Tuesday, January 5 - Thursday, January 21, North Kohala
Event: Permaculture Design Course
Sponsor: Uluwehi Farm
Description: Since the first Permaculture Design Course in 1972, people throughout the world have brought permaculture techniques into their homes, businesses and communities. Students will gain hands on experience with small animal systems, perennial food gardens, naturalizing plant communities, and waste water management and food forestry. The experience will offer valuable skills and knowledge from a team of instructors with a broad range of experience in Hawai'i and around the world. Instructors include Nik Bertulis, Tom Baldwin, Craig Elevitch and other special guests. Students will gain an understanding of permaculture theory, knowledge of all the necessary aspects of becoming fully conversant in permaculture design, and by the end, have the ability to create a permaculture design plan. This course is for anyone interested in gaining practical skills and perspective for sustainable living and productivity.
Place: Uluwehi Farm - North Kohala, Big Island, Hawai'i
Cost: $900
Contact: Tom at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 808.889.5035 / PO Box 910, Kapa'au, HI 96755

Saturday, January 9, 10 am - 11:30 am, South Kona
Event: Free Garden Tour
Sponsor: Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, a Bishop Museum native plant arboretum.
Description: Come and see the garden's collection of native Hawaiian plants while hearing about their traditional cultural uses.
Place: Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens, Captain Cook, Mile Marker 110, mauka side of Mamalahoa Highway.
Cost: Free
Contact: Call if you have any questions, 323-3318 or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wednesday, January 13 - Wednesday, February 10, 2010, Puna
Event: La'akea Community Intern program
Sponsor: La'akea Permaculture Community
Description: We have been operating a successful work exchange program for four years. Our internship program increases the focus on learning. Participants will enjoy seven workshops on permaculture and eight on communication/interpersonal/community living skills. This is in addition to your daily participation in community life and immersion in permaculture modalities.
Place: La'akea Community, Pahoa, Puna (see contact for directions)
Cost: $650. Includes room and board. 20 hours of labor per week expected. Program limited to 10 individuals.
Contact: E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Address: La'akea Community, PO Box 1071, Pahoa, HI 96778. Tel: 808-443-4076.

Saturday, January 16, 2009, all day and night, North Kohala
Event: North Kohala Eat Locally-Grown Day
Sponsor: North Kohala Food Forum, Restaurants & Markets of North Kohala, and Walk Story/BALLE
Description: Come enjoy the fresh and unique tastes of North Kohala! Local chefs at our restaurants will feature breakfast, lunch and dinner specials made from North Kohala grown ingredients. Takata’s will highlight locally grown produce. The Hawi Farmers Market will feature Grown in Kohala and Made in Kohala products, as well as a Kohala grown plant give away. At night the Kava Kafe will have a closing party featuring local kava and local music. Participating 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, and Takata's Store.
Place: Participating Restaurants and Markets listed above, North Kohala
Cost: Pay for what you purchase at participating restaurants and markets.
Contact: http://www.nkfoodforum.com, Andrea Dean: 889-5806

Saturday, January 16, 9 am - Noon, South Kohala
Event: Mala'ai School Garden Work & Learn Day
Sponsor: Mala'ai Culinary Gardens
Description: Community members, students, teachers, staff and families are invited. A potluck lunch will follow and chilled lemongrass tea will be provided made from herbs grown by students in the garden. If the weather is inclement, please call ahead to confirm that the work day is being held.
Place: Mala'ai School Garden at Waimea Middle School, 67-1229 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, South Kohala
Cost: Free
Contact: Garden Leader Amanda Rieux, 640-3637

Monday, January 18, 6:30 pm, North Kona
Event: Hawai'i Tropical Fruit Growers Meeting: Growing Dates in Hawai'i
Sponsor: HTFGA
Description: Ken Love will present a power-point slide show about growing dates in Thermal, Callifornia, and how Hawai'i can learn from that experience. He will also present slides of the UC Riverside citrus collection.
Place: UH Kainaliu Experiment Station, Kainaliu, North Kona
Cost: Free
Contact: Ken Love, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Friday, January 22, 2010, 9:00-11:30 am, South Kona
Event: Introduction to Kalo Identification
Sponsor: Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, a Bishop Museum native plant arboretum.
Description: Manuel Rego, Greenwell Garden foreman, will introduce participants to the 85 or more varieties of kalo (taro) that may be found in Hawaiian gardens and farms. Participants will learn key features that will help them separate the similar varieties and start on their way to recognizing all the different varieties. This is a hands-on workshop that uses the growing collection in the Amy Greenwell Garden as examples. Participants must bring Bulletin 84 to class with them. If they do not have it, this classic will be available at the Garden for $12.
Place: Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens, Captain Cook, just south of mile marker 110, mauka side of Mamalahoa Highway, South Kona.
Cost: Free
Contact: Call 323-3318, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , http://www.bishopmuseum.org/greenwell

