Vicky Durandʻs Adventure Blog #126

August 2, 2026

Thanks for tunning in. I had this post all ready last Sunday and then there was a big problem with WordPress. It has taken all week to straighten it out but I think things are back on tract. In a couple of weeks I might be posting on the Koali Niu web site, but I will keep you posted. There is a lot of straightening out to do before that happens.

It is hard to believe another month has passed and we are at the end of my favorite time-summer with long days..

The last weeks have been exciting around here with no dull moments. Iʻll start with our exciting kalo harvest this last Friday. James, friends and kids came up and harvested almost two hundred pounds of our Mana ulu taro. We sold 165 pounds of kalo to poi makers in Kaenae. Zack told me they were very happy with the quality and I have since learned this is a loved and esteemed variety. Part of the name Ulu comes from itʻs similarity to breadfruit (ULU).I am learning the early Hawaiians had many varieties. The Mana ulu was given to us by Jesse from Waianae and planted about six months ago. The leaves were made into lau lau and served yesterday at a birthday party. The root was steamed and served in slices which were delicious. Besides the niu gene bank we are now taro farmers! Only about half the crop was harvested so we are looking for buyers for the rest.

We have had some nice press in the last weeks as Indrajit and I were on Hawaii Public Radio program The Conversation with Catherine Cruz. We were also in the Hana News Paper which comes out every few months. And we are steaming ahead with Instagram posts. The latest post has had 17,000 views which is pretty amazing. If you are on Instagram check it out making Poisson Cru with fresh homemade coconut milk-Koaliniu.

My daughter Marcie and her husband Chris were here last week for a long weekend. They stay at the hotel and it was great seeing them after two or more years. We did some fun things even though the storm was lurking off the islands. While Marcie was here one of her high school friends sent her a text that one of my rice bag shirts I used to make and sell in the 1970ʻs and 80s was for sale on eBay. I bought it and it arrived on Friday. A bit of nostalgia….

The flowers are all blooming and I have a bank of zinnia and dahlia blossoms along with white cosmos, snapdragons and miscellaneous others. It is a pretty site!

For the last month there has been a lovely party every weekend. It started with a Sat. House blessing and Lawn party. Many friends congregated and enjoyed conversation and great catered food. The next weekend was a first birthday party with wonderful Hawaiian music and food. Last weekend my friend Karen had her 80th birthday which was fun to have Marcie and husband there to meet all my new wonderful friends.

And, yesterday was James and Moieʻs son Teavaʻs 3rd birthday party. I got a little over exposed to kids screaming, but the lau laus and and taro were the best.

I have been dealing with some sick animals which has been challenging giving so many meds. They are all hanging in so that is good. And speaking of that it is now feeding time so gotta run.

Now a week later and the animals are getting better. Thank gosh we have a wonderful young woman vet here in Hana-Dr. Krista.

Wishing a great week for everyone. We wil sl be replanting the taro this week so stay tuned for more.

Thanks for tuning in.

Aloha Nui,

vicky