Videos
Down to Earth – Kaua‘i Nectar
The operation comprises seven apiaries, spanning from Kalihiwai in the North to Kalaheo in the South, utilizing hives robust enough to generate their own queens. These queens, mating in the wild, safeguard a rich, diverse gene pool, starkly contrasting the narrowed genetic focus on Italian queen bees prevalent in mainstream commercial beekeeping. The resilient bees of Kauai are celebrated for their robust genetics, vigorous vitality, and the pristine environment in which they thrive.
Kauai Nectar Co. underscores the significance of not merely preserving the bees but safeguarding the beekeepers too, custodians of generations of vital knowledge essential for future bee adaptation and survival in an evolving world. The diminishing global beekeeper population is a point of concern. Employing a diversely skilled team, the company extends opportunities to individuals from varied backgrounds and life stories. Products developed, such as “Honey Infused Garlic & Ginger” and “Pure Raw Honey,” are pivotal, serving as the primary financial backbone, facilitating the ongoing integrity-rich beekeeping and ensuring the sustenance and propagation of healthy, wild bee populations into the future.
In a visit to Kauai Nectar Co., host Lyndsey Haraguchi-Nakayama navigates through the meticulous and nuanced world of sustainable beekeeping. Viewers are offered an insightful look into the day-to-day operations, witnessing first-hand the careful and considered approach taken by the beekeepers to ensure both the welfare of the bees and the purity of the honey produced. The video serves as both an educational and experiential journey through the lush, flower-laden landscapes of Kauai, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between the bees and their environment. Beekeepers, embracing their roles as stewards of these vital pollinators, guide viewers through processes from hive management to honey extraction, revealing the delicate balance maintained to protect the bees, preserve their environment, and produce high-quality honey products, all while underscoring the pivotal role bees play in our ecosystems and our responsibility towards their conservation.
Down to Earth – Wooten Farm
Wootens Produce of Kauai, tucked within the verdant landscape of Anahola, Hawaii, operates under a distinct philosophy that mingles organic farming and a distinct way of living, supplying both locals and tourists with a varied selection of fresh produce. John and Nandi Wooten, active participants in its functioning, do not merely cultivate their crops but also perpetuate a spirit of unity and the “aloha spirit.”
As highlighted by the conversation between John, Nandi, and Lindsay Haraguchi-Nakayama from the episode of Down-to-Earth Kauai TV, the crops are plentiful and diverse. “Lemons, bananas, oranges, avocados, soursop, jackfruit,” John and Nandi Wooten enumerate as part of their regular offerings. They also spotlight “some nice eggplant, lettuce, Thai bok choy, celery, green onions, and real yellow cilantro.” And the abundance extends beyond, reaching into the realms of cabbage, dandelion, parsley, lettuce, cauliflower, kale, and varied dandelions utilized by Akamai Juice for some of their cleansing juice blends. The informative dialogue further extends to highlight Thai basil, which John points out is “good for cooking, but it’s a little bit strong for people to eat raw or in pesto.” Moreover, a version with the “milder taste of the Italian basil but the disease resistance of the Thai basil” is offered as an alternative.
A pivotal part of the Wootens’ farming practices revolves around sustainability, as observed through their use of “Crotalaria Sunhemp.” John Wooten elaborates on its functionality: “Look at those little white balls on there. That’s just like pure nitrogen gathered from the atmosphere. It’s supplying that nitrogen to the root systems and the soil without any chemical fertilizer.”
A commitment to providing fresh produce extends to Wooten’s Produce’s operational methodology, which is succinctly described by Nandi Wooten: “We have Monday and Thursday home orders. Give us a call before 9:00 a.m., we’ll take your order over the phone, and it’ll be ready for you in the late afternoon.” This personalized service deviates from a conventional CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) model. As Nandi underscores, it’s not a matter of customers receiving what’s available; instead, “you get things because you want it.”
The offerings at Wootens are not confined to commonplace vegetables and fruits. A notable moment within the video showcased “ulu” or breadfruit, which is traditionally considered a valuable food source during famines. Its culinary adaptability is notable, being comparable to a potato in that you can “steam it, boil it, make hash browns, potato patties, or potato salad.”
A distinct fruit highlighted in the tour was the eggfruit, described to have “a thick peanut butter” like texture but with a sweet flavor profile and with a ripe fruit that visually resembles “a hard-boiled egg yolk.”
John and Nandi Wooten extended their gratitude to Lindsay at the close of the tour, expressing, “Mahalo. Thank you so much for having us here. It’s such a wonderful experience.”
Engaging with Wootens Produce provides a lens through which one can observe an agricultural endeavor that not only champions the availability of standard and exotic produce but also embeds sustainable practices into its operational ethos, all while fostering a spirit of community, delivered through their produce and into the daily lives of those who partake.
Wooten Farm Facebook