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| Ka`u's County Council member Brenda Ford is asking for a council resolution to encourage the state legislature to require more complete coffee sourcing labeling. |
COFFEE BLENDERS yesterday called for defeat of Ka`u County Council member Brenda Ford’s efforts to require coffee origin labeling for coffee claiming to be from Ka`u, Kona and other Hawaiian regions. The blenders testified at the County Council’s agriculture committee meeting. According to Ford, the blenders opposed “full disclosure” of the percentage of foreign coffees in their blends. She said she encourages the community and its farmers to watch television coverage of the ag committee meeting on Channel 55 on Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 and 30th at 7 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. to witness the testimony and discussion.
Ford’s resolution before the County Council is directed to the Hawai`i State Legislature “to adopt provisions for truth-in-labeling for Hawai`i-grown coffees.” It refers to the Hawai`i County Council’s 2006 resolution encouraging labeling of coffee sources and the state legislature’s resolution adopted in 2007, which zeroed in on Kona coffee and stated: “Existing labeling requirements for Kona coffee causes consumer fraud; existing labeling requirements for Kona coffee degrades the “Kona coffee” name; and the Confusion as to the difference between Kona coffee and Kona coffee blends caused Consumer Reports magazine to rate Kona coffee as “second rate.”
Ford said the issue also applies to Ka`u Coffee and her proposed council resolution notes that the Hawai`i County Democratic Party Convention adopted a truth-in-labeling resolution this year.
Ford’s resolution states that the “Hawai`i State Legislature has not protected the regional coffees grown in the State of Hawai`i, the only state in the United States capable of growing coffee for commercial purposes.”
It states that “it is essential that the Hawai`I State Legislature act immediately to stop the consumer fraud, deception and confusion that continues due to existing labeling requirements for Hawai`i-grown coffees of any region or district.”
Ford’s resolution before the County Council is directed to the Hawai`i State Legislature “to adopt provisions for truth-in-labeling for Hawai`i-grown coffees.” It refers to the Hawai`i County Council’s 2006 resolution encouraging labeling of coffee sources and the state legislature’s resolution adopted in 2007, which zeroed in on Kona coffee and stated: “Existing labeling requirements for Kona coffee causes consumer fraud; existing labeling requirements for Kona coffee degrades the “Kona coffee” name; and the Confusion as to the difference between Kona coffee and Kona coffee blends caused Consumer Reports magazine to rate Kona coffee as “second rate.”
Ford said the issue also applies to Ka`u Coffee and her proposed council resolution notes that the Hawai`i County Democratic Party Convention adopted a truth-in-labeling resolution this year.
Ford’s resolution states that the “Hawai`i State Legislature has not protected the regional coffees grown in the State of Hawai`i, the only state in the United States capable of growing coffee for commercial purposes.”
It states that “it is essential that the Hawai`I State Legislature act immediately to stop the consumer fraud, deception and confusion that continues due to existing labeling requirements for Hawai`i-grown coffees of any region or district.”
The proposed resolution before the council says, “Immediate legislative action is necessary to protect the reputation of Hawai`i-grown coffees as premier, specialty coffees and from further degradation and asks that the legislature schedule committee hearings, give floor consideration, and adopt into law provisions for truth-in-labeling for Hawai`i grown coffees.” To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Statewide Farmers Union United President Vince Mina and his daughter Kahaulani at Earth Matters farm in Ka Lae. Mina will beat the Sept. 27 Ka`u Farmers Union meeting in Na`alehu. Photo by Julia Neal |
STATEWIDE HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED PRESIDENT Vince Mina will address the Ka`u chapter’s next meeting, on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Na`alehu Community Center at 5 p.m. Organizer Malian Lahey encourages gardeners and farmers to “Bring your home-grown produce for the produce swap table - drop off something and pick up something yummy that your neighbor is growing!”
“Our meetings are always All About the Food! Bring a dish made from local produce for our pot luck dinner.”
Mina will talk about his recent trip to Washington D.C. for the National Farmer's Union Fly-In event.
The new Ka`u chapter also encourages local farmers to register to vote to give agriculture more clout in state and national government. Voter registration forms will be available at the meeting. Registration for the November general election is allowed through Oct. 6. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
RE-GROWING COMMUNITY FOOD SYSTEMS is the theme of the Oct. 3 conference to bring together education, health, and agricultural stakeholders from across the islands to raise awareness and facilitate discussions about increasing the supply, distribution, and procurement of locally grown food for Hawai‘i’s schools. Two scholarships were made available for travel to the event on O`ahu.
