Lush tropical garden on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi

Community Garden

Where the land feeds the people who tend it.

Growing traditional Hawaiian crops and distributing fresh food to families who need it most.

The Hawaiʻi Food Paradox

Hawaiʻi's land grows for export. Its families pay to eat.

More than 85% of the food consumed in Hawaiʻi is imported — shipped in from thousands of miles away at enormous cost. Families pay the highest grocery prices in the nation for produce that was picked days or weeks ago on the mainland.

Meanwhile, much of what Hawaiʻi's land does produce — macadamia nuts, coffee, tropical flowers — is exported to mainland markets or sold to resorts. The rich volcanic soil that once fed entire ahupuaʻa communities is not feeding the people who live here.

ʻĀina for Generations is working to change that. Every acre we restore to local food production is a step toward the food sovereignty Hawaiʻi once had — and deserves again.

85%+
of food consumed in Hawaiʻi is imported
#1
most expensive state for groceries in the U.S.

Growing food. Growing futures.

Rooted in tradition. Growing for today.

Our gardens are more than growing spaces — they are living classrooms where traditional Hawaiian farming knowledge is passed down, where families learn to grow their own food, and where the community comes together around the land.

We cultivate kalo (taro), ʻuala (sweet potato), breadfruit, and other traditional crops alongside modern vegetables, distributing harvests directly to families through our food access program.

Community members farming together
Garden harvest
Volunteers distributing fresh produce

Employment & Training

Careers rooted in the land.

We create meaningful, living-wage employment for community members while preserving traditional land stewardship practices.

Garden Steward

Lead day-to-day operations at one of our garden sites, coordinating volunteers and overseeing crop cycles.

Traditional Farming Instructor

Teach traditional Hawaiian farming methods including lo'i kalo cultivation, ahupuaʻa land management, and seasonal planting.

Food Distribution Coordinator

Manage harvest logistics and coordinate distribution to partner families, food banks, and community events.

Youth Apprentice

Paid apprenticeships for young people ages 16–24 to learn sustainable farming, land stewardship, and food systems.

Interested in working with us? Reach out through our contact page.

Resource Center

Knowledge for every grower.

Whether you're a first-time gardener or an experienced farmer, our resource center has tools to help you grow.

Taro Cultivation Guide

Step-by-step guidance on growing kalo in Hawaiian soil, from lo'i preparation to harvest.

Monthly Workshops

Free hands-on workshops at our garden sites covering composting, seed saving, and traditional farming.

Youth Education Program

After-school and summer programs connecting keiki to the land through farming, cooking, and cultural learning.

Ahupuaʻa Land Map

An interactive map of traditional Hawaiian land divisions and their connection to our current garden sites.

Seed Library

A free community seed library preserving heirloom Hawaiian crop varieties for future generations.

Food Access Program

Apply to receive a weekly share of fresh produce from our gardens, prioritized for food-insecure families.

The land is ready. Are you?

Volunteer at a garden site, support our food access program, or make a gift that keeps the harvest growing.

'Āina for Generations Foundation

Returning land to the people. Rooted in aloha, growing for generations.

501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Big Island, Hawaiʻi

Take Action

Your land can become someone's future. Let's talk about what that looks like.

Donate Your Land

© 2026 'Āina for Generations Foundation. All rights reserved.

Tax-deductible donations under IRS 501(c)(3) · EIN on file