Vegans embrace ambitious goals, like achieving optimal health, working for a sustainable environment and creating a world in which animals are treated with compassion. We reflect kūlia i ka nu‘u. We “strive for the summit.”(1)

Consistent access to affordable, high quality, whole plant-based food is especially challenging in Hawaii, where we import an estimated 85% of what we eat.

The benefits of greater food security are substantial. Increased production and distribution of locally grown, sustainable plant-based food creates jobs, lowers prices and broadens choice. While embracing veganism is an individual choice, achieving food security is not — it depends on the efforts of many.

Not all approaches are equal, according to environmentalist and food system planner Hunter Heaivilin.

For example, the 41,000-acre Mahi Pono is owned by a California global investment company and a group of Canadian pension investment managers. While Mahi Pono may provide “more food of geographically local origin, the surplus value from the sale of that food accrues not to our rural farms and communities but instead to distant shareholders and executives. In short, efforts to reduce imports and increase self-sufficiency have the potential to export profits and jeopardize existing farmers.” (2)

There is a better way. Shopping regularly at farmers markets puts money in the pockets of local growers. In addition, we can cultivate a kūlia i ka nu‘u grassroots network of ethical and visionary plant-based farmers, educators and activists by supporting emerging initiatives that focus on empowerment and education. Here are a few that need your donations and/or volunteer time:

The nonprofit Common Ground Collective “strives to teach community members, volunteers, and students how to grow food, and provides essential knowledge and hands-on training for the efficient management of properties.” Visit Common Ground’s website to learn how you can get involved.
To achieve meaningful lasting change, children must be educated about healthful food choices. The Kihei-based nonprofit Grow Some Good establishes food gardens in local schools to create “hands-on, outdoor learning experiences that cultivate curiosity about natural life cycles, connect students to their food sources, and inspire better nutrition choices.” If you’re interested in learning more, sign up for the newsletter.
Another consciousness-raising initiative based in Kahului and Wailuku is the Blue Zones Project, which describes itself as “a community well-being initiative that makes healthy choices easier in all the places we live, work and play.” You can learn more here.
Achieving food security on Maui requires more than stepped up local production and distribution. Everyone needs access to nutritious, whole, plant-based food, including those who struggle to feed themselves and their families — our low-income and homeless neighbors. The Maui Chapter of Chilis on Wheels prepares and distributes free vegan meals to homeless people. The food is donated by the Maui Food Bank, but volunteers are needed for meal preparation and/or distribution. To help, email maui@chilisonwheels.org or visit Chilis’ Facebook page.

When we work together, the summit is in sight.

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1. Managing with Aloha, The 19 Values of Aloha, Kūlia i ka nu‘

2. Hunter Heaivilin, We Need a Better Vision for Food Sustainability, January 30, 2020

Kūlia i ka nu‘u – Strive for the Summit