Agricultural Updates from ‘Aina Momona

With several acres cleared at our land base Keawanui, ‘Āina Momona has been working with our partners at Māla Kaluʻulu Cooperative to develop an agricultural plan for the site that will guide our food production and land restoration efforts for the coming years. We are currently in the design phase, looking at possible concepts that will work best for our goals and landscape.

Given the intense erosion and groundwater depletion at Keawanui, we will need a plan that works to stabilize soil and helps shelter the site against climate change-induced storms and winds. With agroforestry as a major goal, our design will also optimize the integration of native trees, alongside native food crops. Currently we plan to have an expanded ethnobotanical garden, a designated area for pollinators, an agroforestry ‘ulu grove, māla for native starches like kalo and ‘uala, an open nursery for plant propagation, and more!

When water was diverted from our site to the West end of Moloka‘i, the native forest and traditional food systems that once flourished here went with it. Our agricultural design will work to restore the former bounty of Ka‘amola, returning it to an ʻāina momona once more. We are very eager to get the health restored to this land, and so grateful for our partners at Māla Kaluʻulu for their time and expertise! Exciting things to come!