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.

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 common beneficial microorganisms found in nature. It consists primarily of lactic acid, yeast, and phototrophic bacteria. EM® is not a chemical.

Check out the EM® website for more information.

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

Yes, please check the link below to review the full studies:

https://www.emhawaii.com/casestudies

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 100 million to 1 billion bacteria. The soil used in Genki Balls provides a "home" for EM®, allowing beneficial microbes to multiply before being thrown in the canal.

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

Click here to watch an animated explanation!

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 several times a month.

Genki Balls, aka EM Mudballs, are used around the world!

Genki Balls are also used locally at Kapalama Canal, Salt Lake, Kahalu’u, Queen Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo, and more!

Check our Impact page!