November 4, 2023: Grant funds received, ordering stuff.
We have the funding in the bank for the matching grant and started ordering supplies and putting in the ground work. First will be the solar array, to power up tools for building the wash station and cold room. Also some sheds and tents for sheltering stuff from the coming rainy season. Meanwhile production continues with cucumber, cabbage, tomato and peppers, all of which need screen or shade protection. We also bought our first self-propelled utility vehicle (not with the grant). While waiting for Stuff to arrive.... here laying out weedmat for the solar array base. A word on shipping to Hawaiʻi. Most mainland companies apparently don't consider Hawaiʻi (and Alaska) to be part of the U.S. So shipping is always a challenge, especially for batteries and other hazardous stuff. I tend to buy from suppliers who can get me what I need without adding on a purely gratuitous massive overcharge on shipping. And I buy local when can. But can't for ...