LIHUE — The normally tranquil fields at Retro Farms were awash in a sea of pink and excited female voices on Saturday for the launch of the “Pink Pineapple Project,” a girls empowerment event designed to strengthen the collective moral
LIHUE — The normally tranquil fields at Retro Farms were awash in a sea of pink and excited female voices on Saturday for the launch of the “Pink Pineapple Project,” a girls empowerment event designed to strengthen the collective moral of Kauai’s girls.
About 100 girls of all ages came together as volunteers, mentors, farmers, teachers and participants for a fun-filled day of planting, crafting and snacking on all things pineapple.
Community members from Hanalei Zonta club, several North Shore farms and Kanuikaponao, St. Catherines and Hanalei schools led participants through activities designed to give the girls a day to realize their strengths.
They planted Arabica coffee and sugarloaf pineapples, engaged in reflective games and empowerment exercises throughout the farm in Moloaa.
Retro Farms director Mary Ellen Pearlman conceived the idea and submitted the grant for funding. When the grant was not awarded, she went to the Zonta Club of Hanalei and asked it to co-sponsor the event.
North Shore farmer Andre Lecocq from Ein Rogel Farms provided the pineapple pups for the girls to plant and instructed them on ways to plant pineapples.
Members of the Kapaa High School Photo club whisked around the 10-acre farm and documented the girls enjoying activities throughout the morning.
