Kakoʻo ʻOiwi

Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi restores and stewards ʻāina in Heʻeia through kalo farming, wetland and mauka restoration, cultural education, and community workdays. Its programs give students, volunteers, and community members hands-on ways to learn about Hawaiian agriculture and the ahupuaʻa.

In Heʻeia, Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi brings together ʻāina restoration, Hawaiian cultural practice, agriculture, and education. The organization manages more than 10 acres of kalo production and works across loʻi, wetlands, and mauka areas, where staff and volunteers plant, harvest, clear waterways, remove invasive species, and restore native plants. The work also becomes a hands-on learning experience. School groups can work in the loʻi, learn about wai and the ahupuaʻa, explore native plants, or learn traditional food practices such as poi pounding. Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi also grows produce and operates food-production facilities that turn kalo into products such as poi and kūlolo. What makes the organization particularly interesting is how these pieces connect: restoring the land is also a way of restoring cultural knowledge, food systems, and people's relationship with place.

SERVICE AREAS: Oʻahu

WHO THEY HELP: ʻOhana • Keiki & Youth

WHAT THEY DO: Arts & Culture • Education & Youth Development • ʻĀina & Environment • Jobs & Economic Opportunity

We’ve had the chance to share an overview of their work on Here in Hawaiʻi:

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