We asked, and you answered! What an awesome response to a simple widely distributed survey asking everyone whom they think is befitting of these awards. Diversity abounds! We were looking for the behind the scene heroes and wanted to be inclusive versus exclusive. Thanks all for your help in finding and acknowledging many who remain key to the health of our community. The Heroes of Agriculture, Food and Environment are given in memory of A. James “Jim” Wriston III and supported by his friends and partners: Stephen Nimz, Alan Gottlieb and Stephen Swift.

Announcing – and including the charming and heartfelt words of the nominators – the 2010 Heroes of Agriculture, Food and the Environment.

Isaac and Gladys Kanoa, Taro Growers, Maui

This taro farm, and all the taro farms of Keanae, has been perpetually growing taro since before the time of Kahekili (mid 1700s). The Kanoa family has been taro farmers for generations. Before the turn of the century the family also ran a poi mill in Keanae that closed in the 1950s.

James Peterson Jr. and Alan Peterson, Petersons' Upland Farm, Oahu

It's been nearly a century (1910), and three generations, and Petersons' Upland Farm continues to bless Wahiawa with fresh white and brown eggs. They are the official egg supplier of Alan Wong's Pineapple Room restaurant and Dot's in Wahiawa.

Shin Ho and Neal Ho, Ho Farms, LLC, Oahu

This sister and brother form an invaluable support team for their family farm business. The Ho’s have established brand marketing with sales to major retail food outlets (Foodland & Costco) and have taken their family’s farm to the next level by employing conservation practices on their farm, and becoming one of the first Food Safety certified farms in the state.

Eric Tanouye, Green Point Nursery, Hawai’i

Eric consistently volunteers his time to advance the flower / nursery industry by improving and forming new trade organizations that will benefit the whole industry. Eric always tries to assist those who request advice pertaining to industry related issues or problems. Eric extends his support beyond the agricultural industry by bringing his expertise and time to groups to help address concerns for lost individuals needing assistance or various other community related problems.

Sabrina White, Ponoholo Ranch, Hawai‘i

Sabrina helps her father run all aspects of the family ranch including human resources, livestock inventory, production and sales. She volunteers on several agricultural related boards within the state. Sabrina is also an Ag Leadership alumnus, Class XII.

Ben Grice and Herman Calpito, Carmencita Calpito Pacific Produce Inc., Maui

These three employees are the heart and soul of the everyday operations and the reason for the overall success of our farm. Ben handles every aspect of the operation with the energy and efficiency that no one can match. Herman's positive attitude and solid reliability and versatility anchor the rest of the crew. Carmen is responsible for and carries out the most critical operation to the farms consistent production.

Carolyn McNally and Shannon Gilbertson, Mountain View Anthuriums, Hawai‘i

Caroyln and Shannon consistently provide excellent performance and attention to detail. They never fail to show up to work and always attempt to catch issues or mistakes before they manifest.

Cheryse Sana and Manny Miles, MA‘O Organic Farms, Oahu

Cheryse and Manny are the co-managers of MA‘O Organic Farms. While only 21 and 26 respectively they provide excellent management to a diversified organic farming operations and fulltime college prep program. Under their management MA‘O is now one of the top 5 organic farms in the State of Hawai‘i (by gross sales). They simply are the future of agriculture in Hawai‘i.

Lisa Asagi, Asagi Hatchery, Oahu

Asagi Hatchery Inc. is a family-run business, one of the first and currently the only commercial chicken hatchery in the State of Hawai‘i. Asagi Hatchery hatches chicks for small farms and sells to individuals interested in raising chickens for food or as pets, sells eggs that are fertile and ready for hatching, and sells urban garden and small farm supplies.

Al Galimba, Kuahiwi Ranch, Hawai‘i

Al is a salt of the earth guy who is dedicated to raising natural beef on Hawai‘i Island. He has been committed to his craft for more than two decades, and he has persevered to get fresh, island beef into supermarkets for his local communities.

Joel and Salvadore Gil, Coca Farm, Maui

The farmers Joel and Salvadore are hard-working men who work with excellence. They are committed to organic agriculture. They work hard and put in long hours preparing soil, planting, fertilizing, managing insects and micro-life, sales, harvesting, packing, and delivering fresh produce. Their lettuce is beautiful and healthy!

