Newsletter 48 - February 2013
Aloha mai! One of the big challenges of eating locally grown food in Hawai‘i for those of us who grew up in North America is that the crops that grow best in this environment are not necessarily the same as we were raised on. Temperate climate grains, Irish potatoes, and many vegetables are not easy to grow in tropical Hawai‘i. ‘Ulu, ‘uala, and kalo, for example, do grow well here, but we were not raised on them, so we did not develop a palate for them when growing up. We’re inspired by the programs schools such as Kua o ka La New Century Public Charter School in Puna are developing to introduce children to growing and consuming the native foods of Hawai‘i. As this month’s article by Kua o ka La principal Susie Osborne says, “it is essential for children to experience the relationship between land, farmer, cook, and food as our ancestors did.” Another article this month introduces the culture of 'uala in North Kohala. Since our home is Hawai‘i, it is our responsibility to cultivate our relationship with native crops and their culture. And as adults who have established food preferences elsewhere, we feel it is our responsibility to develop a renewed palate for crops that thrive in this place. Mahalo nui loa, Craig Elevitch and Pedro Tama EventsSunday, January 27, 2013, 02:00pm - 05:00pm, Hilo Wednesday, January 30, 2013, 02:00pm - 04:00pm, South Kona Saturday, February 02, 2013, 07:00am - 12:00pm, South Kohala Saturday, February 02, 2013, 08:30am - 12:30pm, North Kohala Saturday, February 02, 2013, 10:00am - 03:00pm, Puna Thursday, February 07, 2013, 09:00am, North Kona Saturday, February 09, to Sunday, February 24, 2013, Puna Sunday, February 10, 2013, 12:00pm - 06:00pm, Hilo Tuesday, February 12, 2013, 06:00pm - 08:00pm, Hilo Saturday, February 16, 2013, 09:00am - 12:00pm, North Kohala Monday, February 18, 2013, 07:00pm - 09:00pm, North Kona Saturday, February 23, 2013, 09:00am - 02:30pm, South Kona Saturday, February 23, 2013, 09:00am - 11:00pm, North Kohala Sunday, February 24, 2013, 02:00pm - 05:00pm, Hilo Thursday, February 28, To Thursday, March 28, 2013, Puna Saturday, March 02, 2013, Puna Saturday, March 02, 2013, 10:00am - 03:00pm, Puna Saturday, March 09, 2013, 09:00am - 12:00pm, North Kohala Sunday, March 17, 2013, 12:30pm, North Kona Saturday, March 23, 2013, 05:30pm - 10:00pm, South Kohala View events calendarReportsLearning from the 'Aina: Puna Charter School Develops Model Culinary Arts ProgramThree years ago, Kua o ka La New Century Public Charter School, (KOKL NCPCS) began the formation of an agriculture and culinary class for its middle school students. The idea was an outgrowth of our regular Friday, project-based class for middle and high school students. The class applied the students’ science and social studies learning to projects of daily life relevance and practical skills, with the added benefit of being outdoors and hands-on. "All About 'Uala" workshop in KohalaOn January 19 the first workshop in the North Kohala Eat Locally Grown & Sustainable Kohala's co-sponsored Sustainable Saturdays Series took place at Puanui, one of the many narrow, leeward ahu'pua'a that make up the Kohala Dryland Field System. A group of more than 50 participants came from all parts of Kohala (and from as far as Hilo and Puna) to learn "All About 'Uala (Sweetpotato)" from Kehaulani Marshall and Ala Lindsey of Ulu Mau Puanui. . Sun's MicrogreensSunserene Quevedo is a very enterprising young woman with a mission to teach everyone she meets about the benefits of microgreens in our diets. The project started in a small way with Sunserene's love for gardening and her desire to start eating a bit healthier: she began in her bedroom with a growing tray sitting in a tin pan for drainage, a bit of soil, sunflower seeds and a spray bottle. After a few days the seeds started sprouting and before she knew it, she was clipping tender shoots and adding them to salads, wraps, and sandwiches. Local chefs desire regional, seasonal, and artisanal products: Chef James Babian
When Chef Babian came to Hawai‘i Island 14 years ago, he informed hotel management that his style is centered on supporting the local agricultural community through sourcing food “from the region, buying things that are in season, and using products from small artisan farmers, such as Kona coffee, goat cheese, and honey.” The concept of supporting local producers Babian feels is an ancient concept that chefs are rediscovering around the world, bringing the restaurant industry “back to the ground roots” and developing strong farm to table programs. Farmers' Markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)Visit our comprehensive directory of Hawai'i Island farmers' markets and Community Supported Agricuture.
Designing For Sustainability and Food Security, PunaFebruary 9th - 24th, 2013 Web ResourcesThis month's web site listings
Supporting OrganizationsSponsorsHawai'i People's Fund and the Hawai'i Community Foundation Founding sponsorsHawai'i County Resource Center, a program of the County of Hawai'i Department of Research and Development. Hawaii Agricultural Development Program in partnership with the Big Island RC&D Council. SubscriptionsNew subscribers: Subscriptions to this newsletter are free and welcome from the general public. You can unsubscribe at any time. We will not share your name with anyone without your prior permission. Click here to subscribe This newsletter is published by:Hawai'i Homegrown Food Network |