Zuberano Lawn was buzzing with energy on Wednesday afternoon as students painted, swapped clothes, and even made their own beeswax wraps to celebrate sustainability. The United Nations Association of Chaminade University (UNAC) turned lunch hour into a colorful celebration of creativity, community, and sustainability.
UNAC, a student-led organization focused on promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), designed the event to inspire students to take small but meaningful steps toward sustainability. The organization’s mission is about raising awareness of the SDGs and encouraging actions that build an environmentally responsible world.
“Through our events, we aim to creatively show how these global initiatives work toward building a more peaceful and sustainable world,” said Kirra Carvalho, UNAC communications director. “Our hope and goal is that everyone leaves with new knowledge and inspiration to make a positive impact in our shared future.”
One of the highlights of the afternoon was the beeswax wrap making station, where students painted their own cotton fabric squares with a natural beeswax mixture. Once dried, these reusable wraps could be used to cover food or containers, an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bags or cling wrap. The activity drew many visitors and demonstrated a simple way to reduce waste.
“I didn’t realize how easy it could be to make small changes,” said Julien Parado, a junior Nursing major. “Making the beeswax wraps was simple, but it really made me think about how much plastic I use every day.”
Students also had the chance to design a quilt square inspired by one of the 17 SDGs. Each piece contributed to an SDG Quilt, which symbolizes how individual efforts can come together to form a powerful movement for change in sustainability.
UNAC also hosted a SDG trivia game, challenging students to test their knowledge about global issues. Correct answers earned players small prizes like snacks, and participants could also enter a raffle for larger rewards.
The clothing swap, which encouraged students to donate or pick up secondhand items instead of purchasing new ones, was so popular that donations struggled to keep up with the demand. The station showed the action of reusing and recycling fashion instead of discarding and served as a reminder of how sustainability can be incorporated into daily life.
UNAC also collaborated with Gender Equity through Mālama Ma‘i (GEMM), a campus initiative focused on promoting safe and accessible menstruation spaces and gender-inclusive health education across Oceania. GEMM’s presence reinforced the principles of the SDGs, particularly in promoting health, equality, and dignity for all.
This coincided with the “Puppy Love” visit from therapy dogs (led by Office of Student Engagement) and a “Pumpkin Carving” event led by Angie Levya, a resident advisor. The combined activities drew in students and faculty to engage in community activities while learning about sustainability and global awareness.
By blending creativity, education, and community engagement, UNAC showcased how local action can support global goals. Events like this not only bring awareness to UNAC’s mission but also encourage students to make small sustainable changes that result in a big impact.