Nā Koa Summer 2020

SUMMER 2020

nÄ koa

kawai kapuni A voice of change Page 4

he ali’i ka ‘āina; he kauā ke kanaka The land is chief, the people are its servant

- Mary Kawena Pukui, ʻŌlelo Noʻeau

nā koa

.................. SUMMER

from the editors ....................

2020 ................................................................................................

4

ON THE COVER

A voice of change

This young activist shares what inspires her to protect the environment and aloha ʻāina.

9

Maui Made Meet four Maui

students passionate about making the world a better place.

14–15

DIY Steps to grow greens to make a salad bowl and compost at home.

16

Maui Master: Ethan Romanchak

This master of agriculture and native plants talks about how his passion grew into a nursery of over 15 acres.

19

Here we grow again!

“Long time no see” is a phrase we use a lot when we finally get to see our loved ones again, and since it’s been three years since our last edition of Nā Koa, “Long time no see, everyone!”

While Nā Koa is still the same great local publication focused on Maui teens, there have been some changes, the main one being the voice you are reading right now. Being a high school publication, Nā Koa has seen several staffing changes.

The previous editors are long gone, but don’t worry, we’ve picked up our cameras, gathered some interviews, and brought to you a new edition of Nā Koa magazine...with social distancing, of course.

The founder of the magazine, the lovely and talented Maile Sur, made the first issue of Nā Koa back in 2014 as her senior project. Six years later, we’ve carried on the legacy of Nā Koa once again, this time, as our senior project.

In this issue, we put the spotlight on the environment. With the attention of

the world focused on saving the planet, we decided that this would be a great time to bring out the voices of the ones who take care of planet Earth: those who speak out about climate change, those who are actively practicing sustainability, and those who are even selling, cultivating, and taking care of agriculture in order to teach younger generations of their importance.

This project has been a great challenge, especially having to do it during the summer time and during a global pandemic, but to make sure we got it right, we got to consult with the legendary Maile Sur, and that was a big plus. So, shoutouts to Maile! Thank you for the high bar you set, and we hope we are able to fill your shoes.

We are so happy that we took on this challenge, and now get to show you the amazing things we learned and the dedicated people we met this summer.

Without further ado, welcome to our edition of Nā Koa. We hope you find it informative and inspiring.

Maui’s Farmers Markets

Farmers markets have the freshest produce on Maui. Check out our list of farm-to-table venues.

................about the editors ..................................................................................................................................................

Savannah Rose Dagupion, 17, is a senior at Kamehameha Schools Maui. She was born and

raised on Maui and has a passion for journalism. Her innovative, creative nature allows her to express herself through singing, playing instruments, drawing award-winning mandala, or planting succulents. She wants to major in journalism and become a journalist for a renowned magazine or news company.

Max Bielawski, 17, is a senior at Kamehameha Schools Maui. He was raised on Maui and has a

passion for environmental justice, politics and journalism. His dream for a better future drives him throughout his life. He enjoys music, gardening, traveling, history and playing the French horn.

He is planning to major in political science and to become a voice of political change.

3

A voice of ..................change ........

by Max Bielawski

Photo courtesy of Kawai Kapuni

Kapuni attends the Plastic Ocean Pollution Summit in Dana Point, California, in February. Behind her is an art installation made of plastic trash. Inside, Kapuni attended workshops, networked with other activists, and visited exibit halls that allowed youth to show off their sustainable inventions and art-from-trash projects.

A

6

passion to protect the environment and dedication to activism has led high school senior Kawaiolaakealiʻi Kapuni down a path of success.

“My journey in pursuing environmental justice started in the beginning of my junior year.

I decided to apply for Maui Huliau’s leadership council, which connected me to many of the organizations that I currently work and aspire to work with today,” Kapuni said.

Kapuni said she was inspired to join after reaching out to Kamehameha School Maui alumna Kiana Liu when she saw a post on Instagram. Liu is currently a part of the Maui Huliau Alumni Council.

“It was only amazing opportunities from there,” Kapuni said.

Liu said, “Kawai has made a huge impact on Maui Huliau Foundation. … She’s such a positive role model and I’m so

California back in February.

She says that it opened her eyes to the systemic pollution that many people are born into.

