Hoʻokahua ʻAi

Mentoring youth in sustainable agriculture and self-sufficiency.

Hoʻokahua ʻAi

Mentoring youth in sustainable agriculture and self-sufficiency.

Hoʻokahua ʻAi

Mentoring youth in sustainable agriculture and self-sufficiency.

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Service Image
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Hoʻokahua ʻAi “HA” Mentorship Program


Hoʻokahua ʻAi means to build a foundation of nutrition, sustenance, communication and sharing.

The “HA” Mentorship Program works with students ages 13-18 providing hands-on learning and individualized instruction that encourages careers in agriculture and agricultural entrepreneurship.


Mentors work with youth in the areas of: Crop Production, Animal Husbandry, and Korean Natural Farming Methodologies.  The basis of the agricultural philosophy is Natural Farming, which uses beneficial microbial action in the soil to create inputs to be used to supplement soil and feed amendments.


Students learn to increase crop production and to raise pigs and chickens in a “no fly, no smell” environment. Organic crops are raised, harvested and processed for the students' ʻohana or shared with the community. Any scraps or plant based leaves and roots not for the table are cooked for animal (pigs & chickens) feed, teaching students to efficiently utilize farm resources.


Kahua Paʻa Mua believes if you want food for a year, plant kalo or ʻuala. If you want food for more than a year, plant a tree. But if you want to feed the community for a lifetime, invest in our children.


HA is supported by the Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation and is a part of the OAR (‘Ohana Agricultural Resilience) project funded by USDA NIFA Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program.

Crop production practices using kalo.

Students practice animal husbandry with hogs and chickens.

HA students at the Palili O Kohala farm.

Email Address:

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 896, Kapa'au, HI, 96755

Email Address:

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 896, Kapa'au, HI, 96755

Email Address:

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 896, Kapa'au, HI, 96755