15 Years of Scholarships, 160 Years of Plantation History
Ho‘omaika‘i to Our 2024 Grove Farm Scholars!
The Grove Farm Foundation recognized the class of 2024 Grove Farm Scholars on July 29 at the Puakea Grill. This is the Foundation’s 15th year of awarding three $20,000 scholarships to Kaua‘iʻs graduating high school seniors. The honorees and their parents, the selection committee, prior scholars, and the staff of Grove Farm celebrated the accomplishments of Jeanine Longboy, Madison Silva, and Sofia Saunders.
Grove Farm Senior Vice President Dave Hinazumi congratulated and presented each scholar their awards and recapped the accomplishments of these three young leaders, who not only achieved excellence in academics, but were active members of their community and displayed quality of character.
Jeanine Longboy, a graduate of Kauaʻi High School, is the daughter of Eufemio and Maria Longboy. Jeanine will pursue her studies in biology at Stanford University.
Madison Silva hails from Kapaʻa High School and is the daughter of Bernard and Misty Silva. She plans to major in biology at Willamette University.
Sofia Saunders of Waimea High School is the daughter of Timothy and Pamela Saunders. She will be attending the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to study architecture and environmental design.
We are always pleased when our past scholars are able to join our annual celebration. They were paired with a former scholar and had to introduce each other at dinner. It’s always nice to catch up with them and it gives us great pride to hear how well they are doing.
We wish Jeanine, Madison, and Sofia all the best as they embark on an exciting time in their lives!
Kōloa Mill Tour – Learning About the Past, Looking to the Future
On July 25, during the Kōloa Plantation Days annual festival, about 70 people made their way to the old Kōloa Mill on Kaua‘i’s sunny south shore. The mill ceased operations in 1996, and stands today as a relic of the plantation era that brought a diverse mix of cultures to the islands.
As part of the tour, locals and visitors viewedt photographs and old relics of the past. Our sesquicentennial book titled, “Grove Farm: 150 Years of Stewardship and Innovation,” was available to purchase, with book proceeds and tour donations benefiting Kōloa Elementary School. At 9 a.m., the crowd engaged in a talk-story session led by Jan TenBruggencate and Allan Smith. Following that, Kauaʻi ATV — a longtime Grove Farm tenant that provides guided outings in the South Shore backcountry — led a tour around the old sugar lands near Waita Reservoir and to the entrance of the historic Wilcox Tunnel.
Jan grew up on a pineapple plantation on Molokaʻi and is the author of our 150th anniversary book as well as the book “Līhuʻe Mill: Grinding Cane and Building Community.” Allan grew up here on Kauaʻi, on a plantation in Waimea, and served in various leadership positions in the sugar industry before retiring as Senior Vice President of Grove Farm.
A big mahalo to the Grove Farm Museum for graciously lending us their collection of plantation-era items, and to Oli from Kauaʻi ATV, who provided transportation for our guests to the tunnel. We also want to express our heartfelt appreciation to the entire Grove Farm staff, who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the event.
August Craft Fair This Saturday!
Join us on Saturday, August 3rd at the Grove Farm Market and Craft Fair! Support your local farmers and artists at Puhi Park from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. The craft fair vendors are listed below!
