Hawai'i, I wish I was there

 Hawai’i, I wish I was there. Sandy beaches and palm trees. (Sigh.)

The guest speaker at the November meeting of RCEMG was Dr. Ted Radovich of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. While he was talking and showing pictures of the lush greenery with verdant mountains in the background, we sat here in cold, windy Kansas dreaming about sandy beaches and palm trees (at least I was.)

Here in Kansas we tend to think of Hawai’i as a tropical paradise. Dr. Radovich, from his perspective of agricultural systems, showed us the more practical side of the islands. 

Born and raised on O’ahu, Dr. Radovich is an extension specialist in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. He leads the sustainable and organic farming systems laboratory and oversees a small plot of organic land. His current state-wide program is focused on understanding how crop yield and quality can be optimized in agricultural systems that reduce reliance on conventional chemical fertilizers and increase use of ecological farming practices. 

He began by showing his test plot of Moringa trees, a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree with high nutritional value. It is considered to be a superfood because its fresh leaves contain the essential amino acids that our bodies need. It is reported that the level of vitamin C in the leaves is seven times more than that found in oranges. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. For centuries, the young seed pods and leaves have been eaten as a vegetable. It can also be used for water purification and hand washing.

In his tests, he is looking for a tree that can be grown for a heavy fruit set and high protein level, as well as for its ornamental red bark.

Some of his research is done on taro plants, known primarily as the basis for poi, a native Hawaiian staple. While taro used to be widely grown, it has now become a luxury item and is very expensive. Here in Kansas we know taro as elephant ears that are grown ornamentally. 

In his search for high value crops for local agriculture, he grows breadfruit - a very important staple throughout the world, tumeric - another traditional Hawaiian crop, and sugar cane. His laboratory includes an aquaponics area, growing bok choy with the help of tilapia and catfish. 

Interestly, a well-known Kansas gardener’s crop, heirloom tomatoes, have not been successfully grown in Hawai’i. Their tomatoes are plagued by pests and diseases. (That’s meant to make you feel better about gardening here but I’m not sure it’s a good trade-off for sandy beaches and palm trees.)

Thanks to Dr. Ted Radovich, the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, and Darde Gamayo, Big Island now.com.