The Keaukaha-Panaewa Farmers Association, a community organization representing the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands lessees in the Panaewa farm lots subdivision, was the recipient last month of what sustainable agriculturists call the “Hubbell Bubble” chicken house, named after Puna farmer
The Keaukaha-Panaewa Farmers Association, a community organization representing the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands lessees in the Panaewa farm lots subdivision, was the recipient last month of what sustainable agriculturists call the “Hubbell Bubble” chicken house, named after Puna farmer Mike Hubbell.
Howard Pe‘a, vice president of KPFA and chairman of the Panaewa Hawaiian Farmers Market on Railroad Avenue across from Hilo’s Home Depot, was on hand as a group of more than 20 enthusiastic volunteers assembled the coop in a corner of the market site.
The chicken house measures 12 feet by 12 feet by 6 feet, including a roof. Its walls of chicken wire are tucked under the roof line and along the four-sided base extending about a foot to deter rodents and unwanted birds from climbing up or flying into the chicken house, and the mongoose and cats from digging tunnels, possibly harming the chickens and their eggs. A hinged door will allow for easy regular maintenance.
The project was initiated through Michael DuPonte, University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and supported by Kiersten Akahoshi, DHHL Hawaii County. Becky Settlage, UH-Manoa 4-H youth development, also was on hand to bring poultry resources that could be used to teach youth and others about poultry at the marketplace.
Knowing the needs of small farmers on Hawaii Island, whose main goal is sustainable farming, KPFA applied for and received a grant from Hawaii County’s Research and Development Division. KPFA was one of four grantees of the Hubbell Bubble. Hans Mortensen of Keaukaha generously offered his flatbed truck for the transport of materials.
Educational features of this project are to learn to raise chickens freely on the ground within a safe enclosure, hygienic methods for cleaning the ground and gathering the manure to reduce foul odors, and gathering the laid eggs with natural backyard-gardening and small-acreage farming techniques. The project was completed within the planned timeline. All volunteers were treated to a filling Italian chicken stew and rice lunch along with a cool beverage provided by the Pe‘a ohana.
The community is invited to come by the Hawaiian Farmers Market from 7 a.m-1 p.m. Saturdays (for produce sales) or 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays (heath and wellness booths). Volunteers and vendors are welcome.
