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Food Industry Fundamentals Workshops (Kailua-Kona)

King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel Kailua-Kona, HI, United States

October 17, 2014–Get the edge on the local food marketplace! Join us for two in-depth workshops in Kona:

Workshop #1: Food Product Development and Technology Essentials
This course will move from “farm to fork” to explore the many product development technologies that can be utilized for optimal quality and enhanced food safety. These include good agricultural practices (GAPs), cold chain management, product formulation options, thermal and non-thermal processing technologies, extended shelf-life packaging considerations, and best practices in distribution. Innovative technologies such as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), sous vide, cook chill, and high pressure processing will be discussed as well. You’ll learn current best practices in product development, and how to optimize product quality.

Workshop #2: Quality Assurance and Food Safety Principles
Farmers, processors, retailers and food service operators must have an understanding of the principles of food safety in order to minimize risk to the public. In this course, you’ll learn how to create a holistic food safety and quality system—including management commitment, facility infrastructure requirements, sanitation, pest control, personnel practices, training, microbiological testing, traceability and crisis management, food security, and HACCP. An overview of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and third-party food safety and quality certification programs will be provided."

Register online at http://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/ocet or click here to view the event flyer for more detail.

$39

Squash-Growing Class:
Using heirloom squash to outsmart melon fly and pickle worm (Nā‘ālehu)

Nā‘ālehu Public Library 95-5669 Mamalahoa Hwy, Naalehu, HI, United States

October 21, 2014—Waimea farmer Anna Peach of Squash and Awe farm will be presenting a talk about her sustainable farming methods. A seventh-generation farmer, Anna decided to look to history for a solution to Hawai‘i’s commercial crop failure. She will be sharing information about no-till farming, interplanting with native plants, seed saving, and making natural fertilizers from restaurant scrap. This event is free and open to the public. See her farm at http://www.squashandawe.com.

Free

Squash-Growing Class:
Using heirloom squash to outsmart melon fly and pickle worm (Pāhala)

Pāhala Public Library 96-3150 Pikake St, Pahala, HI, United States

October 22, 2014—Kamuela Farmer Anna Peach of Squash and Awe farm will be presenting a talk about her sustainable farming methods. A seventh generation farmer, Anna decided to look to history for a solution to Hawai‘i’s commercial crop failure. She will be sharing information about no-till farming, inter planting with native plants, seed saving, and making natural fertilizers from restaurant scrap. This event is free and open to the public. See her farm at http://www.squashandawe.com.

Free

Wet Forest Work Day: Controlling invasive ginger on Kohala

The Kohala Center 65-1291A Kawaihae Rd, Kamuela, HI, United States

November 8, 2014—There is nothing like the sound of the sickle slicing through a ginger stem, and that funny squeak of the sprayer as you squirt the blue stuff, stem by stem, knowing that you are liberating native plants to live free of a noxious forest invader. Some of you ginger ninjas out there are nodding your head, smiling, knowing just what I mean! For those of you who are ginger control neophytes, this coming Saturday may be your day to join the ranks of the forest protection posse, and find out why we love to spend time in this gorgeous forest controlling an invasive plant!

Free

‘Ai Pono Workshop #2: “Hawaiian Cordage and Fiber”

Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden 82-6160 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook, HI, United States

November 8, 2014—Facilitated by Gary Eoff. Open to all K-12 teachers. Gary Eoff will share his knowledge of local plants and traditional methods of preparation and weaving. We will also be harvesting and prepping cordage material. Student and teacher cordage will be included in the makana (offerings) that the Hōkūle‘a gives at her ports of call. Eoff is an artist and craftsman with a strong passion for communicating cultural knowledge with teachers and students.

Free

First Annual SUPER Seedy Saturday

Univeristy of Hawai‘i at Hilo, UCB 100 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI, United States

November 8, 2014—Join us for an informative afternoon of “seedy” activities! Bring seeds to share for a local seed exchange and enjoy a special “early release” viewing of the feature film Open Sesame — The Story Of Seeds by Sean Kaminsky. We will also have a panel discussion offering growing tips, updates on the status of seed work by the Hawai‘i Public Seed Initiative, and a question and answer session.

Schedule:

1:00 p.m.—Check-in for Seed Exchange
PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY plants, keiki, or materials with soil! Please bring SEED ONLY so we do not spread Little Fire Ant. Please do not bring/share papaya seeds (unless tested and verified as GMO-free) and brassica seeds (to reduce spread of blackrot).

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.—Opening Pule and Seed Exchange

3:30 - 5:30 p.m.—Screening of Open Sesame — The Story Of Seeds followed by Panel Discussion

For more information please contact seedproject@kohalacenter.org or call 808-887-6411.

Free

Pilina II: Hawai‘i Island Conservation Forum

Kahilu Theatre 67-1186 Lindsey Rd, Kamuela, HI, United States

November 13, 2014—Last year, 200 community members gathered in Waimea at the first Hawai‘i Island Conservation Forum to learn about the good things happening here to connect people to the land, the water, and to mālama our island home.

We want to continue the conversations we started last year, and bring the discussion into the realm of politics and government to answer some questions that we’ve heard so many times: What are the roles of county, state, and federal governments in protecting and regulating our natural resources? Who writes the bills that become laws? How can unfavorable laws and policies be changed? What are the issues we care about most? And how can we involve government in these issues effectively?

We are bringing together environmental and community leaders to inspire us with their stories of political successes in protecting our coastline from development and enacting fishing laws that work for local communities. We’ll also hear from people representing different levels of government who will help us understand how we can get involved in the policymaking process.

Much of the day, however, will be spent on discussions focused on topics of concern, identifying key laws and policies that need work, and forging alliances to advance the changes we seek. We will be sending out a survey to gather pre-Pilina ideas to help us organize discussion groups.

What do you need to do now?

1. Save Thursday, November 13th on your calendar, and spread the word to your colleagues and ʻohana. If you want to stay connected to this island-wide movement, you will need to add your name via this link for new subscribers to sign up for the Pilina email list: http://eepurl.com/Fe8zT
2. Think deeply about the environmental issues in our community that you care most about, and if you choose to add your name to the Pilina email list, then answer the survey when you get the link in the next couple weeks.
3. Look for the registration email coming to those on the Pilina list soon, and reserve your spot!

Ideas? Questions? Concerns? Want to get involved?
Email Melora at coordinator@kohalawatershed.org

$10

Little Fire Ant Awareness Meeting – Honoka‘a

North Hawai‘i Education & Research Center 45-539 Plumeria St, Honoka‘a, HI, United States

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.

Free

The Pumpkin Primer: Key Ways to Grow Edible Heirloom Squash

Hōnaunau Elementary School 83-5360 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook, HI, United States

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.

Free