“Farm to school is a local, national, and international movement that is simultaneously making positive and significant strides in the areas of agriculture, education, and health,” said Hawai‘i Farm to School and School Garden Hui coordinator Lydi Morgan Bernal. “This conference will promote the knowledge and best practices needed to develop and sustain a statewide farm to school program to re-grow Hawai‘i’s agricultural economy, future farmers, and healthy schools and communities.”
Keynote speaker Kacie O’Brien, farm to school regional lead for the Western Region of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, will provide federal-level guidance and support for strengthening Hawai‘i’s farm to school efforts. Panelists include Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture chair Scott Enright, state procurement administrator Sarah Allen and Hawai‘i Department of Education school food services branch director Glenna Owens. Hale Kealoha ‘Ai Pono will offer attendees a model school lunch featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Keynote speaker Kacie O’Brien, farm to school regional lead for the Western Region of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, will provide federal-level guidance and support for strengthening Hawai‘i’s farm to school efforts. Panelists include Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture chair Scott Enright, state procurement administrator Sarah Allen and Hawai‘i Department of Education school food services branch director Glenna Owens. Hale Kealoha ‘Ai Pono will offer attendees a model school lunch featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Presented by the Hawai‘i Farm to School and School Garden Hui and The Kohala Center, Hawai‘i Farm to School Conference will be held at Kamehameha Schools’ Kapalama Campus in Honolulu from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 3. Registration is $50 per person and includes breakfast and lunch. More information and registration are available online at hif2sc.eventbrite.com or by calling The Kohala Center at 887-6411. Conference sponsors include Kamehameha Schools, Kokua Hawai‘i Foundation, Slow Food of Hawai‘i, the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, and USDA Farm to School Program.
According to a statement from the sponsors, "The local farm to school movement seeks to effect meaningful food systems change in Hawai‘i by connecting island agricultural producers and distributors with public, charter, and independent schools across the state, and by increasing youth and community awareness, interest, and involvement in local agriculture. With well over 100,000 school meals served daily in Hawai‘i and a growing interest in fresh fruit and vegetable snack programs for schools, the potential is great for a significant expansion of Hawai‘i’s agricultural economy. Additionally, studies have shown that farm to school programs increase student knowledge about and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, contribute to improvements in health and social behaviors, and can boost academic achievement."
Farm to school site visits will also be offered statewide throughout October in conjunction with National Farm to School Month.
According to a statement from the sponsors, "The local farm to school movement seeks to effect meaningful food systems change in Hawai‘i by connecting island agricultural producers and distributors with public, charter, and independent schools across the state, and by increasing youth and community awareness, interest, and involvement in local agriculture. With well over 100,000 school meals served daily in Hawai‘i and a growing interest in fresh fruit and vegetable snack programs for schools, the potential is great for a significant expansion of Hawai‘i’s agricultural economy. Additionally, studies have shown that farm to school programs increase student knowledge about and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, contribute to improvements in health and social behaviors, and can boost academic achievement."
Farm to school site visits will also be offered statewide throughout October in conjunction with National Farm to School Month.
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| Hawai`i 24/7 and Big Island Video News recorded the lava flow yesterday with Baron Sekiya cameraman. Photo from Big Island Video News |
THE LAVA FLOW has picked up speed, is about 1.7 miles upslope from Apa`a Road, and has been moving about 890 feet a day in Puna, according to the update this morning from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
The leading edge of the flow is 9.9 miles from its source at Pu`u O`o Crater where it began on June 27. The front is moving through unoccupied thick forest in Kaohe Homesteads. According to USGS, as of this morning the lava had advanced 350 yards since yesterday. Smoke conditions were moderate to heavy over the Kaohe area. USGS predicts that the lava may cut off Hwy 130 and march through or near Pahoa town. The county is improving an alternate unpaved road for residents in the area, using Railroad Avenue and Beach Road.
Should the lava flow over these alternate routes, some Puna residents may have to rely on the possible reconstruction of a road that was earlier covered by lava, connecting Kalapana and the surrounding area from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Should the lava flow over these alternate routes, some Puna residents may have to rely on the possible reconstruction of a road that was earlier covered by lava, connecting Kalapana and the surrounding area from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
VIDEO OF THE LAVA FLOW from Pu`u O`o to the leading edge in Kaohe Homesteads was taken and edited yesterday by Hawai`i 24/7 and Big Island Video News with Paradise Helicopters pilot Calvin Dorn leading the way. See www.bigislandvideonews.com and www.hawaii247.com for the coverage. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
SEPT. 30 IS THE DEADLINE to donate through Foodland to the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund which leads beach cleanups and pond restorations along the Ka`u Coast. The donations opportunity is the Give Aloha Campaign through which Foodland allows contributors to double the impact of their gifts. Foodland matches each donation it receives to specific charities up to $300,000 total. Last year, it raised over $2 million for over 650 island non-profit organizations. Support Hawai`i Wildlife Funds Maui and Hawai'i Island projects by using the separate codes 78764 for this island and 77187 for Maui.
