Iwikua

Na Mahi Ho'oko A'e is the educational farm program of IWIKUA that focuses on sustainable food production; integrating traditional Hawaiian gardening techniques with modern technology through the operation of our large-scale aquaponics system and in-ground crops. We provided a variety of fruits and vegetables to our West Kaua'i community members at large through our mini grocery store, as well as thirteen restaurants and businesses and the local hospital. Over the year we worked with high school and college students during school breaks to do intensive internships where they were immersed in the entirety of the farm operation, from seed to sale helping with planting, harvesting, packaging, marketing, and distribution, as well as learning construction skills related throughout the expansion of our farm system. We also had over 75 volunteers throughout the year from high school and college classes that integrated their curriculum into an hands-on application on the farm. These efforts helped produce over 13,000 pounds of food (including almost 13,000 pounds of mixed greens lettuce) which went directly into feeding the community while providing a unique agricultural and entrpreneurial experience for our local youth.

IWI Camp is focused on integrating important cultural protocols and lessons with Hawaiian language, and implementing ancestral farming methodology and values. In previous years, IWI Camp was focused on cultural exchange between our youth and other indigenous communities. In 2023 we hosted a group of 28 students from a youth urban farm program in Oakland, CA. They were able to interact with our interns and community and were hands-on in developing infrastructure as well as collaboratively designed and completed a large scale mural inside our fitness center in partnership with a local art program. Iwikua also brought eight local high school student athletes to Montana to work with the honor bound program at Montana State University as well as volunteer at the annual Powwow. They also competed in a track meet and met with the coaches and athletics staff to learn what opportunities are available to athletes looking to pursue higher education. These students were able to experience a new area and forged great connections with another culture and community.

Iwikua has a holistic view of wellness which integrates cultural connection as well as mental and physical strength. Our community health facility, Makana Training Center (MTC) is open to members each day and also provides weekly group fitness classes. Over the year, our student and adult volunteers and interns aided in the operations of the center as well as had the opportunity to learn some work training through customer service, utilizing the member management software, and basic gym equipment maintenance and repair, as well as construction as we expanded our space. MTC offers an age inclusive track camp during the summer, as well as a basketball skills training camp with professional players that come to serve as mentors during the week. We also have a work-trade program for student athletes and adult community members to utilize the gym at no cost. Track club participants, gym goers, and community members also volunteer in Iwikua-hosted community runs and fitness competitions that bring over 400 community competitors together throughout the year.