There is a significant and growing movement on Kaua‘i and globally. It is a movement that is political, social, environmental, and often times even spiritual. It is the movement to reconnect with the ‘aina, that which sustains us, by simply
There is a significant and growing movement on Kaua‘i and globally. It is a movement that is political, social, environmental, and often times even spiritual. It is the movement to reconnect with the ‘aina, that which sustains us, by simply learning to grow our own.
Figuring out how to increase food self-sufficiency at the island-level is critical. It involves supporting our farmers through policies and consumer choices, as well as implementing both traditional and innovative new models that will increase agricultural production on Kaua‘i. But part of food self-sufficiency can start at the home or small community level. There are simple ways to contribute to island-wide food security and sustainability by substituting store-bought with home-grown. A small herb box, a few edible landscaping plants, a row of lettuce bordering your house, an ulu (breadfruit) tree; the possibilities are endless, and the little things really do make a big difference.
More and more people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives are being drawn to the idea of gardening. Some are motivated by their desire to be less dependent on a food system that has gone awry, some do it for health reasons, and others simply do it because it is a lot of fun. Even Michelle Obama recently planted an organic garden at the White House.
Home and community gardening offers one of the ways to most rapidly expand local food production. Gardening is a significant food source in many countries, even in some western industrialized countries. In Russia, over 54 percent of the nation’s food is produced in home gardens, and only 7 percent of the country’s land is devoted to food production — proving the productivity of their system.
On Kaua‘i, the history of home and community food cultivation is rooted in both pre-contact Hawaiian production systems and plantation culture. Beginning with the canoe crops of the first Polynesian settlers, many ethnic groups have brought to Hawai‘i plants of cultural, medicinal, and societal importance. During the plantation era, villages produced a majority of what they consumed, matching their recipes and cooking styles with what could be cultivated and harvested locally.
There are many garden-related projects around the island, including The Kaua‘i Thousand Gardens Challenge, training programs and workshops being offered by Kaua‘i Community College and Malama Kaua‘i, and the growing network of community gardens being supported by the KCC Community Garden’s Project. And it is time to announce another exciting one.
Recently, a four acre parcel in Kilauea, located on Wai Koa Plantation, was leased to Malama Kaua‘i for the purpose of establishing a community garden. Malama Kaua‘i thanks residents Bill and Joan Porter, owners of Wai Koa, for their very generous contributions that are making this project possible.
Plots will be available in Fall of this year for families, individuals, businesses, and schools that have a desire to grow nutritious foods for themselves and others, learn about organic gardening, connect with the ‘aina, and foster community. For people that are inexperienced, and for those that simply want to enhance their skills, workshops and training programs will be available on site. Local experts on composting and soil remediation, vermiculture, site design and permaculture, pest control, and other gardening topics have committed to contributing to the ongoing success of the project by being available to share their mana‘o with both plot managers and the community at large.
A core group of certified permaculturists, long-time Kaua‘i farmers, and garden enthusiasts are in the process of designing the site. It will be a place for the whole ‘ohana, with special areas for the keiki. For all ages, it will be a space for creativity, learning, social bonding, and cultivating a relationship with the ‘aina. All are welcome to participate in the design and development of the site.
A community garden is a long-term investment in community food security. The Kilauea site will have a large food forest with a rich diversity of trees. Eventually, the goal is to cultivate enough abundance to supply fresh produce to the neediest in our community, as well as the local area seniors. The garden will also contribute to food security by preserving and perpetuating plant biodiversity. A wide array of native and introduced species will be cultivated, and the garden will host seed and plant exchanges.
Volunteers and donations of all kinds are needed to make this vision a reality. The most immediate needs are materials for irrigation and fencing, organic soil inputs, the use of machinery for site development, a mower, tools, trees, working hands, and money. This is a true community effort, and it is going to take the generosity of many to create a place of beauty and delicious abundance.
For a detailed list of needed materials and resources visit www.MalamaKauai.org
If interested in obtaining a plot, e-mail Mel at acukauai@gmail.com
More extensive articles on the subject of gardening will be available in this column in the months to follow.
• Andrea Brower is project supervisor for Malama Kaua‘i and can be reached at andrea@malamakauai.org or 635-1659.
