We’re writing today to tell you the unfortunate news that after 3 years of operation Akoha.com will be closing its doors on August 15th 2011. Please note that you will be able to sign-in and play missions up until that date.

In the fall of 2007 we set out to create a new type of community to highlight fun, real-world activities that would help people explore and enjoy life to the fullest. From all the amazing missions that the Akoha community has played over the past 3 years we feel comfortable in saying that we were able to reach that goal.

Unfortunately and despite our best efforts, we weren’t able to generate enough revenue to cover our expenses so we’re left with no other choice but to close the site.

We’d like to thank all the dedicated Akoha team members who have contributed their energy and talents to the project and also to our investors for the support that they have shown us over the past few years.

And finally, we’d like to thank you, our incredible community members, for being part of this journey with us. We have been delighted, inspired and moved by all the wonderful missions you have played. We hope Akoha has brought a little additional enjoyment and satisfaction to your lives.

For those who would like to save a pdf archive of all your Akoha activity please see below for instructions.

Thanks again for being part of this incredible journey with us!

Yours,
The Akoha Team

How to save your Akoha missions:

1) Log into Akoha.
2) Go to your profile by clicking “Profile” in the title bar.
3) On the right hand side under the title bar click the button “See All Your Activity”

(Hint: You can also visit this page directly using the following url:

http://akoha.com/profiles/all/your_user_name/)

Our Japanese-themed gifts for April reflect our continued support for the Japanese disaster relief efforts. Give an origami or delicate bonsai to promote awareness on the plight of the Japanese people, and continue showing your solidarity.

Although it’s been a month since the earthquake, the situation is still critical and the Japanese people need all the help they can get from us.

Thank you again for supporting the earthquake and tsunami relief efforts. Domo arigato.

This past year, we’ve been marveled by your passion and your generosity. You celebrated birthdays. You shared stories of happiness and joy, as well as moments of courage, strength and kindness. You shared unique experiences relating to your culture. You share beautiful photos of friends, family and nature.

We learned a lot from you. We learned that you are talented, creative, artistic, witty, supportive, courageous, open, loving and generous.

You continue to surprise and inspire us. We’ve been honored to witness the beauty of human creativity at work. And we’ve been humbled by the generosity and warmth of so many of you.

Thank you.

Organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature, Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Since then, Earth Hour has become a global movement, inspiring millions of people around the world. In 2010, a record 128 countries and territories joined the global display for climate action.

At 8:30 PM on Saturday 26th March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour. Join us!

Beyond Earth Hour

Earth Hour is just the start! Climate change is a huge challenge facing our planet, so we encourage you to explore what you can do beyond the event.

• Learn about your energy habits
• Do your part in reducing energy consumption
• Reduce your carbon footprint
• Spread the word

Together, we can make a difference and reverse climate change!

Earth Hour Events In Your Neighborhood

For Canadians, there’s also a great map showing Earth Hour events happening in your local neighborhood!

For those of you in Montreal, participate in the CBC Earth Hour photo contest for a chance to win a DVD collection of Nature of Things: Visions of the Future with David Suzuki.

Top Three Canadian Cities

Finally, some interesting facts. According to the World Wide Fund, the top ranked cities leading the battle against climate change are Vancouver (1st), Toronto (2nd) and Montreal (3rd), with Victoria and Saskatoon rounding out the top five.

Each city was ranked out of 10 points, based on specific, climate-change related indicators, including: greenhouse gas emission reduction, municipal greenhouse gas reduction targets, renewable energy, green building and green transportation.

Read more details on WWF Canada.

We’d like to thank you for sending your thoughts to the Japanese people and for doing your part in the relief efforts. From hosting video game nights to creating tsunami rolls, we are inspired by the wealth of creative fundraising efforts being put to help Japan. More importantly, we have been moved by the compassion shown to this disaster-stricken country.

Again, we’d like to thank you for helping out. For those who wish to continue contributing to the disaster relief, here is a list of organizations we suggest:
The Humanitarian Coalition (CARE, Oxfam & Save the Children)
Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors without Borders
Plan International
Red Cross / Red Crescent

This is not an exhaustive list, as many non-profits and charities around the world have been mobilized to assist Japan. We encourage you to get informed with your local government, community centers or your local chapter of the Red Cross or Red Crescent and to do what you can to help.

Thank you for your compassion & generosity.

The Akoha team

For Akohans in the United States, the easiest way to donate is probably to text “Red Cross” to 90999. If you text in, $10 will be automatically charged to your phone bill as a donation. For the Canadian Red Cross, text the word ASIA to 30333 to give a $5 donation.

