• Galbraith Land Acquisition

A collaboration of public agencies, business, and non-profit organizations raised $25m to purchase 1700 acres of former pineapple land for agricultural use as well as to protect the culturally significant site, Kukaniloko.

What makes it bright?

• Collaboration across all levels of government and the private sector.
• Acres of prime agricultural land will be conserved in agriculture in perpetuity.
• Culturally significant Kukaniloko site will be preserved surrounded by a protective buffer zone.

Hawaii currently imports about 85 percent of its food, but the purchase and protection of the Galbraith land for agricultural use will allow us to reduce our reliance on food imports and increase our food security. . .
-- Governor Neil Abercrombie

Key Contact: Lea Hong, Hawaiian Islands State Director, Trust for Public Land, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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• Waimea Nui Regional Community Development Initiative

The Waimea Nui Regional Community Development Initiative is a shared community effort designed to create the fundamental infrastructure and programs needed to build a vibrant, self-sufficient, robust, community grounded in traditional Hawaiian values.

What makes it bright?

• Cross collaboration occurring between governmental agencies and private sector businesses.
• Strong community participation and support.
• Creation of new farmers through hands-on training, mentoring, and skill development.
• Providing work opportunities for veterans, homesteaders, and community members.

An outstanding example of the synergy of communities and agricultural food self-sufficiency . . . This program is already changing lives . . .
-- Governor Neil Abercrombie

Key Contact: David Ruf, Co-Founder, Rivertop Solutions, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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• Kunia Ag Park

The 182 acre Kunia Ag Park was established through a partnership between Island Palm Communities, Monsanto, and the Hawaii Agricultural Foundation. Island Palm Communities, a partnership between developer Lend Lease and the U.S. Army and owner of 2,400 acres of land on the Kunia plain reached out to the agricultural community to lease its land. Monsanto, which holds similar ideals of building a sustainable agricultural community, entered into a lease agreement on a portion of the land with Island Palm Communities.

What makes it bright?

• Cross collaboration occurring between governmental agencies and private sector businesses.
• Strong community participation and support.
• Providing land and opportunity for aspiring farmers.

Creating new partnerships that sustain and provide opportunities for our local food producers to scale their operations is fundamental to the long-term viability of agriculture in Hawaii. Working with Senator Inouye and private companies, Island Palms Communities and Monsanto Hawaii provided us with the necessary leadership infrastructure and knowledge base to make this partnership possible.
-- Denise Hayashi, Executive Director, Hawaii Agricultural Foundation

Key Contact: Denise Hayashi, Executive Director, Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation, email
Learn More: website