Eighty-five-year-old Asako Ebata has been farming on Kaua‘i for most of her life. Born on O‘ahu, Ebata raised her four daughters and one son on Kaua‘i with the nourishment her garden has provided for generations. Her daughter says she has
Eighty-five-year-old Asako Ebata has been farming on Kaua‘i for most of her life.
Born on O‘ahu, Ebata raised her four daughters and one son on Kaua‘i with the nourishment her garden has provided for generations.
Her daughter says she has the best grapefruit, string beans, daikon and greens the island-over, and feels lucky to have a mother who continues to grow their food after all these years.
“This is what sustains her,” her daughter said.
“She told me if she couldn’t go out there and touch the earth each day she would wither away.”
Ebata sells ginger and dendrobiums at Koloa sunshine market on Mondays, where she also enjoys socializing with all the other farmers at the weekly gathering.
• Nominate a farmer: If you know a farmer who deserves recognition, e-mail kkeita@kauaipubco.com.
