Going Green with Andrea Dean

Check out some of Craig Elevtich’s pics from the Kanu Boot Camp this weekend

Well… if you couldn’t be there (or even if you were) check out the highlights from our local restaurants, markets and night spots!

North Kohala Eat Locally Grown Day was on Sat, Jan 16, 2010. An initiative that came out of the North Kohala Food Forum (www.nkfoodforum.com), restaurant owners Joan Channon (Bamboo), Karen Rosen (Kohala Coffee Mill), Peter Pomeranze (Sushi Rock) and farmer Tom Baldwin (Uluwehi Farms) wanted to feature local, North Kohala grown food in our local restaurants to raise community awareness about our locally grown foods and to create new connections with local farmers. Well- we did it! Hawi and Kapa’au town were abuzz with local foods this past Saturday. The initial idea grew to include other local restaurants and markets- Bamboo, Sushi Rock, Kohala Coffee Mill, Luke’s Place, Kava Kafe, Pico’s, Fig’s Mixed Plate, Snack Shack, Hawi Farmers Market, Takata’s- all who rocked the local food, drinks, and music! North Kohala Eat Locally Grown Day started early at the Kohala Cofee Mill and the Hawi Farmers’ Market and ended late with local kava and local music at the Kava Cafe and Studio 54 at Sushi Rock! We ate, we danced, we raised awareness about local food and farmers!

Karen Rosen, owner of the Kohala Coffee Mill talking up the local specials- local roast beef sandwich, carrot ginger soup, asian wrap, local fruit smoothie and more!

Sushi Rock rolled up sushi rolls with local ingredients. Then they rocked Hawi at night with the Studio 54 dance party.

Visitors from California always eat at Bamboo when they come to the Big Island because they love the local flavors! When people come to Hawaii they want to experience the local flavors! Look out for the next wave- Hawi Regional Cuisine.

Takata's Store expanded the locally grown section and highlighted the local produce with signage.

Kukuipahu Ranch donated local citrus to Takata's Store- proceeds go to the North Kohala Community Learning Center. A great partnership!

Pico's was one of the restaurants who particpated in Eat Locally Grown Day. Taro chips, taro leaf spanikopita, sweet potatoe salad, and more...

Oliver & Tom Baldwin enjoying a locally grown lunch at Pico's. Tom helped coordinate the farmer's/buyer's market where restaurants ordered produce for Eat Locally Grown Day.

Local specials were highlighted at each restaurant.

In case you missed the signs coming into town!

On Friday, Oct. 16th, the Kohala Center held a fundraiser for the Hawaii Island School Garden Network on board the Golden Princess, a luxury cruise ship docked in Hilo Harbor. I have never been on a cruise ship and it was definitely an experience. I think it is safe to say that it was a bit of a paradoxical experience for many of the down to earth folks present- the size and opulence of the ship was certainly a long way from the simplicity of the garden. But it was a glimpse into another world and the cause was good, the company excellent, and the food and service over the top. We were served tropical virgin drinks in a theater with fake constellations blinking overhead. We sipped our drinks and nibbled maraschino cherries while Mayor Billy Kenoi, Senator Russell Kokubun and Senator Dwight Takamine stressed the importance of the school garden program and sustainability in general. Nancy Redfeather, Program Director of the Hawaii Island School Garden Network was a passionate and informative speaker, as always. We also saw a trailer for the new film Na Kupu Mana’olana: Seeds of Hope about the future of Hawaii agriculture and our food self-sufficiency movement (see below). Then we were treated to a four course lunch (I am not sure if you are supposed to include dessert when counting courses, but I just did!) Shrimp cocktail to start, followed by a pasta in cream sauce, then the main course- salmon or beef, and then a hot chocolate souffle with some delicious, sweet sauce. Roll me off the ship, please!

Is your community interested in local food self-reliance? The North Kohala community came together on August 22nd at the North Kohala Food Forum to discuss how we can supply more of our food from local sources. Check out the North Kohala Food Forum video on You Tube: