WhoGrew Farmer
WhoGrew
Leanne Okamoto
Kohana Farms
Leanne Okamoto
About: Aloha! My name is Leanne Okamoto, I am the Executive Director of the Hawaii FFA Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes and supports agriculture education....And... a third generation farmer, born and raised in Pahoa on Hawaii Island. I grew up on a 10 acre farm and ranch which my parents converted to an Orchid Nursery 25 years ago. My mother was a teacher who wanted me to become an educator, and my father wanted me to take over the farm. I on the other hand wanted neither. I got out of there as soon as I could. Ran off to college to spread my wings and ended up with a degree in Communication and my own real estate and PR consulting businesses. But after 10 years in the business world I found myself sitting at a desk stressed out, under a mountain of paperwork, wishing I could just be out in my garden. Talk about a quarter life crisis! I had to ask myself, "What's wrong with me? Have I lost my mind?" The truth is...I finally found it, and have been so much happier ever since. Love life and enjoy the people, plants and microorganisms in it!
Farm name Kohana Farms
Farm photo
Farm info Currently we grow mainly for home use and sell our excess at farmers markets. We have kalo, corn, tomatoes, beans, pumpkins, squash and eggplant on a large scale and eggs, zucchini, watermelon, lettuce, bell peppers, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and asian vegetables and herbs on a small scale. We occasionally sell produce at the Maku'u Farmers Market and have recently signed up for a booth twice a month through November at the Hawaiian Panaewa Farmers Market in Hilo on Railroad Avenue. We also have a roadside stand at my family's market (AKA my grandmothers house) in Pahoa, across from the post office. My family has been selling my father's off grade orchid flowers and plants there for the past 10 years. It all started with my grandmother, Reiko Okamoto. Although our orchids are currently grown using conventional methods we are experimenting with Natural Farming and have started growing sunflowers and zinnias using Natural Farming for cut flower bouquets. Most of our produce for sale have also been grown using Natural Farming practices. We currently drop off fresh plants, flowers and produce at the Pahoa stand weekly on Tuesday afternoons at 1:30. Come on by and check us out Tuesday afternoons for fresh items or stop by anytime, you can use the cash honor box.
Farmer Contact
Email Leanneokamoto@hotmail.com
