This KADP grant was awarded to Lyndsey Haraguchi-Nakayma, a 5th generation taro farmer to assist Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. (HTJC) in equipping a mobile food establishment, enabling them to bring value added taro products to a wider customer base on the Island of Kauai and to develop a franchise mobile concept.  The project included retrofitting a secondhand lunch wagon with the necessary equipment to serve the unique taro products.  The environmentally friendly wagon uses solar power and can service different areas of the Island.

HTJC had a successful debut of the lunch wagon at the Kauai County Farm Bureau Garden Fair on April 18, 2009.   Lyndsey reported that: “the Haraguchi family worked nonstop from set up till clean up of the event serving their Hanalei Taro Veggie Burgers, BBQ Kalua Sandwiches, Kalua Bowls, Taro Mochi Cakes, Taro Hummus & Pita Chips, Taro Smoothies, and Hawaiian lunch plates which included pork or chicken lau lau, kalua pig, rice or poi, lomi lomi salmon, and taro macaroni salad.  There were many repeat customers; some even came back for a third and fourth time.  Brochures and information were also available at HTJC so that customers that enjoyed the value added Hawaiian taro products can find us in Hanalei, online and find us at different events and areas on Kauai.

With the assistance of this grant HTJC has been able to provide a positive economic impact on the Island of Kauai as well as the state of Hawaii by being able to hire additional employees and raise cultural awareness for the State plan, Taro and establish a small value added outlet for the Taro industry as well as bring hope to the 5th generation of the Haraguchis and perhaps the 6th generation.