‘Oko’a Farms, a Maui certified-organic farm established by Ryan Earehart and business partner Sal Gil Coca, began in 2008 and has dramatically boosted Maui’s fresh food system. ‘Oko’a, meaning ‘unique’ in Hawaiian, reflects the team’s commitment to a holistic approach to agriculture. Between their two ‘Oko’a stores, Kulamalu Town Center and Wailea Village, they offer 160 varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs. ‘Oko’a grows over 125 crops on their farm, with the rest supplied by trusted local growers.
“The magic behind our farm comes from Sal’s expertise in farm production and my passion for community networking through healthy food.” said Earehart. “Together, we have built a robust network of dozens of local vendors and producers. We began our operations on a lone parcel of land in Kula, then expanded to four weekly farmer markets where customers would wait 30 minutes to purchase our produce.”
Now, in their stores, they sell produce that looks and tastes incredible. People say they have the freshest, highest-quality, organically-grown produce on the island. “Our mission is to invest in Maui’s future by strengthening food security and supporting other local farmers,” Earehart noted. “We continue to find unique ways to move in the direction of local food resilience by educating our customers about regenerative, organic, and sustainable farming practices; all thriving in harmony with the land.”
Earehart and Gil Coca also represent a powerful collaboration on Maui that bridges sustainable agriculture with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. They provide immersive, hands-on learning experiences that prepare local youth for cutting-edge careers in food production and climate-smart technology. This year, ‘Oko’a will also become a host-site for Maui Economic Development Board’s STEMworks™ Agriculture Business & Technology Internship Program.
“Interns on the farm will learn how modern technology and scientific principles solve real-world agricultural challenges,” Earhart added. “We focus on vertically-integrated farming, starting from the soil, to seed, to finished nutrient dense food: Studying how ’Oko’a recycles nutrients by utilizing waste from our farm operations, tilapia ponds, and chickens and goats, to fertilize our organic crops; Soil Microbiology: Learning how to nurture underground mycelium networks to naturally transport nutrients between crops without relying on chemical fertilizers; and Agribusiness Technology: Developing modern skills in farm logistics, supply chains, and tech-driven resource management.”
To witness our farming practices firsthand, we offer farm tours to explore the fields where we cultivate over 125 unique crops, have over 1,000 pasture-raised free-range chickens for egg production, and goats rotationally grazing throughout the year.
– Ryan Earehart, co-owner ‘Oko’a Farms
A cultural resource management nonprofit, ‘Āina Archaeology, has formed their practice to fulfill a kuleana (privilege and responsibility) to care for Hawai’i’s natural resources and cultural heritage. They serve individuals, communities, businesses, and government agencies to protect, preserve, and perpetuate Hawai’i’s ancestral assets by blending traditional Hawaiian land management techniques with contemporary methods of conservation. Tanya L. Lee-Greig, ‘Āina Archaeology Principal Investigator, said, “Our solutions leverage a project’s unique relationship with culture and sense of place. It’s an approach that provides more meaningful value for the client today, and a truer record of history for Hawai’i tomorrow. Our pioneering methodologies and firm commitment to our values enable us to implement creative solutions for all the community’s historic preservation needs.” Lee-Greig has nearly two decades of experience working in archaeology, anthropology, and cultural preservation. At ‘Āina Archaeology she assists with the selection, implementation and completion of projects they engage in. Traditional Hawaiian values are applied to achieve the collective goals of their clients and the communities they work with. Also partnering with community organizations, Lee-Greig offers hands-on archeological programs. Alongside regular job openings for field technicians and opportunities for students looking to break into indigenous archaeology, there are several structured internship programs, field schools, and organizational connections managed by ‘Āina Archaeology on Maui. Over the years, ‘Āina Archaeology has been a host company for Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) STEMworks™ Internship program. During his six-week internship at ‘Āina, Tyler Taguchi did an in-depth analysis of the traditional Native Hawaiian diets of those in the rocky shoreline of Honua’ula. Taguchi shared, “This was my first long-term project. I learned so much about the history and culture of Honua’ula in Wailea and Makena. With my two mentors, I studied the trends between sea urchin and mollusk remains recovered from archeological sites in Honua’ula. We then presented the data of Native Hawaiians’ near-shore diets in a story-map format. Researching for this project taught me more about Maui’s history and culture. I’ve become more skilled in software like Excel and learned how to design and structure visual data. I would like to thank ‘Āina Archaeology and STEMworks™ for making my internship such an amazing experience.”
