KILAUEA — When Alvin “Bino” Castelo looked at the new gazebo at the Kilauea Community Agricultural Center on Saturday, he knew he was looking at something special.
It was about more than the structure itself. More than a place to provide shade on another hot day. More than a nice addition to the center.
“This means community,” said Castelo, president of Aina Hookupu O Kilauea. “This means Rotary Club helping the community helping Kilauea to create a sustainable agricultural park. This is what we need from the community, and all the organizations. It does not just take one entity. It takes many to support our agriculture here in Kilauea.”
About 75 people attended the blessing ceremony of the gazebo that was a gift from the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay. About $35,000 in donations funded the project. The 26-by-26-foot structure will act as a free gathering place for ohana, a place where people can come together to work and play.
“We are proud to give this shelter to all the community to enjoy,” said Monica Oszust, club president, during the 20-minute ceremony on a beautiful sunny morning on the North Shore. “This is just a small part in the continuing work of a much larger project in community for the community.”
John Oszust, past club president, said the group, which was responsible for the renovation of the Hanalei Pier, wanted to take on another large-scale project. It conducted a public survey two years ago to get community feedback on what it should do.
“They wanted us to support this project,” John Oszust said.
He spoke to Yoshito L’Hote, executive director of Aina Ho‘okupu O Kilauea, and learned of a vision for
a farmers market at the
ag park.
John Oszust said the club agreed to help raise money for two buildings for the farmers market and an additional gazebo for a place where the public, as well as ag park volunteers and workers, could relax and get some shade.
“This is the just the first phase,” he said.
“It’s a step forward to make this a reality,” Monica Oszust added.
The gazebo, she said, is “a dream come true for the community.”
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said the agricultural center’s center is an example of what can happen when the community takes the lead and the county offers resources to help out.
There were doubters when it started in 2015.
“You had to see beyond the thick brush,” Carvalho said. “You know how many people said, ‘No can,’ and we said, ‘Tell me how can.’”
KCAC is a nonprofit dedicated to meeting economic, social and food security challenges faced by the Kilauea community.
“The first and perhaps most daring undertaking was accepting stewardship of a 75-acre parcel from the County of Kauai, formerly owned by the Kilauea Sugar Plantation Co.,” according to the center’s website. “This flagship project was celebrated as the successful culmination of a 30-year preservation battle by the community, to prevent further development.”
The mayor referred to a strong “cultural connection” in touting the center’s success.
“I look forward to more opportunities,” he said. “Whatever resources we can provide, we will.”
He urged the group to stay focused, hold hands and set the example. There could be a ripple effect, he added.
“This can happen throughout the whole state,” Carvalho said. “It’s about the people and hearts and souls put together.”
L’Hote said he was proud to be there and appreciated the Rotary Club’s generosity.
“Thank you for this beautiful building,” he said.
