WAIMEA — The parking attendants at the Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Waimea Research Center were concerned, Saturday. “We have too many people coming and no one is leaving,” one attendant confided, wondering where the overflow of cars were going to be
WAIMEA — The parking attendants at the Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Waimea Research Center were concerned, Saturday.
“We have too many people coming and no one is leaving,” one attendant confided, wondering where the overflow of cars were going to be parked during the open house hosted by Pioneer at its Waimea research facility.
Cindy Goldstein, the Pioneer community outreach director, said the open house, its third, is geared for families and the youth to demonstrate the growing future of agriculture in Hawai‘i.
“It’s not just about Pioneer,” Goldstein said. “We’ve been producing seed on Kaua‘i since 1968, but this is about the keiki who are the future leaders of agriculture.”
She said Pioneer Hi-Bred invited the community, including the 4H Livestock Club whose members are directly involved in agriculture through the raising of different livestock.
“They are hosting the petting zoo which is always popular with keiki,” Goldstein said. “But in addition to being an attraction, the young people are able to see the opportunities which are available in agriculture through the different stations being manned by different Pioneer people from both the Waimea Research Center and the Kekaha Parent Seed.”
One of those employees was Nicole Maher, a recent University of Hawai‘i graduate in Plant and Environment Protection Science, who was explaining the different pests and diseases of corn to families, utilizing live samples as well as actual samples depicting damage.
A microscope was on hand so keiki could get magnified views of the tiny eggs of the different pests.
“We want the young people to realize the different career paths which are available on Kaua‘i in the agricultural field,” Goldstein said.
Denise Moriguchi was another staff member demonstrating how to create a seed starter using a clear disposable glove.
“She’s very active at the ‘Ele‘ele School PTSA,” Goldstein said. “That is a part of our community and we want to show how our employees are part of Kaua‘i. The idea for the seed starter came from one of our employees who discovered it on the Internet and put it together.”
Entertainment was provided by Pioneer Hi-Bred employees and Goldstein said even the lunch is locally-oriented, using local products from local vendors.
Among the visitors were Dr. Liela Nitta, recently retired as principal for ‘Ele‘ele School and Gary Nitta of the Kaua‘i Community College, adult visitors being offered tours through the Waimea Research Center as well as opportunities for discussions with staff from the Kekaha Parent Seed.
They were joined by Rep. Dee Morikawa; Kaua‘i County Council member Kipukai Kuali‘i; Roy Oyama, president of the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau; and Ed Nakaya of the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative.
Other community organizations which were part of the afternoon were the Kaua‘i Fire Department offering fire safety around the home, the West Kaua‘i Professional and Business Association and the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank.
