Thank You!

2/28/10

So many people have been helpful in the success of this project, I'd like to take some time to express my gratitude.

Most importantly, I'd like to thank my boss Barcus Adams who is the head of the agriculture department at the Kalani retreat center. He is the one who came up with the idea for Kalani to experiment with aquaponics and immediately entrusted me with the task. He has helped me get the resources, knowledge, labor and materials, to make this project successful so quickly.

Similarly, Tim Mann and Suzanne Friend at Friendly Aquaponics in Honoka'a, HI have been instrumental in the efficient implementation that has lead to our success. I am so grateful for their mission to enable aquaponics to "go viral" in their words, infecting people around the world with the excitement and ability to produce their own food locally and sustainably. In his Saturday farm tour, Tim was so forthcoming with all the information and details of construction, that in one tour, I was able to not only design our own system, but also have some basic numbers on productivity to use to economically justify the project. Taking their 3 day workshop filled out my knowledge so that I had a good ideal of most of the ins and outs of running an aquaponic farm.

Stewart Blackburn's advice learned from running his own system has been invaluable. As well as all the following people who have generously shared their knowledge on the subject: Matt at the UH aquaculture center in Hilo, David Stark, Lyn Howe, and Kaika and Maayag at the Dragonfly School.

And for help in construction: Jonathan (Kimo) Lopez, Johanna Collier, Forrest Pfier, Trent Whitaker, and Gary Schroeder