Three ways Jack Johnson is making the world a better place.
1. The Kokua Hawai'i Foundation
''Kōkua means help in Hawaiian,'' says Johnson, explaining the name of the
eco-awareness-raising charity he set up with wife Kim in 2003. ''It funds
school gardens and field trips where kids can go out into nature.''
2. Saving the Pupukae and Paumalu Bluffs
Johnson joined in the recently successful effort to purchase a stretch
of coastline on Oahu's North Shore from a Japanese land-development
company: ''They sold it to us for a pretty affordable price. It's
basically an open space for the public now.''
3. Benefit Shows
Johnson has appeared at Neil Young's annual Bridge School Benefit
shindig, which helps fund a program for children with severe physical
impairments; and twice was featured on the bill of Willie Nelson's Maui
Music Festival, a philanthropic hoedown for the local Montessori School
tuition-assistance program. ''Both times we've gone back to his house and
played poker,'' says Johnson of Nelson. So, did Willie ply him with weed
and take all his money away? ''You said it,'' laughs Johnson. ''I didn't!''
