KUINA ʻAI
Kuina ʻAi houses community food systems programs that focuses on cultivating connections to nurture generational stewardship of Hawaiʻiʻs food system. Just like stringing a lei of cherished flowers, Kuina ʻAi weaves together resources and collaborative partnerships amongst farmers, producers, food hubs, and community-based organizations across Hawaiʻi.
He ali‘i ka ‘āina, he kauā ke kanaka
The land is chief, and people are its servants.
As a program of Hawaiʻi Good Food Alliance, Kuina `Ai focuses on building ea (breath, sovereignty) into Hawaiʻiʻs food system by bridging people and relationships that uplift locally grown foods and support resilient economies. Partnering organizations actively work in alignment with our five Good Food Pillars and share in the commitment of mālama ʻāina, community abundance, and health and well being for generations to come.
Kuina: A stringing together as of flowers in leiʻs, to thread, to sew the corners of a lauhala mat.
ʻAi: Food or food plant; poi. To rule, to reign.
PATHWAY: UMEKE ‘AI PONO
ʻUmeke ʻAi Pono is a pathway to support local food producers, aggregators, distributors and businesses to feed communities across Hawaii with locally grown and culturally significant foods.
Umeke ‘Ai Pono Active Work: Locally Grown Food Distribution
From February to July 2025 is facilitating $3.2M to distribute 58,565 boxes to over 45 zip codes across Hawaiʻi.
This project is a collaboration between the State of Hawaiʻi DOE, USDA - LFPA, HGFA, and members of the Hawaiʻi Food Hub Hui (HFHH) to support underserved communities across the state by sourcing fresh produce from local farmers, ranchers, and food businesses. This program aims to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s local food systems, enhance food security, and provide nutritious food options to communities with limited access.
PATHWAY: ALAKA’I ‘AI PONO
Alakaʻi ʻAi is a pathway that focuses on building food system leaders through mentorship, internship opportunities and practitioner-led learning environments.
Alaka’i ‘Ai Active Work: Hawaii Food Hub Leader Fellowship
This apprenticeship program is a partnership between HGFA and HFHH that blends practical experience through paid on-the-job training and practitioner-led theoretical learning to strengthen local food system leaders. Alakaʻi ʻAi also provides subsidized staffing support for each participating food hub organization.
The program's Hoʻoulu ʻAi curriculum weaves together indigenous knowledge and values in agriculture, community connection, storytelling, food safety, supply chain management, marketing, and financial sustainability. This investment in leadership development aims to enhance the capacity of local food enterprises, develop a skilled and diverse workforce, and strengthens the resilience and equity of Hawaii's regional food system. The curriculum includes:
Pilinaha + ʻAi Pono
Getting to Know Your Organization's Mission
Building EA into Hawaiʻiʻs Food System
Know Your Farmer: Stories of Empowered Mahiʻai
Lessons in Being Maiau: Food Safety Protocols and Ceremony into Practice
The Traveling Meaʻai: Supply Chain Management with Food Hubs
Writing for Waiwai: Weaving Moʻolelo, Data and Evaluation
Auwai-nomics: Creating the Flow and Maintaining the Resources
Marketing and Branding: Invest Local and Shop Hawaiʻi
Community Supported Abundance
Workplace Culture and Conflict Resolution
PATHWAY: PILINA ‘AI
Pilina ʻAi focuses on creating spaces and conversations to nurture relationships. We gather around tables filled with locally sourced foods and sustenance that ignites inspiration and creative thinking to build a better food system for all communities.
Pilina ‘Ai Active Work
Stakeholder Retreats
Community Gatherings and Meals
Educational Workshops
Participatory Planning
Support Kuina ʻAi
Support Kuina ʻAi in building resilience and access to locally grown food in communities across Hawaiʻi.
To learn more about the Kuina ʻAi, contact Christen Noelani Oliveira, Kuina ʻAi Program Manager.