Seminar 5, Day 4: Kona, Hawaii Island

Day 4 started out with a relaxed feeling...must've been due to the wonderful accommodations (made possible by Brandi's sister!) which allowed us to fall asleep and wake to the sound of the ocean.  

After a little morning coffee we caravanned to our last site for this seminar, Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park on the grounds of NELHA, Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.  We started off our tour at Cyanotech with co-founder Dr. Gerry Cysewski.  Cyanotech is the largest producer of microalgae in the state.  With 90 acres they are producing crop every 7 days for the human supplement industry.  Cyanotech focuses on growing two types of micro algae, Spirulina, and Haematococcus, which produces astaxanthin.  Hawaii's natural environment makes it ideal for growing algae crops, and this area receives more sunlight than any other coastal location in the United States!

Spirulina ponds-because spirulina prefers to grow in an environment with a pH of 10 there is no contamination possible; nothing else will tolerate the same conditions!

Astaxanthin is extracted from Haematococcus algae.  When the Haematococcus is stressed it accumulates the powerful anti-oxidant Astaxanthin in it's cells.








After a brief tour of the lab we moved on to Blue Ocean Mariculture, where Jennica is Research Manager!  She gave us an in depth tour starting with an overview in her air conditioned office (the only air conditioned location we were in all day!).  Next we were lucky enough to see a newly hatched kahala (kampachi) larvae...there's Jennica setting up the scope for us--in her element!!

To add to the excitement we also got to see feeding!  About 3,000 young fish are feeding here....it was a frenzy!!

One of the most amazing pieces of this farm is a simple fact that I learned while here:  50% of the seafood sold globally is farm raised...and the US imports about 80% of our seafood.  We are producing the technology to responsibly raise our own seafood, but in many cases that technology is exported somewhere else and what we get back is imported food.  Shouldn't we change this?

After visiting Jennica's fish, we headed to the classroom... where we received a comprehensive overview of the history of NELHA and HOST, and an understanding of the types of businesses and research they are trying to attract.  As a one of a kind facility they are perfectly situated to expand on and improve renewable energy technologies and they offer amazing energy resources to partners.  

After lunch we wound up our day with Peter Adler, focusing on organizational culture and the concepts of stability and change in the business environment.  As a leader, knowing the culture of the organization is important with regard to improvement, growth, and working through problems.   

Finally it was time to head to the airport, quickly as usual!  We are all looking forward to getting back together, and hoping to see each other in the meantime.  Until then, happy farming, ranching, educating, & conserving fellow ag leaders!!

Seminar 5 - Good morning day 3

Day 3 of our Hawai'i Island Seminar began by saying goodbye to the beautiful

Pahala Plantation house.

We were introduced to our first speaker of the day, Randy Mochizuki of Royal Hawaiian Orchards. He covered topics from macadamia plant anatomy to operations on the farm.

Next stop- Ka'u Coffee!

We visited Lorie Obra of Rusty's Hawaiian and Chris Manfredi of Ka'u Farm and Ranch Company. Chris and Lorie discussed the benefits and challenges of marketing high quality agricultural products.

Driving back from Ka'u, We didn't take any pictures – we were trying to hard to stay awake!

But back at the alumni dinner, not much light – but lots of life!

Okay, pau! Now I going drink!

And big mahalo to my blog support network, blog Kumu Miki and assistants Tyler and Sydney.

Seminar 4 - The Rain Follows the Forest

How fortunate we were to be in the presence of the "canoe" koa and native forest in Waikamoi Preserve.

Seminar 4 - Day 3 - From Haleakala to Mauna Kahalawai

Class XIV started our third day on Maui with a visit and hike into Haleakala Ranch's Waikamoi Preserve, with Pat Biley of The Nature Conservancy.

Pat explaining the trial process of using the Secusio moth to mitigate fireweed growth.

The Waikamoi Preserve is a home to many native and endangered species, with portions of the Preserve considered pristine Hawaiian forests.

Syndey prepping to enter the Preserve by scrubbing his shoes free of possible hitchhiker organisms.

Tina and James in front of a vast expanse of Kahili Ginger, a pervasive invasive species threatening native habitats.  In the background are native ohia, olapa, and koa.   The Kahili ginger competes with the native Maile, which can no longer be easily found in the lower regions of the Preserve.

Close up of Kahili Ginger.

Ashley and Tina, dwarfed by a Koa considered to be a "Canoe Koa" - one that would have been considered as part of the process of historic and traditional canoe building.

Surprise!  Judith caught this "snake" on the way down, saving Cynthia's life.

Our second stop of the day was to Ocean Organic Vodka, a family owned and operated certified organic farm and vodka distillery.

View of the farm and distillery from The Point, an area being cultivated for functions and other uses.

Shonna Pinheiro led us on the farm tour, and dropped a lot of knowledge on us related to spirit distillation.

the distillery!  interesting note: all cleaning in the facility is done with the waste alcohol of the distillation process, to maintain organic status and to minimize waste

....the bottling room

Grass taller than Kirby - unbelievable!

Chris, Ashley, and James relaxing in the meditation garden next to the distillery.

Pauline enjoying an Ocean Organic Vodka-infused truffle.... but was it as good as Tina's?

After Ocean Organic Vodka, the class headed down to Wailuku, returning to 'Iao Valley to check in to The Hawaii Nature Center housing facility.   Mauna Kahalawai is the mountain that is commonly referred to as "West Maui Mountain(s)", home of the famous Na Wai 'Eha.

Wailuku Stream, often referred to as 'Iao Stream; one of 4 famous streams that make up Na Wai 'Eha. The streams are famous in legend and local use, and also part of the infamous water rights debates on Maui. 

A bonus attraction of the Maui Alumni Dinner - "cattle" roping! 

Thanks to Avery for hosting us at his Makani Olu ranch.  Mahalo piha to the entire Maui Alumni network for such a wonderful gathering!

All photographs, commentary and inaccuracies associated with Day 3 of Seminar 4 are attributable to blogger Miki K. Tomita.

Seminar 4 - Day 2 continued!

The group headed Upcountry to visit Tedeschi Winery and Ulupalakua Ranch.

We were lucky it was a bottling day at the winery. Hearing about the diversification of agriculture at Ulupalakua was really interesting for the group....always thinking forward while preserving the past.

After a great lunch with local meat at the ranch, we were off to Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm.  It is fantastic seeing the next generation with so much passion for Hawaii's agriculture and their beautiful farm.  

Staying in the area, we then headed to Waipoli Hydroponics. The lettuce is beautiful growing in this system...and at the commercial scale.

Last stop of the day....shopping for a group dinner.  We seemed to manage to pull together a great dinner for doing a little group down time.

Another fantastic ALP day!