OUTSTANDING AGRICULTURE OPERATION AWARD

Hamakua Springs Country Farms
Richard Ha

During the three decades that Richard has been farming, Hawaii agriculture has diversified,
and his operation has as well. In addition to bananas, Hamakua Springs Country Farms produces greenhousegrown, hydroponic tomatoes, lettuces, and cucumbers in Pepeekeo on the Big Island. The farm’s practices are in harmony with the land and water that feed it, demonstrating an innovative model for sustainability. Richard’s expansive vision of sustainability includes not only farm economics and environmental conservation but also the farm’s 70 employees and the surrounding community. His team-oriented approach, his commitment to the community, and Richards’s outstanding stewardship, savvy efficiency, and win-win management style have garnered him many awards from the community, industry and commodity groups.

FAT Law’s Farm, Inc.
Tim, Alice and Frank Law

The FAT Law’s Farm is located on over 100 acres in Ewa Beach, Oahu. The farm is one
of the states main producers of fresh herbs and vegetables, accounting for more than
60% of the basil exported from Hawaii. Their success has lead to the development
of 150 acre farm in Hainan, China to raise products for the Hong Kong, China and Japan markets. Tim Law first started farming on 3 acre farm in Waianae, moved to a 25 acre farm in Kahuku and then moved to their present location in 1996. All the while he has assisted immigrant minority small scale farmers, providing advise on farming practices and providing many with markets for their products. Tim has established programs and provided encouragement to these farmers so they could become a viable and productive segment of the agriculture industry. FAT Law’s Farms has received many awards for their outreach efforts and business practices.

NEW FARM OPERATION AWARD

Alii Kula Lavender,
Alii Chang, Lani Weigert and Marseu Simpson

Alii Kula Lavender, located in Kula Maui, grows 45 different varieties of Lavender - 7 of which bloom year round, on a 10.5 acre farm. The farm offers a walking tour and has 75 unique, quality Lavender products ranging from Lavender Poha Jam, Lavender Coffee, Lavender Honey, Lavender Scone Mix, Lavender Potpourri, Lavender Body Butter Crème and Lavender Pet Shampoo Their innovative business model includes partnerships with local manufacturers in their community. They prefer to empower rather than compete against local businesses that offered similar products, such as jams, jellies, soaps, candles, etc. Their marketing strategy is innovative as well and focuses on the local community first, particularly the elders. These visitors became their strongest promoters and helped attract over 3,000 people to the farm last year. This strategy is developing
successful markets for their products in China, Japan, Canada, Australia and Europe.

INNOVATIVE VALUE ADDED PRODUCT AWARD

Oils of Aloha,
Dana and Barbara Gray

Oils of Aloha has been producing quality Kukui and Macadamia nut oils since 1988.
These oils are expeller pressed (no solvents) from nuts grown throughout the Hawaiian
Islands, providing additional markets for local orchards and businesses. Originally, the company processed oils for cosmetic and pharmaceutical manufacturers, but soon it was producing macadamia nut oil for food applications as well. Oils of Aloha’s research lead the discovery that macadamia nut oil is tasty and healthy alternative to olive oil and that kukui nut oil has outstanding emollient properties. Today, Oils of Aloha is a successful anufacturer with a global client base and enjoys an excellent reputation for quality, reliability, and service.

FRIEND OF AGRICULTURE AWARD

Derek Kurisu

From his position as KTA’s Executive Vice President for Perishable Operations and as a media-savvy ambassador of aloha, Derek Kurisu has promoted local products, nurtured new ventures, and raised awareness of the challenges faced by Hawaii growers. He established the Mountain Apple Brand to give local producers and manufactures a venue for their products. The brand’s philosophy emphasizes teamwork. The unity of working under a single brand strengthens the diverse Mountain Apple Brand vendors, who are treated equally regardless of their size. Import replacement is the goal: Derek encourages his suppliers to compete with mainland producers rather than with their neighbors. Ninety percent of KTA’s leafy vegetables, 30 to 40 percent of their beef, and 100 percent of their papayas, bananas, and milk are produced on the Big Island.As chairman of the Hawaii Food Industry Association, Derek is a spokesman for the state’s retail food suppliers. He is a member of the CTAHR Board of Advisors and participates in many additional organizations related to all levels of Hawaii education, from elementary school to UH and has won many awards and accolades through the years.

IN MEMORY OF A. JAMES WRISTON, III, 1955-2004

These awards are sponsored in memory of A. James “Jim” Wriston III, by his friends and partners Stephen Nimz, Stephen Swift and Alan Gottlieb. Jim, an Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii alumnus, lifelong agriculturalist and entrepreneur, lived a short but very full life. His friends remember Jim as a “really good guy” who liked to hang with his family and friends, fish and drink beer. His fun approach to life was liked by all. Jim’s entrepreneurial spirit and environmental vision, his love for the land and his strong sense of right and wrong, his respect for others and the strength of his word are all qualities to be remembered as we honor others in this industry who contribute to the sustainable growth of this most important industry.