History of the food sourcing/production in Hawaii
and details about C-TAHR: Although, my class went on a C-TAHR Learning trip, I was unable to go due to a wrestling tournament in Las Vegas. However, I found that the food sourcing/ production in Hawaii has evolved throughout the years. It all began with the settlement and immigration in the Hawaiian islands by Polynesian Voyagers, who brought plants and animals to the islands. As they began a new life here in Hawaii, they lived a basic life of raising and harvesting plants and animals. Then in 1778, there remained the first contact by the European and American cuisine with missionaries and whalers who introduced their foods. With new mixed cultures, these people were able to change and evolve. For example, the production in pineapple and sugarcane plantations increased, as well as demand in labor. Between 1850 and 1930, these plantations and labor brought many immigrant workers from China, Korea, Japan, Philippines, Puerto Rico and Portugal. The Carbon, Oxygen and Nitrogen Cycles affect healthy systems in many ways. For example, the water cycle, it comes from bodies of water; lakes, rivers and oceans. It begins with precipitation, and evaporated into the atmosphere. Under the right conditions, the water vapors gather into clouds. The Carbon Cycle is also broken down into dependent smaller sub-cycles which are respiration and photosynthesis. In respiration, carbohydrates are consumed by animal life or fauna inhabiting the biosphere, and the oxygen, water, energy and output carbon. Furthermore, being powered by energy, animals use it for their biology. The photosynthesis of carbon cycle is when plants absorb energy from the sun to produce its own carbohydrates and oxygen. When plants are eaten, the carbon returns to the ecosystem and turn to carbon dioxide. Also, the carbon will eventually turn into fossil fuels if not consumed by animal life. More so, the Nitrogen Cycle is a way converted by nitrates in two different ways. One way is lightning, which has such energy from a form of nitrogen that plants can use. Another way is when nitrogen is fixing bacteria by special enzymes when nitrogen is converted to nitrates. College of Tropical Agriculture and Resources: (Field Trip At Waimanalo) CTAHR The United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, donated $600,000 to the University of Hawaii's farmer-training program GoFarm Hawaii. This funding will help GoFarm grow local agricultural production and continue their training of aspiring farmers. On four of the Hawaii islands, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi island, has one of the biggest farmer training programs. More than 260 farmers throughout the state were trained at the start in 2012. However, I was unable to go on the field trip this past quarter, I learned more about the CTAHR and its significance to our Hawaiian perspectives. Food Journal Data Analysis Link to my Food Diary Data: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oeyZDje0nVp2g2E_u-uQpFtquXVrBpZDYWlDa6O3hOw/edit#gid=237956048 In my food diary, I've noticed many significant things. Something that stood out to me the most was that I mostly ate processed foods. Although, consuming a majority of processed food is not healthy, I am not shocked with my data. Most of the time, I have been eating on the go and working hard each day which encouraged me to snack a lot throughout the day. Also, while recording my data in my food diary, I noticed that I ate a lot of candy from Halloween! That is not good! As for my fellow classmates, Iʻve noticed that they also eat more processed foods than organic and locally sourced. In our discussion, we talked about the difference between eating processed and organic or locally sourced food, and we came to a conclusion that processed foods are more affordable than the locally sourced and organic foods. However, these expensive foods will make it better in the long run for our bodies and our health. How might we be more responsible for our own food production? We as the people of Hawaii, should perpetuate the Hawaiian culture for the purpose of being more secure with our food on our islands. Increasing lands of produce and systems within our farms will benefit us into having the confidence we need in food production so that we do not need to rely on the boats that come. Taking action now will help many of us in the future even generations and generations of people. Some steps that could be taken to ensure that food is secure, is to first ask the people on our Hawaiian islands to create a small garden to their desire. By doing so, they will gain knowledge and experience of growing and harvesting a plant. If the worst were to occur, then it is best to have a back up plan in store. It is always important to preserve the Hawaiian culture and practices in connecting with the ʻāina. Starting to expand the knowledge of life systems will overall ensure a prosperous future in Hawaii and healthy systems that have limits. Hydroponics System in class: My group and I were assigned in the classroom to do the "Hydroponics system", a form of agriculture that grows plants in tray or feeds plants with a constant flow of a nutrient solution inside of grow beds. This system has six main types of tools and equipment: nutrient film technique (NFT), Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain), Aeroponics, Wick Systems, Drip Systems and Deep Water Culture (DWC). Our job is to maintain and grow lettuce along with other plants held within the same container. However, our main focus is on the lettuce that we are trying to grow. In this system, I learned that it is important to monitor the water levels and to analyze whether the lettuce plant is well fed and hydrated. As for the lettuce, we are growing it inside of the green containers with pebbles holding it in the planting pot. Eating a Locally Sourced Meal This past weekend, we were instructed to eat a fully locally sourced meal with nothing that is considered processed. It was a difficult to find the best place for a healthy and produced locally food, Later, I found Kahuku Farms, a place where they serve foods that come right from their own farm or in our local area. That day, I ordered the Kahuku farms Pizza with hydrophobic side salad. It had toasted bread, cheese, eggplant, mushroom, pesto basil and hydrophobic lettuce. By eating a locally sourced meal, I feel way more healthier. My stomach was full and I didnʻt have the feeling of being bloated and sore stomach. It was a great experience to eat it with their famous tropical smoothie. This is my most favorite meal in which I savored every single bite. I recommend doing this because I would often eat in this lifestyle I, only if could. Tomato Plant Lab In class we have been creating and recording our tomato plant data while harvesting it. We did some research to learn more about our specific tomato plant and how to prepare ourselves to grow it at home. Furthermore, mines is the Tomato Healani plant and it is a plant with uniform ripening. I am very excited to take it home and plant it in my yard. |