Community Food Garden in Public Housing: Punchbowl Homes Planting Event

Planting Event at Punchbowl Homes. Attendees: Representatives from Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, Punchbowl Homes Residents, Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority, Hawai‘i Department of Health Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion Division, Pear Suite

Punchbowl Homes: A New Chapter in Community Engagement

On October 15, 2024, HIPHI held a planting event at Punchbowl Homes to celebrate the installation of eight new garden beds. The day was a collaborative effort, with representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA), Pear Suite, and HIPHI joining residents to bring this shared garden vision to life. This event was a milestone for the Punchbowl community, which recently reopened its resident activity center, providing a dedicated space to support ongoing community engagement and aging-well initiatives.

Inspired by the Hoʻōla ʻĀina Pilipili project, the gardens are designed to be accessible and feature raised beds that make gardening easier for all residents, including kūpuna and people with disabilities. Over 100 plants were carefully placed in the newly constructed beds, providing fresh produce and helping beautify the space.

With noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) on the rise, promoting healthier lifestyles has become critical. The newly installed gardens will address key health factors by providing residents with access to fresh produce, opportunities for physical activity, and spaces for social connection. Research also shows that gardening can alleviate stress, foster a sense of belonging, and combat isolation, especially among older residents.

The sense of unity and shared purpose was palpable as residents and partners worked side by side. HIPHI looks forward to continued collaboration with community partners to maintain and grow this garden for years to come.

In addition to building community gardens, a toolkit is being developed based on lessons learned from current gardens. The toolkit will outline best practices for building gardens and fostering resident engagement, setting collaborative garden rules, and maintenance. This resource will be shared to empower other public housing communities to create sustainable garden spaces. Monthly garden days led by Hawai‘i Food Garden Network provide ongoing support and training for residents, ensuring the gardens thrive long-term.

These community garden initiatives are a powerful way to strengthen food security, resilience, and wellness across Hawai‘i’s public housing communities. While much work remains, HIPHI values the support of its partners as we work together to make this vision a reality.

Supported through a grant through the Healthy Communities Hawai‘i Initiative, Hawai‘i Public Health Institute (HIPHI) continues its mission to improve health outcomes in Hawai‘i’s public housing communities by expanding community garden projects. In collaboration with the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority (HPHA) and key partners, HIPHI has established new resident gardens, designed to improve both physical and mental well-being, at urban public housing sites.

To learn more about HIPHI’s work with food systems and community gardens, contact alice@hiphi.org.