Strengthening Community Resilience Through Food Systems Innovation

Vibrant Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Nā Kālai Waʻa and The Healy Foundation, has launched the second cohort of Hui Hānai Ka Moku—a community-led initiative designed to enhance food security, support food rescue efforts, and strengthen emergency preparedness across Hawaiʻi Island.

This cohort includes ten community-based groups/organizations from diverse regions of Hawaiʻi Island, each bringing deep local knowledge and a shared commitment to building resilient and sustainable food systems. Cohort members recently convened for their initial training with cultural and technical guidance from Nā Kālai Waʻa, whose expertise anchors this initiative in both tradition and innovation.

Central to this effort is the practice of freeze drying—not only as a tool for food preservation, but as a method of honoring cultural knowledge, sustaining traditional practices, and supporting long-term community self-reliance.

“Food is not just sustenance for today, but a foundation for future generations. Hui Hānai ka Moku affirms that the way we cultivate, share, and honor food has lasting impacts on the health and resilience of our ʻohana and our ʻāina,” said Pōlanimakamae Kahakalau of EA Ecoversity. She added, “For our community, this work is about feeding not only the body, but also the spirit and identity of our people.”

Hui Hānai Ka Moku is equipping communities with the training, tools, and culturally grounded frameworks needed to prepare for future disruptions while advancing locally driven food systems. The energy and commitment demonstrated by this cohort reflect a growing island-wide movement—rooted in collaboration, guided by culture, and focused on long-term impact.