“While I was always raised to aloha ʻāina, it was hard for me to relate to other countries that suffer from different environmental issues. Living in Hawai’i, we are so blessed to have clean air, running water, and an abundant source of food; however, many countries are not as lucky and [they are] rarely noticed when it comes to pollution,” she said.

Kapuni was excited to see the difference that youth can make in other countries impacted by pollution.

“A group of kids from Sri Lanka made plates out of kurundu trees that were reusable, washable, and microwavable.

And for them, that’s a very prominent plant that they have there, and they utilized it and made something really awesome out of that,” she said.

“Advocating for sustainability has become a huge part of my life.”

proud of the amazing woman she is continuing to become.”

Kapuni says working with Maui Huliau has been a great learning experience, and she recommends joining it to everyone.

She says that through them,

-Kawai Kapuni

she has been able to “meet and create relationships with other organizations, as well as host beach clean-ups and many other great events.”

One of those events was attending the International Plastic Pollution Summit in

“For too long, we have ourselves in instant gratification without thinking of the consequences that lie ahead.”

-Kawai Kapuni

Photo courtesy of Kawai Kapuni One of Kapuni’s haku creations. She named her lei business Maileokalani, which translates to maile of the heavens. She says she was inspired to use that name because maile represents “strength, growth, and empowerment.” She says she wants to pass these characterisitics onto those who purchase her lei.

She used her experiences at the summit in her testimony before the Maui County Council on a plastics ban.

“There was also a girl there who had worked with her chemistry teachers at her local high school [to make something that] looked like plastic, but it was made out of seaweed, and then when you put it in water, it dissolved. … People are coming up with amazing ideas, and I know that when this petition passes through, it’ll open all kinds of doors to that sort of potential.”

Kapuni says that in the future, she wishes to elevate the voices of impoverished countries and people through environmental justice.

“Advocating for sustainability has become a huge part of my life, and I couldn’t have

done it without the friendships I’ve built with the Hawaii Youth Climate Coalition and Maui Huliau,” Kapuni said.

“Both [are] huge stakeholders in protecting and preserving the environment through education and youth engagement.”

Kapuni got involved with the HYCC through Dyson Chee, its advocacy director, and she became the county council coordinator for the HYCC. In her position, she manages and tracks legislation. Her role consists of testifying for city council legislation, rallying the community to testify, and “most of all, meeting with council members,” Kapuni said.

“Meeting with council members is a great way to talk about what you think should be done in the community. When it comes to civic engagement in

the community, reaching out to your council members is one of the best things you can do,” Kapuni said.

Kapuni was an advocate for the passage of Maui’s Single-Use Plastics Bill, Bill 52.

Bill 52 bans the sale and commercial use of single-use food wares, such as straws, cups, utensils, plates, bowls, to-go containers, cup lids, and stirrers beginning Jan. 1, 2022.

Kapuni began her advocacy by sending in testimony via email and contacting family and friends to do the same.

However, she realized that these efforts could only do so much, so she got the students at her school, Kamehameha Maui, involved.

“I asked Kamehameha elementary, middle, and high school students to sign a banner in support of Bill 52. The banner collected a total of 222 signatures,” she said.

Nearing the final hearing of the bill, she wanted to ensure that there was a solid foundation of support.

“A week out from the final hearing, I launched a petition on Change.org that successfully rallied 1,016 signatures and a handful of shares on Instagram,” she said.

On the final day of the hearing, Kapuni sent in photos of the banner and the roster of the petition. She also testified in front of the council members via Blue Jeans, a cloud video conferencing platform.

Kapuni in the hearing said “I’m testifying here today; to create a better community, more sustainable choices, and just to create a precedent as I had once mentioned, as well as breaking those habits. Plastic is definitely a habit that we have, many of us have grown up with.

We’ve had it at our disposal.

And it is about time, especially during COVID-19, to shift towards compostable products.

(Kapuni continued on page 8)

7

(Kapuni continued from page 7) If we cannot use reusable products,then it is absolutely incumbent to make sure that we are using products that aren’t polluting our earth and that are sustainable.”

“I had so much to say in such little time, but it came together better than ever,” Kapuni said.

Shortly after the hearing April 17, it was announced that Bill 52 had passed unanimously.

“It was definitely a community effort, and it will require the same support as we commit to shifting towards a plastic-free lifestyle,” Kapuni said.

