Trending
The Maui News
WAILUKU--Grow Some Good, in partnership with Maui Family YMCA, is spearheading Nā Māla Kaiāulu, a groundbreaking project bringing urban agriculture initiatives to Maui to address food security, climate resilience, and community well-being, according to a press release.
The innovative project has garnered support from key partners including the County of Maui, Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, UHMC Kauluwehi Biocultural Restoration Project, the Mayor's Office of Innovation & Sustainability, Kōkua Hawaii Foundation, and Hui O Wa'a Kaulua.
Access to nutritious, affordable food is critically lacking for those with limited resources in many Maui communities. By transforming barren land into an educational farm in Kahului, Nā Māla Kaiāulu can empower vulnerable communities, particularly Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander families, to access nutritious food and improve food security.
The project offers educational opportunities through Camp Māla, an intersession learning experience for keiki, in addition to apprenticeship programs, and community events fostering local engagement and environmental stewardship. Benefits include sustainable food production, climate resilience, equitable harvest distribution, and community development.
"Every community deserves access to fresh, healthy food, and at Nā Māla Kaiāulu, we're working toward making that a reality," said Scott Lacasse, the executive director Grow Some Good. "Through our farm, we're not just growing food; we're growing resilience. We're fostering connections with nature that strengthen families, empower communities, and promote environmental sustainability."
Will Sands, Farm Manager with Grow Some Good, added, "I joined the project in the wake of the devastating Lahaina and Kula fires and am inspired to transform three fire-prone acres between Kahului and Wailuku into a community food source. What was once a thick stand of kiawe and haole koa will soon be a forest made up of an overstory of ulu, mango, citrus, and native hardwoods and an understory of edible canoe plants. What was once an abandoned vacant lot will soon be a community hub and resource."
This collaborative effort embodies the spirit of "Aloha 'Āina" and signifies a shared commitment to creating a sustainable and equitable food system that promotes well-being and prosperity for all. Nā Māla Kaiāulu is paving the way for a resilient future where communities thrive in harmony with the environment, setting a new standard for urban agriculture and community partnership on Maui.
Grow Some Good is a leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating a healthy community by strengthening local agriculture and improving access to nutritious, affordable food. Through hands-on, outdoor learning experiences, the organization instills curiosity about natural life cycles, connects students to their food sources, and inspires better nutrition choices.
If you are interested in volunteering on Tuesdays or Wednesday mornings at the farm, please email volunteer@growsomegood.org for more details. To learn more about Grow Some Good, please visit us at www.growsomegood.org.