More than 25 years ago, native Hawaiian residents John and Tweetie Lind, along with Mike Minn, came together to restore the ancient lo’i (wetland taro patch) at the Kapahu area of Kipahulu, near the Ohe’o stream. This was the humble beginnings of Kipahulu ‘Ohana, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to reviving, restoring and sharing the practices of traditional Native Hawaiian culture. The ‘Ohana’s mission is to educate residents and visitors alike, of the “ways of old” through cultural demonstrations and hands-on activities.

Since a formal cooperative agreement was established with Haleakalā National Park in 1995, the ‘Ohana has managed the lo’i and its agricultural and educational programs. Now known as Kapahu Living Farm, Kipahulu ‘Ohana is responsible for producing poi and other products to share with their community. Other programs under the ‘Ohana’s management include: a 9-acre pasture and fruit orchard on state leased land; a shared-use certified commercial kitchen and agricultural processing facility; and the Mālama I Ke Kai community-based marine management plan.

With the onset of the pandemic, Uncle John and Aunty Tweetie pivoted the ‘Ohana’s focus on educational groups and tours, towards a concentration on farming the land. Along with the loʻi, they stayed busy tending to cattle and chickens, while planting and maintaining their vegetable gardens. Soon after, they were harvesting cucumber, eggplant and long beans, in addition to their existing crops of kalo, ulu, mai’a (banana), citrus, starfruit, avocados and more.

“We decided to join the Hāna Farmers Market to share the excess produce from our bountiful garden. We offer ingredients enjoyed in the kitchens of our local Hawaiian community, such as Calabash squash (green Hawaiian squash), ulu, wing beans, green onion, kalo and poi. I enjoy watching everyone bring up all the boxes of vegetables from the farm. Thinking, ‘wow, we grow all that!’”  ~Aunty Tweetie Lind

The Linds have been farming in Kīpahulu for more than 6 generations. John Lind Sr. (Jack) was the Ranch Manager for Kīpahulu Cattle Company, while his wife, Daisy was ʻmana leoʻ an original ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi speaker. Together they raised their family teaching them “the Hawaiian way” focusing on the importance of conserving both their cultural heritage and the environment. Back then, they were known for growing zucchini, watermelon, sweet corn and bananas.

“We’ve raised and fed nine keiki plenty of shoreline fish in our ‘ohana’s kitchen. Whether it was prepared raw, seared or steamed, we often tried to include poi and a vegetable. We provided everything on the table and encouraged our kids to try, teaching them not to make funny faces or smell the food out of respect” ~Aunty Tweetie Lind

During the pandemic ‘shut-down,’ the ‘Ohana also made distributions of fruit and vegetables, fish and meat to families from Kīpahulu, Kaupō and Kahikinui, as well as the Maui Food Bank. Their farm stand in Kīpahulu is currently still closed, with hopes to reopen and again talk story with visitors soon.

This week, visit Kīpahulu ‘Ohana at the farmers market and meet Kaʻuiki, Uncle John and Aunty Tweetie’s son. They’ll be offering fresh bags of poi, raw and cooked kalo, cucumbers, eggplant, bitter melon, long beans, squash and bananas.

Visit their website at kipahulu.org to learn more about their programs.