July 20, 2015 (West Hawaii Today)—It’s no surprise that participation in the federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program increased after the recession began in 2008. But at the same time, more people have also chosen to use their food stamp benefits outside of the grocery store. » Read more
July 15, 2015 (Maui Now)—The Kohala Center FoodCorps Hawai‘i received a $25,000 Walmart grant to address childhood obesity and food insecurity. Walmart is offering additional grants to nonprofits; the application deadline is Friday, July 17. » Read more
July 13, 2015 (West Hawaii Today)—Saving seeds from this season’s crops for future planting is an age-old practice that is having a revival. Farmers and gardeners once relied on the sustainable practice of saving seeds from their favorite plants, sharing or trading them with other growers and planting the saved seeds later. It meant that […]
July 13, 2015 (Hawaii Tribune Herald)—Big Island schools are one step closer to getting homegrown meals in their cafeterias. SB 376, a bill creating a statewide farm to school program, was signed into law this week by Gov. David Ige after unanimously passing both legislative chambers in May. The bill also funds a one-year program […]
June 24, 2015 (Big Island Now)—The Kohala Center’s Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center has a new “home-on-wheels” at Kahalu‘u Beach Park, replacing the previous van that was in service since 2011. More than 12,000 patrons each year used the original vehicle as an education center and snorkel rental concession. » Read more
KAMUELA, Hawai‘i—June 23, 2015—Something big, bold, and beautiful has come ashore and established a commanding presence at Kahalu‘u Beach Park. It’s the new home-on-wheels home for The Kohala Center’s Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center (KBEC), thanks to the support and fundraising efforts of hundreds of donors, businesses, volunteers, and community partners. » Read more
June 19, 2015 (Hawaii Tribune Herald)—There’s a new online tool to help Hawai‘i gardeners and small-scale farmers pinpoint the crop varieties most likely to succeed in their geographic areas. The Kohala Center’s Hawai‘i Public Seed Initiative has launched the Seed Variety Selection Tool for the Hawaiian Islands at HawaiiSeedInitiative.org/svst. » Read more
KAMUELA, Hawai‘i—June 16, 2015—The Kohala Center recently launched an online tool to help Hawai‘i gardeners and small-scale farmers select crop varieties most likely to succeed in their specific geographic areas. The new tool, developed through The Center’s Hawai‘i Public Seed Initiative, also offers a detailed representation of local plant hardiness zones based on Hawai‘i’s diverse […]
KAMUELA, Hawai‘i—June 15, 2015—Join Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center turtle biologist Rachel Silverman to “talk story” about honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) on Saturday, June 20. Learn about the types of turtles found in Hawai‘i, why they are important to Hawai‘i’s ecosystems, what threats they face, and how you can help to protect them. » Read […]
June 12, 2015 (Hawai‘i Public Radio)—The Hawaiʻi Public Seed Initiative aims to improve, increase, and promote biodiversity of crops across the state. By working with local communities, farmers, and gardeners, the Initiative aims to grow, harvest, store, and improve the very best seeds that thrive in Hawaiʻi. » Read more/listen