Here at Olomana Gardens, you'll find that life is always ready to begin anew, and we hope you'll join us on your journey.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Cycle of Birth and Rebirth
So begins another spring and summer season, as the cycle of life renews itself. Seen here are two animals about to begin a journey together, with many unknowns and surprises ahead. Though Darin is smiling, inside he is often just as confused as the baby goat. Luckily, he is just as adorable and also has soft shiny hair, so he should do alright.
Here at Olomana Gardens, you'll find that life is always ready to begin anew, and we hope you'll join us on your journey.
Here at Olomana Gardens, you'll find that life is always ready to begin anew, and we hope you'll join us on your journey.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Night Time show with Andy Bumatai hosts Olomana Gardens Glenn
This is Glenn sharing the stage with Hawaiian Electric Spokesperson. Also starring on this show was Jasmine from the 
American Idol show.
American Idol show.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Baby Ducks love Watermelon
These baby ducks at the Punahou schools Earth Day 2008 celebration were a big hit, and those ducks sure do love watermelon!
"How do ducks fit into being sustainable?" This was a question asked to us by all the Punahou students and teachers as well.
The answer is not something that everyone understood right away, but it's
The ducks are used to weed the Taro patch at Olomana Gardens, and they also fertilize the water for us, and provide fresh eggs and meat for the farmers and people of Oahu.
We brought the ducks to demonstrate the power of duck!
That's an expression that comes from Japan, where they integrate raising ducks in rice patties, and where they are able to get 3-400% more production of rice. When they start off, they drain the field and the adult ducks are left there for a week, where they plow the grass and dirt into the drained field.
The adult ducks are taken out, and the pond is flooded again while rice seeds have been planted. When the young rice is over 4 inches out of the water, the baby ducks are let back into the pond. Not the adult ducks, but just the baby ducks! At 4 inches tall, the baby ducks cannot eat the rice. However, the baby ducks little webbed feet act like little motors, that churn the muddy bottom. The rice slowly grows, but the weeds below do not germinate because the muddy water stops the weeds from growing.
The rice grows tall and well, while the weeds have been stopped from growing by the baby ducks churning feet, or by being eaten by the baby ducks who patrolled the water.
So, the ducks take out almost all of the hard work of tending the rice field, and make things grow better for the farmer!
"How do ducks fit into being sustainable?" This was a question asked to us by all the Punahou students and teachers as well.
The answer is not something that everyone understood right away, but it's
The ducks are used to weed the Taro patch at Olomana Gardens, and they also fertilize the water for us, and provide fresh eggs and meat for the farmers and people of Oahu.
We brought the ducks to demonstrate the power of duck!
That's an expression that comes from Japan, where they integrate raising ducks in rice patties, and where they are able to get 3-400% more production of rice. When they start off, they drain the field and the adult ducks are left there for a week, where they plow the grass and dirt into the drained field.
The adult ducks are taken out, and the pond is flooded again while rice seeds have been planted. When the young rice is over 4 inches out of the water, the baby ducks are let back into the pond. Not the adult ducks, but just the baby ducks! At 4 inches tall, the baby ducks cannot eat the rice. However, the baby ducks little webbed feet act like little motors, that churn the muddy bottom. The rice slowly grows, but the weeds below do not germinate because the muddy water stops the weeds from growing.
The rice grows tall and well, while the weeds have been stopped from growing by the baby ducks churning feet, or by being eaten by the baby ducks who patrolled the water.
So, the ducks take out almost all of the hard work of tending the rice field, and make things grow better for the farmer!
Natalie and Rainbow the pony
Here is Natalie Cash with her new best friend, Rainbow the Wonder Pony!
Rainbow will soon be available for parties at Olomana Gardens.
Movie starlets and cute goats
This is a young starlet in "Chicken Ranch" a UH Film student project. The little girl is her baby sister, and the goat is just three days old.
Ducks and Chickens Worm Hunting Together
Here is the video I thought was going to upload earlier. I'm not sure how long it took for all these baby ducks to learn that having a chicken scratch the compacted earth would bring worms to the surface, but it's obvious they know a good thing when they see it.
Here is a great example of a symbiotic relationship amongst farm animals. The chicken is allowed to stay amongst the duck colony, and in return the ducks are given access to food they would not normally receive. You see, ducks can't scratch the ground for food like the chicken, and so cannot easily find the worms that are just below their feet!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Worms and Soil = Black Gold!
Don't forget to add this to your calendar. You can join us and learn all you need to know about starting and maintaining your own composting garden, courtesy of worms.
Olomana Gardens Farm Vermiculture and Permaculture
Aloha!
As part of our expanding internet presence, come here to see the latest news and pictures about Olomana Gardens Farm.
Here, you can see images of the people and land that bring permaculture and vermiculture to Hawaii.
For those just learning, permaculture is all about designing and using your land to enable integrated farming and growth. Vermiculture is about the ancient and useful skill of harvesting our friends, the earth worm, to create healthy soil and then grow wonderful plants.
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