We are building a future of māʻona, of plenty, by connecting youth and land through the daily practice of aloha ʻāina, empowering youth to succeed in college and secure sustaining careers, and growing organic produce that yields individual and communal vitality.
SCALING MAʻO
Celebrating in the work of ʻāina aloha and returning land to the community.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
MAʻO Organic Farms is structured as a revenue-generating nonprofit organization. This allows us to take a systemic view and work with partners to make critical investments that benefit youth, their future employers and the broader community, now and for the future.
OUR FARM
MAʻO operates one of the largest certified organic farms in Hawaiʻi, where we grow over 40 different varieties of fruits and vegetables. The farm enterprise is co-managed by youth interns and apprentices, who shoulder the hana nui of feeding community while receiving training and mentorship to become entrepreneurial community leaders.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
MA‘O Organic Farms offers community education programs that range from keiki- to kupuna. Our core programming unfolds in an edu-preneurial ʻauwai, or college to career pathway, through which youth shoulder kuleana (responsibility), receive individualized support and mentorship, and engage in peer-to-peer learning.
OUR ROOTS
In 2000 a group of community members founded the Waiʻanae Community Re-Development Corporation (WCRC) to grow two of the community’s greatest assets: the rich food producing traditions of the region and youth who were not achieving their academic potential. WCRC created a social enterprise called MAʻO Organic Farms (MAʻO) and began developing programming to mentor, educate and empower youth.
