Notes on 44-2580 Kalopa Rd.

Location:

• Aerial from Google (actually, DigitalGlobe satellite) is the only hi-res imagery available
• http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&t=h&ll=20.061449,-155.4225&spn=0.004127,0.003422&z=18

There are initially three fenced areas: feral cane grasses (~3.1 acres), house (~1.45 acres), and an eroded, weedy goat field (~1.45 acres). Hamakua ditch runs the full length of the downhill (northern) boundary, and a drainage ditch runs along the eastern boundary.

Map Data and Surveys

• No site plan or blueprints.  Deed does contains Metes and Bounds, and there is the State GIS parcel SHP.
• However, there are major discrepancies.  E.g. State SHP says the eastern boundary (along the gully) is 189.1'.  Deed says it is 230.79'.  On the aerial, it looks like at least 255'.
• Deed says area is 5.737 acres

Chemicals Remaining from Sugar Cane Cultivation

• on its own page

Fencing

• Very first task is to clear the fenceline and check it for quality.  If the fence has gaps, then pigs will come and attack any other attempt to improve the land.
• November 13: Walking around the fenceline, it looks like good quality but along the uphill edge, next to pasture 1, there are major gaps under the fence with obvious signs of pig traffic going under the fence.  Will need to tie down for uneven terrain.
• Plan is to move the fence between pasture 1 and the house, 40' west.  That will result in a half-acre change:
  • pasture 1: 2.8 acres, house: 1.75 acres, pasture 2: 1.45 acres
• January 8: New plan is to leave pasture 1 with existing fence (not pig proof) but to focus on protecting the house area.

Plants: The Plan

• Podocarpus windbreak
  • Podocarpus gracilior is the typical species used, and seedlings should cost around $5 each
  • Joe has acquired a large number from the State in October
  • Estimated need: 3 windbreaks, 390 + 320 + 240 = 950'
  • that's 115 Podocarpus at 2.5m spacing  (8.2') or 100 at 10' spacing
  • Joe says: "I know the trades are supposed to blow from the north east but here they blow much more often from the east.  I would definitely consider a windbreak on the southeast boarder.  The northeast trades bring rain but its the east and southeast trades that suck the water/life out of your land.  At least in Kalopa."
  • offset 6' from the boundary / fence
  • spacing to next row: 6' + 10' path + 6' = 22'
  • January 8 new plan: only eastern field will have windbreak.  320 + 240 = 560 feet.
    •  50 Podo are received, that is just enough for 11' spacing.
• Row 1
  • Dwarf Coconut
    • Kai says he has many available, in different sizes.  Cost could be around $20/plant.
    • Spacing: 20' if we will put papayas between them
    • Estimated need: 18-20 plants.
  • Papaya
    • Gibson says that nurseries don't usually carry it, because it grows so fast, so start ones own papayas from seeds.
    • Grow GMO (SunUp, Rainbow) or non-GMO?  We are isolated, so non-GMO should be OK.  E.g. Solo, Sunrise.
    • Male trees (rare) must be culled as they will not produce fruit, females (common) because they don't fruit as nicely.  Hermaphrodites are what we want.  It takes 3-4 months to tell the gender of a plant.  If using fresh seeds, rub them together to remove membrane, then dry them out.
    • Reportedly, "Solo papayas: Each tree produces fruit, so you do not have to worry about whether a tree is a male or female."
    • Charles, re: what type is in honokaia.  He says he has started a small number only.
    • Estimated need: 18-20 plants.
    • December 26: Started 24 pots of Sunrise papaya seeds (2 seeds per pot)
  • spacing to next row: 6' + 10' = 16'
• Row 2
  • Mango, Lychee.  Spacing 20'
  • Estimated need: 9-10 mango trees, 9-10 lychee.
  • Janet would like several different kinds of Mango. Plant It Hawaii does not list available mango types, just "Selected cultivars for Hawaii; Varied selection and quantities."
  • Anthracnose resistant cultivars only. Fairchild.
    • Florigon and Glenn, early varieties.
    • Mid-season: Napalehu, Repozo.
    • End: Keat, Brookslate.
  • Lychee: Can shock plant if more than 25% cut, Needs previous year growth to fruit. Sulfur for mites.  When you plant: Use phosphate.
  • spacing to next row: 10' + 12' = 22'
• Row 3
  • 8 Avocado, spacing 25' = 200' of space
    • PlantIt lists 8 different kinds; at all different times of year. Lets try one of each.
  • 6 Fig, 4 Pomegranate: spacing 20' = 200' of space
  • Pomegranate AND Persimmon: Check in with the Pangs at the market, or wait for Michael to bring some in for a month, 3-4  months to ready.  Is it a bare-root tree they brought in?  They are located by Ken and Roen.
  • Prune fig in February.  Bears at young age, and copiously.
  • spacing to next row: 12' + 8' = 20'
• Row 4
  • Persimmon (Fuyu) x 4, Jaboticaba ('Paulista') x 4, Guava x 6 (2 types), Loquat x 4, Cinnamon x 4
  • total 24 plants, spacing 16'
• Closer to House
  • Banana: Dwarf Apple x4.  Plant each separately, they will rapidly form a "mat".
  • Clove, Curry Leaf, Nutmeg
  • Allspice: note, dioecious, needing a male and female plant for the female to develop fruit
  • On a trellis: Black Pepper, Lilikoi
    • black pepper at http://www.hawaiiantropicalplants.com/spice.html - although not on his 'online store'
• In Garden
  • Cardamom, Turmeric, all the traditional herbs
• Hedges
  • Coffee / Tea - placement TBD
• Landmark trees
  • Monkeypod / rain tree (Albizia saman): gentle shade, graceful canopy, legume
    • CTAHR Weed Risk Assessment Score: 4 (OK)
    • craigslist: $25, Selling Monkey pod tree's in pot. 7 Gallon 8 ft tall, 808 895 7831
    • 1-4 met Albert Lee (of Kenneth Lee Nursery, on Railroad and lama st.) who delivered trees all the way up to us, bought 4 monkeypod trees, $25/pot, 7gal, $100
  • Bamboo
    • Quindembo.  Peter and Susan. Kindembo people. Call them. 885-4968.
• January 8 NEW PLAN
  • We will not put any rows of trees out in pasture 1.  That means smaller, shorter rows in the eastern field.
  • Row length: approximately 276 feet.  Spacing from podocarpus, to Row 1: 6' + 10' path + 6' = 22'
  • Row 1: 13 coconut / 13 papaya.  Spacing to next row: 6' + 10' = 16'
  • Row 2: 5 mango, 4 lychee  Spacing to next row: 10' + 12' = 22'
  • Row 3: 4 avocado, 2 fig  Spacing to next row: 12' + 8' = 20'
  • Row 4: 2 loquat, 3 citrus

