Roots of a Dream

At ʻĀina Kūlohelohe, nestled on the historic sugar cane fields of Puʻunene, Maui, my journey began not as a grand vision, but as a humble curiosity. The land, once shaped by generations of agriculture, called to me with its quiet resilience. I found myself drawn to the study of native Hawaiian medicinal plants—their stories, their healing properties, their connection to `āina (land) and community. My first efforts were simple: growing a handful of native plants, and learning the profound ways they could nurture both body and spirit.

From Aquaponics to Awakening

This first brush with cultivation set me on a path toward self-sufficiency. Inspired by MALAMA Aquaponics, I dove into backyard aquaponics—a fusion of fish and crops thriving together in balance. In those early days, the system became more than a source of nourishment; it was building a community, living in harmony with nature and learning a about plants.

Then the world changed. The pandemic struck, and the fragile threads of Maui Nui’s food systems were laid bare. Shelves emptied, and the vulnerability of our islands became impossible to ignore. The concept of malama ʻāina—caring for the land—anchored itself deep within me. What began as a personal experiment blossomed into a mission. I realized that growing my own food and medicine was not a solitary pursuit, but one intimately tied to our collective resilience.

Building ʻĀina Kūlohelohe

Guided by the spirit of malama ʻāina, I found myself called to this work—two acres slowly being transformed into a tapestry of fruit trees, native plants, herbs, and vegetables. Each tree is a testament to intention; each planting, a promise to the future. Agroforestry became our engine for food security and sustainability, honoring both ancestral wisdom and ecological stewardship.

The land is not just my project—it is a living community. Along this huakaʻi (journey), I have gathered friends and allies whose hands have shaped the soil and whose stories have enriched my own. With such company to nurture my spirit, I cultivate ʻĀina Kūlohelohe, weaving a vision of natural abundance, rooted in Hawaiian heritage and mindful innovation.

Gratitude and Stewardship

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to walk this path, for the land that raised me, and for the community that surrounds me. Each day is a step forward—toward greater self-reliance, toward deeper connection, toward a future where food security and sustainability are not distant dreams, but thriving realities.

ʻĀina Kūlohelohe is more than a place; it is the unfolding of purpose, planted in the heart of Maui and growing outward, one tree, one friend, one lesson at a time.