Can taro farming heal Hawaii?

A Native Superfood Studies also show evidence that poi, a traditional fermented food made with taro, is a probiotic that contains significantly more gut-friendly bacteria than yogurt. All these beneficial properties make taro an important candidate for fixing the Hawaiian diet.

Where is taro grown in Hawaii?

Most of the taro grown in Hawaii today is in wetland or submerged culture. However, in ancient times upland taro was commonly grown in many areas of the state with reliable rainfall. Areas on the island of Hawaii where upland taro was well adapted include Hamakua, Puna, Ka’u, Kohala, and Kona.

Where can I buy taro in Oahu?

Best taro leaves in Honolulu, HI

• Talofa Polynesian Market. 1.5 mi. $$ Grocery, Bakeries, Polynesian.
• Marukai Wholesale Mart. 2.9 mi. 282 reviews.
• K S Market. 3.0 mi.
• Yama’s Fish Market. 1.8 mi.
• Tammy’s Polynesian Market. 11.3 mi.
• Seafood City Supermarket. 12.5 mi.
• Azama K Fish Wholesale. 3.4 mi.
• Pacific Supermarket. 12.2 mi.

How do you prepare taro for planting?

Keep the taro consistently moist; taro is often grown in wet paddies, like that of rice. Feed the taro with a high potassium organic fertilizer, compost, or compost tea. For a non-stop supply of taro, a second crop can be planted between the rows about 12 weeks before the first crop is harvested.

How do you know when to harvest taro?

Taro tubers are harvested about 200 days after planting when leaves turn yellow and start to die. Lift taro roots like sweet potatoes before the first frost in autumn. Taro leaves can be picked as soon as the first leaf has opened; harvest taro leaves cut-and-come-again, never stripping the plant of all its leaves.

Where can I buy kalo in Oahu?

Where to get Kalo on Oʻahu. Located in Kahalu’u, Hui Aloha ʻĀina Momona can provide raw ($4/lb) and cooked ($5/lb) kalo for sale on O’ahu. Bulk pricing is available for orders of 100 lbs and up. Located at Kapalai in Maunawili (Kailua), Ho’okua’āina is continuing to harvest raw kalo for the community.

How do you eat kalo?

Kalo is delicious, nutritious and can be used like potato in most recipes. My two favorite ways to eat it are: kalo (potato) salad and kalo fried pancakes. Note: Taro MUST be thoroughly cooked because of the oxalic acid content in the plant.

How many varieties of Taro did the Hawaiians grow?

Taro farming developed into a sophisticated system in Hawai`i. Hawaiian planters cultivated approximately 300 varieties of taro in ancient times, most of them distinguished by colors in different parts of the leaf and adapted to specific growing conditions and locales. Hawaiians grew both wet and dryland varieties,…

How long does it take a taro plant to mature?

The taro roots, or corms, reached maturity when the leaves began to curl and yellow, but they could be left in the flooded lo`i for months longer without rotting. Depending on a variety of conditions, taro matured in nine to 12 months.

How did the Taro people get their food?

The roots were worked free from the mud by hand and foot and the plant was pulled out by hand. On the bank, the leaves were chopped off and the corm cut from the huli – the top portion of the corm could then be replanted.

Who is the Executive Director of Kaʻala farm?

In the Waiʻanae Valley, the practice of cultivating taro had been nearly wiped out by colonialism. Watch as ʻAnakala Eric Enos, our Executive Director at Kaʻala Farm narrates the moʻolelo of working to restore the land, water and ancient loʻi in Waiʻanae Valley on the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu with our kaiāulu/community.