Honolulu Weekly

Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA) has launched its spiffy new Web site at [www.hawaiiorganic.org]. Look for a solid guide to organic products grown or made in our state. You can search by island and by product, from avocado to tea. There are some unlikely finds (blackberry, mysore raspberry, plum) as well as some rather obscure items (anyone for grumichama?).

Another interesting ag development has been the formation of a Hawaii chapter of the national Farmer’s Union, an alternative to the agribusiness heavy Farm Bureau. The Hawaii branch is the newest of the more than 100-year-old union. This organization focuses on helping family farms, promoting sustainability and lobbying for agricultural change. The union is statewide, with board members representing every major island. There are more than 100 members and more are expected in coming months as the organization develops and grows. See [hawaiifarmersunion.org] for more information.