which explains the importance of taro in Hawaiian culture.” At its peak, kalo was planted on over 35,000 acres. Today, only less than 350 acres are dedicated to kalo. To keep up with the demand ...

Kipahuli farmer John Lind was the winner in the wetland kalo category, with E kūpaku ka ‘āina executive director, Penny Levin, at the East Maui Taro Festival in 2019. Photo courtesy EKKA The ...

Hawaii State Teachers Association has honored Chayanee Brooks, a Ka‘u High English teacher, with its 2025 Pono Award and ‘aina-based Puna educator Nick Kalamakani Francisco with its 2025 Friend of ...

Farmers would collaborate and share the auwai’s flow of water with each other, using makaha, or a type of gate, that would redirect water to each farmer’s loi kalo, often alternating days that ...

File (2019): Kīpahulu farmer John Lind, winner of the wetland kalo category, poses for a photo with E Kūpaku Ka ʻĀina Executive Director Penny Levin, at the East Maui Taro Festival in 2019.

Nick Kalamakani Francisco received the Friend of Youth Award for his work teaching kids and families how to grow and harvest taro. He can often ... they’ll harvest the kalo they planted and ...

Umitani proposes a senate-supported bill that would provide a General Excise Tax (GET) Exemption for the sale of operational costs for Kalo (Taro) farmers. She argues providing this tax break will ...

and kalo (taro). Maui County is highlighted as a model for advocates and policymakers nationwide interested in advancing legislation that supports locally grown, cultural foods. The Healthy Food ...

Taro is known as “kalo” to native Hawaiians. “Kalo was not invented by the University of Hawaii, and they have no right to ‘own’ or ‘license’ it,” said Walter Ritte. “If any one owns the kalo, we do ...

Merrie Monarch is in the air here in Hilo as it started a few days ago. There is a feeling of excitement in the air with all the activities and craft fairs around town and lots of activity this week.