SEPT. 30 IS THE DEADLINE to donate through Foodland to the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund which leads beach cleanups and pond restorations along the Ka`u Coast. The donations opportunity is the Give Aloha Campaign through which Foodland allows contributors to double the impact of their gifts. Foodland matches each donation it receives to specific charities up to $300,000 total. Last year, it raised over $2 million for over 650 island non-profit organizations. Support Hawai`i Wildlife Funds Maui and Hawai'i Island projects by using the separate codes 78764 for this island and 77187 for Maui.
Meagan Lamson of Hawai`I Wildlife Fund reminds prospective donors that donations of up to $249 will be added to receipt at checkout; each donation guarantees that a percentage of Foodland's $300,000 matching gift will go to Hawai'i Wildlife Fund. The more support HWF receives from the community to more matching funds it will receive from Foodland; and HWF will not be informed who donated so please let the organization know if acknowledgement for gift is desired. She also asks to “Please share this with all your friends!”
Give Aloha is Foodland's Annual Community Matching Gifts Program. It was created in 1999 to honor Foodland's founder, Maurice J. "Sully" Sullivan, and continue his legacy of giving back to the community. Each year during the month of September, customers are encouraged to make a donation at checkout to their favorite Hawaii non-profit organization. The nearest Foodland to Ka`u is in Kea`au. Sack n Save Foods in Hilo and Kona are also raising money for the non-profits.
Give Aloha is Foodland's Annual Community Matching Gifts Program. It was created in 1999 to honor Foodland's founder, Maurice J. "Sully" Sullivan, and continue his legacy of giving back to the community. Each year during the month of September, customers are encouraged to make a donation at checkout to their favorite Hawaii non-profit organization. The nearest Foodland to Ka`u is in Kea`au. Sack n Save Foods in Hilo and Kona are also raising money for the non-profits.
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| Along the route of the Ka`u Coffee Trail Run. Photo from O Ka`u Kakou |
KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN has drawn more than 150 entries for its races this Saturday, beginning at Ka`u Coffee Mill at 96-2694 Wood Valley Road. While online registration has stopped, registration will be taken beginning at 6:30 a.m. on site.
Racers who have not received their packets in the mail, can pick them up beginning at 6:30 and until 7:15 a.m. on race day. The half marathon, 10 K and 5 K are part of an `Ohana Day, which also includes games for kids, vendors, food, art and entertainment, as well as legal assistance. Runs are designed for people of all ages and abilities.
Races start at 7:30 a.m. and include running through orchards, coffee fields and the rainforest into the mountainous terrain above the coffee mill with views of the ocean and volcano.
According to sponsoring organization O Ka`u Kakou President Wayne Kawachi, all income from the race will stay in Ka`u and benefit the Ka`u community.
See okaukakou.org for updates and course photos.
KA`U HIGH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM travels to Waiakea High School in Hilo this evening with jayvee game starting at 6 p.m. and varsity to follow. The Trojans will host Honoka`a Daggers in the Ka`u High gym this Friday, also at 6 p.m. Ka`u Trojans next eight-man football game is at Kamehameha Schools on Friday, Sept. 26.
KAI HO`OPI`I SHARES MUSIC this evening at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.
TOMORROW IS THE U.S. AIR FORCE’S 67TH BIRTHDAY. Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park celebrates with casual dinner available to airmen and guests. Open to authorize patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8371 for more information.
Races start at 7:30 a.m. and include running through orchards, coffee fields and the rainforest into the mountainous terrain above the coffee mill with views of the ocean and volcano.
According to sponsoring organization O Ka`u Kakou President Wayne Kawachi, all income from the race will stay in Ka`u and benefit the Ka`u community.
See okaukakou.org for updates and course photos.
KA`U HIGH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM travels to Waiakea High School in Hilo this evening with jayvee game starting at 6 p.m. and varsity to follow. The Trojans will host Honoka`a Daggers in the Ka`u High gym this Friday, also at 6 p.m. Ka`u Trojans next eight-man football game is at Kamehameha Schools on Friday, Sept. 26.
KAI HO`OPI`I SHARES MUSIC this evening at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.
TOMORROW IS THE U.S. AIR FORCE’S 67TH BIRTHDAY. Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park celebrates with casual dinner available to airmen and guests. Open to authorize patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8371 for more information.
KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK asks families to sign up by Friday for its free Ka`u `Ohana Day on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Keiki of all ages are invited to join park rangers and take a closer look at the Kahuku Unit during a day of activities. Connect with the culture, people and `aina (land) through mo`olelo (stories), GPS and compass. Free lunch is provided. Call 985-6019.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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