We share a deep expression, aloha ‘āina, love of the land, for our island, which feeds all aspects of our daily lives here.
– Tanya L. Lee-Greig, ‘Āina Archaeology, Principal Investigator
Abigail Tamayose, a student at King Kekaulike High School in Pukalani and the current Chrysanthemum Ambassador, recently represented Maui and the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center (NVMC) by leading a delegation to Japan for a time of reflection and good-will. The Chrysanthemum program started on Maui more than seven decades ago. It is currently administered by the NVMC to bring young leaders together to participate in community service and travel-related events.
“The goal of our Chrysanthemum program is for our young leaders to experience what the Nisei meant by their motto ‘for continuing service,’” said Deidre Tegarden, NVMC executive director. “Hearing Abigail speak about the resilience of Hiroshima and Fukuyama, reminded us that this program is not just about honoring history, it’s about preparing the next generation to carry that legacy forward with courage, humility, and purpose.”
Tamayose shared, “On this trip we went to many different parts of Japan, including Kyoto, Hiroshima, Fukuyama, and much more. We saw many lovely temples, shrines and castles, such as Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto and the amazing Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island. We also got to experience many memorable events as well. I got to see the A-Bomb dome and learn about the immense devastation of war.”
She continued, “In Fukuyama, I had the chance to meet with Mayor Edahiro and attend a meeting where we strengthened our 30-year connection between Maui and Fukuyama. We have also been official sister cities since 2008. It was very inspiring to hear how a city completely devastated in 2011 by a massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake, with the resulting 15-meter tsunami destroying their coastal towns and causing immense flooding, can come back even stronger. As I sat on a tatami mat with an incredible view of the Fukuyama castle outside, I had the chance to think about the destruction seen on our own island of Maui during the 2023 wildfires. I saw just how resilient and strong people can be in times of crisis. This trip opened my eyes to new perspectives, teaching me about forgiveness, resilience, and the true strength of communities coming together in times of need. Having the opportunity to represent NVMC and the island of Maui as the Chrysanthemum Ambassador was truly a life-changing experience.”
Together, our Maui delegation, including liaisons Maui High graduate Rylee Ota and Seabury Hall graduate Keala Rodriguez, represented Maui, Hawaii, and the NVMC with shakas and big smiles.
– Abigail Tamayose, Maui Chrysanthemum Ambassador
Continuing to observe the three-year anniversary of the 2023 Lāhainā wildfires, Lights for Lāhainā will return Friday and Saturday, September 11 and 12, from 4:30-9 pm at Maria Lanakila Catholic Church on 712 Waine‘e Street. The event brings the community together for two memorable evenings honoring Lāhainā’s history, resilience, and hope for the future. Presented by Aloha Amplified, Inc., a Hawai‘i-based nonprofit organization advancing initiatives that foster connection, economic vitality, and long-term resilience, the gathering builds on the inaugural Lights for Lāhainā event held in 2025.
“As a Lāhainā wildfire survivor, I know firsthand that healing does not happen alone,” said Kumu Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaiali‘i, cultural practitioner and board president of Aloha Amplified. “Many of our ‘ohana are still healing and finding their own path forward. Lights for Lāhainā gives us a place to gather, ho‘omana‘o those we love, share our mo‘olelo and draw strength from one another. As we ka‘i together, the lights remind us that although Lāhainā has changed forever, aloha still remains.”
The event will feature storytelling, quiet reflection and gentle mele honoring Lāhainā’s people, places, and mo‘olelo. Live entertainment will be provided by the Kahaiali‘i Brothers, Kevin Brown, Eric Gilliom & Friends, the Wilson Kanaka‘ole Trio, Marty Dread and Hammah House Band. Other highlights will include local food trucks and vendors, cultural practitioners, local community nonprofits, schools and groups, creative activities, ‘ohana bingo, and opportunities to contribute letters, artwork and reflections to the Lahaina Time Capsule.
