Waipiʻo Valley Visit and Meeting with Taro Farmers

A clear hot day on the island of Hawaiʻi, we followed our hosts, Kaʻiulani and Tom Pahio down the steep, narrow road to the valley floor.  The Taro Security and Purity Task Force was represented by chairman Alapaki Luke and board members Penny Levin and Dean Uyeno.  The newest board member Brent Neil, a farmer in Pahoa, was in attendance accompanied by his wife Brittany.  The goal of the day was to talk story with the farmers in Waipiʻo Valley and hear their concerns that the task force could advocate for in the next year.

Our hosts gave us a tour toward the back of the valley and we were graced with the beauty of the two waterfalls.  Waipiʻo Valley had been blessed with a lot of rain earlier in the week and we saw evidence of the water of the river being high.  But on the sunny August 25th Saturday, the water levels returned to normal and we saw many farmers working on their ʻāina.  There were families out enjoying the good weather and children enjoying their Saturday off from school.

We would like to thank Jason and Alberta Mock Chew for allowing us to meet on their ʻāina.  Mahalo to the farmers that came to share their manaʻo and to our hosts Kaʻiulani and Tom Pahio for the ʻono food.

The meeting was small in attendance but the issues discussed were very heart felt and important.  Apple snails, ways to preserve taro farmer information for the next generation, and updates on Task Force initiatives were shared.

Waipiʻo Valley was a gracious host and those who made the trip were humbled by the ʻāina and the kanaka.