Along with being an environmental advocate, Kapuni says she enjoys promoting the Hawaiian culture and helping families in need. She does this through her haku lei business, Maileokalani.

Through her Instagram account, @hakusbykawai, she makes custom orders placed via direct message.

“I’ve always admired the beauty and intricacy about leis and finally got the opportunity to learn in 8th grade. After lots of practice, I launched my haku lei business in my freshman year of high school. Ever since, it has been a great way to connect myself to my culture as well as my creative side,” she said.

Five percent of all proceeds is donated to the community organization Women Helping Women.

“It definitely builds up and goes towards an amazing cause,” she said.

According to the Women Helping Women website, “The mission of Women Helping Women is to end domestic violence through advocacy, education, and prevention, and to offer safety, support and empowerment to women and children, victims of domestic violence.”

Kapuni’s philanthropy isn’t just about donating money.

8

She recently paired with local businesses to launch an effort called Kōkua Boxes, which helps families in need.

“In 2020, we were hit with a multitude of obstacles, and I was inspired by Mealys On Heelys to create Kōkua Boxes for those who were struggling this year,” Kapuni said.

Mealys On Heelys was a community drive created by Kamehameha Schools Maui alumna Jaye Orikasa. She collected food and beverage donations and delivered them while wearing Heely shoes, shoes with wheels in the heels.

At first, the donations went to quarantine-hit families, but later, her campaign also extended to people and businesses that were part of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Kapuni collected gift cards, face masks, and snacks from local businesses to make 20 boxes of supplies for children and mothers at the Women Helping Women shelter on Maui, and she still plans to do another wave of collections.

“I am so grateful to be a part of these organizations,” she said.

Adventuring in the outdoors of Maui with friends by going to new waterfalls, tide pools, and beaches, all followed by a long nap, keeps Kapuni inspired.

“Hawaii has always been my home, and I feel like it’s impossible to stay cooped up at home when you’re blessed with so much to appreciate,” she said.

“Most of my money goes towards gas money and food, but who’s complaining when you live in a culinary utopia?”

Kapuni wants to ensure that those blessings are still around for years to come.

“It’s up to us, as a collective whole, to dedicate our actions and choices to the future of our earth,” she says.

Photos courtesy of Kawai Kapuni Above: A Kōkua Box is filled with snacks, masks, and gift cards. Below: Kapuni shows her support for environmental policy change at a climate strike in September 2019. Bottom: Over 200 student signatures adorn this banner in support of Bill 52, which bans single-use plastics.

maui

made

........................

by Savannah Rose Dagupion

.......

Alexis Camara

17

School: King Kekaulike High School, Grade 12

Environmental Activity: Maui 4-H, animal farmer

Accomplishments: Nationally ranked 4-H livestock judge, 2019 Overall Grand Champion Market Hog, 2018 Reserve State Champion Market Steer Associations: 4-H, Sakugawa Ranch, Mahi Pono, HHSRA, MYRA When she began: 5th Grade

Why? “I have always been around animals and grew up with them. When one of my childhood friends started doing 4-H, I became really interested and joined the next year.”

Best part of 4-H events: “I love the environment and livestock, so any opportunity I have to become more educated or educate others, I am always first to sign up. I am always willing to try new programs or help the younger generation, and I always give my 100% to everything I do.”

Favorite moment at 4-H events: “When I get to see someone who I know worked really hard on their project get the recognition they deserve, even if it means I didn’t win. Seeing the faces of my friends or the kids I helped after the judge announces who won is really special.”

Future projects: “This year, I was working on doing all the projects our association offers, but due to COVID they all got canceled, so next season I would like to try doing all the projects again. I am also working with the Homemakers part of 4H to try to get the two associations more involved with each other. I also am currently trying to get an FFA club (Future Farmers of America) started at my school.”

What inspires her: “My main inspiration is 4-H and all the things I have learned through it. However, I would be lying if I said my upbringing of living and working at a farm didn’t have some effect on my future occupation.”

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? “In 5 years I will hopefully be finishing up undergraduate school and either going into graduate school or starting at my dream job making healthier, better tasting livestock.”

What do you do for the environment? “I try to buy and eat from locally owned businesses.

I am an avid recycler and only take cold fiveminute showers. While I often have to drive by myself, I prefer to carpool, and I rarely use my air conditioning.”