Also, please be vigilant for fake fundraising websites. We recommend always donating at the charity’s own website if you’re giving online. If you’re sending a text, make sure to confirm the details with the recipient charity.

In a short film directed by Sam Taylor-Wood (Nowhere Boy), scripted by Jane Goldman, with the voiceover narration done by Judi Dench playing her role of M in the Bond series, Daniel Craig reprises his role as Agent 007. Only this time, instead of fighting Machiavellic villains, James Bond is used on a mission to advance women’s rights and promote equality for women.

“Are we equal?”

Visit We Are Equals, who specially commissioned this video for International Women’s Day. We are Equals is a partnership of leading charities brought together by Annie Lennox to celebrate the centenary of International Women’s Day.

Daniel Craig, star of the James Bond movies, dresses in drag to support International Women’s Day. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day today, March 8, 2011!

Director: Sam Taylor-Wood. Producer: Barbara Broccoli. Scriptwriter: Jane Goldman. Director of photography: Seamus McGarvey. Featuring the voice of Dame Judi Dench.

Editor: Mel Agace
Post production: Michael Sollinger
Post production coordinator: Harriet Dale
With thanks to all the team at Ascent, including Patrick Malone, Dean Harding,
Grading: Robin Pizzey
Deluxe grade production: Rob Farris
Effects fix: Emily Greenwood
Sound producer: Hannah Mills
Sound: Simon Diggins and Peter Gleaves at Goldcrest

(photo taken by MaryLane on Flickr)

Study highlights:

• 43% of Americans between the ages of 13 and 64 say they rarely or never get a good night’s sleep on weeknights.
• 63% of Americans say their sleep needs are not being met during the week.
• 56% of generation Z’ers (13-18 year olds) and 42% of generation Y’ers (19-29 year olds) say they send, read or receive text messages every night or almost every night in the hour before bed

The study shows that Americans are very active with technology right before going to bed. Indeed, “almost everyone surveyed, 95%, uses some type of electronics like a television, computer, video game or cell phone at least a few nights a week within the hour before bed.”

There seems to be a significant impact of cell phone use on people’s sleeping habits. Indeed, not only are four in ten Americans bringing their cell phone into their bedrooms and using them before sleeping, 22% of them leave their cell phone ringers on. This results in about one in ten Americans being awakened at least a few times a week in the middle of their sleep by a phone call, text or email. That doesn’t sound healthy!

In response to today’s study results, here are three Akoha sleeping missions that will have a positive impact on your sleeping habits:

• Back to the Caves: Respect a day without electrical devices.
• Restful: Go to bed before your usual bedtime tonight.
• Worry Book: Share a worry that has been preventing you from sleeping at night. Then write an action plan with concrete steps so that you stop worrying about it.

Sleep well tonight! Sleeping heals your body and reinforces your immune system, helping you stay healthy. Keep that in mind tonight when you feel the urge to reach for your cell phone or computer, and do yourself a favor, turn that ringer off :)

The film features research and interviews that shine light on what the causes of the financial meltdown were, and where financial institutions are headed in the future. It’s not exactly encouraging. However, the director does a great job explaining complex topics around the issue in a way that makes it easy to understand. We recommend watching it and then sharing your thoughts by playing this new Akoha mission: Best Documentary Film.

During his acceptance speech at the Academy Awards this past weekend, director Charles H. Ferguson delivered probably the most memorable quote of the evening: “It has been almost 3 years of the crash, and NOT a single executive is behind jail.” It’s a sweeping statement, and a biased opinion, but one that aptly describes the general mistrust of people regarding the financial crash. We recommend watching the movie and forming your own opinion!

On a side note, this documentary reminded me of a video created by Jonathan Jarvis called The Crisis of Credit Visualized, which does a great job explaining collateralized debt obligation:

Jonathan Jarvis won the 2009 contest at Good Magazine for his infographic adapted from this video, aptly titled The Crisis of Credit Visualized: From Homeowner to Investor.

The Witty Wide Whale particularly appreciates smart & creative mission plays on Akoha, like this one by MarioMajoni in Neverending Story Telling.

Let us know if you have a great idea for an Akoha gift! We’re always up for suggestions.

You are a passionate, award-winning Swing and Lindy-Hop dancer and teacher. When did you catch the Lindy Hop bug, how did it all start?

