Return to Freedom
Conference connects youth, elders on food sovereignty
by Alan D. McNarie
Two trends on Hawai'i seem indisputable:
First, the islands are far too dependent on overseas sources for their
food supply. Second, many of those leading the effort to create a more
sustainable food supply are over 40.
A conference in Hilo on June 14-17 is aimed at reversing both trends.
The Ho 'ea ea ("Return to Freedom") Food Sovereignty Conference,
is described by its Web site as "gathering a collaborative of food
communities, especially our youth, from Kaua'i to Hawai'i Island that
will actively explore, develop, and nurture ho'ea ea-a spiritual, physical,
and cognitive pathway toward greater well-being and self-sufficiency."
According to conference co-organizer Dr. Manu Meyer, associate professor
of education at UH-Hilo, the idea started with Kukui Maunakea-Forth
of Ma'o Farms in Waianae, who spearheaded the first conference in 2005.
Maunakea-Forth, a leading producer of organic greens for O'ahu restaurants,
heard about a project in Boston that relinked youth with farming and
promoted sustainable agriculture. Maunakea decided that something similar
was badly needed here.
"Ninety percent of our food is shipped in. We need ho'ea ea,"
observes Meyer, who is well known for her work with at risk youth and
cultural values.
The day-long Youth Training Session kicks off the conference on June
14. About 150 young people will convene at Onekahakaha Beach and at
the UH-Hilo Campus Center Plaza for a day of workshops on leadership,
culture and sustainability.
The next day, the action moves to UH-Hilo's Pana'ewa Agricultural Center
for a plenary session with Meyer, Maunakea-Forth, David Fuertes, Dr.
Bill Steiner, Eric Enos, Walter Witty of Moloka'i, and a series of workshops
on protecting and perpetuating food-growing resources. There will a
ho'ike tent with book exhibits, demonstrations on how to make 'inamona
(a relish cooked kukui nuts and salt) and more.
On Friday evening, the Palace Theater will screen two documentaries
to benefit the Hilo Boy's and Girl's Club's Youth Community Garden Program.
Suzuki Speaks, by Canadian science documentarian Ken Suzuki, looks at
(as Meyer puts it) economics, environmental issues and values in a life
affirming, collective ancient way that helps to heal the planet. The
Power of Community examines what happened when Cuba had to go on a crash
self-sufficiency course after the collapse of the Soviet Union cut off
most of its oil and other imports. Tickets are $5 for conference members,
$8 for the general public, and free for teens.
On Saturday, conference participants spread out across the island on
field trips to the farms of people who are working on sustainable food
production. Sites include the Hilo Farmer's Market; an award-winning
"rock land farm" in Panaewa, the Belly Acres juggling commune
and sustainable farm in Puna; the Waters of Life charter school's 15
acre farm; the Waimea Middle School Youth Garden, the Boy's and Girl's
Club's garden, the 5th Annual Seed Exhange Festival in Waimea, a 4-H
fair and auction, and Kea'au Recycling Center. Participants will get
the chance to learn everything from how to erect a greenhouse to how
to trap, kill, skin and cook a pig.
The conference winds down with at the UH-Hilo Pana'ewa Ag Center on
Sunday, with a keynote address by Manu Meyer, followed by a pa'ina (dinner)
served by Moku O Keawe.
Meyer says the conference is actively looking for more adult participants,
and that donations gratefully accepted, to help defray costs. Housing
accomodations are available for off-island participants.
"The public is welcome on any or all of the days," says Meyer.
"Call for details. The more, the merrier."
Ho 'ea ea
"Return to Freedom"
A Food Sovereignty Conference
June 14-17
Hilo and various island locations
Info and registration:
Dr. Manu Meyer, 934-0182
handsturnedtothesoil.com
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