Plants: Other Potential

• Mulberry, Surinam Cherry, Starfruit, Breadfruit, Macadamia
• Pink Peppercorns: from the plants Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) or Peruvian Pepper (Schinus molle)
  • "Pink pepper from Piper nigrum is distinct from the more-common dried 'pink peppercorns', which are the fruits of a plant from a different family, Schinus."
  • "Fruit and leaves are potentially poisonous to poultry, pigs ... hard to control because it sends up root suckers and new shoots if the trunk is cut, and trees produce abundant seeds that are dispersed by birds and ants ... The species is now legally prohibited from sale, transport, or planting in the United States, where it is classified as a Category I pest by the Exotic Pest Plant Council (EPPC)"
• Garden: many different vegetables.  Start Asparagus as soon as possible.

Cover crops

• Pigeon Pea, Crotalaria: use in areas that will not be grazed, to improve soil.
• Pigeon Pea is not easy to buy
  • It is not found at any of the major online seed companies.
  • http://www.seedvendor.com/ says they will sell bulk "seeds of Cajanus cajan for $40 per lb."
  • Joel had some he ordered, and gave me more than a pound.  Where did he get it?  He implies he got it from Kyle.
• Advice from CTAHR: "sunn hemp, a mustard mix and annual rye grass worked the best"
• CTAHR paper: Advice on Obtaining Seeds of Green Manure and Cover Crops in Hawai‘i (pdf)
  • Crotalaria Seed Specialists, and Hana Hou Seed Harvest, Mililani, 808-341-0230, e-mail mchughj001@hawaii.rr.com (growers and suppliers of ‘Tropic Sun’ sunn hemp seeds)
  • Fukuda Seed Store, Honolulu, 808-841-6719, jokaneshiro@yahoo.com
  • Koolau Seed and Supply, Kaneohe, 808-239-1280, e-mail owens001@hawaii.rr.com (suppliers of sunn hemp and other green manure crop, cover crop, forage crop, and turfgrass seeds).
• Sudangrass
  •  "King of the organic matter-producing, weed-choking cover crops. Grows to 8' on hot, fertile, irrigated soil. Reduces many species of nematodes and symphylans"
• Connie reports that 'Birdsfoot Trefoil' (Lotus corniculatus) works nicely in Hawaii, no sticky seeds.
  • Available from Peaceful Valley, pre-rhizocoated, $8.50/lb.
• Seeds of Change lists several nice cover crops, but they seem to be unavailable in winter ("Available: 0")
• Peaceful Valley has things in stock
  • 2008-12-16: ordered:

