September News: Honoring Mike Furukawa, Supporting Student Films & Growing Dragon Fruit
Supporting the Fight Against Cancer and Remembering Mike Furukawa
Grove Farm was proud to support the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Kaua‘i on Saturday, August 16, and the experience deeply moved us. Held at the Vidhina Stadium Soccer Field, this annual event brings the local community together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones, and support the fight against cancer. Grove Farm helped with the Luminaria tent and met survivors, caregivers, and families and friends who lost their loved ones to cancer.
We dedicated our inaugural participation in the Relay for Life event to Grove Farm Senior Vice President Michael Furukawa, who led our development team until passing away from cancer in 2006. Nearly two decades later, people still talk about the stand-up person Mike was. He not only played a key role in helping Grove Farm build out the Līhu‘e-Puhi Master Plan, but was also deeply engaged in the community.
We were especially touched that the Furukawa family traveled from O‘ahu to join us for this meaningful event. Mike’s wife, Ellen Furukawa, their sons, Jon and Dean, Jon’s wife Stephanie, and Jon and Stephanie’s daughter, Ayako, honored Mike with their luminarias. Mike and Ellen’s daughter Kristine and her family were not able to attend the event on Kaua‘i, and made luminarias on O‘ahu to honor Mike.
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It is our honor to share this special video celebrating Mike’s legacy. Mahalo to the Furukawa family for allowing us to share Mike’s story, and many thanks to Allan Smith, Tom Shigemoto, Dave Hinazumi and Sharyl Lam Yuen for sharing your fond memories of Mike’s leadership, sense of humor, kind disposition, and lasting impact that continues to shape Grove Farm’s work for the community.
Kauaʻi Economic Development Board Launches Student Film Challenge
Lights! Camera! Action! The Kauaʻi Economic Development Board (KEDB) is rolling out its first-ever Kaua‘i Student Film Challenge this school year, giving young filmmakers an opportunity to learn, create and showcase their creativity under the guidance of veteran educator Kevin Matsunaga.
As a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening Kauaʻi’s economy, KEDB works to support local businesses, empower youth, and foster innovation. Kevin, a highly acclaimed digital media teacher who retired last year from the Hawai‘i Department of Education, now leads KEDB’s Digital Media Program and will work with schools across the island to bring the student challenge to life.
The competition begins on December 8, when participating schools will receive a fictitious movie title. Student teams will have 24 hours to plan and produce a short film based on the movie title. On December 9, the completed short films will be judged, with winners honored at a “red carpet event.”
Grove Farm is proud to be among the organizations supporting KEDB’s work for the community.
If you attended Waimea High School in the 1980s or 1990s, you probably remember social studies teacher Rudy Sina.
In his retirement, Mr. Sina is an avid gardener and can be found most Saturdays at the Grove Farm Market helping with Kaua‘i’s Master Gardeners. In this video, Mr. Sina shares tips on growing dragon fruit from his years of experience.