The Tongan "fakaaliali ngoue" or agricultural fair, held December 15, 2007, near Kahuku Hospital, quickly sold over 1,000 yams — some as big as seven feet tall and weighing over 100 pounds — as well as tapioca, taro, and other Koolauloa-grown produce.

Event organizer Siuaki Livai noted prizes were given for various categories of produce. For example, Tevita Toafa grew the heaviest yam of the day at 185 pounds. He explained it was a "kahokaho" yam, the kind traditionally presented to the king.

Kalisi Unga, who won prizes for the best taro including one corm that weighed over 11 pounds as well as for growing the most tapioca, explained the giant-sized yams can be kept for six-to-eight months before eating. He added that the sales were brisk because many Tongan and other Polynesian families wanted the traditional foods for New Year's feasts.

"We don't even have enough for the community," said Unga, whose farm is near the cricket field in Laie. He also said the tubers take six-to-eight months to mature and that average four-foot yams usually sell two for $100.

Toafa also won for largest yam and the "most beautiful" kau ufi or pile of about 20 yams. "I spend at least four hours every day, except Sunday, on my farm near Kahuku Hospital," he said.

Sione Sulunga, shown above holding a large yam, won for growing the most of the tubers; and Apolosi Lauhingoa also won in several categories.

He explained that produce grown at Kapaka, the Latter-day Saint farm in Hauula, was donated to widows, leaders and committee members. Church policy dictates that produce grown at Kapaka is for personal use and should not be sold.

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