Progress 02/01/24 to 01/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period, the target audience for our project at Sustainable Molokia, which we titled M?lama Maui Mahi'ai (to care for and protect Maui farmers), has been primarily composed of farmers and agricultural producers in Maui County who have been adversely affected by the Lahaina wildfires on the island. These producers experienced significant losses in marketing outlets and agricultural infrastructure, making immediate recovery support critical. Our efforts specifically targeted diverse farming operations, from small family-run enterprises to larger LLCs and cooperatives, that reflect Maui's agricultural diversity. The 9 key farms that we reached through our project by providing them with financial, educational, and technical assistance include: 'Ano Farms (https://www.anofarms.com/): A "farm to table agriculture business". Hawaii Taro Farm LLC (https://hawaiitarofarm.org/): A "family-owned sanctuary devoted to cultivating taro, coconut, breadfruit, and more while celebrating the island's vibrant heritage." Kula Dahlia Farm (https://kuladahliafarm.com/): A "roadside farm stand selling edible flowers, farm-grown veggies, tubers, and custom bunches" Lapa'au Farm (https://www.lapaau.farm/): A " regenerative bio-intensive farming operation". Maui Tea Ventures (https://mauiteafarm.com/): "Hawaii's premier organic tea farm". Moon + Salt (https://moonandsaltmaui.com/): "A Botanical Mercantile & Gathering Place located on the Island of Maui". Nohoana Farm (https://www.nohoanafarm.com/): A "Native Hawaiian family-owned regenerative farm on 2 acres of ancestral kuleana land in the ahupua?a of Waikap?, Maui." Simple Roots Maui (https://simple-roots-maui.website.localline.ca/): A "pasture-raised chicken farm in upcountry Maui." Maui Grown Tomatoes (https://mauifoodhubs.localfoodmarketplace.com/Producer/a46509e3-c064-4bc3-a676-6353f4be1b20): A "family-owned and operated small farm growing vine ripened hydroponic tomatoes grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or insecticides." These farms produce a diverse array of products such as vegetables, fruits and tree crops, kalo (taro), traditional Hawaiian crops, livestock, poultry, microgreens, mushrooms, and value-added products like custom flower bunches and all-natural beauty products. Some farms are using innovative production methods such as indoor tower systems and protected agriculture, while others rely on traditional methods such as rotational grazing and lo'i kalo (wetland taro cultivation). The farmers of these various operations on the island of Maui have been categorized based on their urgent needs, which include market recovery, infrastructure development, labor support, and financial assistance. Many have infrastructure needs such as processing facilities, cold storage, wash stations, and irrigation systems. Some require upgrades to energy systems, particularly those incorporating solar energy for sustainability. Reliable access to basic resources such as water for irrigation, labor, and transportation continues to be a challenge across the board. We targeted farmers participating in various support networks, including those involved in conservation programs from NRCS, state grant programs, farmer organizations, and food hub networks. These networks have been vital for their resilience and recovery in face of the Maui Wildfires disaster. However, there are farmers who are not currently involved in any support networks, making them a priority for engagement and assistance. Geographically, the audience is spread across Maui County, which includes various microclimates and landscape specific challenges caused by the disaster like market disruption, wind damage, flooding, and fire. The audience's capacity to mitigate these hazards varies, with some having measures like windbreaks and erosion control in place, and others indicating a critical need for developing such strategies. An important component of the target audience includes farmers who are interested in educational support and training to improve agricultural resiliency. Many farmers are keen on receiving targeted technical assistance, particularly in areas such as conservation planning, market development, production methods, and business planning. Some farmers emphasize the need for mentorship and peer learning networks, which points to the crucial role of community-building efforts in agricultural recovery. Overall, our outreach has been comprehensive, extending support to farmers with varying degrees of needs and capacities across the region, aiming to strengthen the agricultural landscape's resiliency and foster long-term food security on the island Changes/Problems:As detailed in our response above, while we made substantial progress on both fronts, a number of logistical, financial, and operational challenges limited our ability to fully achieve all of our original goals within the reporting period. Objective 1: Market Recovery and Support for Maui Producers Goal: Within 12 months, support 20 Maui producers and purchase 30,000 lbs of Maui-grown products through the SM Food Hub. Actual: We supported 42 producers (exceeding our target of 30) and purchased 21,000 lbs