Why Should You THINK LOCAL? Historically during the Kingdom period, Hawaiʻi was one-hundred percent self-sufficient in terms of food by utilizing fishponds, wet and dryland taro cultivation, among others (Kelly, 1989). It is no mystery that present-day Hawaiʻi is extremely reliant on importing food from the continent and other parts of the world to feed its people. As of 2012, 90 percent of Hawaiʻi’s food source is imported (State of Hawaiʻi, 2012). This is definitely a problem that needs to be rectified. The lack of concern in regards to this issue at the government level is evident in the approval of Hoʻopili among other residential projects that are building on prime farmland in West/Central Oʻahu. This POP Tour/Interactive Map seeks to provide individuals with information on the various local farms, fishponds, etc of Oʻahu that are working to provide Hawaiʻi and its residents with locally grown products as well as the specific places that are dedicated to selling these products in an effort to push individuals to THINK LOCAL!
90% of Hawaiʻi’s food is imported from the continent and other parts of the world.
According to a report prepared by the Hawaiʻi State Office of Planning and Office of Business Economic Development and Tourism in cooperation with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Agriculture.
In order for HawaiĘťi to achieve full independence or even consider that very idea, the issue of food sustainability needs to be addressed! Until we become selfsufficient in terms of food, we will always be at the mercy of our colonizers!
Overview Map Green = Farms Blue = Fishponds Red = Farmer's Markets/Local Markets
More information on interactive map provided
Hoʻoulu ʻĀina (Kalihi)
Hoʻoulu Āina (Kalihi) Founded in 2004, Kokua Kalihi Valley (KKV) has been stewarding and sustainably developing land in the back og Kalihi Valley. KKV is dedicated to cultural education and community transformation, and subsequently named this land Hoʻoulu ʻĀina meaning “to grow the land” and “to grow because of the land,” based on the value that the health of the land and the health of the people are one. Hoʻoulu ʻĀina supports the overall argument because they are not only pushing individuals to THINK LOCAL, but are also living by the value that the health of the land and the health of the people are one, which will propel Hawaiʻi toward a sustainable future.
Maʻo Farms (Waiʻanae)
Maʻo Farms (Waiʻanae) The Mala ʻAi ʻOpio Community Food Systems Initiative or MAʻO was established in 2001. MAʻO is an acronym for mala (garden) ʻai (food) ʻopio (youth) or youth food garden and affirms their belief that when we reconnect and restore the relationship between the land and the people, we are able to return abundance and prosperity to youth, to their families, and the community. The mission of Maʻo Farms is “to restore a thriving and resilient community food and education system which is based on a successful and progressive 14-year kahua (foundation) of growing organic fruits and vegetables while cultivating youth leadership in Waiʻanae. Similar to Hoʻoulu ʻĀina, Maʻo Farms supports the overall argument because they are also working to restore the relationship between the land and the people. Changing the mindset of Hawaiʻi’s residents to THINK LOCAL, is crucial if we want a sustainable future for Hawaiʻi.
Sumida Farms (Pearlridge)
Sumida Watercress Farm has been around since 1928 and is nestled between the Kamehameha Highway and the Pearlridge Mall. Sumida Farms is family-run, profitable, and manages to produce five tons of watercress on their relatively small plot of land. Sumida is proof that farms and urban/suburban areas can coexist.
Paepae o Heʻeia (Heʻeia)
Paepae o Heʻeia (Heʻeia) Paepae o Heʻeia is a private non-profit organization dedicated to caring for the Heʻeia Fishpond - an ancient Hawaiian fishpond located in Heʻeia Uli, Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu. It was established in 2001 by a group of young Hawaiians and works in partnership with landowner, Kamehameha Schools, to manage and maintain the Heʻeia Fishpond for the community. Their vision is “to perpetuate a foundation of cultural sustainability for communities of Hawaiʻi through education. Their mission is “to implement values and concepts from the model of a traditional fishpond to provide intellectual, physical and spiritual sustenance for our community.
