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O.K. FARMS’ Troy Keolanui Joins The Hilo Reusable Foodware Project Design Process
This month, Zero Waste Hawai’i Island (ZWHI) has the pleasure of introducing Troy Keolanui, a recent participant in Hilo’s Reusable Foodware Project design process. Troy, as the business partner in O.K. Farms LLC (www.okfarmshawaii.com), is the “K” while the “O” partner is Ed Olson of the Edmund C. Olson Trust II (www.olsontrust.com).
When we asked Troy for his general thoughts on reusable foodware he said it’s an important, big step toward sustainability. However, he noted that although it’s the right direction we need to be going as a community, not everyone will be willing or able to change right away. Funding needs to be available to help food and beverage businesses and schools make the transition. Initially, Troy would like to see big community partners such as Hawaiian immersion schools, business executives and key Hilo organizations take the lead to demonstrate their commitment and dedication in transitioning away from single-use food and beverage containers. Troy said there is power in getting keiki involved. Coupled with a plea from keiki for a cleaner environment, media can be effectively utilized to reach the larger community and beyond.
ZWHI is proud to have Troy, born and raised in Hilo, participating in the Reusable Foodware Project, particularly at this time in the design phase. With his insight and experience planning large scale operations and his partnership with the Olson Trust, we look forward to further collaborations with O.K. Farms LLC.
O.K. Farms offers guided farm tours, schedules hands-on farming days for the community (last Saturday of the month), and has a quaint farm store stocked with local fruits and veggies, ono drinks, freeze-dried fruits that melt in your mouth, and locally-made arts and crafts. It’s truly a Keolanui Ohana operation! Troy’s wife, Alaʻamoe, manages the Farm Store and posts daily on Instagram to announce the arrival of products. Daughter Kea assists with paperwork and grant writing while another daughter, Dayva, is a graphic artist and designs labels for products. Dayva also designed ZWHI’s logo and worked with our team to develop our “brand” and marketing plan. Farm store hours are generally M-F, 9:00-4:00 unless there’s a Saturday tour scheduled. Follow the Farm on Instagram @o.k.farms.