Tom Greenwell, Greenwell Farms, Hawai‘i

Tom loves the challenge of introducing new concepts in the field that improve gourmet quality and productivity of Kona coffee. Greenwell Farms has been instrumental in creating custom milling and processing for smaller coffee farms and continues to support the small farmer. Tom is a member of the Hawai‘i Coffee Association (president), Hawai‘i Coffee Growers Association, Kona Coffee Council, Specialty Coffee Association of America, Pacific Coast Coffee Association, Hawai‘i Organics Farmers Association, Hawai‘i Leeward Planning Conference and the Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce.

Richard Ha, Hamakua Springs Country Farms, Hawai‘i

Richard is a pioneer who is constantly finding innovative ways to stay ahead of the curve to operate his farm sustainably. He is dedicated to his workers and thinks of them as family, and he works hard to build a community among other farms, fighting for everyone's benefits in agriculture.

Chris Kobayashi and Dimi Rivera, Wai‘oli Farms, Kauai

Chris and Dimi are examples of how ten years of perseverance can turn a farm around. They went from poor quality soils, invasive grasses, disease and apple snails to rich organic soils and beautiful, delicious organic produce with very little pest and disease damage. This is food people stand in line for every week at the local farmers market. As the only organic commercial taro farmer in the state they have been an inspiration to many other taro growers. The cover crop rotations and other practices they have developed are unique to taro farming and it shows in the quality of the food they provide to local tables.

Glenn Martinez, Olomana Gardens, Oahu

Glenn has helped 58 backyard gardeners start home aquaponic systems, helped start five major aquaponic commercial farms, and has taught over 1,200 students via the UH Outreach College program and private lessons at the Olomana Gardens Farm. Glenn has been a speaker at the last two HAAA and IWAT conferences and shares his knowledge in affordable weekend classes.

Gerry Ross, Kupa‘a Farm, Maui

Gerry is a wonderfully experimental, conscientious, eco-aware, smart farmer. He has taken what were once monocrop lands and in 5 years has produced a successful CSA, award winning coffee and a beautiful farm. He shares his knowledge and passion freely, and is always exploring new ways to innovate.

Dick and Heather Threlfall, Hawai‘i Island Goat Dairy, Hawai‘i

Dick and Heather raise their family of 100 goats by hand, naming each one and caring for them as if the goats were their children. Their commitment to excellence is reflected in their high-quality product. They are dedicated to carefully raising their goats in a clean environment to produce safe, wholesome food.

Lloyd Fischel, Lanikai Farms, Maui

With a partial grant from the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and SeaGrant, Lloyd designed and built an educational facility to teach biological filtration. The facility is open to educators and the public at no charge, and dozens of school classes have made field trips to be encouraged to grow fish for consumption using ecologically friendly techniques, and scaled for a footprint that can fit in most residential yards. Lanikai Farms provides this service to the community for free.

Ed Kenney, Town & Downtown Restaurant, Oahu

Ed is a 110% supporter of local agriculture in far far more ways than simply buying product. He has donated his time, staged special events, provided technical expertise, given free food to youth, and has raised over $125,000 in the past 4-years for MA‘O's youth programs.

Donna Mitts, Paauilo Elementary and Intermediate School, Hawai‘i

Paauilo School not only has a very productive school garden that involves all the students in the care and maintenance and sale of fruits and vegetables, but they also have a sheep, cattle, pig and goat livestock operation. They participated in the Federal Fruits and Vegetable program, providing a fresh fruit or vegetables to all students, faculty and staff at the school. Donna’s goal is to teach students how to produce healthy food and care for small-scale livestock operations.

Vicki and Thomas Nelson, Puna Kamali‘i Flowers, Inc., Hawai‘i

Puna Kamali‘i Flowers, Inc. employs, trains and provides support to special needs adults in our community that otherwise would not have incomes or employment. These special needs adults gain self esteem, confidence and pride through their work in the floral industry. Puna Kamali‘i Flowers, Inc. is being nominated because of their tireless dedication to improve and expand the opportunities and skills that their special employees gain at work.

Mark Cummings, Hawaiian Earth Products, Oahu

Hawaiian Earth Products is the largest producer of compost in the State of Hawai`i. Recycling extends the life of our landfills. 85,000 tons of yard and tree trimmings are recycled through Hawaiian Earth Products' two Oahu facilities annually.