Mālama Loko Ea Fishpond (Haleʻiwa) This fishpond is located in Haleʻiwa, Hawaiʻi and shares similar mission and vision statements as the Paepae o Heʻeia Fishpond.
Kokua Market (Mōʻiliʻili) Kokua Market is located in Honolulu near the corner of King Street and University Avenue. Kokua is Hawaiʻi’s only natural foods co-op and its mission is to “operate thriving grocery stores in accordance with cooperative principles and promote healthy, sustainable living in Hawaiʻi.” Kokua supports the argument because they are specifically interested in promoting healthy and sustainable living in Hawaiʻi, but also because they are a co-op (owned by customers). More of these markets are needed in Hawaiʻi to support our local farmers as well as remind people to always THINK LOCAL when buying food.
HawaiĘťi Farm Bureau
Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau (Kalihi) The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau Federation (HFBF) was organized back in 1948 by a group of farmers on the Windward side of Oʻahu. The mission of HFBF is “serving as Hawaiʻi’s Voice of Agriculture that protects, advocates, and advances the social, economic, and educational interests of our diverse agricultural community. The HFBF supports the overall argument because it will take organizations like these to advocate for the interests of Hawaiʻi’s agricultural community in order for a sustainable future to become possible.
Farmlovers’ Farmers Markets
Farmlovers’ Farmers Markets Farmlovers’ Farmers Markets are dedicated to the local grower. They do not allow any produce from the mainland, China or elsewhere to be sold at their markets and require that their sellers be growers themselves. They are committed to creating and utilizing more sustainable agricultural land, and believe that through supporting local agriculture and the local economy, that more lands will be made available for the small farmer. Their vision and mission is “to create a business incubator for small farmers, goods manufacturers, and artisans, by creating a supportive and nurturing environment, which will cultivate economic growth, community health, and cultural awareness.” They have markets in Haleʻiwa, Kakaʻako, Pearlridge, and Kailua. They support the overall argument because they are committed to supporting the small local farmer by functioning as a business incubator. It is the small farmer that will be key in a sustainable future for Hawaiʻi.
How Can YOU Get Involved? 1. 2. 3.
Volunteer at one of Hoʻoulu ʻĀina, Maʻo Farms, Paepae o Heʻeia, or Mālama Loko Ea’s work days! Shop your local farmers market/markets selling local products! Grow your own vegetables!
Reaching 100% sustainability in Hawaiʻi begins with YOU!
Bibliography "About." FarmLovers Farmers Markets. Accessed April 19, 2016. http://www. farmloversmarkets.com/about/. Forsyth, Barb. "Sumida Farm Embraces the past and Future of Agriculture in Hawaii." The Hawaii Independent. September 24, 2013. Accessed April 19, 2016. http://hawaiiindependent.net/story/sumida-farms-embraces-the-past-andfuture-of-agriculture-in-hawaii. Hawaiʻi Office of Planning. Hawaiʻi State Department of Economic Business Development and Tourism. Hawaiʻi State Department of Agriculture. Increased Food Security and Food Self-Sufficiency Strategy. Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Hollier, Dennis. "Can Hawaii Feed Itself?" Hawaii Business Magazine. 2014. Accessed April 19, 2016. http://www.hawaiibusiness.com/can-hawaii-feeditself/.
Bibliography (cont.) "Our Mission." Hoʻoulu ʻĀina. Accessed April 19, 2016. http://www.hoouluaina. com/our-mission. Kokua Market - The Only Natural Foods Cooperative in Hawai`i! Accessed April 19, 2016. http://www.kokua.coop/. "Who We Are." Mao Organic Farms. Accessed April 19, 2016. http://www. maoorganicfarms.org/who_we_are. "About Us." Paepae O Heeia. Accessed April 19, 2016. http://paepaeoheeia. org/about/. "About HFB." The Hawaii Farm Bureau. Accessed April 19, 2016. http://hfbf. org/about-us/.
Photo Credits All photos included in this POP Tour with the exception of those for Hoʻoulu ʻĀina, Sumida Farms, and Kokua Market, were taken from the organization's official websites and social media accounts.