10

Photo used courtesy of Alexis Camara

Hokuaoka’ale Gilman

15

School: King Kekaulike

High School, Grade 10

Environmental Activity: Advocating for a better

environment.

Association: Maui Huliau

When she began: 13 years old, then joined their leadership program last summer.

Why? “I became interested in Maui Huliau after hearing about the youth activities they offered based around environmental advocacy and creating a better and more sustainable community.”

Work with Maui Huliau: “I have done a few service projects such as a Lo’i clean up and organizing a sign wave/protest based on climate change. I have also made more than a few films on plastic pollution and other environmental issues. I have attended two youth environmental summits on clean and renewable energy as well as plastic pollution solutions. ”

Why the summits?

“I understood that plastic pollution is a very big issue here in Hawai’i and wanted an opportunity to try to make a change as youth within our community.”

What goes on at summits?

“At the summits we meet people from around the world and come together to try to solve the same problem. We received resources and opportunities to make small- and large-scale changes for our communities. For a few days we would listen and receive information on how we could use or youth voices to make positive impacts for our futures. We would then reflect and come up with a project that we would implement in our communities to promote change.”

Favorite part: Meeting like-minded people from all over the world. “I love meeting new people, and it’s so interesting to learn about other countries.”

Future projects: “Since the last summit I went to, my teammate and friend from Maui Huliau Kawai Kapuni and I came up with a project idea for a future summit. We plan to create a swimwear line made up of recycled plastics!”

Photo used courtesy of Hokuaoka’ale Gilman

What can people at home?

“I think small changes really do matter. Cut down on any single-use plastics and instead reuse and bring your own. You can try to walk more or ride bikes instead of driving. … stay educated and be open minded to better solutions for our future. ”

11

Camry Gach

16

School: Seabury Hall, Grade 11

Environmental Activity: Advocating for environmental policy implementation and exploring research and development in concentrated photovoltaic electricity production.

Association: Maui Huliau

How she began: When Gach researched and reached out into the community about ways to reduce waste on Maui for her 8th-grade project, she was inspired and mentored by one of the waste pioneers on Maui, Ashley O’Colmain.

Last year, she joined the Maui Huliau Foundation, which has been a platform for her to work together with other highly motivated students.

Advocacy: She has testified for Bill 52 for eliminating single-use plastics on Maui and against the Lahaina injection wells while advocating for the regulation of wastewater disposal.

What did you do with the Climate Citizens Lobby? This summer, I joined a lobby team formed entirely by constituents of Hawaii state. We collectively studied the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 763). We also trained ourselves in listening and diplomatic communication techniques so that we could appropriately address and compromise with Senator Hirono’s office members, Dr. Jennifer Burks and Joe McGarvey.

Current projects: “I have programmed the dual axis tracking of reflectors to shine additional photons onto a solar panel and boil contaminated water, which initially cools the panel. The purpose of my engineering endeavor is to create a cost-effective device that can be distributed to vulnerable communities that lack clean water resources or have unreliable access to energy, especially for critical facilities such as hospitals and grocery stores.”

What inspires her: “My inspiration for pursuing environmental work is to sustain the beauty that Maui and the earth as a whole emanate all through natural processes, and I want to protect the health of all living beings.”

What would you say to the community? “In order to adapt to the economic globalization that is requiring increasing amounts of energy and exploitation of natural resources in a world where environmentalists are pleading for the opposite, we all need to find some beneficial way to act, no matter how small.”

Photo used courtesy of Camry Gach

12

Kona Rodrigues

19

School: University of Hawai’i at Hilo, sophomore Majors: Geography and environmental science Association: Mahi Pono

Field experience: Work ing and volunteering with different organizations based in agricultural and environmental work, which, he says, help him find solutions to problems by getting different perspectives from different places. Interned at Pu’u Kukui Watershed Preserve for two weeks, one ma kai and one ma uka.

Most memorable internship moment? “Being able to walk on their (Watershed Preserve) boardwalk that was completely surrounded with native plants and vegetation. Only a handful was able to walk and visit the forests so it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.”

Why environmental science? “I am pursuing this field because I grew up with it, and it is something I love. To me, it was important because it shows us a whole other world that is right under our nose especially in Hawai’i. This is the top destination for environmentalists, and I feel it is very important too since we have a deep connection with this wahi.”

