Three generations of a family from Wai'anae perform ku'i kalo, or taro pounding: grandpa Kana'i Dodge, son Daniel Anthony and his daughter Ko'iahi Punua. – Courtesy photo by Nā Kahu o Hāloa

Taro fest comes to the Capitol

By Liza Simon / Ka Wai Ola Loa

The state Capitol was the scene of heated protest and testimony over kalo last year, but politics will be set aside on March 24, when taro farmers, supporters, consumers and others gather at the state Capitol for a day of fun, feasting, education – and an attempt to set the state record for taro pounding in modern times.

Taro will be provided for free for the record-setting endeavor, but attendees are advised to bring their own papa ku'i 'ai and pōhaku ku'i 'ai, or boards and stone pounders. Organizers say this is not a political rally, but updates on the legislative progress of the two bills proposing a moratorium on the genetic modification of taro will be provided.

Themed "Nānā ka maka, hana ka lima – Look with the eyes, work with the hands, get involved," the festival will provide a chance to rally 'round the taro plant through sharing of food, hands-on demonstrations, games, educational exhibits of taro biodiversity, recipes, pono growing techniques, art, hula and mele. Farmers from diverse backgrounds will talk about their traditions and tips for taro cultivation.

Some of the most delectable varieties of taro will be on the table for all to enjoy too. "Look for the 'āpi'i from Waipio Valley – it's really special," said Bryna Storch, a taro grower and a member of Nā Kahu o Hāloa, a group of taro farmers and supporters, which is organizing the festival with the Legislative Hawaiian Caucus.

Continued efforts at the Legislature to protect natural taro and taro farming – combined with the idea that love of taro represents an important farming activity and a beloved dietary staple in the local community – is behind the festival honoring Hāloanakalaukapalili, the kalo plant as spiritual ancestor of Kanaka Maoli. The event is free to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 in the state Capitol rotunda. It's been planned to coincide with Legislative Hawaiian Caucus Day.

"I've seen many local groups otherwise are divided by disagreement on many issues come together over kalo and literally sit down at the same table and share the kalo that is part of their culture," said Storch.

Storch says this year expect to see a kinder, gentler – but definitely firmer legislative effort to support kalo cultivation. Last year's taro moratorium bill did not pass, even though under a separate resolution taro was named the official state plant.

Not too young to manipulate a stone pounder, or pōhaku ku'i 'ai, Kaiao Domingo pounds taro as Kanana Kelling stands by. – Courtesy photo by Kealoha Domingo

Backers of the 2008 moratorium bill say their measure was a victim of a last-minute amendment that would have placed a ban on genetic modification of only Hawaiian varieties of taro in exchange for an agreement allowing unregulated genetic modification on other local crops. But 2009 hasn't meant going back to the drawing board for farmers and other supporters. "We gained political support and raised awareness of kalo's value statewide," said Storch, who is also a member of KAHEA, a community and environmental action advocacy group.

KAHEA and the farmers parlayed last year's experience to craft House Bill 1663 and Senate Bill 709, introduced this legislative session calling for a prohibition on all genetic modification of taro. This would apply to all varieties, including imports from Micronesia and Sāmoa. "The seeds, after all, are oblivious to legal jurisdiction. Inter-related impacts of the varieties on one another are to be expected," said Storch. "Plus we don't want to seen as committing bioprospecting on another culture's crop by allowing it to be used for genetic modification."

But for March 24 at least, taro will simply be celebrated, not debated, in the rotunda. "This is just sharing all that we love about Hāloa and all that we love about taro and our community," said Storch – "having a hundreds of people practicing the traditional practice of taro pounding coming together where decisions are made and showing them the heartbeat of the community."