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Hi'iaka's Healing Herb Garden : Column Index : 2004 : Feb04
Coming Soon...
Medicinal Crops Lecture Packed the Room
Dr. Dennis McKenna drew an unexpectedly large crowd to his talk, "Medicinal Crops in Hawai`i: Challenges and Opportunities," on January 8 at the Ohana Keauhou Resort. Dennis is a senior lecturer at the University of Minnesota's Center for Spirituality and Healing, who co-sponsored this event with the Kohala Center, a non-profit learning center in Waimea. Because this lecture included such a large audience and generated so much discussion about new and different crops that might be grown commercially in Hawai`i, I wanted to report on it this month.
At the beginning of the evening, hotel staff brought extra chairs for over 150 people who filled their conference room. Once the audience was seated, Dennis began his slide show and talk with some facts and statistics about the herbal supplement industry, results and analysis of the latest study on kava (`awa) safety (there is no conclusive proof that it causes liver damage), and information about other crops that growers might consider because of their popularity in the natural marketplace. He said that he hoped his talk would generate a "dialog" among those who attended, and his hope was definitely fulfilled!
Opinions and Concerns Were Voiced
Based on the turnout at this event, it's apparent that many people are seeking answers about which crops they can and should grow for this rapidly rising sector of the natural products market. The first comment from an audience member, which set the tone for the evening, was that if we are going to think about growing crops that promote health, we must agree to do it organically. There was no objection to this statement, as it would seem contradictory to be producing medicinal crops that have been treated with poisons to deter insects, chemical fertilizers to artificially stimulate their growth, and herbicides to control weeds that might impede their growth.
Several concerns were raised. First, the cost of machinery needed for processing. Second, introduction of new invasive species. And third, concern about genetically engineered crops.
Together We Can Afford Equipment
One of the concerns that was voiced was the cost of equipment that would be needed in the processing of medicinal crops. Dr. McKenna contributed his knowledge about a new type of environmentally friendly extraction technology that is cost effective and could be suited to Hawaii. A company he works with was able to build a prototype design for $75,000. This amount is out of the range of most individual growers, but a group of farmers could form a coop to build and operate such a system. Similar farmers' cooperatives have successfully financed and operated a hops extraction facility in Yakima, Washington. This type of thinking, of forming a hui and banding together, is perhaps one of the steps that Big Island farmers must consider before deciding which crops to grow.
Fear of Invasive Species
One audience member voiced the opinion that perhaps we should not introduce any more species here, because previous introductions are responsible for so much invasiveness and are not always compatible with our dwindling native vegetation. Dennis replied that "In most cases, it's not a problem, because a lot of these things take years to grow, and are not that invasive. It would be best to emphasize perennials over annuals, and sustainably harvestable plant parts such as leaves and fruits over roots and barks." I added that responsible growers will consider this issue before they introduce a new crop and that I am highly conscientious whenever I start growing something on an experimental basis. We must all do our part to research the invasiveness potential of any crops that we are thinking of growing.
A Heated Discussion About Genetic Engineering
The discussion about genetically engineered plants was heated and fragmented, with a lot of emotion. Dennis wrote this to me afterward: "Actually, I was delighted to see so much input from the audience, so much interest in this topic, and so much passion! It clearly hit a chord. It's a tough issue, and there are a lot of aspects to it: the issue of organic cultivation, no GMO, what to grow, etc. are all things we have to wrestle with. I should have chucked my prepared talk and just thrown things open to discussion. That pretty much is what happened and I'm glad for that. I do think the meeting made a lot of people, who may not otherwise be linked, know that they are not alone."
Let's Form a Forum to Make This Happen
It is clear to me that a formal, public forum should be established where the dedicated people who attended this lecture, and many others who could not be present, can meet and discuss the issues involved in forming a cohesive body of organic growers of medicinal crops in Hawai`i. Dennis said that "I think forming a grower's co-op, or perhaps initially just a forum where people could meet regularly and plan, might be the next good step. The Hawaiian 'Awa Grower's Association did this for 'awa; there needs to be some kind of similar organization for medicinal crops in general." Tane Datta, an organic farmer in Kona, added: "Growers need to determine what market they are aiming at and what size and stability that market has before forming groups. The value of herbal healing is the ability of the plant to improve a person's life. The closer the grower (or any person) is to the person whose life is being improved by the plant, the more stable and valuable the economic relationship is. One way to achieve this is education of both consumers and producers so the value of plants is recognized and utilized. Meetings that focus on the essence of herbal healing could further the development of a natural balanced and healing community that would benefit the people and plants of the island and visitors alike."
In light of all of this, I am planning a free public "show and tell" of the medicinal plants in my garden, with a discussion to follow, on February 21 at 11:00. Please call me to get directions and so I'll know how much herb tea and cookies to make!