Current projects: Building a support wall for a ditch that has been eroding over the past couple of years and a small lo’i in his backyard.

What inspires you? “My grandpa was the go-to guy for anything agriculture based, so he played a big role in my career path. One time my grandpa and I were planting kalo together and I started to get inconsistent, so he scolded me and told me to redo it. Now everytime I plant kalo I hear his voice in my head telling me to do it right. My opportunities such as my internship and my academy in high school also guided me into pursuing this field.”

Most important thing he has learned about agriculture: “How much of a vital role it played in our society a few hundred years ago. It was their source of living, and I know a handful of organizations that want us modern Hawaiians to rely on the same thing, the environment.”

Photo used courtesy of Dyllyn Kahalehau

What can people do at home? “I think working small and slowly building your way up is always a good idea. I started with a small garden in my yard, and it slowly grew bigger, so I believe something as small as a few plants or vegetables is always a good start. Also supporting your local producers has a huge impact on the local economy.”

13

DIY: Home-grown salad bowl Materials Instructions 1 2 by max bielawski

It’s fun and healthy to eat an organic salad straight from your garden, and it’s easy too. Here are a few things to help you get started on making your very own bowl of salad greens. To start, you need potting soil, a pot, a seed disc, a spade, and a pair of gardening gloves. A seed disc is an excellent way for first-timers to give micro farming a try. It is a biodegradable paper packet with a mixture of green leafy vegetable seeds embedded in it. These seeds are proven to grow well together and make a tasty combination on your salad plate, too. You can find all these at local hardware stores and nurseries in the seed packet section.

To start, put on your gloves and use the spade to fill the pot with potting soil, but leave about a ½ inch of space from the rim of the pot. Then, unfold your seed disc from the package and place it flat on the soil. Spread it as evenly as possible. After that, place ¼ inch of soil on top of the disc. Last, water until it is soaked. Find a good place for the bowl where the greens can get a lot of sun, and don’t forget to water every day. There is no need to soak the soil, and beware to not put a tray underneath.

That keeps the water from draining, and backed up water can cause your plants’ roots to get waterlogged and promotes mosquito breeding!

3

Yield

4

Results

If you did everything right, you should have salad-ready greens in about a month. How long it takes depends on the type of greens you are growing, Arugula takes about 35 days to grow, lettuce takes about 55 days, and spinach takes 30 days for salad and 40 days for cooking. If you grow all three vegetables you can make a very diverse salad. I also planted some tomatoes on the side to add a little color and variety to mine.

When you are ready to harvest, use a pair of scissors to harvest the outer leaves, and leave the center alone. It will continue producing for several weeks after. Make sure to wash greens thoroughly with cool water before consumption. You’ll have to wait, but I’m ready for my own fresh salad with some homegrown cherry tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette dressing to top it off. Mm, so ‘ono!

14

DIY: Composting at home is easy by max bielawski

Composting at home may seem like it takes a lot of work and time, but really, it is a good pastime and an environmentally friendly way to dispose of kitchen scraps and other green waste. Here are some tricks, tips, and things to avoid when composting at home.

Anything can be used to collect compostables. Reusing an old plastic container or tub is a good vessel to toss your kitchen scraps into. Make sure you have a lid to keep unwanted critters away, and keep your container on your kitchen counter right next to or under your kitchen sink for ease of access. I use an old one-gallon plastic ice cream tub to store my kitchen scraps, but your container can also be anything from a kitchen bowl to an old resealable bag.

When you are ready to start composting, you will need to dedicate an area of your yard or patio for your composter.

The easiest thing to do is to buy a compost bin or compost tumbler, but almost anything can be upcycled and used to

hold your scraps, from wooden boxes to wire or cardboard bins. Your household scraps, like vegetable peels and old fruit, are considered “green” materials. It is important to also add eggshells, which are a good source of calcium.

You will also need “brown” materials, such as grass clippings, wood chips and leaves from your backyard.

Be sure to avoid adding any sort of cheese or dairy, meats, sawdust from treated wood, pet and human waste, highly acidic foods, oily and greasy foods, baked goods, and weeds. These can do anything from making your compost harmful to plants, to even potentially giving you food poisoning, so be sure to be careful of what you add to your compost. Some also caution against adding onions or garlic, which, they say, discourage earthworm activity.

Once you have enough material for a 3-foot pile, layer your green materials and brown materials to get the ball rolling.

