UPDATE: We’ll find out in June if The Nature Conservancy broke the record and set one. TNC Hawaii picnic had just enough people to participate in Picnic for the Planet. They were required to sit together and eat for 10 minutes.
Mother Earth takes care of billions of people, so to recognize her generosity, why not treat her to lunch? That’s the plan for today. In celebration of Earth Day, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii will be hosting a huge picnic at the Heeia Pier Deli in Kaneohe. People will not only fill their bellies in honoring Mother Earth but also attempt to break and to make world records for: most picnickers and largest multi-venue picnic in 24 hours.
Last year’s Picnic for the Planet at a Big Island Beach.
How, you may be wondering? Picnic for the Planet is a global initiative that makes people aware of their food’s origin and increases their appreciation of nature in the culture of food. The event extends its lunch date invite beyond our island’s shores, to the rest of Mother Earth’s children who span across oceans and continents. So far, there are more than 1,600 people from 50-plus countries signed up for the sustainable feasting. This is their second world-wide picnic but first record attempts. They must have more than 24,000 picnickers to beat the current record.
Evelyn Wight from the Conservancy Hawaii encourages tourists to take part in today’s picnic. “Heeia Pier is a beautiful location that is off the beaten path,” she said, referring to the historic east-side landmark that’s slowly regaining a place in the community. Owners just remodeled the pier deli, which sits at the end of the pier on the marina.
The deli’s menu is ever-evolving and depends on which foods they purchase from local fishermen and farmers. A few of their dishes use 100-percent local ingredients. Although I haven’t eaten here yet, I’ve heard that their guava chicken and luau stew are top-notch. Chef Mark Noguchi takes a slightly more innovative approach when preparing the dishes; perhaps it comes from his years of working under renowned local Chef Mavro.
“(Tourists) can experience first-hand the passion and value of people committed to sustainable, local food and nature in Hawaii,” Evelyn said. “ (And) connect with a truly local feeling and experience (rare for most tourists).
VIDEO: It turned out to be a beautiful day for a picnic. We’ll find out in June if they broke the record.
PICNIC FOR THE PLANET • Today, 11am-1pm • Celebrate Earth Day and help break & make world records for most picnickers and largest multi-venue picnic • Heeia Pier General Store & Deli, 46-499 Kamehameha Hwy
Photo Credit: The Nature Conservancy
