150 Community-Led Projects Reach Over 7,000 People with Acts of Aloha

What happens when neighbors open their doors, share what they have, and care for the places they love? On Sunday, September 28, the first-ever #VibeHI Day answered that question in powerful ways. Across Hawaiʻi Island, 150 resident-led projects brought people together, touching the lives of more than 7,000 individuals with simple yet meaningful acts of aloha.

On Kohala’s Water Works Road, neighbors turned a simple idea into a shared expression of abundance — a community fruit stand built for giving, taking, and connecting.

The rural neighborhood, known for its agricultural character, is lined with homes surrounded by fruit trees and gardens. “In light of everything happening in the world, I thought it would be great as neighbors to be able to share our abundance and what we have," shared Lani Bowman.

What followed was a collective effort. A young adult from the neighborhood built the stand, paid through small donations from residents. Families joined in to paint it, turning the project into a gathering filled with laughter, color, and collaboration.

The stand found its home in the yard of a beloved kupuna in her 90s, who graciously offered her space for the project. Neighbors say it’s been heartwarming to see her yard become a small hub of activity — people stopping by to leave fruit, pick up vegetables, or exchange a smile. The simple rhythm of giving and taking has brought new life to the road.

Over time, the stand became more than a place to share produce. A recipe box invited neighbors to trade favorite ways to prepare local fruits and vegetables, while a small book exchange encouraged the sharing of light, uplifting reads — the kind that made the stand feel welcoming to all.

When #VibeHI Day came around, the community decided to bless the stand together. Nearly a third of the neighborhood showed up — new families and longtime residents, keiki and kūpuna — to celebrate what they had created. Those who couldn’t make it said they wished they had.

For many, it was the first time meeting their neighbors face-to-face. Conversations flowed easily, and the neighborhood felt a little closer that day. This moment captured what living aloha looks like: people caring for one another and finding joy in the simple act of sharing what’s already there.

Now, the Little Free Fruit Stand serves as a small but meaningful reminder of community abundance — not just in what grows from the land, but in what grows between neighbors.

Projects like this one came to life on #VibeHI Day and each reflected aloha in action and the shared belief that community thrives when people show up for one another. Together, they speak to something larger: the vision of all of us — residents, partners, and future generations — working side by side to ensure Hawaiʻi remains not only a beautiful place to live, but a place where people can truly thrive.

Every project had a story. Read them all at vibranthawaii.org/vibehi.