HHH Pause: Partnership with Living Pono Project

Press Release: HHH Partners with Living Pono Project to Continue Supporting Maui Families and Fire Survivors

12/12/2024

Living Pono Project – Hub in Kahului, Makalea Ane and Kaulana Ane

Hungry Heroes Hawaii (HHH) is proud to announce a new partnership with the Living Pono Project (LPP), ensuring the continuation of vital food programs for Maui families and wildfire survivors during this critical time.

With the recent closure of the Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant, announced by MEO, our dedicated HHH staff has been placed on leave. However, our unwavering commitment to the Maui community remains steadfast. Thanks to the support and collaboration of the Living Pono Project and its Executive Director, Makalea Ane, we are able to continue our mission.

This partnership ensures that key food programs, including those serving Hua Momona, S-Turns, the Burn Zone, and Kahana Boat Ramp, will carry on seamlessly. Living Pono, in coordination with HHH co-founder Naim Ferguson and Cameron Leising at Local Harvest, will manage the produce program, delivering fresh, locally sourced produce to families and hubs in need. As well, fresh produce will also be stocked at the Living Pono store, a free store for Maui families in need.

Gratitude, Mahalo Maui, Mahalo MEO, Mahalo Staff & Volunteers

While this is a challenging time for our team, we are profoundly grateful for all that has been achieved—the meals served, the food delivered, and the obstacles overcome. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to MEO for their invaluable support to the Maui community and our organization, providing essential assistance to our staff and economic relief to many Maui fire survivors. This time of year, while often accompanied by the hope for holidays where all needs are met, also serves as a powerful reminder to appreciate what we do have and the strength and unity that have carried us through the past year and a half.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the incredible volunteers and staff who have poured their time, energy, and hearts into this program, Hungry Heroes Hawaii, and the Maui wildfire relief efforts. Your unwavering commitment and compassion have made an extraordinary difference, whether through preparing and delivering meals, coordinating produce runs, or providing support to those in need. Together, you have embodied the spirit of aloha, bringing hope, nourishment, and resilience to our community during its most challenging times. We are forever grateful for your contributions and dedication to making Maui stronger and more united.

Stats:

560,416 Meals Served
221,378 Pounds of Maui Produce Delivered
2231 Volunteers

About Living Pono Project

The Living Pono Project currently supports 700+ Maui families with food assistance and more. Their mission aligns closely with our values:
“To act as a bridge program for vulnerable populations into sustainable industries, with a focus on indigenous populations, at-risk youth, adults with disabilities, and re-entering individuals. Grounded in Hawaiian culture and values, LPP provides a kahua (foundation) to connect to the land, spirit, and community.”

Through their focus on Arts, Culture, and Language; Community and Economic Development; and Environmental stewardship, the Living Pono Project is an ideal partner to carry forward the legacy and impact of HHH.

Together, we look forward to building on our shared vision of resilience, collaboration, and Aloha ʻĀina. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported our work, and we remain committed to nourishing Maui’s communities as they heal and rebuild.

https://www.livingponoproject.org

Hubs on the west side are in coordination with Naim, Cameron, and Living Pono.
Saturday Produce will be delivered between 8am and 9am. If you would like to learn more about produce drops please contact [email protected] or dm on IG.

Our Staff and Programs

While our projects and programs are facing uncertainty, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serving Maui’s families and wildfire survivors. We are actively seeking support from funders, sponsors, and grants to sustain and expand our vital programs, including fresh produce distribution to families and hubs, meals for the displaced, volunteer coordination, and the operations of our community kitchen. Your support is essential to help us continue providing these critical services and ensuring that Maui’s communities receive the nourishment and care they need to rebuild and thrive. See our pitch deck!

Please contact ED below:
Rachel Tarver [email protected] 808-469-2660
https://hhhmaui.org/presentation/

Staff employment and support

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible staff—chefs, cooks, coordinators, and drivers—who have poured their love and skill into this work. This work is far from easy; every day demands creativity and inspiration to navigate the challenges of scarcity and loss.

To support our amazing team, we are asking for any recommendations or job opportunities for these highly skilled individuals who are ready and eager to contribute. Additionally, donations are always appreciated and will go a long way in continuing this vital work. Contributions can be made through the same PayPal or GiveButter links, and please feel free to include notes on how you’d like the funds applied.

A special shoutout to the dream team that has held it down this year: Chef Michel, Chef Kari, Dave, Kim, Sophie, Skyla, Aram, Sara, Sophelia, and Rachel. Your dedication and heart have been nothing short of extraordinary! Thank you!

Meals on the Westside & Volunteers – Still going via Huamamona

Meals are served Monday through Friday and will continue in partnership with Hua Momona to support Maui families and wildfire survivors. For more information, please contact Michelle King at the details provided below.

Volunteers are essential to keeping this program running, and we are currently seeking help with kitchen work and meal delivery on the westside.

If you would like to volunteer your time, follow link below:

https://hhhmaui.ivolunteer.com/huamomonafarms

If you have any further inquiries please e-mail a volunteer coordinator at [email protected], or call (808) 344-4070 to speak with our lead volunteer coordinator, Michelle King.

Gratitude & Closing Note by Naim

Naim, Makalea and Kaulana at Maui Relief Hub

Naim, Makalea and Kaulana at Living Pono

“It has been an incredible honor and privilege to be part of the Maui Fires Response and to support the resilient Maui community. To envision a Maui where the tide of Aloha rises, where love for the land and its people, Aloha ʻĀina, is the guiding force; is to believe in a future where lifting those at their lowest lifts us all. Together, we grow, connect, and create a life that is more easeful, beautiful, and deeply rooted in Lokahi, unity.

To re-cap, the Central Kitchen is on pause due to funding, staff has been put on leave due to MEO grant closing, and the produce delivery program is continuing through Living Pono Project, I will be facilitating the Wholefoods pickup and delivery with Maui Rapid Response, Living Pono and Maui Rescue Mission, if you would like to help me sort and deliver on Mondays as a volunteer, that would be amazing!

I’ve had the privilege of working alongside co-founder Steve Calkins and his team in the early days when so much was unknown and the path forward was uncertain. Despite the challenges and lack of structure, remarkable progress was made, and so much was accomplished. More recently, I’ve had the honor of collaborating with Executive Director Rachel Tarver and her team as they solidified operations and strengthened administration, bringing a new level of effectiveness to the mission. Throughout this journey, I’ve witnessed the vibrant tapestry of individuals who have carried the torch, shown up, and made a profound difference. Their dedication is a testament not only to the movement of HHH but also to the many individuals, NGOs and government organizations that stepped up to meet the moment. The collective effort has been nothing short of inspiring, a true embodiment of what it means to serve with heart and purpose. My wish is that the spirit of community love and power is never forgotten by those of us who experienced it, and furthermore that we can pass it on.

While this moment in time puts our organization on an official ‘Pause’, programs will be carried on through our partnerships, and for that we are so grateful. On behalf of all of us at HHH, wishing you and everyone on Maui a special season of gratitude, to remember what is holy, the land, our people, and the spirit of aloha.

Mahalo!
~Naim