Maui We Grow in GRaCE: Youth, Food Resilience, and Advocacy

We Grow Hawaiʻi: A Youth Food Site Visit & Summit is a two-day event presented by the Hawaiʻi Youth Food Council (HYFC), providing high school students with opportunities to learn about food systems, legislation, and advocacy efforts across the state. The first half occurred on February 16 in Lāhainā, Hawaiʻi’s first capital and the second half will occur on March 7 at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol in Honolulu. The Lāhainā event, Maui We Grow in GRaCE (Gardens for Resilience and Climate Education), was organized in collaboration with Grow Some Good and allowed HYFC members and interested Maui High School students to exchange knowledge on legislative processes and their vision for farm-to-school initiatives.

Following a sustainable farm-fresh breakfast provided by Moku Roots, students volunteered with Kaiāulu Initiatives, an organization dedicated to restoring Lāhainā’s watershed and fostering environmental sustainability. Volunteers worked together to plant, water, weed, and paint at the site above the Lāhainā Civic Center. Jeremy Delos Reyes, President of Kaiāulu Initiatives, spoke to the youth about food systems, sustainability, and the importance of community-led efforts in shaping Maui’s future.

The group then gathered at the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Discovery Center for lunch, also provided by Moku Roots, and an afternoon of youth-led presentations on engaging in the legislative process. Cultural practitioner Vene Chun shared insights on the historical significance of Lāhainā as the capital of the kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands until 1845, highlighting pre-colonial agricultural systems that sustained a population of over a million. He encouraged students to stay connected to the land and pursue change through a lens of aloha and respect. The event concluded with a raffle featuring prizes from Boards 4 Buddies, Maui G Sports, Maui Tennis & Pickleball Association, Florence Marine X, Maui Surfer Girls, Pukalani Superette, and Native Intelligence.

The Maui We Grow event spotlighted the importance of youth-led initiatives by recognizing the strength and commitment of Maui’s young leaders, honoring Lāhainā’s history as a royal and agricultural center as well as its current resilience following the Maui fires, and encouraging youth participation in food system and policy conversations. HYFC member Vivienne Hill reflected on “the power of people who show up even when they are exhausted, heartbroken, and facing an overwhelming challenge. That’s what advocacy is. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to be in the room.” 

Combining hands-on environmental work, cultural education, and legislative training, We Grow Hawaiʻi provides young leaders the tools they need to advocate for a more sustainable and food-secure future. HYFC will carry lessons from Lāhainā to Honolulu, where students can implement their knowledge and directly engage with policymakers. Community members can support these young leaders by staying informed about bills HYFC advocates for and taking action. Learning to engage in the legislative process and voicing support for food system policies can help create a more sustainable and resilient future for all. HYFC is open to all current Hawaiʻi high school students who are passionate about food, nutrition, agriculture, and making a difference in Hawai‘i. Apply here, or contact Kawika Kahiapo at kawika@hiphi.org.

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