Dr. Kioni Dudley, Friends of Makakilo, Oahu

Friends of Makakilo is a community organization for responsible stewardship over the ‘aina. In 2005, Dr. Dudley formed the Friends of Makakilo, which now has over 500 members working to keep Hawai‘i a green and beautiful paradise. Last year, he led the successful campaign at the Land Use Commission to save the Aloun farmland in ‘Ewa from development. He recently brought more than 40 organizations together to form the Save Oahu Farms Alliance to continue and extend this effort.

Home Le‘amohala, Onipa'a - Center for Sustainability / Optimum Living Alliance, Maui

Home is up to date on the reality and need for sustainability and is creating an educational sustainability center on the 20 agriculture acres he leases. He is head of education on the upcountry sustainability organization, has written and given informative speeches on this subject, is super passionate about making a difference in the world and sees the urgency of the times. He lives his life according to the truth he knows and is great at presenting the information to the public.

Nancy Redfeather, Kawanui Farm, Hawai‘i

Nancy Redfeather of Kawanui Farms works tirelessly to promote and teach sustainable food growing. She organized the Hawai‘i Island School Garden Network and developed the annual Seed Exchange event to encourage the saving of food plant seeds that grow well in the Islands. She has led the way by organizing the Hawai‘i Island Food Summit to promote sustainable agriculture with leaders of all agricultural sectors in the islands.

Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association, Hawai‘i

The Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association’s Ka‘ūpūlehu Dryland Forest Ho‘ola Ka Makana‘a program involves restoring an endangered 76-acre dryland forest and sharing its historical, cultural, restoration, and scientific aspects with West Hawai‘i’s youth. Youth receive hands-on, land-based, learning experiences to effect positive change in the areas of responsibility, stewardship, and interdependency of all living things. Site stewardship activities include planting seedlings, collecting and distributing native seeds, building and enhancing trails, and pulling invasive weeds.

Pacific Whale Foundation, Maui

Since it's creation in 2008 this program has connected over 4,000 volunteers to non-profit organizations serving the environment on Maui. Both kama‘aina and malahini, these volunteers have removed invasive plants, repaired sand dunes and native bird habitat and contributed to the work of an upcountry organic farm. The marketing, reservations and logistical support provided by the Volunteer on Vacation program makes it possible for these smaller groups to give back to the places they love to visit, while also meeting other like-minded people and learning about the local environment and culture.

Chef Susan Teton Campbell, Maui

Ms. Campbell is a chef well known for not only creating beautifully prepared, delicious food but also for teaching people how to eat well, healthy, and local. She is an advocate for locally grown food, small farmers, hunters and fishermen, and improving local health through the food on our tables. She takes subtle flavors and fine cooking to new heights and demonstrates Maui's potential to feed itself while showcasing Maui's gifts to the world.

Stuart Funke-d'Egnuff, Tri Isle Resource Conservation and Development, Maui

Stuart is the Executive Director for Tri Isle RC&D. He has helped Tri Isle RC&D to acquire and operate a budget of about 11 million dollars in grants to help Agriculture, Environment, Rural lifestyles and Hawaiian culture. Tri Isle RC&D is now ranked in the top 10 performing RC&Ds in the nation.

Desiree Hikuroa, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC), Oahu

WCCHC is the primary sponsor of the Waianae Farmers' Market, providing staff and personnel to manage the market and vendors and providing free cooking demonstrations with free recipes and samples. The Center’s dining pavilion, also known as Ka‘aha‘aina Café, also supports local farmers by buying locally. WCCHC also hosts phonebook recycling events and an annual Christmas Tree Recycling event as a means to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Dr. Kevin Hopkins, Pacific Aquaculture Resource Center at the University of Hawai‘i-Hilo, Hawai‘i

Dr. Hopkins developed the aquaculture curriculum at the UH-Hilo College of Agriculture, Forestry & Natural Resources Management. He established the Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center in Hilo, utilizing the old sewage treatment plant that otherwise would have been demolished. The center has great potential as the premier aquaculture and fisheries research and technology development center in the world. He initiated the new sturgeon industry in Hawai‘i.

