The Surfrider O'ahu Chapter is honored to feature our newest member of the Ocean Friendly Restaurant Program, ‘ĀINA Farm Stand, Kokua Hawai'i Foundation's most recently opened storefront. This quaint farm stand is nestled in the heart of Haleiwa town on the North Shore of O'ahu and lies on a 6 acre plot of land that includes a community center, backyard garden and a learning farm that even has its own large-scale in vessel composting system that composts food and green waste.
The Making of ‘ĀINA Farm Stand
‘ĀINA Farm Stand opened its doors in December 2024 and shares the bounty of their farm, along with other food and agriculture producers around the area. It also serves as a CSA (community supported agriculture) and CSF (community supported fisheries) pick up location. ‘ĀINA Farm Stand is one of 3 storefronts along with Kokua General Store, a bulk refill and low waste lifestyle product store, and Kokua Vintage, a second hand store. These were all created to align with Kokua Hawai'i Foundation's mission, to promote local and healthy food awareness, production, and consumption, and empower viable waste reduction practices.
Kokua Hawai'i Foundation is 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2003 by Kim and Jack Johnson that supports environmental education in Hawai'i's schools and communities. Their goal is to provide experiences that enhance appreciation for the environment and foster lifelong stewards of the earth. They have monthly learning farm community workdays and cleanups as well as collaborate with other nonprofit groups including: Surfrider O'ahu, Sustainable Coastlines, Parley for the Oceans, Kupu Hawaii, Empower Youth, and many others around the island of O'ahu.
They have many programs to carry out their mission and to name a few: 3 R's School Program, that empowers and educates students about the 3 R's (reduce, reuse, recycle), field trip grants that bring students to outdoor sites so they can experience ands on learning about the environment, and Plastic Free Hawaii that provides resources, tools, and training to educate schools and the community about environmental and health benefits of going plastic-free to minimize single use plastics in Hawai'i.
Celebrating Plastic Free July
July has been deemed Plastic Free Month for Kokua Hawai'i Foundation, and Surfrider O'ahu will be joining the organization with many other local non-profits on July 5th, the "Dirtiest Beach Day" after July 4th's festivities to provide education about the harmful effects of plastics on our oceans through a beach cleanup event. To participate in this event and/or learn more, go to https://kokuahawaiifoundation.org
Surfrider O'ahu sat down with some of the Farm Stand's and Kokua Hawaii Foundation's key players: Samantha Carroll, Plastic Free Hawai'i Manager, Ella Narvasa, Farm Stand Assistant Manager, and Kim Johnson, Kokua Hawaii Foundation founder to learn more about ‘ĀINA Farm Stand and their mission.
What inspired you to become an Ocean Friendly Restaurant?
“We chose to make the ‘ĀINA an OFR because we believe that caring for the ocean begins with how we care for the ‘ĀINA. Every choice we make, from the food we serve to the waste we reduce, is rooted in our love for Hawai’i. When we honor the land, we protect the sea, and together, we create a future where our island community and environment can thrive” - Samantha Carroll, Plastic Free Hawai’i Manager
What makes 'Aina Farm Stand unique compared to other OFR's?
'‘ĀINA Farm Stand does not use any single use cups within their establishment. We have a "full circle-cup donation" system and use reusable coffee cups donated from people around the community so not to produce any single use waste. We are a waste diversion store and take pride in educating the community how to divert waste." - Ella Narvasa ĀINA Farm Stand Assistant Manager
How did the restaurant concept come about?
"At Kokua Hawaii Foundation we believe in connecting the community through food. We thought the best way to show the community where their food comes from would be opening a restaurant/farm stand that featured foods within our garden and local gardeners. Know your farm, know your food, and make the connection." - Kim Johnson, Kokua Hawaii Foundation Founder
Want to find an OFR near you or learn more about the program? Click HERE!