Alain: I was introduced to swing dancing during my first year at McGill University in 2000. At the time, I associated dancing with going to clubs and “shaking it”. And although I had always loved it, I felt out of place in dance clubs because I found that most people didn’t go there to dance, but rather to look cool and to pick up. So when I saw these students just dancing for the fun of it with each other, I knew I had discovered something special.

Watch Alain swing out at 1:09 in the following Gmail: Behind the Scenes video:

Ten years later, the passion for Lindy Hop and all things swing is still there. Swing dancers are genuinely warm, open and welcoming. And the dance itself is full of history and culture, from the social struggle of African-Americans in a segregated America to the wonder that is jazz music.

Through swing dancing, I discovered more about myself both physically and emotionally. I also discovered and continue to discover great music from true musical geniuses who lived in the 1920′s, 30′s and 40′s. Finally, I’ve made many life-long friends because of the social aspect of swing dancing. The Lindy Hop community is my third home.

Beyond dancing, you seem to have many other passions. A few of them are Jazz music, biking, and reading. You’ve studied marketing and law before getting into web startups. You’ve also recently started learning Kung Fu! It’s not easy telling who you really are, so we’ve compiled a few numbers for you, and see if it helps. Read on!

You’ve played over 250 Akoha missions. Your most popular missions are:

• National Day Of What (17)
• Furry Friends (16)
• Graffitation (15)
• Local Flavor (12)
• Take me to your leader (10)

You received 429 gifts for your mission plays. These are the ones you received most often:

• Party Hat (19)
• Holy Grail (13)
• Champagne For Two (12)
• Mister Hello (12)
• Golden Trumpet (12)
• Happy Muffin (11)
• Cuddly Tiger (11)

You gave 845 gifts to other Akohans. Here are your favorites:

• Wreath of Inspiration (25)
• Hungry Lion (24)
• Blue Ribbon of Patience (23)
• Rainbow of Hope (22)
• Dragon Monster (21)
• Laughing Baby (21)

So, if we were to define who you are based on these numbers, we’d say something like this:

• You live in the moment
• You are playful
• You are a party animal
• You are a foodie
• You have a great heart
• You are still trying to find yourself :-)

How far away is that from the truth?

Alain: I think it accurately describes me. I would describe myself as a spontaneous person who lives in the moment. I truly believe in carpe diem and remind myself daily that I could die tomorrow. I know, it sounds morbid, but this acceptance of death allows me to live without regrets and more importantly, to be open to experiencing and learning by living.

On Akoha, I find that many missions allow you to live new experiences. And the resulting mission plays are inspiring. I learn a lot from fellow Akohans, which is why I give the “Wreath of Inspiration” gift so often. I’m pleasantly surprised by how candid and authentic people are – Akohans are not afraid to share their fears, their vulnerabilities, their deep emotions. I think being truthful and authentic is the greatest gift that one can give to another human being, and that’s what makes it such a pleasure working with the Akohan community.

In my own life, I try to be as open as possible and to be in touch with my emotions. So when other people do the same by sharing personal stories and experiences of themselves on Akoha, it resonates with me as a human being.

You also enjoy traveling. What are the top 3 places you’ve never been to that you’d like to visit?

Alain: These days, I travel mainly for dancing. I’ve been fortunate to have danced in London, Paris, Montpellier, Barcelona, New Orleans, Seattle, Washington, San Francisco, New York and many more locations.

In my top three places I’d like to visit, two of them have huge swing dancing communities. One is Melbourne, Australia, and the other is Seoul, Korea. The third place I’d like to travel to is China. Although I have deep Chinese roots and have watched countless Hong Kong movies, I’ve never been back to the land of my ancestors. So if I could afford to, I would enjoy visiting Hong Kong and Tibet.

What is it like working at Akoha?

Alain: I enjoy working at a startup. I’ve worked in tech startups during the last three years of my life, and have discovered that the environment fits my personality. I like the challenge of being in an early stage company, of having to take on many roles and responsabilities and of having to adapt to ever-changing situations. Every day is exciting!

I also strongly believe in the mission and values of Akoha. After reading John Wood’s book “Leaving Microsoft to Change the  World” and subsequently embarking on a bike ride from Vancouver to Tijuana for micro-credit, I realized that it’s important that my work be meaningful. Through Akoha, I can make a difference in people’s lives.

When Alex Eberts & Austin Hill founded Akoha, they believed that they could make the world a better place. That’s exactly what we’re doing.

Thanks a lot Alain!

P.S. Here’s an image generated using words that appeared in Alain’s mission plays. See if you can recognize him.

And finally, here’s another one of Alain’s performances for you to enjoy!