WAIPOULI — The Kauai High School Future Farmers of America chapter shined at the Hawaii State FFA Convention that wrapped up Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott at Coconut Beach. “We got a first place in Vegetable Grading,” said Craig
WAIPOULI — The Kauai High School Future Farmers of America chapter shined at the Hawaii State FFA Convention that wrapped up Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott at Coconut Beach.
“We got a first place in Vegetable Grading,” said Craig Duff, adviser for the Kauai High School chapter. “That means we successfully defended our title because we got first place at last year’s convention.”
Duff said the Kauai High School group also earned second place in Plant ID, a category that was taken by the Mililani High School chapter with one tester getting a near-perfect score.
The Red Raider FFA also finished with a third in Corsage Making, where teams develop the ability of all its members to create a singe- and two-flower corsage using proper floriculture practices and using various flowers.
This was the first year following a long period of absence that the FFA state convention was held on Kauai because the island has just one chapter.
“Having the state convention on other islands besides Oahu helps generate interest and excitement about the FFA,” said Brian Yamamoto, a Kauai Community College instructor who was on hand to help with opening buildings and classrooms where the judging took place Thursday afternoon.
Leila Kuboyama of the state’s Department of Education said there is already excitement from Waimea and Kapaa high schools whose principals, Mahina Anguay from Waimea, and Daniel Hamada from Kapaa, were among the panel of judges.
Both Waimea and Kapaa high schools plan on having FFA chapters in time for next year’s state convention.
More than 160 FFA members from 13 chapters across the state descended on the Courtyard by Marriott and the Kauai Community College for the convention, which opened Wednesday.
“This convention experience is really educational and uplifting,” said Tiara Martinez, a delegate from McKinley High School. “This is my second year going to the state convention. I was put into the agriculture class, and because of my hard work in the fields, I was asked to attend the convention.”
Overall, there are 547 students enrolled in FFA programs throughout the state in 13 chapters, said Jackie Tichepco, adviser for Leilehua High School FFA.
“Kaitlyn Frey was one of my students,” said Keith Ideoka, adviser for the Lahainaluna chapter. “She liked the class. After graduating, she moved to Kauai because she has family here. She liked the program so much, she just couldn’t stay away and came to help.”
Judging Results
Agricultural Demonstration: Mililani, Honoka‘a, Leilehua
Chapter Records: Kea‘au, Leilehua, Honoka‘a
Corsage Making: Kea‘au, Mililani, Kauai
Creed Recitation Pahoa, Pahoa, Mililani
Job Interview: Mililani, Honoka‘a, Leilehua
Plant Identification: Mililani, Kauai, Leilehua
Prepared Public Speaking Kea‘au, Kalani, McKinley
Vegetable Grading: Kauai, Castle, Kea‘au
Extemporaneous Public Speaking: McKinley, Pahoa, Waipahu
Parlimentary Procedure: Pahoa, Leilehua, Kalani
Educational Exhibit: Castle, Kea‘au, Waipahu
Commodity Display: Lahainaluna, Leilehua, McKinley
FFA Quiz: McKinley
FFA Essay: McKinley
