LCC Partners With ‘Nalo Farms

A Waimanalo farm is collaborating with Leeward Community College in a way that will benefit everyone – a farmers market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday, beginning Aug. 11 on the Pearl City campus.

A ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 9:30 a.m. will launch the partnership in the college’s parking lot C that day.

“Our goal is 40 vendors, and we’re close to meeting that goal,” said Dillan Hanawahine, speaking for ‘Nalo Farms. “We have a great mix for local farmers, local-made and produced, value-added products and great chefs, as well as a Leeward culinary booth.”

The goal of the partnership is to showcase how education, farms and community go hand-in-hand to create “AgriCulture,” a play on words that reflects the core of the Islands’ agrarian roots – from the earliest taro growers, to the plantation era, to a hopefully sound, sustainable future for local food production.

Owned and operated by Dean Okimoto, who also heads the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, ‘Nalo Farms participates in farmers markets islandwide and also manages the market at Windward Mall on Sundays and Wednesdays.

For LCC vendor information and other details, call Hanawahine at 722-2523 or email dillan.nalofarms@yahoo.com.