The Independent Voice
“Best Agricultural Newsletter in Hawaii”
Newsletter of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association
January 2021
PO Box 5436 Kailua Kona Hawaii 96745 USA
www.konacoffeefarmers.org info@konacoffeefarmers.org
Contents
Embracing a Positive 2021
Safety while Spraying Coffee Trees
Systemic Fungicides for CLR
Hawaiian Rolls Not Made in Hawai`i
COVID-19 Relief Package
HDOA CBB Subsidy Application
Save the Monarch Butterflies
Recipe: Bubbly Brew
Commentary
Editor – Clare Wilson
Embracing a Positive 2021
• President Colehour Bondera •
Greetings and best wishes to all for a positive 2021. Happy New Year, and thank you for your support while I have served the past year as the Board of Directors’ President, with intent to meet the needs and best interests of all of our membership.
While not required, let me recap what was experienced through 2020, and what my hopes are for moving into 2021 (and beyond). Note that while we have an annual budget, that KCFA has not done a strategic plan for several years, and so the priorities are not coming from the whole organization. Nonetheless, the time has come to enhance our successes, and to think about how to best move forward from where we are now…
2020 Successes
• Prepared Education efforts at beginning of year.
• Dealt with Legislative needs to ensure good representation of our 51% support.
• Worked closely with Representatives regarding how to move ahead through the pandemic.
• Sought shared common goals with other entities/groups in response to COVID-19.
• Coordinated with others to set priorities, once Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) was, “discovered”.
• Provided references for research and extension efforts for Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR).
• Communicated with parties to postpone our annual coffee EXPO, and hold it in a virtual format to the degree necessary.
• Supported steps be enacted for a program to buy for resale green coffee from members.
• Responded to demands of the pandemic plus the member needs for CLR information, to coordinate a series of education and outreach sessions to inform all interested.
• Identified missing parts of programs and efforts, and strove to communicate that with HDOA, CTAHR, PBARC, County Council, and both Hawaii and US House and Senate members.
Annual Membership Meeting <Virtual>
Please watch for email and website listing with details, but add to your schedule our Annual Membership Meeting which will be virtual and held in the afternoon of Sunday, January 31, 2021
Safety While Spraying Coffee Trees
With increased spraying required with Coffee Leaf Rust, especially combined with CBB, it’s important for coffee farmers to understand the laws, label reading, PPE & REI, and worker safety. Cal Westergard is an excellent educator and Andrea Kawabata will give us context with specifics for CLR and CBB.
Please note: ZOOM Webinar – 1/21/21 4:00 to 5:00 PM
–Submitted by Melanie Bondera
Availability of Systemic Fungicides for Coffee Leaf Rust
Currently, there are 11 contact fungicides legal to use to combat Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR), cercospora and anthracnose in coffee. What’s missing from our arsenal are the systemic fungicides. Systemics are absorbed into the plant and provide a much greater resistance and suppression for an active infection of CLR.
Members of the coffee industry and HDOA are collaborating to quickly legalize one systemic, Priaxor, through an EPA permitting process called Section 18. They will also be applying for a “Crisis Exemption” permit, which will allow the product to be purchased and sprayed within a defined 15-day window, before it is legally approved. That window is expected to open near the end of January, and notice will be sent by email when that happens.
To make sure that Priaxor is on-island for this short window, the chemical vendors are working to get adequate product on island before the exemption is activated. One gallon of Priaxor will cover 20 acres and can be sprayed a maximum of twice in a year. One vendor is estimating the price at $500 per gal, or roughly $25 per acre per spray. It’s possible, but not guaranteed, that the EPA will allow the continued use of Priaxor beyond the 15-day period while they evaluate the full Section 18 permit. It’s not known how long the full permit review will take.
If you have CLR, or are near a farm with CLR, consider whether a systemic is right for your farm. If or when the Section 18 permit for Priaxor is approved, the coffee industry will seek a second permit on an alternate systemic as growers will still need to rotate their sprays with other fungicides to prevent CLR from developing resistance. click to view>> HDOA map of CLR-positive farms
–Submitted by Suzanne Shriner
Hawaiian Rolls not Made in Hawaii?
Although the misleading use of Hawaii place names on coffee labels has been a concern for many years, the recent filing of two class action lawsuits indicates that this concern extends to the labeling of other products as well.
One case, involving the labeling of “King’s Hawaiian rolls”, has been brought in federal district court in New York. The complaint alleges that the product label prominently shows the words “Hilo, Hawaii” on the front of the package, “causing consumers to believe the Product is made in Hawaii” when, in fact, the rolls are produced on the mainland. In seeking damages on behalf of a class of consumers deceived by the label, the plaintiff states, “today’s consumer tastes have come to recognize there are lots of options on the market and want genuine products.” To read an article describing the case (together with a set of interesting public comments), go to https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/food/kings-hawaiian-rolls-not-made-in-hawaii-class-action-lawsuit-claims/
The other class action case, filed in November in federal district court in Los Angeles, names Hawaiian Host Candies as the defendant. The named plaintiffs state that they relied on the Hawaiian Host Candies’ product packaging when deciding whether to make their purchases—packaging that included hibiscus flowers, palm trees, Hawaiian landmarks and other references to Hawaiian culture, and the words “HAWAIIAN HOST, INC. Honolulu Hawaii 96817.” However, the plaintiffs allege that the candies sold to consumers outside of Hawaii are, in fact, made in California. For further information on this case, go to https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/food/class-action-lawsuit-claims-candies-arent-made-in-hawaii/
While it is encouraging that consumers are able to seek legal remedies for deceptive use of Hawaiian names on labels, it is disappointing that Hawaii is not following the example of other states (for example, Idaho for “Idaho Potatoes”; Vermont for “Vermont Maple Syrup”) and more actively and directly protecting the economic interests of farmers and other producers of genuine Hawaii products.
