May 16, 2006
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Witherspoon
or Jocelyn Collado
Becker Communications
(808) 533-4165
AMY GREENWELL ETHNOBOTANICAL GARDEN PROMOTES
GROWING LOCALLY, EATING LOCALLY ~ A REAL FOOD REVIVAL
**4th Annual Seed Exchange And Workshop On June 17**
CAPTAIN COOK, Hawai‘i – Bishop Museum’s Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden hosts the 4th Annual Hawai’i Island Seed Exchange on Saturday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Local farmers and community green thumbs are asked to bring saved seeds, cuttings, hulis, keikis, or root of food crops that grow well in our tropical climate to exchange with one another at the event. The event is free and open to the public.
“The event is an opportunity for Hawai’i’s farmers and backyard gardeners to share the successes of their home gardens and orchards with each another, expand their knowledge of growing locally, and create greater diversity in their gardens and farms,” according to festival coordinator, Nancy Redfeather. “If you are new to the community and/or just getting started, come and return home with abundant gifts of the land.”
Workshops include hands-on demonstrations on: increasing soil fertility through composting and sheet mulching; growing, selecting, cleaning, and saving various seeds (vegetable, fruit, native and medicinal); and planting a “Hawaiian kitchen garden” with Hawaiian food crops.
While the emphasis will be on trading seeds and cuttings, several experts will also be on hand to share their experience as seed savers and gardeners. Alvin Yoshinaga, seed ecologist from the University of Hawai’i – Mānoa, will discuss his home seed saving systems and provide helpful advice and resources. Jerry Konanui will speak about the importance and technique for growing and saving taro and ‘awa varieties. Dr. Scott Nelson from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawai’i will be on hand to discuss disease and pest problems.
Event-goers are encouraged to bring a small amount of soil from their garden for the opening ceremony with Kumu Keala Ching and Na Wai Iwi Ola, which will honor wai ola, water, and its role in agriculture and the life of the land.
“We take this opportunity every year to come together as ‘the greater agricultural community’ and create a time to honor the sources of all life, the ‘āina, the earth, air, fire, and water, the seed, and Ke Akua,” said Redfeather.
Seeds and cuttings brought for exchange should be packaged and labeled. For more information, please contact (808) 322-2801.
This project is funded under the Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program (NHCAP) and the Education through Cultural & Historical Organizations (ECHO), an initiative of the Office of Innovation and Improvement of the U.S. Department of Education.
The Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden is a Bishop Museum facility, located in South Kona on the Mamalahoa Highway. During the year, more than 9,000 visitors experience the Garden and explore the plants of traditional Kona. The Garden is a regular stop for school tours, and people of all ages enjoy workshops on traditional Hawaiian arts. Admission is a suggested donation of $4 per person and free for Bishop Museum members. For more information, call (808) 323-3318.
