MEDIA RELEASE

Contact: Kim Coffee-Isaak

808 947-2914; alfhoffice@hawaii.rr.com

Ag Conference 2006

2006 Hawaii Agriculture Awards

Winners Honored

2006 Hawaii Agriculture Awards: These biennial awards are presented

to outstanding organizations which, or individuals who, contribute to

the advancement of Hawaii 's agricultural industry as businesses,

leaders, researchers, supporters, volunteers and/or friends. The

winners demonstrate excellence and high levels of achievement in

their respective fields as well as significant contributions to

agriculture in Hawaii. General selection criteria included

sustainability of operation, capacity for expansion or continued

improvements, and innovation and creativity. The awards will be

presented during the luncheon at Ag 2006, Maximizing Your Bottom Line

on Thursday October 26 in the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom.

The award categories and winners are listed below. Additional digital

images and extended information is available upon request.

Outstanding Agriculture Operation-1: Hamakua Springs Country Farms,

Richard and June Ha

During the three decades that Richard and June have been farming,

Hawaii agriculture has diversified, and their operation has as well.

In addition to bananas, Hamakua Springs Country Farms produces

greenhouse-grown, hydroponic tomatoes, lettuces, and cucumbers in

Pepeekeo on the Big Island. The farm's practices are in harmony with

the land and water that feed it, demonstrating an innovative model

for sustainability. The Ha's expansive vision of sustainability

includes not only farm economics and environmental conservation but

also the farm's 70 employees and the surrounding community. Their

team-oriented approach, commitment to the community, and thier

outstanding stewardship, savvy efficiency, and win-win management

style have garnered the Ha's many awards from the community, industry

and commodity groups.

Outstanding Agriculture Operation-2: FAT Law's Farm, Inc., Tim,

Alice and Frank Law

The FAT Law's Farm is located on over 100 acres in Ewa Beach, Oahu.

The farm is one of the state's main producers of fresh herbs and

vegetables, accounting for more than 60% of the basil exported from

Hawaii. Their success has lead to the development of 150 acre farm in

Hainan, China to raise products for the Hong Kong, China and Japan

markets. Tim Law first started farming on 3-acre farm in Waianae,

moved to a 25 acre farm in Kahuku and then moved to their present

location in 1996. All the while they have assisted immigrant minority

small scale farmers, providing advise on farming practices and

providing many with markets for their products. The Law's have

established programs and provided encouragement to these farmers so

they could become a viable and productive segment of the agriculture

industry. FAT Law's Farms has received many awards for their outreach

efforts and business practices.

New Farm Operation: Alii Kula Lavender, Alii Chang, Lani Weigert and

Marseu Simpson

Alii Kula Lavender, located in Kula Maui, grows 45 different

varieties of Lavender - 7 of which bloom year round, on a 10.5 acre

farm. The farm offers a walking tour and has 75 unique, quality

lavender products ranging from Lavender Poha Jam, Lavender Coffee,

Lavender Honey, Lavender Scone Mix, Lavender Potpourri, Lavender Body

Butter CrEme and Lavender Pet Shampoo. Their innovative business

model includes partnerships with local manufacturers in their

community. They prefer to empower rather than compete against local

businesses that offered similar products, such as jams, jellies,

soaps, candles, etc. Their marketing strategy is innovative as well

and focuses on the local community first, particularly the elders.

These visitors became their strongest promoters and helped attract

over 3,000 people to the farm last year. This strategy is developing

successful markets for their products in China, Japan, Canada,

Australia and Europe.

Innovative Value Added Product: Oils of Aloha, Dana and Barbara Gray

Oils of Aloha has been producing quality Kukui and Macadamia nut oils

since 1988. These oils are expeller pressed (no solvents) from nuts

grown throughout the Hawaiian Islands, providing additional markets

for local orchards and businesses. Originally, the company processed

oils for cosmetic and pharmaceutical manufacturers, but soon it was

producing macadamia nut oil for food applications as well. Oils of

Aloha's research lead to the discovery that macadamia nut oil is a

tasty and healthy alternative to olive oil and that kukui nut oil has

outstanding emollient properties. Today, Oils of Aloha is a

successful manufacturer with a global client base and enjoys an

excellent reputation for quality, reliability, and service.

Friend of Agriculture: Derek Kurisu

From his position as KTA's Executive Vice President for Perishable

Operations and as a media-savvy ambassador of aloha, Derek Kurisu has

promoted local products, nurtured new ventures, and raised awareness

of the challenges faced by Hawaii growers. He established the

Mountain Apple Brand to give local producers and manufacturers a

venue for their products. The brand's philosophy emphasizes teamwork.

The unity of working under a single brand strengthens the diverse

Mountain Apple Brand vendors, who are treated equally regardless of

their size. Import replacement is the goal - Derek encourages his

suppliers to compete with mainland producers rather than with their

neighbors. Ninety percent of KTA's leafy vegetables, 30 to 40 percent

of their beef, and 100 percent of their papayas, bananas, and milk

are produced on the Big Island. As chairman of the Hawaii Food

Industry Association, Derek is a spokesman for the state's retail

food suppliers. He is a member of the CTAHR Board of Advisors and

participates in many additional organizations related to all levels

of Hawaii education, from elementary school to UH and has won many

awards and accolades through the years. 185

These awards are sponsored in memory of A. James "Jim" Wriston III,

by his friends and partners Stephen Nimz, Stephen Swift and Alan

Gottlieb. Jim, an Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii

alumnus, lifelong agriculturalist and entrepreneur, lived a short but

very full life. His friends remember Jim as a "really good guy" who

liked to hang with his family and friends, fish and drink beer. His

fun approach to life was liked by all. Jim's entrepreneurial spirit

and environmental vision, his love for the land and his strong sense

of right and wrong, his respect for others and the strength of his

word are all qualities to be remembered as we honor others in this

sector who contribute to the its sustainable growth.

The popular awards luncheon will feature 100% local food prepared to

perfection by Executive Chef LaGarde and his culinary team. Join us

to celebrate and honor, not only the bounty Hawaii has to offer, but

the commitment by The Hilton Hawaiian Village to support local

farmers and food producers by making it a priority to use local

products. This will be a unique celebration with excellent food and

an entertaining and informative multi-media awards presentation

hosted by Howard Dicus and Yuki Kitakawa.

This event brings together both national and local industry

innovators and is especially designed for leaders with a vision for

agriculture, innovators, entrepreneurs, farmers, ranchers,

contractors, architects, nurserymen, their employees, golf course

superintendents, and the professionals supporting the industry in

universities, state and county governments, and non-profit