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Slow Food O'ahu News
Number 2013-7
Mailed June 16, 2013
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Welcome to Summer,
After a very busy month of May, Slow Food O'ahu welcomes in summer and the bounty of summer fruit that graces our island (can you spell 'lychee'?). Although we do not have any Slow Food O'ahu sponsored events to announce in this newsletter, there are some exciting community endeavors happening that we want to share with you. Also, we are in the planning stages for a sake tasting, pickling class, and another class on preserves this summer. Stay tuned for more soon. We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events.
Your Executive Committee
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Hawai'i Pollinator Week - June 17, 2013
Hawai'i State Capitol Room 312, 10:00 a.m. - Noon
The Hawai'i State Department of Agriculture invites you to "Pollinator Week Celebration" at the State Capitol on Monday, June 17, 2013. The events are free and the agenda is as follows:
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
- Welcome by the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture Chair Russell Kokubun and Deputy Scott
- Danielle Downey, HDOA Apiary Specialist
- Dr. Karl Magnocca, Research Entomologist, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, DLNR.
- Dr. Ethel Villalobos, UH Manoa Honeybee Project
- The Honorable Governor Neil Abercrombie
11:00 - Noon
Displays and Honey Tasting. Light refreshments featuring Hawai'ian honey and pollinated products provided by the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture.
(This is not a Slow Food O'ahu event but may be of interest to our members)
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Food Recovery Recognition - June 19, 2013
HPU Campus, Aloha Tower (above Gordon Biersch), 11 a.m.
The EPA will recognize leaders in Hawaii's food waste recovery and zero waste efforts on June 19, 2013 at Gordon Biersch. The honorees include: * Food Recovery Challenge Participants: Hawaii Pacific University, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Kapiolani Community College
* Food Recovery & Waste Reduction Efforts in partnership with RISE: City and County of Honolulu, The Greenhouse Hawaii, and Aloha Harvest A networking lunch at Gordon Biersch will follow the presentation. Although this event is unhosted, we would like to take the time to discuss everyone's efforts to reduce food waste and encourage food recovery. Gordon Biersch will also briefly discuss their food waste mitigation efforts. Please RSVP to ashley.lukens@kupuhawaii.org if you plan on attending.
(This is not a Slow Food O'ahu event but may be of interest to our members) |
UH West O'ahu College offers Classes in Sustainable Community Food Systems
Fall Semester
West O'ahu College is pleased to announce two new classes in the about-to-be-established program -- BA in Sustainable Community Food Systems. The classes are:
SSCI 496B 1 Ecology of Agricultural Systems, 3-credit, Tuesdays 2:00 - 4:50 p.m; 8/26-12/13
Pre: BIOL 101 and BIOL 101L.
Description: The course explores farming systems from an ecological perspective. Topics include: ecological and social impacts of agriculture; the agro-ecosystem concept; ecological processes in agriculture; principles and practices of ecologically based soil fertility and pest management; biodiversity and ecosystem services in agriculture; ecological social indicators of agricultural sustainability; comparative analyses of agro-ecosystems; and socio-economic interactions with biophysical factors.
SSCI 496F 1 Survey of SCFS in Hawaii, 3-credit, Thursdays, 2:00 - 4:50 p.m; 8/26-12/13
Pre: Junior standing.
Drawing extensively from the experiences of farmers and food systems professionals, the course provides a social and ecological analysis of the existing food and farming systems of Hawaii. Discussion of the key social, economic and political obstacles to greater sustainability in the Hawaii food system will be emphasized.
Please contact U.H. West O'ahu College directly for more information on registering for these classes.
(This is not a Slow Food O'ahu activity but may be of interest to our members)
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Jobs available relating to food sustainability and food systems
The Pesticide Action Network, The Kohala Center, and the U.H. Maui Food Innovation Center
Pesticide Action Network
The Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North America seeks a field-ready, dynamic contract Organizer for a fast-paced and intensive 4-month campaign in Hawaii. The primary role of the Organizer will be to engage a diverse set of organizations and people concerned with challenging corporate control in our food system. This position combines coalition building with community organizing and policy change advocacy. The ideal candidate will bring four-plus years organizing experience, formal organizing training; a strategic thinker; and thrive on building public relationships as part of an organizing effort for change. The person will work as an organizer with a broad range of organizations and individuals, including farmers, beekeepers, mother's groups and native Hawaiian groups. Please submit an e-mail with "Hawaii Organizer: [your name]" (e.g., Hawaii Organizer: John Doe) in the subject line and attach a letter of interest in working with PAN, a resume with work experience, a copy of an organizing or campaign plan you have developed in the past to ptowers@panna.org . Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The Kohala Center: The Kohala Center has three positions available. The Center seeks an experienced farmer and educator with excellent organizational and communication skills-written and verbal; ability to work with and teach a wide range of people in a fast-paced, highly productive setting. Must have knowledge of organic farming systems applicable to Hawai'i. This is a full-time, exempt position, based in Honoka'a. The Center is also seeking to fill an Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper positions. To apply, submit with your cover letter and resume to Cortney Okumura at cokumura@kohalacenter.org. U.H. Maui Food Innovation Center The UH Maui College is seeking a Director for the Food Innovation Center. Please see the links below, and forward/post as appropriate. |
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The Food Forest at Kamali'i Park Needs your Help
The Honolulu Weekly has featured an article on the proposed Honolulu Food Forest at Kamali'i Park, which stands at the gateway to Downtown Honolulu. Learn more & read the article here: http://honoluluweekly.com/feature/2013/06/a-food-forest/ (Sadly, this was the feature in the Weekly's last issue).
