‘Olena has anti-inflammatory and other health benefits, and it’s a growing new local crop. The ‘Olena (Turmeric) Field Day this past weekend taught participants about research trials and innovative production practices being conducted around Hawai‘i, after which they got to take home some organically grown turmeric to use or plant.
The field day at the Waimanalo Research Station included a slideshow of turmeric-growing sites in Singapore, India, and Myanmar; a demonstration of mechanical harvesting techniques; a discussion of the college’s various turmeric projects on Maui, Kaua‘i, and Molokai; and a demonstration of how to make dyes with turmeric and dye Easter eggs with them, along with a discussion of food safety. Roots rock!