Described as “a vessel to carry your messages into the future,” the time capsule invites people of all ages to contribute messages, drawings, photographs, memories and hopes for Lāhainā’s future. The submissions, in-person or online, will be preserved in an archival-grade time capsule scheduled to be opened on August 8, 2033, the 10th wildfire anniversary.
“The project honors what Lāhainā has endured while preserving the voices, memories and aspirations of the community for future generations,” said Kahaiali‘i. “September 12 will conclude with a Light March beginning at Pu‘unoa Beach at 6pm, continuing through historic Lāhainā Town to Maria Lanakila Catholic Church, with a kanikapila gathering featuring music by Lāhainā Style Band and ‘ono local food”.
Time capsule submissions, sponsorship, volunteers, food truck and vendor opportunities are available. For event information and participation details, visit online at LightsforLahaina.org.
– Kumu Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaiali‘i Board President, Aloha Amplified, Inc.
Attending the home dedication and blessing ceremony in Lahaina honoring wildfire survivor Auntie Valerie Ho‘opai was both extraordinary and heartwarming. Auntie Val is able to return home through the support of Ho‘ōla iā Mauiakama Long Term Recovery Group (Ho‘ōla iā LTRG), Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), Cajudoy Construction, and many community partners. The dedication marked a milestone in Lahaina’s recovery.
“Ho‘ōla iā LTRG is a nonprofit organization supporting survivors of the August 2023 Maui wildfires through coordinated long-term recovery efforts,” said Rhonda Alexander-Monkres, Ho‘ōla iā LTRG Executive Director. “We focus on disaster case management, stabilization support, volunteer coordination, and rebuilding assistance to help families move toward stability and a place to call home. Auntie Val’s dedication is especially symbolic as it is the first home furnished through our House to Home Program. This program helps wildfire survivors furnish and set up their homes after rebuild completion so families can return home with dignity, stability, and the basic items needed to resume everyday routines. This blessing was made possible through the kindness, aloha, and unwavering support of many partners who have helped Auntie Val and her ‘ohana move forward in their journey toward healing and home.”
The event program included welcoming remarks and partner acknowledgements, a meet-and-greet circle with partners and the ‘ohana, words from Auntie Val, remarks from Mayor Richard Bissen, prayer, hymn, a gift presentation by MDS, a Mō ka Piko Ceremony with pule and opening of the lei, and a blessing by Bishop Tausinga Hafoka of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The dedication concluded with entry and a tour of the home.
Don Rheinheimer, MDS Project Coordinator, noted, “At MDS, our goal is to restore hope for survivors of disasters. We do this by recruiting, organizing and empowering volunteers to repair and rebuild the homes of those impacted by disasters. We are blessed to be able to help Lahaina survivors return home.”
Cajudoy Construction, LLC, a Maui-based, women-owned construction company serves as construction manager for Ho‘ōla iā LTRG’s rebuild projects. Along with their private projects, they help guide the construction process with care, coordination, and local expertise. Owner Brandy Cajudoy agreed, “It is a blessing to support wildfire survivors as they rebuild and return home in Lahaina.”
We are grateful for the many philanthropic, faith-based, nonprofit, and community partners who continue to support Maui’s long-term recovery. We welcome sponsors, funders, donors, and volunteers as more families move toward rebuilding and returning home.
– Rhonda Alexander-Monkres, Ho‘ōla iā LRTG Executive Director
Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) showcased their STEMworks™ Agriculture (Ag) Business & Technology Internship Program at the 2026 Maui County Farm Bureau Ag Fest & 4-H Livestock Fair. Through the program, students in grades 9-12 and college undergraduates who reside in Maui County have the opportunity to gain experience in multiple industries within the Ag sector. These experiences, made possible by host companies and mentors, provide invaluable work-based learning for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) students, not only to explore professional pathways, but also to work on projects using industry-standard technologies.
