Hawaii Community College has put together a wonderful series of classes on the business of farming to be held in Honokaa starting on Aug. 14. The classes would normally cost $795, but are being offered for $49. The classes are filling up quickly, so contact the program coordinator, James Rushing, right away at 312-498-3716 or at jrushing@hawaii.edu if you are interested in attending.
A detailed schedule lists all the exciting events included in this series of the Business Plan Development Training for Farmers.
Preparing a successful business plan can pay off. This course is comprised of business plan training geared for existing or aspiring farmers. The course will support diversified small farm success through the Hawaii Island Farmers Guide to Accessing Local Markets. This guide will provide marketing strategies and lessons from successful local farmers, buyers, grocers, and chefs. Students will receive a copy of the guide as a benefit of attending the course.
Students will also be introduced to many existing resources and hands-on opportunities. Areas of study will include marketing, accounting, business plan development and practical agriculture production skills. This program is 100 percent funded by the U.S. Department of Labor in the amount of $376,457 through the Rural Development Project. Auxiliary aids are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.
The dates of the class are Aug. 14 to Oct. 30 at the North Hawaii Education & Research Center (NHERC) in Honokaa. The course may require travel to other locations islandwide. The times are 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. When registering, the course code is 123R016.
For auxiliary assistance, please contact the Office of Continuing Education & Training (OCET) at 200 W. Kawili St. in Hilo, 934-2700, 10 days prior to the first day of instruction. To register, call the same phone number, or walk in from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the OCET office. You must be at least 18 years old to apply. See college website hawaii.hawaii.edu/ocet for updates on program.
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Waimea’s 37th Annual Paniolo Parade & All-Day Ho‘olaule‘a — 2012 Hawaii Island Festival: 30 Days of Aloha will begin on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 10 a.m. Everyone is invited. This exciting event begins at historic Church Row and concludes at Waimea Park with all-day festival with tons of Hawaiian entertainment, foods, crafts and more. Admission is free, but purchase of $5 ribbons helps underwrite expenses for this all-volunteer-run series of events.
For information or to participate, contact Moani Akana, project manager and Paniolo Parade chair, at 885-3110.
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Mealani’s 17th Annual Taste Of The Hawaiian Range and Agricultural Festival will be Friday, Sept. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort. This is one of Hawaii’s premier food festivals. The event provides a venue for education on local agricultural products, plus more than 30 island celebrity, resort and restaurant chefs prepare grass-fed beef, pork and lamb dishes with island-grown vegetables and fruits.
It is also an opportunity to meet the farmers and ranchers who produce the food. For more information call 775-0251 or visit www.tasteofthehawaiianrange.com.
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Peace on Parade will get under way in Honokaa at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22. The whole town of Honokaa will come together to give peace a chance at the 6th Annual Parade & Festival celebrating the United Nations’ International Day of Peace. A “moving stage” of marching bands, taiko drummers, hula, bon dance and more multicultural music and entertainment kicks off the day, followed by a large community festival with food booths and more music at the Honokaa Sports Complex. Admission is free, and all are welcome.
The Peace Committee is now seeking booth vendors, sponsors and donations for silent auction. For details, visit www.PeaceDayParade.org, email info@peacedayparade.org or call 775-7232.
Carol Yurth’s column is published every Sunday and spotlights activities on the Hilo-Hamakua coast. She welcomes items for her column. Reach her by mail (46-1240 Kalehua Road, Honokaa HI 96727) at least 10 days before the requested publication date, call her at 775-7101, or e-mail waiukahe@interpac.net.
