Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook will hold its annual Grow Hawaiian Festival next Saturday, Feb. 26. This is the first festival they are holding since the pandemic shutdown shortly after their 2020 festival. It will be a special event for those who are interested in native Hawaiian plants and culture. Bring the family. Lots of demonstrations and hands-on activities will be happening to explore and enjoy.
Gates to this free event will open at 9 a.m. Presentations under the Big Tent will begin at 9:30 with Manuel Rego on Growing Kalo in Pots. Craig Elevitch will offer information on regeneration and Tamara Sherill will share her knowledge about ‘uala, the Hawaiian sweet potato.
Tours of the garden will be offered at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. by ethnobotany educator, Bernice Akamine. Additional walking tours focusing on Native and traditional plants and their cultural uses will be offered by Dr. Natalie Kurashima and Kamuela Meheula. Each of these women have a long history of research into Hawaiian plants and culture. Both offer ‘aina based education either though Kamehameha Schools or the local Department of Education.
A dozen different demonstrations will be taking place throughout the property. Learn how to make cordage from parts of the hau tree, see Debbie Toko and Karen Watanabe demonstrate weaving with the leaves of the hala tree and hear Noa Lincoln explain ways to grow and use sugar cane. Also, Albert Carbone will host a lei making demo with materials and information to help you make your own lei on site
You’ll have a chance to meet experts in creating dyes from native plants, making kapa cloth, wood working and gourd decorating. You can also try your hand at poi pounding or making a nose flute or weaving a bracelet.
Local artists and writers will be in attendance featuring their creations. Walking sticks, wooden puzzles and ornaments as well as earrings that include wood carvings and kapa will be on display along with many koa art pieces. Among the award-winning artists, Bernice Akamine, focuses on customary Hawaiian arts. She uses kapa cloth and plant dyes to create both contemporary and traditional pieces. Wood and fiber art pieces will be also be offered by additional cultural practitioners, including Jesse Kaho‘onei. Books by both Craig Elevitch and Noa Lincoln will be available to peruse and purchase as well.
In addition to the presentations, demonstrations and hands-on activities, informational tables and booths will also be available. A host of plant experts will be on hand to offer information to attendees. Hawaiian herbal practitioners, professional horticulturists, botanists, entomologists as well as weavers and taro farmers will be among the experts at the Festival.
The Ka’upulehu Dry Forest, the Maui Nui Botanical Garden and the Lili’uokalani Trust are among the community groups that will have informational booths onsite. A booth with information on Rapid Ohia Death will be staffed by JB Friday, a UH CTARH Extension Forester who specializes in efforts to save Hawaiian forests from introduced pests and diseases.
The Kona Master Gardeners will have a table where they’ll offer information on plant problems and the Ant Lab will have information on the Little Fire Ant. Bring any mystery plants to the Plant Identification table and challenge the Terraformation botanists to help you identify specimens. Entomologists will also be present to help identify any mystery insects you have. Bring all specimens in sealed jars or plastic bags.
Music and food will round out the event’s offerings. Shawn Cantor aka “Buddah Kalima” started playing ukulele at age eight and today is will be playing during breaks in the program on the main stage.
Food from Kona Grill House will be available for purchase throughout the Festival. Many of us have enjoyed the fish burgers, fresh catch poke as well as the lobster cakes and smoked prime rib that they have offered over the years. They still offer some wonderful homemade desserts as well. In the same location down Halekii Street in Kealakekua, they have recently changed their name and added full-service catering to their offerings. The Festival organizers are very pleased that they will join the festivities.
A big mahalo goes out to the sponsors of this event. Choice Mart, Hawaii Forest and Trail, as well numerous private donors have made this year’s Grow Hawaiian Festival possible
Come early to find a parking spot near the garden. Overflow parking will also be available at the Kealakekua Ranch Center. Shuttle service to and from the center will be offered by Hawaii Forest and Trail. For more information, call (808) 323-3318 or go to www.bishopmuseum.org/greenwell.
Don’t miss this fun and informative festival this year. You’ll go away happy and well-informed.
Information for this article was provided by Peter Van Dyke and the Friends of Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living part time in Kailua-Kona.
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Gardening Events
Most Saturdays: “Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden” from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Come with a mask and prepared to practice social distancing. Volunteers can help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Water and snacks provided. Visit the website www.amygreenwell.garden/get-involved/volunteer-1/ and sign up for the weekly email for more information on work days.
Thursday, Feb. 23: UH CTAHR Forum “Indigenous Food Systems” 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. For more info or to get zoom link email: sothy@hawaii.edu.
Friday, Feb. 24: “Kona Coffee Farmers Association Symposium” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Bayview Room at the Outrigger Kona Resort &Spa, 78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona. Free parking. Includes topics pertaining to coffee growers, including soil health and ways to increase profitability. Free to KCFA members. $40 includes lunch for nonmembers. Register at https://konacoffeefarmers.org/product/2023-annual-conference-registration/. For more information, contact Conference Committee Chair, Carolyn Witcover at 808-640-1647 or carolyn54@gmail.com.
Tuesdays in February and early March: “Coffee Leaf Rust Research and Management Update Webinars” starting at 9 a.m. with pre-recorded presentations for 20-25 minutes each. Followed by live Q&A session for about 35-45 minutes. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Contact Matt at (808) 322-0164 to register at least 2 days prior to the event. Contact Andrea at andreak@hawaii.edu, 808-322-4892 or 415-604-1511 (text ok) for more information.
Plant Advice Lines
Anytime: konamg@hawaii.edu
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu (808) 322-4893 or walk-in.
Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH CES at Komohana in Hilo (808) 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu
