Community Spotlight: Moku O Keawe Mālama nā Kūpuna

Attendees enjoying a Farm-to-Table lunch at the Hawaiian Beaches Event in January, 2025

The story of Moku o Keawe Mālama nā Kūpuna began in 2023 with one clear vision: to support kūpuna in Hawai‘i struggling with poor nutrition, isolation, and limited resources. From this desire to provide support, founding members Kaʻonohiokalani Jeremiah, Petronila Blank, and Merlin Foreman united to create what has become a loving and harmonious movement within the communities of Hawaiʻi Island. Their collaboration has taken shape as a way for them to realize their unique ideas of what it means to care for our kūpuna. Ka‘onohiokalani sought a way to care for the elders through a farm-to-table initiative. At the same time, Petronila envisioned the creation of a living village where elders are cared for and respected. Merlin wanted to find a way to fulfill her mother’s wish to “grow more food and feed the people.” Over the past two years, they have brought this vision to life and, in the process, are impacting the lives of kūpuna across this beautiful island we call home. 

Moku o Keawe Mālama nā Kūpuna envisions a harmonious community where our revered elders, our kūpuna, are cherished and nourished. They accomplish this by living out their mission, which is to be rooted in the rich cultural soil of Moku o Keawe (Hawai‘i Island) and to provide a farm-to-table program that seeks to foster connections among nā kūpuna and the larger community through monthly gatherings that cycle throughout Moku o Keawe. The first event occurred on April 20, 2023, within the Ahupua’a of Waikahekahe, and continues expanding to communities throughout the Puna District. 

At the core of each event is acknowledging where we are, Moku o Keawe. An opening cultural protocol, performed by the three founding kumu and the event’s host and co-host, is a way to open the space with reverence to the ‘āina, nā kūpuna, and to those who gather for this moment. Events are held at community centers and attended by kūpuna within those communities to foster relationships and build connections. According to the National Institutes of Health, “approximately 24% of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and a significant proportion of adults in the United States report feeling lonely” (NIH). 

The free events center around a farm-to-table lunch provided by donations from local farmers and backyard gardens. The produce and proteins donated are cooked and served by a host of volunteers, providing nutrient-dense foods that are locally grown and culturally relevant. This free and nutritious meal offers community members a lifeline, as 40% of people in Hawai‘i County reported being food insecure in the 2023 Hawai‘i Food Bank survey. Additionally, it provides much-needed access to fruits and vegetables, which, according to a 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Report, only 15% of adults in Hawai‘i County consume regularly. Not only do they partake in a healthy meal, but they can also take an assortment of fruits and vegetables home with them, all thanks to generous donations. While the events feed kūpuna and allow them to socialize, they also feed their souls and minds through live music, educational demonstrations, and interactions with local support agencies, such as Vibrant Hawai‘i. These resources provide the information needed for kūpuna to build resilience and capacity in their own right.    

The response to these events has been overwhelmingly positive, fueling the desire of the founding kumu to look toward future expansion. As the movement grows, more people are joining the organization as technical assistants, trainers, community hosts, and event volunteers. Donations from farmers and backyard enthusiasts continue to multiply. While this is exciting, it also calls for attention to asset organization, operational guidelines, formal training, and funding. To realize their larger vision of supporting all of Hawai‘i Island and, eventually, the state of Hawai‘i, Moku o Keawe Mālama nā Kūpuna must continue to grow their network and hone their skills. In the words of founder Merlin Foreman, “We are growing. We are grateful. And we are committed to honoring and caring for our kūpuna one community at a time.”

Moku o Keawe Mālama nā Kūpuna plays a vital role in supporting the nutritional, social, and resource needs of Hawai‘i Island’s kūpuna, aligning with the work our Healthy Eating + Active Living (HEAL) Coalitions are doing to strengthen community ties to history, relationships, and ʻāina. If you want to learn more about how to support Moku o Keawe Mālama nā Kūpuna or get involved with HEAL, please get in touch with Patti Hatzistavrakis at patti@hiphi.org.