Group aims to send heartfelt message to Alexander & Baldwin
Malamalama Maui has launched a campaign called “36,000 Acres. 36,000 Hearts.”
It’s aimed at Alexander & Baldwin and its 36,000 acres of former sugar cane land in Central Maui.
Organizers say they want to show A&B that “corporation and community can both benefit when in partnership.”
A&B spokesman Darren Pai said: “We have a long history of working closely with the community, so we welcome input from Malamalama Maui. We are committed to preserving farming in Central Maui and look forward to learning more about Malamalama Maui’s efforts to support this agricultural transition.”
The Malamalama campaign is striving to engage 36,000 people, one for every acre of former sugar cane land, in “sharing a message, vision and/or solution from their heart for the future of the central valley,” an announcement says. “Each participant is encouraged to make a creative contribution in the form of their choice: writing, painting, photography, videography, dancing, music, prayer, etc.”
“Each heart will be part of a collective community vision and creative art piece,” the announcement says.
Submissions received by Nov. 3 will be shared with A&B representatives in December.
For more information, go to www.illuminatemaui.solutions or www.facebook.com/ malamalama.maui.
Malamalama Maui was one of the groups involved in an online petition and Maui rally in April that were aimed at persuading A&B to open its former sugar lands for affordable housing, small-scale farming and conservation.