–Submitted by Bruce Corker
COVID-19 Relief Package
Aloha Kona Coffee Farmers—
I just wanted to let you know that help is on the way. The December 2020 COVID-19 relief package has a fresh round of funding for direct aid to individuals, as well as programs such as the PPP and EIDL. In addition, the package has $13.3 billion targeted agriculture, including:
· $9.7 billion for assistance to farmers and ranchers, including specialty crops; and
· $1.5 billion to purchase food, agricultural products, and seafood for individuals in need.
Last time around, we saw roadblocks to Hawaii’s access based on how the Trump Administration implemented the programs, so Senator has directed me to outreach the Biden transition team to help get us a better deal.
In hope,
James Chang
Senator Schatz’ Office
HDOA CBB Subsidy Application
Please apply for your HDOA Coffee Borer Beetle Subsidy now. While you may be turning your attention to managing Coffee Leaf Rust, this reimbursement for 50% of your original Botanigard or Mycotrol receipts will assist with your farm expenses. Start online here or email Melanie Bondera at hdoa.cbb@hawaii.gov or phone 808-323-7578.
–Submitted by Melanie Bondera
Save the Monarch Butterflies
Encourage Monarch butterflies to live on Your Farm
You can help save the beautiful Monarch butterflies from Extinction
Below is a Monarch caterpillar munching away on a Crown flower- (photo taken 12/28/2020 along Painted Church Road, south Kona). The caterpillar will soon pupate and then transform into a beautiful Monarch butterfly (above).
Milkweed species are the only food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars and here in Kona we have 2 very easy milkweed plants to grow. Crown flower (Calotropis gigantea) shown in the above photo and Gomphocarpus physocarpus aka “Hairy Balls” (photo below) which grows in abundance along the road near Mac Farms and is considered just a weed.
Plant these milkweed species on your farm and watch for eaten leaves and then look for the distinctive caterpillar. You will be helping to save the Monarchs!
–Submitted by Cecelia Smith
COMMENTARY-Colehour Bondera
2021 Opportunities
• Re-introduce fundraising and social activities to support KCFA, along the lines of a silent auction and farm tours and music and gathering, even if some must be done virtually.
• Engage in a new Board Strategic Plan for the 2-year, 5-year and 10-year terms.
• Enhance and expand the member green coffee purchase and distribution program.
• Seek federal and/or State resources for research/information sharing to the coffee farms, beyond only for and with the farm owners.
• Seek resources to ensure that whole systems for working with Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) are fully developed for application in Hawaii.
• Seek to develop relationship with Kamehameha Schools (along with the State and the County) in order to develop and work with a unified approach to management of Coffee Leaf Rust, as well as Coffee Berry Borer Beetle on empty and/or feral coffee properties.
• Consider broadening the live (and/or virtual) educational offerings, and how to seek funding to so emphasize.
• Pursue system efforts for health, nutrition, growth and management of organic coffee; an area not worked on by others, thus an unspoken need for both current and potential members.
• Build upon examples, such as the organic one above, in order to attract and engage new and committed members.
• Review and consider how to have a self-funded Executive Director lead the group.
Note that there are inevitably items not included in the lists above, and there is not an intentional dismissal or lack of priority for inclusion; simply not possible to list everything!
Feel free to share with me input and/or if your group would like to work with us to meet the needs of Kona coffee farmers. (colemel2@gmail.com) We are thrilled to work collaboratively and support one another – together individuals become groups and together groups can achieve shared goals. Please seek alliance and coordinated collaboration with KCFA if that fits your Mission.
While for many 2020 was a “difficult” year, with much change and stress, my strongest feeling is that we can and should take what is put before us and use it to make 2021 a great success at all levels. KCFA can and should so strive to learn from the past, and we can create a Positive 2021 working together.
Recipe: Bubbly Brew
A little late for a New Year’s Eve bubbly, but fun to try
Base:
Cooled strong coffee
Soda water
Add any of the following:
Sugar and/or cream
Sherry
Vanilla Extract
Chocolate syrup
Lime juice
Mint leaves
Use your imagination
Ice
Recipes Wanted! If any of you have coffee recipes that you would like to share, please submit them to the editor: clare@huahuafarm.com
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! >> Write to us. We welcome Letters to the Editor up to 150 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name and email address >> Email: info@KonaCoffeeFarmers.org with SUBJECT: Commentary.
