Food Security

The Kohala Resilience Hub co-sponsored the North Kohala Community Food Security focus group this evening. There were about 25 people in attendance; I knew 6 of them from other community meetings. The focus group is part of a larger initiative by the County regarding food security; they are being held in all parts of the island. This is just the start of a multi-phase process. Since this was co-sponsored by The Food Basket, there was a wonderful dinner provided at the end of the focus group discussions. They were also giving $100 grocery gift cards out to attendees; since I am doing well enough I signed mine over to the The Resilience Hub so they can give it to someone who is really in need. I just went to find out more about what the needs are of people in North Kohala so I have more information when I am asking questions & making decisions at the planning commission.

Food made by Chaba's Joy, which is now only a catering provider.

As I left the Food Security focus group, I looked over & saw amazing colors on the horizon. This photo just doesn't really capture the hues & vibrancy that was present.

On many mornings Moʻo & Hoʻokoa are playing at the cat gate when I come to take Moʻo outside for the day. Here they are this morning. One of the ways she "plays" is putting her paw through the  gate & pushing down on Hoʻokoa, who does not seem to mind. But that is what I think she might have been doing with the chicks & just squashed them since there were no bite marks on the dead chicks.

On Leeward Planning Commission meeting mornings, I stop at Juice 101 at Mauna Lani for a meal replacement smoothie. I get a small Met Rx with chocolate whey protein, peanut butter, & chocolate chips; Mae told me about the peanut butter & chocolate chip additions. (She no longer works here; she is now at the Hapuna hotel on night shift.) Today my smoothie was free since I had previously purchased 10 of them. 

 

Serving on the Leeward Planning Commission is a volunteer position. But they do reimburse us for mileage; I apparently have the farthest commute for commissioners at 53 miles one way. At my 1st meeting fellow Commissioner DelaCruz gave me a tip: take a photo of the odometer when I park! So that is what I have been doing! Since I stop at Mauna Lani, I use the mileage from the parking lot & back-calculate using the one-way mileage found via Google to find what my start mileage would be if I did not stop. Similarly, I calculate my end mileage as if I did not run errands in Kona. I forget what the rate is now but I get about $74 for each meeting I attend; it was around $72 last year. They also feed us lunch.

At home.

At the West Hawaiʻi County Building.

One of my Kona errands is getting the car washed & waxed at the Lex Brodie Kona Express Car Wash. I do the Premium wash to give the finish a little protection from the hot sun beating down all day when I am not parked at home.

I also stop by Hawaiʻi Fresh Specialties to pick up fresh poi, poke, & dried fish; when they are available. Their main focus is on plate lunches, but I only stop to pick up these 3 items since I have usually eaten lunch.

I also stop at Island Naturals Market & Deli; fresh ground peanut butter is the main thing I get but I sometimes also pick up other things. Today I needed to get more coffee filters; Tomiko & Kai used the last of the somewhat ancient filters that have been in the house for who knows how long! I also wanted to get a couple more mason jar pour spout tops; but they were all out. I found the one I have very handy for the Meyer lemonade mix.

Petco is a couple doors down from Island Naturals so it is very handy. I pick up Moʻo's frozen raw food at Petco as well as her Kong Treat refills. 

Today I made a special stop at Home Depot which is part way between the shopping mall where Petco & Island Naturals are & the airport. I picked up the fire ant control chemicals that Jeremiah recommended. When I texted him to let him know that, I also asked it he had any treatment tips. He said, "Start around & under the house & gradually work your way out. Over the course of a month, treating once a week. It helps to claim & hold the space." Sounds like good advice!

The chemicals.

The spreader.

When I got home I discovered another ant problem; they were going after the crumbs in the dog food bag that had just been "finished". The ants were coming down from the attic! I put a Terro liquid ant bait right on their path so they would not miss it. I prefer the pre-filled bait trays; its more expensive than just buying the liquid & making my own trap cards but its much more convenient. The ants should be gone by this time tomorrow!

There was an earthquake near Pāhala, but it apparently did not impact the eruption activity at Kīlauea.

Hauʻoli la Hānau e Aurolyn!