Rick Barboza on Sustainable Farming: Mālama Hawai'i

Описание: Rick Barboza draws on the roots of Hawaiian culture to connect visitors and volunteers with the ʻāina (land) through working in a traditional lo’í (taro patch). Located in the ahupua'a of He'eia on O'ahu, Rick and his team invite volunteers to take care of the land that in turn nurtures the entire area, from mauka to makai (from the mountain to the ocean.)

Kalo (taro) is a canoe plant to Hawaii, whose roots are mashed to make the traditional Hawaiian staple of poi. Food is an important part of any culture, and the ability to produce food is dependent upon a healthy environment. That’s where Rick’s passion for sustainable farming stems from – when we malama (care for) the land, we mālama each other, and all those who are part of our community. Rick believes the energy put into the ground is transferred to food, allowing people to thrive.

In the He'eia ahupua'a, Rick’s organization is just one of many that care for the area. Each part of an ahupua'a – from the uka (mountainous region) to the kula (midland plans and fields) to the kai (ocean) – is related and must be cared for, as one affects the other as a connected agricultural system. Rick invites visitors to learn about Hawaiian agriculture and dozens of native plants by working with their hands. By giving back to the land, visitors ultimately contribute to bringing life back to the Hawaiian Islands.

Visit https://www.gohawaii.com/malama to discover how you can Mālama Hawai'i when visiting.

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