Have you heard the term “Genki Ball” pop up in conversation or the news and not know exactly what it is, what it does or how it works?
That’s what intrigued Aloha State Daily to sign-up for one of The Genki Ala Wai Project’s community events this past weekend, which included making and throwing these tennis-ball shaped clumps of microorganisms into the Ala Wai Canal with a large group of strangers.
We’ve also been interested in speaking with individuals and organizations that are helping to create solutions for polluted waterways, alongside efforts by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. See past reporting here and here.
Saturday morning into the afternoon, the sun was beaming overhead with a slight breeze and tree coverage that made it feel comfortable.
About 15 volunteers prepped work stations, materials and ingredients, with merchandise for purchase by donation. Chilled Waiākea water bottles were available in a cooler.
People began to gather around – some with kids, some with dogs, and most with smiles.
A volunteer named Colleen announced, “This is all about us coming together – and it’s beautiful to see all different generations here as we help the Ala Wai get clean for future generations.”
She added, what keeps her coming back to volunteer is seeing each Genki Ball be made by hand and seeing hope in every person. That day, nearly 150 people across two sessions made 700 more Genki Balls to add to the growing total, toward a goal of 230,000 by 2026.
“This is a community and donor-driven event,” Colleen said.
Before we got our hands dirty, project coordinator Kouri Nago shared more about the organization’s origin, goals and how to create these mud balls.
According to him, The Genki Ala Wai Project began operation under nonprofit Hawaiʻi Exemplary State Foundation in 2019, picking up momentum in 2022. “We aim to bring back life from the bottom up,” Nago said, adding that is why the ball form is crucial, so that it sinks to the bottom of the canal. “Think of it like a probiotic for the environment – the fish even eat it.”
Genki Balls are made up of three main ingredients: Yeast, lactic acid bacteria, and phototrophic bacteria that comes in a liquid form, he continued.
The big group dispersed into stations of about 5 to 6 people that began sifting soil, adding to it a rice mixture and the dark liquid concoction. You roll out the balls and put them in an aluminum tin filled with newspaper, which acts like an incubator, as they dry. “We want them to be compact, smooth and of good quality,” Nago said.
It is a two-week process for Genki Balls to ferment. So, when the throwing part comes, you’re actually throwing a previous group’s creations. “Pay it forward. In two weeks, another group will throw your Genki Balls into the water, and the cycle continues.”
This method originated in Okinawa, Japan and to date, has reduced the amount of sludge in the Ala Wai by 22 inches, according to The Genki Ala Wai Project.
Genki means "healthy" in Japanese. Before you throw, it’s customary to yell, “Genki Hou!”, or "healthy again," a blended Hawaiian phrase.
Events like these are free for the community to join every first Saturday.
For more information, visit genkialawai.org.
