Eat Locally Grown Day
North Kohala Report
Our first North Kohala "Eat Locally Grown Day" was on Saturday, January 16, 2010. This was one of the initiatives that came out of the North Kohala Food Forum. Restaurant owners Joan Channon (Bamboo), Karen Rosen (Kohala Coffee Mill), Peter Pomeranze (Sushi Rock) and farmer Tom Baldwin (Uluwehi Farms) wanted to feature more North Kohala-grown food in our local restaurants to build community consciousness about our healthy, locally produced foods and to create new connections with local farmers.Well, we did it! Hawi and Kapa'au town were abuzz with local foods from morning to night, from breakfast to dinner, and more. The initial participation grew to include nearly all of our local restaurants and markets -- Bamboo, Sushi Rock, Kohala Coffee Mill, Luke's Place, Kava Kafe, Pico's, Fig's Mixed Plate, Snack Shack, Hawi Farmers Market, Takata's -- all of whom rocked with local food, drinks, and music! The North Kohala Eat Locally Grown Day started early at the Kohala Coffee Mill and the Hawi Farmers' Market and ended late with local kava and local music at the Kava Cafe and Studio 54 at Sushi Rock! We ate, we danced, we raised awareness about local food and farmers!
Andrea Dean (right) interviews restaurant owner Karen Rosen on "Eat Locally Grown Day."