The Queen’s Challenge to be held on Kauai this year will recognize the best Hawaiian kalo (taro) on the island. The competition is named for Queen Emma, an expert in growing kalo who understood that caring for the soil was
The Queen’s Challenge to be held on Kauai this year will recognize the best Hawaiian kalo (taro) on the island.
The competition is named for Queen Emma, an expert in growing kalo who understood that caring for the soil was of utmost importance.
The Queen’s Challenge is open to all taro farmers on Kauai growing traditional Hawaiian taro in two categories – wetland and dryland.
Maui Lehua and other hybrids will not qualify for this competition.
The free entries must be received by 11 a.m. Dec. 7 at the Taro Task Force table at the Waipa Kalo Festival.
Growers will need to provide their name, contact information, place grown, soil inputs, wetland or dryland, age of taro at harvest and answer the question “Why do you grow kalo?” Two extra points will go to kalo grown organically.
A $500 prize will be awarded for each category.
The competition is sponsored by the Taro Security Purity Task Force.
Info: Penny, (808) 285-3947 or www.hawaiikalo.org
In addition to the Queens Challenge contest for Hawaiian varieties of kalo, the Waipa Foundation will sponsor a Biggest Kalo Contest for wetland and dryland of any variety.
Info: Stacy, 639-1815
