Some of you might know that I started the Freecycle Big Island group here a few years ago. We now have over 2,090 members, islandwide. I've met just a few when we have had transactions (them picking up something we offered or us going to get something someone else offered)....and also during the recent sustainability event in Hilo when Freecycle had a booth and several members volunteered to help run the booth....
Photo: Deep Red Hibiscus
Anyway, we have had a member for some time who has always seemed a
character based on his postings and when he has written me personally for some reason. His name is Gerald or Jerry, but goes by the Hawaiian version of his name, which is Kele.
Kele recently posted he had some Meyer lemons to share. I waited a few days and then after he posted a TAKEN (meaning people had come and gotten them) I replied to his post with the request that if he still had any left after people had harvested or if he had more in future to keep me in mind for a dozen or so....
Photo: Meyer Lemons on dwarf tree
He invited us to come over to his "farmette" and get what we wanted, he still had some after 4 different people came to get them and he also had some bananas we could have.
Anthony and I went to visit him and it turns out that Kele lives in a small 'ohana house' - a small place behind the main house, Ohana means family - , and the property belongs to a friend but Kele does all of the planting.....and what plantings!!!
Photo: "Dwarf" Brazilian bananas - over 20 ft tall!
Almost every bit of space is taken up with plants, trees and bushes. Some ornamentals but many food and fruit producing! He must spend a fortune in fertilizer....dwarf Brazilian banana plants which normally grow maybe 6-7 ft tall run about 15-20 feet in his yard!!!
While we were there for just a few minutes it started pouring down so we could not walk around much - although we did some in the rain - but I was afraid my camera would get wet....I was snapping pics like crazy at the gorgeous stuff....
Photo: Loaded Papaya 'tree' in the rain
He asked us to come back when the weather was nicer and if he could impose on me to take his picture when I came to take more of his yard, he could prepare himself ahead of time, as he hasn't had his pic taken in a long time....
He is a fascinating "maniacal Siciliano" as he calls himself, and one I wish I had the words to write about and send to a newspaper or magazine....
On the next visit, I will snap some more shots of the plants and of course, Kele!
Photo: Poinsettia Bush with platter sized 'blooms'
I will be posting more about Kele's 'farmette' soon.....
Hi, Nancy! Thank you.....I was so excited at the gorgeous stuff Kele has in his garden that I just clicked away trying to keep the camera dry....my son ran behind me with an umbrella, but it kept getting in my way!
I have seen poinsettia bushes here as tall as houses too. ..........and my mom had one at their winter home in Florida that at one time went OVER the roof.....that was a sight!
Posted by: Sonia | November 24, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Sonia - what gorgeous pictures these are! With such wonderful shots taken in the rain, I can't imagine how beautiful Kele's garden is in the bright sunlight. I'll be looking forward to more pictures after you visit again.
The poinsettia is really pretty. On my first trip to Taiwan, I saw a huge one the size of a house on the side of the road. Never having seen a poinsettia grown outdoors before, I didn't recognize it at first. They truly are splendid.
Posted by: Nancy in NY | November 24, 2008 at 08:54 AM
It was fun, Sarah....and I can't wait to go back. He is a very interesting person, as you will see when I continue the story.
Posted by: Sonia | November 24, 2008 at 07:16 AM
Looks like a good visit!
Yum, makes me hungry.
Posted by: Sarah HB | November 24, 2008 at 02:42 AM