Seminar 6, day 3

Today was the start of Planning for the Washington D.C.  and North Carolina Trip


Tyler is explaining The Plan for His Home State North Carolina

Jennica goes over the D.C. Planning

A Visit to the Lanai Museum packed full of information

Doing Our introductions to Alberta at Bennies Farm
The only Commercial Farm on Lanai

Veggies growing  at Bennies

Seminar 6 - The potential of Palawai

Here we are overlooking the grand Palawai Basin on the island of Lana'i.  There at Palawai will be a new ag center for the island -- very exciting!

Seminar 6, Day 2 - Maui/Lanai

For Day 2 of Seminar 6 we awoke in the pleasant atmosphere of Lanai City.  Elevation 1700ft.  Temperatures mild, Annual rainfall average of 17 inches.  Much of it seems to come from the mist collecting on the trees.



Front (above) and back views of the "Social Hall" where we held our meetings and the class stayed.  During the Pineapple days, Social Hall was the plantation managers house.  Before all the Norfolk/Cook Pines grew up, you could look over pretty much all of Lanai City and the plantation. 

On the first morning in Lanai, we met with the Pulama Lanai managers in the "red couch room" of Social hall.  They shared with us the vision of Mr. Ellison and future plans for making Lanai a successful and sustainable destination.  Ed Jensen, Ed Petteys, and Doug Stephenson gave us some great updates on the conservation and operation plans.  Kepa Maly gave us some great knowledge about the history of Lanai during this meeting and toured with us for the remainder of the afternoon.

A view from the plateau above Lanai City.  We are looking south west over the ancient caldera which is pretty level and at one time was under pineapple cultivation.  The power plant, sewage treatment, airport, grass farm, and single vegetable farm for the island were all viewable from this point.  Pulama is in the process of clearing lantana and other unwanted plants from the plain to promote better grass growth.  They are looking into many farming and grazing opportunities for the old plantation land.

Kepa gave us a great history lesson about both the plantation and the mountains/forest on the plateau over the plantation. 

Pulama also does a lot of work towards conservation.  They are thinning the forests of unwanted species, replacing with native plants, and also spending a considerable amount of energy clearing sites like this old heiau for all to see.

 After a morning of Touring, we settled down for another leadership  session with Peter.  It was titled "Good, Bad, and Ugly Leadership."  We had some great discussions about what effective and inneffective organisations look like, and how we as leaders can help steer the course.  After the leadership training, many of the staff and families of Pulama Lanai came up to Social Hall for a great BBQ and fellowship.  We visited Haleakala Ranch the previous day on Maui and they provided us with a bunch of  Maui venison for our BBQ.  Pulama Lanai also has this "tasty" deer problem and has recently purchased a mobile slaughter house to help market them.....chop.....chop!  Looking forward to another visit to Lanai someday soon.

 

Seminar 6: Day 1 - From Haleakala to Lana'i City

Greg

Kristin and Ashley

It was a bright morning when we all met one more time at Maui airport.  The first stop was at Haleakala Ranch Co.  We had a warm welcome from Bobby, Greg and Kristin.

Kristin showing the eggs processing machine

 

Not only a stunning farm but very creative.  Bobby and his staff have found the way to innovate and to diversify their operation.  From cattle, to goats, sheep and chickens they have learned how to integrate farming.

 

Kim and Jennica

Happy Derrick



                                                                     Thirsty Elton

 

We did have a wonderful time at Haleakala Ranch and talked story for a while with Bobby and his people. 

                                                             Interesting dog !!!

Happy me (Judith)

 



After this first visit my phone battery died.  But Pauline did cover for me with the following pictures.  Also we were able to do some whale watching!

Whale watching

enjoying the boat trip

Already at Lana'i

 

 

Once on Lana'i and after dinner we attended to the presentation of our colleagues Chris and James.

Chris

 

 Chris gave us an overview of Ponoholo Ranch.  He did a great job pointing out the structure of the ranch and the challenges they are facing.  The ranching industry on the island is looking forward to finish their product here instead of sending the cattle to the west coast to be finish there. The ranching industry has so much potential to contribute to Hawaii sustainability.  Chris is performing research and trying to look for solutions.  One of the main hurdles for his ranch is the environmental changes.  The drought has been threatening the industry for the past 5 years.   The ranches are in the need of new technology and at the same time to establish solid bonds with the stakeholders in general. There is also a lot of potential for partnering to nourish this sector of the agriculture.  After Chris presentation we all got the picture.... Ranching is difficult but very necessary to provide sustainability to Hawaii. Also it is clear that we have good ranchers on Hawaii.





                                                                          James

 

James presented the structure of the program he is part of.  Critical habitats are so important to maintain diversity and to protect endangered species. James gave us an overview of the areas his program covers along the archipelago of Hawaii.  He presented to the class vivid  and interactive maps.  There is a need to perform agriculture and development under certain parameters.  Otherwise the fragile ecosystems of the islands that are the home for certain species are very important part of the big picture.  Any damage could be irreversible and will serious consequences for native species.   

 

Tomorrow is going to be another amazing day on the island of Lanai!!!!!!! Thank you Pauline and Kim for all you do for us!!!!!  Bye Bye