For more than 38 years the broker owners of Kona Coast Realty Corporation have supported responsible growth and development in Hawaii and the continued protection of our natural resources. We proudly sponsor Ke Ola’s sustainability stories!
Ron, with Sue Aronson, accepting the Kona-Kohala Chamber’s 2017 Lifetime Service award from Governor Ige
Our philosophy:
• To live with the spirit of Aloha in our daily lives and in the way we conduct our business. • To have respect for the land, “Aloha Āina”. • To provide quality and professional care with honest and ethical service.
KeOlaMagazine.com | July-August 2018
• To contribute positively to our Community.
Roxanne “Rocky” Baker BIC 808.960.3776
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Ron Aronson PB, GRI, CRB 808.960.5711
Sue Aronson CRS, CCIM, GREEN 808.960.6969
Ken Love in the repository nursery with the popular rollinia in the foreground. Rollinia fruit tastes like a lemon-vanilla-carmel custard pudding. photo by Fern Gavelek Another way members get plant materials is through research collaborations with the USDA. About 10 years ago, HTFG members helped the USDA determine what figs grew well throughout Hawai‘i as the state is free from the fig wasp. “Because of the introduction of fig varieties from the USDA repository in Davis, California, Hawai‘i growers are now able to grow more than 50 types of figs, where before we only grew a handful,” notes Ken. Summing up the efforts of HTFG—whether involving research, collaboration, education, or promotion—Ken says it’s all about “offering growers choices that help them become more economically viable.” HTFG’s Kona Chapter meets at 6pm on the third Monday of every month at the HTFG office at 81-6393 Māmalahoa Hwy. in Kealakekua. The Hilo chapter gathers every other month at various locations. Membership is $50 annually and open to the public. ■ For more information: hawaiitropicalfruitgrowers.org HTFG Hilo chapter: axel.kratel@gmail.com