By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Grant Hamachi is overseeing the
25th-anniversary farm fair.
By Kimberly Fu
Star-BulletinFor more than 100 years, Hawaii was an agricultural state that provided its people sustenance through gifts from the land. But as Hawaii modernized, the vast majority working in Hawaii's fields dwindled to just a few, and the once-strong link between people and the land was broken.
The Hawaii State Farm Fair -- opening tomorrow for the 25th year -- reconnects that link.
For many, the farm fair is more than just another carnival. Farmers involved since the first fair in 1972 said the event promoted their craft, their products, their way of life.
The fair is also a way to share a bit of Hawaii's agricultural history with new generations and to reinforce the importance of farming, according to event Chairman Grant Hamachi, who is also president of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, the fair's sponsor.
"As the next generations get farther away from agriculture, people forget most of the food comes from farms," he said. The fair's educational focus -- exhibits and demonstrations -- has been strengthened each year as public ignorance about farming has grown.
"The first generation, many were farmers. Second generation, possibly were farmers. But then, guaranteed, the third, fourth, fifth (generation) is gone."
Hamachi added that the farming community also benefited from the fair's exposure.
"The idea of the fair is to promote Hawaii products from the local level (and) also to make an income for our organization. And there's a lot of groups that participate at the fair as their fund-raiser," Hamachi said. These include 4-H clubs, crafters and others.
But this is still a carnival, too, and to draw crowds the fair's planning committee has brought in more carnival rides and live entertainment, from ukulele clubs to the Makaha Sons of Niihau to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
"Kids love the rides ... parents love the entertainment, the agriculture exhibits, the demonstrations," said James Nakatani, chairman of the Department of Agriculture and president of the Farm Bureau in 1992.
Nakatani stressed that the fair is structured to provide something for all ages, which is why it features a petting zoo and a carousel, carnival games and rides, agricultural/livestock exhibits, contests and plant sales. A little variety goes a long way toward grabbing crowds, he said.
Back in the "old" days, George Fernandes said, home economics activities drew in the most people. President of the Farm Bureau in the late 1980s, Fernandes said he enjoyed seeing people's smiles or hearing their laughter as they explored the fair, most stopping to examine pies, plants or products either on exhibit or for sale.
Nakatani said he misses such "farmy" events because they were authentic and opened the eyes of urbanites to'the activities of rural areas. Resurrecting them could jumpstart attendance, which has dwindled since the fair moved to Aloha Stadium from McKinley High School in 1995.
Still, Hamachi said he is satisfied with the evolution of the fair and believes the majority of the public is, too.
"Many people grew up with the fair," he said. "Many grew old with it." He added that everyone will always benefit from it, regardless of what is offered, what is taken away or where it moves.
"We're looking toward Sand Island as a possible location for the future," he said. "Or Barbers Point in 20 to 50 years. Who knows? But the farm fair will always be here."
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