FLUX Guide to Water Conservation

Cody Matsukawa — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 02:38:39 +0000

If we all agree that water is a precious resource essential for life, then why are we abusing the way we use it? A human being needs about five gallons of water a day to survive – water used for consumption and sanitation. The average American uses more than 151 gallons of water per day with a household usage of nearly 370 gallons per day. This weighty number is due to the nonchalant attitude we have toward water – that water is more than abundant, a renewable resource that won’t ever run out. If we continue to practice the misuse of water, however, we will find ourselves thirsty, that once abundant source of water, dry.
Illustrations by Jennifer Yoko Thorbjornsen

The average household uses nearly 370 gallons of waterper day. Here is where it all goes:

Watering your lawn:
Water used: 5 to 10 gallons per minute when hose is on.
Average use: 15 minutes.
Wastes: Up to 150 gallons.
Conserve! Water your garden every other day. Also, water either early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the climate is cooler.

Saves: Up to 40 gallons.

Toilet:
Water used: 3.5 to 6 gallons per flush
Average use: Six times per day
Wastes: Up to 36 gallons
Conserve! Installing an ultra-low flush toilet earns you a rebate. If minor construction isn’t your thing, placing a brick or bending the rod with attached floater ball downwards in your toilet tank will trick your tank into thinking it’s full when in fact, you’ve only displaced the water.
Saves: Up to 18 gallons.

Shower:
Water used: 2.5 to 4 gallons per minute
Average use: The average shower lasts ten minutes
Wastes: Up to 40 gallons
Conserve! Take shorter showers and turn off water when lathering
Saves: Up to 20 gallons.

NEARLY 70 PERCENT OF THE WORLD’S SURFACE IS MADE UP OF WATER, THOUGH 97.5 PERCENT OF ALL WATER PRESENT ON EARTH IS UNFIT TO DRINK, LEAVING ONLY 2.5 PERCENT OF WATER CONSUMABLE. OF THAT, ONE-THIRD IS FROZEN IN THE FORM OF GLACIERS AND POLAR ICE. THAT LEAVES THE ALMOST SEVEN BILLION PEOPLE OF THE WORLD TO SHARE ONLY ONE PERCENT OF CONSUMABLE WATER. LET’S CONSERVE OUR WATER FOR FURTURE GENERATIONS.

Faucet:
Water used: 2 to 7 gallons per minute
Average use: Varies (Brushing teeth, washing dishes, washing hands, etc.)
Wastes: Up to 140 gallons.
Conserve! Turn the faucet off when not in use. Running the water while brushing your teeth or shaving is wasteful. Also, energy star dishwashers are more efficient than hand washing dishes. If you have to hand wash dishes however, fill the bin with hot water and wash all dishes, rinse and air dry.
Saves: Up to 70 gallons.

The Face of FLUX

Cody Matsukawa — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 06:59:54 +0000

Decide the FACE of FLUX!

FLUX Hawaii Magazine asked 5 local artists to answer the question, “Where is Hawaii transitioning to?” Their responses came graphically using a variety of different mediums, including paint, digital, photography, prints and even toilet paper. Then we asked YOU, the public, to vote for your favorite. After tallying nearly 1,000 votes a cover was chosen…

Yumi Vong

Medium
Digital Collage with Sumi-e Ink

Occupation
Photographer, Perfekt Photo

For centuries, the islands of Hawai’i have sheltered generations of people, birds and animals. Within the past decade, our planet has seen vast changes in climate and condition, due to our ignorance and self-indulgence. This piece signifies the change or transition in our awareness of the land and seas as the earth renews and recycles itself.

Sonny Ganaden

Medium
Lithograph, Monoprint

Occupation
Lawyer, Printmaker

Wasn’t long ago this city was the seat of power for a Kingdom, later the sweet territory of a foreign, conflicting occupier. These transitions inflict a toll; the arc of history an anxious burden. The jurisdiction will change, in dreams a house we cannot visit.

Landon Osamu

Medium
Crayons & Toilet Paper

Occupation
Cab Driver

What inspired me to come up with idea was watching KHON with Joe Moore. Hawaii’s transition “from exotic jungle to concrete jungle.”

Haj Gollestani

Medium
Photographic Compositing

Occupation
Digital Imageaneer

Thanks for taking a moment to gaze at this piece. I am inspired by you and everything around you! Live it up…..Respect it all…. …..Share what you can… ….and Learn to grow…..!? FIRNlife…….. …………….. … ………… ………… . . . . . . . . . . …. . MAHALO HAWAII..

Eugene Kristofher

Medium
Watercolor

Occupation
Artist, Art Teacher, Tattoo Artist

I wanted to take something old that everyone has seen and represents the aina. I always see corny pictures with Diamond Head in the background and hula dancers in traditional outfits. My idea was to make something ancient in culture, but put a newskool twist to it. The bright sun in the back plays a huge representation of transition. As the sun rises and sets, transition is constant. The pose that she’s doing will bring the rain. There’s the term ‘make it rain’ and that’s the blessing that is pouring down. Diamond Head signifies that where diamonds are in the ruff, people need to look a little bit closer to appreciate the little things. The drips are that everything is temporary and we need to make the most of now before everything fades. Enjoy…..

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