“At Hale Kipa, we believe in planting seeds of transformation, sometimes metaphorically, and now literally,” shared Venus Rosete-Medeiros, CEO of Hale Kipa. “We are growing more than just fresh produce. This new program will cultivate opportunity, purpose, and healing for Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable youth.”
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Introducing Mahi‘ai Aloha
Hale Kipa’s newest workforce development initiative has been named Mahi‘ai Aloha, a Hawaiian phrase describing one who cultivates the land with love and compassion. It reflects the deep, reciprocal relationship between people and ‘āina, reminding us that the land nourishes us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Through this program, youth gain hands-on training in hydroponics, sustainable agriculture, and green entrepreneurship, skills that can open pathways to careers in Hawai‘i’s future economy while fostering resilience and cultural connection.
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A High-Tech Hydroponic Farm
The Mahi‘ai Aloha farm is housed in a repurposed 40-foot shipping container outfitted with climate-resilient technology. Using nutrient-rich water instead of soil, crops grow in just six weeks from seed to harvest.
- First harvest: 500 heads of butter lettuce, donated to kūpuna (honored elders).
- At full capacity: 2–6 tons of produce annually, with weekly harvests possible.
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Expanding to Maui
Following the success of O‘ahu’s pilot farm, a second hydroponic container is on its way to Maui. This new site will help provide fresh produce while supporting community recovery after the Lahaina wildfires, bringing nourishment and healing to those most in need.
More Than Farming
“The food we grow can nourish Hale Kipa programs and local food banks, reinforcing the value of giving back,” added Rosete-Medeiros. “But more importantly, the skills and confidence our youth cultivate will nourish their futures.”
Mahi‘ai Aloha is more than a farming program, it’s a movement rooted in aloha, cultivating lives, restoring communities, and ensuring that Hawai‘i’s youth and land thrive in harmony.
