WAIMEA — The island’s agricultural showcase event is returning in 2018 with a new twist at a different location.
Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range will be held next September at Mana Christian Ohana, also known as Kahilu Town Hall, and the adjacent YMCA Minuke Ole Park in Waimea. The 2018 Taste will offer all-day agricultural-themed fun and educational activities before culminating with an evening tasting event showcasing locally produced food.
“We’re changing up the Taste to share info with families about our local agriculture,” said the event’s co-chair and rancher Jeri Moniz. “We will still have our popular, evening food tasting event to showcase pasture-raised meats, but will also offer earlier activities geared for the general public, including keiki.”
During the day, agricultural-themed activities and exhibits will be held at the YMCA Park, with plans to offer horseback rides and viewing of livestock animals complete with educational displays. Community school groups and organizations will be invited to provide food concessions for daytime attendees. Admission to the park exhibits will be free.
Also planned are tours at local farms to see firsthand where some of our locally produced foods come from. Ag-related classes and the annual “Cooking Pasture-Raised Beef 101” will be offered during the day inside the classroom building adjacent to Mana Christian’s Hall. Chef Edwin Goto of Waimea’s Village Burger and Noodle Club will lead his popular cooking class with sampling.
Featuring about 20 culinary stations, the evening Taste will be both inside and outside the hall, and open to 500 attendees. Tickets will go on sale next summer both online and at select islandwide locations.
Now in its 22nd year, Taste of the Range is changing its focus to share the importance of all types of Hawaii agriculture, while acquainting keiki with farm animals and how agriculture is the science, art and practice of producing food.
“In the past, Taste was geared to inform chefs and attendees on the benefits of using grass-fed beef, while encouraging ranchers to produce it,” explained Dr. Russell Nagata, co-chair and retired CTAHR Hawaii County administrator. “Our committee has been meeting all year to come up with a new event emphasizing agriculture in a more broad and comprehensive way. We want to share how our local ranchers and farmers take pride in producing our high-quality food.”
The event will be rooted in business participation, sponsorship and in-kind donations. Volunteers and sponsors can contact Dr. Russell Nagata at rnagata@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.TasteoftheHawaiianRange.com.