The Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers names the recipients of its annual appreciation awards at the 29th annual Hawaii International Tropical Fruit Conference at the Royal Kona Resort. The conference kicked off Friday in Kailua-Kona and continues through Oct. 5 with mini-conferences in Hilo and Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Maui.
The annual awards honor individuals who advance — through research, education and practice — the use of tropical fruits to support a sustainable, local food industry. This year’s five recipients are Lance Kimura of Oahu, Jack Gushiken of Kauai, and Chef George Gomes, Brian Lievens and Dr. Peter Follett of Hawaii Island.
Earning an HTFG Service Award, Kimura is acknowledged for his “tireless efforts” in developing the HTFG Oahu Chapter, of which he is a member, while working to make the fruit repository in Haleiwa a reality. “Lance has grown seeds he obtained from around the world to share with HTFG members,” notes Ken Love, HTFG executive director.
Lauded with the William K. Trask Chefs Award, Gomes is recognized for “going above and beyond” in utilizing locally grown fruit in his creative cuisine—both on the job and at American Culinary Federation events. Gomes, who has acquainted restaurant patrons across the state with the attributes of local fruit, is executive chef at the Royal Kona Resort. The award is named after the late Chef Trask, a Maui native, who advocated for the use of locally grown food in Hawaii cuisine.
Also earning an HTFG Service Award is Norio “Jack” Gushiken for his effort in assisting the Kauai agriculture community that includes six decades of agricultural management. Gushiken is also credited with developing a Gushiken Sweet Guava, a variety distinguished by its high nutrient value.
The Lesley Hill Service Award is awarded to Brian Lievens, president of the West Hawaii Chapter of the HTFG and owner of Avant Gardens. “Brian has assisted with HTFG projects on both side of the Big Isle and much or our success is due to his efforts,” explained Love. The award is named after the late Lesley Hill, an HTFG founder, who farmed hearts of palm and a cornucopia of fruit in Hilo.
Taking home the Roger Vargas Research Award is Dr. Peter Follett, entomologist with the USDA Agricultural Service in Hilo. The award remembers the late renowned expert in the biological control of fruit flies who was a research entomologist at the Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center.
“Dr. Follett has always been there for HTFG with the latest information on what we cannot ship out of state,” said Love. “His quarantine updates are extremely useful to many growers and his current research will help insure a promising future for growers statewide.”
Geared to farmers, educators, orchard managers and proponents of sustainable agriculture, the multi-day conference is presented by the statewide Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers and open to the public.
The 2019 conference is titled “Growing &Marketing Exotic Brazilian Fruit in Hawaii” and offers a lineup of visiting researchers and agro experts sharing information and breakout sessions on a variety of topics. One-day mini conferences, also with speakers, start Monday in Hilo and continue consecutively on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Maui. Award recipients Kimura and Gushiken will receive their awards at gatherings on their home islands.
