Waimea Valley hosts a Waimea Valley Kalo Workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Local experts Jerry Konanui and Hiapo Cashman will discuss kalo identification and the cultural aspects of kalo.
The free workshop, open to farmers, community groups and members of the public, is a joint venture with the Botanical and Cultural Programs Groups of Waimea Valley, to aid in identifying varieties of kalo found throughout the state.
The workshop is also an opportunity for kalo farmers and community members to share ideas on traditional and current farming techniques and to discuss current issues concerning kalo.
Konanui, cultural practitioner and traditional Hawaiian crops expert, will lecture on kalo identifications. He has provided statewide educational workshops and demonstrations since the 1960s and is an expert in kalo (taro), uala (sweet potato), awa (kava), ko (sugar cane) as well as other mea kanu (plants). He is a member of the Hawaii State Taro Task Force.
Cashman, loi coordinator at the University of Hawaii, is a kalo enthusiast. He will lecture on kalo and its cultural aspects and uses.
The workshop will include a walking tour of Waimea Valley’s Ethno Collection of plants, a kalo identificaion session, kalo tasting, a poi pounding demonstration, and a Q&A session.
Admission fee to the park is $6 for kamaçaina.
For more information, visit http://www.waimeavalley.net. For reservations, call 638-7766.