of produce (70% of goal). We also facilitated 44 shipments to Molokai (88% of 50 projected shipments) and successfully built new relationships with 20 new producers (100%). Reasons for Partial Slippage: Our ability to reach the 30,000 lbs target was hindered by critical inter-island transportation challenges. There are only two carriers (Young Brothers and Kamaka Airlines) available for Maui-Molokai shipments, with high costs ($0.65-$1.00/lb) and no direct routes. Perishable goods had to transit through O?ahu, resulting in spoilage and quality control issues, as refrigeration during transport was limited. We had initially proposed purchasing a FREEZEBOXES refrigeration trailer and a produce cargo boat, but budget limitations prevented us from acquiring this equipment. These barriers significantly impacted how much product we could ship and store, thus reducing the total poundage purchased. Despite this, we far surpassed our outreach goals by supporting more than 40 producers and facilitating up to 24 shipments per week, double our original goal of 12. These efforts reflect both our community-driven flexibility and the increasing urgency for accessible and resilient transportation infrastructure. Objective 2: Disaster Grant Program (DGP) and Farmer Resilience Support Goal: Provide DGP funds to 10 producers and complete site assessments, education, and tailored resilience plans for all recipients. Actual: 9 (90%) producers received DGP funds ($22,500 each), and eight (80%) completed site assessments and resilience planning. A total of 11 out of 12 producers applied. Reasons for Slippage: While we succeeded in distributing emergency funding, there was a temporal mismatch between fund distribution (which focused on immediate recovery) and implementation of long-term resilience plans. Farmers applied for disaster relief funding to stay afloat amid infrastructure and market losses--not necessarily to commit to extended technical assistance. This limited their ability and capacity to implement resilience strategies in the short term. Additionally, language barriers and administrative complexities posed accessibility issues. One eligible farmer was unable to complete the application due to English being a second language. We intended to provide translation and technical support to resolve this and requested a no-cost extension through June 2025 to fulfill this need. Unfortunately, the extension was not approved. Despite these barriers, we successfully developed and distributed both online and hardcopy DGP application materials, collaborated with six Maui-based outreach partners, and supported a diverse group of 8 farms with direct relief and individualized technical assistance. Supersistence Contractor Outcomes: To implement resilience planning, we contracted Supersistence, a food systems design firm led by Hunter Heaivilin. Supersistence worked with eight of the nine funded farms (one farm dropped out post-award) to conduct in-person and virtual site assessments, gather pre-survey data, and develop customized resilience plans. These assessments addressed infrastructure needs, water/power access, hazard exposure, market recovery strategies, and production methods. Key themes across the plans included: Disaster preparedness: Flood mitigation, firebreaks, erosion control, and off-grid power systems. Infrastructure development: Irrigation upgrades, storage, and processing facilities. Market diversification: Value-added product strategies, digital marketing, and alternative distribution channels. Community-centered initiatives: Educational programs, farmer networks, and emergency food access. Supersistence provided one-on-one consultations on soil and compost management, hazard mitigation, market planning, and funding access. However, given that farmers were at varying stages of recovery, not all were ready to implement their full plans within the grant period. We estimate that 70-80% of the TA (technical assistance) was completed, with many plans serving as long-term guides rather than immediate action plans. Major Changes in Approach: A significant shift from our original plan was the replacement of broad educational workshops with customized, farm-specific resilience planning. Supersistence found that one-on-one support was more effective, given the varying needs and recovery stages of each farm. Another major change was our inability to purchase a cargo boat and refrigeration trailer, which limited our transportation capacity and affected our food purchasing and distribution goals, which were carried out by plane between Maui and Molokai. Proposed vs. Actual Outcome Summary: Here is a breakdown of our proposed deliverables and the actual outcomes of our work: Purchase of 30,000 lbs of Maui-produced products - 70% complete (21,000 lbs) Connection made with 20 new producers - 100% complete (42+ new producers) Fifty shipments of Maui produce delivered to Molokai - 88% complete (44) Program information distributed (online and hardcopy) - 100% complete DGP application distributed (online and hardcopy) - 100% complete 12 Maui farmers apply for Direct Grower Payments (DGP) - 90% complete (11) Ten Maui farmers awarded DGPs - 90% complete (9 farmers) 10 Maui farmers