Green Drinks Eco Gathering at 22 Degrees North a Hit

Sustainability on Kauai can be inspiring and fun, when discussed with the great group of people that Green Drinks Kauai has attracted to their gatherings. Naomi Hazelton-Giambrone, publisher and owner of Pacific Edge Magazine is organizing these meetings for Oahu and Kauai.

You can get more information about Green Drinks Kauai on their Facebook Page and in the future on the international website for Green Drinks. If you tweet about attending events, you may wish to use the Twitter hash tag that I do #GreenDrinksKauai.

The February Green Drinks Kauai meeting brought together eco-conscious professionals on Kauai at 22° North on Kilohana. Participants discussed their interests in a wide range of ecology topics, including recycling of home and office waste, re-use of paper packaging, alternative energy, wind power opportunities and utilizing local products to limit transportation costs and fuel use.

Update: The next Green Drinks are Wednesday, March 16 and April 20 6PM – 8PM at Hukilau Lanai in Kapa’a.

Todd Oldham invited the first 20 people who registered to enjoy a walk of the Kilohana Farm just before the Green Drinks event started. Seeing the source of the Farm to Table concept for 22° North was in perfect synergy with an event about sustainability.

The farm features a number of types of food, all grown in a sustainable fashion. The farm soils are enriched with compost made from from Kilohana landscaping green waste and kitchen scraps from the 22 ° North restaurant.

Irrigation water is carefully monitored to reduce loss via evaporation and is transported in lined water courses to limit water loss due to seepage into the ground on the way to planted areas.

Planting is staggered to allow fallow time for soils to regain vitality from a variety of plant types. Weeds are controlled naturally using insect-repelling plants as well as waterfowl that eat undesired pests that venture into the gardens.

A wide variety of leafy and root vegetables are grown alongside spices and herbs. Even edible plant flowers are harvested for fresh salads. Fruit is gathered from trees and plants that include some exotic local varieties that the chef utilizes for unique dishes.

Of course, the 22 Degrees North menu is not limited to just fruits ad vegetables. Fresh eggs are gathered from the free-range chickens on the property, goat cheese is delivered fresh from local farms, and quality local beef and pork are supplied from sources on Kauai.