Gary Ueunten of Lāwa‘i, West Kaua‘i SWCD Cooperator of the Year 2006, with WKSWCD Chairman
Peter Tausend

Every year, each of Kaua‘i’s two Soil & Water Conservation Districts chooses a cooperator who has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improved agricultural operations using best management practices outlined in a conservation plan. This year, West Kaua‘i SWCD is proud to announce that Gary and Glenna Ueunten of Lāwa‘i have been selected as the West District’s Cooperators of the Year.

Until 1997, Gary and his wife Glenna were farming two acres of watercress and bananas on a farm started by Gary’s grandparents. At that time, A&B decided to terminate sugar cane production in the adjacent Lāwa‘i fields. Because the Department of Health restricts bacterial runoff into commercial watercress operations, Gary & Glenna acquired 10 acres above the watercress farm to keep the land from being used for cattle grazing and to expand into orchard crops. Ironically, during the next several years, a natural spring and tunnel system that fed the watercress farm stopped flowing, forcing them to try a new crop. As some water flow returned, they replanted the watercress area with “warabi” fiddlehead ferns and have planted several varieties of fruit trees. They also planted conservation cover between rows and windbreaks around the farm. Additionally, they have established pineapple, dragon fruit and a vegetable crop area that includes grass buffers and windbreaks. Their orchard crops include Groff and Kaimana lychee, longan, grapefruit, guava and oranges. Vegetable crops include green onions, tomatoes, pak choy, kabocha, kai choy and mizuna.

Gary tries to minimize the use of herbicides. He has mounted a unique wick applicator on his tractor to brush herbicides on large grasses between rows to kill them back while allowing his carpetgrass to become established. By using this method, he also minimizes the mowing time to save on fuel. His windbreak system has allowed him to rely more on natural irrigation for his crops since he has no irrigation supply on the farm. Currently he has a water catchment system at his residence above the farm to supply water during the dryer periods.

In the “warabi” crop area, Gary is trying to eliminate tall woody invasives on highly erodible lands to increase illumination for growth of critical area cover. He drills several holes in the trunks and fills them with herbicides to kill the trees without disturbing the ground cover that is present.

West Kaua‘i Soil & Water Conservation District is pleased to honor Gary and Glenna Ueunten for their conservation efforts at the Lāwa‘i Farm.