    Description                         Lbs
    ----------------------------------- ---
    Oregon Annual Ryegrass (Lb)          10
    Sudangrass (sorghum)                 20
    Crotalaria juncea Sunn Hemp - Raw (   5
    Garden Combination Mix Inoculant (t   1
    Cowpeas, Iron & Clay - Raw (Lb)      10

  • 2009-01-08 ordered:
    

    SCL200 Birdsfoot Trefoil - Rhizocoated (Lb) 1.05 lbs $8.50, 5 lbs $38.25
    SPI200 Bloat Resist Pasture Mix (Irrigated)  1.05 lbs $5.70, 5 lbs $25.65
    SCL811 Cowpeas, Iron & Clay - Raw (Lb)  1.05 lbs $2.30, 5 lbs $10.35
    SLL200 Herbal Lawn Mix (oz)  0.10 lbs $7.99, 2 oz $15.98
    	Subtotal $90.23
    	Shipping (15.95 lbs total weight)  Priority Mail Shipping $39.56
    		Grand Total $129.79		
    

• JohnnySeeds.com: most things are backordered, e.g. Field Peas to 03/29/09, Cowpeas to 01/12/09

Pasture

• Which cover crops / grasses are acceptable for grazing animals?

• Species	Grazing
  Birdsfoot Trefoil, Lotus corniculatus	Very good.
  Cowpeas, Vigna unguiculata	Good.
  Sunn Hemp, Crotalaria juncea	Ok fodder as adult plants?  Seeds poisonous?
  Pigeon Pea, Cajanus cajan	Ok fodder as adult plants.
  Ryegrass, Lolium spp.	Very good.
  Sudangrass, Sorghum bicolor	Good fodder as adult plant. Versus other sorghums, Sudangrass has low levels of dhurrin.  Content is highest in young plants.  The recommendation is not to graze until the plant is 18 to 20 inches tall, which is usually 5 to 6 weeks after planting.

