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November 2014
Little Fire Ant Awareness Meeting – Honoka‘a
November 15, 2014—The Little Fire Ant, an invasive species that threatens agriculture, homes, and native ecosystems, has recently been found in Honoka‘a. The venom dispensed by these aggressive ants can cause blindness in household pets and livestock, and can inflict painful, long-lasting stings on humans. Major infestations have been known to ruin homes and farms. We all have a vested interest in curtailing their further encroachment to other regions of the island and the state. Heather Forester, a Hawai‘i Ant Lab invasive ant support technician, will present an informational session covering biology and methods for control. For more information, email honokaaseedexchange@gmail.com.
Find out more »The Pumpkin Primer: Key Ways to Grow Edible Heirloom Squash
November 22, 2014—Facilitated by Anna Peach. Open to all K-12 teachers. This workshop will offer tips for successful squash growing in a school garden. Additional topics to be covered will include nutrient recycling, soil building practices of creating fish emulsion and bokashi, natural pest control, seed selection, melon fly traps, water conservation, variety selection, companion planting and pollinators. Anna has created an interesting squash growing strategy that creates a perennial plant from an annual by using pruning and mulching technique.
View or download the Teachers Teaching Teachers Workshops poster (PDF).
For more information and to register, contact Donna Mitts at dmitts@kohalacenter.org or 808-936-2117.
Find out more »December 2014
KWP Volunteer Day: Setting Them Free!
December 6, 2014—Join us in planting native trees on Kohala Mountain. Recent wet weather is perfect for our babies as we pack native soil around their roots and send them on their way to grow into a forest. Saturday will be a great day to come out and work with your family, neighbors, and friends. Lots of baby trees to “set free,” including koai‘a, mamane, ‘a‘ali‘i and hō‘awa.
Find out more »Citizen Science Training Day
December 13, 2014—Citizen Science is a volunteer program to monitor and track environmental conditions at Kahalu‘u Bay. Volunteers collect weekly samples to help the center track the health of the bay, understand how events such as algae blooms impact water quality and the bay’s overall health, and act to correct any problems before they impact Kahalu‘u’s vibrant and colorful marine life. Anyone interested in becoming a part of Citizen Science is invited to attend the next volunteer training day, which will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, at Kahalu‘u Beach Park, next to the KBEC van. To learn more or sign up for the training, contact Rachel Silverman at rsilverman@kohalacenter.org or call (808) 887-6411.
Find out more »Turtle Talk
December 16, 2014—Join us at the small pavilion at Kahalu‘u Bay for an informational talk story about honu (turtles)! Learn all about: What types of turtles are in Hawai‘i Why they are important to our ecosystem What threats they face How you can help A $10 donation is requested. You’ll receive a FREE turtle card! Call 808-887-6411 or email kahaluubay@kohalacenter.org for more information.
Find out more »KWP Volunteer Day: Koai‘a Tree Sanctuary
December 20, 2014—Speaking for the KWP crew and volunteer team, sometimes we’re a bit confused about the difference between “work” and “play.” When it comes to certain kinds of “work” like hiking through the forest, planting native trees, controlling invasive species, and building things with rocks, we just seem to have a whole lot of fun!
This Saturday, we’re going to offer a job for everyone, as we go to work in the Koai‘a Tree Sanctuary: planting, controlling weeds, and stabilizing the nature trail. Here’s the menu of work options:
- Nurturing - time to plant some baby mamane trees
- Destruction - vent any pent-up energy by attacking fountain grass
- Construction- trails along the stream need some banking & stabilization
- Creativity - design and construct stone steps on stream crossings
- Bring along your ‘ohana, visitors, neighbors, and friends for this fun day in the native koai‘a forest of Kohala!
Meet at The Kohala Center office at 8:30 am. Wear boots or sturdy shoes and long pants, and bring along a sack lunch & water bottle. Be prepared for sun, wind, and rain. We will provide plants, tools, gloves, and snacks. Don't forget your Santa hat for the final group photo!! We will return to Waimea by 3:30.
Click here to RSVP by Thursday, December 18.
Find out more »January 2015
Listening Sessions for Hawai‘i Island Broadband Project
January 5–8, 2015—The Kohala Center, in conjunction with Kealapono, LLC, is holding listening sessions in the Hamakua district between January 5 and 8 to explore the need for Internet services at broadband speeds in the area.
Find out more »Turtle Talk
January 8, 2015—Join us at the small pavilion at Kahalu‘u Bay for an informational talk story about honu (turtles)! Learn all about:
- What types of turtles are in Hawai‘i
- Why they are important to our ecosystem
- What threats they face
- How you can help
A $10 donation is requested. You’ll receive a FREE turtle card!
Call 808-887-6411 or email kahaluubay@kohalacenter.org for more information.
Find out more »Farm to School Plus Working Group: Legislative Breakfast
January 9, 2015—The goal of this meeting is to increase awareness, understanding, and support for farm to school and school garden-related legislative initiatives for the 2015 session, including efforts to:
- Establish a Farm to School Program and coordinator position in the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture
- Designate October as Farm to School Month in Hawai‘i
- Provide increased funding for locally sourced school lunches
- Provide support for school gardens within the Hawai‘i Department of Education
- Amend the state procurement code in support of local food purchasing
- Support local farmers and increase Hawai‘i’s food security and food self-sufficiency
The Kohala Center requests proposals for architectural and engineering services
The Kohala Center, Inc. (“The Center”) is soliciting proposals from qualified architectural/consulting firms to provide design, project site inspection, and construction engineering services for the renovation of an existing business accelerator facility in Kamuela, Hawaii. The Kohala Center, Inc. (“The Center”), an independent, not-for-profit center for research, conservation, and education, will renovate an existing two-story business accelerator facility to better serve its agricultural and value-added food producer clients. The accelerator facility is located in a rural, forested, ranch setting on…
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