HISTORY

In 1978, Hāna District Pohaku & Kipahulu ‘Ohana founders, John & Tweetie Lind and Mike Minn began restoring ancient lo‘i at the Kapahu area of Kīpahulu under the guidance and mentorship of the late, respected kūpuna, Tevi Kahaleuahi. Uncle Tevi passed the torch to John Lind to continue restoring and stewarding Kapahu Living Farm. Between 1978 and 1995, John & Tweetie Lind, Mike Minn, and other key stakeholders have helped spearhead lo’i kalo restoration work in several areas of East Maui, encouraging lineal descendents to return home and revitalize lo’i kalo farming. In 1995, they established Kīpahulu ‘Ohana, Inc. as a vehicle to enter into a formal cooperative agreement with the Haleakalā National Park for the management of Kapahu Living Farm. Since then Kīpahulu ‘Ohana has managed the farm and all of its agricultural and educational programs, hosting thousands of visitors and producing thousands of pounds of poi and other products for the community.

The organization has also developed other programs related to ahupua‘a management, including other agricultural operations, such as a 9-acre pasture and fruit orchard. We manage a shared-use certified commercial kitchen and ag processing facility. We have installed feral animal control fencing and conducted invasive species removal in the native forest of Kīpahulu in an area known as Cable Ridge. And over the last few years we have developed and are implementing our Malama Ke Kai community-based marine management plan.