Big Impact, Small Footprint: By Brittany P. Anderson
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ost people envision Hawai‘i as a place to get away from city life, slow down, and reconnect with the land. But, according to US Census data, almost 92% of Hawai‘i State’s population lives in urban areas. Urban agriculture provides the opportunity to produce fresh local food for
Herbal Therapy Gardening is an activity so many people find therapeutic. There’s something calming about spending time amongst plants. Yet, it can be a challenge to find gardening space within a city landscape. Soni Pomaski, co-owner of Moon and Turtle, has a small herb garden carved out within Hilo’s historic downtown. Soni’s plot is tucked behind the restaurant she runs along with her chef husband, Mark. “There aren’t many little houses in historic downtown, and having a yard is unique,” she says of the home they share behind the restaurant. When the couple moved in, Soni and Mark found a kaffir lime tree already established in the little yard. “The kaffir lime is the first thing I used, and really I just enjoyed hanging out and finding peace and solitude in the garden.” Here Soni quiets her mind and cultivates herbs used in her specialty cocktails and their locallyminded menu. Soni’s first cocktail inspiration came from the kaffir lime, and quickly, she was exploring more herbs that spurred creativity in the kitchen. Then, her mother-in-law gifted Soni a small shiso plant that flourished in the small, yet burgeoning, garden. It did so well, Soni had to find creative ways to use the Soni Pomaski tending to her succulents and other plants in her garden. photo courtesy of Soni Pomaski aromatic herb. This gave birth to her famously good communities within a more densely populated area. For Hawai‘i signature cocktail, Shiso Sour. The couple soon had more Island residents, country living may be out of reach, but that herbs, producing further inspiration in the kitchen. hasn’t stopped island city dwellers from rolling up their sleeves “When we opened the restaurant and ended up living here, and getting their hands dirty. there was always this natural gravitation to be outside,” Soni says. “I could put things in the ground and watch them grow,”
