Waimea Middle School seventh graders Keiko, Shawnacee and Roilyn help gather up culinary treasures donated for the Third “Culinary & Gardening Garage Sale” to benefit Malaai: The Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School. (Photo courtesy of Waimea Middle School)

MEDIA RELEASE

Clever gadgets, heart-tugging treasures and great bargains will be among the finds offered during the third “Culinary and Garden Garage Sale,” beginning 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27 at Waimea Homestead Farmers’ Market on the lawn at Kuhio Hale (Hawaiian Homes Hall).

Great finds donated to the garage sale include such clever inventions as “a lawn shark” (a tool that looks like a serrated-edge pie cutter on a long handle for edging sod), a “garden weasel” (a miniature hand cultivator for working up soil), and a “hula hoe” (a tool that looks like rotating spurs on a long wooden handle, used to hand-till soil).

These were donated by master ‘green thumb’ Erin Lee, who is the director of landscape at Hualalai Resort, and co-owner-operator of Waimea’s Lokelani Gardens, which is known for its superb vine-ripened tomatoes.

Heart-tuggers in the sale which benefits Malaai: The Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School, were donated by the family of the late Nan Piianaia, who was an exceptional culinary authority and a dedicated supporter of Malaai and the entire school garden movement.

Also included in the growing list of treasures are a wide array of cookbooks from the shelves of many of Waimea’s best cooks plus culinary collectibles such as a plantation-era sieve, beautiful serving platters, dishes and glassware, linens and contemporary kitchen appliances and garden equipment.

Sponsored by Slow Food Hawaii with kokua from the Waimea Homestead Farmers’ Market, the fundraiser will support the now seven-year-old Malaai school garden, which has become a statewide model for hands-on, experiential learning focused on growing and sharing fresh, organic produce and, in the process, supporting student and community health, wellness, environmental and cultural stewardship and academic progress.

The Aug. 27 sale will be under a large tent at the Waimea Homestead Farmers Market.

Donations are still welcome. Drop them off at Waimea Middle School’s office or call Slow Food Hawaii Leader Clare Bobo (936-6511) or Malaai school garden board member Jeanne Oshima (887-1027).

Slow Food Hawaii has helped underwrite and support Malaai since it was founded nearly eight years ago by Dr. Michelle Suber, a Waimea physician. This three-quarter acre organic garden classroom provides 6th, 7th and 8th grade public school students with the transformative experience of working with the earth to grow nourishing food, and to experience the pleasure of preparing and sharing that food.

Integrated into the garden experience is a wide range of curriculum including language arts, math, science, social studies, technology and cultural learning and values.

Malaai is a private not-for-profit partnership with Waimea Middle School and is almost entirely funded by community generosity through donations, grants, endowments, events and, quite recently, the sale of student-grown herbs to Waimea restaurants at and the Homestead Farmers Market.

Fundraisers such as the Culinary and Garden Garage Sale are essential to keep the garden serving the students and families of Waimea Middle School as well as the wider community.

Financial contributions, tools, equipment and time spent in the garden and assisting with fundraising are all needed and appreciated.

All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.