GMO Fields, A Concert And Art

As I drive by the GMO fields in Lihue that look bedraggled and anything but healthy, I wonder why so much of the viable farmland on Kaua’i is used to grow seeds experimentally that then get distributed off-island. It especially disappoints me that these acres of land aren’t utilized to grow food that could essentially feed the entire island, providing us with ample opportunity to stop relying on barges that bring us nearly all of our nourishment. Don’t get me wrong, I empathize with the need for kama’aina to retain their jobs. But something tells me there’s a better way to apply people’s skills and talents so that jobs are not lost, food fills our bellies and poisons don’t infiltrate the aina …

On a lighter, more musical note, the 2013-14 Kaua’i Concert Association kicks off its first concert of the season Sunday with pianists Soyeon “Kate” Lee and Ran Dank. The recently engaged couple plans to play individually and to perform several pieces together. Tickets ($30 for adults, $10 students) can be purchased online at kauai-concert.org or at Magic Dragon in Princeville, Kaua’i Music and Sound in Kapaa, Pictures Plus in Lihue, Island Soap and Candle Store in Koloa, The Wine Shop in Koloa, Kalaheo Coffee in Kalaheo and Aloha-n-Paradise in Waimea …

Artistic creativity must be in the air. Renegade sculptor Eddie Petri was at it again with his public craft during a recent event, which drew some 150 people in celebration of the annual Burning Man festival in Nevada. Several artists participated in the festivities, displaying their art installations at Donkey Beach …

Leticia Ruiz of Eleele will represent the island Oct. 13 in the 2013 Mrs. Hawaii Filipina Scholarship Pageant at Ala Moana Hotel. Her manager, Carey Fujimoto, says “Letty” is following her dream, which she put on hold for several years because of her responsibilities as wife and mother. The message she hopes to convey is that anyone can and should follow their dreams.

“Kaua’i has many talented and beautiful women ranging in age from 21 to 65, and I believe Letty will encourage other women,” says Fujimoto.

To contribute or to sponsor Ruiz, contact Fujimoto at 635-5916 …

National Tropical Botanical Garden is hosting Breadfruit Festival Takes Root Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the organization’s South Shore Visitors’ Center in Poipu. Activities include cultural demonstrations that will highlight ulu (breadfruit) and kalo (taro). Chef Sam Choy will be among those presenting cooking demonstrations of the locally celebrated produce. The event is presented by Ho’oulu ka Ulu, a project of NTBG’s Breadfruit Institute and Hawaii Homegrown Food Network and is free to the public. Visit ntbg.org/ulufestival for more information …

Adopt-A-Classroom’s Ric Cox has good news regarding the project’s iPals4iPads campaign. More than $23,000 was raised or pledged within the first two weeks of the $49,000 fundraiser held by the Rotary Club of Hanalei. The campaign aims to provide 90 iPad minis to Kilauea Elementary School students. Some of the major donors are Larry Bowman Family Foundation ($10,000), Ohana Real Estate Investors ($5,000) and Hale Uluwehi Charitable Fund ($2,060) …

Big congrats to Kilauea’s Zoe Carvalho, who was recognized as a top fundraiser in the state for the March of Dimes. Nine years ago, Carvalho was born weighing only 1 pound, 12 ounces to Ken Carvalho and Lisa Ubay. The Carvalho family was selected to serve as ambassadors for the organization in 2007. Not only do Ken Carvalho and Ubay serve as board members for the March of Dimes, but also the family has been raising money and participating with the organization ever since they were selected. Zoe’s ambition led her to raise more than $4,500 for the March for Babies walk at Lydgate Park this year – more than any other walker/fundraiser in the state. She also was recognized as the youngest Golden K walker in the state and has raised almost $16,000 in the past five years.

“Zoe is passionate about the March of Dimes and its mission to save babies,” says Ubay. “She continues to ask family, friends and the community to join her in helping other families. There are many families and donors who consistently donate to Zoe every year, and we realize just how special that is. We are so proud of Zoe and her compassion for others” …

Don’t forget that September is Hunger Action Month, and donations of food to Hawaii Foodbank are encouraged to help feed the island’s hungry. Kudos to MidWeek Kaua’i‘s Marta Lane for pledging a portion of the proceeds from her new book, Tasting Kaua’i: Restaurants, to Hawaii Foodbank-Kaua’i Chapter …

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