Spreading Seeds / Manure / Compost

• Pro Rental (885-8847) lists a "spreader" for rent, but they says it's just for fertilizer; would not do thick chunky stuff like manure or compost.
• Organa Grow (882-7931) called him 12-19. He says they have no compost, could be a couple of months.
• What we really want is like a manure spreader, which could be pulled behind Joe's tractor.  Could even mix the seeds and other inputs into the manure/compost as it is spread, which would solve the problem of broadcasting seed.
• Rent one from Hilo?
  • American Machinery Inc, 110 Kalanikoa Street, Hilo, HI 96720 Phone: (808) 961-6673 americanmachineryhawaii.com
    • Big Island: Wayne Cummins (808)-329-5574 wcummins@amermach.com  busy, x3 for sales, cell 960-1331
    • emailed him 12-27 about renting a manure spreader.  Wrote back 12-29 saying they no longer do rentals at all.
    • 1-6 left message on his cellphone.
    • Kona coffee farmers say: AMI did sell a manure spreader to Dave Bateman at Heavenly Hawaiian (coffee@heavenlyhawaiian.com), and their store is near Costco.
  • Hawaii Farm Service, 1133 Manono Street # 1, Hilo, HI 96720 Phone: (808) 935-9009
  • Bacon Universal CO Inc, 215 Railroad Avenue # A, Hilo, HI 96720 839-7202 www.baconuniversal.com
  • Equipment Unlimited Hawaii, 16 40th Avenue, 0890, Hilo, HI 96720 Phone: (808) 966-8220
  • Hawaii Tractor Limited, 94 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720 Phone: (808) 677-0428
  • Orchid Isle Hauling & Rental, 499 Kulana Kea Drive, Hilo, HI 96720 Phone: (808) 961-3360
• There are small units like the Scotts AccuGreen 3000
  • which are really just for fertilizer/seed, no chunky stuff.  $50 new at Home Depot.  Bought one Jan-2.
  • Jan-6 tested it by spreading the 2x50lbs of calcium carbonate. 100 lbs doesn't look like much over a field of this size, and the ground is still quite bumpy and rocky for the small plastic wheels on the Scotts, but it did the job fine.
• Garden Exchange
  • 1-6 called and asked them for advice. They said beside a cheap drop spreader ($44, probably the Scotts) there is a "sod roller", $200, which might do the job.  Could take a look next time in Hilo.
• 1-1 Vic says the ranch he is on in Waikii has a spreader, but unlikely to loan it.  Bobby Grimes says Michael Manor has one, but unlikely to loan it.
• 1-1 Kona farmer Gary Strawn describes his old manure spreader, says he got it from a guy who bought a new one, Dave Bateman at Heavenly Hawaiian farm and his email is coffee@heavenlyhawaiian.com
• Azomite, Jan. 5
  • Farm Supply Co-op: out of stock
  • Garden Exchange: 961-2875: they have it. 44 lb. bags  $27.95, 12 in stock.
  • BEI: 933-7800: not sure, went to vmail.
  • UAP: 935-7191: no, and no powdered rock.
• Tyrone Rapozo, Kalopa, 775-0991
  • 1-1: Asked him about trucking manure and macnut husk, spreading it on the fields. Tyrone called back, he said he would need a loader to put macnut in his truck, and has no way to spread it.
  • 1-6 Left message proposing a dumptruck load of manure from Hawi dairy.
• Prasad
  • On craigslist: "We Will Deliver Milled Mac Nut Husks to you for $75.00 for 1 1/2 yards. We also have fresh horse manure from stable cleaning for the same price. cell number is 345-8096"
  • 1-6: Called.  He is 67 years old, likes to use his small truck.  Said he could deliver some horse manure, perhaps Thursday 1-8.
  • 1-8 Postponed delivery until next week.
• Cab
  • Get microbe advice. 989-1836 cell, 885-1718 home
  • 1-1 left msg. he called back at busy time. 1-6 left another msg. Called back, said he is going to Hilo Thurs., or might be available Friday.  Check back 1-8 Thurs. AM
  • 1-8 Called him to cancel, due to new budget restriction.

Soil

• Stacy sent in 3 samples to CTAHR.  Reported on 11/14:

  Sample	pH	P	K	Ca	Mg	notes
  E. Goat	5	26	194	272	106	The worst, as expected, given the goat erosion.
  NW Pasture	6.3	49	562	2018	678	Better than expected, especially in pH and potassium.  Perhaps several years of grass coverage has actually preserved or built some topsoil.
  House	5.5	28	104	458	130	Worse than expected.  It might be that we sampled an area of clay, or might be the result of bulldozer scraping the pad when the house was built.
  CTAHR 'expected'	6.15	67.5	300	3500	700

Potential Animals

• Chickens
• Ducks, Geese
  • especially if the ponds will be filled, although if they are loose on the house acre, they may need to be fenced away from the garden areas
• Goats
  • how to get rid of them? call Jan, there are people who want goats. fortunately the goats were removed by the previous owners
• Sheep
  • ask Jan about availability, cost, types
  • Compatibility with trees: sheep will browse young trees, mulberry, even ironwood.  Solution is probably to use a moveable electric fence to enclose the sheep in their own area, separate from all tree plantings
• There is a goat&sheep grower's group. 25 people at recent meeting. One miniature goat person in Kona. Jan is contact.
• Pasture maintenance
  • From John Dean: On the Dean's land, it was mowed/disced, in the early 90s. it may have been spread with hay, to get grass seeds. casual grazing and fencing. raymond and billed. 17 acres is split -> 5,5,12. Nino's 12 is below. 80% california grass, 20% guinea. Had some mowed. Bully Gabriel bought in horses and young cattle. Put in electric fencing + pasture rotation when sheep went in. Mowing helped.
• 'Mosquito fish' for the pond

