Growing A Climate for Tomorrow 2022 Dennis Fujimoto The Garden Island
“Eat local,” said Laurie Ho, president of the Kaua’i County Farm Bureau. The Spring Equinox arrived this weekend, as well as the start of Agriculture Week that runs through March 26, sponsored by the Agriculture Council of America. Between Ag Week, the National Ag Day falls on March 22. “Try eat local — at least one day, this week,” Ho said. “As Jerry Ornellas, past Kaua’i Farm Bureau president, and Farmer Jerry, would always challenge us to do, pick up the torch and campaign to support ‘local’ food sources.” Ag Week, and Ag Day is about recognizing — and celebrating — the contribution of agriculture in everyday life. “Our ties to this land runs deep,” Ho said. “We are all reliant on ‘agriculture.’” In Hawai‘i, agriculture was the co-pilot of the first peoples who arrived in the islands with their canoe plants and animals as food and other uses in the foreign land. “They fed a lot of people,” Ho said. When sugar and pineapple was introduced as a money crop, the
first peoples brought to Hawai‘i was to labort on the plantations. This led to many of today’s leaders and organizations tracing their roots to those first families, and overcoming the obstacles that grew the current economy. Kaua‘i’s many businesses and organizations that are agriculturebased or related, celebrate the this year’s theme of “Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.” The Kukui Grove Center, collaborating with the Kaua’i County Farm Bureau and other organizations plan a bountiful week highlighted by the March 26 gathering where the Pacific Fleet Band will provide music for the canopy of activities throughout the shopping center. “We celebrate 2022 National Agriculture Week as we welcome in Spring,” said Melissa McFerrin-Warrack, the Kukui Grove special events coordinator. Some of the participating vendors participating in the agriculturethemed Spring event include Heavenly Haku with Elvrine Zeevat Chow and her floral creations, the Kaua‘i Family and Community
Education group who will have “mini flower arrangements with a few herbs for an “agricultural” event, and handmade scrubbier for Spring cleaning. “Consistent with the climate change theme of the event, we will have a station doing temporary tattoos to inform about the impacts of climate change on honu, or green sea turtles, and kohola, or humpback whales,” said Jean Souza, the on-site manager for Kaua’i Ocean Discovery. “It’s free. And, March 26 is also Ocean Count Day, the final one for this year.” The Agriculture Council of America says agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use, and wear on a daily basis, button few people truly understand this contribution. “Think about the connection between the farmer, the rancher, the fisher, and us,” Ho said. “This is something to think about this week, and all year-long. Make your dollars count. Support your local farmers and agricultural producers. Like the bumper stickers say, ‘Hug a farmer, today!”
We thank the people of Kaua‘i for their continued support all these years!
M. Kawamura Farm: Over 50 years in business and 3 generations strong! M. Kawamura Farm Enterprises, Inc. is a family-owned business that supplies and retails farm, nursery and garden equipment. One of the secrets to our success is being an active player within the community. Edward Kawamura, Sr. contributes his time and support to community events, such as Veterans Affairs, Farm Fair and the 4-H Youth Development Organization.
M. KAWAMURA FARM ENTERPRISES, INC
KFE
2824 WEHE ROAD, LIHUE, HAWAII 96766 (808) 245-3524 www.kawamurafarm.com
Luis & Eddie Construction Building Custom Homes Building quality homes for over 40 years and 25 years as the exclusive dealer for Talius Rollshutters & Habitat Screens
Soltren and Talius, two names you can trust. Quality you can expect. We don’t just build great homes, we know how to protect them with Talius hurricane shutters
Luis at 808-639-4836 or Luis Jr 808-634-2799 who will soon be taking over the family business. www.soltrenconstruction.com
Kauai County Farm Bureau Supports Agriculture
Kauai Farm Bureau from Farmers’ Markets to Growing a Climate for Tomorrow
Buy local & support Kauai’s Farmers! www.kauaicountyfarmbureau.org