Māla Ho‘oulu ‘Ike
A garden that grows knowledge.
Māla Ho‘oulu ‘Ike
Māla Ho‘oulu ‘Ike
Our Māla's Mission
At Māla Hoʻoulu ʻIke, we're dedicated to inspiring Hawaiian Homesteaders and the wider community through agricultural opportunities. Our goal is to foster self-sustainability and preserve Hawaiian cultural methods in agriculture.
Our Mo‘olelo
Māla Hoʻoulu ʻIke, established October 2018, inspires Hawaiian Homesteaders through agriculture and fosters a self-sustainable mindset for ʻohana and community.
What's Growing
Our 38-acre site behind Makuʻu Market includes a shade house with 1,000+ seedlings and a hydroponic hale growing 136+ heads of lettuce.
Ways to Learn With Us
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Lā Kuʻi
Upon availability; stay tuned on Instagram and our events page
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Lā ʻOhana
Every third Saturday. Thirty families join us to care for the māla and learn about the mea kanu it provides.
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Lā Kula
ʻĀina-based education.
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Lā Kūpuna
Description goes here
Learning by doing
Our peer-to-peer workshops follow a simple rhythm: learn, work the māla, then make and take something home. We tend a kūpuna fruit pantry of 30 donated trees and offer seed-to-table, seed-to-market, and seed-to-commercial opportunities — reviving ahupuaʻa trading, eco-friendly growing, and an aloha ʻāina way of life.
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Immerse yourself in our workshops, where wisdom seamlessly intertwines with practical, hands-on experiences. These engaging sessions are designed to not only educate but also inspire participants to embrace sustainable living practices:
Informative sessions on sustainable practices
Practical māla (garden) work
Take-home activities to start your own māla
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Discover the diverse array of community-centered facilities that form the heart of Māla Hoʻoulu ʻIke. Our carefully designed spaces not only support sustainable agriculture but also foster community engagement and learning:
Kūpuna fruit pantry with 30 donated fruit trees
Shade house housing over 1000 seedlings
Hydroponic hale producing 136+ lettuce heads
Māla Ho‘oulu ‘Ike Impact
Māla Ho‘oulu ‘Ike is more than just a garden – it's a catalyst for community growth:
Our Māla is dedicated to promoting food sustainability in homes, creating economic development opportunities, reviving Ahupuaʻa trading methods, and fostering an aloha ʻāina lifestyle. Through our programs and initiatives, we aim to empower community members to grow their own food, develop sustainable businesses, reconnect with traditional Hawaiian land management practices, and cultivate a deep love and respect for the land. This holistic approach ensures that our impact extends beyond agriculture, touching every aspect of community life and well-being.
The māla by the numbers:
7,000+ program participants
25% ages 0–18
50% ages 18–55
25% ages 56+)
450+ workshops hosted
500+Total native plants planted
200+ lbs of plants harvested
300+ lbs distributed
2,000+ plants gifted
600+ volunteers, 100+ partners
1573+ hours of volunteer service
1800+ makana given (potted plants, swag, aquaponics kits, hydroponic kits...)
Visit Us & Join
Our ‘Ohana
Located behind the Maku`u Market, our 38-acre site is a testament to community collaboration and sustainable living. Come experience the power of ʻāina (land) education firsthand!
Whether you're a seasoned farmer or a curious beginner, there's a place for you at Māla Hoʻoulu ʻIke. Together, we can cultivate knowledge, preserve traditions, and grow a sustainable future for our community.
Support us
Your gift will help us achieve our dream of creating a safe space for our community to learn, teach, interact, and serve one another through Native Hawaiian traditions.
Let’s Chat
Want to learn alongside us? Contact us to find out how to get involved.