Could not resist reposting (with his permission) this photo of Jerry Konanui that he shared on his Facebook page recently. That’s just the largest taro I’ve ever seen. You can read more about Jerry on the Kupuna Kalo website.
Jerry Konanui is a Native Hawaiian Mahi‘ai (farmer) who gathers, grows, maintains and provides the many varieties of Hawaiian food crops. As a resource person he is called upon to provide hands on workshops on identification of Hawaiian food plants, their varieties, their propagation, cultivation, harvesting, processing and use throughout the Islands.
Oh, and just for good measure, feast your eyes on another impressive aroid photo.
It is with great sadness that I convey the news that Jerry Konanui, of the giant kalo, cultural practitioner, traditional Hawaiian kalo and ‘awa cultivar expert, friend and colleague has passed. Jerry was a shining example of an indigenous scientist who bridged both research and traditional practice effortlessly and was highly respected in Hawaii and elsewhere for his work. He was instrumental in reviving interest in Hawaiian crop biodiversity in the Islands and I was honored to have spent almost two decades working on cultivar recovery and identification with he and his wife. His verification work led to the re-establishment of improved collections among botanical gardens and agriculture stations in Hawaii. Jerry shared his knowledge with great aloha and humor over the years, captivating and inspiring hundreds of students and farmers to plant and rediscover the unique and fragrant flavors of Hawaiian taro and ‘awa. Aloha ‘oe Jerry! You will be sorely missed.