HUI MAHI’AI ‘AINA
Who We Are
A. Mission Statement
- To improve the quality of life for those in need and the houseless in the Waimanalo community.
B. Purpose
- Physically increasing accessibility and cultivation of healthy food, as well as providing
education in nutritional management. - Socially, by providing education that promotes social capital and opportunities for the
disadvantaged and houseless. - Economically, by developing sustainable food sovereignty and re-capturing food waste,
thus creating a sustainable eco-system, and per-capita farming productivity, in support of revenue streaming capabilities. - Cultivate, support and enhance growth thru participation with community and native
Hawaiian cultural practices.
C. History
- 2014 members of St. Georges Catholic Church, Waimanalo establish foodbank outlet at the church’s community outreach center, in Waimanalotown.
- Hui Mahi’ai Aina is established as a Waimanalo sanctioned Foodbank outlet
- 2015 Hui Mahi’ai Aina is established as a non-profit with the Pu’a Foundation a Hawaii 501(c)3, as fiduciary agent under its umbrella policy.
- 2015 Hui Mahi’ai Aina Feeding the needy and homeless program begins in part with St. Georges Church, Waimanalo Clergy Council and community partners, to outreach to all houseless and needy individuals and families in Waimanalo.
- 2016-19 Preparing to manage a 14-acre parcel of land set aside primarily for cultural, agricultural and housing assistance endeavors. Working with agencies such as USDA Oahu District Soil Conservation Service in preparation of site maps inclusive of topography, hydrology, wetlands, and soils and their designations.
D. Vision
- To offer housing and culturally appropriate best practices, to assist the houseless in the Waimanalo community to become self-sufficient, employable and independent ‘thru collective management of their land and its resources.
E. Values
- Hoomau: preserve, perpetuate, continue
- Pono: to know, to feel, understand
- Kokua: help, assist, comfort, support
- Kuleana: privilege, responsibility, title, job
- Kupa’a: stand firm, steadfast
- Taulima: many hands working together
- Lokahi: unitv, agreement, accord
- Mahalo: thank you
- Malama: caring, nurturing others, to protect
- ‘Ohana: family
WHERE ARE WE NOW AND WHERE ARE WE HEADING
Suddenly the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic was upon us. The many homeless camping at Waimanalo Beach Park along the Highway were most affected. With the City and County of Honolulu cutting off the water at the adjacent beach park and the Sheriff patrolling the beaches as a no walk zone, they had nowhere to turn.
Hui Mahi’ai Aina immediately jumped into action. With the help of beneficiaries and through a loan agreement, nine one person cottages and two single family residences were constructed in April 2020 in addition to immediate tent housing. Two local grants of $10,000, one for a kitchen and one for a water meter and water lines, as well as $3,000 in much needed direct cash donations were also received within the next two months. In-kind donations consisted largely of vital in-kind structural improvements inclusive of showers while six rented temporary portable toilets are a needed but costly addition. Soils and hydrology data is being further evaluated for the layout of an efficient food production aina inclusive of plots for individual residents so that this phase of self-sufficiency, also based on cultural practices, can be initiated starting in July 2000.
In cooperation with the State of Hawaii, the City and County of Honolulu, the Department of Land and Natural Resources and in-house and assisting expertise, the 14-acre site is now being developed to meet the needs as outlined in the Mission – , Purpose -, and Vision Statements. Its Board, with community assistance, is applying for grants and seeking donations for further site and housing improvement and expansion as outlined below.
July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021 (Year One)
- Site improvement for additional housing of 100 houseless individuals.
- Establishment of fruit tree orchids, farming and nursery facilities along with an efficient irrigation system.
- Development of a community learning and training center in Agriculture, Construction , Native Hawaiian Culture & Language, native Hawaiian cultural arts and practices in a
traditional village concept. - c- Host community organization, educational and program camps,
workshops and seminars, which highlight the objectives and outcomes of the Hui Mahi’ai Training programs and facility.