My family is doing a rare big collective trip to the big island of Hawaii (based in Kona for a week), and my wife and I will be there for another few days on either end (3/19-4/3 overall). I was thinking there must be some great food forest and
aquaculture sites out there, as of course the native island cultures of Hawaii are a key resource of knowledge for subtropical-tropical island permaculture. However, I am sensitive to how catastrophic colonialism has been in the south pacific and do not want to tread where not welcome. I got into permaculture on my Pacific Island Studies study abroad program in Samoa and Fiji, which had a one week orientation to the South Pacific at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu and around Oahu. Got a lot of Hawaiian history there, some fascinating linguistics lessons, and went to a site I'd call high level permaculture if memory serves. That School for International Training (SIT) program was based out of the University of the South Pacific Agricultural Campus in Alafua, Samoa, and was fantastic, and I have missed that immersion in Polynesian culture in the decade+ since. I know it's short notice, but insights and recommendations from anyone who knows the big island well would be much appreciated. My wife has thru-hiked both the Appalachian trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, and we met while both hiking the latter, so I think its safe to say we like it rustic, remote, and outdoors, and we are both interested in getting away from tourist traps. PM me if you'd like to talk without broadcasting your favorite places. Thanks for any help you can give, I hope to return the favor if you ever come to the Wild Rivers/Redwood Coast!
- Ben
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