Frequently Asked Questions

Genki is a Japanese word for healthy, vital, or energetic. The project got its name from the Osaka Fisherman’s Collaborative, which used EM® Technology to clean up the Dōtonbori River and Osaka Bay.

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Genki Balls are mud balls full of beneficial microorganisms. They are made of clay soil, rice bran, molasses, water, and EM•1® solution.

EM® stands for Effective Microorganisms®. It is the main ingredient of Genki Balls. EM® is a liquid culture of good microorganisms found in nature. It consists primarily of lactic acid, yeast, and phototrophic bacteria. EM® is not a chemical.

Dr. Teruo Higa, Emeritus Professor of Horticulture at the University of the Ryukus in Okinawa, Japan, discovered EM. After suffering from pesticide poisoning, Dr. Higa began fifteen years of exhaustive research in microorganism mixtures for crop cultivation. EM® is the result of his efforts.

We use EM® in a mudball form so that it will sink to the bottom of the canal and digest the sludge. According to the USDA, one teaspoon of healthy soil contains one hundred million to one billion bacteria. The soil used in Genki Balls provides a "home" for EM®, allowing them to multiply before throwing in the canal.

After Genki Balls embed into the surface of the sludge, the fermentative bacteria begin to digest and oxygenate the sludge. At the same time, the phototrophic bacteria consume harmful gases and contain foul odors. EM® restores a healthy balance of microorganisms in the ecosystem, thereby increasing its self-purification ability.

One Genki Ball can digest up to about 1 square meter.

Yes! The salt water has no negative effects the microbes.

As much as possible to reach our goal of 300,000 total balls thrown by 2026. We are currently deploying Genki Balls and pouring EM•1® every week.

Genki Balls are used at the Kapalama Canal in Honolulu and Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo, locally, though they are used worldwide.

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