Kilauea Community Agricultural Center now certified organic; farmers, strategic plan and construction under way

At the June 8 meeting Yoshi L’Hote told the Kilauea Neighborhood Association that the Kilauea Community Agricultural Center is now a certified organic farm and that a one-acre, community-run agriculture plot is growing quickly and is expected to supply food by the end of the month.

Yoshi said two commercial farmers — Ben Ferris and Rodney Yadao — are preparing soil and planting ginger and corn on two half-acre parcels. He also reported Cherie Grousset has been hired to develop a strategic plan and will distribute a questionnaire to the community to gather feedback over the next month. Construction on a stone wall and entrance has begun, though funds allocated for an office trailer have not yet been released for use.

The Ag Center update included operational details and near-term expectations rather than formal board action. Board members and attendees were told the center may add two additional farmers in July, and participants discussed next steps for community outreach and planning the center’s facilities.