Abundance in 2026
Can you support us?
Aloha mai kākou,
Our roots are deep and it has been fulfilling to uplift, and be uplifted by, our community. What a blessing to deepen our pilina, our connections with place and community, during this year’s literal and metaphorical droughts. In ways both big and small, we were reminded that Waimea’s generous spirit nourishes keiki and kumu alike by ensuring ʻāina-centered learning is accessible to all of our island’s students. As we reflect on the past year in anticipation of 2026, we are pleased to share all we have been up to below, and in our Mālaʻai 2024-2025 Year in Review.
‘Ike aku, ‘ike mai, kōkua aku, kōkua mai; pela iho la ka nohona ‘ohana.
Recognize and be recognized, help and be helped; such is family life.
~Mary Kawena Pukui, ʻŌlelo Noʻeau No. 1200
We are committed to feeding keiki, kumu, and ʻāina. Mālaʻai is proud to be 25% grassroots-funded, meaning that 25% of our income comes from our grassroots community supporters. We are ready to cultivate abundant futures for youth, educators, and school gardens across Hawai‘i Island. Will you join us?
Flourishing in 2025, Abundance in 2026
Māla‘ai: The Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School
We're celebrating another successful year at our Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School, marked by an overwhelming interest in all of our programs, empowered keiki, and engaged educators.
Back from summer and back in action! From August - October we harvested 372 pounds of produce and over 348 chicken eggs! We've made kimchi, decomposition bottles, and started building a meditation spiral.
We love having guests in the garden! From a 17 year tradition with Lanakila Mangauil, to new collaborations with Konawaena Middle School and WMS Alumni Avalon Paradea.
Over the last several months we have been giving away ‘iliahi, koa and a'ali'i trees to community members thanks to a partnership with Yin Leung. Since May we have distributed over 200 'iliahi, koa and a'ali'i trees!
To learn more about what’s happening in the check out Garden Updates in The Scoops.
Lono i ka makahiki! As we welcome the rains of this season, we’re filled with gratitude for the many hands that uplifted the teachers and students of the Hawaiʻi Island School Garden Network. This year, inspired by the Culinary Garden at Waimea Middle School, our HISGN team shared resources and strengthened instruction across the island. Together, we supported school gardens—and the educators and youth who tend them—so they could flourish in body, mind, and spirit.
And there’s more to come in 2026! We are expanding our network of garden educators, designing a professional development course on how to build soil health using native Hawaiian practices rooted in place, and continuing to distribute resources to Hawaiʻi Island school gardens. It’s going to be so much fun and we invite you to share our story with a teacher near you!
The Hawai‘i Island School Garden Network
Our goal is to raise $20,000 this month and we humbly invite you to contribute to our cause. Every donation matters and will be put to good use as we continue to foster meaningful connections between people, land, culture, and food through school gardens.
Here are ways to give:
Donate online: Join us with a one time donation! Click here.
Sustain: Become a sustaining donor with monthly or yearly recurring donations. Donate here.
Mail a check: Checks can be made out and addressed to Māla‘ai; please send to PO Box 543, Kamuela, HI 96743.
Mahalo nui for supporting Mālaʻai on our journey of uplifting ʻāina and the young learners and educators we serve. Every gift makes a difference. We will continue to keep you updated about our work; if you want to volunteer or be more involved, please let us know. E mālama pono!
Me ke aloha pumehana,
Jeannette Soon-Ludes, Executive Director
Māla‘ai Staff 2025
Jeannette Soon-Ludes, Executive Director
Kahikina Kaae-Whittle, Operations Assistant
Vicky DeMercer, Operations Assistant
Zoe Kosmas, Garden Program Director
Gabriel Grosshuesch, Garden Program Assistant
Leilani Waldron, HISGN Program Assistant
Māla‘ai Board of Directors 2025
Wendy Baker, President
Willie Quayle, Secretary
Healohamele Genovia, Director
