For the first time, Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens will participate in World Genki Ball Day on Thursday, August 7.
The genki ball toss at Waihonu will include nearly 1,000 balls. The toss will take place on the Lihiwai Street side of the pond from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. The event includes 20 projects in Japan and Hawaii. Lili`uokalani Gardens will be the last site to toss and the time is estimated to be closer to 4:40-4:50 in Hilo. Please arrive in advance to secure a spot along the makai side of Waihonu where genki balls will be provided.
The event started in 2009 when Professor Teruo Higa declared August 8 as World EM Mudball Day. (August 8 in Japan is August 7 in Hawaii.) This is the 16th anniversary of the event celebrating groups and projects worldwide dedicated to cleaning up streams, ponds, lakes, and seas. Dr. Higa is emeritus professor at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa. He also is director of the International EM Technology Center at Meio University in Okinawa.
In Hawaii, EM mudballs are known as Genki Balls. They are composed of Essential Microorganisms, molasses, mill run such as rice bran, and clay soil. Formed into balls and cured for two weeks, the balls are a delivery system to get the microorganisms into troubled waters where the microorganisms eat toxins and sludge.
This technique has been used in Honolulu for several years to clean the Ala Wai Canal. On Hawai`i Island, the Genki Hou Waihonu effort was tested for a year from December 3, 2022 to December 3, 2023. After reviewing water tests and measuring mud depth, the project was expanded to include the entire five-acre pond that dates back 400 to 600 years as a traditional Hawaiian fishpond.
More recently, the Big Island Water Garden Club has used genki balls to clean the koi pond in front of the peace memorial at Kalakaua Park in downtown Hilo. Puna Hongwanji recently treated a lotus pond at the entry to the temple with essential microorganisms.
Other sites participating in World EM Mudball Day include: the Hijagawa River in Okinawa; Kurihara in Miyagi; Hachioji in Tokyo; Handa City in Aich; nine sites in Mie: Kuwana Mizube School, Yokkaichi, Shiroko Fishing Port, Iwatagawa River, Matsusaka, Minami Ise Town, Shiraishiko Lake, Shingu City, and Sembagawa River; Osaka; Niigata; Kochi; Lake Biwa in Shiga; Awanogawa River in Yamaguchi; the Genki Ala Wai project in Honolulu; and Genki Hou Waihonu project in Lili`uokalani Gardens, Hilo.
Organizations and schools supporting the Genji Hou Waihonu project include Hilo High School, Waiakea High School, Kamehameha Schools, The ARC of Hilo, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, Girl Scouts, Kua O Ka La Charter School, EM Hawaii, Waiakea Water Kokua Project, and many other clubs, businesses, and individuals.
Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens is a 501(c)(3) non-profit operating on a written Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation. The organization helps with park maintenance, raises funds for capital improvements, and helps sponsor events throughout the year.
Lili`uokalani Gardens started with 17 acres at Makaoku in 1917. Since then the park has expanded to include Moku Ola, Isles, and Rakuen (Happiness Park), and the southern corner meadow known as the Bicentennial Garden. The park now covers 24.67 acres.
For more information on the history of the area and efforts to foster this community treasure, please go to the organization’s website www.liliuokalanigardens.org
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