New Day Garden at Washington Place

Posted On: Jul 01, 11

Governor Neil Abercrombie’s “New Day Garden” was dedicated on Saturday, June 18 next to the Governor’s home, Hale Kia‘aina. The home sits on the grounds of the historic Washington Place, former home of Queen Lili‘uokalani. Abercrombie and his wife Dr. Nancie Caraway are the first “first family” in Hawaii’s history to plant a food garden and implement a composting system at Hale Kia‘aina, setting a great example of Aloha ‘Aina and increased access to fresh healthy foods.

This organic fruit, herb, and vegetable garden was made possible entirely by donations from local businesses, non-profits, and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, in a great example of public-private partnerships. The effort was headed by Jacqueline Kozak of the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council, who had originally submitted the idea through the Governor’s “New Day Hawai‘i” website.

Kokua Hawai‘i Foundation donated the materials and expertise for the implementation of a system to compost nearly all the yard and food wastes generated on the grounds at Washington Place. Students from the Kainalu Elementary ‘AINA In Schools Garden Club were in attendance during the dedication to plant seedlings, set up the compost system, and plant lemon and papaya trees. The Club also designed and painted the New Day Garden signs. A beautiful Hawaiian blessing was shared by Kahuna, and an ‘awa tree planted as an important symbol of Hawaiian culture and healing.

Mahalo to Governor Abercrombie and Dr. Caraway for their leadership and to the vast number of community partners for their Kokua in bringing a New Day to Hawai‘i!