Aim for a ratio of three brown layers to one green layer. Make

sure to occasionally add water, but not too much or you will drown and kill your composting organisms. Your pile should not be sopping wet, just damp.

You can also add animal manure, and earthworms are a must. Their entire purpose in life is to turn organic matter into dirt, which is what you are trying to do by making compost. Combining your kitchen scraps, leaves, and clippings with these other

materials will make a great compost. Occasionally stir the compost with a pitchfork or turn your store-bought tumbler.

Once the compost is not hot and it has a brown color to it, it will be ready for use.

You’ll have to be patient. It can take six months to a year for your compost to be ready, but once done, it can strengthen your lawn, amend your soil, and provide nutrients for your garden.

Saving the world one handful of compost at a time!

15

maui master

By Savannah Rose Dagupion

Q & A with a Maui horticulturalist: Ethan Romanchak

I sat down with Ethan Romanchak, owner of Kula’s Native Nursery, who, over two decades, went from backyard landscaper to successful Maui horticulturist. Inspired by a vision to restore forests and green areas on Maui, Romanchak shares the story of where he came from, where he is now, and where he’s going.

How did it all start?

“I had an internship with the Nature Conservancy and got to go camping in the Hawaiian native rainforest, and you come out of the mountains and you’re like, ‘Where’s all the native trees?’

You see sugar cane, you see weeds, and then you go to the Home Depot, or there was no Home Depot then, but you go to the nursery and you couldn’t buy a native tree. So then I started a backyard nursery after that.”

What age was this around?

“I was 19 when I had that experience, and then I went off to college to learn how to grow plants better. ... In 2003, I started this business with Jonathan Kaiser because he was interested in the same thing.

We just taught ourselves how to grow ʻohiʻa, koa, ʻaʻaliʻi, and people started buying them for reforestation projects. We also started doing fruit trees about seven years ago, because everyone wanted fruit trees.”

Where were you born and raised?

“I was born in Kahului. I went to Lihikai School from kindergarten to 7th grade, and then I went to Seabury [Hall].

When I was young, I lived in Mākena, and then later in life, I lived in Kula.”

Was there any time before that, like in high school, where you learned about environmental things?

“I always liked science in high school. I always did good in science. Even when I was a kid, I had a vegetable garden, so I just think from an early age I enjoyed how to sprout seeds and how to grow stuff. In high school, I had a good biology teacher, and so I got introduced to it in high school.”

Which college did you go to and what was your major?

“I went to Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo. I got my degree in liberal studies because I just wanted to graduate, but I got a minor in horticulture. Most of my classes I took were for horticulture, so I got to see California and how good they are at growing stuff.”

How did you start?

“So we’ve been here going on 17 years. Early on we started off with hardly any money, but all the money we made with landscaping, we put into this business.

We started the whole business on a $10,000 loan, and we haven’t borrowed any money since.”

You would do other jobs?

“Yeah, we’d do other jobs too just to start. Then in 2007, we got our first big state contract ..., and that let us grow the business. Pretty much since 2007, we’ve been slowly growing the business with forestry projects and getting better at retail.”

Any major career shifts?

“No, I always knew I wanted to do this, but yeah, a couple times I questioned whether I’m going to make enough money or be able to stay in business. I was always thinking, ‘Should I go do something else?’ but then

I just stuck with it, and now pretty much I’m so far into my career I’m probably just gonna have to do this forever.”

To what do you attribute your success?

“I had really good parents growing up. They valued education, and got us involved in a lot of activities, so we would stay out of trouble.

I have a twin sister, so just always having a close friend to bounce stuff off of, too. I just feel fortunate that my parents valued education.”

What’s your normal day like?

“I usually wake up and check emails, then I get to work at 8 a.m. All the workers, I think now we have 14 employees, show up at 8 a.m. and work ‘til 4:30, but then Jonathan, my business partner, stays late, so then I feel guilty, and I stay late. I try to see my kids at home, I have two boys, so I try to get home by 5.”

What are the different services your nursery provides?

“We used to landscape, but now we’ve gotten too busy to go out and work with clients, so we basically do contract growing, which is where you put in an order a year ahead of time, and you tell me exactly what you want for your big project.

We do that for reforestation and for big landscapers.