Saturday - Sunday, January 23 -24, 8 am -5:30 pm, North Kona
Event: Body & Soil Conference: Culturing the Micro-Flora of the Body and Soil
Sponsor: Wai'aha Farm, Maui Aloha 'Aina, and many others
Description: (see website below for full 2-day schedule) This 2-day conference focuses on ecological agricultural practices to grow nutrient-rich food for healthy bodies. It features nationally recognized experts on sustainable agriculture and global health, speaking on topics ranging from cover crops and soil science, to heavy metals and how they affect nutrient uptake in the body. Attendees will learn how to foster biological diversity and sustainability in their gardens and farms, and to grow nutrient-dense foods that contain the beneficial flora we need. In addition, the agricultural practices that enable farmers to grow nutrient rich foods are the best-use practices that actually enhance the soil by promoting conditions for beneficial micro-flora. From this foundation comes health and wellness for the entire community. Attendees will also be able to experience Wai'aha Farm's integrated whole system agricultural approach and practices.
Place: Wai'aha Farms, Mamalahoa Hwy, 1 mile north of Holualoa, makai side, North Kona
Cost: $80/day or $150 for Sat and Sun. Trade show booth for two: $400 (see website for details).
Contact: see http://www.mauialohaaina.org/schedule_bigIsland.htm, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Phone: 808-242-7870

Sunday, February 7, Noon - 6 pm, South Hilo
Event: Annual BobFest Agricultural Fair
Sponsor: Keep it Green Hawaii & Native FM
Description: The BobFest Agricultural Fair 2010 features international reggae artists & local Hawaiian bands. Organic farms and farmers, charter school garden groups, Kona CPR, Sustainable Island Products, CERT Hawai'i and more will be demonstrating & vending.
Place: Mo'oheau Park & Bandstand, Kapiolani St., near Wai'anuenue Ave., Hilo, South Hilo
Cost: Free to the public. (Vendors email Contact)
Contact: Call 808/216-7372, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit http://www.myspace.com/bobfestagfair

Saturday, February 13, 9 am - Noon, South Kohala
Event: A Garden Tools Workshop, (First of six workshops in 2nd annual "It Takes a Garden to Grow a Community" series)
Sponsor: Mala'ai, The Culinary Gardens of Waimea Middle School
Description: This six-Saturday program will cover a range of topics to help Waimea Middle School students and their families and community friends to start or expand on home food gardens. Gloves and garden tools will be provided for the workshops and participants are urged to bring appropriate weather protection and drinking water. A potluck lunch will follow. The organic Mala’ai school garden includes both traditional Hawaiian food crops such as kalo, mamake and sugarcane, and a far-flung variety of other food and flowering crops and trees.
Place: Mala'ai School Garden at Waimea Middle School, 67-1229 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, South Kohala
Cost: All six classes in series $100. Each class $25. Attendance limited to first 25 who register.
Contact: Patti Cook, 937-2833, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday, February 20, South Kona
Event: 4th Annual Hawai'i Avocado Festival
Sponsor/Organizer: Sanctuary of Mana Ke'a Gardens
Description: Featuring sustainable events including solar powered stage, Eco Village, Green Fashion Show, avocado grafting, growing and organic management, value-added products. There will be presentations by CTAHR, Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers, Hawaii Agritourism Association, Recycle Hawai`i, Zero Waste, Friends of NELHA, Green Collar Technologies, One Island Sustainability, SKGM, Hawai'i Homegrown Food Network, HIGI, Hawaii Health Guide, etc. And we will continue our U.H. and local High School Chef Culinary School sponsored Avocado Recipe competition.
Place: Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Captain Cook, just south of mile marker 110, mauka side of Mamalahoa Highway, South Kona.
Cost: Free
Contact: Randyl Rupar, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , http://www.manakeasanctuary.org, 808 334-3340

Saturday, February 27, 9 am - 2:30 pm, South Kona
Event: 6th Annual Grow Hawaiian Festival
Sponsor: Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, The Garden is a Bishop Museum native plant arboretum.
Description: Festival-goers will get the chance to talk with practitioners of the Hawaiian arts, biologists, conservationists, and horticulturists – professionals who share a common passion for the native and Polynesian introduced plants of Hawaii. The Annual Grow Hawaiian Festival has something for everyone at any age. There will be hands-on activities for the keiki and adults, cultural demonstrations, ask-the expert booths, displays, a lei contest, live entertainment, and much more! Volunteers Needed.
Place: Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens, Captain Cook, Mile Marker 110, mauka side of Mamalahoa Highway.
Cost: Contact below
Contact: Call 323-3318, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , http://www.bishopmuseum.org/greenwell

