Showing Aloha Aina by eating local

Showing Aloha Aina through eating local

How sourcing your food from local farmers and producers can benefit the environment and your body 

“Aloha Aina,” Olelo Hawaiian for “love [of and for the] land,” is not just a phrase but a cultural lifestyle for the Hawai’ian people. Deeply rooted in multiple facets of Hawaiian culture, right down to the origin story of the Kumulipo.

Aside from being one of the pinnacles of Hawaiian culture, practicing Aloha aina now is more important than ever, with the latest United Nations climate report emphasizing that we are currently on a pathway to warming that supersedes the Paris 2015 goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

The issue is global, monumental, but combatable. 

Due to Hawai’i’s unique geographical position and geological features, the temperature doesn't fluctuate significantly, and rain is expected, making it ideal for plant growth. 

Several local farms on Oahu sell produce at stores such as Food land Farms, Down To Earth Organics, Whole foods and Safeway. There are a few leading farms in Hawai’i- Ma’o Organic Farms, Lanai Farms, Ho Farms and Ko Farms.

Switching the foods we eat to locally sourced produce stimulates the economy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and even improves bodily health. According to Hawai’i’s government website, 85-90% of food is imported to Hawai’i.

By replacing just 10% of the imported goods with locally sourced food, the local economy is predicted to boost $313 million dollars. Showing aloha aina through switching to local foods is a simple daily choice anyone can make.

An easy weekly source for access to a wider variety of local produce options is the Kakkaako Farmers Market, held every Saturday from 6 a.m. until 12 p.m. Ma’o Farms, Nalo Mel Honey, Little Farms and Ho Farms all have a stall on the mauka side, and on the makai side Fields of Aloha, Forage Local Meats and Small Kine Farms.