Medicinal Crops Lecture Packed the Room
Dr. Dennis McKenna drew an unexpectedly large crowd to his talk, "Medicinal Crops in Hawai`i: Challenges and Opportunities," on January 8 at the Ohana Keauhou Resort. Dennis is a senior lecturer at the University of Minnesota's Center for Spirituality and Healing, who co-sponsored this event with the Kohala Center, a non-profit learning center in Waimea. Because this lecture included such a large audience and generated so much discussion about new and different crops that might be grown commercially in Hawai`i, I wanted to report on it this month.
At the beginning of the evening, hotel staff brought extra chairs for over 150 people who filled their conference room. Once the audience was seated, Dennis began his slide show and talk with some facts and statistics about the herbal supplement industry, results and analysis of the latest study on kava (`awa) safety (there is no conclusive proof that it causes liver damage), and information about other crops that growers might consider because of their popularity in the natural marketplace. He said that he hoped his talk would generate a "dialog" among those who attended, and his hope was definitely fulfilled!
Opinions and Concerns Were Voiced
Based on the turnout at this event, it's apparent that many people are seeking answers about which crops they can and should grow for this rapidly rising sector of the natural products market. The first comment from an audience member, which set the tone for the evening, was that if we are going to think about growing crops that promote health, we must agree to do it organically. There was no objection to this statement, as it would seem contradictory to be producing medicinal crops that have been treated with poisons to deter insects, chemical fertilizers to artificially stimulate their growth, and herbicides to control weeds that might impede their growth.
Several concerns were raised. First, the cost of machinery needed for processing. Second, introduction of new invasive species. And third, concern about genetically engineered crops.
Together We Can Afford Equipment
One of the concerns that was voiced was the cost of equipment that would be needed in the processing of medicinal crops. Dr. McKenna contributed his knowledge about a new type of environmentally friendly extraction technology that is cost effective and could be suited to Hawaii. A company he works with was able to build a prototype design for $75,000. This amount is out of the range of most individual growers, but a group of farmers could form a coop to build and operate such a system. Similar farmers' cooperatives have successfully financed and operated a hops extraction facility in Yakima, Washington. This type of thinking, of forming a hui and banding together, is perhaps one of the steps that Big Island farmers must consider before deciding which crops to grow.
Fear of Invasive Species
One audience member voiced the opinion that perhaps we should not introduce any more species here, because previous introductions are responsible for so much invasiveness and are not always compatible with our dwindling native vegetation. Dennis replied that "In most cases, it's not a problem, because a lot of these things take years to grow, and are not that invasive. It would be best to emphasize perennials over annuals, and sustainably harvestable plant parts such as leaves and fruits over roots and barks." I added that responsible growers will consider this issue before they introduce a new crop and that I am highly conscientious whenever I start growing something on an experimental basis. We must all do our part to research the invasiveness potential of any crops that we are thinking of growing.
A Heated Discussion About Genetic Engineering
The discussion about genetically engineered plants was heated and fragmented, with a lot of emotion. Dennis wrote this to me afterward: "Actually, I was delighted to see so much input from the audience, so much interest in this topic, and so much passion! It clearly hit a chord. It's a tough issue, and there are a lot of aspects to it: the issue of organic cultivation, no GMO, what to grow, etc. are all things we have to wrestle with. I should have chucked my prepared talk and just thrown things open to discussion. That pretty much is what happened and I'm glad for that. I do think the meeting made a lot of people, who may not otherwise be linked, know that they are not alone."
Let's Form a Forum to Make This Happen
It is clear to me that a formal, public forum should be established where the dedicated people who attended this lecture, and many others who could not be present, can meet and discuss the issues involved in forming a cohesive body of organic growers of medicinal crops in Hawai`i. Dennis said that "I think forming a grower's co-op, or perhaps initially just a forum where people could meet regularly and plan, might be the next good step. The Hawaiian 'Awa Grower's Association did this for 'awa; there needs to be some kind of similar organization for medicinal crops in general." Tane Datta, an organic farmer in Kona, added: "Growers need to determine what market they are aiming at and what size and stability that market has before forming groups. The value of herbal healing is the ability of the plant to improve a person's life. The closer the grower (or any person) is to the person whose life is being improved by the plant, the more stable and valuable the economic relationship is. One way to achieve this is education of both consumers and producers so the value of plants is recognized and utilized. Meetings that focus on the essence of herbal healing could further the development of a natural balanced and healing community that would benefit the people and plants of the island and visitors alike."
In light of all of this, I am planning a free public "show and tell" of the medicinal plants in my garden, with a discussion to follow, on February 21 at 11:00. Please call me to get directions and so I'll know how much herb tea and cookies to make!
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