Mālama Kaua‘i strengthens Kaua‘i’s food system by connecting local farmers—particularly Native Hawaiian, displaced, and beginning producers—to institutional buyers through its food hub and the Olohena ‘ĀINA Center agricultural park. By building shared infrastructure, including a wash/pack station, and providing business development and technical assistance, MK helps farmers meet volume, safety, and quality standards required by schools, hospitals, and other institutions. The organization’s collaborative leadership model engages staff, farmers, and community partners in decision-making, ensuring services are grounded in local needs and aligned with food sovereignty goals. Through these efforts, MK expands market access, stabilizes farmer income, and creates a more equitable, resilient, and locally rooted food system, while contributing to broader regional and statewide movements for Indigenous-led and sustainable food procurement.
