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Slow Food O'ahu News

Number 2014-2
Mailed February 12, 2014

Table of Contents
'Uala (Sweet Potato) Variety Field Day - February 15
The Cuba Report- Grassroots Permaculture - Presentation and Potluck - February 21
Slow Food Chinatown Tour - February 23 (Slow Food O'ahu event)
Slow Burmese Dinner - March 3 (Slow Food O'ahu event)
Ag-Curious - March 3
The Legislature and Food Policy
To our Members and Readers...

Mahalo to those who showed up at our Annual Meeting.  We re-capped our successful 2013 which included a variety of events.  Our larger events were our Slow Fish educational panel discussion as part of the Lexicon of Sustainability and our Terra Madre Kalo dinner as part of Slow Food's Terra Madre Day.

During 2013 we featured a variety of classes (making gnocchi, jam, liliko'i butter, mozarella, limoncello, tamales), dinners (Nepalese, Curry Spice), farm tours (Tin Roof Ranch and Small Kine Farm), and a work day (Kapalai Farms).  We also launched our Slow Food Chinatown Tours to continue this year (see article later in the newsletter), held a potluck with bocce ball, and participated in the Chocolate Festival.  Whew.  It was a busy year. 

   

We welcome your ideas.  In the planning stage are a private tour of Foster Botanical Gardens (edible plants), some culinary skill classes such as knife sharpening, and more.   If you would like to organize an event,please contact us at [email protected].

For those of you who receive our newsletter and are not members or lapsed members, we strongly encourage you to join us as members. To join, go to the https://secure3.convio.net/sfusa/site/Donation2?df_id=2862&2862.donation=form1
Hawaiian 'Uala Variety Field Day - February 15, 2014
UH Waimanalo Experiment Station -  9 a.m - Noon

How much do you know about sweet potatoes in Hawai'i?  Come see, taste, learn about and propagate the diversity of sweet potato varieties found in Hawai'I at the  U.H. Waimanalo Experiment Station Organic Plots Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program (41-698 Ahiki St., Waimanalo, phone 259-7201).

Contact [email protected]  with questions.   
The Cuba Report: Grassroots Permaculture Projects Healing the Planet - February 21, 2014
Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

The 2013 International Permaculture Conference in Cuba brought together 450 Permaculturists (permanent + agriculture = permaculture) from 47 countries. A panel discussion will share stories, pictures, and music from the 2013 International Permaculture Conference in Cuba.   

Join speakers Matthew Lynch co-founder of Permablitz Hawaii, Hunter Heaivilin, official presenter at the IPC, Jude Hobbs, co-founder of the Cascadia Permaculture Institute and Permaculture Institute of North America, and CBTS's own permaculturist Kaui Lucas to hear about their recent trip to Cuba.

There will be a potluck on the oceanfront with a picnic from 6-6:45pm BRING YOUR OWN REUSABLE PLATES/UTENSILS. Presentation from 7-8:30pm. Parking on site or across Kalanianaole Hwy on E. Hind Drive. Admission is free, community kokua calabash offerings to support CBTS outreach events gratefully accepted. Information is available from Kaui Lucas at [email protected].
Slow Food Chinatown Tour
Next tour: February 23, 2014

Join us on our exciting Slow Food Chinatown Tour.  Explore the history, culture, and food traditions of Honolulu's Chinatown.  Shop its markets to learn about seafood, fresh produce, and traditional foods.  Visit bakeries, noodle factories, specialty shops, temples and historic sites.  Sample local foods such as manapua, crack seed, lumpia, and tropical fruits.

Slow Food O'ahu is initiating this tour on a regular basis on the last Sunday of the month from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.  Upcoming dates are February 23, March 30, April 27, and June 29.

The cost is $30 for members, $40 for non-members and includes all food samples.  To register go to: bit.ly/chinatowntour.  Registration is limited to 8 participants to keep the tour small and intimate. Meeting information will be provided after registration and payment.  For general questions or information on the tour, contact [email protected]

Slow Food Burmese Dinner - March 3 (Yes, that's a Monday)           
Dagon Burmese Cuisine, 6:30 p.m.

2671 S King St., 947-0088
(next to Kokua Market)
 
Join Slow Food O'ahu for a delicious 5-course dinner at Honolulu's only Burmese restaurant.  Ten guests will enjoy this little-known cuisine that shares influences of Thai and Indian cooking but features unique ingredients and flavor combinations.  A Slow Food member who recently spent time in Myanmar (formerly Burma) will informally share his insights and experiences during your dinner conversation.
 
