PERMACULTURE  As explained at www.permaculturevisions.com, Permaculture is basically about reducing waste: energy and materials, human and environmental. It is about thinking and observation. It aims to design and create systems that imitate nature, contain and digest any by-products and turn the problems into solutions. No two systems will look the same as each is harmony with its natural surrounds, different climates and aspects and people needs.

The word Permaculture® was first coined by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in 1978 with their book Permaculture One. It was formed from the words permanent agriculture. It originally meant permanent agriculture, and evolved to encompass strategies for a more Permament, that is, evolving but sustainable Culture. Global needs affect the way we live and, therefore, affect our lifestyle and culture. The main aim of Permaculture is to create living systems without waste. Then people can actively conserve world life and resources.

PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE (June 4, 2006)

Olomana Gardens has just signed up for our staff and apprentices to take a correspondence course in Permaculture Design from Permaculture Visions International.  This is the only correspondence course that has been approved by Bill Mollison, the father of Permaculture, and the Permaculture Institute (of Australia).  We expect to complete the course and be certified by early July, 2006.

Following our graduation, we will be offering the Permaculture Design Course to interested, serious-minded, students.   It is our intention to enroll students in individual or study groups in the Permaculture Visions International course and augment their studies with hands-on, practical application projects at the Olomana Gardens site.  Graduates will receive their certificate for the course from Permaculture Visions International.  We believe that this is the most expedient means to fill the need to offer a certified course that will be recognized by the accrediting authority, the Permaculture Institute.

LIST OF FUTURE POTENTIAL PERMACULTURE PROJECTS:

• Chicken tractors
• Ram pump
• Water storage and electrical generation, also wind or solar electrical energy generation
• Pond development ideas, including creating ponds in the marshy areas on the lower plateau, developing catfish or tilapia farming operation, possible spirolina productions.  All water flow to be gravity fed or using devices like ram pumps, and all aeration to be powered by water, wind, or solar power.
• Researching and experimenting with salt water irrigation.  Explore possible partnerships with other organizations such as the Oceanic Institute.
• Conservation project in the stream.  This is to maintain the deep ponds and keep them from filling full of silt. Glenn has seen O'opu in the stream and would like to do whatever is needed to improve their habitat.    These are rumored to be close to extinction on Oahu and we are happy to see them in our stream.
• In the wooded sections of our property and neighboring woods, create forest gardens which provide food for humans and wildlife.

Aloha!

Liz

Contact us at OlomanaGardens@hawaii.rr.com if you are interested in learning about Permaculture.

Page revised: 06/12/2006