At Hana Fresh, health and nutrition step forward

By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 20, 2012

~~ASK Cheryl Vasconcellos what she most enjoys about her job as the executive director of Hana Health, and there's no doubt pruning, planting and harvesting will be on her list. That's because in addition to her administrative, financial, personnel, marketing, public relations and strategic planning responsibilities for East Maui's only medical facility, she loves to work in the fields of Hana Fresh, its 7-acre certified organic farm.
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<h3>IF YOU GO ...</h3>
<h4>HANA FRESH</h4>
WALKING TOURS 
» Meet at: Hana Fresh Market in front of Hana Health, 4590 Hana Highway between mile markers 34 and 35, Hana, Maui 
» Phone: 248-7515, ext. 27. Tours can also be booked online or in person at Hana Fresh Market. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. 
» Email: <a href="mailto:admin@hanahealth.org" style="color: #0000FF;" span="">admin@hanahealth.org</a> 
» Website: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hanafresh.org" style="color: #0000FF;" span="">www.hanafresh.org</a> 
Notes: Tours will resume June 1 (they were suspended for three months due to damage caused by heavy rain). There is a minimum requirement of four people and a maximum of 10 per tour. Hana Fresh is on a gently sloping hillside that is often wet and slippery. Wear comfortable, light clothing; sturdy walking or hiking shoes; and a hat or a visor. Bring an umbrella or a rain jacket. Hana Fresh Market is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
 
EARLY RISERS TOUR 
» Tuesday: 7:30 to 9 a.m. 
» Cost: $20 per person 
A one-hour walking tour of the farm followed by a breakfast of a fresh-baked pastry, fresh fruit and a smoothie, coffee drink or lemongrass iced tea. 
 
HIGH TEA TOUR 
» Thursday: 3:30 to 5 p.m. 
» Cost: $25 per person 
A one-hour walking tour of the farm followed by high tea service, including scones, tea sandwiches, fresh fruit and a smoothie, coffee drink or lemongrass iced tea.</td>
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"It's very therapeutic for me," Vasconcellos said. "I know a lot of care and effort go into cultivating our crops. They're like my children. I want them to be the best they can be, and I hope that others will appreciate the hard work and love that went into raising them."
~~

ASK Cheryl Vasconcellos what she most enjoys about her job as the executive director of Hana Health, and there's no doubt pruning, planting and harvesting will be on her list. That's because in addition to her administrative, financial, personnel, marketing, public relations and strategic planning responsibilities for East Maui's only medical facility, she loves to work in the fields of Hana Fresh, its 7-acre certified organic farm. IF YOU GO ... HANA FRESH WALKING TOURS » Meet at: Hana Fresh Market in front of Hana Health, 4590 Hana Highway between mile markers 34 and 35, Hana, Maui » Phone: 248-7515, ext. 27. Tours can also be booked online or in person at Hana Fresh Market. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. » Email: admin@hanahealth.org » Website: www.hanafresh.org Notes: Tours will resume June 1 (they were suspended for three months due to damage caused by heavy rain). There is a minimum requirement of four people and a maximum of 10 per tour. Hana Fresh is on a gently sloping hillside that is often wet and slippery. Wear comfortable, light clothing; sturdy walking or hiking shoes; and a hat or a visor. Bring an umbrella or a rain jacket. Hana Fresh Market is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EARLY RISERS TOUR » Tuesday: 7:30 to 9 a.m. » Cost: $20 per person A one-hour walking tour of the farm followed by a breakfast of a fresh-baked pastry, fresh fruit and a smoothie, coffee drink or lemongrass iced tea. HIGH TEA TOUR » Thursday: 3:30 to 5 p.m. » Cost: $25 per person A one-hour walking tour of the farm followed by high tea service, including scones, tea sandwiches, fresh fruit and a smoothie, coffee drink or lemongrass iced tea.

"It's very therapeutic for me," Vasconcellos said. "I know a lot of care and effort go into cultivating our crops. They're like my children. I want them to be the best they can be, and I hope that others will appreciate the hard work and love that went into raising them." Login for more...