“MEDB comes to the Ag Fest each year to promote their Internship Program and the Ag industry in general,” said Britney James, STEMworks Program Specialist. “We need more youth going into the Ag & Business sector and hopefully this program inspires them to consider it.Internships provide students with hands-on learning opportunities that will build their resume, help them learn new skills, broaden their network, and in some cases gain certifications. These opportunities extend what is taught in the classroom and give them real world experience in the Ag field.”
James added, “Wrapping up the spring semester Internship Program in April, the summer program begins June 8th. Applications for fall 2026 will open in August. The deadline to apply will be Friday, September 11th. Visit online at: https://www.stemworkshawaii.org/aginternships.”
Alvis Agader from Maui High School, who completed a spring internship with Happy Lau Farms, said, “I gained extensive amounts of experience and knowledge in farming skills, including power tools, microbiology, irrigation, plant anatomy, natural farming techniques, lab safety, and more.”
Also from Maui High, Sharyah Tacang added, “My internship with Haleakalā Creamery taught me how to make homemade things from scratch, such as caramel, skyr, and gelato. Spending time with and learning about goats, and turning goat milk to cheese, was a plus to my overall experience.”
Completing both a fall and summer internship with the Maui County Department of Agriculture, Jaimie Mamuad from Kūlanihāko’i High School recalled, “I gained a lot more knowledge about Maui agriculture regarding improvement of local sustainability, food security, and creative ways to develop those goals. This opportunity taught me the importance of agriculture and how it affects the resilience of our community.”
Ag Internship requirements include attending weekly virtual development meetings, and presenting at the final showcase. Plus, interns receive a stipend upon successful completion.
Britney James, MEDB STEMworks Program Specialist
Founded in 1989, the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui (FCJC), a private, non-profit corporation and non-partisan group of community and business leaders, have been steadfast in their concern for the social welfare of children and families who have been traumatized by abuse and severe neglect.
Presently, the Friends work with 40+ other agencies to support needs requests for children that are starting or in the process of healing. Some needs are as simple as basic hygiene and clothing, while others include the safe and nurturing facility where suspected victims of child sexual abuse and extreme physical abuse are brought.
Since the organization’s leadership transition announcement in March 2026, Danielle (Dani) Egeberg, the incoming FCJC Executive Director, is following in the footsteps of outgoing director, Paul Tonnessen. Like Tonnessen, Egeberg is committed to supporting the healing journey of every child who walks through the FCJC doors.
“I plan to lead the FCJC with my heart and passion for the next generation and to support the healing of the most vulnerable, while working on prevention to create a safer future for our keiki,” Egeberg said. “Having worked with Child Welfare Services for 11+ years, I have collaborated with many different agencies and service providers; connections and resources that will support the children and families. Plus, I believe we can create even more prevention movements. FCJC has a Board of Directors and subcommittees, one of which is dedicated to prevention and community awareness, working on education and training programs for the community that could make a long-lasting impact.”
She continued, “We strive to educate children and adults about child abuse by participating in community events and producing and distributing related materials. We have a webpage, www.mauicjc.org, that has a prevention page with Maui County contact resources. There is also a drop-down menu that has a few videos to watch along with trainings. Financial support is always welcome. FCJC runs on the generosity or our donors and grants. It takes a village to prevent abuse and neglect from ever happening, and to be here for our keiki if it does. Children need to be heard, and they need to know that someone sees them, hears them, and will support and fight for them.”
The biggest thing I think community members can do is Listen, Act, and Advocate, a theme that came from this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Danielle Egeberg, Executive Director for the FCJC
Infrastructure of Stories, an event presented by Bad Friend Productions and supported by the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), recently explored how to broaden Maui County’s role in cinema beyond merely hosting a traditional film industry. The name, ‘Infrastructure of Stories’, refers to a community-driven economic initiative to transition Maui from being a backdrop for the film industry into a self-sustaining, community-led film economy.
The meeting focused on how to keep economic benefits on the island, support local talent, and highlight the upcoming Wailuku Film Festival. The panelists featured leading Hawai’i creatives, filmmakers and business leaders including: the married writer and producer couple from Maui, Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, famous for their recent film series Shogun; Brian Kohne, Maui Film Commissioner; Matt Yamashita, Emmy-winning filmmaker from Molokai; Kawika Hoke, filmmaker and marketing analyst; and Stefan Schaefer, director.