Saturday, February 27, 9 am - Noon, South Kohala
Event: Composting and Vermiculture (worms), (Second of six workshops in 2nd annual "It Takes a Garden to Grow a Community" series)
Spopnsor: Mala'ai, The Culinary Gardens of Waimea Middle School
Description: This six-Saturday program will cover a range of topics to help Waimea Middle School students and their families and community friends to start or expand on home food gardens. Gloves and garden tools will be provided for the workshops and participants are urged to bring appropriate weather protection and drinking water. A potluck lunch will follow. The organic Mala’ai school garden includes both traditional Hawaiian food crops such as kalo, mamake and sugarcane, and a far-flung variety of other food and flowering crops and trees.
Place: Mala'ai School Garden at Waimea Middle School, 67-1229 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, South Kohala
Cost: All six classes in series $100. Each class $25. Attendance limited to first 25 who register.
Contact: Patti Cook, 937-2833, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday, February 27, 10 am - 12 Noon, South Kohala
Event: Fresh from the Farmers' Market
Sponsor: Waimea Community Education
Description: Food writer and home cook Joan Namkoong shares tips on shopping for produce at the farmers’ market and how to handle and store items to optimize freshness and shelf life. Learn to use fresh items in new ways with some simple recipes for Kale Salad, Roasted Tomatoes, and Red Red Bolognaise featuring Hawaii Ranchers’ red veal.
Place: Anna Ranch, 65-1480 Kawaihae Rd., Waimea, South Kohala
Cost: $35
Contact: Cathy Youtkus, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , http://wwww.waimeaeducation.com, (808) 885-1539

Saturday, March 13, 9 am - Noon, South Kohala
Event: Kalo: The Traditional Mo'olelo and Dryland Cultivation, (Third of six workshops in 2nd annual "It Takes a Garden to Grow a Community" series)
Spopnsor: Mala'ai, The Culinary Gardens of Waimea Middle School
Description: This six-Saturday program will cover a range of topics to help Waimea Middle School students and their families and community friends to start or expand on home food gardens. Gloves and garden tools will be provided for the workshops and participants are urged to bring appropriate weather protection and drinking water. A potluck lunch will follow. The organic Mala’ai school garden includes both traditional Hawaiian food crops such as kalo, mamake and sugarcane, and a far-flung variety of other food and flowering crops and trees.
Place: Mala'ai School Garden at Waimea Middle School, 67-1229 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, South Kohala
Cost: All six classes in series $100. Each class $25. Attendance limited to first 25 who register.
Contact: Patti Cook, 937-2833, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday, March 20, 9 am - Noon, South Kohala
Event: Seeds and Saving (also how to plant and transplant), (Fourth of six workshops in 2nd annual "It Takes a Garden to Grow a Community" series)
Sponsor: Mala'ai, The Culinary Gardens of Waimea Middle School
Description: This six-Saturday program will cover a range of topics to help Waimea Middle School students and their families and community friends to start or expand on home food gardens. Gloves and garden tools will be provided for the workshops and participants are urged to bring appropriate weather protection and drinking water. A potluck lunch will follow. The organic Mala’ai school garden includes both traditional Hawaiian food crops such as kalo, mamake and sugarcane, and a far-flung variety of other food and flowering crops and trees.
Place: Mala'ai School Garden at Waimea Middle School, 67-1229 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, South Kohala
Cost: All six classes in series $100. Each class $25. Attendance limited to first 25 who register.
Contact: Patti Cook, 937-2833, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday, April 24, 9 am - Noon, South Kohala
Event: Cooking From the Garden, (Fifth of six workshops in 2nd annual "It Takes a Garden to Grow a Community" series)
Sponsor: Mala'ai, The Culinary Gardens of Waimea Middle School
Description: This six-Saturday program will cover a range of topics to help Waimea Middle School students and their families and community friends to start or expand on home food gardens. Gloves and garden tools will be provided for the workshops and participants are urged to bring appropriate weather protection and drinking water. A potluck lunch will follow. The organic Mala’ai school garden includes both traditional Hawaiian food crops such as kalo, mamake and sugarcane, and many other food and flowering crops and trees.
Place: Mala'ai School Garden at Waimea Middle School, 67-1229 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, South Kohala
Cost: All six classes in series $100. Each class $25. Attendance limited to first 25 who register.
Contact: Patti Cook, 937-2833, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday, May 1, 9 am - Noon, South Kohala
Event: Waimea Wed Side/Dry Side Garden Tours, (Last of six workshops in 2nd annual "It Takes a Garden to Grow a Community" series)
Sponsor: Mala'ai, The Culinary Gardens of Waimea Middle School
Description: This six-Saturday program will cover a range of topics to help Waimea Middle School students and their families and community friends to start or expand on home food gardens. Gloves and garden tools will be provided for the workshops and participants are urged to bring appropriate weather protection and drinking water. A potluck lunch will follow. The organic Mala’ai school garden includes both traditional Hawaiian food crops such as kalo, mamake and sugarcane, and many other food and flowering crops and trees.
Place: Mala'ai School Garden at Waimea Middle School, 67-1229 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, South Kohala
Cost: All six classes in series $100. Each class $25. Attendance limited to first 25 who register.
Contact: Patti Cook, 937-2833, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it