Ken Love, Executive Director Hawai‘i Tropical Fruit Growers, Hawai‘i

Ken has worked tirelessly and with enthusiasm to promote greater diversification, sustainable production, and marketing of locally grown tropical fruit and value added products. He has produced numerous fruit posters, conducted market research on consumer tastes, and established a demonstration fruit farm and agritourism attraction. He willingly shares his knowledge on his impressive website: www.Hawaiifruit.net. He is on the board of the American Culinary Federation chapter and works to develop farmer-chef relationships.

Vincent Mina, Maui Aloha Aina, Maui

Vincent is an inspired and enthusiastic supporter of all things agriculture. He founded the successful nonprofit Maui Aloha Aina (MAA) organization in support of body and soil and was instrumental in starting the Hawai‘i chapter of the Farmers Union. Through his radiant personality, networking finesse, and extreme commitment to agriculture, he has united--and ignited--the islands with his powerful message of love for the land and all of its gifts.

Lydi Morgan, Hawai‘i Farmers Union (HFU), Kokua Hawai‘i Foundation and Green House of Hawai‘i, Oahu

From working at the State Capitol, to helping develop an urban environmental education program, to building our school gardens, to leading the Oahu chapter of the Hawai‘i Farmers Union Lydi has been there. If you had the chance to hear/feel her pule opening the last HFU Oahu chapter meeting you would know how completely committed she is to our ‘aina. And how prepared she is to carry the torch.

Norman Sakata, Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, Hawai‘i

One of many examples is Norman's inspiring role as president/chair of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival for the past thirty years. What originally started out as a small grass roots organization, Norman has helped grow into two hundred plus volunteers that orchestrate the ten-day festival featuring over 40 events and attracting countless visitors yearly in early November from across the United States, Canada, Japan and Europe. Through Norman's efforts, the Festival has been lauded in national publications, radio interviews and national television coverage.

David Santistevan, Laulima Eco-friendly Alliance of Farms, Oahu

LEAF has brought together a constellation of partners in the community to create an urban farm model at the Institute for Human Services Family and Women's Ka'aahi St. Shelter. The IHS Urban farm is a full service 'seed to table' project that includes a vertical herb wall, permaculture-based edible ground landscape, and hydroponic and aquaponic rooftop growing systems. This pilot project is an inspiring model of connecting those most in need with a healthy food system and an opportunity to learn basic farming skills in an urban setting.

Stephanie Whalen, Hawai‘i Agriculture Research Center, Oahu

Stephanie (Stevie) epitomizes what a supporter of Hawai‘i agriculture should be. She is someone that always works to find commonalities among members of the community, and she has worked to educate the population about the importance of agriculture to the long-term sustainability of Hawai‘i. Stevie's ability to communicate effectively with academics, politicians, scientists, advocacy groups, business leaders, and her wide range of employees has made her an integral part of Hawai‘i’s agriculture for the last 40 years.

Dr. Lyle Wong, Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, Oahu

Dr. Lyle Wong is absolutely committed to promoting agriculture in Hawai‘i and protecting our environment. He is a straight-forward strategic thinker known for his innovative approach to problem solving whether it be detecting or managing invasive pests, facilitating export of agricultural commodities or promoting agricultural development. His exceptional leadership skills have been recognized by his peers in other states and agencies, by his colleagues in the Department of Agriculture and by the agricultural community.

Kokua Hawai‘i Foundation (KHF), Oahu

KHF has a huge heart! Founded by Jack and Kim Johnson and run by a small dedicated and energetic staff with the support of hundreds of volunteers, KHF is helping to raise the next generation of healthy and caring citizens for Hawai‘i. Their programs focus on health, fresh local foods in schools, school gardening and nutrition education, farm field trips, farmer and chef visits to schools, waste reduction, community outreach, and more!

These awards are sponsored in memory of A. James “Jim” Wriston III, by his friends and partners Stephen Nimz, Stephen Swift and Alan Gottlieb. Jim, an Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawai‘i alumnus, lifelong agriculturalist and entrepreneur, lived a short but very full life. His friends remember Jim as a “really good guy” who liked to hang with his family and friends, fish and drink beer. His fun approach to life was liked by all. Jim’s entrepreneurial spirit and environmental vision, his love for the land and his strong sense of right and wrong, his respect for others and the strength of his word are all qualities to be remembered as we honor others in this sector who contribute to its sustainable growth