Friends of NELHA have outdone themselves. The NELHA Fish Farmers Market was a smashing success this past Friday. The debut event, sponsored by the County Department of Research and Development, featured several of the NELHA tenants who offered their exciting local sea foods and produce to the public.

"The Big Island hosts some of the most innovative, sustainable aquaculture operations in the country," said Guy Toyama, Friends of NELHA executive director.  Visitors and locals alike were treated to the fare offered up by local aqua farms that utilize the cold deep sea water technology, and without question, they were impressed.

NELHA tenants: Big Island Abalone, Cyanotech, Kona Blue Water Farms, Kona Cold Lobster, Kona Sea Salt™, Koyo USA and High Health Aquaculture participated in the debut market. Also there were: Kona coffee from Keopu Mill Coffee Co., sturgeon from Kevin Hopkins, of the aquaculture program at University of Hawaii at Hilo, and locally grown produce from Big Island vendors.

Throughout the event, fresh whole seafood, as well as cut fillets and sashimi plants, were available.

Along with live music, there was an enticing cooking demonstration by Olelo paa Faith Ogawa, a local private chef whose clients have included Fortune 500 companies and celebrities visiting the islands. Ogawa prepared seafood from the aquaculture farms and talked about benefits of each product, which climaxed with delectable samples of Kona Sea Salt™ salted sturgeon. Mmmm!

If you missed the event, don't worry...the last Fridays of April, May and June are scheduled to repeat this incredible Fish Farmers Market.  For more information or to get involved, call Kelly Coleman at 962-6357 or Guy Toyama at 938-1017. 

Friends of NELHA (FON) is a 501(c)3 non- profit organization dedicated to promoting education and outreach programs at Keahole Point, where NELHA is recognized worldwide as a unique and innovative ocean research, business and technology park.

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