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Maya Parish (far right) is the director of Kohala Food Hub, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on improving community access to fresh, healthy food and growing a sustainable food system.

Meet the Mahiʻai: Kohala Food Hub wants fresh local food for all

Oct. 11, 2024

Kamehameha Schools’ Mahiʻai Match-Up supports food systems-focused entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship and skills to build sustainable businesses, fostering economic resilience and cultivating them as ʻōiwi leaders whose work improves the well-being of our lāhui. In this series, we spotlight the innovative contestants of the competition, showcasing their journeys and contributions to Hawaiʻi’s sustainable food future.

Founded in 2019 and led by Director Maya Parish, Kohala Food Hub is a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization based in North Kohala on Hawai‘i Island. Created in response to a need for greater local food production and access, the hub offers locally grown produce and value-added products from more than 100 producers through its weekly subscriptions and online marketplace.

As part of the broader effort to foster food security across the islands, the hub plays a vital role in supporting local food producers. Working with everyone from backyard growers to small food businesses, the hub offers a suite of services to help these farmers get their goods to consumers.

“We provide vital services and infrastructure for agricultural producers to increase our communities’ access to fresh local food,” Parish said. 

Since its inception, Kohala Food Hub has significantly expanded its operations, becoming a key player in Hawai‘i’s growing food network. From 2021 to 2023, the hub saw a remarkable 226% increase in the distribution of local food, demonstrating its ever-growing impact on the community and regional food system.

“I love this work because it is the perfect confluence of human health, environmental health and community service that’s rooted in the values and vision of the community I live in,” Kent said.

If they win the competition, the Mahiʻai Match-Up funds will help Kohala Food Hub scale its operations, launch a mobile market and expand its value-added product line. These funds will also support critical infrastructure development like a shared-use commercial kitchen and increase local food access through SNAP/EBT programs and partnerships with schools and community institutions.

“We want to get the word out so our community knows and can see an increase in equitable healthy food access that also benefits our producers,” Parish said.

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