Day 2 of our trip covered a lot of ground. After a great night's rest at the Manago Hotel, we made a quick stop to the South Kona Fruit Stand for a delicious breakfast grown and made by Ken Verasko and his wife who own the business. We learned how difficult it can be to operate a small business in Hawai'i and admired the Veraskos for their perseverance.
Our next stop was to Kuahiwi Ranch above Na'alehu. There we met class member Michelle Galimba and her 'ohana. Al Galimba, Michelle's father, educated and entertained everyone with his witty perspectives on the ranching business. Kuahiwi Ranch specializes in grass-fed beef. We were all cowboys and cowgirls for the morning, and many of us learned how hard yet rewarding it can be to work on a ranch.
Our last stop of the day was to the coffee farms of Ka'u, where we met Lori Obra, owner of Rusty's Hawaiian 100% Ka'u Coffee. She inspired all of us with her dedication to making some of the best coffee beans in the world, continuing the business that she and her late husband started. Lori hand picks, dries, and roasts her coffee! No wonder it wins competitions!
Finally, we enjoyed some of Michelle's grass-fed beef and more locally grown food prepared by John Replogle, a Ka'u local himself who also works in conservation. What a treat it was to dine and eat a home-grown and cooked meal at the beautiful and historic Pahala Plantation House!
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