REVITALIZE PUNA

MARCH 9, 2024

By Raydiance Joy Grace

Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono 

“the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness”

Puna Food Summit Panel 

Never before in the history of Hawaii has the fostering of food sustainability and ensuring food security for our residents been so clearly centered on the table of importance! The advent of climate change, rising inflation, and the ever-present challenge of getting our food shipped from the mainland is foremost on our minds. I give flower leis to the producers and participants who activated the tenth Revitalize series, which was co-hosted by the Kilauea Recovery Team and Council District 4. From the opening chant reminding us of our connection to our Hawaiian roots, we applaud the focus on what has been achieved in  the current state of Puna’s food system and the inquiry into further improvement. 

 Ashley Kierkiewicz, County Council District 4

As Ashley Kierkiewicz, County Council Panel Moderator said, “ Everyone on the food panel talked so passionately about the work they are doing to contribute to strengthening Puna’s food system. I think one of the big messages that came out of today was the sense of re-awakening to our roots, getting our hands dirty, and working in the ‘Āina because it is healing and restorative and so critical to our food security, sustainability, and building our local economy.”

 Puna Food Summit Panel 

Members of the Puna Food Summit Panel: Cultivating Solutions

Iopa Maunakea is the executive director of Men of PA’A, PA stands for Positive Action. Extensive personal and professional background uniquely prepared him for his life’s mission, which is to serve the Puna community.

Tim Rowan is a certified organic farmer who participates in a Black Sands community garden that combines his passion for gardening and community service, which is rooted in his journey of recovery.

Mariah Williams is a local Puna woman, who grew up with a burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for business and food, as a certified insurance industry professional. She channels her love for feeding her community into every bowl of poke, as a co-owner of Poke Market. Her blend of business acumen and culinary flare embodies the spirit of innovation and community engagement.

Gary Rosenberg has been practicing regenerative farming techniques since 1992. He’s currently working to form a collective small farm model in Puna, collaborating with Mountain View Elementary and residents in Hawaiian acres and Orchidland Estates. He envisions a future In Hawaii where food is abundantly produced and shared locally and internationally. 

Luau’a Kekahuna, director at Maku’u Kaha Community Center and Maku’u farmers market is a proud native of Puna and an alumna of Pahoa High School and is deeply rooted in this region. She aspires to honor her Kupuna by spearheading the creation of a sustainable Ahupua’a (Hawaiian term for a large traditional socioeconomic, geologic, and climatic subdivision of land) in Maku’u and adjacent Puna communities.

The combined experiences and resources of the Puna Food Summit Panel took a deep dive into the critical issues of food security and sustainability in our vibrant Puna community. Local growers, lawmakers, and experts shared insights, challenges, and innovative solutions to ensure a resilient and self-sufficient future for Puna. From discussing current initiatives to exploring opportunities for growth, this panel offered valuable perspectives and actionable strategies for building a more sustainable food system, including saving your seeds and distributing them to your neighbors.

To watch the original broadcast go to YouTube: Kīlauea Eruption Recovery

recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/revitalizepuna

Revitalize Puna 10: Puna Food Summit Panel Full Video.

Information on all aspects of gardening, starting with planting your first seed into the ground to how to harvest your produce for personal use or re-sale possibly at a farmer’s market was available as one visited the many booths..

 Alyssa Lee from the gofarmhawaii.org team, which is a University of Hawai’i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources program, explained that “ this is the beginning farming training course for people interested in starting their own farm.” The program helps farmers to increase fruit or produce production or to explore marketing or various revenue opportunities including agritourism and applying for a grant or making a business plan.

 Petronilla founder of MOKU O’KEAWE MALAMA NA KUPUNA

Petronilla Tagudio Blank’s altruistic organization, Island of Hawai’i Caring for the Elders brings food, fellowship, and music to Kupunas who live alone in Puna. Local farmers donate fresh fruit and produce for a farm to table meal that is served to seniors by volunteers at different community centers. Also provided was a table for Lāʻau lapaʻau, a traditional medical practice of Native Hawaiians. The Hawaiian words lāʻau and lapaʻau mean vegetation and treat, heal, or cure respectively.^[1] This practice involves using native plants, herbs, and spirituality to treat ailments. The next event will be in Hawaiian Paradise Park in April, with a date to be announced on social media with instructions where you can RSVP.

 Dave Webb founder of Puna Food Network

The mission of Puna Food Network is to motivate people in Puna to grow more produce for food security. A long-term goal is to establish a food hub for people to be able to purchase whatever food, particularly vegetables, that is grown by individual households versus large farms. They offer free instruction in how to build your own raised garden bed from free palettes available at the back of most stores in Puna. They also have people signed up to receive these ready made palette raised bed frames. Just go to www.punafood.network for more information.

Eileen O’Hara Executive Director of Malama O Puna

Malama O Puna, founded in 2000, is an environmental and educational organization that offers programs in reforestation, food security and resiliency, invasive species mitigation, and community capacity building. One of their best-known projects was the beautification of the Pahoa Roundabout, which was renamed Rene Siracusa in honor of the founder of Malama O Puna, who did formidable environmental and community enhancement work here in Puna.

Free Plants that were given away

Everybody’s favorite was the free plants that were given away and of course, the free lunches from local vendors. 

Free Meals from Local Vendors

Smiley Burrows: Social Resilience Capacity Area Co-Chair

The best overview of this 10th Activation of the Revitalize Puna came from Smiley Burrows. “This was by far the greatest activation since we began. The turnout was phenomenal. There was so much education and information. People had a great time. I think everybody loved this opportunity to get together and learn about food sustainability!” 

To get dates of next activation, remember to stay tuned to: recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/revitalizepuna