 2007, Zuss was two sisters in UK turning old inner tubes into eye-catching hot couture for those intent on making a BOLD fashion statement. Since elder Virgo Goddess Krijnie, retired, Christa took the company to the future with established global fans – solo style.

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