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Hoʻokuaʻāina

@hookuaaina

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We are a community organization using lo‘i kalo to cultivate a culture of individual well-being & community waiwai through aloha ‘āina.

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The story is about to change. Are you ready?

At Ho‘okua‘āina, we don’t just grow food — we grow people. As Uncle Dean says, we are story farmers. 🌱

For 23 years, we’ve been blessed to steward 8 acres of ʻāina that has fed not only bodies, but hearts and souls. Through this land, we’ve built connection, healing, and countless stories of transformation.

Now, a new chapter begins.

We’re expanding from 8 acres to 116 in Pālāwai — just steps from our home at Kapalai. With over 14x more ʻāina, we see endless opportunities to grow abundance, dignity, and aloha ʻāina for generations to come.

We invite you to join us — to grow Ho‘okua‘āina together.

#Hookuaaina #TheStoryIsAboutToChange #AlohaAina #StoryFarmers by @hookuaaina

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Hoʻokuaʻāina’s Kalo Hotline isn’t just a number — it’s a movement.

By joining this grassroots effort, you’re helping ensure kalo and poi reach Hawaiʻi’s families, kūpuna, and communities in need.

Together, we’re planting seeds of food sovereignty — by the people, for the people.

Catch us out in the community TODAY on our caravan! If you see us, honk, wave, and tag us — we’d love to connect!

We’re excited to officially launch our number 1-833-EAT-KALO, going live and ready to answer your calls starting November 15th.

#TheKaloHotline #JoinTheMovement #EatKalo #ByThePeopleForThePeople #AlohaAina #FoodSovereigntyHawaii #NourishHawaii #AlohaInAction taken in Hookuaaina at Kapalai by @hookuaaina

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Big things are happening at Pālāwai. Take a listen to our farm manager, Jon Watase, about the latest developments!

We are in the business of planting hope and cultivating a stronger future for Hawaiʻi. This is more than an expansion of Hoʻokuaʻāina. It is an investment in Hawaiʻi’s future - restoring ʻāina, growing more food, cultivating leaders, and building greater resilience for generations to come. by @hookuaaina

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9 days ago

In less than a week the Give Aloha giving period comes to an end. Every donation to Ho'okua'āina through Give Aloha is partially matched by Foodland. Make your dollar go further by giving now till September 30th at any Foodland in Hawaii.

🌱Be a part of cultivating 'āina based leaders, education, and food sustainability. by @hookuaaina

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15 days ago

Our Hensel Phelps ʻohana (family) recently spent the morning with @hookuaaina in Maunawili, helping care for a traditional loʻi kalo (taro patch) while learning more about the connection between land, culture and community.

From clearing weeds to preparing the mud for planting kalo, volunteers had the opportunity to experience caring for the land while learning about Hawaiian culture.
Mahalo to Hoʻokuaʻāina for welcoming us and sharing your knowledge—and to everyone who came out to get a little muddy and give back to the land.

#HenselPhelps #Sustainability #Community taken in Hookuaaina at Kapalai by @hookuaaina

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There is so much about being in the loʻi that feels like grief. 🌱

🤎 The mud is messy. The weeds can feel endless. Sometimes you don’t know where to begin. The more you pull, the more you realize there is still more beneath the surface.

And yet… you keep going.

You get your hands dirty. You lean in. You learn to tell the weeds from what needs tending. You realize you can’t always do it alone—and that being surrounded by people who understand makes the hard work feel a little lighter.

Someone shared, “The kalo wouldn’t be seen” without clearing away what had grown around it. Another reminded us that grief is about growing alongside different “keiki”—different parts of ourselves, our families, and our grief that all need tending in their own way.

The loʻi reminded us that grief work can be messy, tangled, deep-rooted, and sometimes overwhelming. But there can also be growth in the tending.

