Kwame

Kwame is the Earth Planeteer, and the first Planeteer to be introduced.

Kwame is the first Planeteer to discover his ring. He is shown as a young African man, leaning on a staff in the desert under a hot setting sun. He wipes sweat from his brow and uses the end of the staff to pierce the dirt before slipping a plant into the newly-created pocket. On the second attempt, his ring emerges from the earth, caught on the end of the staff, glowing. He reaches for it curiously.

When he arrives on Hope Island, Kwame displays an understanding and control of his power, which Wheeler, Linka, and Gi all fail to do. Ma-Ti seems to have as similar understanding of his new powers.

Kwame is quiet and calm, and quite serious, though he does crack an occasional joke, and enjoys ribbing the others - particularly Wheeler.

He is the unofficial leader of the Planeteers. He keeps everyone calm as the geo-cruiser spins out of control during their first mission in the episode A Hero For Earth, and he restores control. He also asks Gaia questions nobody else seemed to think of, such as what to do if their wonderful new powers weren't enough.

Kwame is the Planeteer to prompt the reaction which results in Captain Planet's arrival, always beginning the routine with "Let our powers combine."

Kwame is usually the quiet voice of reason, though he does lose his temper occasionally. In Kwame's Crisis, the Earth Planeteer no longer believes he can make a difference, and he loses his hope and decides to abandon the Planeteers. However, he returns, and he is usually there as the voice of reason, comfort and solid strength.

In the 2012 Reddit IAMA, executive producer Barbara Pyle said Kwame was from Ghana (with roots in Zimbabwe), but Nick Boxer then disputed this, saying that Kwame's family were likely refugees, and any country can lay claim to him. (source)

Appearance
Kwame is black, with short black hair and brown eyes. He wears a blue Planeteer t-shirt with a green emblem, green shorts, a red shirt (unbuttoned) and a green vest. He wears gold necklaces around his neck, a red bracelet around his left wrist, and four gold bracelets on his right arm, though it is never explained if they have significant meaning for him.

Family and Relationships

 * Gi: It is occasionally implied that Kwame and Gi have a slightly romantic relationship. They flirt occasionally, and Gi tends to show open affection and relief whenever Kwame narrowly escapes harm at the hands of an Eco-villain. See Kwame and Gi for more.


 * Dr. Georgina Carver: Kwame is smitten with Georgina (or "Georgie", as he calls her) from the word go. While in a trance-like state, he tells Wheeler that Georgie rates a 25 on a scale of 1 to 10. See Kwame and Georgie for more.


 * Parents: Kwame does not mention his parents often. In the episode A Mine is a Terrible Thing to Waste Part II, he mentions that his mother fell ill when he was young. He does not mention whether or not she ever recovered.

He never mentions his father, or whether or not he has any siblings.

During the 2012 Reddit IAMA chat, executive producer Nick Boxer said Kwame's family were likely to be refugees. (source)

Significant Episodes

 * A Hero For Earth
 * A Mine is a Terrible Thing to Waste Part II

Quotes
Kwame: The situation is more than we can handle, Planeteers. We need help.

Linka: You mean...?

Kwame: Exactly. We must do as Gaia advised. We must combine our powers.

Wheeler: Let's do it!

Kwame: Let our powers combine. Earth.

Wheeler: Fire.

Linka: Wind.

Gi: Water:

Ma-Ti: Heart.

Captain Planet: By your powers combined, I am Captain Planet!

Planeteers: Go, Planet!

- A Hero for Earth

Kwame: Nice team work, everybody!

- Deadly Ransom

Gaia: There's only one thing you can do, Planeteers: Rescue Captain Planet.

Wheeler: How are we gonna do that without our powers, Gaia?

Gaia: There is a way...

Linka: Oh, we will just have to give Duke Nukem the nuclear waste he demanded as ransom!

Gi: Then we'll be helping Nukem and Dr. Blight pollute the Earth!

Ma-Ti: But if we do not, they will hurt Captain Planet!

Kwame: Captain Planet has never let us down - and we will not let him down.

- Deadly Ransom

Kwame: When I was young, my mother fell ill, and searching for firewood became my job. Over the years, the trees around my village began to disappear. Piece by piece, they were stripped away. Wood became as precious as gold, and no one thought to plant new trees. Each day, I was forced to travel farther and farther to find firewood. One afternoon, I spotted a small herd of elephants. I knew they would eventually lead me to trees. I followed the magnificent beasts for hours, until finally - trees! But before the elephants could take cover in that tiny patch of forest, poachers opened fire. That awful sight burned itself into my mind. I realised that people are not the only ones who need trees to survive. Animals need them for food, and protection too. That is why I believe so strongly in planting trees.

- A Mine is a Terrible Thing to Waste Part II