Gardening Sustainably with a panel of experts, Colehour Bondera, Nancy Redfeather, Gerry Herbert & Bree DuPertuis To reserve a space in class call 329-7286 Price For Members $30 Non members $45

Chipper Wichman, Executive Director of the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kaua'i, will be at Kona Outdoor Circle for a free public presentation on the NTBG on Friday, May 9, 1:30 until 3 sponsored by the Kealakowa'a Heiau Preservation Council and KOC. Chipper and his wife Hau'oli inherited the land on the north shore of Kaua'i that is a major component of the National Tropical Botanical Garden from Chipper's tutu, Juliet Rice Wichman, and then donated it to the nonprofit organization. Limahuli had been in Chipper's family for generations, and includes extensive archaeological sites and ancient taro terraces built by some of the earliest Polynesian settlers on Kaua'i. The National Tropical Botanical Garden also has two preserves near Poipu, the Lawai Gardens and the Allerton Gardens; the Kahan Garden on Maui, named in honor of the donor family, whose roots date back to the days of the Hawaiian chiefs; the Kampong in Florida, which contains a fascinating array of tropical fruit cultivars and flowering trees; and a dryland forest preserve right here on Hawaii Island. The NTBG has a strong commitment to native plant conservation and habitat restoration. The organization has long been conducting ethnobotanical research, which Chipper will address. They also have a renewed emphasis on perpetuating traditional knowledge. Chipper is an engaging and mesmerizing speaker. His enthusiasm for the lands of the National Tropical Botanical Garden is contagious. He is extremely knowledgeable about the gardens and the plants, and will speak about the organization's work in preserving and propagating native plants and the history, background, and work of the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Refreshments will be served. Kona Outdoor Circle is at 76-6280 Kuakini Highway, just north of the intersection of Lako Street and Kuakini Highway, and just makai of the intersection of Kuakini Highway and Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway. The historic Kealakowa'a Heiau is just south of the KOC building. Free parking is available down by the building and on the frontage road. Reservations are not required but for questions or to let us know you're coming so there will be adequate refreshments, please call KOC at 329-7286.

Followed by Amy Greenwell Tour & local lunch in the garden. Price for Members $30 Non-members $45

Hosted by Dr Scott Nelson, UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service, Hilo Price for Members $30 Non-members $45

With Dr Scot at KOC Sadie Seymour Garden. Bring Brown Bag Lunch to location Price for Members $30 Non-members $45 Questions? Call KOC at 329-7286

Most people are increasingly aware of where their food comes from and how that impacts their health and security.
In Hawai’i, we import 85-90% of our food by ship and plane. The 10-15% of our food that is grown in Hawai’i depends almost entirely on imported fertilizers and chemical inputs for its production and distribution. We are not alone; most people in the continental U.S. rely almost entirely on food that travels hundreds or thousands of miles to arrive in their local supermarkets or restaurants. However, it is very obvious to all how removed Hawai’i is from its food and fuel sources, separated by an ocean. A disaster, natural or manmade, could disrupt distribution channels and put us in the very uncomfortable position of scrambling to feed ourselves with very limited inputs from outside Hawai’i.

The immense popularity of the Hawai’i Island Food Summit held in Keauhou in October 2007
http://www.kohalacenter.org/food
indicates how concerned people are about our communities’ food security.
Supermarkets, restaurants, commercial farmers, and government are not in the business of food security, so it appears the responsibility of ensuring food is always available falls on each of us.

How can we feed ourselves delicious and nutritious food with minimal reliance on imports? The Hawaiian people were once among the most self-sufficient and well-nourished peoples in the world, with extremely advanced agricultural and aquacultural systems. Many of the Hawaiian systems have disappeared, but some of the plants, knowledge, and culture are perpetuated by a few. In addition to remnants of Hawaiian systems, a few intact traditional Pacific island systems can help teach us how to grow food without relying on outside inputs. They show that growing abundant quantities of nutritious food is entirely possible once again here in Hawai’i.

Craig Elevitch will be presenting a photo-rich talk about Hawai'i food security entitled, “Food Security—Pacifika Style” at the Kona Outdoor Circle on June 7, 2-4 pm. He will show images of traditional agriculture in Samoa, Tonga, Palau, and Yap and describe how these age-old systems can guide us in achieving food security in Hawai'i. He will also present a plan to transform a 1/4 acre lawn in Holualoa into an abundant food forest within one year.

Visualize the GREEN solution: A beautiful urban mini-forest~enhancing the ‘aina, disguising a dumpsite. A planting blend of over 500 native and non-native screening and flowering trees will make the difference—a community and government cooperative effort.

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