Members Sought for Kalo Task Force

HONOLULU – The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is seeking applicants to be members on a task force that will develop recommendations and programs to help protect kalo, a crop plant sacred to Native Hawaiians that is being decimated by alien diseases and insects.

Recently named Hawai‘i’s state plant, kalo is used to make poi, the staple of the traditional Hawaiian diet, and is considered to be the elder sibling of Native Hawaiians, according to their traditions. However, kalo production fell to just 4 million pounds harvested in 2007, a record low since statistics were first documented in 1946. This shortage has been blamed on a number of factors, including diseases and alien species, such apple snails, as well as the lack of water and taro land.

The deadline to send applications is September 15, 2008.

For More information, and how to apply, click here