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ʻŌiwi uplifting ʻŌiwi
The Challenge: Over 90% of food in Hawaiʻi is imported, 40% of our agricultural lands are unused, and invasive species, fire, and climate change threaten native forests and food system resilience. Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiians) face immense socio-political challenges and inequities, including disproportionately high rates of poverty, houselessness, food insecurity, and diet-related disease.
The Need: ʻŌiwi agroforestry systems address these challenges by integrating native species, food, and other culturally important plants, strengthening kindship with ʻāina, and honoring ʻŌiwi knowledge. There's high potential for ʻŌiwi agroforestry systems, but for this need to be realized, practitioners need access to resources and strengthened network connections.
Who we are: We are a network of agroforestry practitioners from ʻŌiwi-led organizations who are taking collective action to meet this need and realize the potential of ʻŌiwi agroforestry.
Collaborating across moku
Our members: We are a network of 14 ʻŌiwi-led organizations. Our members' sites and organizations are diverse - in their size, tenure arrangements, business structures, income streams, growing conditions, etc. Yet, we are united by our shared values. We all grow food and restore ʻāina, people, and relationships, linking farms and forests. Our diversity is a strength.
Gathering in person
What we do: We hold in-person ʻaha (gatherings) to build pilina (relationships), exchange knowledge and ideas, laulima (work together) at each other's sites, and plan collective action to take while we're apart.
"The collective ʻike and mana [of our hui] is pretty incredible, and it's one of the very few ag-related spaces that feels like home for us. We treasure all of these relationships and the space [we] are creating!"
- Lehia Apana, Polipoli Farms
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