We also sell plants to the box stores and Kula True Value, so that’s our retail. Right now, we’re really busy with Mahi Pono [farming company] growing citrus for their fields.”

Is there any motivation that drives you to perpetuate this nursery?

“You’d think for my kids, but they probably won’t work here.

They’ve been here too much, they’re already sick of it.

Basically it’s just fun to drive by a koa project, and see our trees getting bigger, or drive through some neighborhood, and recognize that that’s the ʻohiʻa we’ve propagated.

Also with fruit trees? Full circle when people give you fruit back from the trees you’ve grown for them.”

What are your thoughts on sustainability?

“We live on an island, and I think we can all agree that forests help catch rain better than asphalt, houses, or sometimes even grass. I don’t know, cows are really good too, they manage the land really well.

Anyways, to see what was once barren become shrubs or a forest, you know you’re improving the watershed. That’s just one of the main reasons. Seeing once you take the animals out of an area and then the plants grow back, you just assume that’s better for the land.”

What do you hope happens for the future generations that want to do this type of work?

“I think it actually might grow. With carbon credits and climate change, everybody agrees that trees help the environment, so if you’re good at growing trees, you might actually have a job in the future.

(Romanchak cont. on page 18)

17

(Romanchak cont. from page 17)

A lot of our grandparents are really good at growing stuff, but then if it misses a generation, you have to reteach yourself how to do it. It’s important to be an apprentice, then learn, and then pass it on, or else people will forget how to grow a mango tree, or have a really good harvest of papayas, or how to plant a tree and it doesn’t die the next day. I think there’s gonna be a lot of opportunities in planting trees.

Whether it’s fruit trees, or for carbon, and you can only get better and better. It takes a lifetime to learn how. It seems simple, but it takes a lot to make it work.”

What was one of the first things you’ve learned about agriculture?

“I remember one of my classes where we did a trial on cuttings, and it just blew my mind that you take a cutting, put it in a rooting hormone, and it makes roots and a new plant. It was probably just some high school or college class, and I think ever since then I was kind of fascinated with plants and how they grow.”

How many years did you go to college?

“Five years. Then I came back home and worked for Maui Land and Pineapple from 2000-2003, and that was being back in the watershed and in the native forest. I learned about agriculture, how they use the water, and learned about the native plant ecosystem.

Then I went back to grad school at UH Mānoa and got my masters in horticulture...

Meanwhile, Jonathan and I started this business, but it was really slow: build a fence, wait six months, buy some pots, wait three months, because we just didn’t have much money.

I came back to Maui in 2005 after UH, and then we hustled.”

Why did you feel the need to go back to college?

18

Ethan Romanchak stands next to a row of koa trees on the right and a row of avocado trees on the left.

“Honestly it’s because my girlfriend at the time, now wife, was at UH doing her undergrad, so it was kind of just life.

I also applied for a job, and I didn’t get the job, so I just applied for my masters. Now I’m glad I did though because you make contacts, and you just learn more.

Nothing beats hands-on knowledge. You can’t just have the book smarts. At Cal Poly and UH, a lot of my work was hands-on, in the labs or in the greenhouse doing stuff.

It makes you better at solving problems and aware of what kind of info is out there.”

What were your goals?

To own your own land is really hard because the cost of land in Kula is so high, so our career goal was to say that we farmed and built a career, and through that we were able to purchase land instead of coming in like a rich person from the mainland.

Just trying to prove that it may take a lifetime, but all the work we’ve put into the land we want to own someday.”

Could you describe what your childhood was like?

“Like I said, I was lucky. I had 15 cousins, a twin sister and an older brother. My mom was always a teacher at the schools I was at, and my dad was born and raised on Maui,

so he could remember all the good old days and share that stuff with us.”

Was there any family influence on your career choice?

“No, my dad was a family court judge, and my mom was a teacher, so it was just a hobby that turned into a career. It wasn’t like a family business that they passed down.”

Why did you do environmental classes in high school?

Did you know then that you would be where you are today?

“No, in high school you kind of just had to take what was available, but then once I went to college, Cal Poly made you choose your major as soon as you started.

I actually started in landscape architecture, and did that for three years. Then I didn’t like the design [part and] rich clients, and to me it wasn’t a good fit, so then I switched to horticulture.

In college it’s a good time to take the courses that you’re interested in, so you actually want to go to class and learn.

