Food Sustainability in Hawai`i

Food Sustainability in Hawaii BY: Kehau Pelekai

Support Local Sustainability in Hawaii: The Office of Planning Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism’s Increased Food Security and Food Self-Sufficiency Strategy states that “about 85-90 percent of Hawai’i’s food is imported, which makes it particularly vulnerable to natural disasters and global event that might disrupt shipping and the food supply.” Before western contacts Hawaii thrived in food production by fish farming, lo'i patches, and fruit/vegetable crop cultivation. Current health problems are due to the expansion, over population and development of colonialism. Most diets consist of canned and processed food (oppression) which leads Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians alike to obesity and other health issues. “Hawai’i’ s agriculture seems to be experiencing a renaissance recently, with more public attention towards supporting local farmers- Dela Cruz-Talbert” (Yamashiro, Goodyear-Ka’opua, 2014) “See I am a farmer, holding strength and determination in my left hand, a pick and a pen in my right; while love, respect and the willingness to work reside in my heart.-Uilani Arasato” From as small as our own aquaponics system to a large restoration of a fishpond, we all have our Kuleana (responsibility) to provide for our future!!

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History- The self sufficient Hawaiian Nation “The ancient ahupuaà, the basic self-sustaining unit, extended elements of Hawaiian spirituality into the natural landscape. Amidst a belief system that emphasized the interrelationship of elements and beings, the ahupuaà contained those interrelationships in the activities of daily and seasonal life.” (Hawaiihistory.org) “Shaped by island geography, each ahupuaà was a wedge-shaped area of land running from the uplands to the sea, following the natural boundaries of the watershed. Each ahupuaà contained the resources the human community needed, from fish and salt, to fertile land for farming taro or sweet potato, to koa and other trees growing in upslope areas. Villagers from the coast traded fish for other foods or for wood to build canoes and houses. Specialized knowledge and resources peculiar to a small area were also shared among ahupuaà.” (Hawaiihistory.org)

Ahupua‘a Systems

The Mapping of 8 Locations that still provide abundant food for our communities

Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Country Waimanalo This aquaponics project will enhance local food production; strengthen families and community while significantly improving the nutritional status of participating family members. Opportunities also exist to sell food in excess of the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs at farmers markets, at a local cooperative market, or to other food vendors on the island to enhance family and community economic development.

Paepae O‘ He‘eia

-Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. -88 Acres of fishpond

Waiahole Poi Factory

"You grow to eat first. You get surplus... you sell that." says Paul, with 7 acres, 9 major crops, 70 different types of edible foods. Suited for wet land taro with 3 of 7 acres designated to dry land crops the Reppuns also grow trees for lumber used to make furniture, outrigger canoes, and "Mix it all up. That's one of the tenets of farming". (StarAdvertiser)

Fumiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kahuku Shrimp

The thought of eating fresh grown produce needs to be utilized, if possible, around the island (Kahukufarms.com)

Pearl City Watercress Farm

Kahuku Farms

Great Educational tours for the children to learn more about sustainable living. Owners Mel Matsuda, Clyde Fukuyama

Kako’o ‘Oiwi

Maâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;o Organic Farm

References: HawaiiHistory.org - Hawaii History - Home. (2016). Retrieved April 28, 2016, from http://www.hawaiihistory.org Ahupuaa picture-https://s.yimg.com/fz/api/res/1.2/RCBmsEAL2bPgn386l7MupQ-- /YXBwaWQ9c3JjaGRk O2g9Mjg0O3E9OTU7dz00MDk-/http://luckywelive808.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ahupuaa.jpg North Shore Oahu - Farm Tours | Kahuku Farms. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2016, from http://www.kahukufarms.com/ Aloha mai e nā hoamakamaka o Hoi. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2016, from http://kakoooiwi.org Goodyear-Ka‘opua, N.., & Yamashiro, A. (2014). The Value of Hawai‘i 2: Ancestral Roots, Ocean Visions. University of Hawaii Press. Waimānalo Ahupua'a Coalition. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2016, from https://eaiponokakou.org http://www.hawaiiseed.org/local-issues/sustainable-agriculture/ http://hawaiiansustainability.org/

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Food Sustainability in Hawai`i

Published on May 9, 2016

POPtours

The Office of Planning Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism’s Increased Food Security and Food Self-Sufficiency Strategy states that “about 85-90 percent of Hawai’i’s food is imported, which makes it particularly vulnerable to natural disasters and global event that might disrupt shipping and the food supply.” Before western contacts Hawaii thrived in food production by fish farming, lo'i patches, and fruit/vegetable crop cultivation. Current health problems are due to the expansion, over population and development of colonialism. Most diets consist of canned and processed food (oppression) which leads Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians alike to obesity and other health issues. “Hawai’i’ s agriculture seems to be experiencing a renaissance recently, with more public attention towards supporting local farmers- Dela Cruz-Talbert” (Yamashiro, Goodyear-Ka’opua, 2014) “See I am a farmer, holding strength and determination in my left hand, a pick and a pen in my right; while love