HONOLULU (KHON2) — The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa created a new green onion that’s easier to grow — and they want to share that knowledge with the public.
A new green onion variety developed by UH is helping local families grow fresh food more sustainably. Organizers have also partnered with SNAP-ED and food education programs in an effort to show how simple crops can support food security.
“Everyone needs food so that’s why we want to grow more food at this facility but make it available to the public and the community so we have our green onion today that we’re going to be distributing,” said Josh Silva from UH. “It’s something small that people can grow in their gardens…”
The goal is growing as a lifestyle, not a hobby, with a benefit being getting keiki started early.
“I work a lot with the youth and home gardener, and we teach children and their parents how to grow plants at home successfully and how to grow their own food,” said Jessica Higashi, a programs coordinator at the Urban Garden Center.
According to organizers, green onions are the perfect entry point — they grow quickly, are easy to replant and are used in everything from plate lunches to soups.
Another goal is to build community interest, and those who attend these educational events often find themselves returning.
“There’s people who come to our workshops who say, ‘I’ve never touched dirt before.’ And they come back and they go, ‘I’m growing green onions, and tomatoes, and eggplant, and zucchini…,’” Higashi said. “It’s just so heartwarming to see people taking what they’re teaching them and applying it at home and being successful with it.”