Who could be more appropriate to start off our 2009 Dialogue than Paul Hawken — innovator, thinker and entrepreneur? This year, in particular, is pregnant with anticipation of change, as well as the queasiness of the unknown. And regardless of political persuasion, we can all appreciate Hawken’s message of optimism.
Hawken along with his partner Dave Smith opened the first Smith & Hawken retail space in downtown Mill Valley in 1982, bringing a bit of creativity to the garden. He authored four books wearing his passion on his book jackets: Growing a Business (1987), The Ecology of Commerce: a Declaration of Sustainability (1993), Natural Capitalism, Creating the Next Industrial Revolution (1999), and in 2008, Blessed Unrest. At last year’s Bioneers conference in San Rafael Hawken explains the subtext to his latest tome, How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming. He describes this “movement” as humanity’s immune response to the ills of our society: social injustice, corruption and pollution. In other words, it is about the ability to heal that is intrinsic to our species. Self-reliance anyone?
You could live anywhere. Why Marin?
Because I always have the wild to my back and a great city in the other direction. I could not live in an urban environment. I need to see coyote scat and pileated woodpeckers within shouting distance of my home.
What makes you happy in Marin?
The hidden ocean coves, the remaining dirt farmers, the farmer’s markets, the quality of the air coming off the Pacific and through the forests, the Hispanic community in San Rafael, Sol Food in San Rafael, Avatar’s in Sausalito, the children’s drumming circle at the Depot in Mill Valley the night Obama was elected.
What gets on your nerves here?
The tacky 101 corridor in San Rafael, the antiquated building codes that assume we will have abundant cheap energy in the future, the starter mansions going up in Mill Valley and other towns, the lack of bike paths, the high speed limits, the attendant noise and lack of safety for pedestrians.
What’s your personal idea of luxury?
Fresh food, Indian summers, being with my partner Mariel, a full moon sitting on the ridge above my house.
What do you value every day?
My children and the people I work with at Pax, Highwater Research, and Biomimicry Ventures.
What person has influenced you the most?
Buddha.
What’s been the most fulfilling moment in your work?
I love public speaking and every so often the time, the speech, and the audience all come together in a way that is transcendent.
What’s a Marin stereotype that works?
What stereotype doesn’t fit?
Whole Foods.
Do you have a favorite Marin view?
The coastal trail behind Mt. Tam looking down to Stinson and out to the Farallones.
What do you like about yourself?
That I still want to learn.
How do you want to be remembered?
That thought does not occur to me. It is cool if I am forgotten as long as I feel I was helpful when I was alive.
Mimi Towle has been the editor of Marin Magazine for over a decade. She lived with her family in Sycamore Park and Strawberry and thoroughly enjoyed raising two daughters in the mayhem of Marin’s youth sports; soccer, swim, volleyball, ballet, hip hop, gymnastics and many many hours spent at Miwok Stables. Her community involvements include volunteering at her daughter’s schools, coaching soccer and volleyball (glorified snack mom), being on the board of both Richardson Bay Audubon Center. Currently residing on a floating home in Sausalito, she enjoys all water activity, including learning how to steer a 6-person canoe for the Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club. Born and raised in Hawaii, her fondness for the islands has on occasion made its way into the pages of the magazine.
