Living to Serve, Local Style: Kahua Paʻa Mua's Commitment to Community Resilience

In the heart of North Kohala, Kahua Paʻa Mua, a nonprofit organization founded by David and Carol Fuertes, is making significant strides in promoting food security and community resilience. Their efforts were recently highlighted in the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation's article, "Living to Serve, Local Style."

The Fuertes' philosophy is deeply rooted in the values they embraced during their upbringing on the plantations:

"You want 'em, you make 'em; you broke 'em, you fix 'em."

This ethos of self-reliance and community service has been the cornerstone of their work. As David Fuertes reflects:

"The model I grew up on is: learning to do, doing to learn, learning to live, and living to serve."

In response to the growing need for food security, especially highlighted during the pandemic, Kahua Paʻa Mua launched the ʻOhana Agricultural Resilience (OAR) program. This initiative trains families in sustainable agriculture, covering areas such as crop cultivation and animal husbandry. Each participating family selects produce to grow and receives training in raising chickens, pigs, or fish. Over the course of a year, these families not only learn essential farming skills but also foster a sense of community by working together. The program has yielded impressive results, with OAR families distributing hundreds of pounds of produce within the North Kohala community.

In August, Kahua Paʻa Mua was among nearly 40 nonprofits awarded grants by the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, funded by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, to support community-based food security efforts in Native Hawaiian communities statewide. This funding has enabled the organization to amplify its impact, distributing more than 3,000 pounds of produce and contributing to over 500 food distributions and hot meals each week.

Beyond agriculture, the OAR program emphasizes the importance of family and community bonds. Parents, children, and grandparents collaborate, bridging generational gaps and fostering mutual learning. This collective effort has also integrated newcomers into the community, helping them understand and embrace the "local style" of living and serving.

The dedication of David and Carol Fuertes exemplifies how grassroots initiatives can drive meaningful change. Through education, cultural preservation, and community collaboration, Kahua Paʻa Mua is nurturing a self-reliant Kohala, deeply rooted in the wisdom of its ancestors.

For a more in-depth exploration of their inspiring journey, read the full article: Living to Serve, Local Style.