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Accomplishments |
Summary |
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2004-2008 Hawaii World Heritage Festivals-multi-cultural event celebrating & showcasing Big Island cultural diversity.
The BIRC&D Council was a proud supporter and sponsor of Hawaii’s World Heritage Festival. This Festival supports efforts to showcase Hawaii’s cultural and ethnic diversity. The RC&D Council provides financial sponsorship of this project through grants from the County of Hawaii, individuals, local businesses and culture and art organizations. |
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Hilo Inter-tribal Powwow 2006–2008
A Native American cultural event that features art culture crafts music and an exchange of Native American and Native Hawaiian cultural ceremony. The annual Hilo Inter-tribal Powwow is a grand celebration of Native American food, culture, dance and art that will be remembered by many. This event generates hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenues for local businesses, hotels, restaurants, car rental companies and inter-island air carriers on the Big Island. |
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Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group (HBWAG).
The RC&D Coordinator has been providing technical assistance to the group for 4 years and the Big Island RC&D Council has assisted with grant management for a water quality study of Hilo Bay and contributing waters and another grant for website development |
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RC&D Information Education Outreach.
The RC&D Coordinator initiated an information and education plan to improve RC&D Program visibility and understanding in the County of Hawaii. Revised PowerPoint programs were created and all Big Island Soil and Water Conservation Districts were advised to put this RC&D information and education program on their respective agendas. These are used to promote community awareness of RC&D and for non-profit director orientation and training. The coordinator also presents materials on NRCS and RC&D programs, career opportunities and sheet mulch gardening at local community centers, University of Hawaii, Big Island RC&D sponsored events and at local charter schools. |
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Earth Day Celebrations at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
The Big Island RC&D has partnered with the Hilo Bay Watershed Advisory Group (HBWAG) for the last 4 years to support Earth Day festivities at the University of Hawaii, Hilo. A display was created with assistance form NRCS to help promote awareness of local water quality issues. Visitors to the celebration from nearby schools, organizations and the community receive NRCS and RC&D Program materials and learn about local water quality issues. |
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2004-2005-2006-2008 Hawaii Agricultural Development Program.
Hawaii Agricultural Development Program (HADP) 2004 - 2005- 2006 -2008 A series of grants successfully acquired by the RC&D Council through Senator Daniel Inouye have been used to fund and support 38 separate agribusiness enterprises throughout the county. This project will provide much needed capital to successful applicants for farm expansion, creation of value added products, developing vertically integrated or expanded market opportunities and increased agricultural development on the Island of Hawaii. Phases I II and III are now completed with Phase IV expected to be done in early FY 2009. |
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Kona Farmer/Chef Conference 2008
BIRC&DC assisted the Kona branch of the American Culinary Society and conference organizer Ken Love in obtaining grants and providing fiscal management for the conference which brought farmers and chefs together from across the state and the Pacific Islands area. Numerous farmers and chefs attended and discussed creative ways to accomplish unique tropical product marketing, improved quality control and value adding via the direct marketing model. Meals featured locally grown Big Island products from farms, ranches, orchards and a vineyard. |
