You've probably seen Hirabara Farms products on menus across the state.
Located on the Big Island, Hirabara Farms offers a variety of lettuces and other produce that can be found in salads, sides, and entrees at some of the most notable restaurants throughout Hawaii (they grow a type of cabbage for Senia, where Chef Chris Kajioka makes an amazing
Charred Cabbage dish).
As part of Na`au, I was fortunate to visit this Kamuela farm, which originally started in Volcano by Kurt and Pam Hirabara (we have used their romaine in one of our dishes).
The farm is now run by a small group, including Ray Echavez, who was kind enough to give us a tour of Hirabara Farms.
They plant thousands of seeds each week, with plants growing in a very compact area. There is no room for tractors, thus they maximize the volume.
The science, the land, and the passion all combine to create some of the most beautiful produce.
Mahalo to Hirabara Farms!
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