The City Council was able to appropriate $50k of city funds to establish the pilot project, proposed by Former Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard. A Citizen's Working Group has been collaborating with a number of community partners, non-profit organizations, & businesses to secure the approval of the project and the release of these funds from the Department of Parks & Recreation. This effort has significant potential to become a model project, and will addresses Mayor Caldwell's priorities on homelessness & city park issues: a win-win for all involved.
Funds will expire on June 30, 2013if not released. Please join in calling for the approval & release of funds for the Honolulu Food Forest from Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell & Toni Robinson, the Director of Department of Parks & Recreation. |
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Slow Food O'ahu seeks one (1) more order for Moloka'i beef.
Slow Food O'ahu is placing another order for Moloka'i beef and we have ONE (1) order-taker to complete the order. We have takers for 7/8 of the animal at this time, just need one more interested person. Each shipment contains one cow split into 1/8 portions. Generally you will receive at least 50# pounds of meat, 1/2 in ground beef and 1/2 in roasts and steaks. Our price for 1/8 of an animal is $345 for Slow Food members and $395 for non-members.
We pick up the order and distribute it at the Queen Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden parking lot, usually on a Wednesday between 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. on the day it arrives from Moloka'i. If you are interested in an order for a 1/8 portion, please send your check made out to Slow Food O'ahu to Laurie Carlson, 1020 Maunawili Loop, Kailua, HI 96734. If you are ordering from the list of other products, please email Laurie your order at laurie@honoluluweekly.com and you can pay for it upon pickup. Please include your cell phone number in your order and Laurie will keep in touch with you about the timing. It will take a few weeks to finalize the order and receive it.
Thanks for supporting local sustainable beef.
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A little bit of this and that...
* Shinsato Farms is putting together a CSA for pork buyers. They are Oahu's only USDA Certified operation. This meat is all natural, no antibiotics, hormone-free and grain fed. The cost of the share (roughly 1/10 of a pig) will be $75 and will include a variety of cuts weighing about 10# in total. Those interested should email Amy Shinsato at queenbee@lava.net* Kevin Coupe writes a very easy read and straightforward article as to why GMO labeling is so important in "The Clear and Utterly Non-Scientific Case for GMO Transparency." in Forbes on June 7, 2013. It's a must read.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kevincoupe/2013/06/07/the-clear-utterly-unscientific-case-for-gmo-transparency/
*Patrick Mustain a well written article explaining why the food industry, as represented by the large corporations, do not want the public to be eating healthy in Scientific American, May 19, 2013.
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2013/05/19/dear-american-consumers-please-dont-start-eating-healthfully-sincerely-the-food-industry
* The U.S. Supreme Court rules that human genes are not eligible for patent protection, writes Mike Adams in Natural News on June 13, 2013. http://www.naturalnews.com/040760_Supreme_Court_gene_patents_Myriad_Genetics.html#ixzz2W7dnLzSU
* To learn the latest on the recent class action lawsuit filed against Monsanto, check out the ever vigilant website of the Center for Food Safety: http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/press-releases/2284/class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-monsanto * Mark Bittman's recent column in the NY Times, June 11, 2013 is a fascinating take on our food choice: "Giving Up Tuna. Breathing is Next." http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/giving-up-tuna-breathing-is-next/?ref=markbittman |
Slow Food O'ahu Officers: Mae Isonaga and Rike Weiss, Co-leaders; David Bangert, Treasurer; Michelle Phillips, Events Coordinator; Francine Wai, Newsletter Editor; Nina Bermudez, Membership and E-mail correspondent.
Slow Food Regional Governor: Laurie Carlson
Facebook manager: Brilana Silva
Slow Food Membership
Membership to Slow Food USA (and our Slow Food O'ahu convivium) is only $25 with the base membership. To join, go to the https://secure3.convio.net/sfusa/site/Donation2?df_id=2862&2862.donation=form1
Quick Links
Slow Food O'ahu Convivium website
Slow Food Hawai'i Convivium website
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