Let's Build Gonave, Haiti!

Labadee is leased by Royal Caribbean, which the company has had for over a decade.  The land can support two large cruise ships that are docked at once.  The Haitian government gets $6 per person that arrives via the ship. Labadee isn't a very expensive idea.  It is something that could easily be replicated on La Gonave.  It is clear however that Labadee is very well protected.  The ships require that all passengers have a cruise ship issued badge and take it around with them, otherwise they can't get back on the ship.  In addition Labadee isn't accessible by everyone.  There is a fence that stops anyone from entering from the outside, and there is strong security.  This is needed to make visitors feel safe, welcomed, and relaxed. This is something that eventually we will get started on La Gonave.  Remember I mentioned the 5 year economic plans, well one of them is built around the cruise industry.  Check out the video below of how ...

While it is known that Haiti had to repay the French after Haiti successfully gained and earned its independence.  Haiti had to pay France for the profits slave owners lost due to the Haitian Revolution.  Now the debt, while unjust, was paid in many ways.  One way that has lasting effects, is through timer.  Haiti was at one time a lush tropical paradise.  Due to paying France in timber, it led to deforestation of Haiti. In my honest opinion, Haiti must reforest, and never again allow any deforestation on a grand scale to happen again.  This includes locals cutting down trees for charcoal making.  The ways to solve the lack of housing on La Gonave, and even Haiti is to import timber from the US and/or Canada.  The timber industry in the US has been alive and well since the late 1700's.  Given America's vastness and large forest reserves, it has allowed the US to be the largest producer and consumer of wood.  With that said, to preve...

One of the most important things that has come out of the fodder assessment study on La Gonave has been what plant growth can be established that will benefit the environment, multipurpose, and a plant that will not be harvested or destroyed by the local population. Bidens Pilosa will produce bright white flowers and a large yellow center.  In fact the plant flower is a 2 in 1.  The white pedals are a flower, but the yellow center contains many independent flowers.  Bidens Pilosa can handle the soil and sun of Haiti, but makes a perfect food product for honeybees.  Due to the extremely fast growth, low water needs, and the fact the plant can multiply itself very easy, makes this a perfect plant to help with honeybee production. The plant also can be eaten by humans in salads, tea, etc.  It serves as traditional medicine in many cultures as it helps treat worm infections in humans in Africa. As mentioned in a previous post, the reforestation of La Gonave...

Let's Build Gonave, Haiti is partnering with different not-for-profits to start the impetus for a economic engine in Haiti. The 5 year plans will span 5 years which are based on calendar years from 2015 to 2020.  The economic plan will focus on one industry that will make La Gonave self sufficient in that industry.  The plan's goal is to put most of the revenue from the sell of goods to put back into the 5 year plan.  A civic spending plan will then be created, where part of the industrial revenue will go into one civic project.  While there is a range of issues, more than likely the civic project will focus exclusively on education. This will create a major turning point as it provides a strong strategic way for La Gonave to build an economy, in a slow, well executed way.  While it states a 5 year plan, there will more than likely be a series of 5 year plans.  A creation of a Economic Development Planning Board could possibly help move these 5 year pl...

The design and build of La Gonave's honeybee nuc hive boxes will be done by Hurko Co.  The company will manufacture the nuc boxes in America, but could potentially build the boxes in Haiti, hiring Haitians.  The number of nuc boxes has not been determined due to a current fodder assessment that is on-going on the island of La Gonave. I will have more about this as we work out more details. Go Gonave!

Photo from www.goldstarhoneybees.com Above is an example of the type of introductory hive that will populate La Gonave with honey bees.  Known as a Nuc, or Nucleus hive box, these boxes are much smaller than the normal hive boxes. These boxes are designed to get bees started, and even create more queen honeybees, which is key to honeybee project. As mentioned in previous blog posts, a fodder assessment is being conducted on La Gonave currently to take into account the plant and tree population on the island.  To combat any shortage of food stock for the bees, Moringa Trees, as well as hibiscus flowers will be planted this year, meaning the first bees to arrive on La Gonave to be 2016. The Nuc hive box has either 2, 3, or even 5 frames.  Frames are what the bees use to build comb, which adds more brood (bees), and stores honey.  The more frames a hive box has, the larger the colony that can be built.  Typical common hive boxes have 10 to 12 frames. The...

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Reforestation of La Gonave and the Honey Bee project Phase 1A.  Vetiver Vetiver grass will be planted and reproduced on La Gonvae for future reforestation plans.  The grass holds onto the soil, and allows for good water retention due to its long root system.  The grass is resistant to drought and provides good soil buildup.  This grass is good for crops to be planted next to it. Phase 1B.  Moringa Tree This is called the "Miracle Tree" due to the entire tree being useful for human consumption.  The tree also can provide food for livestock as well.  This tree is fast growing and has very large roots.  It produces seeds which are designed to float to the ground near the tree, and will grow on their own. These trees will have value in many different ways and will also be a crop that can be sold to markets on the island. This tree will produce flowers that honeybees love.  In fact the honey that is created due to the flowers of th...

La Gonave is currently being studied as a fodder assessment.  This assessment will determine how to stabilize food crops for people, and animals.  Not only that but the assessment will find ways to fast track vegetation in sections of the island. The purpose of re-forestation is to bring the environment back to where it was.  Other programs we are running are finding ways that stoves and ways to produce alternatives to charcoal.  These programs are all dependent on each other.  To stop the massive amount of deforestation a fuel alternative is needed.  Vetiver is an option for cooking fuel.  While other programs such as Sunn Hemp will focus on compost measures, Vetiver will focus on building the environment on La Gonave. Vetiver will clean the area where it is planted, and it stays in place.  So there is no concern about the plant landing in areas where it shouldn't be, in fact the seeds from the grass are sterile.  The plant traps bacter...