The Landscape Industry of Hawaii (HILA), in partnership with University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension, is offering a conference addressing important topics of interest to us in Kona and to all of Hawaii. Their 10th Landscape Management Conference takes place on Friday, Oct. 11 at the Westin Hapuna Beach Hotel on the Kohala Coast here on the Big Island. The day-long conference will begin at 8 a.m. and feature numerous informed speakers until 4:30 p.m.
The theme this year is Fire and Water. According to conference coordinator and UH Extension Agent Ty McDonald, these are two very timely topics, especially in dry leeward communities.
He then added, “On a practical level, for landscapers, homeowners and property managers, understanding the destructive power of fire to our natural and created landscapes, as well as to structures, personal property and precious human lives is essential. Similarly, water is increasingly recognized as a necessary, finite and expensive resource that we need to use more efficiently. Tools to reduce fire risk and conserve water exist and need to be shared.”
Registered guests may want to arrive at the conference early to register, meet and greet other attendees and enjoy a continental breakfast. The first speaker of the day will be Kevin Eckert addressing the Plenary Topic, “Catastrophic Wildfires.”
Kevin is the president and managing director of Arbor Global USA and will launch the day’s discussion sharing his observations, lessons learned and recommendations derived from his 25 years investigating wildfires in the Western U.S., Australia and Hawaii. The talk will focus on wildfire suppression though proactive vegetation management. As we face the increasing likelihood of wildfires here in Hawaii, this discussion will offer some recommendations for preventing these catastrophic incidents.
Continuing with this year’s conference theme of fire, two knowledgeable speakers will address “firescaping.” Jerry McAdams, the manager of the Wildfire Mitigation Program and Dana Aina who is Hawaii’s Firewise Program support specialist from our Wildfire Management Organization will together address ways to protect our structures from wildfires.
Jerry has more than 20 years of service as a Wildfire Mitigation Specialist and has extensive experience and understanding relating to the protection of communities at risk from the threat of wildfires.
Dana has served with the Hawaii Wildfire Mitigation Organization as firewise community ambassador and wildfire home assessor for the last three years. Dana helps neighborhoods develop and plan community mitigation projects and become more firewise. To date, Dana and his wife Shelly have completed over 60 assessments for homeowners and condo associations throughout South Kohala, Waimea and North Kona.
Of course, when we face the possibility of wildfires here, we need to also be sure our water supply meets the many demands placed upon it, including fire control. Oliver Black will address the important issue in his talk “Water Conservation through Smart Irrigation Systems.” He is the community water conservation manager at Kuki’o Golf &Beach Club.
In his job, Oliver has focused on implementing the latest smart irrigation and control monitoring systems to reduce water use in the community. Over the last four years, Oliver’s work has successfully reduced water use there by millions of gallons per year. He is continuing to research state-of-the-art technology to reduce water use while maintaining the integrity, health and beauty of a landscape. As his work continues, he is dedicated to sharing his research with the landscape industry and the community. This is an opportunity to learn more about his research and results.
Following the lunch that will be provided to all registered attendees, several afternoon sessions will address issues of concern to landscape professionals as well as homeowners.
Jade Miyashiro who is the outreach technician for the Big Island Invasive Species Committee will update us all on the extent of the coconut rhinoceros beetle detections on the Big Island while sharing the latest research on this invasive pest.
AJ Howery, director of operations at Big Island Queens, will talk about the value of the bee industry to Hawaii and the worldwide importance of the Kona Coast to the industry. Our year-round growing conditions are definitely helping with research on developing mite-resistant bee strains. Part of AJ’s talk will focus on ways that queens are being raised and hives are being managed at Big Island Queens.
Kevin Eckert will offer a wrap-up talk on “Tree Risk Assessment Biomechanics” at the end of the conference. He will discuss the identification of common tree defects and conditions that can contribute to tree failure in the landscape. He will review the visible signs of defects and issues that increase the likelihood of failure.
A trade show is also available to attendees during the entire conference. The onsite show will feature landscape industry suppliers as well as several non-profit agencies. They will have their latest products and services on display.
This event is packed with valuable information. Go to the HILA website www.hilahawaii.com for more information and to register. Tickets for the event are $150 for HILA members and $180 for non-members. Students with a valid ID can get tickets for $95. Be sure to register by Oct. 3, as rates will increase after that. For questions contact Ty McDonald at tym@hawaii.edu or 808-322-4884.
Gardening events
Saturdays: Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Come with a mask and be prepared to practice social distancing. Volunteers can help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Water and snacks provided.
Now: CLR resistant coffee trees are available for preorder. Ungrafted $10 / Grafted $15. Email Andrea at andreak@hawaii.edu to express interest in the Catimor hybrids. Not available for propagation purposes.
Today (Sept. 21): Kona Orchid Society Show &Sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Makaeo County Pavilion at the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Center. Admission is $2. Early Bird Special is entry at 8 a.m. for $20 and includes a cup of coffee. Come meet local orchid growers and their lovely orchids.
Sunday (Sept. 22): The annual Hamakua Harvest Festival, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 44-2600 Mamalahoa Hwy. Honoka‘a. A celebration of local agriculture including food, hula, fun and more.
Save these dates:
Wednesday, Oct. 2: Hawaii Mango Research Projects Hybrid Workshop, starts at 10 a.m.at the Kona Research and Extension Center in Kainaliu. In person and on Zoom. Learn about research on organically certified Thyme Guard against mango pathogens and use of potassium nitrate to stimulate off-season production. Register for free at www.HawaiiCoffeee Ed.com/mango.
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 4-6: 34th annual Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers International Conference, at the Maui Food Innovation Center and farm visits. Talk by Dr. Johathan Crane from the Tropical Research and Education Center at the University of Florida plus workshops. For more information as the event gets closer go to htfg.org.
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 4-6: 13th annual Hawaii Farmers Union United Convention, at the University of Hawaii Maui College. Joining with the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers and the Maui Food Innovation Center, the convention will focus on sustainable and regenerative agriculture for Hawaii. Presentations, workshops and community networking on a wide range of topics. Free to the public. Go to www.hfuuhi.org for more information.
Saturday, Nov. 2: Arbor Day Celebration, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook. Featuring a free tree giveaway of useful and beautiful native trees and shrubs. In addition, the garden will hold a plant sale and host displays on horticulture and conservation. Activities for children, and even a public display by some talented conservation dogs will be available as well.
Thursday, Nov. 7: Coffee Tasting Workshop, morning session 9 to 11 a.m., afternoon session 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Kona Research and Extension Center Conference Room in Kainaliu. Learn how to brew the perfect cup of Kona coffee. Registration is required at www.hawaiicoffeeed.com/kccfcoffee. Donation of $25 includes a 2024 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival button.
Farmer
direct markets
(Check websites for the latest hours and online markets)
Wednesday and Friday: Ho’oulu Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sheraton Kona Resort at Keauhou Bay
Saturday: Keauhou Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center; Kamuela Farmer’s Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables; Waimea Town Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Parker School in central Waimea; Waimea Homestead Farmers Market, from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Waimea middle and elementary school playground.
Sunday: Pure Kona Green Market, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook; Hamakua Harvest, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hwy 19 and Mamane Street in Honokaa.
Plant advice lines
Anytime: konamg@hawaii.edu
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu: 322-4893 or walk in.
Mon., Tues. and Fri: 9 a.m. to noon at UH CES at Konohana in Hilo, 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living part time in Kailua-Kona.