Also just take the classes you hear about are the best teachers. If you go to a class that’s your favorite subject, but there’s a horrible teacher, you might hate it. I would always try to find the best teachers and sign up for their classes.”

How does your work impact the community?

“I feel like we’re lucky because we have preschool, kindergarten, all the way through high school, and even Maui College students come through the nursery. Even though they probably forget everything we try to teach them, maybe if just one kid has their interest piqued just by seeing what you can do, then that’s worth it. I feel like after 17 years of people coming through the nursery, we’ve impacted at least one.

Also, we hope Mahi Pono can succeed in farming, so when we drive through Maui we’re all proud, and it’s all green again. We’re gonna forget about the days it was just weeds and sugar cane, and we’re lucky to have that much agriculture.

I think it would be really sad if that much or even more agriculture doesn’t become a part of the future. With this work with Mahi Pono and getting into the fruit trees, I hope someday to see hundreds or thousands of acres of healthy orchards.”

Maui Native Nursery Hours: Mondays - Fridays from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Location: 1267 Naʻale Road, Kula, HI 96790 Web: mauinativenursery.com Phone: (808) 878-8276

Farmers Markets on Maui Farm stands and farmers markets are a great way to support local farming and uphold sustainable living. If you’re feeling inspired to shop local, here are some of the places where you can find fresh, locally sourced produce and farm products. Currently, some are closed due to the coronavirus quarantine, but those that were still open as of this writing are denoted with an asterisk*

CENTRAL MAUI

Farmers Market Maui* Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 7 a.m.-11 a.m.

Location: 3636 Lower Honoapiʻilani Road Website: https://www.farmers marketsmaui.com/lahaina Facebook: Farmers Market Maui Instagram: @farmers_market_maui

Maui Fresh Farmers Market* Hours: Tue, Wed, Thu 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Location: Queen Kaʻahumanu Center 275 W Kaʻahumanu Ave. Website: https://queenkaahu manucenter.com/events/ Swap Meet Hours: Saturdays 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: UH Maui College 310 W Kaʻahumanu Ave. Facebook: Maui Swap Meet Kumu Farms Stand* Hours: Tue-Sat 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Location: Maui Tropical Plantation 1670 Honoapiʻilani Hwy Website: https://kumufarms.com/

EAST MAUI Wednesday Farmers Market

Hāna Cultural Farm Stand* Hours: 5 a.m.-7:30 p.m. daily Location: 4176 Hāna Hwy Phone Number: (808) 268-8984

UPCOUNTRY MAUI

Upcountry Farmers Market* Hours: Saturdays 7 a.m.-11 a.m.

Location: Kulamalu 55 Kiopaʻa St. Website: http://www.upcoun tryfarmersmarket.com/

Twin Falls Farm Stand Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily Location: 6300 Hāna Hwy Website: https://www.twin fallsmaui.net/farm-stand/ Facebook: Twin Falls Farm Stand Maui

NORTH MAUI

Kumu Farms Stand

Wednesday Farmers Market* Hours: Wednesdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Waipuna Chapel 17 ʻŌmaʻopiʻo Road

Saturday Farmers Market* Hours: Sat, 12 p.m.-4 p.m.

Location: Oskie Rice Arena Olinda Road Facebook: Saturday Farmers Market

Kula Country Farms* Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Location: 6240 Kula Hwy Website: https://kulacountry farmsmaui.com/ Facebook: Kula Country Farms Instagram: @kulacountryfarms

Maui Nui Farm Farmers Market* Hours: Thu-Sun 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Location: 151 Pulehunui Road Website: https://www.mau inuifarm.com/ Facebook: Maui Nui Farm

WEST MAUI

Nāpili Farmers Market* Hours: Wed and Sat 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Location: 4900 Honoapiʻilani Hwy Website: https://www.napili farmersmarket.com/ Facebook: Napili Farmers Market Instagram: @napili_farmers_market

La’akea Farm Stand* Hours: Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Location: 639 Baldwin Ave. Website: http://laakeavillage.org Facebook: Laʻakea Village Instagram: @laakeavillage

SOUTH MAUI

Farmers Market Maui* Hours: Mon-Thu 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fridays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Location: 61 S Kihei Road Website: https://www.farmers marketsmaui.com Instagram: @farmersmarketkihei

19

Kawai Kapuni