Extension agents Jennifer Hawkins (TPSS) and Jari Sugano (PEPS) helped to get the residents of Kalaupapa, Moloka‘i, growing, in response to a request by Na Pu‘u Wai, a Native Hawaiian healthcare program. They provided ground support in collaboration with the Department of Health and the U.S. National Parks Service.
Due to Kalaupapa’s remote geographic location, the residents’ diet is made up largely of non-perishable items. Fresh produce is flown in weekly, upon request. Locally grown food is sparse because residents can not disturb the soil, since Kalaupapa is part of the US Park Service.
Jennifer educated the residents about food production, with a focus on container gardening using locally available recycled containers and materials on the peninsula. Attendees were excited to get their hands dirty! They planted seeds and seedlings that jumpstarted a local, fresh, healthy food supply in Kalaupapa.