The menu includes:
Baya Kyaw (yellow split pea fritters appetizer)
Tea Leaf Salad (iconic Burmese dish)
Oh Noh Kauswe (coconut chicken noodle soup)
Burmese Curry Beef
Vegetable Kebat stir-fry with tofu
Burmese-Indian Rice
 
The cost of the meal, including tax and tip but not drinks is $25 for Slow Food members and $30 for others.  BYOB.  There is a limit of 12 guests.
 
Limited free parking (in stalls 1-8) in the alley between Kokua Market and Dagon Restaurant; on-street parking free after 6pm.

To register, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/burmese-dinner-with-slow-food-oahu-tickets-10608810237
 
Read an enthusiastic review (with photos) by Martha Cheng of Honolulu Magazine at:
http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/Biting-Commentary/January-2014/Dagon-A-New-Burmese-Restaurant-in-Honolulu/

Ag-Curious? - March 3, 2014

Hale Akoakoa Bldg. Windward Community College 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

 

What is the outlook for the Agricultural Industry in Hawaii? Hear from expert farmers on the challenges and rewards of farming.  Hear from current students of the GoFarm Hawai'i program. 

Learn more about the UH program:  GoFarm Hawai'i (www.gofarmhawaii.org), a comprehensive and practical training program built around the real-world needs of tomorrow's farmers.

 

Register your simply by emailing your name and contact information to [email protected] or by leaving a message at 236-9265.

The 2014 Legislature and Food Policy

Mahalo to the Hawai'i Food Policy Council for their diligent tracking and testifying on a variety of food sustainability and agricultural bills this session.  If you are at all interested in following these issues and providing testimony, the HFPC is your best bet to join. 

Here are a list of measures being followed by the HFPC at the 2014 Hawaii State Legislature ....
Listed below are the HFPC's  eight "Big Tent" Food Bills worth noting this session, including bills that represent a well rounded example of all aspects of our food system such as education, energy, support for producers, environment, invasive species, infrastructure, and innovation.

There are many other bills related to food. Here are the Local Food Caucus bills and a list of measures that include the word Food in its title or description.

Food Self Sufficiency Strategy: Establishes an agricultural development and food security program. Establishes state planning objectives to increase demand and access to locally grown foods. Establishes on-farm mentoring program. Makes appropriations. This is a revised version of SB 524 (2013 bill). HB1536
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1536

Food Innovation: Establishes an Agriculture Innovation Grant Program to fund agribusiness incubator programs to support start-up businesses in Hawaii focused on feed production, food waste recycling, on-farm energy efficiency, and soil health and conservation. HB1534
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1534

Special Purpose Revenue Bonds for Agriculture: Proposes an amendment to the Hawaii constitution to authorize the State to issue special purpose revenue bonds and use the proceeds from the bonds to assist agricultural enterprises.  HB748 & SB588 or SB974 SD2
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=748&year=2014

Energy Rates for Agriculture:  Requires the PUC to establish preferential rates for the purchase of energy that is used or consumed for agricultural activities and eligible agricultural activities of the Department of Agriculture.  HB1148 HD1 & SB587
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1148&year=2014

Farm/School Coordinator: Establishes the Hawaii Farm to School Program and Farm to School Coordinator position; HB1988
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1988&year=2014

Invasive Species:  Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Invasive Species Council for invasive species prevention, control, outreach, research, and planning.  HB1716 & SB2343.
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1716&year=2014

Livestock Revitalization Program & Extend Feed Subsidy:  Appropriates monies to reimburse qualified producers for a percentage of each farm's feed expenses. Provides monies for the administrative costs of the livestock revitalization program. SB2293
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2293&year=2014

Planting Food & Native Trees on Government Land:  Establishes a program for individuals to purchase native or food-bearing trees to be planted on government-owned lands. Establishes the keiki, 'opio, and kupuna trust fund to collect funds received by the program and to support the program. Keiki Caucus; Kupuna Caucus HB1795
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1795&year=2014

Slow Food Leadership

 

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; Tom Sheeran, Slow Food Chinatown Tour Coordinator.

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

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Slow Food Hawai'i Convivium website  

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