Organically Homegrown and Handcrafted in Hawaii
Our Farm
Where the Magic Happens
Waipunalei Ohana Farm is home for our multi-generational family, as well as the homebase for everything we grow, create and share. We tend our farm with great intention, cultivating meaningful relationships with āina, our animals, gardens, each other, and all who come help to care for the farm. A sense of belonging and responsibility to the health of this place, and those who have come before and after us, is at the forefront of all we do. The Ahupua'a of Waipunalei is named after the garland of spring waters that flow down from Mauna Kea and into the ocean, just below our farm. We are located in between rivers and valleys, āina with a long-held sacred history. Being in right relationship with self and environment plays a vital role in farming. Our efforts thrive when we observe (kilo) and work together with the seasons, the elements, the micro-organisms in our soil, and animals we raise to help this entire ecosystem flourish. Considering all these variables, our creations are uniquely produced in small batches that capture each seasonal essence and nuance, some never to be precisely duplicated. Since 2002, our family has been homesteading on Hawaii Island; life on an active volcano has helped us learn resilience, adaptability, how to live in close relationship with the earth as a focal point and central theme of our life. Transformation, sustainability, and starting all over again countless times has filled us with the wisdom we create from today. Our farm presently has 1 acre in cultivation with many aspects of a diverse family homestead. On a larger scale, we grow herbal medicine and manufacture herbal body care products. On a small scale, we grow organic food to share our harvests with local Hāmākua and East Hawaii ohana through our CSA farm shareholder program. We also host volunteers through the WWOOF program, and offer education from time to time on all things homesteading, culinary, health and herbal medicine making. Reach out below if you're interested to talk story with us, and we look forward to connecting!
Regeneration
Regenerative farming is the epicenter and heart of our practices. We believe fundamentally that to perpetuate life for every generation ahead, it's vital to nurture and restore the health of our soil, our water, our seeds, and all those who play a role in stewarding āina. Everything on our farm feeds something or someone else, that in turn feeds our harvests in a continual cycle. Weeding plants turns into animal pen bedding, that becomes rich fertile mulching given to fruit trees and gardens. We burn organic materials, like pruned branches, and then return nutritive fire ashes to our fruit trees. Every piece of compost from our kitchen feeds our animals, who then feed us. There is no waste with this kind of lifestyle. It all gives back, and ongoing efforts multiply the nourishment over time in all we grow. While tending our farm, we use hand tools for cultivation, rather than mechanized large scale equipment like tractors, so that we are nourished and imprinted by growing this intimate relationship with caring for the land. Working with our hands also helps to improve soil structure health, because we don't mechanically till the land. These gentle methods combined with beneficial companion planting helps to minimize pests, pathogens, as well as detoxify soil from many years past. Our farm is not doing anything particularly new; we are simply continuing old fashioned ways, and forwarding the ancient future. Truth is, it's the only real way forward to assure collective longevity and wellbeing.
Meet The Ohana
We are a growing family of new & old friends who tend the farm
Join our CSA Farm Shareholder Program
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Waipunalei Ohana Farm operates a small scale CSA opportunity for local families to receive a weekly share of our seasonal harvests. We pack an array of fresh vegetables, fruit, herbs, roots, flowers, value added products & more. Availability is limited, shares are secured for a month commitment, (with option to renew), and provided on a first come, first served basis for local ohana in East Hawaii.
Learn more about our live & work exchange program for apprentices!
This opportunity is perfect for those passionate about organic farming and medicine making. Tell us more about yourself and what's inspiring you with this potential opportunity.