receive supplies for infrastructure and innovative tools - 90% complete (9 farmers) 10 Maui farmers receive onsite and/or online consultation - 80% complete (8 farmers) 10 Maui farmer site assessments completed - 80% complete (8 farmers) 10 Maui farmers are supported and continue to operate their businesses - 90% complete (i.e. 9 farmers) Lessons Learned and Forward Strategy: Our experience highlighted the challenges of supporting farmers on a neighboring island amid disaster recovery--particularly in areas of logistics, infrastructure, and long-term technical support. While we were able to meet or exceed many targets, it is clear that sustained funding, improved inter-island infrastructure, and flexible, farmer-centered support models are essential for effective disaster response. Going forward, we recommend more robust pre-disaster planning support for at-risk producers, expanded translation and accessibility services, and investment in shared logistics infrastructure to reduce systemic barriers across the islands. With more time and resources, we believe we could have further deepened the impact of our resilience programming. Despite these constraints, our outcomes laid a strong foundation for future agricultural disaster preparedness and food system resilience in Maui County. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Malama Maui Mahi'ai project provided meaningful opportunities for training and professional development by delivering tailored, one-on-one technical assistance to eight wildfire-impacted farms through our contracted partner, Supersistence. Rather than conducting broad workshops, we shifted toward individualized resilience planning that addressed each farm's unique context, allowing producers to deepen their understanding of disaster mitigation, infrastructure planning, soil and compost management, market development, food safety, and grant/funding strategies. This farm-specific approach fostered practical, applied learning that could be immediately integrated into daily operations and long-term planning. In addition, the project supported professional development through mentorship and consultations, equipping farmers with tools to strengthen their businesses and adapt to climate-related risks. By collaborating with experts in permaculture, urban planning, and regenerative agriculture, farmers gained exposure to diverse agricultural systems and innovative sustainability strategies. These interactions not only addressed immediate recovery needs but also built local capacity for resilience and self-sufficiency in Maui's farming communities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?To date, much of the Malama Maui Mahi'ai project's results have been shared primarily internally with the eight participating farms that engaged in site assessments, pre and post-surveys, one-on-one consultations, and technical assistance. Each farm received individualized feedback and tailored resilience plans developed through our contractor, Supersistence, as well as recommendations for implementation based on their specific needs. These outcomes were shared directly with the producers involved, with a focus on actionable insights related to infrastructure recovery, disaster preparedness, and market resilience. As outlined in our original data management plan, all participant data--including applications, surveys, and consultation tracking--has been securely stored in digital formats (Google Sheets, Excel) and backed up across multiple systems (Google Drive, Dropbox, and local hard drives). Any potential future dissemination--such as publications, presentations, or curriculum materials--will anonymize personally identifiable information and be made accessible upon request in standard formats (e.g., .xlsx, .pdf, .mp4). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?N/A because this is our final report under this grant program.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The Problem: In August 2023, devastating wildfires swept across Maui, causing widespread destruction to the island's communities and food systems. As noted in Sustainable Molokai's Maui Mahi?ai Disaster Relief Grant Program web page (https://www.sustainablemolokai.org/drgp), this was the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century and the most catastrophic natural disaster in Hawai?i's history. The USDA reported $23.1 million in agricultural damage, including $5.1 million in lost sales, $5.4 million in crop losses, and damage to thousands of acres of farmland. These losses severely disrupted Maui's already fragile food system. Our Response: In the aftermath of the Maui wildfires, our Molokai community responded with deep aloha. Families loaded boats with supplies and traveled to Maui, while others volunteered to assist overwhelmed relief efforts. Recognizing the need for sustained support, Sustainable Molokai launched the Maui Mahi?ai Disaster Relief Grant Program to help impacted farmers stabilize their operations, preserve food security, and support long-term recovery. As outlined in our USDA NIFA proposal under the Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events program, we implemented a three-pronged strategy: direct market