Heritage Roots

A Taro Field Day will be held at the Waimanalo Research Station on Saturday, March 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Ten years ago, Waimanalo residents approached CTAHR about growing more Hawaiian taro at the Station. Faculty and staff first started growing taro in the corner of the old Waimanalo quarry. Today, the original collection has grown large enough that they are able to share huli with many organizations across O‘ahu. Come and visit the CTAHR Waimanalo Kalo Germplasm Collection—participants will be able to spend the morning learning about the history of the college’s taro collection, how it is managed using conventional and organic production practices, and struggles and successes dealing with new and recurring pests. They can walk through the dryland kalo fields and network with local farmers and agricultural agencies. Mike Melzer (Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences) will give a presentation on Taro Vein Chlorosis Virus and Ted Radovich (Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences) will discuss organic culture of kalo at the Station. Agricultural agencies, including USDA, DOA, East County HFB, SOAP, West Oahu Soil and Water Conservation, Oahu RC&D, GoFarm Hawaii, WSARE, Lyons Arboretum, HARC, Waimea Valley, Hoaipono, GetLocal, and others, will be hosting educational tables. KCC will host taro product demonstrations throughout the day, and Hui Malama o Ke Kai and others will kui kalo. Fun for the whole family! Please dress and plan appropriately for farm conditions, rain or shine.