Aloha ‘Āina: Thoughts on the 2022 Convention
Aloha ʻāina! The recently concluded Hawaii Farmers Union United convention was, for those of us fortunate enough to attend, pāhoehoe. That is to say, it was a powerful, Aina-driven eruption and also an ultimately smooth flow of energy. Bobby Paia, our generous host, master kalo grower and steward of 850+ agricultural acres in central Maui, embodied…
Possibilities Rather than Claiming Perfection
Wandering through the fenced off garden beds made of upcycled materials and underneath a couple shade and greenhouse structures, there were beds of kalo, luffas, poha berries, squash, herbs and tomatoes. Several members of the East Hawai’i Chapter gathered to tour the regenerative farm and animal sanctuary of Seeger Institute at Eden Farms Hawai‘i (Seegerinstitute.com) on Saturday…
A Passion for Conservation
The heat of the afternoon sun takes a heavy toll when you are out in the field working your kalo.However, it is time well spent knowing you are providing fresh local food for your communityand caring for the land, ecosystems, and the future. Partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), farmers, ranchers, andprivate forest…
DOA Urged to Prevent Misleading Coffee Labeling
A coalition of 30 local, state, and national organizations, officials, and experts concerned with the misleading labeling of Hawaii produced coffee blends called upon the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to discuss the conduct of a new study on the matter by commencing a public meeting. The study, mandated by law, will include proposals for new…
Technology is Changing Agriculture, But is It For the Better?
Written by Carrie Spencer of thespencersadventures.net Agriculture has grown in leaps and bounds in the last century or so, owing to fast-moving technology. But of course, whether or not this growth is for the general good of the population and the environment is also a legitimate question. Hawai’i Farmers Union United takes a closer look…
Legislative Season Update 2022
Aloha Hawai’i Farmers Union United (HFUU) members, It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I present you with this update for the 2022 legislative session. Based on policy priorities voted in by HFUU’s family farmers for strengthening the local food system, promoting soil health and building a stronger agricultural workforce, the Hawaii Legislature passed…
Speaker Series #37 | When Coconuts Grow, Humanity Flourishes w/ Indrajit Gunasekara & Manu Aluli Meyer
Speaker Series #37 | Kupu Ka Niu Kupu Ke Kanaka – When Coconuts Grow, Humanity Flourishes with Indrajit Gunasekara and Manu Aluli Meyer. **Special guest Keith Weiser will speak on the current status and future direction of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle control in Hawai’i. Indrajit Gunasekara is native to Southern Sri Lanka and has been in…
Study: Regenerative farming boosts soil health, yielding more nutritious crops
by Liz Kimbrough, originally printed in Mongabay, News & Inspiration from Nature’s Frontline Researchers compared the nutritional content of the food crops grown using conventional versus regenerative farming practices — those that build the soil by using cover crops, a diverse rotation of crops and minimal tilling Food grown on the regenerative farms contained, on…
WHAT IS REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE ?
Written by HFUU Member Hank Kline Regenerative agriculture is an advanced method of agriculture that follows the example of nature to grow healthy nutrient dense crops profitably without chemical fertilizers or poisons. It increases plant health and nutrient density, which increases the health of the people that eat these plants. It is also a major…
Music & Speaker #36 | How Did I Get Here? Wahine Farmers of East Maui – Music by Fawn Helekahi
Four incredible wahine farmers discuss their journeys with farming in the remote town of Hana, Maui, hosted by HFUU Hana Chapter and Kari Hagedorn of Mahele Farm & Hana Farmers Market! Gina Lind – and her husband Greg believe that their farm and fishing operation allows them an opportunity to teach their children hard work…