In this issue, we bid farewell to the hot and humid days as they gracefully yield to the cooler tradewinds and the gentle Kokee air. For our dedicated gardeners, it's a time to reap the rewards of their hard work and prepare for the impending rainy season. |
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The Legacy of Kekaha's Gardens |
In the early days of Kekaha's sugar plantation camps, every backyard garden was a patchwork of various staples, weaving together a rich tapestry of colors, flavors, and stories. These gardens sustained life and embodied the spirit of the people who nurtured them, showcasing their specialties: tomatoes, sweet potatoes, daikon, pearl onions, cabbage, bok choy, string beans, eggplant, cucumbers, peanuts, and lettuce. When these ingredients passed into the hands of the cooks in the kitchen, they were transformed into the most delicious and healthy meals.
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Kaunalewa Garden Box Workshop |
Today, the legacy of these gardens has inspired the Kaunalewa Garden Box workshop, a partnership with the West Kauai United Methodist Church in Kekaha, aimed at bringing gardening to homes and our Kupunas. Initially, our goal was to address the ever-growing food waste issue, which was piling up in the landfill, and the County's need to establish a new 150-acre site in Mana. |
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However, faced with such a monumental problem that required the entire community's involvement, we prioritized our Kupunas. Studies of Okinawan Centenarians, the longest-living people on Earth who enjoyed an ikigai (specialty craft), sunshine, gardening, fresh vegetables, and the companionship of a moai or group of friends, inspired us. Kekaha has become a safe haven for retirees, and Kaunalewa wanted its environmental justice advocacy to incorporate the longevity of our Kupunas. |
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The boxes are built 3x6 from cedar wood, a more sustainable source than the plastic versions sold at big box stores. |
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Since the West Kauai United Methodist Church in Kekaha was awaiting a new Pastor, they gladly accepted the opportunity to implement a set of garden boxes and invited their members to participate. We gathered our seed collections, created starters, and worked together as a team. Since the workshop, others have expressed interest in the boxes, and we are eagerly anticipating selecting our next Kupuna, who will receive a garden box kit that includes soil and starter seedlings. Each garden box can yield approximately 10-23 plants. If you are interested in our garden box program and want to purchase a kit, please contact us.
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Innovative Garden Solutions |
We determined that above-ground boxes were the best choice in case of soil contamination, and their height was perfect for Kupunas, some of whom have difficulty bending over. Next, we reached out to Compost Kauai, whose approach aligns with past practices fostered by the Lakays, who collected food scraps for their piggeries near the mountains. Compost Kauai takes this further by transforming household food scraps into nutrient-rich compost fertilizers. When blended with organic soil from Kauai Nursery, it created the perfect mixture for the garden boxes.
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| Local Expertise and Collaboration |
Danford and Chanel Kaeo of ShredCo, a family-owned business deeply rooted in Kekaha's Hawaiian and plantation history, provided valuable insights with over 20 years of experience diverting green waste for compost and storm swales. We all agreed that composting was an aina-based solution to create a healthy pasture, a self-fertilizing food forest, or even replenish the over-tilled agricultural lands of West Kauai.
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Supporting West Kauai United Methodist Church |
The West Kauai United Methodist Church in Kekaha was established on June 8, 1947. It is one of two churches founded in Kekaha during the town's early days to support the childcare and educational needs of the plantation workers' children. The funds raised by congregation members were used to construct the church. Members also designed the church, drawing inspiration from 18th and 19th-century Hawaiian missions and Art Deco architectural styles while incorporating local materials and construction methods. Today, the church needs significant repairs.
To support the Kekaha United Methodist Church, we invite you to visit their food booth at the Harvest Festival on October 7th, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They will be selling spam musubi, malasadas, poi balls, and cancanen (Suman and Bibingka). If you have a skill and would like to volunteer to help with repairs, please reach out to us. |
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Additional Reading & Resources |
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The current situation in Lahaina calls for more volunteers: nurses, physicians, and therapists. If you'd like to contribute to the Hanai Fund, all donations go to Maui Medic Healers Hui.
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