Going Green with Andrea Dean

From Nancy Redfeather:
I hope you’ve all had a chance to visit The Kohala Center’s Web site for the “Hua Ka Hua – Restore Our Seed” Symposium in Kona on April 16-18, 2010, at www.kohalacenter.org/seedsymposium/about.html.

The deadline to take advantage of the early registration discounted price is March 15. Before March 15, the registration fee is $100 for both days. After March 15, the cost goes up to $150. Spaces are limited, so register early to secure your spot at the Symposium. The Keauhou Beach Resort is offering a special rate for conference accommodations of $122.53 per night (including tax) for a single/double room with a partial ocean view and a daily buffet breakfast.

The Symposium will also feature a Seed Swap hosted by Regeneration Botanicals on Saturday, April 17, following the last session of the day. Information tables will be available in the foyer for a nominal fee, for conference participants who wish to share programs and information with the public.

This Symposium is an excellent opportunity to come together, expand our basic knowledge, connect with experts and resources, create island-wide working groups, and get our farmers and gardeners growing, selecting, processing, using, trading, and selling high quality seed. Seed is the foundation of a thriving local agricultural economy and food abundance. Please join us for this landmark event and let’s take charge of our agricultural future.

If you have any questions please call Nancy Redfeather at 808-322-2801 or e-mail nredfeather at kohalacenter.org. If you have already registered and are interested in an information table, please let me know. Mahalo! Please forward to all Farmers and Gardeners you know who are ready to take this step!

Tonight I attended the “Listening Session” for the draft County of Hawaii Agriculture Development Plan, aka the “Ag Plan”. The Kohala Center’s Betsy Cole and Guy Kaulukukui presented some of the plan’s action items for public comment. You can still attend the public listening sessions or read it and email your comments.

This is your chance to learn about and comment on the draft County Ag Plan.

From the Kohala Center:

The 2009 Hawai‘i County Agriculture Development Plan is intended to guide the revitalization of agriculture as a basis for Hawai‘i Island’s economic development, and is focused on measures intended to increase the production of export products as well as food for local consumption.


UPCOMING PUBLIC LISTENING SESSIONS

All sessions will be held from 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 20: Kohala High School Cafeteria
Wednesday, Oct. 21: Kona Outdoor Circle
Thursday, Oct. 22: Waimea Community Center
Tuesday, Oct. 27: Pahala Community Center
Wednesday, Oct. 28: Aupuni Conference Room,
County of Hawai‘i Building in Hilo
Thursday, Oct. 29: Pa‘auilo School Cafeteria
Wednesday, Nov. 4: Pahoa Community Center

Learn more: http://www.kohalacenter.org/agplan.html

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!

On August 22, 2009, the North Kohala community convened the North Kohala Food Forum. The Food Forum focused on the commercial production, distribution and sale of food in the community. The Food Forum looked at consumption from the viewpoint of the local retailers, restaurants, & caterers.


The North Kohala Food Forum recognized that home food production, hunting, fishing and gathering are critical to overall food self-sufficiency in the community. In addition, the Forum recognized that there is a long-standing tradition of the informal sharing of food with one another. However, the measurement and discussion about how this informal economy contributes towards our community goal was beyond the scope of the North Kohala Food Forum. Gathering information on home food production and sharing was just too big a fish to fry.


Now, under the guidance of Guy Kaulukukui, Director of the Kohala Center’s Food Self-Reliance Project, student volunteers from the University of Hawaii-Hilo are conducting a pilot study in North Kohala surveying consumer behavior and preferences with regards to local food.


From the Kohala Center’s Guy Kaulukukui, Director of Food Self-Reliance Project:


North Kohala Consumer Food Survey


What:
Community canvassing to conduct a consumer survey looking at issues related to household consumption and production of food in North Kohala.


When:
On Saturday, October 17, 2009 between the hours of 10:30am and 3:30pm, volunteers will be going door-to-door in North Kohala to conduct the consumer survey.


Where:
North Kohala, focusing on residential areas between Kokoiki and Keokea.


Why:
The survey aims at gaining a better understanding of the North Kohala community’s consumer preferences as it relates to home production and consumption of FOOD. Results of this survey will help guide the North Kohala community in reaching it’s goal of producing 50 percent of the food that it consumes.


How:
Under the guidance of The Kohala Center, student volunteers from the University of Hawaii-Hilo will be distributing surveys to households in North Kohala. Surveys are in print form consisting of approximately 30 questions and should take approximately 10-15 minutes to fill out.


Mahalo in advance for allowing us in your community and for participating in the consumer survey.