Even in the best of times, it’s not easy sustaining an independent restaurant. In a pandemic, many businesses face exceptional challenges. We were heartened to learn that Maui’s second all-vegan food truck, which opened in late May in Kihei, Sprout Vegan Café, is still going strong. Let’s support Sprout Café, as well as vegan stalwarts like a’a Roots, Earth Aloha Eats and Maui Kombucha. And don’t forget to patronize vegan-friendly establishments like Moku Roots, Choice Health Bar and Down to Earth.

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Maui’s only vegan food truck, Earth Aloha Eats, has moved from Kihei to 370 Dairy Road, Kahului … Grow Some Good has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters Maui to initiate a community garden. The purpose is to cultivate curiosity about natural life cycles, connect people to their food sources and inspire better nutrition choices.

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Toward a new normal: Although the pandemic is far from over, small, but important steps are being taken toward a new normal. For example, more and more vendors have been returning to the Upcountry Saturday Farmers Market. Dine-in table service under new health guidelines begins on June 5th. Many parks re-opened June 1. Taking appropriate health safeguards, let’s support vegan-friendly enterprises so that they may survive and prosper.

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Acts of aloha: Kudos to Shelly Brown, Jennifer Schmidt, Melody Hofmann, Sarah Haynes and all who have prepared and delivered vegan meals to ICU nurses at Maui Memorial Hospital. … The Maui Chapter of Chilis on Wheels, which delivers vegan meals, first aid, personal hygiene supplies and more to homeless people has partnered with several groups to form Maui Rapid Response. … Anne Miura named a 2020 Maui County Volunteer Hero: Anne was the first to answer Chilis On Meals call for help two and a half years ago. Chilis on Wheels is a program that provides vegan meals to unsheltered people on Maui.

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Vegan diets and COVID-19: Currently, no vaccine or cure is available for the COVID-19 virus. However, a whole food, vegan diet can strengthen our immune system and potentially mitigate some of the damage caused by the virus. According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: “As coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted communities around the world, many people have wondered whether there are steps they can take to stay healthy. Everyday preventive measures—such as handwashing, avoiding contact with sick individuals, and good hygiene—can go a long way in reducing your risk for viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens.

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We recently met with vegan activist Stephen Beidner at the Choice Health Bar in Paia. He shared his views on transitioning to veganism, why he’s involved and how to grow veganism on Maui. … If you’d like to support prepare or deliver meals or support people in need, support Chilis on Wheels by reaching out to Nicole at maui@chilisonwheels.org or call 808-633-4811. … Are cattle industry profits more important than the health of our children? Proposal to put more plant-based foods in Hawaii schools has cattle ranchers concerned.

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Maui Food Not Bombs seeks volunteers to make vegan food potluck style (make at your home and bring the food to serve). If you have paper plates and cups, bring that too. Send a direct message with your name and cell phone number. Maui Chilis on Wheels also welcomes volunteers. If you would like to help in any capacity (grocery delivery, food prep, meal share, social media), please reach out to Nicole at maui@chilisonwheels.org or 808-633-4811(no texts).

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There are many opportunities on Maui for vegans interested in outreach and advocacy. Maui Chilis on Wheels provides high quality vegan meals to people in need.  If you are interested in volunteering as a food preparer or deliverer, join the group on Facebook. Save Maui Cats is a non-profit group of dedicated volunteers, devoting our time, money & resources to helping solve the tragic cat overpopulation on Maui. 

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Each month, the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii presents a thought-provoking and timely lecture, usually on the second Thursday at 7 pm at the Cameron Center in Wailuku.  If you can’t attend a lecture or just want to learn more, each speaker is also scheduled to appear on Off the Record, a KAKU radio show (88.5) at 11 am same day.

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Thursday, October 10, 7 pm. Improving Healthspan: Tools to slow Down Aging. Irminne Van Dyken, MD. J. Walter Cameron Center, 95 Mahalani St., Wailuku. Free. More information.

Wednesday, October 16-Tuesday, October 22. Living Aloha Retreat. Maui. More information here.

Saturday, October 19, 8 am - 2 pm, Maui Liliko’i Festival, Napili Farmers Market. Food, music, games. Honoapilani Hwy & Napilihau St. Lahaina.

Thursday, October 24, The Vegan Lifestyle with Kathy Ryan. 10 am - 1 pm. $5 payable by October 5. West Maui Senior Center, 788 Pauoa Street, Lahaina, 270-4310.

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Saturday, September 7, 10 am – 3 pm.  La ‘Ulu 2019: Breadfruit Day. Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, 150 Kanaloa Avenue, Kahului, across from the War Memorial Stadium. Free admission, free parking.  More information here. 

Monday, September 16, 7:30 pm. Showing of The Game Changers, a new documentary about plant-based eating. Regal Maui Mall Megaplex 12, 70 E. Kaahumanu, Kahului. Film is one hour and 50 minutes. Tickets and more information.

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The Common Ground Collective is a nonprofit organization focused on food security and new economic opportunities for the community, has launched a foster farm program.  Participating landowners can receive help in harvesting produce.  They can choose to either donate or sell the collected food.  One local nonprofit that welcomes food donations is Maui Food Not Bombs, which provides free vegan food to those in need.  Schedule a free harvest here.

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New vegan options: We added Freshies in Makawao and Your Bliss in Kihei to the Maui Vegan Food Guide.  Check them out to see if their vegan options appeal to you. … Volunteer opportunity for vacationers: Vacationers may volunteer on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9 am at the Leilani Farm Sanctuary, Maui’s only vegan animal sanctuary.  More info here.

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YouTube educator Mic the Vegan recently visited Maui to bust popular myths about veganism. In light of the recent propaganda push to justify cattle ranching and dairy farming on former Maui sugar lands, it’s a good time to view a couple of Mic’s videos, Ditching Veganism to Raise Grass-Fed Beef for the Environment and Grass-Fed Beef Debunked … Maui resident and actor Woody Harrelson is partnering with vegan chefs to produce a new vegan documentary series. … It’s great to see Carla Tracy’s roundup of Maui plant-based food news in Maui News.

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Wildlife expert-professor-activist Dr. Liv Baker visited Maui recently to make the case for compassionate conservation.  Highlights of her talk are here in Talk Story.

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“The Clear Case for Compassionate Conservation: Living in a world where all animals matter,” will be presented by Liv Baker, Ph.D., on Wednesday, March 13, 7 pm, at the J. Walter Cameron Center in Wailuku. Free admission and refreshments courtesy of Down to Earth.

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Congratulations to Maui vegan Brian Goldthwaite for placing 2nd in his age group in his first marathon, the 11th Maui Oceanfront Marathon on January 20th.  Erin Pinto explains that “my superstar vegan husband just ran his first marathon and got 2nd for his age group!”

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PROTECTION FOR MAUI FARMED ANIMALS SAVED: Sponsored by Maui Councilperson Yuki Lei Sugimura, HHT-43 would have removed shade law requirements for farmed animals.  Fortunately, this cruel measure was killed in late November, and everyone who voiced their opposition no doubt helped secure a positive outcome.

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