support, emergency funding, and individualized technical assistance. Below is a breakdown of our achievements based on the program's two core objectives. Objective 1 (Short-Term Strategy): Support Maui farmers by creating new market opportunities: We exceeded our original goal of 30 by supporting 42 Maui producers, helping them regain market access after losing sales channels due to the wildfires. Sustainable Molokai's Food Hub purchased 21,000 lbs of produce--70% of our 30,000-lb goal--providing a reliable outlet for their goods during this period of disruption. Although we initially aimed for 12 shipments per week, we reached up to 24 shipments weekly, doubling our original target. Our efforts included partnerships with Hawai?i Food Hub Hui members, local restaurants, food service businesses, and other networks to establish lasting sales pathways for affected producers. Objective 2 (Long-Term Strategy): Develop and implement a Disaster Grant Program (DGP): We successfully created the Disaster Grant Program (DGP) with clearly defined eligibility, requirements, and approved expenses, such as supply replacement, infrastructure repairs, outreach, and investments in disaster-resilient practices (e.g., windbreaks, fire suppression systems). Full DGP details are available at https://www.sustainablemolokai.org/drgp. Applications were made available online and in hard copy at in-person gatherings, including HFUU meetings. The application window was open from March 18 to April 15, 2024. We also launched a robust outreach campaign with six Maui partners, including the Maui Food Bank, Maui Food Hub, and Local Harvest. As a result, 11 farmers applied, and 9 producers were awarded $22,500 each (90% of the goal). These funds helped replace tools, equipment, and infrastructure, enabling recipients to recover and continue farming. Each applicant submitted a budget and justification, and all required an initial site assessment before supply purchases were authorized. Site Assessments and Technical Assistance: To implement these assessments and develop individualized farm support, we contracted Supersistence (http://supersistence.org/), a food systems planning organization led by Hunter Heaivilin. Supersistence, with its deep expertise in permaculture and community-based planning, conducted in-person and virtual assessments for 8 of the 9 funded farms. The farms included: Hawaii Taro Farm, Ano Farm, Hooana Farm, Maui Tea Ventures, Simple Roots, Kula Dahlia Farm, Moon + Salt, and Lapa?au. Assessments gathered baseline data on farm operations, infrastructure needs, market disruptions, hazard exposure, water/power access, and labor capacity. This data informed customized agricultural resiliency plans, tailored to each farm's recovery stage and goals. The resilience plans addressed flood and fire mitigation, energy resilience (solar and battery systems), invasive species control, water conservation, pasture improvement, and infrastructure development. They also emphasized food safety (e.g., GAP certification), product diversification, and online market strategies. Some plans supported broader community efforts such as farmer networks and educational initiatives. Adaptation of Training Strategy: While we originally proposed agricultural resiliency workshops, Supersistence adapted this plan by providing individualized one-on-one technical assistance, which proved more effective for farmers navigating recovery. This personalized support included guidance on soil management, labor planning, hazard response, grant access, infrastructure design, and conservation practices. A common barrier identified was limited labor capacity, which made it difficult for farmers to implement some strategies. In response, we helped identify potential funding and hiring pathways to increase on-farm labor support. Through this approach, we began laying the foundation for longer-term resilience by sharing resources on sustainable practices, disaster preparedness, and crop diversification. Results and Deliverables: Post-surveys were conducted to assess changes in farmers' knowledge and adoption of resilience strategies. Supersistence's deliverables included: site visit documentation, completed resilience plans, assessment reports, pre/post survey data, and a final summary of resilience measures implemented. Throughout the engagement, regular coordination was maintained between Supersistence and Sustainable Molokai staff. The detailed results of our work have thus far only been shared primarily with the 8 farms directly involved in our resilience planning efforts. These farms received tailored assessments and technical assistance rooted in their specific needs and conditions. Conclusion: These accomplishments reflect our deep commitment to supporting Maui's agricultural recovery in the face of extreme climate-related disasters. By providing direct market support, financial assistance, and customized resiliency training, we not only addressed urgent needs but also began building a stronger foundation for long-term sustainability. These efforts mark a significant step toward future-proofing Maui's food system and ensuring that small, local producers can continue to thrive despite ongoing challenges.

Publications