Malama Loko Ea Foundation

This grant will provide emergency relief in flood recovery efforts for Hawaiian partners.

Program Opportunity Statement (Recommended 300 words or less) Loko ea Fishpond, a historically significant cultural site nestled on the North Shore of Oʻahu, was designed to raise fish; help support a natural and sustainable foodshed for the Ahupuaʻa of Kawailoa and Moku of Waialua, the traditional land area encompassing the North Shore of Oʻahu Community. Mālama Loko ea Foundation (MLEF) supports a small, underrepresented, Native Hawaiian Community— approximately 10% of the ~24,000 in the 2020 US census. Prior to the arrival of Westerners, Native Hawaiians managed a self-sufficient agricultural system distinguished by thriving loko iʻa— fishponds and abundant agriculture. Today the restoration of Loko ea represents the timely reimagination of what it means to honor Hawaiian culture and support a thriving, sustainable community in modern-day Hawaii. MLEF remains steady in addressing the needs of Native Hawaiian people as it implements a comprehensive ʻāina momona (abundant land) plan to restore traditional Hawaiian agriculture practices. MLEF partners with community organizations, farmers community members to increase cultural and food access. MLEF hosts monthly community workday lunches, kupuna (elders) lunches and community programs. Currently, approximately 80% food consumed in Hawaiʻi is imported. MLEF seeks to increase community capacity to process bountiful gardens and farms with in the organization and community organizations through a four phased ʻAi Pono Community Food Hub Project: 1. Pilot Māla O Nauahi Food Garden (Complete) 2. Food Hub 1: Food Processing Center (Donated) and Drying Room (Current Project) 3. Food Hub 2: Community Kitchen and Eating Space (Future) 4. ʻOhana Māla-Gardens with community workshops, eating and sharing space (Future) Support from the NFCoP Grant Writing Lab will provide the resources to plan and implement the phase 2 of the ʻAi Pono Community Food Hub.

This project will create a pilot ʻāina momona plan to cultivate and increase indigenous food access for the Native Hawaiian Community within the North Shore of Oahu. MLEF will also leverages feedback and lessons-learned from the pilot year to inform cultivating 10-acres of native food systems in the next 5-years.