Hualalai Resort Natural Resources Program

On the final visit of our seminar on Hawai'i Island, we went to Hualalai Resort for an intriguing tour by NR manager David Chai. He's an aquatic biologist by training and saw to it that the anchialine ponds, among other things, were restored. It was an interesting juxtaposition of the human-made and natural realms, with the latter not possible without a lot of human intervention. Coexistence or a make-believe world?

Parker Ranch

We're about to embark on Seminar Two on Maui so I thought I'd post a few more images from Seminar One on Hawai'i Island. Here we were at Parker Ranch in Waimea with Keoki Wood (former ALP participant). He was proud to show off his beautiful horses. I believe he said they were for breeding but I forget the details. Anyone remember?

Mahalo Nui Loa

Hi Classmates! I'm so glad to have met you all and am really excited about the coming months ... err, years (even THE bird-thrower! Yeah, you know who you are!). Thanks to our intrepid directors, seminar 1 was a huge success. There were also a few classmates that helped out a great deal. Thank you Perry and Michelle for picking up and driving folks around. I know you had to leave Kona even earlier to pick up folks at the airport bright and early so we all appreciate it. Mahalo for bringing the coolers too Perry and mahalo Koa for bringing the delicious manapua. And thanks to all of you that helped set up and pack up the classroom supplies. You all rock! See you all soon on Maui!

Eat Local Challenge - wherever you are!

Hopefully most of you are already eating local but if you need more of an incentive, this week is Kanu Hawaii's "Eat Local Challenge." The challenge is to have 100% of your food be locally grown for one week. I'm going to Japan so my challenge is to eat completely local in Japan. I think I'll do okay. Talk to you all later! Aloha, Pauline

New York Times Editorial

On a more serious note, this editorial from the New York Times (Editorial Observer) came out on September 20. It's about the Aloun Farms case. It's not quite the publicity that Ag or Hawaii in general is trying to achieve, I'm afraid. What do you think? Is the author (who has lived in Hawaii) off-base or on-target?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/opinion/21tue4.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=hawaii%20agriculture&st=cse

Waimea School Mala'ai

The Waimea Middle School Mala'ai was such an inspirational stop. Amanda Rieux captured our imagination in that wonderful indoor/outdoor classroom. Imagine what fun we would have had growing up with that as part of our school.

Hawaii Island Alumni Potluck

Here we are with some of the ALP alumni on Hawai'i Island at Waiki'i Ranch. Our host was David Ka'apu, who could be known as Mr. Congeniality. Just think, someday WE will be hosting these potlucks!