KAILUA-KONA — The Sanctuary of Mana Ke’a Gardens, a nonprofit organization, held its second annual Going Nuts Festival at the Edible World Institute on Sunday. This year’s festival also doubled as a benefit concert to help raise money for Standing Rock protectors.
“A lot of people on the island are very sensitive to the cause because they are also native,” said Randyl Rupar, the founder and president of The Sanctuary of Mana Ke’a Gardens. “We are here because we care and doing this gives me a sense that I can actually do something and make a difference.”
Earlier in the day, those standing with the tribal members of the Standing Rock Sioux against the Dakota Access pipeline were able to celebrate when word got out that President Barack Obama’s administration would halt construction.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied the easement for the pipeline to cross Lake Oahe, a Corps reservoir on the Missouri River in North Dakota. Lake Oahe is the only contested portion of the 1,172-mile pipeline, which is nearly complete.
Tribal members have been protesting the pipeline for months, worried that a leak could threaten their drinking water.
“This day is extremely special,” Rupar said. “This is a real victory, but it is not over yet. The future is still undecided.”
The Sanctuary of Mana Ke’a Gardens regularly holds an annual free avocado and mango festival. Rupar added the Going Nuts Festival last year, focusing on coconuts and macadamia nuts.
“Christmas is a time where people kind of go nuts trying to keep up with everything so I came up with the idea of Going Nuts for the Holidays,” Rupar said. “We started with the second annual Going Nuts Festival this year and it just morphed into the benefit for Standing Rock.”
All money raised will go directly to Standing Rock via Linda Satchell, a resident of Honaunau.
“Linda has been to Standing Rock twice already and she has been on the front line, gassed and maced,” Rupar said. “She is flying back on Tuesday and we will give her the funds so she can distribute.”