ABOUT US
Who are we?
Kahaluʻu Kūāhewa is a community-based organization located in the ahupuaʻa of Kahaluʻu ma uka. Kūāhewa translates to "vast" or "huge", and is a term referenced by the people, who farmed the great māla of Kamehameha I. It was said that his agricultural lands were named Kūāhewa because upon gazing at the field, the eyes would gaze until it can see no more and the borders could not be distinguished. Although the specific location of Kūāhewa is unclear, we have discovered through researching ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi resources that the name Kūāhewa is tied to agricultural lands from Kailua Kona, to Kahaluʻu, Keauhou and even as far as Kaināliu, Kona. Kahaluʻu Kūāhewa is the largest remaining portion of the traditional "Kona Field System" bordered by coffee plantations on three sides and the Kahaluʻu Forest ma uka. Located within the apaʻa agricultural zone, there are many opportunities for an abundant and diverse agricultural system.
Our Vision
Revitalization of the wahi kūpuna Kahaluʻu Field Systems as a traditional Hawaiian agricultural landscape, and reconnecting kānaka to ʻāina.
Our Mission
Our mission is to uplift the collective of ‘āina (land), community, and culture, and preserve ancestral knowledge by reconnecting people to the land. We do this through indigenous grassroots initiatives, sustainable agriculture, and reforestation of native plants, combating climate change and preserving native ecosystems. Through ‘aina-based learning, we offer opportunities to learn traditional Hawaiian practices, support local food production, and maintain our islands' unique biodiversity.
Our Values
