Cleaning Up Kaua‘i’s Waters: The Genki Ball Project

At Timbers Kaua‘i, caring for the land and preserving the island’s natural beauty is a way of life. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our resort, fostering partnerships that make a lasting impact on the environment we cherish. Recently, our Owners, team members, and local students from Kaua‘i High School came together in an inspiring effort to maintain the health of our surrounding waters.

With guidance from EM Hawaii, we created over 2,200 Genki Balls: small but powerful tools to revive our freshwater ecosystems. This hands-on project is part of a larger mission to care for the land and waters of Kaua‘i, ensuring a thriving future for generations to come.

At first glance, a Genki Ball might seem unassuming – a simple sphere of clay, rice bran, molasses, and Effective Microorganisms (EM); but within each ball lies the remarkable capability to transform an ecosystem. These natural ingredients work together through a process known as bioremediation, introducing beneficial microbes that help break down harmful bacteria and restore balance to polluted waterways.

Once tossed into a stagnant body of water, Genki Balls sink to the bottom, where they slowly release these positive microbes. Over time, they reduce sludge buildup, eliminate foul odors, and improve water clarity – all without the use of harmful chemicals. This method has been successfully applied across the world, proving that small, community-driven efforts can lead to significant environmental changes.

One of the most ambitious Genki Ball initiatives is underway at O‘ahu’s Ala Wai Canal, a once-thriving waterway now plagued by pollution. Volunteers have been working to deploy tens of thousands of these eco-friendly balls over the course of seven years, with the ultimate goal of making the canal swimmable again. This large-scale restoration effort serves as a testament to the effectiveness of bioremediation and the potential for positive change when communities come together for a shared cause.

When our Timbers Kaua‘i Owners learned about the Genki Ball Project, they were eager to contribute. Stewardship of the land is an essential part of life here, and this project provided a meaningful opportunity to give back.

With sleeves rolled up and hands coated in clay, Owners, team members, and students from Kaua‘i High School worked side by side, mixing, shaping, and forming each ball with care. Laughter and conversation filled the air as everyone embraced the satisfying, hands-on process, knowing that each ball carried the potential to improve the health of our island’s waterways.

The collective efforts of our volunteers resulted in the creation of over 2,200 Genki Balls. These will be released into the waters and lagoons near Timbers Kaua‘i, where they will work their quiet magic beneath the surface, helping to improve water clarity and balance within the ecosystem.

The Genki Ball Project is an environmental initiative reflective of our deep-rooted connection to Kaua‘i and our unwavering dedication to its future. Watching Owners, team members, and students come together for a common goal was a powerful reminder that change truly begins at the community level.

At Timbers Kaua‘i, we believe that every effort, no matter how small, contributes to the greater well-being of the island we call home. We look forward to seeing the long-term impact of this initiative and to continuing our role as stewards of this extraordinary place. Because when we care for Kaua‘i, we honor its past, protect its present, and preserve its future for all who love it – now and for generations to come.