My name is Hauʻoli Kahaleuahi and I am a lifelong resident of East Maui, with my ʻohana going back generations here. I am in support of this Plan, as the goals, objectives and actions in it reflect our greatest food and nutrition security needs in Maui County. During community-led listening sessions, which happened in my hometown of Hāna and many other communities across Maui Nui, residents in each place were called to come together and provide their manaʻo on the items that should be prioritized in this Plan. When initiatives are truly community led, reflecting voices of generational families, I believe we can take grounded action collectively because we are invested.
We have all witnessed federal funding cuts threatening food assistance programs in Hawaiʻi, so now is the time for deeper County investments in food access programs. This Plan already outlines a road map to food and nutrition security and self sufficiency; now these actions need support and funding.
Something I appreciate about this Plan is that it very intentionally includes diverse perspectives, successes and challenges from people operating across our food system in Maui County; there isnʻt just one voice to be heard and listened to.
Many of us, if not all of us, have been involved in countless conversations surrounding food security... Itʻs time for action and this Plan outlines how we can start and what we can continue to do. We ask that Maui County and Council use this plan to guide the Council’s work and investments, to ensure that our community’s needs are front and center in their decision making.
Aloha nui kākou,
My name is Hauʻoli Kahaleuahi and I am a lifelong resident of East Maui, with my ʻohana going back generations here. I am in support of this Plan, as the goals, objectives and actions in it reflect our greatest food and nutrition security needs in Maui County. During community-led listening sessions, which happened in my hometown of Hāna and many other communities across Maui Nui, residents in each place were called to come together and provide their manaʻo on the items that should be prioritized in this Plan. When initiatives are truly community led, reflecting voices of generational families, I believe we can take grounded action collectively because we are invested.
We have all witnessed federal funding cuts threatening food assistance programs in Hawaiʻi, so now is the time for deeper County investments in food access programs. This Plan already outlines a road map to food and nutrition security and self sufficiency; now these actions need support and funding.
Something I appreciate about this Plan is that it very intentionally includes diverse perspectives, successes and challenges from people operating across our food system in Maui County; there isnʻt just one voice to be heard and listened to.
Many of us, if not all of us, have been involved in countless conversations surrounding food security... Itʻs time for action and this Plan outlines how we can start and what we can continue to do. We ask that Maui County and Council use this plan to guide the Council’s work and investments, to ensure that our community’s needs are front and center in their decision making.
Mahalo!
Hauʻoli Kahaleuahi