Open to the Public, Statewide Hawai‘i Farmers Union Gathers in Kona Celebrating the full circle of food production rooted in the traditions of Hawai‘i
Open to the Public, Statewide Hawai‘i Farmers Union Gathers in Kona
Celebrating the full circle of food production rooted in the traditions of Hawai‘i
KEAUHOU, HAWAI‘I—Do you believe in having a thriving local food industry to feed our island? Join local food producers and buyers, farmers, fishers, ranchers, legislators and policy makers at the 15th annual Hawai‘i Farmers Union (HFU) convention Saturday, Oct. 25.
Time is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Kahalu‘u Ma Kai, 78-6880 Ali‘i Drive, (former location of Keauhou Beach Hotel /Kona Lagoon) for a full lineup of compelling presentations, numerous panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations and interactive fun. Open to the public, the convention is free.
This year, the statewide HFU debuts its first convention hosted in Kona. The organization advocates for the rights of family farmers, ranchers and fishers to create regenerative and sustainable agricultural communities that benefit the people of Hawai‘i through education, cooperation and legislation.
Honoring the vital role agriculture and food producers play in sustaining our communities, the theme of the 2025 convention is “Mahi’ai Makahiki.”
“Makahiki is a time traditionally set aside for reflection, reassessment and gratitude for the harvest,” shares Kaipo Kekona, HFU and Hawai‘i Farmers Union Foundation president. “Traditions called for farmers of the region to bring forward their best harvest to be prepared as a feast for all to enjoy.”
In conjunction with the theme, Kekona adds the convention is offering makahiki games, remembering how ancient makahiki contenders “displayed their strength, agility and intellect—a direct reflection of the health and well-being of their communities.”
The convention opens with a blessing and introduction of “place” by kupuna and cultural resource specialist Mahealani Pai, who led the restoration efforts of heiau in the Kahalu‘u ahupua‘a. Sharon Hurd, chair of the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (HDAB), will give a keynote focusing on “Hawai‘i County’s Role in Doubling Food Production.”
Among the lineup of speakers is Hawai‘i Representative Dist. 6 (North/South Kona) Kirstin Kahaloa, who will explain Hawai‘i’s Act 194 and the rules that change the definition of homemade food products. Dr. Noa Kekuewa Lincoln and Dr. Saleh Azizi will present “Economic Vitality and Social Equity in Hawai‘i’s Food Hub System” and Dr. Noeau Perala will talk about the “Ahupua‘a as a Food System.” A full lineup of speakers will be posted at https://hfuuhi.org.
Attendees can break out into their choice of panel discussions delving into a variety of topics: Farm and Food Safety Training, the Food Hub’s Role in Our Local Food System, Loko ‘Ia (fish ponds), Nearshore Fisheries, the Transition to Organic with a Focus on Coffee, Ranching as Fire Fuel Load Mitigation, Is the Future of Organic Certification in Value-Added Products and Mala ‘Oiwi (native producers growing food and restoring ‘aina (land).
Educational offerings will be buzzing at the “Microbial Hive” where convention goers can learn about regenerative growing techniques based on Korean Natural Farming. Presented by the Hilo non-profit Pure KNF Foundation, certified instructors will identify on-farm resources for fertilizer and disease reduction. Learn how to incorporate indigenous microbes into your production plan find out solutions for mitigating local challenges like coffee leaf rust, banana bunchy top virus and pesky insects.
Visit informational booths by Kona Limu Company, Hawai‘i DAB, Hawai‘i Cattlemen’s Council, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Hawai‘i Produce Safety Program, Big Island Invasive Species and UH’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Malama Honua Charter School students will demonstrate how to pound taro into poi.
The Hive will also serve as an area set aside for socializing, networking, resting and refreshing—enjoy locally grown mamaki tea and “liquid sunshine” tea courtesy of Adaptations and gather around the indigenous micro-organism “foot spa.”
The makahiki games will be led by Jesse Kekoa Kaho‘onnei of Kahalu‘u Kuahewa and HFU President and CEO Kaipo Kekona. Competition will be in three contests: moa pahe‘e, slide a torpedo-shaped dart between stakes; ‘ulu maika, roll a stone disc between stakes; and he‘e maia, carry a large rack of bananas while racing. Winners of the first contests will progress to vie in the second heat to finish in the banana race.
Chef Bryan Fujikawa of KGH Catering will be serving lunch and dinner menus sourced exclusively from Hawai‘i Island. The conscious choice to curate local food for the event’s meals—and the process that entails—can serve as a blueprint for future island events, according to Maureen Datta, HFU and Hawai‘i Farmers Union Foundation secretary. “The challenges we face in feeding a few hundred people both lunch and dinner will demonstrate the pukas (holes) that exist in our food system today.”
Datta explains, “Maybe this year we only have enough Kona-caught fish to allow for one ounce of fresh poke per person. If we speak truthfully about the barriers to greater or more reliable catch and consult with each other on a plan to overcome these challenges, then next time we may be able to enjoy larger servings. The same concept goes for other sustenance sources.”
Datta hopes the conference “will lift up the role of local food producers and strengthen the community’s sense of food security” —meaning to enhance our island’s ability to feed ourselves with less dependence on imports.
“As Hawai‘i Island continues to navigate the complex needs and challenges associated with creating a robust local food industry, I am honored to support and deeply grateful for the important work that will be done by our local food producers, buyers, farmers, fishers, ranchers and policy makers at HFUU’s 15th state convention,” notes Rebecca Villegas, Hawai‘i County Councilwoman District 7 (Kona).
Following the convention, dinner is 5:30-7 p.m. with musical entertainment by Maka Gallinger & Son and Ku Ma‘ema‘e until 9 p.m.
Register for the convention, games and meals at HTTPS://BIT.LY/HFU15RSVP. Lunch and dinner are only available to the first 200 attendees who sign up online. Attendees are asked to bring a reusable water bottle and invited to contribute a makahiki harvest gift from their garden to share on the community table. With support from Ma‘Ona Community Garden, all food service waste will provide input for worm composting and soil creation for farmers in South Kona.
The convention is made possible by the non-profit Hawai‘i Farmers Union Foundation, the National Farmers Union’s Local Food Safety Collaborative, the County of Hawai‘i, Transition to Organic Partnership Program-California Certified Organic Farmers, The Healy Foundation, Kamehameha Schools, Kona Brewing Hawai‘i, Pure KNF Foundation and Johnny’s Selected Seeds.
