UPDATE AND INVITATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED THIS YEAR WITH THIS PROJECT, OR ARE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT MORE!
Aloha Kākou,
On behalf of the Hāna Chapter of the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, I would like to acknowledge and extend a warm mahalo to YOU for inspiring, engaging, and helping to move the project forward, as we develop plans for the Hāna Community Commercial Kitchen & Food Hub Center. We are grateful for our intrepid University of Hawaiʻi Community Development Center (UHCDC) Team sharing their expertise this year as we are nearing completion of our HFUU sponsored, and Maui Office of Economic Development funded, grant: G5737 HFUU Hāna Community Kitchen Project.
We invite you to come review the results of the UHCDC work lead by Kimi Makiau – Project Supervisor, Logan Shiroma, and Malu (Jonathan) Stanich. The presentations next week will include a final ʻProof of Concept’ Report of the facility that includes both the ʻSite Selection Overview’ and ʻCommunity and Producer Survey Results’. We will be hosting 3 community open house events:
1. Thursday, November 16, 2023 – 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Ala Kukui
Please RSVP by emailing hub@hanafood.org – Dinner provided by Kilo’s
Menu: Chicken Curry Stew, Beef Lūʻau, Brown Rice, Green Salad, Stir Fry Veggies
2. Friday, November 17, 2023 – 2:30 – 4:30 pm at the Hāna Farmers Market / HBC Booth
3. Saturday, November 18, 2023 – 8 to 9:30 am at Ala Kukui – Snacks & refreshments provided
This effort, already in the mix of top community needs discussed for decades, sprung from the impetus of the Hawaiʻi State Ways & Means Committee visiting Hāna in the fall of 2022, and suggesting to our community’s nonprofit and commercial business/agricultural leaders that we work with UHCDC to develop a plan to submit to the legislature for funding. Our next step will be to submit the work from this year into a Grants-in-Aid application for the 2024 Legislative Session, which is due by the end of January 2024.
Find out more on our HanaFood.org website with links to the UHCDC project details and reports.
Malama pono & A hui hou,
Heidi
P.S. Maui Hikina Makahiki also occurs during this timeframe with an ‘Aha Makahiki (ceremony) at 10am on Friday, November 17. It seems timely that we are beginning this time of a new season with pulling together the efforts of our community, with the help of the UHCDC! I have included information below about this community celebration if you would like to add it to your calendar as well.
Heidi Lea
Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United – Hāna Chapter | East Maui Food Hub Grant Liaison
Hāna Business Council | Executive Director
Maui Hikina Hoʻomakaukau ~ East Maui Ready | Community Liaison
Contact: hub@hanafood.org / (406) 600-4300