Jack-of-all-trades finds his calling in Hamakua land

Commercial pilot, massage therapist, craft gallery owner, magazine publisher — Michael Gibson walked a circuitous career path before finding his true calling in agriculture.

“I can’t explain where my interest in farming originated; it seems to be innate because for many years I was doing everything but that — just following whatever road beckoned,” he said. “Then I became an organic macadamia nut farmer, started a nursery and served as president of the Hamakua Agricultural Cooperative. That connected me with dozens of farmers and their families, who all wanted to find a way to preserve and perpetuate the Hamakua district’s agricultural heritage.”

Gibson took the lead, becoming the visionary founder and development director of Hamakua Harvest, an annual festival bringing the people of the rural area together to celebrate their farming roots. The multi­faceted agricultural hub took a decade, from 2005 to 2015, to open.

The Farm Festival at Hamakua Harvest was inspired by The Ulupalakua Thing, an Upcountry Maui event that ran from 1993 to 2005 to promote Hawaii-grown produce and meat and connect local farmers and chefs. Over the years, what started as a small grass-roots trade show, grew into an event that attracted thousands of visitors and kamaaina from throughout the state.

“I happened to be visiting Maui in 2004 when the next-to-the-last Ulupalakua Thing was held,” Gibson said. “At the time, farmers markets were a rarity, and agri-tours — guided farm visits for the public — weren’t being offered. But when The Ulu­pa­la­kua Thing’s run ended the following year, it had overwhelmed the infrastructure at Maui’s Winery (now MauiWine) and fulfilled its purpose far beyond expectations. I attended it only once, but I realized the value of having an educational component for such events, even for farmers markets.”

Highlights of the second annual Farm Festival at Hamakua Harvest include presentations on grafting, composting, sustainable pasture management, maximizing the benefits of green tea and dehydrating, canning and fermenting fresh fruits and vegetables. The event also will feature nonstop entertainment; a silent auction; cooking demonstrations using local ingredients; children’s activities, including planting taro; and a market with 45 vendors selling produce, honey, goat cheese, breads, pastries, jams, jellies, potted fruit trees, estate-grown coffee and more.

“Our festival embraces many things,” Gibson said. “It celebrates Hamakua’s long farming history; its unpretentious, close-to-the-earth lifestyle; the talent, knowledge and strong work ethic of the people who live here; and the establishment of Hamakua Harvest, which demonstrates what a truly sustainable and agriculturally rich future could look like in Hawaii. The setting is a huge attraction in itself; from our location you can see spectacular views of the ocean and surrounding farmlands, all of which strike a deep chord in many people, who either have roots in farming, no matter where they hail from, or who recognize anew their deep bond with our precious aina (land).”

Hamakua Harvest

Opened in September 2015, Hamakua Harvest is a 30-acre agricultural destination whose mission is to serve as an educational center, meeting place, organic farm and nursery, and retail store for sale of its products, all incorporating ingredients grown and processed on-site or at nearby farms.

It aims to promote agriculture in Hawaii island’s Hamakua district by supporting local farmers and the community’s desire to maintain a healthy, sustainable, rural lifestyle.

Currently operating are a weekly farmers market and a 3-acre “demonstration orchard” showcasing more than 80 species of fruit and spice trees that thrive at Hamakua’s 700- to 900-foot elevation, including abiu, sudachi, tangor, rollinia and others that are unfamiliar to many kamaaina. A half-acre Keiki Learning Garden provides children age 5 through 18 with an outdoor classroom to learn about food production, entrepreneurship and sustainable land management.

Components that will be added over the next three years include picnic areas, a commercial nursery, a 15-acre farm, a compost production facility, a renewable-energy house, a value-added processing plant and a learning center with classrooms, a bookstore, a resource center and a value-added product showroom.

Tours, classes and hands-on educational programs will be offered to visitors and kamaaina of all ages and interest levels. A petting zoo will be set up occasionally with tortoises, chicks, miniature donkeys, baby goats and other animals brought by local residents.

Hamakua Harvest has 501(c)(3) nonprofit and for-profit entities. For more information, go to hamakuaharvest.org. Tax-deductible contributions can be made by going to the “Donate” link or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 621, Honokaa, HI 96727.