Workers / Consultants

• Joe Gaglione, 775-7400, cell 640-5767
• Kai (coconuts), cell 333-0818
• Charles, cell 443-3427
• Ira (in Kalopa): 775-0720
• Kavika: 775-0849, cell 557-4494
• Stacy writes:
  • "A nice guy who works for the Guilds and he is great at doing clearing, etc. I am thinking he can do your difficult work for the Lews, keep his name handy. Mark Gott 345-5490, he took out clumping bamboo for us."
  • "A super sweet guy named Steve Maas, he advertises in the Hamakua Times. Steve could be the man to put in irrigation. My clients have been very happy with his services and pricing. He will give the Lews a written estimate including parts.
    • "Pines and Palms Properties LLC, Home Improvement, 430-2520"
    • Steve's Office 775-7358, pines-palms@hotmail.com
• Michael Gibson, Elemental Plants, 775-9198, 640-2506 mobile
• Janet hired Abe Baptiste, 775-7458, to do driveway and other cement work around house

Neighbors

• Michael Gibson says: house is near Ernest Alfonso, who is head of the irrigation district ("Agricultural Management Division"). A bright guy.

Water / Ditch

• Lower Hamakua Ditch, also known as Honokaa-Paauilo Irrigation System
  • "The longer Lower Hamakua system serves about 250 farmers and ranchers along its 24-mile length"
  • Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation might be involved
    • Lorie Farrell, administrator of the Big Island Farm Bureau
    • Big Island Farm Bureau: 66 Lalamilo Farm Rd 122 Ste 1220 B, Kamuela, HI 96743 Phone: (808) 885-5580
      • 11/17 left message (Lorie)
      • 11/21 called again, Lorie was very helpful in pointing me to the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Irrigation Systems
    • Ditch is managed by a fellow named Ernest (887-6057, office is in Lalamilo farmlots, in green building)
    •  Current rate is around 32.5 cents/1000 gallons, going up to 52 cents in the future.
  • Q to ask:
    • restrictions on amount of water?
    • minimum setback to plant a tree?
    • minimum setback to build a structure?
    • tax map shows a 50' right away.  is there a 25' from center of ditch, that is restricted?
  • Rules and Rates are on Administrative Rules - Title 4 Department of Agriculture — Hawaii Department of Agriculture
  • Specifically, AR-157, which is Chapter 4-157, Rules Governing Irrigation Water Service to Consumers of Hawaii State Department of Agriculture Irrigation Systems
  • Summary:
    • You must have at least 2 acres.  You fill out a standard application form, with a nonrefundable fee ($60).  Upon approval, a service connection is installed by the Department at the expense of the applicant, and becomes property of the Department, and is subsequently maintained by the Department.  A deposit for installation is required ($1000) toward the cost of installing the connection .
    • Meters are read monthly. Rates per 1000 gallons: 42.5 cents 2008, 45 cents 2009
    • No vegetation may be grown so close as to hang into or over the ditch.
  • Application is 1-page pdf: Application for Irrigation Water Service
  • Pumping systems can be expensive.  Michael Gibson reports he attended a Thurs. night lecture by Peter Shackleford, photovoltaic expert, who said solar for pumping is good and efficient, all DC. Quote, installed, rise of several hundred feet: $42,000, 32 gallons/minute.
• County Water
  • How much does County water cost, exactly?  From http://www.hawaiidws.org/cserv/waterrates2008.pdf
  • Effective July 2008:
  • base charge for 5/8" pipe: $12/month
  • typical bill: 51 days, usage 24 thousand, amount $94, standby $24, consumption $29.20, power cost $40.80
  • 1st block: 0-5 thousand: 0.75 = $3.75
  • 2nd block: 5-15 thousand: 1.55 = $15.50
  • 3rd block: 15-40 thousand: $2.75, 24-15 = 9, 9*2.75 = $24.75
  • so, 24 thousand should be $24.75+$15.50+$3.75 = $44.  But it isn't.  Very confusing.
  • Very rough estimate by dividing entire bill: $94/24 = $3.91/thousand
  • example: drip irrigation for the tea field: 0.6 gallons/hour/foot.  E.g. 600 feet = 360 gallons/hour = $1.40/hour

Ponds

• A pond with a 40' diameter (12.2m) and an average depth of 2' (perhaps depth of 6' at center) has a volume of (very approximately) 15,000 gallons.  At ditch rate of $0.32, that's only $5 of water!  At full County rate of $4, that's $60.