Grow Some Good – a nonprofit organization in Hawaii dedicated to strengthening local agriculture and improving access to nutritious, affordable food – has been working with the Maui Family YMCA on a project bringing urban agriculture initiatives to Maui. Called Nā Māla Kaiāulu, the project will address food security, climate resilience, and community well-being.
“Every community deserves access to fresh, healthy food, and at Nā Māla Kaiāulu, we’re working toward making that a reality,” said Scott Lacasse, the executive director Grow Some Good. “Through our farm, we’re not just growing food; we’re growing resilience. We’re fostering connections with nature that strengthen families, empower communities, and promote environmental sustainability.”
Nā Māla Kaiāulu plans to transform barren land into an educational farm in Kahului, with the goal of empowering vulnerable communities – particularly Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander families. The project will also offer educational opportunities for children through Camp Māla, in addition to apprenticeship programs and community events fostering local engagement and environmental stewardship. The benefits will include sustainable food production, climate resilience, equitable harvest distribution, and community development.
“I joined the project in the wake of the devastating Lahaina and Kula fires and am inspired to transform three fire-prone acres between Kahului and Wailuku into a community food source. What was once a thick stand of kiawe and haole koa will soon be a forest made up of an overstory of ulu, mango, citrus, and native hardwoods and an understory of edible canoe plants. What was once an abandoned vacant lot will soon be a community hub and resource,” said Will Sands, Farm Manager with Grow Some Good.
Nā Māla Kaiāulu is supported by the County of Maui, Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, UHMC Kauluwehi Biocultural Restoration Project, the Mayor’s Office of Innovation & Sustainability, Kōkua Hawaii Foundation, and Hui O Wa’a Kaulua.
