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Aloha from the President

Aloha & Welcome to our new members that joined us recently.
Maui – Ulupalakua Ranch, Maui Visitor’s Bureau, Maui Economic Development Board, Kahanu Gardens, Hale Ho’omana Island Sanctuary, Sacred Garden of Maui
Oahu – North Shore Soap Factory
Hawaii Island – Paniolo Adventures, Buddha’s Sanctuary, Ueshima Coffee Company, Ponoholo Ranch Ltd,
Kauai – Sunshine Markets, Limahuli Gardens

Please send in a short description of your place along with a clear photo to place on our website under members.

  
 

At HATA’s two day strategic planning retreat in January, members shared their individual visions and hopes for the association. Collectively this was the future of agriculture imagined..

• Hundreds of (legitimate) Ag Farms open to the public on every island
• Maximizes resources (e.g. Sharing, cross marketing, collaboration and accessibility).
• Permitting process shortened to 48 hours and there is affordable special use permits.
• Farmers are thriving and employees are reaping rewards.
• 50% of our food produced and consumed locally, which results in sustainability.
• Providing authentic, unique, high quality experience available no where else in world.
• Diversification of income and crops.
• Urban sprawl stopped. Open spaces and important ag lands (IAL) preserved.

It will take steady, consistent efforts from each of us to move towards making these visions a reality. Your commitment now and in the future makes all the difference. I applaud everyone for believing and taking the first step towards “AgriFuture.”
           
 

Agricultural Producer of the Month

Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory

When we moved to our 6-acre orchards and home overlooking the Kona coastline in 1997 from North Carolina, fulfilling our dream to live where the mountains meet the sea, we dedicated ourselves to creating the finest products ~ Kona Coffee, and now pure Hawaiian Chocolate. There is something about our volcanic soil, Island showers and tropical Hawaiian sun that blesses them with unique flavor that is world renowned.
This is especially true with our totally unique chocolate. We are the ONLY producers to grow and process all-Hawaiian chocolate anywhere on earth. From the 1,300 cacao

  
  trees that surround our Keauhou home we process only Big Island grown cocoa beans. Our micro processing factory is the only one in Hawai'i ~ assuring total quality control from the fields to the final chocolate bars.
We are a working farm and are not "open to the public", however, we give tours of the Orchards and factory by appointment. It is not always possible to have a tour, but we try to educate and share our knowledge and special operation whenever we can. If you are in the Islands, you may call 808.322.2626 for more information.
We invite you to experience our exceptionally unique chocolate. America's own!
Aloha Bob & Pam Cooper Please visit www.hawaiicoffeeassoc.org or www.coffeefest.com for more information.
           
 

Collaboration through Education

Kona Joe Coffee on Hawaii Island

In April several HATA members along with potential HATA members visited Kona Joe Coffee. We were all so impressed by the tour. Greeted with kukui nut lei, warm papaya muffin and a cup of "Joe" (wow), Selena's tour was great (she is a wonderful speaker), the round table at the Gift Shop - so much learned by everyone and a gift of

 
 

your custom Kona Joe Coffee mug, exclaimed Nancy Miller, HATA Secretary. Who also took photo below of all participants.

Mahalo to Deepa & Joe Alban for hosting “Collaboration in Education”. For more information about Kona Joe Coffee, please go to www.konajoecoffee.com

Any HATA Members who are interested in hosting an informational tour at their farm on no matter what island you are on, for other HATA members and potential members, to visit, please email

           
 

Ag Industry News Watch

Save the Date on these Upcoming Events

2008 Hawaii Coffee Association Conference / Coffee Fest Hawaii
June 6-10, 2008
Hilton Waikoloa Hotel

Wai'anae Farmers' Market Grand Opening
June 21, 2008
Makaha Resort
Call Desiree for more information or to become a vendor: 696-1599 / 848-2074

Ag Technology Field Day
June 24, 2008
Hawaii Agricultural Research Station, Kunia Sub Station
To RSVP or if you have any questions, contact Matt Johnson at 808 483-8600 ext 113

2008 Hawaii State Farm Fair
July 26-27, 2008
Visit www.HFBF.org for more details.
Bishop Museum

Ag Conference 2008
September 4-5, 2008
Hawaii Convention Center
Please contact Kim Coffee-Isaak at (808) 947-2914 or

Hawaii Farm Bureau Annual Convention
October 16-18, 2008
Waikiki Beach Mariott Resort
Visit www.HFBF.org for more details.

Our next teleconference open to all HATA members is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, 2008 from 3pm – 430p.
Please sign up for a phone line by emailing
Here are the instructions to use the teleconferencing 65610 bridge operated by the University of Hawaii:
1. Neighbor island callers dial toll-free 1-866-956-8111 & ask the campus operator to transfer them to 65610.
2. Oahu callers dial 956-5610.
3. Manoa campus callers dial 65610.
4. Voice prompt welcomes you to the conference bridge & asks you to enter the password 1177 followed by the # sign.
5. Voice prompt will ask you to announce your name.
6. You are then connected to the conference bridge.
7. At the end of the call, each caller simply hangs up.