We are nature. And like the ʻāina, we need care, attention, patience, and community. 🌱🤎

So grateful for the lessons the loʻi continues to teach our Let Grace In ʻohana.
#letgracein #griefsupporthawaii #griefsupportforfamilies #kumuloi #loilessons taken in Hookuaaina at Kapalai by @hookuaaina

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🌱TAROpy.

📸pc @karnakurata
#letgracein♥️ #hookuaaina #monthlygriefsuport #griefsupporthawaii familycenteredmodel taken in Hookuaaina at Kapalai by @hookuaaina

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Give Aloha to Hoʻokuaʻāina

Help support Hoʻokuaʻāina this September through Foodland’s Give Aloha!

From September 1–30, make a donation at any Foodland, Foodland Farms, or Sack N Save and use:
Hoʻokuaʻāina Donation Code: 79217

Why Give Aloha?

🌱 Your dollar goes further.
Foodland matches a portion of every donation made through Give Aloha. You can donate up to $249.

🌱 Invest in people and place.
Your gift supports cultural education, youth mentoring, workforce pathways, community connection, and the restoration and stewardship of ʻāina.

🌱 Help grow Hawaiʻi’s resilience.
Together, we are cultivating the next generation of leaders and land stewards while increasing local food production and strengthening our community’s ability to feed itself.

One gift helps grow people, restore ʻāina, and produce food for our community.

Be part of building a more abundant and resilient Hawaiʻi.

MAHALO, EAT KALO! 💚 by @hookuaaina

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Welcome back to the Kapalai Kitchen! Today on the menu: KALO CURRY

Ingredients
1 onion, diced
7 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups cubed kalo paʻa (already cooked and cleaned)
1 can coconut milk
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium eggplants, cut into bite-size pieces
1 small bunch green beans, trimmed and cut in half
(any preferred vegetables of choice will work)
1-2 lbs boneless/skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
(any protein will work)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons garam masala
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons curry powder
Up to 4 tablespoons curry paste
(Adjust spices according to taste)

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
Add the garlic and your preferred spices or curry paste. Stir continuously for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
Add the chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned on the outside.
Add the eggplant and green beans. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Pour in the coconut milk and stir well. If the curry seems too thick, add ¼–½ cup of water or chicken broth.
Add the cubed kalo paʻa and gently mix everything together.
Bring the curry to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender. Stir occasionally so the curry does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add salt, pepper, or more curry paste as desired.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Note: Kalo should never be eaten raw or undercooked. If your kalo paʻa has not already been fully cooked, cook it thoroughly before adding it to the curry. by @hookuaaina

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a month ago

Welcome to the Kapalai Kitchen! This is where we share recipes and dishes that utilize different parts of kalo to make delicious home cooked meals. On today’s menu, Meakala shows us how to make Kalo Poke! Recipe below.

6 medium size steamed and cleaned kalo
3 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp paʻakai (salt)
3 tbsp shoyu
4 tbsp ʻinamona (roasted & grounded kukui nut)
1 small handful of Ogo (or seaweed of choice)

*all ingredients and serving sizes are calculated based on preference. If you would like more sesame oil or seaweed in your kalo poke, add whatever you prefer! As long as you do not over-salt the kalo. Enjoy! Mahalo! Eat Kalo! by @hookuaaina

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For more than 10 years, the Johnson ʻOhana Foundation has been a faithful partner of Hoʻokuaʻāina, investing in our work and the people we serve. Their support has helped us care for ʻāina, connect youth to culture and place, and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

The Johnson ʻOhana Foundation’s commitment to creating lasting change through environmental education and community-based initiatives reflects so much of what we believe, that when people deepen their connection to the land, they strengthen their communities and create a better future for generations to come.

To Jack, Kim, and the entire Johnson ʻOhana Foundation team, mahalo for believing in our mission and walking alongside us for the past decade. Your generosity has had a lasting impact on our youth, our ʻohana, and the ʻāina we are privileged to care for.

Mahalo nui for more than a decade of partnership, trust, and aloha. We are deeply grateful to continue this journey together. by @hookuaaina

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