“The mission is to empower local creators, integrate authentic mo’olelo (Hawai’ian storytelling), and build the resources needed to produce films and media,” said Kohne. “We aim to connect local storytellers with established film and media professionals. We want to keep our talent on Maui and bring back those that left home. I am one of a handful in our business who came home and I want that for our present and future generation. I thank Shogun producer Rachel Kondo and her family for moving back to Maui; however, they still have to travel to Los Angeles for work. Artists need to be able to feed themselves and their families.”
Event host, Ted Anderson, owner of Venture Physical Therapy and member of the Maui County Health Partnership, thanked MEDB for their support. “This is what we want,” he said. “Our entire community is needed to make the whole system work, including the county and state government. The Wailuku Film Festival is definitely a big step in the right direction.”
The inaugural Wailuku Film Festival, presented by the Maui Film Office and the County of Maui, June 17-21, at the Iao and Naylor Theaters, plus special films on June 21 at the MACC, features over 100 films, with over 50 Hawai’i filmmakers, screening in categories of Hawai’i, Indigenous Voices, Watersports, Animation, and Student productions. The festival is a gathering place where Hawaiian values, cultural knowledge and storytelling meet.
We need to develop all the different components needed to keep all of our talent on island. Home is where work is! Tickets are available at WailukuFilm.com and MauiArts.org., and the Film Festival Box Office at 45a North Market Street, Wailuku.
– Brian Kohne, Maui Film Commissioner
Founded in the wake of the August 2023 Kula wildfire that claimed 20 homes and scorched over 200 acres of Upcountry property, the nonprofit Mālama Kula is still committed to serving their Upcountry community. Mālama (care for) Kula is well-known for being action-oriented and results-driven while also being quick to adapt to new challenges, such as the recent Kona low storms.
“The need in our Upcountry community became glaringly apparent when we watched our town nearly go up in flames,” said Kyle Ellison, Executive Director of Mālama Kula. “Since the day of the fire, we have been leading the cleanup and recovery effort, providing green waste services, metal removal, clearing of downed trees, and creation of wood chips for erosion mitigation. We regularly help property owners clean up from the fire and get time and hope back in their lives. Even once the fire cleanup is complete, which could take years, we will provide disaster relief and cleanup while working on removal of fire fuels to mitigate future hazards. We also planted dozens of native tree species like koa, ‘ōhi‘a, ‘ilima, and ‘ilie‘e as well as non-native vetiver grass, which is used along hillsides to stabilize soil and help minimize erosion and runoff.”
Since the very first days after the 2023 Kula Fire, volunteers have been the beating heart of the ongoing Upcountry recovery. Residents are beyond grateful for their selfless nature and the numerous Mālama Kula programs helping them. Ellison said, “That’s what we are here for, to serve our community. That’s the way it should be!”
Mālama Kula continuously needs volunteers and funding. “We had the Crater Road Fire in July of 2025, and there have been multiple smaller fires since then that we’re very lucky didn’t grow any bigger,” Ellison added. “While programs that are months or years in the future are certainly important parts of this response, we also need to prioritize work that addresses these hazards today. We need to provide the community with tools and increased access to green waste facilities that can aid in responsible land management. It’s incumbent upon our entire community to protect not just our own properties and ‘ohana, but our neighbors and community around us.”
Wildfires are not the only natural disaster that the organization is addressing. After the Kona low storms in March 2026, which brought flooding and high winds to Kula and left many residents without power for days, Mālama Kula immediately took action. They coordinated clean-up crews across 50 properties, working to clear downed trees that were blocking roads and damaging homes. They also gave away free wood chips to homeowners to help prevent soil erosion and stabilize gulches.
Interested volunteers can visit https://malamakula.org to join one of Mālama Kula’s service projects, community work days, and social gatherings. Updates can also be found on their Instagram page, @malamakula.
We provide programs to meet the challenges facing the area’s rural and agricultural economy, plus social networking and educational events that foster and strengthen community.
Kyle Ellison, Executive Director, Mālama Kula
