Malama Honua Fund Awards Five Schools and Organizations

From left to right: Camille Kalahiki, manager at Parker Ranch Store; Joe Vitorino, program director at Kohala Youth Ranch; Tina Doherty, head of Parker Middle School; Jenny Bach, “Farm to School” coordinator/garden teacher at Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School; and Randy Kurohara, president and owner of Aloha Grown and Parker Ranch Store. Photo courtesy of Aloha Grown.

Five Hawai‘i Island schools and organizations have each received a 2017 Aloha Grown Malama Honua Award in the amount of $500 for projects and programs that align with Aloha Grownʻs philosophy of sustaining Hawai‘iʻs land, people and culture.

“Here at Aloha Grown, we are committed to supporting efforts to care for our island, our people and our culture,” said Randy Kurohara, president and owner of Aloha Grown. “That is why 2 percent of every Aloha Grown sale goes to our Malama Honua Fund, which annually awards local nonprofits, schools, organizations and initiatives that embody our philosophy. This year we received a number of applications and essays from many well-deserving organizations.”

The 2017 Malama Honua Award Winners are:

• Parker School & Waimea Elementary School – “Kihapai Ho`oulu” Project
• Kohala Youth Ranch – “Equine-Assisted Therapy” Program
• Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School – “Farm to School” Program Hydroponics & Aquaponics Systems
• Volcano School of Arts and Sciences – “Kalo Garden” Project
• Na Wai Ola Public Charter School – “Third Grade Composting” Project

The award application requires a one-page essay illustrating how the organization follows Aloha Grown’s philosophy, as well as a description of the project or program that funding would support. All submitted essays were reviewed by an Aloha Grown selection committee.

“It was inspiring to see how many organizations are committed to sustainability efforts in our Big Island communities,” said Parker Ranch Store Manager Camille Kalahiki.